TTTPL Halloween Cards!

Here are some fabulous creations from my lovely students at Tending to the Pilot Light art and creativity sessions from the last two weeks!

Look closely and see all the great medium combinations people utilized.... from Citrasolv image transfers (Thank you Graphics Fairy for all the Halloween themed imagery) to colored pencils, colored plastic overlays, tulle netting, feathers, glitter and paint, pearlX powder paints, distressed papers and transparency overlays (attached with grommets from Jim!).  During these creativity sessions, there's usually an animated conversation going about some topic or another, but this week... the tables were silent... except for the busy workings of scissors, tape, glue, and a lot of "please pass the Citrasolv".... It was exciting to be a witness to the volume of creativity!

  

In between demonstrations and assistance with adhesion and composition, I was able to create a few pieces myself...

Check out the extra spooky text above I found in an old hymnal I picked up a garage sale last weekend! "Oh Tarry, Gentle Traveler and guide me through the shade"

Speaking of acquisitions, check out this stack of bound collections of 1950's Life Magazines from the Lawrence Public Library.... quite impressive eh?

I'm in my second month of working at the Library and I LOVE it! my job title is "Page" and I spend my time either straightening the stacks or reshelving books from burgeoning carts.  It is a perfect job for me - I love order, efficiency, and organization, have a tetch of OCD and enjoy all the great and friendly people working there as well as the glimpses at all the resources... It's like surfing the web, only better!  I've probably checked out more books since I started working there than the whole time I've been in Lawrence!

Back to the Life Magazines... I'm coordinating their distribution so they don't all go to the recycle bin.  They are back issues of Life, National Geographic, Newsweek and a few others.  If anyone is interested, the distribution will occur AFTER the 24th of this month and I can send you the details of what magazines and what years are available if you contact me at liza@mackomics.com.

The Library job has also created an opportunity for me to teach this fall and I've been busy transforming skeins into small yarn balls for a Yarn Wrapped Wreath Workshop as part of the Library's Thrifty Gifter series... check back later for more info on this fantastic and free-to-the-public series coming in November!

Here's a picture of these yarn balls taking over my desk!

Clearly, my efforts at teaching, doing shows, making art, gratitude, working hard at INTEGRATION, (my word for 2011), bringing myself into the present and all 'round perseverance are starting to pay off.  In addition to my good fortune to be chosen for the Library job, in the last month, I've (finally) built up the courage to propose classes to the Lawrence Arts Center and was accepted for a class in both the Winter and Spring Sessions, titled: "Fascinating Fascinators!" and "Adventures in Image Transfers".  And... independently, I was asked to speak at the Lawrence Art Guild and was invited to participate (for the first time) in the Lawrence Art Center's Art Auction.

So... my latest motto has become, do I listen to the naysayers and critics in my head or do I listen to the Universe? Because I'd have to say, the message booming loud and clear from the Universe is that I'm doing something right.  And... having spent a lifetime feeling out of sorts, dissatisfied, waiting for something.... I actually can say that I'm happy... plain and simple... it's been creeping up for a while now and although there are still challenges and things I would change, I'm really happy and that's really nice.

Thanks to all my students, friends and family for support and love!  I am grateful to you all.

Upcoming shows:

October 28-20 Lawrence Art Walk here at MacKomic Studio -2211 Tennessee Street (with featured artist Tami Clark)

November 1-30 Group show: Monotypes from the spring Ron Prokrasso workshop hosted by the Lawrence Arts Center (at the Lawrence Public Library)

November 25th and 26th Bizarre Bazarre (at the Lawrence Arts Center)

December 3rd Holiday Art Fair (at the Lawrence Arts Center)

December 10th and 11th LOLA Giant (at Van Go Mobile Arts Center) (first year for me to be a member!)

Last Note:

Be sure to check out the submissions for the October Dress Up Challenge (there are three already!)

Tending to the Pilot Light

Back in January, I sent out this email to friends, family and artist contacts I've made over the last year or so.  My intention was to get feedback on an idea for weekly creativity lessons.

_______ . . . . . . ______

I'm writing to find out what you think about a once a week creativity session/experience at my house.


During the many many arts and craft fairs I participated in this last year, it was astounding how I seemed to be a magnet for people who wanted to talk about their creative lives, wanted encouragement/permission etc., to explore their artistic sides! In addition, I've been holding these valentine-making parties for several years now and the one thing that keeps coming up is people's desire to be more creative, to have a space and a time set aside for letting that side of themselves flourish. I know that even for active artists there is a great appeal to having a new place to play; with someone else's supplies; hanging out with interesting people, and then at the end of the night - being able to just leave with your creation(s)!

This email is a first query into forming some sort of venue to rekindle that spark-that pilot light we all had as children, to feed that side of our brains that longs to be recognized.

Would you be interested in:

open creating - with no direction, just supplies available

guided projects

multi-week projects

seasonal projects

medium-driven projects



evening

day

weekend



small group setting

large 10+ group



art techniques

crafts

work that incorporates a spiritual or personal meaning



Would you be willing to pay $5-8 to defray costs?



I am not an expert in any one medium, however, I am an expert in the transition between being a frustrated and stifled artist to someone who is creating all the time. I have lots of random supplies, space, tables and cheer and am willing to walk this path with anyone. I see this as a gathering place for people at any place along the continuum, sharing ideas and creating works side by side.

If there is any interest in this idea, I will follow-up with a more formal flyer like the one mentioned above with more details about types of projects we could work on together. If you have any suggestions or know anyone who might like to participate, please let me know!

Although this is an email to many people, it's not a blanket email. I've selected you personally as someone who might be interested OR might have some feedback for me on the idea!

______. . . . _________

I received lots of great response, enthusiasm, feedback, specific preferences and suggestions.  It took these six months to prepare for the launch of this idea, however, as of this week, the project is "A-GO"

I recently sent out the following email to the same mailing list:

______ . . . . . . ______

Thank you all for all the great feedback and apologies for the long lead-up... I did not want to launch this project unless I was ready to commit to long term hosting, and the time is NOW!




"Tending to the Pilot Light" will have the following structure...



From seven to nine pm on Tuesday and Thursday nights, my doors will be open. I will have tables set up and will have a project planned and prepped, however, misc. art supplies will be available to work with if you wish to be independent.



New projects will be introduced on Tuesdays and will carry over to the Thursday of the same week, so it won't matter which day you attend!



I am open to any project ideas and will post a schedule as I get more feedback.



I propose a fee of $10 for each two-hour session, however I am open to alternative commerce.



I will provide all materials needed for each project and an interesting selection of additional art materials for the independent workers. You are always welcome to bring your own projects and enjoy the generous and loving company of other artists just like you for an evening.



This is an adult gathering, however, if you have a very grown-up tween or teen who would like to accompany you, please let me know and we can discuss!

This week we will be working on collage mandalas - a beginning place without words or specific images, focusing purely on color and visual texture.

Next week we will be making intention or wish candles, an interactive piece to help focus our desires for this year (Summer Solstice to Summer Solstice)

For future weeks, I plan on teaching you how to make some of the products I sell at craft fairs, such as elaborate burnt-organza hair clips, hand painted rosette gift tags, multi-media greeting cards, vinyl painted record albums, etc. Additionally, I would like to explore transfer printing, creating symbolic omamaris, as well as seasonal crafts and of course, plenty of fashion-themed pieces!



This is a social, fun, introductory, community building experiment.

If you have any questions, (or suggestions) please contact me at any of the locations below, and please forward this to anyone you like!



I am looking forward to creating with you!


_____ . . . . . . . ______

If you, dear reader, know of anyone who might be a hesitant artist, someone who would like a safe place to explore creativity, someone who wants to make things but never gets around to making time, please send them my way! 

I have created a non-judgemental environment and my priority is to facilitate the FLOW of creativity, and engagement in the PROCESS, with the finished piece just being a delightful by-product of the evening.

liza@mackomics.com
liza.maddie@gmail.com
Facebook
MacKomics Studio on FB

Bostons

In an attempt to continue on a path towards a less chaotic and integrated life, I've finally engaged the services of a professional dog trainer.  This, after yet another trip to the lovely Jarrett Small Animal Hospital due to yet another dog fight.  Greg Lyon of Mutts and manners came over for an initial visit and talked with me about the issues - dominance, hyperactivity, aggression... all the not-so-cute facets of my beloved Boston Terriers.  I learned about his training philosophies and methods using the electronic "IQ" collar made by Dogtra.  Even though I was skeptical at first and emotionally, it still turns me off, the sensation produced by the collar only ranges from the vibration of a cell phone to an almost imperceptible electrical tap.  I decided to bight the financial bullet and give THIS form of training a try. 

I have two Bostons, Bobby and Birdy.  Bobby is about seven and has been very difficult from the very beginning - I even had to drop out of a training class since he bloodied 3 dogs' noses and got loose and attacked the instructor's dog on the first night.  Needless to say I sent flowers and apologies and spared the other dogs and owners from further trauma by never returning.  Even with a great deal of training effort on my part, I eventually gave up trying to walk him and have pretty much kept him away from other dogs ever since we came to Kansas three years ago.  He is an absolute sweetie pie when it's just the two of us, don't get me wrong, he's adorable and very playful... and of course I love him very much...

Birdy is about three and is very trainable, walks great on and off leash and seems to respond to any instruction (unless she's in the "zone").  Here she is in the St. Patrick's Day parade.... we were part of a "float" for The Dog House - a collection of dog related products and services vendors.

The fighting issue arises when anyone comes to the door.  Bobby is beside himself with excitement and Birdy attacks him.....to curtail the energy? I think that's what the dog whisperer would say, but I'm not sure.  So.. to begin the training, I opted for working with Bobby, in hopes of being able to walk him and thereby begin to change the dynamics.

At our first lesson, Greg decided to wait out Bobby's obsession with the leash - give him a change to "get it all out of his system".  Greg walked him back and forth in the living room and then in the front yard hundreds of times while Bobby chewed and attacked and wrestled with the leash with unending ferocity.

You can see by the last picture that Bobby was getting pretty tired. Eventually, after almost an hour and a half, Bobby chewed right through the brand-new deluxe ten foot leash and still would not let go. 

The first lesson ended up being almost three hours long and by the conclusion, Bobby was walking on leash for short stretches without pulling and responding to come and sit commands.

This was remarkable progress and a testament to Greg's patience and experience.

Bobby's progress and my goal of reducing vet fees from fighting Bostons is dependent on how much energy I am willing to put into the endeavor.  There's nothing new here in terms of understanding CHANGE from an intellectual point of view. However, since I live most of the time in my own personal la-la-right-brain fantasy land, this is a challenging transition for both Bobby and me.

We've had our second lesson since these pictures were taken and there was still quite a bit of leash obsession, however, with lots of reminders, we were able to walk as a team for substantial stretches.  This is a fantastic improvement from him pulling so hard (even with one of those poky chain collar things) as a young dog that he rubbed his paws pads raw on walks back in Seattle.

Although I am hopeful in theory, we've been back to the vet again (only $67 this time...) and had several other fights not resulting in injury.  Each fight, each struggle with the leash just trying to go out and do some training homework, each swipe of the credit card erodes my momentum. 

This the year of integration though, and as you are my witness, one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, slow and steady progression towards balance, peace and harmony - and just a bit of snorting/snuffling/Boston Terrier love.