Cinnamon Pink

Art & Soul Retreat Coming Up in Virginia

 
I received my Welcome Packet for the Art & Soul Retreat taking place April 28 through May 2 in Hampton, VA. I'm signed up for Sally Jean Alexander's class, Soldering for Virgins - Medaliscious. I love her jewelry and even own a few pieces.

If you live nearby, you might want to attend Vendor Night. The Vendor Event is free to registered attendees - but is also open to the public for a fee of $10 at the door. Approximately 45 vendors will be offering finished artwork, art supplies, vintage findings, fabrics, jewelry, collage items and assemblage. I love the Vendor Event.

Vintage Fairy Tale Carriage on Canvas

 This vintage Fairy Tale carriage, on canvas, was a challenge to create but I'm pleased with the final product. I enjoy working with images from the past that have a romantic look and feel.

New Cinnamon Pink Girl with a Motivational Message

 
I just finished a new watercolor painting in my Cinnamon Pink Girl series. I added a new twist to my series by including a motivational message in my art. I decided that in this topsy turvey, fast-paced world, we all need some positive words in our life, including me.

Let me know what you think.

The World of Amigurumi

Ok, I've caught Amigurumi fever. You probably have heard about it but in case you didn't, here's a definition: 

Amigurumi (Am-ee-gur-oom-ee) is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting small creatures. The word derives from the Japanese words ami (meaning crocheted or knitted) and nuigurumi (meaning stuffed doll). There's a bunch of Amigurumi tutorials on the Web.

One informative site, Hooks and Needles is where Alicia Ramirez offers some great Amigurumi video tutorials.

Ana Paula Rimoli, author of the book, Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet (which is a book I just ordered. Do I really need to begin another art endeavor?) - and host of Ana Paula's Amigurumi Patterns & Random Cuteness  blog - offers fantastic, free tutorials. Ana has also written two other Amigurumi books.

June Gilbank, author of the highly-ranked, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi, also has a blog (Planet June) where she shares Amigurumi patterns.

So what do you think? Are you ready to Amigurumi?

 

New Art Prints in My Etsy Shop

 

I just added some new art prints to my Etsy Shop. Please stop by.

New Art at PFATT Marketplace

Today is the tenth day of the month and that means there is new Primitive Folk Art, Trinkets and Treasures to see on PFATT Marketplace. There's lots of inspiring eye candy so you might want to take a cup of tea with you when you visit.

Here is a quick look at the art that I created for the PFATT April debut. You can out more details about my art here.

 

Reference for the New Clays

Since I have been creating assemblage pieces lately, I've been working with the new clay materials on the market. I heard about the book, Fantastic Figures: Ideas and Techniques Using the New Clays by Susanna Oroyan. The book was published in 1995 but I was lucky to get a good deal on eBay recently. This book is tremendously informative and a good reference source for the mixed-media artist's library. Check out eBay, Amazon and other online bookstores for used copies.

A while back, I purchased Susanna Oroyan's two other books, Designing the Doll and Finishing the Figure. I regularly refer back to these books when I need authoriative information. What reference books do you use?

Online Magazines from The Blog Guidebook

Two days without the Internet (read: blogs), phone and cable TV! It seems that I just recently wrote these words. And I did a little while back. Time to change our ISP.

The Blog Guidebook has a great list of online magazines that you need to check out. Get timely information on what's happening in the design, decor and fashion world. Most of them are free. I'm always amazed at the quality and professional look of these magazines.

Super Giveaway from Handmadeology

 
Handmadeology is offering a Super Giveaway. To kick off Handmadeology's monthly giveaway series, they are going to give away their entire Etsy shop valued at $105.

For more details, and to signup for the giveaway, visit their site now.

Getting Back to Art Journaling

Via PinTangle, I learned about the YouTube video, Truth about Sketchbooks and Journals produced by SuzetsStudio. The artist encourages us to keep the journal, and sketchbook, habit rather than being concerned about perfect Art Journal pages.

Often, when I work in my Art Journal, the thought of creating the perfect page is in the back of my mind. Instead, I need to focus on the benefits that Art Journaling gives me. In my journal, I often come up with new ideas for projects, experiment with art supplies, tussle with knotty personal problems (and usually find answers), explore new mediums - and much, much more.

Recently, I've been developing a variety of assemblage pieces and not Art Journaling as often as I like to do. And I miss doing my pages! This week, I intend to make more time for my Art Journal. How about you? What's your art goal this week? Will you be Art Journaling?