April 24 – 26    The Ancient Art of Paste Papers

Paste paper, an age-old method of mixing paste and pigment, layering it, and then using tools to scrape, scratch and draw through the layers not only renders beautiful results on paper but also opens the artist to new creative experiences. Using this technique and others, we will create a stockpile of unique, personalized papers for your book and collage projects. We will also learn a basic book form to use with our new stash of decorated papers. All levels of students welcome. Class Fee: $150 Member $175 NonMember

May 22 – 23   Reinvention and Play Through Collage

Collage, a way to re-contextualize everyday objects to create new works of art, is one of the most forgiving and expressive ways to explore and expand your creative practice. Susan will guide you through techniques and processes to enhance spontaneity and help you to transform something old or discarded into something new and fresh. Bring objects you wish to transform: old artwork, objects, mementos—anything you would like to honor through the reinvention that is collage.  All levels welcome. Class Fee: $150 Member $175 NonMember

and One at the Gualala Arts Center:

June 19 – 2o    Paste Papers, Books and Beyond

(See the class description for “The Ancient Art of Paper Papers” at the Mendocino Art Center above.)

Class Fee: $95 Member $115 NonMember, materials fee: $20

Wow! Pretty exciting over here-a great story on us & the Art Barn on page one of the Ukiah Daily Journal! Check it out here on the Art Barn blog, or here at the Ukiah Daily Journal website with fewer pictures. Yee-ha!

Yes, If I had more time I’d have a lot more critters. We have been so busy this summer with our Poetry and Book Arts Kid’s Camp which was incredible, if I do say so myself, and the Beeswax Collage workshop. I love, love, LOVE to make these, and you can see by Jessie’s magnificent goat that the sock critter fever is contagious, indeed! despite a great amount of interest, there’s still some room in the Boonville Art Barn’s Sock Animal workshop so sign up soon!

What a full summer it has been! A few weeks back I spent a lovely week on the coast at the Mendocino Art Center teaching a Book Arts workshop entitled “Open Secrets.” What an incredible experience. The class was wonderful- it was an intimate group which led to a lot of collaboration and creative discoveries. The chemistry of the four of us was perfect and to say we bonded is an understatement! The MAC staff and other workshop faculty and students who were also there only added to the fun.

We made paste paper, accordion books, sewn-in pamplets, learned pop-ups, tried some various transfer techniques, but the biggest nut to crack: learning to make Hedi Kyle’s blizzard book. This is an ingeniously designed origami-like folded book that has no stitching or glue. There are pockets that can be used as such, or folded open to reveal hidden gems. It was a folding, collaging, creating, paste paper-ing extravaganza.

Kids’ Writing and Book Arts Camp

Mini Matchbox Shrines

Beeswax Collage

Sock Animals

Monoprinting

Book Arts

We also have our Monthly Memberships and $12 Tuesdays!

Call to register- 707.489.9899.

I am so excited- in two weeks I will be teaching a week long Book Arts workshop entitled “Open Secrets” at the Mendocino Art Center. Marci Easterbrook, a wonderful artist/teacher had to cancel and asked me to fill-in for her. It will be a wonderful week on the gorgeous Mendocino Coast! Check their site online or give them a call for more info, they’re at 707. 937-5818 or 800.653-3328. Email them at mendoart@mcn.org

“Open Secret”: Artist book forms and materials can reveal and conceal. Learning techniques of multiple folds, pop ups, sewing and inserts, we will make several small books and one complex folded book based on Heidi Kyle’s model. Embossing and transfer printing by press and hand will create unique papers with photo, painting, or drawing sources. This class is packed with resources and hands on methods for use at home or in the classroom. Materials fee: $20. Tuition: $325. (Discounts available now for Mendo County residents.)

Yep. I have been scrambling like a lunatic, ummmm, getting ready for Open Studios! And it is sooo incredibly gorgeous up here right now, thank goodness it cooled off. Everything is in bloom! Here are some of my Hamsa/Hamesh Hand prints I am now framing…..

Here are a few more of my ink on paste drawings. Or are they paintings? I had some extra paste paper wheat paste mixed with paint, and then topped it with ink. I am making digital prints of these. Be sure to try to come to the Art Barn for the Anderson Valley Open Studios Art Tour!

OK, so I am obsessed. Is this anything new? I have made some teeny-tiny books that one can wear around ones’ neck. They are great for love poems, mantras, inspiring words or pictures you like to keep close to your heart at all times. I love picking the teeniest pieces of beautiful paste paper for the covers. These are just the beginning, I have so many more ideas, I just wish I had some time! As I write, I am making more to sell in our Art barn at the upcoming Anderson Valley Art Tour over this Memorial Day weekend. Enjoy!

(Every pig’s tail deserves a close-up)

There’s not much to say except I wish I had more time to make these little critters!