Making Art for Kiddos!

This piece entitled "All in a Row" is a piece I completed for the John Pierce Elementary School Auction/Fundraiser.  It measures 20" x 16" and is on a museum quality birch canvas.

I usually use standard stretched canvas but was introduced to these wonderful structures when creating my piece for the Kent Street Project.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them, especially when you need strong support so you can drill or screw into them.

The photo on this piece is an actual toner transfer done with a toner copy, gel medium and a bucket 'o elbow grease.  The photo is a picture of a class at Pierce school in 1905 (the school was already 50 years old by this time!)

The book on the bottom is a front cover from a primary reader circa about the same time and the other images are from the inside pages of this book and a national speller book.  I love the illustration on the right hand side, it's hard to make out here but it's a teacher at a black board and the first thing she's written is a is for ale.  LOVE it!

If you're at the auction, bid early, bid often and bid loudly!

Hypocrite

I don't see how I can advise someone to keep up with their blogging or to be consistent with their blogging if I, myself, am REALLY REALLY bad at it.

I do take comfort in the fact that I am running a pretty wonderful new site, www.EverydayArtistStudio.com, that encourages people to live more creatively every day regardless of their age, or career path.  We have already had thousands of visits from over 44 different countries.  We are still in our BETA launch but hope to have even more wonderful additions by this summer.  Oh, and did I mention that there are daily weekday blogs!  

So I haven't stopped blogging, I'm just bad about blogging everywhere.  I'm also twittering not too!  twitter.com/everydayartist

In the meantime, I'm almost ready for Brookline Artists Open Studios coming up May 2 and 3.

This piece to the left was inspired by the piece just below it.  

You may be surprised to know that the second piece is 6" x 6" and was created for my new wedding line I'm working on for Creative Imaginations.  The piece above is 24" x 36"!  My first time working this big with text and boy was it FUN!  Expect to see a lot more of this kind of work in the future.

A kind word...

This week I received both a question about a project in my new book, The Cardmaker's Workbook as well as an unsolicited compliment!  The astute reader was hoping to find a template for the purse pictured on page 59.  Unfortunately the purse pictured was a lovely sticker made by K & Co. and licensed by the wonderfully talented Amy Butler.  

The compliment, well, I'm just too touched not to share it with you!

Dear Ms Mason:
I felt the need to write you a short note after I purchased your book The Cardmakers workbook.   I have been making cards-mostly with rubber stamps--for about 15 years.  I have every book imaginable on the subject and thought I did not need to buy another one.  UNTIL i saw this book.  It is wonderful--the best of all that I have purchased over the years.  I am sure my copy will be dogeared and highlighted before long.  I am already looking forward to applying several of your ideas on my upcoming projects.
Thank you for a wonderful tool.
Best wishes----Gail W.

Thanks Gail!  Your comments made my day!  

Other news at the studio?  Well I'm keeping busy with all the Brookline Open Studios hoopla and managed to get the brochure and poster off to the printer in time!  Yeah.  Thanks, of course goes to my team of designers, editors, runners and proofers.  

Altered Paper Jewelry Inspires

Here's a great link to a blog article from my friend Stefanie Girard at Craftside. I just love how Stef takes inspiration from the books she features.  I think its a perfect way to show readers how to look beyond the pages of the book and make the projects customized for themselves.

Have you tried making any of the projects in any of my books?  If so, email me at Jenn@JennMason.com and I'll post them here!

Don't forget to check out my new website, www.EverydayArtistStudio.com for inspiration on how to live creatively everyday!  Today is Frugal Friday on the blog--come by and save a couple$$!

Welcome Sadie!

There is nothing that makes you miss home more than funerals and babies.

Today and 10:07 am after 2 hours of fighting to stay in, Sadie Jane joined our family!  Proud mom, Sarah (my sister) labored through the night much to my brother Jeff's dismay and Father's joy (Jeff picked the 23rd on the baby pool and Dad picked today!)

All are doing well, even though Sadie looks a little miffed in this picture and I'm missing home a little more.  Today, for Sadie, I will begin to crochet a pair of booties (since I'm no where near finishing the sweater).  Funny how the creation of a little baby makes you feel like creating something of your own.

Happy Birthday Sadie--Great Job Sarah.

Any one going to creatively top that today?  

The Great Mexican Incident OR Pack Your Assemblage Art into Your CHECKED Bags

This piece which was in the possesion of one of my more generous patrons returned last month to the US after living abroad in Mexico.  In an effort to keep it safe, said patron, took it in her carry-on.  

Airport security is not a fan of assmeblages with vintage scissors attached--and time was not on my patron's side.  Knowing that it would make a good story and an even better blog post.  Libby (aka patron) wrenched the scissors (can you wrench scissors???) from the piece and made it through security just in time to catch her flight.

Now, I don't reccommend you trying this with any of your own art, but I, myself was thrilled with the opportunity to revisit a piece of art with such a great story.  Perhaps I can think of the whole thing as an "art happening"!?!

Uhh, what are the socks for?  Well, dear reader, for future reference, I don't work for free.

I do, however, have a sliding scale and will do restoration work for adorable green knee-hi socks.

Please make note of that.

It's in the genes

I found it totally fitting that I was reading Peony in Love at the same time as Chinese New Year this year.  When I got up and checked on the girls this particular morning, this is how they were dressed for school!  Of course from the front they looked more like antenna than chop sticks but the creativeness was not lost on me!

I do so love how they choose to express themselves and I can't help to wonder if it's nature or nurture.  Not that it matters.  

How do you choose to dress on holidays?  Orange and black for Halloween? red on valentines day? Beer goggles on St. Paddy's day?