Is it Christmas?

Perhaps not, but Catherine Moes got to use her Christmas gift this past week when she came for a three-hour private lesson, and we had more fun than I suspect is strictly legal.

The beauty of one-on-one is that sessions can be tailor-made to fit the student, and after a short studio tour and a discussion of Catherine's current explorations, it was decided that a morning with the knife would be a great playtime.  Accordingly we got some palette knives in action.

In order to create a feeling of looseness, we utilised only the palette knife, molding paste and heavy gel to bump up the texture, heavy-bodied acrylic paints and a spray bottle of water.  Creating a landscape from our imaginations, we tore right into an abstract painting.

We accomplished a great deal in our short time together, even managing a quick demo session with the gel plate as we waited for the mediums to dry a bit on the paintings.

Catherine was so pleased with her husband's stocking stuffer that I could literally hear the wheels turning in her head as she planned for a return visit.  

I love doing these private lessons - they give me such joy when I can sponteaneously create a coaching session that is exactly what the artist wants and needs.  Being able to encourage mixed media exploration in the arts is why I've been teaching for so long.

If you're looking for your own stocking stuffer, why not email me for details?   I'd love to see you come and play!

Of course, that's not all that went on in the studio this week - I got into more dryer sheets and baby wipes.  Are you surprised?  Maybe you would be when you find out that I made flowers from them.  Using Golden GAC400, I got myself gunked right up, and John caught me in the act.

If  you've been following this blog for the past few weeks, you can likely guess where these might be going!  The deadline is fast approaching to get this Lunacy Gown completed.

Hope your week has been just as much fun - see you on the flip side, and please let me know what you've been up to in the last while.  I love reading your comments.

Every artist knows...

,,,when a project is 'too much', yet most of us happily continue on, oblivious to the doubts that arise.

The Lunacy Dress is just such a project.  It's so far from done it's laughable, and yet....and yet... I can't stop.

With the skirt well-started, I already have a few favourite squares.  Some are already embroidered and some happily await the needle and floss.

As I look at the photos, I can see that I have a penchant for blotchiness - they rather remind me of galaxies in outer space.

I'm making an effort not to look at the list of yet-to-be-done tasks to bring this project to completion by May 6, because contrary to many artists, I don't work well under pressure.  

And because women can't live on embroidery alone, I had a quick play with the gel plate and some leaves that dropped off a croton tree due to distress at a major transplant.  Amazing how some leaf printing can brighten a studio.

Now it's back to the stitching and hang that paint!  What are you up to this week - I'd love to hear in the comments below!