It feels like Spring today!

What a wonderful day!  It's sunny, and the sound of water splashing under car tires is a reminder that we are closer to spring than winter!  Yeah!

This past weekend I indulged myself by spending some time in the magical place that is known as Willow Haven. It's a flower shop in Canmore that I like to tell everyone about.  I bring a boquet home from there whenever I visit Canmore.  Such incredible beauty, and this past weekend, being Valentine's, the amount of flowers everywhere was absolutely breathtaking!  This is Willow!

I was in Canmore this weekend for a very special reason.  I registered to take a two-day workshop with Dea Fischer,( Dea's Link) a  book artist and conservationist for the Canmore Library.

This month two of her journals are featured in Cloth, Paper Scissors Magazine, published through Somerset.

I was thrilled to be able to take a class with Dea.  She has so much knowledge and experience in this field, as well as an obvious love of the Book as Art!  Needless to say, what a GREAT way to spend a weekend, especially if some of your favourite people are in the class with you!  (Larissa and Russ, Alice and Bill, Evonne)  I also enjoyed meeting lots of new people as well!

We learned to create 4 journal structures, and I think my favourite might be the accordian pocket book, (mine is in the picture with the image of a girl on the front) with a reinforced pocket and a hard cover.  I have also learned how to create a different one with Laurie Doctor in a Series workshop 2 years ago.

I LOVE journals!

Today I hope to start working on the inside of my soft-leather long-stitched journal.  Because it has pages made of 90 lb. Maidstone paper, it will take mixed media quite nicely!  Oh!  What to put in it!  I'm already fretting!

I am attaching some photos from the class and some links as well!

Hope you are having a marvellous day!

Gratitude for my "Happy Place"

Here are a few shots of the main part of the gallery (Art and Soul Studio/Gallery), which I will have had for ten years this May!

It moved into this 1917 Arts and Crafts style home in the commercial part of our town in January of 2005.  It houses the work of some thirty artists as well as my creative studio space.  I am so grateful for this wonderful environment to share others art in, and to also indulge my creative soul in.

Heartache....

Life.  Sometimes ignorance is bliss.  Sometimes you just can't pretend something isn't wrong....

Last night I tried to bury myself under the covers and begged for sleep to take images out of my brain.  My Dad had called last night to say that his cancer (melanoma) has returned.... in the lymph nodes under his jaw.  On meeting with the ear/nose/throat surgeon, he discovered that this surgery would NOT be a simple "lumpectomy", but a 5-6 hour surgery which would leave the right side of his face, temple to neck hollow, and therefore disfigured.  My heart sank.  I can't imagine going into a surgery like that. The doctor said it might buy him another year, year-and-a-half.  I want to go home and be with him before, and for some time after, the surgery.  Although I have an art gallery to take care of, it's a slow time of year.  As an artist, I am comforted by the fact that I can lose myself in an on-line course with a teacher I admire.

(sigh)..... Life.

I wish I could take away the hurt and the pain.  I've already lost Mom to cancer, and I'm not ready to lose my Dad... (are we ever ready?)

I'm not accepting that I am to be the matriarch in our family once he has gone.   I am the oldest of the five siblings.  It's so nice to know that you have a Mom and a Dad who is there for you, and a Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunts and Uncles, no matter what your age.  

Once again, life is reminding me to enjoy every moment and not to take anything, or anyone, for granted.

Treasure your days and the most ordinary moments with those you love.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

I am amazed at what Misty posted today on her site for the January journal entries!  Beautiful.  Inspiring!  Wow ..... (sigh).... OK, back to the drawing board!  Well, last night I stayed up until late, and I like parts of this piece, but there are other things that got away on me.  I'll just have to keep at it until I am comfortable controlling all of the media being used!  I can't wait to check out some of the other posts!  It's been snowing since yesterday morning, and the world is cold, white and pristine.  It's a good day to be inside looking out!  Enjoy your cozy creative spaces!  Annie

Working towards more collage and mixed media pieces

This afternoon I went back and watched a number of Misty Mawn's videos from the Painting Layer's Course.  Oh, I have already forgotten so much!!!  The videos show things that notes alone do not explain.  The image below is what I created.  I have to tweak areas so that it's more polished, and I may add more layers too.  It's almost done, and I'm pretty happy with it considering I haven't made many of this kind in the course time.

Perhaps I'll work up a bunch of these for Valentine's Day.

I'm happy I made time to indulge my creative self today.  It was a salve to a winter-weary soul.

I've been working...

Journal Background Pages