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Timestamp: 2012-01-31 23:50:44 UTC

The Winner

of the Art and Soul Blog Hop Giveaway

is:

Andrea Thompson

Congratulations!

Serena is a wonderful mixed media Artist and I am looking forward to meeting her in person, at Art and Soul Virginia Beach!

The Interview:

What teacher (s) lit your fire to be an artist

I became an artist after visiting Italy for the first time. I had made art as a child and had tried several crafts before that life-changing trip. So, I’d say Italy was my best teacher with the abundance of art, culture, beautiful scenery, and inspiring ruins. I also learned from looking at the work of my favorite artists that I’d loved as a child. Since then I’ve had several wonderful teachers all of whom have been very helpful.

What 4 tools can’t you live without?

 My imagination

Enthusiasm for life

Everything in my studio—Irarely know what I’ll need for a project until I get into it.

I love my Iwatani encaustic torch!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

Worn and seasoned things, non-manicured nature, travel, reading, relationships, looking at art.

Tell us about a current project: what challenges are facing you in bringing your vision into reality?

 I’m currently writing a book on wabi-sabi painting and mixed media work to be published by North Light in 2013. It’s always an enjoyable challenge for me to analyze how I made a piece and to be able to explain the process so that I can teach it to others. Much of my work is intuitive, so I have to bring in my underused “left brain” functions to give step by step instructions for the book or for a class. This process teaches me a lot as well!

Tell us more about one of your classes. If it’s a techniques/process class, the back story on how you arrived at these different processes would be good.

Here’s the description for one of my classes at Art and Soul, Virginia Beach 2012.

 Wabi-Sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in nature; of accepting natural cycles. It’s simple, slow, and uncluttered, and reveres authenticity above all. We’ll honor ourselves and go with the flow as we create a set of eloquent, mysterious, and gorgeous abstract pieces. The word “abstract” doesn’t have to scare you! I’ll show you how to let delightful accidents lead you to creating with a playful spirit. You’ll discover the magic of beeswax in creating layered and fascinating paintings. You’ll experiment with using oil paint, papers, and ephemera with beeswax to create rich, complex textures.

This is a time to enjoy experimenting, adding on and scraping off, and letting your inner free spirit guide you!

I can’t remember where I first heard the term wabi-sabi but when I checked out the meaning I thought, “Oh, that’s what that’s called.” I have always responded to the imperfect, the ephemeral, and the evocative but I didn’t know it had a name. At the same time I discovered re-inkers and created small “wabi-sabi works” with re-inkers, glaze medium, and collage elements. At the same time I was working in encaustic and I found that wax is a natural when creating layered and textured art.

“After art, what else is your passion?”

 My family, reading, hanging out with friends.

What type of classes do you like to take at Art and Soul

I love classes that take me out of my familiar style and technique. Last year I had a wonderful class with Lesley Riley, called “Navigation: Charting a Course to Your Soul.” In that class we made a journal examining our processes of making art, our goals, and our passions. I set several goals in that class and have reached them. The class really challenged me in a very helpful way.

 Why do you love to teach?

I love to share my passion with others and I love to encourage students to believe in their abilities. I love to give students permission to experiment—once they have this they create amazing work. I love being around others of my tribe and to facilitate creativity. I used to think I couldn’t make art, so I love to help others overcome their negative beliefs as I did/

Do you have a favorite technique?

Too many to list.

SERENA’S Workshops!

Here are some Samples of Serena’s Work!

Wabi Sabi

Layers

A Full Cup

Flowers

Details on the Giveaway

The Giveaway prize is so generously being donated by generous Judy Gula

of Artistic Artifacts. Who, also has a WONDERFUL onsite store at Art & Soul Virginia Beach.

Yesterday was Serena’s blog hop stop and tomorrow is Lesley Riley’s Stop by and see what all the fun is about!

Saturday May 5, 2012

10am-1pm * 3 hour workshop includes $20.00 supply fee (beverages and snacks will be provided)

Workshop is home-based in Alliance, Ohio,
( Centrally located 2 hours from Cleveland, 2 1/2 hours from Columbus, 1 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh)

We will explore the basics of encaustic painting, including fusing, transfers, collage, textures and the tools used to create these works of art.

Students will gain the knowledge and experience to create encaustic paintings, long after the workshop is over. Class includes a handout with resources.

Instructor will supply encaustics, beeswax and tools. *Beeswax will be available for purchase.

Supply List
5-6 primed canvases, canvas board or wood panels (No larger than 8×10)
Apron or Paint shirt
(Optional) found objects, ribbons, collage images, feathers, leaves, buttons fabric …etc

After payment is received I will send you a detailed map and provide info on hotels if needed.

***Click the image to register Space is limited***

Join us In Virginia Beach
March 1-6

What’s in store for Virginia 2012…
Wow, what can we say?

An exciting new location in Virginia Beach and a hearty roster of amazing workshops,

taught by the leading mixed media instructors!

Wondering about the ethereal allure of beeswax? How about the looming appeal of weaving?

Are you hot on the savvy art of soldering? Getting geeky over Steampunk?

Wanna get your ocean in motion with freestyle quilting? Maybe you’ve wondered what the new American still life looks like?

Or what the proper juxtaposition of the perfect journal page is?

Perhaps you’re wigging out over what your alter ego’s crazy hairpiece might look like? Maybe you’d just like to untangle the mysteries of Zentagle.

Whatever your creative desires, we have the classes for you!

So take a deep breath, go get a drink and a snack, then come back and browse the pages of Art & Soul Virginia.

Let your courageous side do the looking and let your imagination soar!

I will be teaching Bezel Setting The faceted stone and Anticlastic Rings Hurry and get your registrations in ,The fun is about to begin!

You can now book private or group sessions with me thru Betterfly!

My Studio can accommodate up to 4 students per session,

Metalsmithing, Silversmithing, Torch Fire enameling, and introducing a NEW workshop Castaway (Adventures in Metal Clay)

We will explore commonly found items which can be used for creating molds to cast objects.

Students will create a bounty full of metal clay objects for use in jewelry making projects. We will be working with Metal clays and torch firing,

incorporating a variety of finishing techniques. Such as gilders paste, liver of sulphur, enamel etc..

For more info click here for my link on Betterfly!

Congratulations Ann, and thanks so much for mentioning UrbanRomantic!

Enjoy!

Cheryl

Greeting Cards and Stamps by Kimberly Moore

And check out this Postcard from Monica Magness

It’s always a thrill to see MY GIRLS Work up close and personal…Thanks so much for sharing the LOVE!

Enjoy……..

Cheryl

Artbeads challenge for the design partners was working with found objects , a medium I am always happy to work with.

I created both a necklace and bracelet using :

8mm Round Tube Glazed Stoneware Bead – Tangerine

5mm Square Glazed Porcelain Bead – Turquoise 

5mm Roundel Glazed Porcelain Bead – Ruby

Copper sheet, vintage keys, vintage text ,resin and a handmade enameled clasp!

Disclaimer : I received the products free of charge from Artbeads ,

I am reviewing the products and I have not been paid for my endorsement of the products received.

I hope you enjoy!

Cheryl

The producer was gracious enough to send me a clip, here it is for you to view on youtube!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkYmaDo1iZU

I got the biggest kick seeing this for the first time.

Wishing the cast and crew of “Mantecoza” the best of Luck, break a leg and all that good stuff, at the opening premiere!

Art is Life,

Enjoy…

Cheryl