More Glass Bead Gel !

Here are two more pieces that I've finished using Glass Bead Gel. Unfortunately the scans just don't show the true beauty of this product. The first piece I call Milk Glass Rococco. I wondered if I could simulate Milk Glass and I think it turned out well. The canvas is covered in Fiber paste. Then the Rococco image was transferred directly into a layer of Bead Gel. Around the transfer is a layer of gel medium lightly stained with Viridian Green. On top of the Gel medium is a layer of Glass bead gel. When all of these layers dried I stenciled the vine design in More glass bead gel. I then painted the piece with more Viridian Green and Micaceous Iron Oxide.

The second piece is a Roman mosaic of a theatrical mask found at Pompeii. Its such a dramatic image with a ton of bold contrasting colors that I thought it would work well covered in Glass beads. You can't see it well in the scan but the image sparkles and glitters just like it might once have done in Ancient times. The design around the image was made by stamping into fiber paste then colored with acrylic paints.

If you are intriqued by this product I will be teaching this class this Saturday night from 6:00 to 9:00 at LADiDa cafe in Half Moon bay. Please see all the particulars in the previous post. If you are interested in attending this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com.

Glittering Glass Bead Gel

Greetings everyone!

Last Saturdays first altered book class at Art Max went great! I think even admist all my rambling eveyone had a great time. Or perhaps I'm projecting. I at least had a great time. Most eveyone picked a book and a theme and started their first spread. I can't wait to see how the books turn out. I would like to thank all the students that ventured out into the rain for attending this class . And a huge thank you as well to the great people at Art Max for allowing all of us a space to create.

At present I am deep into Glass bead gel. This has been a difficult class for me. I was not quite sure how to fully use it. But I am gradually warming up to the product. It's by far one of Golden's most beautiful and decorative texture mediums. Here are some of the finished or near-finished pieces :

I say near-finished because I seem to want to create tiny pieces (like Jewels) and use them in larger assemblages. You can see in the piece above that I did just that. The piece at the very top of the page is also glass bead gel. Its difficult to see the glass bead gel because its reflective qualities wreak havoc with the quality of my scanner images. I really like this piece but I oh so wanted to put a shark fin in back of her. Well maybe next time.

I am teaching two new classes which includes Glass Bead gel this weekend. Here are all the particulars:

Saturday January 30th Where: LaDiDa Café in Half Moon Bay Class: Glittering Glass Bead Gel Description: Imagine your collage glittering like a precious jewel. How do you create this? Glass bead gel of course! Glass bead gel can be applied on top of your collage. It can be colored with transparent acrylic paints and spread around your canvas to shine like diamonds. Or add it to your collage for a water-like effect. Intrigued yet? Then check it out. Come and explore the possibilities of glass bead gel. Items to bring: paintbrushes, scissors and gel medium. Please bring Scissors, Paintbrushes and Matte Gel Medium. Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm Fee: $40.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Sunday January 31st Where: Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos Class: Shrink Art basics and Porcelain bracelet Description: Do you think of Shrink Plastic as a mere craft for children? Well think again. This versatile material is very much for adults. With it you can create sophisticated jewelry or buttons. It can be used to put your own unique touch on journals, cards or scrapbooks. The fascinating thing about shrink Plastic is that it can be made to mimic many different materials. In this first class in a series you will learn a few shrink Art basics. Then you will create a simple bracelet that mimics porcelain. Please bring scissors. All other materials are provided. Time: 12:30 to 3:30 Fee:$30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrapbook Depot at 650 592-2767

Gel medium, Altered books and Glass Bead Gel

Greetings everyone! Saturdays class was a blast. It was small but mighty. Here is an exquisite student piece.

And this student thinks of herself as a mere beginner. I beg to differ! I want to thank Monica Martinek and her staff for allowing me once again to invade her shop Scrapbook U with my tons of stuff! Monica has some great new items in the shop that my hands were positively itching to buy.

I wanted also to remind everyone about my new Altered Books classes this year. Thanks to one of my brilliant students I have finally come up with a teaching structure for these classes that I believe will work. Here are a couple of scans from some of my altered books.

Here are all the particulars of the class!:

Saturday January 23rd Where: ArtMax in Seaside Class: Altered Books #1-How to begin. Description: Have you ever heard the quotation “so many books so little time”? It’s never more true than when talking about altered books! So what is an altered book? An altered book is creative reuse at its best. Think of all those unwanted books ready to be thrown away. Why waste them when you can turn them into works of art! In this first class in the altered book series we will focus on what book to choose and where to find it, content, how to prepare and strengthen pages, what materials can be used and finally a full collage spread. In this series of classes students will gradually build up an altered books “kit” of favorite supplies that will be handy for use at any time. This “kit” should be brought to every class. First kit items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, and gel medium. If you have a book and images that you’d like to use bring them. I also will have a box of books available to look through and images as well. Time: 11:00am to 2:30 pm Fee: $35.00 If you wish to sign up for this class or have any questions please email me at connie@isbjorn.com.

I have also been experimenting with Glass Bead Gel. This is a very beautiful medium but I'm finding it quite a difficult one. I've not quite been sure what to do with it. But I wanted to post a couple of samples. Did you know that its probably the best transfer medium around? It makes incredible transfer images that look like frosted glass. Here is a sample :

Beautiful and simple isn't it? Well that's just a few of the things that I've been up to lately. I hope to see you in class soon!

First class of the year.

Greetings! Saturday's Make and Take at Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos was a blast. This was a whole new experience for me as I have never participated in a make and take before. My art rarely lends itself to quick projects. But the shrink Art performed beautifully. I think everyone there got to experience the joy of shrinking! Scrapbook Depot has ordered shrink Plastic so if you are curious go and buy a package. Its easy and fun. I also wanted to mention that my first class of the year will be this Sunday the 17th at Scrapbook U in Fremont. Please see the samples above. Here are all the particulars: Class: Luminous Gel Medium Description: In this 4th class exploring Textural Collage we will create texture by Stamping, drawing and imprinting in Regular Gel Medium. When painted with transparent and iridescent acrylic paints gel Medium makes for a glowing luminescent work of Art. Please bring your favorite scissors and paintbrushes. If there is an image you would like to use please feel free to bring a color or black and white toner copy. Please do not bring inkjet images as the Gel Medium will smear the inks. Come and Play! Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $40.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at 510 490-5065

I hope to see you soon!

Ooohhhhh! Shrink Art !

Greetings, I trust that the New Year has started well for everyone. I am really excited about my new Shrink Art series of classes and wanted to share them with you. I has long understood that Shrink Plastic was very versatile and could mimic many materials. Needing some different types of classes for a couple of local shops has given me an excuse to finally break out my long hoarded shrink Plastic and experiment. Here are some of the materials that I have been able to mimic using Shrink Plastic, decorator chalks and rubber stamps!

Bone Scrimshaw

LaLique Art Deco Glass

Green Jade

Beeswax Honeycomb

Wood

Stone Petroglyphs

Porcelain

This Saturday the 9th I will be at Customer Appreciation Day at Scrapbook Depot demostrating

some of these techniques starting at about 10:30 am. So come on down and check out my new series of classes and the very cool items that can be made with Shrink Plastic! Also come down and check out the store. There will be make and takes, demos and free drawings and prizes!

My first Shrink Plastic class-Shrink Plastic Basics at Scrapbook Depot will be on Sunday Jan 31st from 12:30 to 3:30. Every student will walk out with a Shrink Art porcelain bracelet.

I hope to see you soon!

Class schedule for 2010-so far

Happy New Year everyone! Its a new year and time for more art. I have a ton of new classes planned for 2010 including a new Shrink Art series and Altered Books. I am posting my schedule as it stands right now. Please note that there is a new location listed in April. I will be teaching Texture for Collage Artists at Palace Arts in Capitola. If you've never been to Palace Arts it is a wonderful art store located on 41st Ave. Stop by some time. and check it out. They carry Golden product as well as many many other items. Here is my schedule as it stands. Please note that the April calander is not complete so keep watching for additions Saturday January 9th Where: Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos This will be a make and take day. I will be demo-ing my new Shrink Art classes and techniques. Time: 10:30am to …… Fee: Free! Come and check out the new techniques that I have been working on. Or just come by and say hello. Sunday January 17th Where: Scrapbook U in Fremont Class: Luminous Gel Medium Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $40.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at 510 490-5065 Saturday January 23rd Where: ArtMax in Seaside Class: Altered Books #1-How to begin. First kit items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, and gel medium. Time: 11:00am to 2:30 pm Fee: $35.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com Saturday January 30th Where: LaDiDa Café in Half Moon Bay Class: Sparkling Glass Bead Gel Please bring Scissors, Paintbrushes and Matte Gel Medium. Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm Fee: $40.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Sunday January 31st Where: Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos Class: Shrink Art basics and Porcelain bracelet Please bring Scissors. Time: 12:30 to 3:30 Fee:$30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrapbook Depot at 650 592-2767 Saturday Feb 6th Where: Scrap-It in Santa Cruz Class: Shrink Art basics and Porcelain Bracelet Please Bring Scissors. Time: 11:00 to 2:00 Fee: $30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrap-it at 831 475-2380 or email me at connie@isbjorn.com Saturday Feb. 20th Where: Art max in Seaside Class: Designs in Gesso Please bring scissors and paintbrushes Time: 11:00 to 2:00 Fee: $40.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Sunday Feb 21st Where: Scrapbook U in Fremont Class: Altered Books #1-How to begin First kit items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, and gel medium. Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $35.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at 510 490-5065 Saturday Feb 27th Where: LaDiDa café in Half Moon Bay Class: Altered Books #1-How to begin First kit items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, and gel medium. Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm Fee: $35.00 To sign up for the class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Sunday Feb 28th Where: Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos Class: Shrink Art- Stone Petroglyphs Please bring Scissors. Time: 12:30 to 3:30 Fee:$30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrapbook Depot at 650 592-2767 Saturday March 13th Where: Scrap-it in Santa Cruz Class: Shrink Plastic #2- Stone Petroglyphs Please bring Scissors Time: 11:00 to 2:00 Fee: $30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrap-it at 831 475-2380 or email me at connie@isbjorn.com Sunday March 14th Where: Scrapbook U in Fremont Class: Gel Medium Beeswax collage Items to bring: paintbrushes and scissors Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $40.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at 510 490-5065 Saturday March 20th Where: ArtMax in Seaside Class: Collage Challenge #1-Theme to be disclosed Items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, and gel medium. Time: 11:00am to 2:30 pm Fee: $35.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com Sunday March 21st Where: Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos Class: Shrink Art- Fossils Please bring Scissors. Time: 12:30 to 3:30 Fee:$30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrapbook Depot at 650 592-2767 Saturday March 27th Where: LaDiDa café in Half Moon Bay Class: Collage Challenge #1-Theme to be disclosed Items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, and gel medium. Time: 6:00pm to 9:00pm Fee: $35.00 To sign up for the class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Saturday April 3rd Where: Palace Arts in Capitola Class: Texture for Collage Artists Items to bring: Paintbrushes Time: 10:00 to 4:00 pm Fee: $50.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Palace Arts at 831 464-2700 Saturday April 10th Where: Scrap-it in Santa Cruz Class: Shrink Art #3- Fossils Please bring Scissors. Time: 11:00 to 2:00 Fee:$30.00 If you wish to sign up for this class please call Scrap-it at 831 475-2380 or email me at connie@isbjorn.com Saturday April 17th Where: Art Max in Seaside Class: Altered Books # 2 Windows and Doors Items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, gel medium, Cutting mat, Xacto Knife and any personal images or supporting elements that you would like to add to your book. Time: 11:00 to 2:30 Fee: $35.00 If you would like to sign up for this class please email me at connie@isbjorn.com. Sunday April 18 Where: Scrapbook U in Fremont Class: Altered Books #2- Windows and doors Items to bring: Paint brushes, scissors, gel medium, Cutting mat, Xacto Knife and any personal images or supporting elements that you would like to add to your book. Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm Fee: $35.00 To sign up for this class please call Scrapbook U at 510 490-5065

I hope to see you soon!

Counting my blessings this Christmas

Greetings Everyone, I hope that you have all had a wonderful Christmas day. Yesterday I spent 12 hours at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco with my parents. There was some concern that my mother had some heart troubles and her doctors wanted to admit her right away for testing. Luckily we learned that there was very little to be worried about and that medication would improve her condition. But this has caused me to reflect upon my blessings. I have been blessed this year by having wonderful people take my classes and enjoy them. I have been blessed to be a part of a community of incredible artists and to feel like I belong there. I have been blessed this year by having met incredibly kind business owners and staff at LaDiDa Cafe in half Moon Bay, M Coffee in Half Moon Bay, Pilates studio 4 in half Moon Bay, Lunas Memories in El Granada, Scrapbook Depot in San Carlos, Scrapbook U in Fremont, Scrapbook Territory in Berkeley, Scrap-it in Santa Cruz and Art Max in Seaside. I thank them all for their kindness in allowing me space and time to teach and exhibit. I have been blessed in my family and knowing that they are all healthy and continuing to achieve their dreams. I have been blessed in my husband, family and friends for standing by me and believing in me even when I did not. They have indulged me with gifts, companionship and understanding. I have been blessed with two lovely dogs and their unfailing companionship. I have been blessed with a beautiful place to live and work. The coast is a constant source of inspiration. I have been blessed to live in freedom which allows me the right to indulge in art. I can only hope that Americans start to wake up and realize that the history of the world is tyranny. That the United States is a small miracle admist a sea of tyranny. That is miracle comes at a price that needs to be defended and protected. I have been blessed with the story of a baby in a manger which teaches us all the value of love and the spirit of giving. This is the short list of things that I have to be thankful for. But there are many others. I hope in the coming year at those times when my life doesn't quite turn out the way I want; that I can try to remember these little miracles and be thankful for them. Please have a wonderful New Years day. I hope to see you all in the coming year. Collage on!