Off to the Islands!

San Juan Islands that is -  sweaters and boots
not swim suits and sunhats.

Anne Bagby

Four days with Lynne Perrella and Anne Bagby!

 Lynne Perrella

Art-tastic!!

Life on the Coast

 

Our herons are back.  They drift off as summer begins 

and towards the end of September they return.

 Another reason that autumn is my favourite season.

From the Bookshelf

Lucy Watson has put together quite an informative and instructive volume.  It covers different types of sketching - pencil, pen and ink, watercolour, charcoal, etc.  Lots of techniques and well illustrated with examples and diagrams.  More detailed and advanced than some of the books out there, but the beginner will find valuable lessons as well.  A handy manual for those looking for a bit more traditional artist look for their journals and sketchbooks.

Here's Autumn!

My favourite time of year -

It's all about the colour!

Gettin' Ready

In a bit over a week I'll be leaving for the

 San Juan Islands in Washington,

to attend a four day workshop with 

Lynne Perrella and Anne Bagby!

 It's being hosted by Wild at Heart Studio in Friday Harbor.

I've been busy this past weekend gathering supplies and materials.

I'll be blogging while I'm there, 

so stay tuned for all the juicy, arty details!

Suitcase Saturday

  Here's a very cool traveling suitcase that my wife Margot (of Sassy Feet) created -

 I'll let her tell you about  it -

 

I turned this plain white canvas satchel into a wonderful overnight bag by coloring it, embellishing it, and adding a lining with a handy pocket. I daubed the canvas with two shades of blue Dynaflow fabric paint and sponged the vinyl bottom of the bag with two metallic colors of Lumiere.

 The sides were embellished with iron-on transfers of retro travel stickers. Other words (also made with iron-on transfers) were applied to painted scraps of canvas and then riveted or wired on. I embellished the other side of the bag with stenciled eucalyptus leaves, transferred Kanji characters, old Chinese coins, and gold watch chain.

 

  The result? This bag makes a splash wherever I travel. 

Latte Anyone?

Mmmm... who doesn't love a latte?

 Warm, creamy, comfy, pretty pictures on top...

 Perfect for these cooler Autumnal mornings.

                                photo courtesy Camille Stupar

And sometimes you just want to go for the extra large!

Art Girlz Wrap-up

Even though it was foggy outside,
all was smiles and sunshine in the 

Altered by the Sea Studio for Art Girlz in Autumn.

We hosted a wonderful crowd,  they loved seeing all the art 

and getting to visit my studio.

Many sales were made and commissions arranged. 
We were all pleased with the amount of art and jewelry
 that went home with happy new owners.

A good turn-out , got to visit with friends, art aficionados, 

and new friends lured in with our publicity push.

All in all - a lovely way to spend a Sunday
 and to kick off the beginning of Autumn.

And already talk in the air of 

an Art Girlz in Spring show!

Life on the Coast

A friendly pelican perched on the Cayucos Pier. 
Enjoy your weekend!

From the Bookshelf

 This book is truly amazing - here's what Amazon has to say about it -

Tord Boontje incorporates a romantic, artisanal sensibility to contemporary industrial and product design, drawing from a rich graphic tradition to create objects of exceptional beauty and delicacy. One of the most original and innovative product and furniture designers working today, Boontje is an artist and a craftsman, and in designs for Swarovski, Artecnica, and Moroso, his lamps, chairs, fabric designs, paper products, and art installations have vaulted him into the top ranks of contemporary design culture. Featured in headline exhibitions at the Milan Furniture Fair, the Victoria and Albert Musem and Art Basel: Miami, the unique paper creations and furniture developed by Boontje have become global objects of desire, spawning a cult following among collectors and design consumers. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 sketches, concept renderings, and photographs, the book is a comprehensive visual document of the designer's work and an art object in itself, featuring a number of custom printing effects-stencils, perforated and die-cut pages, and textured and woven details-that capture the intricacy of Boontje's approach to pattern-making.

A delight for the eye and a wonderful volume to  delve into for inspiration and whenever you need a design-fix!