Commuter Cover Story!

 Now here's some exciting news! S&C Creatives score 9 out of 22 mentions in the Washington Post Express cover Story yesterday.  Yippee!!!  Am so excited for them, and Stifel & Capra.  Thanks again to Cathy for steering the editor our way.

ANNNNDDDD the winner is.....

Art Quilt by Regina B. Dunn

I had SO much fun being part of Lesley Riley's Blog Hop (scroll back to see all of the details!) I wish I could give a class away to everyone who entered, but alas I can't so, chosen at random-

The winner of Lesley Riley's TAP class is..........Regina B. Dunn!  Regina is a fabric artist. I cannot WAIT to see what she does with TAP (transfer artists Paper).

I have featured one of Regina's beautiful works above and in her words below, an introduction to her work!

"I create fiber art and art quilts because I love the feel and the look of fabrics and I’m fascinated with various ways to combine them to express a thought or image. I love how stitch influences the interplay of light and shadow. My focus is often on nature themes (such as water) and images (such as landscapes) that have made strong impressions on me during travel. When completed, each piece that I make tells me a story of some sort.

Usually I begin with an idea in mind and choose a focus fabric or set of fabrics that I have dyed or painted. I add commercial fabrics and fibers to the mix as needed. Once the basic background is set, I embellish it with paint, beads, fibers, and/or found objects. Most of my works are stylized images or abstracts (such as the zendoodle art quilts).

In my earlier works, I experimented with various techniques and themes and some of my art quilts were influenced by Gustav Klimt. Presently I am working on a series about prayer flags and rock cairns which I came across often in my travels in India, Nepal, and Tibet. I feel that many personal meanings can be pulled out from the images of rock cairns and prayer flags and I’m hoping that the viewer will be able to relate to my pieces and find some of their own stories and emotions in my art as well."  Regina B. Dunn

See more of Regina's work at http"www.reginabdunn.com 

CONGRATS AGAIN!!!!

Polished and Polka Dots- TAP class Give-a-way!

Those of you that have been reading this week know that I am a big Lesley Riley fan.  I think she is a great example of preparation meeting opportunity.  If you have ever heard her speak about her career she talks a LOT about how things seemingly fell in her lap after she worked long and hard to be ready and was prepared to accept the project/book deal/ endorsement that fell into her lap.

In mixed media circles Lesley is known as a innovator in transfer application for collage.  So when the Manufacturers of TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) were looking for a professional to use and endorse their innovative product, they came to Lesley.  The rest is (transfer mad!) history.  Some folks are a little scared to try TAP or are unfamiliar with all of it's uses.  To that end, Lesley is giving away an e-class!  You can read more about it below.  I used TAP to enlarge some groovy mid century black and white images from a 1967 Newport News, VA newspaper fashion ad and transfer them onto fabric.  Then I embroidered and collage all of their colorized groovy details.

"Judy" by Theresa Wells Stifel

 Scope out this class; just leave a comment below to win a chance to take the class for FREE.  

Please tell me which of the girls are your favorite and you will have be entered to win!  I will be announcing my winner on July 9th, at the conclusion of the blog hop.  There will be one class giveaway per blog in the fun Blog Hop for all of the participants below!  You can leave one comment per blogger to be entered to win. So vote early, vote daily.

You can also visit Lesley's blog and leave a comment there to win a free 5-sheet package of TAP. Fun for all!  :o)

"Fiona" by Theresa Wells Stifel

 TAP was named the Most Innovative New Product at CHA in 2011

 TAP can be purchased online from LesleyRiley.com, Amazon, Joann.com and more.

  Also look for it (or ASK!) at your local art, craft and quilt shops.

"Sharon" by Theresa Wells Stifel

Here are the details on Lesley's class. Thanks for stopping by today! Visit the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it!  Lesley is drawing winners from all of the TAP fans who leave a comment on their entry. You gotta play to win!  
June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

Fashion Conscious - TAP giveaway Day 3

One of the most traumatic things about ME selling vintage clothes is that none of them fit.  And I don't mean "none" as in the "wow folks were sure smaller back in the old days" but "Hi, my name is Theresa and I am over six foot tall and NOT built like Twiggy" kind of small.  Explains why I sewed all of my own clothes as a teenager.  Might explain why I wear black 90% of the time (no, wait that is just laziness!).

The good news is all my life I have loved matching things up.  People (have 2 marriages to my credit), jobs (was a recruiter for almost 20 years) and personal shopping for clients in my shop.  I can eyeball almost anyone and tell what will fit and what will look good on them.  Makes me happy to see them all dressed up and looking GOOD! and of course I get bragging rights about their "fabulous-ness" as well...

The collage above was made from a 60's "fashion preview" brochure from a long defunct department store.

I used TAP to layer the fashion images directly onto acrylic paint on canvas (Only in a WELL-ventilated area with proper equipment, of course, cough...).  The free form "Thread Sketch" in the lower quadrant I learned to make at Art & Soul in Virginia Beach from the lovely and talented Elin Waterston.  Try her class if you can; it was a delight.


TAP (Transfer Artist Paper) Blog HopDetails  
Visit me on the 29th and the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it! 

Here are the details on Lesley's class.

June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

Who is the making of YOU? - TAP class giveaway day 2

I have only taken half a dozen art classes in my life and one was a fun workshop taught by Lesley Riley when she was first introducing TAP (Transfer Artist Paper).  Lesley pre-printed a bunch of images and we were supposed to experiment with transferring the images onto different surfaces and then bind them into a mini book.  Subversive me did not do this of course.  I took all of the little transfers and shifted them and incorporated them into larger pieces of art.  I THINK 3 years later I have actually used them all! (No one ever claimed I worked in a linear fashion!)

For this piece I lopped off the dunce cap on this little girl (because she is obviously NOT a dunce!) and transferred her onto the paper toweling I was was blotting my brush with, combined her with a doily that was too spotted to use au natural and voila'! a great card for mom.

Have fun blog hopping across the internet to see what these other amazing artists can do with TAP.  You can even win a video class with Lesley below.  If you are local to the DC Metropolitan area please check out our fun workshops at www.StifelandCapra.com.  We are in the process of getting more dates together for the summer so check back often!

There are a BUNCH of new changes happening at the shop artists moving out of town and therefore leaving me (SOB!).  And BIG decisions on what to do with the space.  Bob & I have made the command decision (gulp!) to expand our classroom space so we have more elbow room and turn the former classroom/sunroom into a SALE corner.  Rather than have markdowns scattered throughout the shop we will concentrate them in the hope that shoppers will be magnetically drawn upstairs!!!  After all who doesn't love a bargain?

Here are the details on Lesley's class.  Visit me on the 29th and the other artists below to learn more about Tap and possibly win a class to learn all the trick of the trade on how to use it!

June 26 - Christine Urias - Scraptime

June 27 - Karen Watson -- The Graphics Fairy

June 28 - Judy Coates Perez - Judy Coates Perez

June 29 - Theresa Wells Stifel - Stifel & Capra

June 30 - Lynn Krawczyk - Fiber Artysta

July 1 - Claudine Hellmuth - Claudine Hellmuth

July 2 - Gina Rossi Armfield - Joyful Purpose

July 3 - Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey

July 4 - Liz Kettle - Stitch Journeys

July 5 - Jane LaFazio - Janeville

July 6 - Joanne Sharpe - Whimspirations

July 7 - Pam Carriker - Pam Carriker      July 8 - Theresa Martin - Theresa Martin 

A new way of looking at things- Part 1

After Posting the lovely Lesley Riley's guest post I looked at my own blog and realized I had drafts in the system that are MONTHS old.  Sadness.  Working on the theory that if you haven't heard it is all new to you here it is...  From April 27th 2013

Paint squirts right out of  pump. I heart Jesse Reno!

 I ran away from home on my birthday!  My kids are old enough to be offended but I went anyway.  Where to the Art & Soul Mixed Media Conference in Virginia Beach to take ONE CLASS.  A 2 day class to be sure, from my favorite wild haired, tattooed man, Jesse Reno. Jesse's art  is dark, mysterious and just a little bit creepy for me but I really respect him as an instructor and his is one of those little voices I hear in my head when I am so busy working on my "to-do" list that I don't make art.  And uh, why isn't making art ON my to do list???  A question for another day!

Stage 1 - frankly, I liked this as is!

The workshop I recently took is called "Freedom to Create" and it about how by disrupting what you THINK you WANT to make you come out with something deeper, literally more layered and more tremendous.  This philosophy applies to life as well as art making.  As I met Jesse for the first time 6 years ago I can attest to the fact that he DOES practice what her preaches. Because his life now doesn't look like what he thought it would be six years ago.  That he seems more content and yet more enthused about his life.  Who doesn't want a piece of THAT?  Without giving away Jesse's lecture you can see a little bit of the process here.

Stage 2 - Obscuring the rhythm

The coolest part?  This is all finger painting and oil pastels!  So thrilled as when I normally try to mix colors everything usually ends up, uh a not so delightful shade of brown.  I cloistered myself this time at the retreat.  I had gradiose plans to work on my blog, fire up my Thriving Creatives event and instead sat on my balcony, looked at the water and just rested.  And slept the sleep of the overworked and comatose.  This is a good thing.  The question begs, what's next?

Finding the soul- it's in there!

As soon as I - Guest Post by Lesley Riley

If you hang out in the Mixed media world like I do you probably have heard of  artist/teacher/podcaster/mentor Lesley Riley. I have had the pleasure of working with her through some extended coaching sessions and by attending her AWESOME Red Thread Retreat.   Working with Lesley brought me to the semi-shocking conclusion that I KNOW what to do, I just don't DO it when it comes to furthering my own artistic career.  Am pretty good about helping other people but my own agenda, not so much.  I was heartened and chastened by Lesley's post yesterday and asked her if I could share it with you.  Does her post post feel like a call to ACTION?   Rather than telling you what I feel inspired about I will charge ahead and see if you can see the difference in me.  Wish me luck.

AS SOON AS I...
 

Just between you and me, I don't always practice what I preach.

As diligent, productive and focused as I try to be, I'm only human and subject to the same laws and time clock of the physical universe as everyone else is. Hopefully, that's also why you listen to/read my words - because you know that I know what you're going through.

My daughter called me out on it today. When I said, "As soon as I finish...," she shook her head and said, "You always say that. There's always something stopping you."

She's right.


My reasons are totally legitimate, real and important:as soon as I finish the tax audit

as soon as I finish my book

as soon as I get the next online class done

as soon as I get back from my teaching trip

as soon as I get this studio to my liking

as soon as I can hear myself think 

So the question is, have I overscheduled my life or am I just avoiding the harder things with uncertain outcomes? I know that time isn't just going to open up for me. I know that how we spend our days is how we spend our lives (Annie Dillard).

I know that if I really want to make that quilt for Quilt National or write the book that holds it's own against Annie Dillard's books, that I will have to, not make the time, but TAKE THE TIME.It's all about intention. Intending to do what I really want to do, no matter what. It means not doing all the quick, easy or "for others" stuff that fritters away my day.

Having my spirit so weighted down and my days eaten up by the tax audit has really made me think about how I want to spend my post-audit time (as soon as I finish my next book of course!

I know I do not waste time, but I am not really sure what it is I am doing that keeps me from all the stuff I say I'll do, as soon as....

I don't yet know is what I am going to give up in order to carve out the life I really want to be living. I do know that in order to feel complete I need to take more time for myself. Often we cannot see what is right in front of us. Sometimes what you are looking for is right under your nose, in your own backyard or in the magic of the ruby slippers you had all along.

So I ask you - what am I not seeing? Are you and I in the same boat or have you already tread these waters and have an answer you will share with me? Let's talk.

LesleyRiley:ArtistSuccess  | No Struggling Artists Here
301-793-5311  |   info@artistsuccess.com

Copyright 2013 Lesley Riley. All Rights Reserved.

You may absolutely share this newsletter with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information. Thanks and enjoy!!!!

Trying a new technique.

 I am trying a new technique for building my mixed media collages.  I tend to get glue happy and regret some layers I have laid down so this time I am doing of the pieces separately before I combine them in the final work.  My poor son gets the shirt shrift as I tend to make "girly" pieces so I asked him to model for a large work that I will display in my solo show at 1st Stage in Tyson's this November.  Above is the photograph I took.  Below is the pencil sketch. I decided I like it "flipped" better.

 I asked my boy what color he thought the background should be for my next painting and he said "moody purple"  He picked dark green for my last one (see previous post) and so I followed him again for this one.

Then I decided on the large scale object materials.  In this case fabrics, sheet music and leather.

 then I hand embroidered the face & finger delineations.  The most amusing part so far?  The t shirt on the figure is from a REAL rhino shirt that my son inherited from my good friend and fellow artist Beth Loftis' son YEARS ago and has grown out of!

I am psyched to continue working on this but ran away to "pick" for the shop inventory for Stifel & Capra on the Eastern shore!  Got LOTS of good loot today!  Can't wait for you to see it.

Bob IS the best, soooo

 Am trying to decide what convaluted thing it is that I can get things done for other people, waaay faster than I do things for myself.  Is it the "Martyr Mom" persona?  Is it the "you can rely on me!" SuperFriend thing?  With my own work I want it to be perfect so it never appears.  When I am working on something for someone I can objectively evaluate, (good, better great) make adjustments and GO.   I AM determined to NOT make the same mistakes helping my husband like I do when I trap myself in my own details.  (Coach Lesley are you proud of me???).

Thus Bob's Best Quality BBQ is on both Etsy AND Facebook as of last night at 10.  And of course he had more "fans" by breakfast than I had at Stifel & Capra in a month because I didn't TELL anyone when I posted the shop page!  Amazing how that works, she said abashedly.

Of COURSE, it needs to be tweaked and I can see every flaw and every "thing to do" but you know what?  This party has STARTED!  Trying to let that be a lesson to ME.  Next? The website!  Charge!

http://bobsbestquality.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/bobsbestquality



A rose by any other name

Almost twenty years ago my now husband Bob told me he'd never buy me "I'm sorry" flowers.  And it's true, he never has.  I usually get them on my birthday or our anniversary.  And random Thursdays.  These have held up well don't you think?  These roses are much better looking in person as this is one of those unedited camera phone shots.  And honestly they are more like "Boy , are YOU Sorry" flowers as I have been SUCH a grump lately.  It is not even the end of January and I already feel thwarted by Father Time vs. my "list of Big Things to Accomplish". 

Maybe it is because we have add some snow/ice storms and in DC that causes absolute pandemonium with less than 2 inches of precipitation. (Schools closed, grocery stores bare.) So my schedule gets knocked all a kilter. 

Maybe at almost 50 I should realized that a schedule is only an OUTLINE of what I want to get done when, so I shouldn't be shocked, SHOCKED, when things don't go according to plan.  How is it though that I seem to get every one's "things" done but not my own?  So, of course, most other folks think I am a model of efficiency.   Except for I am thinking the aforementioned darling husband, who tends to get lumped into the "my" category and of course gets slighted also.

Am thinking I need to do something about that.  Perhaps a date night is in order...

Quite the Event!

October's FIRSTfriday was perennial favorite Ann Carney's initiation into the chaos that is FIRSTfriday of Falls Church. Of course it was spiced up by the second annual it's "almost Halloween so we have to do something" wearing of the hats. We let Ann get away with an elegant felt & satin number while Betsy (my favorite treasure hunter) and I went a little more untraditional route... Thank you to everybody who came out to meet Ann. I think she felt a bit like a rock star with her Falls Church fans coming in just to see her!

Speaking both of jewelry AND Halloween, Joan Fedora brought in absolutely hysterical seasonal jewelry. She even made me a pair of blue faced witch earrings!

Thank you also for those that have been wondering where the heck I have been because of the lack of blog entries over the last two weeks. I have been suffering from complications from a long ago neck injury. The short version of the story is if I hold my arms a certain way they go numb. What way is that? The position where one would be driving, sewing, writing, typing...

I tried to cut back where I could but it seemed like everything just suffered and a whole lot just didn't get done. Sounds like a clue that I am supposed to be taking better care of myself. Can you relate?

So step one, slow down and watch the ergonomics, two, I guess it is back to therapy and three it's time to return to yoga. The tragedy is all of my repetitive motion issues are completely related to my creative process. Why couldn't cleaning house cause me pain? I'd be happy to outsource that one!