Monday, June 29, 2009

Great class yesterday/July class schedule

Greetings everyone!
Unfortunately Saturday's class at Santa Cruz was cancelled but my Texture for Collage Artists class yesterday was awsome! It's a gruelling 5 hour class that always runs over time into the six hour. But this class produced some unbelievable texture samples. Unfortunately I was so busy just trying to leave before the shop closed (so that the staff wouldn't have to stay overtime) that I don't have any pictures to share with you today--sigh--. Maybe next time
I also wanted to post my July class schedule.
July 4th and 5th-Fourth of July Holiday-no classes
July 11th Where: Scrapbook U in Fremont Class Title: Rubberstamped Dominos****Back by popular demand**** Class Description: Did you know that you can rubberstamp on a Domino? Well you can and in this class you will learn two different methods of rubber stamping and coloring dominos. These dominos can then be made into fantastic Jewelry, art pieces or gift items. All materials are provided for this class so come and play! Class Times: 11:00am to 2:00pm Class Fee: $30.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at (510) 490-5065.
July 12th Where: Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos Class Title: Beginning Collage 2 Part 1 Class Description: In this continuation of beginning collage 1, we will begin by creating a more textured background. We will then explore the world of Artistic composition in more depth and finish our collage using all the tricks and principles of composition learned thus far. For those that missed beginning Collage one this is a perfect place to jump in on Collage. We will be reviewing the information learned in Beginning Collage One and adding on to it. What to bring: Paintbrushes and scissors. Class Times: 12:30pm to 3:30pm Class Fee: $35.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook Depot at: 650 592-2767 July 18th Where: ArtMax in Seaside California Class Title: Beginning Collage 2 part 2 Class Description: In the last class in the beginning Collage series we will explore more texture by creating two more progressively textured backgrounds on canvas board and stretched canvas. We will then discuss ways to divide a canvas and create collages using my two favorite Compositional types. Items to bring: previous collage packs, paintbrushes, scissors and all of your collages from the Beginning Collage class series. Time to have a mini Art Exhibition! Class Times: 11:00am to 2:30pm Class Fee: $35.00 To sign up for this class please email me at: connie@isbjorn.com.
July 19th Where: LaDiDa Café in Half Moon Bay Class Title: Crackle Paste 2 Class Description: In this second part of Beautiful Crackle Paste we will be painting and finishing our Crackled collages created in Part 1. We will also be creating a second Collage for you to take home and finish. For anyone that could not make it to Crackle Paste Part 1 it’s OK to jump in on this class since we will be creating a second collage! What to bring: scissors and paintbrushes Class Times: 6:00pm to 9:00pm Class Fee: $35.00 To sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. July 25th-Day off for Harry Potter Day!
July 26th Where: Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley Class Title: Mystic Gesso Class Description: In this first of my series of classes exploring the use of texture in collage in more depth, the student will be creating with Gesso. In particular the class will explore the opaque properties of Gesso for a misty, shabby look that makes collage Magic. Also introduced in this class is a second texture medium call White Opaque Flakes. . Come and Play! What to bring: Scissors and paintbrushes Class times: 11:00am to 2:00pm Class Fee: $40.00 I hope to see you in class!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Classes this weekend

Greetings everyone,
I wanted to take the time to remind you of my classes this weekend.
Saturday June 27th Where: Scrap-it in Santa Cruz Class Title: Beginning Collage 1 part 2 Description: In this second part of Beginning Collage 1 we will be making 3 more progressively textured backgrounds. After that we will spend the time reviewing and creating collages using the elements of composition learned in the first class. Times: 11:00am to 2:30 pm Fee: $35.00 Items to bring: Please bring your collage pack from the first class, your favorite scissors and paintbrushes If you wish to sign up for this class you may call Scrap-it at 831 475-2380 or email me at connie@isbjorn.com ****I still have a couple of spaces left in this class so sign up asap!***
Sunday June 28th Where: Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley Class Title: Texture for Collage Artists Description: In this techniques driven class we will explore ways to add texture to your art work using paint, paper, Gesso, Gel Medium, special texture mediums and Diamond Glaze. Each student will walk out with a tag book of Texture samples to use for future reference. Times: 11:00 am to 4:00pm Fee: $50.00 Items to bring: Please bring paintbrushes and an apron. We will be splattering paint around! If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrapbook Territory at 510 559-9929. I have attached a couple of samples above.
I hope to see you soon!

Monday, June 22, 2009

class this saturday/Altered books

Greetings everyone,
I thought that I would share some images from my class this Saturday. It was only four people strong but it was mighty. This was Designs in Gesso at Scrapbook U in Fremont. Why are there only two pictures? Because as usual I got so caught up in the collage that I forgot to pull out the camera before two of the students left. Another art moment lost.-sigh- As usual I want to thank the students for attending the class and Monica Martinek and her staff for hosting the class at Scrapbook U.
Wednesday night last week the local altered books club here on the coast met for the second time at LaDi Da Cafe in Half Moon Bay. At this meeting we traded ATC's. The hit of the evening was Ammi Rostin's Atc collage. You can see this below. When all the ATC's are put together they make one big collage-way cool! I have also posted some of the other ATC's. Aren't they great? By the way the Altered book club is open to anyone. It is held on the third wednesday of every month at LaDiDa cafe. There is a minimal $10.00 charge. Art, Food, Chocolate, your Art buddies and lots of laughter-it's the stuff of Dreams. After all what more can you ask out of life?

I hope to see you all soon.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Class on Saturday

Greetings everyone!
I wanted to remind all of you about my class this Saturday at Scrapbook U in Fremont. It is called Designs in Gesso and here is the description :
Saturday June 20th Where: Scrapbook U in Fremont Class Title: Designs in Gesso-please see the examples above Description: Further exploring the use of Gesso as texture we will create a small canvas with Gesso and collage. We will stamp into, stencil with and draw freehand in gesso. Will you choose to color your Gesso or leave it white? Come and Explore! Times: 11:00am to 2:30pm Fee: $40.00 Items to bring: Your favorite paintbrushes and scissors. If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at 510 490-5065.
I still have a couple of spots still open in this class so sign up soon!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Woops!

Sorry all the next part of the crackle Paste class at LaDiDa will be on Sunday July 19th not the 18th! Little typo there!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Grendel in the Hood/ Cool ATC's

Does this dog look happy? I don't think so. Here's hoping that the saga comes to an end. Tomorrow the staples come out and hopefully the collar can be removed. Conehead no more.
This weekend I had two more wonderful classes full of exceptionally talented students. Yesterday was my ATC Primer class at Scrap-it in Santa Cruz. I want to thank the owners Penny and Sharon for allowing me to teach once again in their shop. And I also want to thank the students for taking the class. And check out these ATCs!
Aren't they great?
Today's class was a new -Beautiful Crackle Paste. This class was held at a great cafe here in Half
Moon Bay called La Di Da. I would like to thank Luz the owner for letting us in her shop and sharing this wonderful space. If you haven't been to La Di Da check it out. Its at 500-c Purissima St just one street over from Main. It has great atmosphere, and delicious food and coffee. And Luz makes a mean warm Bananna Bread. Since the crackle Paste needs to dry and crackle for at least 48 hours, there are no pictures as of yet. But stay tuned-Part 2 is on July 18th and my pictures are going to be awsome!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Classes this weekend!

Greetings everyone!
I wanted to remind all of you about my classes this weekend.
Saturday June 13th Where: Scrap-it in Santa Cruz Class Title: ATC Primer Description: Using Collage, acrylic paints and various embellishments we will learn to create ATC’s or Artist Trading Cards. What are Artist Trading Cards? They are miniature, one of a kind , original works of art that can be traded from artist to artist and they’re hot! If you’ve never made one you don’t know the fun you’re missing. So come down and check it out! Times: 11:00am to 2:00pm Fee: $35.00 Items to bring: Just bring your favorite scissors and paintbrushes If you wish to sign up for this class you can call Scrap-it at 831 475-2380 or email me at connie@isbjorn.com
I still have one opening in this class so sign up asap!
Sunday June 14th Where: La Di Da Café in Half Moon Bay Class Title: Textural Effects #7-Crackle Paste Part 1 Class Description: Don’t you love those old items with paint that is peeling and cracking off the surface? In this class we will be exploring a unique medium called Crackle Paste. This medium forms cracks as it dries and takes paint beautifully. It can be stamped into and stenciled onto a surface as well. Since Crackle Paste takes at least 48 hours to fully crackle and dry this class will be offered in two parts. When paired with collage images it makes for a unique one of a kind work of art. Times: 6:00 to 9:00pm Fee: $35.00 Items to bring: Scissors and paintbrushes If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com
Crackle Paste is awsome so don't miss it -I can still fit two people in this class!
I hope to see you in class!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Classes this weekend!

Greetings everyone!
Well I had two more wonderful classes this weekend. Both were beginning collage classes. Both were filled with lovely talented people. I would sincerely like to thank the Staff of Art Max in Seaside and Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos for allowing me to teach in their incredible stores once again. Both of these shops have wonderful teaching spaces. I would also like to thank all of the students that attend my classes and actually listen to me. I don't think I can adequately express how lucky I am.
I have posted the class work above for all to see-Enjoy!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Grendels Continuing Saga/ Classes this weekend

Greetings everyone,
Well Grendel's Saga continues-We picked him up yesterday at about 10:00am and he was pretty much totally out of it. But sometime last night very late he decided that it was time to remove his staples. So to make a long story short he's back in the vet today to have his staples replaced. I think my husband and I are the ones that need the Morphine patch right now not the dog. He's very happy. He found and job and completed it. All of those that have a herding dog will understand this statement.
Classes this weekend!
The first is at Art Max in Seaside. I will be teaching Beginning Collage 2 part 1. The class starts at 11:00am until 2:30pm. The fee is $35.00. I still have a few spots open in this class so sign up soon. Also if you missed the first set of collage classes this is the perfect time to jump in. I will be expanding on some of the material from the first classes so catching up will be easy. We will be creating a more textured background to start. Then we will expand on the compositional rules from the first class and then finish our collages for the rest of the class. You also get a really cool collage pack of goodies with this class. You don't want to miss it! Please email me at connie@isbjorn.com if you wish to join this class.
On Sunday I will be teaching at Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos. This class will be the second
part of Beginning collage 1. We will learn three more great backgrounds and then spend the rest of the class time collageing to our heart's content! If you missed the first part of this class you can still take this class. I will be supplying a small collage pack for this class as well. This class starts at 12:30pm until 3:30pm. Class fee is $35.00. I still have a couple of spots left in this class so sign up as soon as possible. If you wish to join this class please call scrapbook depot at
650 592-2767.
I hope to see you soon!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Grendel's Surgery

Hello everyone,
I have to admit to being a basket case all day. My Herding Mix, Grendel had knee surgery today. I hate leaving my dog at the vet! I worry all day long. This surgery was fairly extensive for an 11 year old dog so he is staying over night. So that means I'll worry all night too! The good news is that he has come through his surgery fine with no problems and is resting comfortably. This event has had the effect of really jolting me into the reality that one day soon he won't be with me anymore. It makes me realize that we should all make the most of our time while we can.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Presidio roadtrip

Greetings everyone,
In a much needed day out I took a little roadtrip to the Presidio. I thought that I would share some pics from that incredible place!
The Light in the officers club ballroom was amazing!
Who doesn't love a cool skull?
Cone Zone?!
Did this bird fly off and leave its feet?!
The price paid for Freedom.
Sweet Angel in the Chapel Garden.
Aren't these great pics? These are just of few of the wonderful images I will be sharing in my new collage sheet-Ghosts of the Presidio.