News, Views, and a Free Pattern 2/15/08

BIG NEWS!

I'm taking a trip back to the Northeast this summer, and will be teaching Doll Making with found objects to the doll group in Ottawa on July 5th and 6th. Contact Roberta Russell: robruss@sympatico.ca for more information.

I will be teaching in southern France, near Toulouse, in summer of 2009, the week of July 20-27, 2009. There is room for 8 students, sharing double rooms, in Gwen Gibson's chateau, and it is Sunflower Season! Go to http://www.gwengibson.com and check out La Cascade. I am going to design a special class, composed of what I would like to do, probably a combination of book making, using found objects and photographs, some sewing, and maybe even precious metal clay charms. It's $1700 per student, which includes lodging and studio space, most meals, classes in the am, exploring in the afternoon, and studio time together in the evening. Send me your ideas of wonderful things to do.


It hasn't been ALL fun and games, I've been doing a little art work this winter, just not as much as I'd hoped. Here's another one of the Sentinal series I've been working on. She's about 13" tall, and getting embellished with beads and handmade felt that Leslie Gelber sent me long ago and far away.

The Big Doll is languishing in the garage, because it's been too cold to work out there.


I have a two-person show with Rosie Rojas, FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING, coming up in June this year at FiberArt Space in San Antonio, Texas. Check out Laurie Brainerd's space at http://lauriebrainerd.com

I have some wall dolls started, incorporating mixed media--a new direction for me. Stay Tuned for pictures!








A winter trip east to Port Townsend: magnificent Victorian homes, colorful cafes, and unexpected sculpture.














A DESIGN PROJECT FOR YOU: on an unusually sunny Sunday recently, I
took my digital camera out for a walk around the block (which is a mile around and offers excellent views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Canada. I was looking for colors, textures, and potential design ideas.


Power lines against almost blue sky. Looks interesting horizontally, too.

A discarded piece of clothing looks very sculptural against textural grass.











I like all the horizontal lines and shapes in this view of Victoria, BC in the distance. The white roof of the high school in the foreground.

What can you find in your neighborhood--and where can you get it to lead you?


FREE PATTERN

Running Man Paper Doll--about time for another paper doll. You have my permission to enlarge this guy. He fits well on an 8.5" x 11" sheet. Cut him out of black poster board, punch holes where the small circles are, use brads to attach the arms and legs and use jellies or colored pencils or metallic extra fine point sharpies to add the details. Send him/her to your favorite Type A with an invitation to slow down and PLAY!