tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43399046410867966222024-03-20T12:12:03.283-03:00JJ WordenMaker of ThingsJen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10166427619338355642noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-24672519049503796952024-01-18T19:02:00.003-04:002024-01-18T19:02:38.429-04:00Intentional Creation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3_CdqvXlBxJkL_OG94gOZEGoLCIeoIz8c_Fw1bfRGb-Ub5cDix4O31ZAy6VUtpJS5tH1mnkqQRQcn0ix17iiMBXzjHtsWHuOyFbUDnqIk-2X88RtSLqbW7VdbXU2M4ToiMdkadQIMySxWOai6TYG6qJLcUBrSSeeyXtVqZ1iL0VjIW3QeUtTxAvIql8/s1217/PXL_20231114_160723796~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="831" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3_CdqvXlBxJkL_OG94gOZEGoLCIeoIz8c_Fw1bfRGb-Ub5cDix4O31ZAy6VUtpJS5tH1mnkqQRQcn0ix17iiMBXzjHtsWHuOyFbUDnqIk-2X88RtSLqbW7VdbXU2M4ToiMdkadQIMySxWOai6TYG6qJLcUBrSSeeyXtVqZ1iL0VjIW3QeUtTxAvIql8/s16000/PXL_20231114_160723796~2.jpg" /></a></div><p>Sometimes creating things go fast...the idea, the implementation, the completion. Other times? Like pulling teeth. It's just hard. The ideas are vague, dead-end paths abound and finishing seems to take forever. </p><p>And sometimes, as with these three the idea is crystal clear, the starting points are quick and easy and then? Silence. </p><p>Previously, when confronted with months long lulls between ANY action, I've been impatient to GET ON WITH IT! and push along with no real end in mind, just Do It. Usually with less than satisfactory results. They never reached their potential or the message was muddy or whatever STARTED their journey was never resolved. Like those books or movies where it feels like an editor said, "This needs to be finished NOW" And suddenly there's a giant spider in the bedroom.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ740C3MonJef8WIbFlpjwhaUNNZZBW2p7wSm_zJ2GTvrP8S5VPwJM_fYEoqBniCPE7MxFILJaw8EQC8zb1hKzUv_mT5LZZ0HDKrAFwM7W0RfqdEvzONfy3xs1BHzBvN8GZOAyhz5vPVfNKbxK21Y5iH7fS2OcwjuiC0QIiWlhowc8BYfo4LWVszAC9uM/s4032/PXL_20231108_152022490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ740C3MonJef8WIbFlpjwhaUNNZZBW2p7wSm_zJ2GTvrP8S5VPwJM_fYEoqBniCPE7MxFILJaw8EQC8zb1hKzUv_mT5LZZ0HDKrAFwM7W0RfqdEvzONfy3xs1BHzBvN8GZOAyhz5vPVfNKbxK21Y5iH7fS2OcwjuiC0QIiWlhowc8BYfo4LWVszAC9uM/s16000/PXL_20231108_152022490.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Jj9XRb0NamzF8ZsA-skv1GjAlT07mz5ClNVUHY9zuYcoKDaIBmpVFWlW2TyysiiQWfSt2Ffgcb1x7DAiy998hUlpikwcM0Jjwx6VFw_DNLHXSqYgGNMC_dn21iRd29EvnbFZYSCb61iz90mytcSSkANnJZhJ9JW0mPyLWLGVQiqEV8-aEBGr1La7HU/s4032/PXL_20240118_152311205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0Jj9XRb0NamzF8ZsA-skv1GjAlT07mz5ClNVUHY9zuYcoKDaIBmpVFWlW2TyysiiQWfSt2Ffgcb1x7DAiy998hUlpikwcM0Jjwx6VFw_DNLHXSqYgGNMC_dn21iRd29EvnbFZYSCb61iz90mytcSSkANnJZhJ9JW0mPyLWLGVQiqEV8-aEBGr1La7HU/s16000/PXL_20240118_152311205.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>And I realized that what I'm looking at is this transitional space between "free play" and "intentional creation". Moving forward without a plan, a clear vision, will result in a muddy, half-formed end result and these three deserve much more than that! Maybe ...just maybe... I'm maturing after all these years. Could this be "The Wisdom" we all hear about?!?</p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-21480609337041552882024-01-09T11:55:00.002-04:002024-01-09T11:55:55.529-04:00Experiments in BIG gel plate printing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1ckY7j7WU2h-lDdfuU-32Vv_TqlseQ69DBUHolNRZIcBpgHlOyNAbNhx4GrrYHnW4IqgT_v__xrge-dC9QS_wBjxKFZuqwC9IpikQc3G8SxDYlyA4s7wjbF-rgDXolFBPjCuyX15FBTButNDxJMFTdc89n96Fqy3fsxwZmZ66bbltrgeC-BEATPjI0I/s3588/PXL_20240105_155239491-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3588" data-original-width="2872" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1ckY7j7WU2h-lDdfuU-32Vv_TqlseQ69DBUHolNRZIcBpgHlOyNAbNhx4GrrYHnW4IqgT_v__xrge-dC9QS_wBjxKFZuqwC9IpikQc3G8SxDYlyA4s7wjbF-rgDXolFBPjCuyX15FBTButNDxJMFTdc89n96Fqy3fsxwZmZ66bbltrgeC-BEATPjI0I/s16000/PXL_20240105_155239491-01.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p>Got a new LARGE 16x20"<a href="https://gelelf.myshopify.com/en-ca/products/gel-pringting-plate" target="_blank"> <b>Gelelf gel plate</b></a> for Christmas. (Thanks Tom!) It's a learning curve. So. Much. Space! All of these are works in progress.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G2mh8VJP_CZHsIojmht2s47bLuQ5srUdF58ZSjXpPqICwa_GGoCPaS8lEtT09wf2b_WQMYBUBPNwiLtFwakDyZ35f8RndEX8dNwIoBZfLsdJRWcIDmEpkq3Qvcj725kMHWhb8cs7qnVD8MLhdn7oqIbVzzK7hoNwJVqGEgDD-JftLixtyU5LpskErDA/s4032/PXL_20240109_150758331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G2mh8VJP_CZHsIojmht2s47bLuQ5srUdF58ZSjXpPqICwa_GGoCPaS8lEtT09wf2b_WQMYBUBPNwiLtFwakDyZ35f8RndEX8dNwIoBZfLsdJRWcIDmEpkq3Qvcj725kMHWhb8cs7qnVD8MLhdn7oqIbVzzK7hoNwJVqGEgDD-JftLixtyU5LpskErDA/s16000/PXL_20240109_150758331.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLwLKwTyO0f6y-VJP47PQRNqJ8nmBYxPeFXQMEcOePrWm1x2nVAUikho-qW4xw3xt2vSMS7D0hmS5MEwCa68YnjGI7JTZ3Rc02cQu4yFdDAE6dEukg6OrL6WaI7ImhLYEU-7C8tQC0m0a40lbtdWgiIR3j2ZuVp5kBlPPuhKII48fVPyZFWy_jZux_8M/s4032/PXL_20240108_155542585.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLwLKwTyO0f6y-VJP47PQRNqJ8nmBYxPeFXQMEcOePrWm1x2nVAUikho-qW4xw3xt2vSMS7D0hmS5MEwCa68YnjGI7JTZ3Rc02cQu4yFdDAE6dEukg6OrL6WaI7ImhLYEU-7C8tQC0m0a40lbtdWgiIR3j2ZuVp5kBlPPuhKII48fVPyZFWy_jZux_8M/s16000/PXL_20240108_155542585.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TQ9gjZrSCvyc5YVomQZkgpw_K3p4fUZ-bKXhjyAecyVcGUexdgrRSq_EBMlG47m2k4eDVN_f4Dhvy2hbbfTDdh4ikfOc9NO_p59jstdpjTMfrQBY8-iumVLGCd1iE3b-dv9ZH18Og_dl24HK1vfoLo30c-qHPHNL71WmeBkdHBhURCxqBczk_uji8c/s4032/PXL_20240104_160008626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-TQ9gjZrSCvyc5YVomQZkgpw_K3p4fUZ-bKXhjyAecyVcGUexdgrRSq_EBMlG47m2k4eDVN_f4Dhvy2hbbfTDdh4ikfOc9NO_p59jstdpjTMfrQBY8-iumVLGCd1iE3b-dv9ZH18Og_dl24HK1vfoLo30c-qHPHNL71WmeBkdHBhURCxqBczk_uji8c/s16000/PXL_20240104_160008626.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-48248132451800187102024-01-09T11:42:00.004-04:002024-01-09T11:48:49.630-04:00Toujours la meme chose<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVemviGY0mBKA4nCh-XYcmwVvFgiRQtQjzQVUSaNrV7BKf0sI50uctuxA2rk8Gpfa71jccayQ5bwyfcNxhO9TAMdcEnTL3uhTeLn2RogQKb3RAo3XVZsLNXfMhi3xWs6rzHWPqczTfn8_3wXteVnLVwflPZ9TQfRdhsH_BSotIhowq40wjEdzM7fBNMZo/s1600/original_d665d545-8fc7-434e-9ed5-b506e4e08d32_PXL_20240109_152900308.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="2892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVemviGY0mBKA4nCh-XYcmwVvFgiRQtQjzQVUSaNrV7BKf0sI50uctuxA2rk8Gpfa71jccayQ5bwyfcNxhO9TAMdcEnTL3uhTeLn2RogQKb3RAo3XVZsLNXfMhi3xWs6rzHWPqczTfn8_3wXteVnLVwflPZ9TQfRdhsH_BSotIhowq40wjEdzM7fBNMZo/s1600/original_d665d545-8fc7-434e-9ed5-b506e4e08d32_PXL_20240109_152900308.jpg"/></a></div>
<blockquote><p> January 11, 2011</p><p>What does being so frittered ...in my art practice... do to my Art? If I limited my materials to only wire and objects, say or paint or a single substrate, how would that manifest? Would my work become more singular (read: boring) or would it become stronger?</p><p>Is this jack of all trades approach stopping me from mastering <i>anything?</i> </p><p>The only way of knowing of course is to just focus on ONE thing and see.</p><p>And yet... just this morning as I entered the studio tying on my apron, my eyes flicked from wire/metal station to paint table to wax bench. Thinking what shall I do, what do I FEEL like doing today? Is there merit in NOT relearning a task, getting into that mindset and focusing only on the message?</p><p>Do I have the wherewithal to find out?</p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-27316040957173156122023-12-21T12:09:00.002-04:002023-12-21T12:09:40.732-04:00Personal Symbology: Houses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ZTV9HN15dD2XhDfK-T-0ChmpBgluk9e-_b1iSdFiIIn9zGpueQYR34XFH-iz6CCgcC7zQXnjFKPLQuZ8Yqrth_NIxFbc8BcWQ4OPsqhFS4BLfZtraPmbSjBQmCSpKRSxrahiw1SJzs-iEV5JyCR07RVEgk63Wh2GFS9SUUz5V2EFO_dHWgjMzmRivY/s1440/FB_IMG_1702421059183.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65ZTV9HN15dD2XhDfK-T-0ChmpBgluk9e-_b1iSdFiIIn9zGpueQYR34XFH-iz6CCgcC7zQXnjFKPLQuZ8Yqrth_NIxFbc8BcWQ4OPsqhFS4BLfZtraPmbSjBQmCSpKRSxrahiw1SJzs-iEV5JyCR07RVEgk63Wh2GFS9SUUz5V2EFO_dHWgjMzmRivY/s16000/FB_IMG_1702421059183.jpg" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The house is a long recognized icon representing Home, Love, Comfort, Sense of place. It is an oft used symbol of artworks and one I have used often in both, mixed media and assemblage. It seems they run in series for me. A personal symbol, I will likely return to again and again.</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVmCY9bGPU_a7NmPrQwUvliFGb94zW-x-RN8B2rB1U_N3L-BTg8q88sY1QIL1qs-5O4cMjzKsns8-a-Qwh4M22NSOHfKRI0ztFJK-0M_4tBS1IYQu1w4LUFVVu8-wFaoGWGyb3ZCYmtQbp0hXV3ZQlAmv9hscB4sDAmIFUxIoSgtay4876zDytUjIGtw/s2000/FB_IMG_1702421092333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1075" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVmCY9bGPU_a7NmPrQwUvliFGb94zW-x-RN8B2rB1U_N3L-BTg8q88sY1QIL1qs-5O4cMjzKsns8-a-Qwh4M22NSOHfKRI0ztFJK-0M_4tBS1IYQu1w4LUFVVu8-wFaoGWGyb3ZCYmtQbp0hXV3ZQlAmv9hscB4sDAmIFUxIoSgtay4876zDytUjIGtw/s16000/FB_IMG_1702421092333.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi9zSLaQHAHdj9d9644ijfKNKpIrMiWfKxRkGGSy4Huay3iisHZp2X_oaMnPoq8hZQAv3FoV7P8gXhxm_k2fYCcYyvV6DXfiBJdT-KB3WSmQOq0hc5tlv1W7hvj-ENQkcWvBqj7LMl1Gf2gWnjT8Li4yqZEvL9UoLwWjhuzP6AOilTGBIcgvvh8ofa3Q/s1440/FB_IMG_1702421066061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXi9zSLaQHAHdj9d9644ijfKNKpIrMiWfKxRkGGSy4Huay3iisHZp2X_oaMnPoq8hZQAv3FoV7P8gXhxm_k2fYCcYyvV6DXfiBJdT-KB3WSmQOq0hc5tlv1W7hvj-ENQkcWvBqj7LMl1Gf2gWnjT8Li4yqZEvL9UoLwWjhuzP6AOilTGBIcgvvh8ofa3Q/s16000/FB_IMG_1702421066061.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO0M_9g4TgoIEfiScZTUEvjeDexjIl1Ny_NQTbm89TtQUvk2dZEOuFrZXTyOkBWBb7lz9ZrhPjJQ8twU7nVEpGT_ju8xDrVZmcxRGoc4GIKt9SUEL-TEfV6Lbafe40NBc2mW82yksy5xNBMeNg_yiEmMUw8QFfuWwrY18iKokBWBw5Q9djQs2dTWoG6E/s1080/FB_IMG_1702421072498.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO0M_9g4TgoIEfiScZTUEvjeDexjIl1Ny_NQTbm89TtQUvk2dZEOuFrZXTyOkBWBb7lz9ZrhPjJQ8twU7nVEpGT_ju8xDrVZmcxRGoc4GIKt9SUEL-TEfV6Lbafe40NBc2mW82yksy5xNBMeNg_yiEmMUw8QFfuWwrY18iKokBWBw5Q9djQs2dTWoG6E/s16000/FB_IMG_1702421072498.jpg" /></a></div>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-31086092111480681252023-11-23T16:24:00.000-04:002023-11-23T16:24:00.812-04:00When is a collage not a collage<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB7Yp85P5JLiDkkKNhZ37LGDScIEKRCG7Y33Z46w1sF5lywetUcWxy3k1qZO7KGDFqWkN-mlsmvn27dB4IWZL0MGgV1JFLebi1wO0dWRmIgHoBNIaNfrvVCBsZxz7k7j0xQHrZ2Bi0HCwfklZz9GyJhhHYD826LHd663gxZDf-jZmgs4wXr-R2y1_X3A/s4032/PXL_20231027_150400448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEB7Yp85P5JLiDkkKNhZ37LGDScIEKRCG7Y33Z46w1sF5lywetUcWxy3k1qZO7KGDFqWkN-mlsmvn27dB4IWZL0MGgV1JFLebi1wO0dWRmIgHoBNIaNfrvVCBsZxz7k7j0xQHrZ2Bi0HCwfklZz9GyJhhHYD826LHd663gxZDf-jZmgs4wXr-R2y1_X3A/s16000/PXL_20231027_150400448.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>When is a collage not a collage? When it's an assemblage! </p><p>As soon as I decide to use a cradle board as my substrate for a collage piece, it's a pretty good chance that SOMETHING will get added to the frame. I mean, "Hello! Sturdy wood boards!" just begging to be nailed, drilled, glued. </p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-20735341287185709632023-11-22T15:30:00.003-04:002023-11-22T15:30:56.745-04:00Gridjournal<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscKCOuVR5f1FjbZ4isC4MxoNoYcW_5mC1NlfB-FEpfrdOI3GgF6_YHDYHB-fY8xPQoCMoO6p8c4S5AepZBgk7-1IrQ-K6h6TgjGVRXwpddI0Q2kTTUx-PSYZRzpa8YLx1-QUtk_mOyW-fBCshPNvtUEFrR1DFfXvWSnfPgkPshcZKZNo4LDyPhtSaad0/s4032/PXL_20231122_162445036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscKCOuVR5f1FjbZ4isC4MxoNoYcW_5mC1NlfB-FEpfrdOI3GgF6_YHDYHB-fY8xPQoCMoO6p8c4S5AepZBgk7-1IrQ-K6h6TgjGVRXwpddI0Q2kTTUx-PSYZRzpa8YLx1-QUtk_mOyW-fBCshPNvtUEFrR1DFfXvWSnfPgkPshcZKZNo4LDyPhtSaad0/s16000/PXL_20231122_162445036.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>When the collage is going nowhere, stick some people in there to give a focal point. #protip</p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-76869904126956087782023-11-02T16:25:00.001-03:002023-11-23T16:47:09.769-04:00Gelli Plate Cowboys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQUU2wcbbDsPKQQ9Z8IfJBqpOFCq-4iomEsQmSIxwtRpETXr62-nVIT2ZSEy_y7-fK_RruAKIRQ9LPv6IwI6vXwDPfqtUbCbJcMxTEKYZG7WaLbg8Aj-yfLRsv9HGFK1_FzQiBOnaAq1XtsWmtqNPRIsNvYlOb8UgNpUh0_yZKsNMZC9tB4-Tg6Zhtp8/s4032/original_5ed5cff5-07cb-43d1-9949-7b87f6f2de87_PXL_20231106_162034075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitQUU2wcbbDsPKQQ9Z8IfJBqpOFCq-4iomEsQmSIxwtRpETXr62-nVIT2ZSEy_y7-fK_RruAKIRQ9LPv6IwI6vXwDPfqtUbCbJcMxTEKYZG7WaLbg8Aj-yfLRsv9HGFK1_FzQiBOnaAq1XtsWmtqNPRIsNvYlOb8UgNpUh0_yZKsNMZC9tB4-Tg6Zhtp8/s16000/original_5ed5cff5-07cb-43d1-9949-7b87f6f2de87_PXL_20231106_162034075.jpg" /></a></div>
<p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM78sMq_1ZbdLBbSk2t4J2QRoVT3qGVf8FjxeujyOjvfavdR2FPJl78xqP8TFO9hG3Toz9iwWRyWvcl3SyehSuxNP5cNPuAHmq1Jv8RWRpIx5RrjLSAF47OcBD5hcM1-FwKIGnfdMd8lFulgBBVEXHYE3lkf_ZyrrM2tCnfn4GXdam4iXrnOmYMuUk5pw/s1073/Screenshot_20231123-164340.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="863" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM78sMq_1ZbdLBbSk2t4J2QRoVT3qGVf8FjxeujyOjvfavdR2FPJl78xqP8TFO9hG3Toz9iwWRyWvcl3SyehSuxNP5cNPuAHmq1Jv8RWRpIx5RrjLSAF47OcBD5hcM1-FwKIGnfdMd8lFulgBBVEXHYE3lkf_ZyrrM2tCnfn4GXdam4iXrnOmYMuUk5pw/s16000/Screenshot_20231123-164340.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I've had this obsession with this photo for a year or two. It's from a collection of found photos by <a href="https://www.oliverwasow.com/" target="_blank"><b>Oliver Wasow</b></a> that he generously shares on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/owasowfoundphotos/" target="_blank"><b>Instagram</b></a>. I've mentioned him<a href="https://www.jjworden.com/2023/04/a-new-series.html" target="_blank"><b> before</b></a> because they are THAT good!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjForqa4D9-8-A20JO1uG0s9KJtKxuK8hEJWaHgUGIT4H17TwuAwt30dfa85Evhp_J6KEg8J6qi5iq7gOcl5UY2H-V1PURL15kDVtalil4OhOYzXrP5yorx7qyavE298epdJSiOYO1wFNUQi_xDlXYecYRZcJ0_rE3a_qsHe6ca_EiRxXjQ4dODYpWjtbI/s4032/PXL_20231102_154732831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjForqa4D9-8-A20JO1uG0s9KJtKxuK8hEJWaHgUGIT4H17TwuAwt30dfa85Evhp_J6KEg8J6qi5iq7gOcl5UY2H-V1PURL15kDVtalil4OhOYzXrP5yorx7qyavE298epdJSiOYO1wFNUQi_xDlXYecYRZcJ0_rE3a_qsHe6ca_EiRxXjQ4dODYpWjtbI/s16000/PXL_20231102_154732831.jpg" /></a></div><p>Anyway. I recently took in the <a href="https://www.andrewsteinbrecher.com/classes" target="_blank"><b>Gel Printers Summit</b></a> where I learned SO. MUCH. and had the opportunity to take a class by <a href="https://markyeatesart.com/" target="_blank"><b>Mark Yeates</b></a>. I may have fangirled. Just a bit. π </p><p></p><p>These three variations were using some of those techniques. And even though the registration is appallingly, laughably OFF, the top one is my favourite. Which probably says a lot about me. And I own every last bit of it!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j-9GjnktH61VnFnss-reSqyMw7rqPxqe5is4YPVlCklWNovXnFuOIpHa-NOxmVHYPTZPiVLVm-Z8OwQVUBP0y6Vn54X8ilTktqap-9yH9NPAVBdcJyF84RAVf2bmHPjodM8oiJnDjDGrk58lHK31sjN6puYZPJSSvBMZa5T1QEec2poVQvxjNhDHYaY/s4032/PXL_20231107_145528554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_j-9GjnktH61VnFnss-reSqyMw7rqPxqe5is4YPVlCklWNovXnFuOIpHa-NOxmVHYPTZPiVLVm-Z8OwQVUBP0y6Vn54X8ilTktqap-9yH9NPAVBdcJyF84RAVf2bmHPjodM8oiJnDjDGrk58lHK31sjN6puYZPJSSvBMZa5T1QEec2poVQvxjNhDHYaY/s16000/PXL_20231107_145528554.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPooKTYAPZ0eYeJVMuRGx88IGJjmrcZ1RqmixCT9LOaC-aoQDRz069Xz_rV2ce6S1Nf8rFCMKstoMxvcQKmg2z4bDmip8KD3lO2BvvQtU1QijAjCAfxXTAJ5SbvZCo7oGMiELUUbEqZLPtGEu7n0-TN2viOUakTwJQLG3ryOAI4TI-ikts457nJeXOeHQ/s4032/PXL_20231109_160249487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPooKTYAPZ0eYeJVMuRGx88IGJjmrcZ1RqmixCT9LOaC-aoQDRz069Xz_rV2ce6S1Nf8rFCMKstoMxvcQKmg2z4bDmip8KD3lO2BvvQtU1QijAjCAfxXTAJ5SbvZCo7oGMiELUUbEqZLPtGEu7n0-TN2viOUakTwJQLG3ryOAI4TI-ikts457nJeXOeHQ/s16000/PXL_20231109_160249487.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-92089187298592461612023-09-22T06:00:00.002-03:002023-11-18T14:44:46.766-04:00Real Talk...Hello! Goodbye!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W1G9DTPSPbfABa7Cw_mGamZcd70LMZMGW8LjG8PzijYxwyiYPIrhh6twOwIMupln9yqwlR2yfbXiVgrjXBff6H1QGfFdj0BO5fcB_yikGmfRgzDxnDFojIHTcNNATtm9B7NT4Qi4Fwa8D9uQNjmenE8SYOW3DP4FJFbPkLkyThpHdzCdxT7ysX-RFns/s1415/received_179639898455968-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="1415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W1G9DTPSPbfABa7Cw_mGamZcd70LMZMGW8LjG8PzijYxwyiYPIrhh6twOwIMupln9yqwlR2yfbXiVgrjXBff6H1QGfFdj0BO5fcB_yikGmfRgzDxnDFojIHTcNNATtm9B7NT4Qi4Fwa8D9uQNjmenE8SYOW3DP4FJFbPkLkyThpHdzCdxT7ysX-RFns/s16000/received_179639898455968-01.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p>I've lived my life online since 1995. Sometimes every waking minute. Sometimes with giant stretches of downtime. Perhaps you've noticed I haven't been around much...here...Instagram...Facebook. And always it seems, my newsletter.</p><p>I've been living through two catastrophic events recently...my 24/7 by-my-side pup of 14 years getting a debilitating disease that continues to this day. And my husband getting seriously ill. Hopefully, we are on the other side of Tom's sickness. We are still contending with Stella and what that means for our...her...future.</p><p>The point of all this is trying to keep up with an online presence became overwhelming in an already stressful existence. As we move from Crisis Mode to Ongoing Uncertainty Mode, I've realized...and this is a big one folks...I'm no longer invested in putting my life out here. And to be perfectly frank, I'm not even interested in sharing my art life either...though that may change. </p><p>So what does this mean for you?</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Over the next month or as I'm able, this website will become a static repository for artwork. Or something. Regardless, there won't be any more Friday Musings or attempts to resurrect my failed newsletter attempts.</li><li>My <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jjwordenartist" target="_blank"><b>Facebook Artist page</b></a> will go away. And maybe even my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jen.worden" target="_blank">personal page</a> because Facebook sucks giant monkey balls.</li><li>I'll continue with<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jenwordenmakerofthings" target="_blank"><b> Instagram </b></a>but it will be on a much reduced time frame. More "when I feel like it" than every day.</li></ol><p></p><p>I've made some amazing friends out here and rest assured I will continue to reach out and enjoy your virtual company.</p><p>Thank you for taking the time in your busy lives to read and chat over the years. I've loved it all immensely!</p><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-90370474405160718132023-09-01T15:38:00.001-03:002023-11-18T15:40:32.236-04:00Assemblage + Collage<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YsxiaT_xuDWPlPR8-OTlSXTWvvk4nGR9_hnpSqQdic_nrusec4UaLhZl61STE4EsJi0hIY-9wxXJX0tfKKCyum6KHR8fH7cvY-bR0JxXxyyfQuOOe-zJ-eg1zhXU-mct4XoYzAeZZTryG8wmyAw1SOh3emmE7AWg4H_FsBJoA_0JWn-zMoX4w9EefzE/s1986/original_e32e2571-1bfe-458d-9709-49d9a2ad2392_PXL_20230901_154934652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="1986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YsxiaT_xuDWPlPR8-OTlSXTWvvk4nGR9_hnpSqQdic_nrusec4UaLhZl61STE4EsJi0hIY-9wxXJX0tfKKCyum6KHR8fH7cvY-bR0JxXxyyfQuOOe-zJ-eg1zhXU-mct4XoYzAeZZTryG8wmyAw1SOh3emmE7AWg4H_FsBJoA_0JWn-zMoX4w9EefzE/s16000/original_e32e2571-1bfe-458d-9709-49d9a2ad2392_PXL_20230901_154934652.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've had this idea of doing collage on shapes other than square or rectangular for awhile. And then my assemblage self said, "Well THAT needs to hang from a spoon." Of course it does.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik5efxw4io83vV7b8DVSfuRjoiry6qqKu6-zceLs_R2Gi_kruMXaSW5V7GtQoMFFS_AX4iTjwDGWWDu_A8n_lxpp2w8AEOCX7EgwpCzMlfxWAAdtx8zgoR9wNtYrbAFnLzty8cd5LyRovZgAbibefRnbJqwBKiilUGi8xMDOMRDZP8EDl-X4KszEElaw/s1344/PXL_20230901_154934652~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="1344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik5efxw4io83vV7b8DVSfuRjoiry6qqKu6-zceLs_R2Gi_kruMXaSW5V7GtQoMFFS_AX4iTjwDGWWDu_A8n_lxpp2w8AEOCX7EgwpCzMlfxWAAdtx8zgoR9wNtYrbAFnLzty8cd5LyRovZgAbibefRnbJqwBKiilUGi8xMDOMRDZP8EDl-X4KszEElaw/s16000/PXL_20230901_154934652~3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-58561104565556160462023-08-30T15:31:00.001-03:002023-11-18T15:37:32.428-04:00Nom Nom Nom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKIOnvpNRD_ia7u4MWae2Ktj1eSAoEv_0CXPzMx0dzNvFtboEWa29fTpuqiVq_GUvoM3cwqEJc-VI1Clhlg9_CitMdDBEYpPkCZh8aGi9IylHyCxx2WEBPiTXLiff-bMQDy_14Dhfi2ft65yNie_TyhLXI2ChUz2QORo8NaP7cB6YF2o2V_GGn8Gxlb4/s1219/PXL_20230830_150641781~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKIOnvpNRD_ia7u4MWae2Ktj1eSAoEv_0CXPzMx0dzNvFtboEWa29fTpuqiVq_GUvoM3cwqEJc-VI1Clhlg9_CitMdDBEYpPkCZh8aGi9IylHyCxx2WEBPiTXLiff-bMQDy_14Dhfi2ft65yNie_TyhLXI2ChUz2QORo8NaP7cB6YF2o2V_GGn8Gxlb4/s16000/PXL_20230830_150641781~2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<p>Working on Nomnom submissions. This assemblage is the first in quite awhile. <a href="https://instagram.com/cutsandpastegallery" target="_blank"><b>@cutsandpastegallery</b></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVDPK8nHK8-9QnEUidryLw2vb_kOZxzYCUeFEw5euLY1QMhiws52E1QiDIgi9D1JwtRZEi8TsNqkuFXojB6j8tGj3Lze5w0RuHvNdHg9jLubQ386u5GbuVjtlBQk2Ynpeu8Wigdd01B78ahhAysCB71zm0AH9Zmusl0mSXnpKJdMwYOaUhkOAg7IserU/s4032/PXL_20230830_150641781.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVDPK8nHK8-9QnEUidryLw2vb_kOZxzYCUeFEw5euLY1QMhiws52E1QiDIgi9D1JwtRZEi8TsNqkuFXojB6j8tGj3Lze5w0RuHvNdHg9jLubQ386u5GbuVjtlBQk2Ynpeu8Wigdd01B78ahhAysCB71zm0AH9Zmusl0mSXnpKJdMwYOaUhkOAg7IserU/s16000/PXL_20230830_150641781.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl80R5yYUtTkcVLX1DFQQRrrTEEp3VEBWlHppCTXnUJjrXBBQxCt4Hnbmo6cT0-59nXQ6d8XE2pXOlu3wxaEWBtJSk6QGXh3lxTY4Qw8vt95R-tLcLkpgDhRQQYtGFGcWbM-qRuvpqgNsHNUV1XFLeVVdMgZlNrzqS6dj2xwbprSpiYAWhQoD22aTgmVc/s4032/PXL_20230830_150746668.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl80R5yYUtTkcVLX1DFQQRrrTEEp3VEBWlHppCTXnUJjrXBBQxCt4Hnbmo6cT0-59nXQ6d8XE2pXOlu3wxaEWBtJSk6QGXh3lxTY4Qw8vt95R-tLcLkpgDhRQQYtGFGcWbM-qRuvpqgNsHNUV1XFLeVVdMgZlNrzqS6dj2xwbprSpiYAWhQoD22aTgmVc/s16000/PXL_20230830_150746668.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br />Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-56933649057192469142023-08-18T04:00:00.006-03:002023-08-18T04:00:00.159-03:00Exhausted and overwhelmed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgPMcIk_G0tUYyhSBxrUlqsOZlq_3rG9Efd4Xb9qqFg_Szf2deVWlTq81vy9knHO5vBdgq1Y-ufBueOTwyll_IWtdjMxwra_2nCcFRz1WojZ4zAM2oZEsm2ozJTya-KsnTKgTIXpHlOEOQUEvA4h8zL-nVJfg2hQvlItt-qz9B4wdyUXwKlry2oErI9E/s4032/PXL_20230809_185344848.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgPMcIk_G0tUYyhSBxrUlqsOZlq_3rG9Efd4Xb9qqFg_Szf2deVWlTq81vy9knHO5vBdgq1Y-ufBueOTwyll_IWtdjMxwra_2nCcFRz1WojZ4zAM2oZEsm2ozJTya-KsnTKgTIXpHlOEOQUEvA4h8zL-nVJfg2hQvlItt-qz9B4wdyUXwKlry2oErI9E/s16000/PXL_20230809_185344848.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></div><p>It's been two weeks since our return from England. And maybe the hardest two weeks of my life. Certainly up there. In some ways it feels really dumb...ignorant...to be talking about this but y'know reality doesn't always give us global perspective. More often it buries us under the mundane and ineffectual. Lest this comes across as vaguebooking on an epic level, if you aren't an <a href="https://instagram.com/jenwordenmakerofthings" target="_blank"><b>instagram follower,</b></a> I'm talking about Stella. Stella is my dog, a Jack Russell Terrier who has spent every moment of her life right beside me. Almost. And perhaps the most intense relationship I've ever had. Am I making excuses? Maybe. Probably. Doesn't really matter. It is what it is. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ8s1mrmbSGmis_gxfG0r5R9abqA5LHCe-uPCgri1AFlxmDBpW11FueA8c9tFYegBLzygmfb-7DbWGSTOfF0gRFJb9PfjI0hs64UXpWHe8DCI-PHxt8favZHy4VwcUyqsHykf9SNZIiq0Zz63SCKn9IZMNFQ-M2NcBQIMEBQkmUpDWq5FlATZz7wdmAk/s4000/2013-stellaandme.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ8s1mrmbSGmis_gxfG0r5R9abqA5LHCe-uPCgri1AFlxmDBpW11FueA8c9tFYegBLzygmfb-7DbWGSTOfF0gRFJb9PfjI0hs64UXpWHe8DCI-PHxt8favZHy4VwcUyqsHykf9SNZIiq0Zz63SCKn9IZMNFQ-M2NcBQIMEBQkmUpDWq5FlATZz7wdmAk/s16000/2013-stellaandme.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Anyway. We literally hadn't been apart for 4 years. Oh. Okay an hour or two here and there but never overnight. Never two days in a row. So to say she was stressed from our 10 day UK trip is not overstating it. I came back to her in full allergy flare and exhibiting all those anxious traits...ear thwapping, paw licking, butt scratching. Couple that with two horrendous thunderstorms (a stressor in their own right) nearly back to back, well she ended up with Canine Vestibular Disease. Again. If you haven't heard of it, I hope you never have to experience it. It sucks. Big time. Think vertigo for dogs...no balance, lurching from place to place whilst not comprehending what's going on. Bad for them. Worse for their people I think. </p><p>Talk about feeling helpless. And exhausted. And overwhelmed.</p><p>We've gotten some meds which I hope will help. But it's a long game. A month or more for them to fully kick in. Meanwhile the thunderstorms continue (we got meds for that too) and we live one day at a time. One hour at a time. She's slept through my typing this. YAY! She hasn't tried to annihilate her paws. WooHoo! </p><p>Small victories. I'll take them.</p><p>Also. Our trip to the UK to watch our daughter get married? Still worth it. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.gallowayphotography.uk.com/norma-jean-michael-botleys-mansion/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="864" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2uKRFKIQOvknPMZLwaf3UkGbgXn7nXczT8P43g3rS4nZnVNAg1jplCUVoB0Xgiezuk4lAl3SPscaD0fhF-oI3f2-NjR5-FDKs8nftQeFMx8W5iy38aFq8w8yFlW3SG35aLFzUTgqztCdCNvuesANSxARdEnhJK2p07aKQ2i8RnJodUzxJe4y9i88V0M/s16000/Screenshot_20230817-123125.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click to see more photos!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>PS I hope to get back in the studio in the days to come.</p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-38760565100787848572023-07-19T11:43:00.000-03:002023-11-21T14:54:38.855-04:00On the Flip<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlns_BMUPxzIPYgF5kduljbvbxfhwkQ5B-ZlVDcjk9SktM2ZcfpUagidiYgVHma0St1349FswjNj_XViLuGS4L4zCubsG-8JP9vCcV2AFoEPl5GbmUfw6pnoA2ON2D4z0y2GW3UGGwonadgtrO_SY9t4xNUNW5unF2IDxXxMN_RbaTAP_dPTQWercVAA/s1600/PXL_20230719_121655046.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlns_BMUPxzIPYgF5kduljbvbxfhwkQ5B-ZlVDcjk9SktM2ZcfpUagidiYgVHma0St1349FswjNj_XViLuGS4L4zCubsG-8JP9vCcV2AFoEPl5GbmUfw6pnoA2ON2D4z0y2GW3UGGwonadgtrO_SY9t4xNUNW5unF2IDxXxMN_RbaTAP_dPTQWercVAA/s1600/PXL_20230719_121655046.jpg" /></a></div>
I'll be offline for a few weeks. Contemplating a mini art kit to take along to keep me sane. Would love to know what supplies...if any... you take with you when travelling.<div><br /></div><div>Also. </div><div>Can you even TAKE glue stick on a plane?!? (it'd be MUCH safer than a snake!) </div><div>See you when I get back. </div>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-6598718321630156202023-07-14T04:00:00.001-03:002023-11-21T14:50:18.992-04:00Asking Questions<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidI8LftFFcJBQqUW4eJ0ik-BOwZBCc5fCTzY7XaZ2bRZ0miuz_bIkTRVLuAJ9MCzLLrBGEkaVZLG-6Oc2GLC985Cxfvvo_DazopYmpT84z8tBg1FbNUkPdLVZ-3Igm_RTtzuj9dHuq1T3WtiaP6lK09Emj0S5S1_h6O4BIy18HUWJ4-WZYHdLOih55mLI/s4032/PXL_20230702_135346864.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidI8LftFFcJBQqUW4eJ0ik-BOwZBCc5fCTzY7XaZ2bRZ0miuz_bIkTRVLuAJ9MCzLLrBGEkaVZLG-6Oc2GLC985Cxfvvo_DazopYmpT84z8tBg1FbNUkPdLVZ-3Igm_RTtzuj9dHuq1T3WtiaP6lK09Emj0S5S1_h6O4BIy18HUWJ4-WZYHdLOih55mLI/s16000/PXL_20230702_135346864.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Over on my Newsletter, pretentiously titled "Travelogue of an Artistic Mind" [insert eye roll here...need to rename that thing!] I asked my dear subscribers (maybe you?) what they wanted to see in the future. Amazingly to me, over half wanted to read <i>this</i> Chatter McChatterson yammer on about Art and Life - sort of what I do here.</p><p>Which made me wonder what do YOU want to read here every week? </p><p>So guess what? Survey time for you, too!</p><p>Note: IF you happen to subscribe to both AND you don't want to weigh in here as well, I totally get it. But. I'm thinking I'll do a sort of monthly recap on the Newsletter so if there are very specific things you'd like to read WEEKLY, please let me know! </p><p>Clear as mud? Awesome! Let's get to it!</p><p>Click <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe943XaeiGf4EqQR6V8apiBLj5pipPhnik4DOYM92s_OgtHSA/viewform?usp=sf_link">HERE</a></b> if the survey doesn't show up!</p><iframe frameborder="0" height="2000" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe943XaeiGf4EqQR6V8apiBLj5pipPhnik4DOYM92s_OgtHSA/viewform?embedded=true" align="left" width="1000">Loadingβ¦</iframe>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-79622118348496518812023-07-07T04:00:00.001-03:002023-11-18T14:49:27.488-04:00When Life infiltrates Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx41VwKV5hnT4ap9A0r-qoa6CslxYzanzTgOQ3pBwG7RswM0Jly2L-C1A6TB0iuVwNZRGE-hUzDVBeOt8vecyNXIwUWLH6uNLrh1591WuQsPeGe1mcwuHf0cXY3AJJhQZRWGNqdya-7S0R7jnY5fLMWYbLKyihslwrU0OirxCgUJL7_jlhVmsbsYrqf5c/s4032/PXL_20230706_133837871-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx41VwKV5hnT4ap9A0r-qoa6CslxYzanzTgOQ3pBwG7RswM0Jly2L-C1A6TB0iuVwNZRGE-hUzDVBeOt8vecyNXIwUWLH6uNLrh1591WuQsPeGe1mcwuHf0cXY3AJJhQZRWGNqdya-7S0R7jnY5fLMWYbLKyihslwrU0OirxCgUJL7_jlhVmsbsYrqf5c/s16000/PXL_20230706_133837871-01.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p>Have you ever been reading a book that creeps into your every day? </p><p>Such is <a href="https://www.goodreads.chttps://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18652002om/en/book/show/18652002" target="_blank"><b>The Bees</b></a> by Laline Paull.<br />And I'm not entirely sure <i>why</i> it's scraping at my consciousness? But it surely is. And now I have bees on the brain. Maybe because I've always thought of bees as a rather benevolent insect. Helping mankind, stinging only when necessary, pollinating our food, if bees die, we die. </p><blockquote><p>SAVE THE BEES.</p></blockquote><p>The book focuses singularly on honey bees calling all OTHER insects The Myriad, mostly dangerous to their hive, in particular, wasps. And spiders?!? Oh. I don't know, that they've been anthropomorphized into a caste system so like our own has made me sad? unsettled? even cranky? (why does every.freakin.thing need to reflect US?!?) I guess, maybe, I just don't need another reminder of what an utter failure humanity is right now. *sigh*</p><p>But I digress.</p><p>As is often the case, I use art to make sense of what's going on in this giant, whirling dervish of a monkey brain of mine, so I've been printing illustrations of bees and drawing bees and gel printing bees and adding bees to other papers. Bees. Bees. Bees.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPWTsZbcfr75Q1sAGnsIdu-0NDpmsiBDatSAiQdAZ0htjMunudCvZS6sYb7Wx33OTDnIf0S1wbNrs019_vj1NdahrTY-WLz8IFlcYsiiAHSXZyNHrCHLGUDXC58miUrJgaDdov9XwDSl1dOlioUog37KdK1bCAXGFek32q4PaXvB80OVka7LTtVXaVbc/s3436/original_9ca155b5-e895-4475-b627-f2f5a708520c_PXL_20230704_153120936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3436" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPWTsZbcfr75Q1sAGnsIdu-0NDpmsiBDatSAiQdAZ0htjMunudCvZS6sYb7Wx33OTDnIf0S1wbNrs019_vj1NdahrTY-WLz8IFlcYsiiAHSXZyNHrCHLGUDXC58miUrJgaDdov9XwDSl1dOlioUog37KdK1bCAXGFek32q4PaXvB80OVka7LTtVXaVbc/s16000/original_9ca155b5-e895-4475-b627-f2f5a708520c_PXL_20230704_153120936.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>And per usual, I have no idea where this is headed. But. I just primed to larger canvasses/boards so maybe BIG bees?!? Stay tuned. </p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-17020042394171874562023-06-30T11:11:00.001-03:002023-11-18T14:49:27.482-04:00Bits 'n' Bobs from the Studio<p> Firstly, I'd like to thank you for all the interest in <a href="https://www.jjworden.com/2023/06/three-ravens.html" target="_blank"><b>Three Ravens</b></a> from last week. They've all SOLD! Yay! Love when that happens. I may have mentioned here, in the past, that I don't actively sell much these days...or at least don't MARKET my work (other than y'know the socials)...as it felt/feels SO forced. But I do love it when someone (maybe you?) wishes to buy something. Warms the cockles of my heart. Thank you! Thank you!</p><p>Last Friday, I spent the day, cleaning up the studio, putting everything in its place and shoving my easel to the side and hauling out my folding table because I NEEDED to do some sewing and really that's the only way it was gonna happen. It literally took me four days before I said, "Nope. That's all I'm gonna do. I need to MAKE. ART!" I did manage to alter 2 dresses, a couple of tops and make a tunic but the other dress and tunic are just going have to wait. Six days without my studio is five days too long. I'm really gonna have to think about how to make that work for NEXT summer (the year of heading to the Yukon. woohoo!) or I'm going to be one cranky customer. Let me know your favourite take-along art kits in the comments.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGTrQ6A1bUfKug_JOnw90evqNhliuYFxb0LWeiOKex--Zt6OpuMQRwaEBlUqTdU7EZ2acSwLmqjWT_XIUFWVJnHidpl5BfvTFjUY_MN6iCeslPcDJnk1UAntOgDUAJgdrwRRw87LlAmVEuoA7jQxSZcwBaZYx-uI3hXQP6N0HRwaXOLhj4YSZm-mrB8s/s4032/PXL_20230629_133129716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGTrQ6A1bUfKug_JOnw90evqNhliuYFxb0LWeiOKex--Zt6OpuMQRwaEBlUqTdU7EZ2acSwLmqjWT_XIUFWVJnHidpl5BfvTFjUY_MN6iCeslPcDJnk1UAntOgDUAJgdrwRRw87LlAmVEuoA7jQxSZcwBaZYx-uI3hXQP6N0HRwaXOLhj4YSZm-mrB8s/s16000/PXL_20230629_133129716.jpg" /></a></div><p>I received a (GORGEOUS!!) package of collage papers from long time friend, Amy. OMG. They are stunning. I oohed and ahhhed and fondled them every day until I got back into artmaking mode. That dotted paper particularly made me swoon. The technique is from <a href="https://catherinerains.com/" target="_blank"><b>Cat Rains</b></a> wonderful (FREE!) class <a href="https://www.collageworkshops.com/start" target="_blank"><b>Collage Kickstart</b></a>. I tried it but because I didn't have any molding paste(?!?!) and tried using gel medium which really didn't work well (in case you want to try it) so was thrilled to have some dots of my very own! Thank you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pavoninestudios/" target="_blank"><b>Amy</b></a>!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv54AzFYa_Y1JSbSIHiR3e3MhBzdmFnTVwtMuSw3e0lZZPU19Vw-rG1VU-jKXpEeR588vW9yNyn1WqwYeUNR3ulkQqlFOkdleSOPoKBrTlmSWHr6uweJbhke1QBpplvwPmdX5K51NIdCYeBT8b2hy-SziPsP80ktkI2KN03kZgUQWHDXjARcBb2-D8Xq4/s4032/PXL_20230630_135611976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv54AzFYa_Y1JSbSIHiR3e3MhBzdmFnTVwtMuSw3e0lZZPU19Vw-rG1VU-jKXpEeR588vW9yNyn1WqwYeUNR3ulkQqlFOkdleSOPoKBrTlmSWHr6uweJbhke1QBpplvwPmdX5K51NIdCYeBT8b2hy-SziPsP80ktkI2KN03kZgUQWHDXjARcBb2-D8Xq4/s16000/PXL_20230630_135611976.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Also. I need to get this stupid painting OFF the easel. For the last few weeks all I've been doing is lightening, then darkening, then lightening the areas around the houses. I need to rethink those stripes as its still waaaay too close to its original inspiration. I HAVE to decide what this is about. Do you ever do that? Invest time and effort into a piece of art and suddenly realize you have NO idea what you're trying accomplish. Oh. Don't get me wrong, much of my work (most?) starts off with a burst of inspiration-colour palette, a particular technique, slapping paint onto the surface- a purely physical reaction to the substrate. And that is awesome! But. Eventually, you...<b>I</b>...need to focus on the "intent" for the work to have any substantive direction. Or you'll end up going back and forth (light to dark to light) ad nauseum. </p><blockquote><p>Play needs to evolve into a plan. </p></blockquote><p>Not much else to report this week, other than...if you have refillable acrylic markers/Posca pens whose nibs have splayed, check out <a href="https://www.bombingscience.com/" target="_blank"><b>Bombing Science</b></a> for extra nibs, plus other cool art supplies. I was very disappointed in my regular art suppliers who didn't have any replaceable nibs. Dudes! If you sell Posca pens? Sell the nibs too. (y'all know you can refill posca pens, right?) Highly irresponsible in this day and age to have throwaway items without at least giving us the chance to reuse them. /soapbox</p><p>Have a great week!</p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-54718677665724158362023-06-23T04:00:00.006-03:002023-11-18T14:46:15.114-04:00Three Ravens<p> It's been awhile...a loooonnnng while...since I've posted finished (read: available) work here. So be it.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjAq1Cc3_j1MhSAYBRtq2rR0jFYfFXqOHHmDX6PkwkgURdJyF6LkabRuDK3r0MM48z-XbhrmczE4m7gCv3DqwdlTFiHPQIgszZXAuZJ4SwOFoR7YKBe0p6v479sCJY8swYBMTsUMdxrwDdNSiZT2oqnlRbWI8G4OjbvxfYgGbGRMMXFu33zoRleG1hKM/s2663/PXL_20230622_130034422.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2663" data-original-width="2663" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjAq1Cc3_j1MhSAYBRtq2rR0jFYfFXqOHHmDX6PkwkgURdJyF6LkabRuDK3r0MM48z-XbhrmczE4m7gCv3DqwdlTFiHPQIgszZXAuZJ4SwOFoR7YKBe0p6v479sCJY8swYBMTsUMdxrwDdNSiZT2oqnlRbWI8G4OjbvxfYgGbGRMMXFu33zoRleG1hKM/s16000/PXL_20230622_130034422.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I DON'T LIKE SPINICH"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm8DKQKpLz0Feie3vr3jYaXpjPwmB9a0Ty5bPOAq3ToBIM3axVjxscRg-DNHlD6Y4c5rQ7IFtv-dp8-pEBSr3mFYVBaU6XrZP6t6qWxOy7l4ykVByapmGTOhDU09uKyayoeBpoWQo5NeRx3GEBct1y2PDPLL2nMc57vEMQ_dp5JEf4eN8fGUpjb4sygQ/s2408/PXL_20230622_125958920.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="2408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm8DKQKpLz0Feie3vr3jYaXpjPwmB9a0Ty5bPOAq3ToBIM3axVjxscRg-DNHlD6Y4c5rQ7IFtv-dp8-pEBSr3mFYVBaU6XrZP6t6qWxOy7l4ykVByapmGTOhDU09uKyayoeBpoWQo5NeRx3GEBct1y2PDPLL2nMc57vEMQ_dp5JEf4eN8fGUpjb4sygQ/s16000/PXL_20230622_125958920.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"AND THE CROW SAID..."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BoeuDVN54xAwwk2_2duHIJwYoRrxJOC9YhgOm0VBHLPJu2POIoMTPn5xbU86_tUGjo-d0Y16y8LHSeF1yTpj1fZsI9G4lQBLocLr3Enh_j2uZ6n8eeMytsQlw80PTaWU25WCM9lPcSfzt0oBHnubNZt7VsoS7kmiHJTJXkAJFKLjoNSkxnGba5oFrhI/s1203/PXL_20230622_125837684-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BoeuDVN54xAwwk2_2duHIJwYoRrxJOC9YhgOm0VBHLPJu2POIoMTPn5xbU86_tUGjo-d0Y16y8LHSeF1yTpj1fZsI9G4lQBLocLr3Enh_j2uZ6n8eeMytsQlw80PTaWU25WCM9lPcSfzt0oBHnubNZt7VsoS7kmiHJTJXkAJFKLjoNSkxnGba5oFrhI/s16000/PXL_20230622_125837684-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"TO DRY ONES EYES AND LAUGH"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>These three have been in the works for a loooonnnng time as well.<br />The base for each is from gel prints I made months ago, a hand-cut stencil, printed multiple times then painted, collaged and marked coated in encaustic wax medium and marks incised in the wax. All are on cradled board.</p><p>"I DON'T LIKE SPINICH": 6 x 6 x 3/4" - <strike>$60.</strike> SOLD</p><p>"AND THE CROW SAID" : 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 x 1 1/4" - <strike>$50.</strike> SOLD</p><p>"TO DRY ONES EYES AND LAUGH": 8 x 8 x 1" - <u> $100.</u> SOLD</p><p>Shipping is additional. (approx. $15.)</p><p>If you're interested in any of these, simply <a href="mailto: jenworden@gmail.com"><b>email me</b></a> and we can talk.</p><p>Here's to finishing more stuff!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-42304946464397186702023-06-16T04:00:00.001-03:002023-11-18T14:49:27.483-04:00Trying to finish things. And other conundrums.<p> In between the video learning curve and planting the garden and getting ready for my daughter's wedding, I took a course from <a href="https://www.judywoodsart.work/" target="_blank"><b>Judy Woods</b></a>. I learned of Judy through<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@jackieschomburgart" target="_blank"><b> Jackie</b></a> who I discovered on YouTube. She took this stARTSworkshop last year and I was curious. Initially, I held off (read above) but I eventually succumbed. Because my nosy art brain Needed to Know.</p><p>I enjoyed it.</p><p>The idea of having a (relatively) foolproof way of starting a painting, even though I've kind of worked out a similar method for myself - was particularly intriguing. I glue old book pages to the substrate then cover with a thin layer of gesso but dividing the canvas with the addition of black creates an immediate contrast. Follow that with collage and markmaking? Well. You know this was tailormade for me. </p><p>There was also a discussion of the types of questions to ask at any given point. For example:</p><blockquote><p>What have I got?<br />What is the opposite of that?</p></blockquote><p>Or What DON'T I have?... thick lines vs thin lines, colour vs black and white, organic vs geometric, big vs small, squiggly lines vs straight lines etc. </p><p>My three pieces really moved along. Until they didn't.<br />In fact, I've been futzing with those 3 original paintings ever since.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSeZZeuJ58V1Zvf9xA_thHTfxj_1ZUmzrbgQq5jFsSND63i8ZeAz3HUBZqkLPpCMMIqzVUMJxfWqmSsM1LtEVmEUTwMgYxi_ms0hA899KxMIw62-CbsUS-nQn8trwxW6OIKw6nDMZokPcZizazKs6QsI79O3lPSZUPEDwhV-smAD7QEkUVyl4B9fG/s4032/PXL_20230523_155128563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSeZZeuJ58V1Zvf9xA_thHTfxj_1ZUmzrbgQq5jFsSND63i8ZeAz3HUBZqkLPpCMMIqzVUMJxfWqmSsM1LtEVmEUTwMgYxi_ms0hA899KxMIw62-CbsUS-nQn8trwxW6OIKw6nDMZokPcZizazKs6QsI79O3lPSZUPEDwhV-smAD7QEkUVyl4B9fG/s16000/PXL_20230523_155128563.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>When did I stop being able to actually FINISH something?!? And its made me think about this idea of finishing pieces ever since. I know that I work best under a deadline. Procrastinate. Procrastinate. Do anything BESIDES what I'm *supposed* to be doing. Procrastinate a bit more. Then flurry-scurry-flurry until it's done. And y'know what? I'm okay with that. But. What if there's NO deadline? What if I just need to move on to something new? Do I leave half-finished pieces floating around the studio ad nauseum?</p><p>Case in point.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUpfzFNyRZvoLQNR8AQdU8e-Z__MFGjsL04-5uMDiAEQ2p-gQtiZfs6BD_OftqUoOoeawKMMhoy3Bz_sKC-gdyTYVoHJz6fuVsTarPUFNY-jhwVHf_JmddoH7mn-nS6QeODAonFMGDOEONxSC7y2ufdgp4pnjn2Htl5Y3YJlpiqazR1II4U0JdBhc/s4032/PXL_20230518_145715727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUpfzFNyRZvoLQNR8AQdU8e-Z__MFGjsL04-5uMDiAEQ2p-gQtiZfs6BD_OftqUoOoeawKMMhoy3Bz_sKC-gdyTYVoHJz6fuVsTarPUFNY-jhwVHf_JmddoH7mn-nS6QeODAonFMGDOEONxSC7y2ufdgp4pnjn2Htl5Y3YJlpiqazR1II4U0JdBhc/s16000/PXL_20230518_145715727.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've been working on this painting for literally MONTHS! (and if you consider I've painted over it with gesso at least once... YEARS!) I wanted to try copying another artists work I love (long ago lost their name) and try to make it into my own. Figuring out what drew me to it and then work off that. (Caveat...NOT for sale!)</p><p>I slowly add or blot out something every few days. If I have excess paint? On it goes. If I don't like something? Erase it with paint. On. Off. On. Off. Which is fantastic for building up layers. But Geez Louise at some point I've gotta get off the pot and FINISH the durned thing. Where it is today...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VfQx0j_by0yHDPMPQGR09GUla7xByXTMCy4rL5PAvuZLz1ZiufyheDmJ8lg28m2Ukm0500skL5CsjMBgn2YjlyHDzoiGbGU8s70Q5aOXg-t4au64aoW-bbWSVE6w9-a2nFOK1CoBPFXMi2_3IPojgef0KMl3ChOM81a26xtA_cpgTgocRD2bhbtn/s2797/PXL_20230614_142311472-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2295" data-original-width="2797" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VfQx0j_by0yHDPMPQGR09GUla7xByXTMCy4rL5PAvuZLz1ZiufyheDmJ8lg28m2Ukm0500skL5CsjMBgn2YjlyHDzoiGbGU8s70Q5aOXg-t4au64aoW-bbWSVE6w9-a2nFOK1CoBPFXMi2_3IPojgef0KMl3ChOM81a26xtA_cpgTgocRD2bhbtn/s16000/PXL_20230614_142311472-01.jpeg" /></a></div><p><b>Still</b> nowhere NEAR being done. *sigh*</p><p>And those three pieces from Judy's workshop?<br />
Sitting in the pile of other unfinished stuff on my desk. Ugh.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUdovGwdgRDdZAMNUwXSqtfi2-3RL4-VhU-G3pqOk8a-oUr0dR2LT3NeVEO6US6cvJ-rbn5_2nzIHsPYzM1TonfKtOboNcdyjkaMIP1spLwl11ep4EfZMU8XmTSWqB7Rf34VODYLZqn15DYiWYNTkSgui4F-0kdllSW3CstA9ma7Ro0Rg5gxiT16r/s4022/PXL_20230614_143450358~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="4022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUdovGwdgRDdZAMNUwXSqtfi2-3RL4-VhU-G3pqOk8a-oUr0dR2LT3NeVEO6US6cvJ-rbn5_2nzIHsPYzM1TonfKtOboNcdyjkaMIP1spLwl11ep4EfZMU8XmTSWqB7Rf34VODYLZqn15DYiWYNTkSgui4F-0kdllSW3CstA9ma7Ro0Rg5gxiT16r/s16000/PXL_20230614_143450358~2.jpg" /></a></div><p>I clearly need to submit to a bunch of shows otherwise I'm gonna be buried in a sea of WIPs! If you have any tips, tricks or suggestions, I'm all ears. How do YOU finish your work? </p><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-14414488985672232292023-05-19T04:00:00.006-03:002023-11-18T14:49:27.481-04:00Learning New Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t4bT5Bwnfp2SC7pLtFID7P8beHGFbqubboFz9L5S8lCS1k5j7JP5d67b5mYRqAOIhVGNGl3H2frEXpnBR6UnaP_GBkxTA5086Xl37dQp2SD_5S9_6obWStI4hRDjAZmPPbEtOwqQMha3AUCgjM5ndJuiAEO7H2wdniW25C1A9ScvR7oHt2uldamt/s2595/PXL_20230517_144511277~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2595" data-original-width="2593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8t4bT5Bwnfp2SC7pLtFID7P8beHGFbqubboFz9L5S8lCS1k5j7JP5d67b5mYRqAOIhVGNGl3H2frEXpnBR6UnaP_GBkxTA5086Xl37dQp2SD_5S9_6obWStI4hRDjAZmPPbEtOwqQMha3AUCgjM5ndJuiAEO7H2wdniW25C1A9ScvR7oHt2uldamt/s16000/PXL_20230517_144511277~2.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> I had THE best Life Example in my Dad for the Art of Learning New Things as we get older. At 50 he changed careers - and I don't mean moving laterally from one company to another. Nope. He went back to school, driving for hours through Quebec winter nights- from engineer to teacher. Learned to bake bread and make ice cream for my Mom's cafe (STARTING a cafe in their 60s!). Took up the trombone in his late 60s. Carving rocking horses for his granddaughters in his 70s. Short story, long, he was a life long learner and it struck a chord. (I miss him)</p><p>Back in my early computer career pre-internet, I was creating 'movies' using Macromedia's Director. It was a love/hate relationship but I persevered. We even secured some big name contracts from south of the border which was pretty sweet given our rural Nova Scotia location. And then the internet came along and the idea of even TRYING movies was laughable. (can you say "removing individual pixels to hasten uploads"?!?) So I returned to imagery. And loved it. </p><p>Not entirely surprising then, that I've been highly skeptical, and a bit pissed off to be frank, about the proliferation of video in previously static social media programs. Recently however, I noticed that my own usage was thoroughly enjoying watching artists create...on Youtube AND Instagram Reels... and had to laugh, "Oh. Yah. Hello! Kettle!"</p><p>Fast forward to this week when I attempted a time lapse of making a collage. It was fraught with anguish and aggravation not to mention scurrying to find an app that I could work with. (so. many. apps!). But I did it. And it wasn't bad. Given my MacGyver tripod setup, phone microphone, and rudimentary skills. In fact, I was quite chuffed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyFjGOc0tSLDa-5jDs_EaWtKKpDwzAyRDXmUhcx6ZamFhbUTqLY2HDHOZhG-YfK0cfVNXU_fp26pwXWY6u6IQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><br /></p>I'm not sure where this whole video thing is headed. I'm not interested in doing classes or starting a Youtube channel or monetizing this in ANY way (sorry instagram pundits!) but I had fun (ish). And in the spirit of my Dad, learning new things is always a Good Thing. <p></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-76530749400333455562023-05-02T15:17:00.000-03:002023-11-18T14:50:14.403-04:00Under the Influence - Open Now!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9wQZVMwB8RdbkUqSAk5a8tH28EJzGDjs3aOnqlbLsJcTdsdXvCH5jFP8ONK23FrFLVydCoxZ4P2riBiE7RC5iXDMyivXDUJ_8A8McBAKnEk0L4z6t-0bQwT_K2EOu-0ac3dc91IIeUqMSRe7RyaxRBTjXlDhf03seWbvcY7Vzel1nys0TQpgdhq1/s1280/UTI-2023q2%20.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK9wQZVMwB8RdbkUqSAk5a8tH28EJzGDjs3aOnqlbLsJcTdsdXvCH5jFP8ONK23FrFLVydCoxZ4P2riBiE7RC5iXDMyivXDUJ_8A8McBAKnEk0L4z6t-0bQwT_K2EOu-0ac3dc91IIeUqMSRe7RyaxRBTjXlDhf03seWbvcY7Vzel1nys0TQpgdhq1/s16000/UTI-2023q2%20.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I was invited by <a href="https://aworkofheart.com/" target="_blank"><b>Andrea (Chebeleu) </b></a>a bunch of months ago to take part in her successful Under the Influence Art Journaling class and now it's LIVE. Here's the class description:<br /><br /></p><blockquote><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #36414d; counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.6rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0px 0px 10px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Featuring 9 individuals and their art we sample in our Art Journals.</p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #36414d; counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.6rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0px 0px 10px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">How many times do you swipe through social media admiring the work of these wonderful, talented and generous artists and think, I'd like to try that? <br class="softbreak" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br class="softbreak" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #36414d; counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.6rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0px 0px 10px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Our Under the Influence series is your opportunity to do exactly that in community. You will be guided and prompted by watching Andrea, Artist and Session Facilitator, work along with you live.<br class="softbreak" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /><br class="softbreak" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></p><p style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: #36414d; counter-reset: list-1 0 list-2 0 list-3 0 list-4 0 list-5 0 list-6 0 list-7 0 list-8 0 list-9 0; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: 1.6rem; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; hyphens: auto; line-height: 2.4rem; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">We practice noticing and identifying which design principles and elements engage us as we create together under the creative influence of the featured artist.</p></blockquote><p> I'm being featured on June 6/7.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q9RAPZotkG4lvA59Dd0b6GRG0aTmsuZ8s_PCrCNrdImRjxN-IBD8ZGoOAMcjZmoSTMI8RFteY06qnd5bgYWJC9CLFylDM7PRW5E8H_hYcGOMfDdX31IXZF9qsNj0tRuVYZ-WiQQGmgb7zJYyvZW8Z8A-tqDiOq_LVX1m-22pHLGoCYkepwlTrVay/s1080/Jen%20Worden.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Q9RAPZotkG4lvA59Dd0b6GRG0aTmsuZ8s_PCrCNrdImRjxN-IBD8ZGoOAMcjZmoSTMI8RFteY06qnd5bgYWJC9CLFylDM7PRW5E8H_hYcGOMfDdX31IXZF9qsNj0tRuVYZ-WiQQGmgb7zJYyvZW8Z8A-tqDiOq_LVX1m-22pHLGoCYkepwlTrVay/s16000/Jen%20Worden.png" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Click <a href="https://aworkofheart.teachable.com/p/2023-q2-undertheinfluence?affcode=866702_qtevrap2" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> if you're interested in taking part. </p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-16781297690540848962023-04-21T05:00:00.003-03:002023-11-18T14:49:27.482-04:00A new series?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblOzyXpTrQTIMf9D7c9zFeNo365Ag5n6gOXeWaMzPQRYqMwiol50QvbFDTVs8CC-BcBrGJRGpKdacek87Rv3dim-lzT_BNN5scI1Hlw9plmRyR5ZlQ_Gqe6wk_TkB2pgXu3GAvXvyzNLSDVa2iFZPeODo8g7MI0OygnXapbYCI-N9VWqpElSv1f7e/s3397/PXL_20230419_144511175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3397" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblOzyXpTrQTIMf9D7c9zFeNo365Ag5n6gOXeWaMzPQRYqMwiol50QvbFDTVs8CC-BcBrGJRGpKdacek87Rv3dim-lzT_BNN5scI1Hlw9plmRyR5ZlQ_Gqe6wk_TkB2pgXu3GAvXvyzNLSDVa2iFZPeODo8g7MI0OygnXapbYCI-N9VWqpElSv1f7e/s16000/PXL_20230419_144511175.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>After a class, particularly one as intense as Sketchbook Revival (13 days, 2 classes per day, most an hour each... oof!), it takes me awhile to get back into gear. So I play, with my sketchbooks, with techniques I've learned, with new colour palettes but nothing really "important". Important in this case meaning with intent. Maybe even far reaching.<p></p><p>And all the while, over these last few weeks, I've been using up my print outs for SBR, overprinting with the wonderful photographs shared by <a href="https://www.oliverwasow.com/" target="_blank"><b>Oliver Wasow</b></a> on instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/owasowfoundphotos/" target="_blank">@owasowfoundphotos</a>).</p><p>Why you ask? I have no idea. But they excite me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmSYgwHBWbYvbQbGZfMxpIJyhyily9OWCw0LcrAKsbZmHrEGg2kA0ycDTWQH6cCNuDgfmg8wLOcjcEYPTpEbta-eew-OsNUnxnKmwyD9GBWw4U6DKlf77HKWa4wCopE37GvtXd3jzXVxdhGVi4c-0GA4zpBjkJDal8PfFtUrdXoiDi3uP6DE3dexb/s4032/PXL_20230420_125946431.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmSYgwHBWbYvbQbGZfMxpIJyhyily9OWCw0LcrAKsbZmHrEGg2kA0ycDTWQH6cCNuDgfmg8wLOcjcEYPTpEbta-eew-OsNUnxnKmwyD9GBWw4U6DKlf77HKWa4wCopE37GvtXd3jzXVxdhGVi4c-0GA4zpBjkJDal8PfFtUrdXoiDi3uP6DE3dexb/s16000/PXL_20230420_125946431.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLy1pBUyMRYXefA_H_0v7fnL1d7qHfyLxxder9nPO9mThrpgauNoUhWfMGtwiDnqTcuMWDHpk7YbfNJvWYXcaUj6fnrEcbk_aLg4qtRDu627AAUSXKdEWHPY3_vXC3IRiZowe71XIAEQ-7O3fqMuiiBp5A2b_yM0XnigdK9Ljlj0JNSxiX1Cs--ED/s4032/PXL_20230418_145539192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLy1pBUyMRYXefA_H_0v7fnL1d7qHfyLxxder9nPO9mThrpgauNoUhWfMGtwiDnqTcuMWDHpk7YbfNJvWYXcaUj6fnrEcbk_aLg4qtRDu627AAUSXKdEWHPY3_vXC3IRiZowe71XIAEQ-7O3fqMuiiBp5A2b_yM0XnigdK9Ljlj0JNSxiX1Cs--ED/s16000/PXL_20230418_145539192.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've been pondering them...numbering over a dozen now... and I'm thinking they deserve a series of some sort. I'm thinking BIG. As in feet x feet vs inch x inch. Maybe all together? Maybe separately? I just don't know right now. But one thing I do know is it needs to happen. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhrFSVFet91fvq8iTTD--6Y8WiC0x1Yr1Tgn0RwNAHX5FTMPFtLxGiCzHC4cZADSsIl4mKYc0olrNA7xxumO-iOAu5M7vNlOrkBGKE50xsiyn7dBbxQ0_jz-yoFc-AIr2RI9nZD6D43EB2nSXiO3BaQ8Aq_acJnduh31mrPsWK4hVwSHd_78Fdz__/s4032/PXL_20230420_130028598.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhrFSVFet91fvq8iTTD--6Y8WiC0x1Yr1Tgn0RwNAHX5FTMPFtLxGiCzHC4cZADSsIl4mKYc0olrNA7xxumO-iOAu5M7vNlOrkBGKE50xsiyn7dBbxQ0_jz-yoFc-AIr2RI9nZD6D43EB2nSXiO3BaQ8Aq_acJnduh31mrPsWK4hVwSHd_78Fdz__/s16000/PXL_20230420_130028598.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WpRCKTixUmSYSvXFggRtgkxwykPU2MRusF6Ebq8wfDlR4sUpSjOkqOu038j7EBGOwqw8MCk0wLuQBvT1mwB3QN6_RkhRSXTeyJSgWNWVXnKVhXRQQS_RNoploYT4GK38Zsu32qxLS3DQzVFEWzPk3IK-_TdO5DSQj94TVSoRhE-TjapBIlQ41BW0/s4032/PXL_20230420_130019818.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WpRCKTixUmSYSvXFggRtgkxwykPU2MRusF6Ebq8wfDlR4sUpSjOkqOu038j7EBGOwqw8MCk0wLuQBvT1mwB3QN6_RkhRSXTeyJSgWNWVXnKVhXRQQS_RNoploYT4GK38Zsu32qxLS3DQzVFEWzPk3IK-_TdO5DSQj94TVSoRhE-TjapBIlQ41BW0/s16000/PXL_20230420_130019818.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>And that my friends is the beauty of showing up in the studio every day. Even when the direction is fluid and waffley. Because sometimes things happen without you really even knowing it. </p><p>So. Today. Get in that studio. Play in your sketchbook. Print stuff out. Glue shit down. Make marks. Glob on paint. In colours you don't normally use. Write with sticks. Get messy. Don't overthink it. Just. Play. Maybe today's mess will lead to tomorrow's inspiration.</p></div>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-61764683255143142862023-03-24T09:56:00.002-03:002023-11-18T14:49:27.485-04:0010 Things: A list<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFugdpUGFyzwyTJwfl4-0HV0mdKmC_kdx1vf0Rd-lYJI4mFKLhVzHs-iCRutFYt4FXvDTtOFzSvadsfGvkGi2eLs67u-jfRvk1A7vwTk3jeeaRdnS9LbEDl3-RZlOskAZXL3OqwuYXzRVZ0-LAZLZ44I6865Mkst0ycR91ku3qJWHSa1f4a3BTdMQ/s1900/original_d048fb20-e6e2-49a0-834f-0a294c8bd4a8_PXL_20230323_174747637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="1899" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFugdpUGFyzwyTJwfl4-0HV0mdKmC_kdx1vf0Rd-lYJI4mFKLhVzHs-iCRutFYt4FXvDTtOFzSvadsfGvkGi2eLs67u-jfRvk1A7vwTk3jeeaRdnS9LbEDl3-RZlOskAZXL3OqwuYXzRVZ0-LAZLZ44I6865Mkst0ycR91ku3qJWHSa1f4a3BTdMQ/s16000/original_d048fb20-e6e2-49a0-834f-0a294c8bd4a8_PXL_20230323_174747637.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p> I'm immersed in classes this month (you can check out WHY in <a href="https://www.jjworden.com/2023/03/why-take-classes.html" target="_blank"><b>my last post)</b></a> so I wanted to come up with a quick #fridaymusings post and what's better than a list!</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ten Things I've Recently Learned (or RElearned!)</h2><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Tracing a stencil on the INSIDE is easier that tracing on the outside. </b>This is one of those DUH moments (of which I seem to have a lot lately). But. I have a little card I use to make the grids in my Grid Journal. I couldn't find it the other day and found instead, a small viewfinder. That thing made tracing the grids SO. MUCH. EASIER.</li><li><b>Apply plaster with a brush.</b> I have struggled in the past with getting thin layers of plaster/gesso. Why did it never occur to me to use a brush rather than a spackle or palette knife?!? Thanks<a href="https://www.stephanieleeart.com/" target="_blank"><b> Miss Stephanie</b></a>!</li><li><b>Use your Posca Pen caps to make circle marks.</b> Another DUH. Its right there. It's already uncapped. Either express some extra paint onto your palette and dip your cap into it OR just run the pen around the rim. Easy Peasy.</li><li><b>Splatter water on almost dry acrylics.</b> Let it sit for a minute then simply mop up with a dry towel or rub off. It creates wonderful negative splatter marks. Highly recommend!</li><li><b>Make marks on dark magazine images.</b> Put your page over some sequin waste or a fruit bag or stencil and lightly sand with a high count sand paper. Instant texture!</li><li><b>Ultramarine is a WARM blue. </b>Be still my heart. I've always had such a hard time using blue in my work. I've figured out teal. Mostly. And Payne's Gray because it's essentially black. But anything else? I always frig it up. As my tendency is toward the warm side of the spectrum most blues don't play well with that side of the colour wheel. But Ultramarine does. Thanks to <a href="https://www.louisefletcherart.com/" target="_blank"><b>Louise Fletcher </b></a>for that eye opener!</li><li><b>Contour drawing with your eyes OPEN. </b>I've done many BLIND contour drawings over the years. But it never occurred to me to keep my pencil on the paper while looking at what I'm drawing. The result is a lovely, loose sketch. Thanks to <a href="https://jeanneoliver.com/" target="_blank"><b>Jeanne Oliver</b></a> for that little tip!</li><li><b>Coloured pencils are a delight over watercolour. </b>I love coloured pencils and have used them many times in my art journey. Most often as a stand alone though and I'm not sure why I never tried over watercolours. They work SO. WELL. Go. Try it!</li><li><b>Colour studies as gel print fodder. </b>Another DUH moment. I've often used monochromatic papers in my Grid Journal or general collaging. But making gelprints EXCLUSIVELY for a collage grid? No more searching for light, middle and dark tones cuz you've already done the work. Perfect for compositional studies. Hooya!</li><li><b>Mixed media means MIXED media. </b>And maybe my biggest DUH! exclamation this week. Sometimes I am SO dense. Just because you start out with watercolour (or acrylic or collage) does not mean you can't introduce other mediums into that work. This has been an ongoing growth cycle for me but the idea that a piece can be representational AND abstracted? Or refined AND whimsical? THIS was such an eye opener and DOOR opener for me. I've stuffed my graphic/illustrative nature down thinking it wasn't "fine art" enough and here, all along, I could've been incorporating it into my work.</li></ol><div>And<b><i> these</i></b> are the reasons I take classes. </div><div>Because... sometimes even if you <i>know </i>you don't KNOW.</div><div>Change is a comin' folks!</div><div>Enjoy!</div><p></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-36907698164546090202023-03-09T10:00:00.001-04:002023-11-18T14:49:27.483-04:00Why take classes?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJqzB_2f_jum1P3V57MdPH9IMQ5Y1UdZ9ttAnM8GgbPzYcjy_r9a4rkgaVXCSoRLKvYDSooUTvTh8QQTEPsqIAATf2FY0c_huiBmGynatjE6KR46Adx2eb7xdVF1IbunfvEw779bATImpqShOFPFMJq3lcjXzoU7UWPPP5t9YftsT4YT6SIxwCebp/s4127/20200403_124826_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="4127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJqzB_2f_jum1P3V57MdPH9IMQ5Y1UdZ9ttAnM8GgbPzYcjy_r9a4rkgaVXCSoRLKvYDSooUTvTh8QQTEPsqIAATf2FY0c_huiBmGynatjE6KR46Adx2eb7xdVF1IbunfvEw779bATImpqShOFPFMJq3lcjXzoU7UWPPP5t9YftsT4YT6SIxwCebp/s16000/20200403_124826_HDR.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketchbook Revival 2020</td></tr></tbody></table><p>You may ask yourself, "I'm on my art path. I know what I want to make, why should I take classes, at all? And you're right to ask. Maybe they aren't for you. But. Every year for the last few, I've dedicated the first few months of the year to taking (online) classes. The reasons are many and I'll try to list mine below.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Learning something new is ALWAYS a Good Thing</h2><p>Even if you are an accomplished artist with a strong vision, adding to your lexicon through new skills or exposure will always, always be helpful in the long run. Sometimes "the New" doesn't reveal itself immediately but every single thing we experience as artists (as people!) informs our work/state of mind. If you only need one reason to "take that class"? This is it!</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukTPpMedSD0/V08LbqdId7I/AAAAAAAAFUI/_3tVuomTz042fiXAiCL-RG2zBzkhWsbuwCLcB/s1500/01-wanderinglines-series.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1500" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ukTPpMedSD0/V08LbqdId7I/AAAAAAAAFUI/_3tVuomTz042fiXAiCL-RG2zBzkhWsbuwCLcB/s16000/01-wanderinglines-series.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extreme Composition - Jane Davies</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Filling up before burning out</h2><p>So often an artists life is in "all decks on hand", "balls to the wall" mode before the end of each year what with shows and markets and general life stress of "The Holidays" so that when we get back into the studio in each New Year we may feel a little shell-shocked. Perfect time to let someone else do the leading. Our Creative Wells may be registering empty and nothing fills if up faster, better than learning something new. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_P4n3ZBfEzJMH-8rdnN5dT-fBP_kuB7cDJDZ6Qfjsyxy4DTGcRiDXkVdO0q3U4feLKIuDkdLhhdl73Zl5Nn7EX_LcKayyh5yqVv3ooS3wKj6PW31DIDu9umikL9OFgiuFyUxK11C7BOn6pKTxOST_oi68SXfQLOr-luW486Ww__1DLBt7LnrPePj/s3459/20221018_122302-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="3459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_P4n3ZBfEzJMH-8rdnN5dT-fBP_kuB7cDJDZ6Qfjsyxy4DTGcRiDXkVdO0q3U4feLKIuDkdLhhdl73Zl5Nn7EX_LcKayyh5yqVv3ooS3wKj6PW31DIDu9umikL9OFgiuFyUxK11C7BOn6pKTxOST_oi68SXfQLOr-luW486Ww__1DLBt7LnrPePj/s16000/20221018_122302-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grid Journal - Kellee Wynne</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">New Skills</h2><p>This is pretty self-explanatory but always worth noting. Even if we take classes that are in our artistic wheelhouse there is always something to learn from a fellow artist. From different methods to brand new techniques, everything feeds the inner Muse. As a side note, even watching artists work is highly informative from their set up to their preferred tools down to their actual process. Highly recommend finding a few folks to follow on YouTube and veg out!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9ZOJRudpcHrV-ek3NZ2AOQQlVAVexKgs3gG2lzBeF5VMaW6InhBhR-13qQzhxuDhDAz1Hd83CFon81Wzj7a75a-c6T3xVnPS07IheWc8dGJHcjgB36gj3UTLCoLLCz6EPDnU7Hy1FIYFhnOxLmJDb68XF3t7WlcQFKlBLCDmbJa17OBZ9Ay_JR0v/s3510/20180405_145728-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3510" data-original-width="2340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9ZOJRudpcHrV-ek3NZ2AOQQlVAVexKgs3gG2lzBeF5VMaW6InhBhR-13qQzhxuDhDAz1Hd83CFon81Wzj7a75a-c6T3xVnPS07IheWc8dGJHcjgB36gj3UTLCoLLCz6EPDnU7Hy1FIYFhnOxLmJDb68XF3t7WlcQFKlBLCDmbJa17OBZ9Ay_JR0v/s16000/20180405_145728-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Botanical Relics- Stephanie Lee</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 style="text-align: left;">Change it Up</h2><p>Going down a completely different path ...ceramics if you're a painter, paper arts if you're a ceramicist. Three dimensional work if you're a two-dimensional artist and, obviously, the reverse. Working in a totally different medium can really throw open the doors on your creative outlook. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-ZBPUHz24KPmN5N9f3Fm72vyLQvKcmh1alN4jnE0IU4YfChSmzk25_2VI4FFoIaUv3yGOK32lc_nyI3Cj576HMirIwVPiOsOmbrhAuNLFbFY0IfB8CXFyEhJO2imEMuv2MupMIiNlOWyTF5HbRgtzuky4UsISQTaCXJFUjsJFKeyhZRrgrmjVnfy/s2000/11-vehicularvarmint-fin2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-ZBPUHz24KPmN5N9f3Fm72vyLQvKcmh1alN4jnE0IU4YfChSmzk25_2VI4FFoIaUv3yGOK32lc_nyI3Cj576HMirIwVPiOsOmbrhAuNLFbFY0IfB8CXFyEhJO2imEMuv2MupMIiNlOWyTF5HbRgtzuky4UsISQTaCXJFUjsJFKeyhZRrgrmjVnfy/s16000/11-vehicularvarmint-fin2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vehicular Varmints - Michael deMeng</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>And some cautionary tales, as well:</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Choose Wisely</h3><p>Not all classes are created equal. And if time is of the essence, get a recommendation before taking on that 3 week class. I'd hazard to say a day or two is probably worth the jump if only to let you know what you DON'T want to do without a huge commitment but if life is time sensitive, do your homework. Nothing is more aggravating than taking a class that is a bad fit. For everyone involved. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Divergent Paths</h3><p>If you are an easily distracted artist maybe choose a class you KNOW will add to your skills/lexicon. In the past, I've taken assemblage classes whilst in a two-dimensional mind-set and though I might thoroughly enjoy myself, getting waylaid is not in MY best interest. Learning how to handmake chain is awesome but virtually useless if what you need is Colour Theory.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Marketing</h3><p>Don't get sucked into anything market related if MAKING is at the top of your list. Nothing kills your creative spirit. Nothing! (or maybe that's just me!)</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">If it Ain't Working? Ditch it!</h3><p>Even if you've paid good money. Your time is worth something and you need to guard it carefully. The person whose work you adore may be a tremendous artist but a lousy teacher. Don't feel compelled to stick with anything that isn't filling up that creative well. For what it's worth, most classes these days give a healthy amount of time to take the class. It might not be a good fit today but may be just the thing six months from now.</p><p>If I've convinced you to take a class, here are some folks I would always highly recommend:</p><p><a href="https://www.janedaviesstudios.com/workshop.html" target="_blank"><b>Jane Davies</b></a> ... I loved Jane's Extreme Composition but I think anyone could learn anything from her. Love her work. Great teacher!</p><p><a href="https://www.colorcrushcreative.com/" target="_blank"><b>Kellee Wynne</b></a> ... The (FREE) grid journaling class is a must but I learn something from every class or YouTube video of hers I've watched.</p><p><a href="https://www.stephanieleeart.com/" target="_blank"><b>Stephanie Lee</b></a> ... Whilst a good friend, Stephanie is also an amazing, thoughtful, accomplished teacher. Take anything, you won't regret it! (and will learn so much about yourself in the taking)</p><p><a href="https://www.michaeldemeng.com/" target="_blank"><b>Michael deMeng</b></a> ... Winner of the Most Fun Teacher award and I do not use the word "Fun" lightly. You'll learn a ton as well but will have such a Good Time doing it!</p><p><a href="https://www.karenabend.com/hub-2023/" target="_blank"><b>Sketchbook Revival</b></a> ... A special note about Sketchbook Revival ... it starts at the end of March and goes for 2 full weeks with an amazing cast of artists, teachers and mentors who are sure to get your juices flowing. This will be my FOURTH year and am so looking forward to it.<a href="https://www.karenabend.com/" target="_blank"><b> Sign up Today!</b></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODCL7807lua4V9Xv-SPv4uz0Li54Jf5Mxm3pLeGHLnE4B53uYkb9ogkroj89djL4xLdrz8TPtToYgwr2uAs5ZEQFj4OrVtba72eOcBuBuG3XDrZgWKSXhFfCxlaAaDgZLlaowKTRmSAMlZolJYSMkDlhnZj7X8ui1yqAiwOKU7-mEnQokXu7kp01h/s1536/BannerGraphic2023_OPT_IN_PAGE-optimized-1536x734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="734" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODCL7807lua4V9Xv-SPv4uz0Li54Jf5Mxm3pLeGHLnE4B53uYkb9ogkroj89djL4xLdrz8TPtToYgwr2uAs5ZEQFj4OrVtba72eOcBuBuG3XDrZgWKSXhFfCxlaAaDgZLlaowKTRmSAMlZolJYSMkDlhnZj7X8ui1yqAiwOKU7-mEnQokXu7kp01h/s16000/BannerGraphic2023_OPT_IN_PAGE-optimized-1536x734.jpg" /></a></div>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-23667907907289694032023-02-26T14:26:00.031-04:002023-11-18T14:58:33.479-04:00Script - A Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6JL29LHMj6BwspjSQDyzPLR4AeO4QGau2hGz3Hx0d87uEe0Arf5f3Gx4bsu9ujYjLv1CtPM6abpPwojkUDIyhIWdr9Fg8fX8tc6taBNYpuQBsbfeMOsXoh9jtKVWLtAF4r6bVuth32bm0LpTmvlJJtIloHA9yJUSO-Hdv2DU75tQHNq3mvY320jn/s2000/Script%20jpeg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6JL29LHMj6BwspjSQDyzPLR4AeO4QGau2hGz3Hx0d87uEe0Arf5f3Gx4bsu9ujYjLv1CtPM6abpPwojkUDIyhIWdr9Fg8fX8tc6taBNYpuQBsbfeMOsXoh9jtKVWLtAF4r6bVuth32bm0LpTmvlJJtIloHA9yJUSO-Hdv2DU75tQHNq3mvY320jn/s16000/Script%20jpeg.jpg" /></a></div>
<p>I was asked to fill in for a show at <a href="https://www.theicehousegallery.com/" target="_blank"><b>The Ice House Gallery </b></a>in Tatamagouche, NS. The curator has always been super good to me so of course I said, "Yes!" after I did a mental tally and thought, 'yep, I've got enough potential pieces to make this work. Only, they were all on paper and far from being finished. But I had a few weeks and I always work well with a deadline. Bring it on, right?!?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ_0kHo5mGXBkvCoPvXi0R-SEx3WNJDcGmsJTpju-3jA7ejfkqoyML7GuZjSAjXM1RxjcVrmqVkirhjEQouVTAHAkvdUzd6130Hjr8lBAvt1B5MbLilRLk1qATDBf0_DMeyTOwCJ5b4I/s16000/" />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPkHsR_FFLff7zFGpxGMV9_uODrOt_yW0prHNDf0__mndsBx5XbBjro-OCjxq74MSXW8LXx2nd6nu-BSzIWwx2aE_MzYnBD2ZnYlAGcEInoAlqPEAsKJzeWb6xUS9azC3Ajpcqb9zu4o3tv5G-78ZX9wHVQG_6rDItwZNri-ZoFmkGR_9p7BCIjFf/s16000/PXL_20230120_160402877.MP-01.jpeg" /></div><p><br /></p><p>And then my dear pup, Stella got very sick and needed 24/7 care for 8 days. I was a mess and the deadline drew ever closer, stressing me out even more. I think only a couple of hours were spent in the studio during that time and everything I touched got wrecked. Ack!</p><p>But Stella gradually got better and I was finally able to get my boards cut, cradle frames made, everything sanded with a week remaining. And that's when the real work began. There were so many dead ends and double backs and while I ended up getting everything finished in time, the reason I even mention it is sometimes an opportunity can feel like it isn't meant to be and you want to wave the white flag. And sometimes you just need to put your nose to the grindstone and Get'er DONE! I'm super glad I stuck with it because through hardship comes discovery and I really love how this group came together. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8qr__Y9Z3qRZ6d9RluCW-Lz0WWgElfjeJtHsyB5ulKvMrqBpPC0xTBqwPbF4Wtvj5ltjoW9OMhQTCovwMVzLSSnqktNWSyj6HdFQGBh7E1XvmEFdzYfRCeLHiTOyWMpVCgw4Dyp__FXbTi1750IwyfT1Q6PdbU-T8TWN6INeyJeHKMCH_0uckysJ/s1818/PXL_20230224_200449560~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1818" data-original-width="1818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8qr__Y9Z3qRZ6d9RluCW-Lz0WWgElfjeJtHsyB5ulKvMrqBpPC0xTBqwPbF4Wtvj5ltjoW9OMhQTCovwMVzLSSnqktNWSyj6HdFQGBh7E1XvmEFdzYfRCeLHiTOyWMpVCgw4Dyp__FXbTi1750IwyfT1Q6PdbU-T8TWN6INeyJeHKMCH_0uckysJ/s16000/PXL_20230224_200449560~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember Me - Mixed Media on cradled wood board 8 1β2 x 7 x 1 1β2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpkbONWsJbYxlOR4wXl_sZ5lWHQTFZSLxQnAbyP15U4GsItLP4UAZWko1oYYod_cP-XLAcSq_-sLm7HHMlJkLwdoihQEWDzjxKKOfC5wyQ2wID8EG9DGNa67pNc96nvyo4z1FFuNaZr94vnfyzKcywTXp582Q80izfw2rTNuDBdqEOqm9s5ECfSct/s1834/PXL_20230224_203353318-01.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="1834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkpkbONWsJbYxlOR4wXl_sZ5lWHQTFZSLxQnAbyP15U4GsItLP4UAZWko1oYYod_cP-XLAcSq_-sLm7HHMlJkLwdoihQEWDzjxKKOfC5wyQ2wID8EG9DGNa67pNc96nvyo4z1FFuNaZr94vnfyzKcywTXp582Q80izfw2rTNuDBdqEOqm9s5ECfSct/s16000/PXL_20230224_203353318-01.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Barn - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 x 7 1β2 x 1 1β4</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoaBgUL2Cmfjl8JukHKi9wCwkoLlC_A65ZepQNrUGtSTgneXGLYDcdl2FTfvGSin--Me6RE84WnCvaQelE72xUrXmnoc5BlTCKUkgr8DQVJ1fNjRT0cfXniiTI5XsZg9r4q82vbBbllfbGyre0QruQPwMSL5WdQBIr0lwZBZrp48OqKpmVvzMpfDt/s1911/PXL_20230224_202920713~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1911" data-original-width="1911" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoaBgUL2Cmfjl8JukHKi9wCwkoLlC_A65ZepQNrUGtSTgneXGLYDcdl2FTfvGSin--Me6RE84WnCvaQelE72xUrXmnoc5BlTCKUkgr8DQVJ1fNjRT0cfXniiTI5XsZg9r4q82vbBbllfbGyre0QruQPwMSL5WdQBIr0lwZBZrp48OqKpmVvzMpfDt/s16000/PXL_20230224_202920713~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melody - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 x 8 x 11β4</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6AvycCTDWXvRyGI0lhkFK4JQfOMQcAjWWvmd9aFSDR39SISx14LGyI6FBGg3aZ9TDm8DtqK4QRBhUU0Ql7lC5qU5WVofGvktLonGbuIvv-w72BZPn9VZ0dNqiqCEEiITwMRJYNJHvDvtx8h1xShV1KnIWUMi7y6296Hok0wyqQzrO-F_GgRNn2Bu/s1922/PXL_20230224_202737905~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1922" data-original-width="1921" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho6AvycCTDWXvRyGI0lhkFK4JQfOMQcAjWWvmd9aFSDR39SISx14LGyI6FBGg3aZ9TDm8DtqK4QRBhUU0Ql7lC5qU5WVofGvktLonGbuIvv-w72BZPn9VZ0dNqiqCEEiITwMRJYNJHvDvtx8h1xShV1KnIWUMi7y6296Hok0wyqQzrO-F_GgRNn2Bu/s16000/PXL_20230224_202737905~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exile - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 1β4 x 8 x 1 1β4</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPIHWkeRK5jH4ztquY0TVS5d5Q7Eosb6RtMAQcspu9b3rSyuBVEtAMzBlPklW6MbTeVmvHPfQzTIKPgqonJxNHZCCqTEkZzHvvYMlSlwxqpXy-ucG2N7Gdd6ANIhc5UKVeJhyG-pFkRH2xGW1i0EIxLVcnaoHK5zITRT8U-3ZPAYyPF3HBMvf6o__/s1969/PXL_20230224_202526589~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="1969" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPIHWkeRK5jH4ztquY0TVS5d5Q7Eosb6RtMAQcspu9b3rSyuBVEtAMzBlPklW6MbTeVmvHPfQzTIKPgqonJxNHZCCqTEkZzHvvYMlSlwxqpXy-ucG2N7Gdd6ANIhc5UKVeJhyG-pFkRH2xGW1i0EIxLVcnaoHK5zITRT8U-3ZPAYyPF3HBMvf6o__/s16000/PXL_20230224_202526589~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimmers Go the Extra Mile - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 8 x 8 x 1 1β4</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3Wb1uFuKxs7s1ECHxI64vmTNrZyu4dsUP_XYDhq9qOlXECB8vaHLspiM6BSVJggkjWsp0pg7ixKL5l1xW40v-fNLfGUzxz38M3LNLBnNJL44Upd9w_m3kaobd5S5XFtupB-lgTkoHHcCtGc2P6ZCtEN1LrlQQsp8_dDbYwAEgswlhddCAmbqwdt9/s2153/PXL_20230224_202318410~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2153" data-original-width="2152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3Wb1uFuKxs7s1ECHxI64vmTNrZyu4dsUP_XYDhq9qOlXECB8vaHLspiM6BSVJggkjWsp0pg7ixKL5l1xW40v-fNLfGUzxz38M3LNLBnNJL44Upd9w_m3kaobd5S5XFtupB-lgTkoHHcCtGc2P6ZCtEN1LrlQQsp8_dDbYwAEgswlhddCAmbqwdt9/s16000/PXL_20230224_202318410~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transmission - Mixed media, rusty nails, wire on cradled wood board 8 x8 1β2x 1 1β2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_T86jlNzI5yN3YGshncVKjgT8eSTx7eX3pFlQeEGd4PpXRVuAefb7D5LuWrOepj26e1KI-QPbDojxxYG2Uye5dLmlO_6nfpRcbAytfDNDxgUlQ-o_HE5Tf_kpoIaSTc0mAJI2hFcOQDQMut0FSkge5E-7YFDu7_GWriXjZB7wPHNiPqYlp7gIpK8/s2506/PXL_20230224_202006427~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2506" data-original-width="1720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_T86jlNzI5yN3YGshncVKjgT8eSTx7eX3pFlQeEGd4PpXRVuAefb7D5LuWrOepj26e1KI-QPbDojxxYG2Uye5dLmlO_6nfpRcbAytfDNDxgUlQ-o_HE5Tf_kpoIaSTc0mAJI2hFcOQDQMut0FSkge5E-7YFDu7_GWriXjZB7wPHNiPqYlp7gIpK8/s16000/PXL_20230224_202006427~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Home - Mixed media encaustic on cradled wood board 14 x 9 x 1 1β4</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXR87ecFjOca5CRpggKAO0F4oDfA97_TCszmL7p1MFkJDcKaD6jT6UH9ieSL80gFzw-RBBHLRfIJgVLYVkjAU0gsJIApaOV_k1w8WYmVZXjatrD0agFCmE4yDdZXCYHpAqwUJpEFOuaoNr9plsvhQmcB2AhEP87XR_XVyeN2Vj2y2fFwn91vIZhT1/s1855/PXL_20230224_200718576~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1855" data-original-width="1855" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXR87ecFjOca5CRpggKAO0F4oDfA97_TCszmL7p1MFkJDcKaD6jT6UH9ieSL80gFzw-RBBHLRfIJgVLYVkjAU0gsJIApaOV_k1w8WYmVZXjatrD0agFCmE4yDdZXCYHpAqwUJpEFOuaoNr9plsvhQmcB2AhEP87XR_XVyeN2Vj2y2fFwn91vIZhT1/s16000/PXL_20230224_200718576~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">762 - Mixed media on cradled wood board 8 1β2 x 7 x 1 1β2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9_08pWIDPQgW4JBJ2Fap-03PU6LmbluRXLi1vbFvl29iXbUkditvvl42O1QizwcVAoWm4n3Tr1gZu4ZZd2BKbc4j4wCeP8WnG-IHTrrmWjyr3hZAGu3laBs0P9Jr9JkqOPsAqALGhIi7sf1wIOhw4lrRGA_5uOHfTH0yjAxA8qBIKzOlZEWsxoDA/s1851/original_431a3f87-203e-47f4-88e7-c1e86979c450_PXL_20230224_201324731~2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1851" data-original-width="1851" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9_08pWIDPQgW4JBJ2Fap-03PU6LmbluRXLi1vbFvl29iXbUkditvvl42O1QizwcVAoWm4n3Tr1gZu4ZZd2BKbc4j4wCeP8WnG-IHTrrmWjyr3hZAGu3laBs0P9Jr9JkqOPsAqALGhIi7sf1wIOhw4lrRGA_5uOHfTH0yjAxA8qBIKzOlZEWsxoDA/s16000/original_431a3f87-203e-47f4-88e7-c1e86979c450_PXL_20230224_201324731~2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Lake - Mixed media on cradled wood board 8 1β2 x 7 x 1 1β2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-12954097479519437092023-02-10T06:00:00.001-04:002023-11-18T14:49:27.481-04:00When do you call it quits?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflGc_7VnNBxc-1-d2GefxY9MUVLAXDNK9qRSNBgKCUZTYk25Cbzxjs9r1hzbqzVCxJtyV9gFn98yvP-bW4fZrcxqKeLurfGBQ7PpewfGHkWbmP-5CetFHuU0y4io4vCA-4Ok3dUOl88zcKmkmQrxatB94fY0dHF4Oa4jLVx9HrN-T9OQIlKdvqnkX/s1835/PXL_20230208_144506892~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="1835" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflGc_7VnNBxc-1-d2GefxY9MUVLAXDNK9qRSNBgKCUZTYk25Cbzxjs9r1hzbqzVCxJtyV9gFn98yvP-bW4fZrcxqKeLurfGBQ7PpewfGHkWbmP-5CetFHuU0y4io4vCA-4Ok3dUOl88zcKmkmQrxatB94fY0dHF4Oa4jLVx9HrN-T9OQIlKdvqnkX/s16000/PXL_20230208_144506892~2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Relax! I'm not talking about no longer making art but when do you decide that a piece is not working/will NEVER work? When you do you pull the plug and say, "Nope. Not gonna happen!"?</p><p>This happened to me earlier this week.</p><p>Spontaneously, decided to jump on the <b><a href="http://kolajmagazine.com/collage-communities/februllage/" target="_blank">Februllage</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/februllage/" target="_blank">Bandwagon</a></b>. Given I am not a "collage artist" but more a "I use collage in my work" kinda artist, I'm not sure why. Because from what I've seen most who do this challenge are full-blown Collage (capital "C") Artists. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">And as an aside, I can only think these folks must have the same amount of space I give to assemblage stuff, to paper stuff...magazines and books and brochures and pamphlets. Or a really astonishing printer. (and if it is a printer? I wanna know what brand! cuz... uhm...YUM!)</p></blockquote><p>Yah. So. Jumped in and the first few go okay. Until "cloth" which is an unmitigated disaster. I had chosen a photo I'd printed onto a piece of fabric (testing Golden's Digital Ground which I'm not even sure they make anymore, that's how long it's been kicking around). And while it was on "cloth" it wasn't about cloth and I started looking for a link, deep diving into vintage books with anything to do with "home" (image subject matter) and "cloth" (collage prompt). And frankly? I lost my direction.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivG77PDMw0lOiYppakAqBjvG2doDdbxftRVw7-uzFJcBwMmvqC5SnU1rqrik7TlCNglZBhn2NLiFmBldtztW4rBsA2J1ggpF2-FnI2EtpyjEQjXjhKWFff0e_0ZKhTKHq51JdbwD7D7B1l-PaSuQWM-cvFARUlmQ9Ek1JRMuWHv5vyC5lqC7KkOgSO/s2000/05-experiments4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivG77PDMw0lOiYppakAqBjvG2doDdbxftRVw7-uzFJcBwMmvqC5SnU1rqrik7TlCNglZBhn2NLiFmBldtztW4rBsA2J1ggpF2-FnI2EtpyjEQjXjhKWFff0e_0ZKhTKHq51JdbwD7D7B1l-PaSuQWM-cvFARUlmQ9Ek1JRMuWHv5vyC5lqC7KkOgSO/s16000/05-experiments4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>It. Was. Horrible.</p><p>It was so bad, I just gave up<br />And here's where I started thinking, but,<i> why</i>?<br />What was the tipping point?<br />Where was the line?</p><p>I mean, I'm a pretty stubborn person. I don't give up easily. If I read a book? I read the damn book. (I'm looking at you <b><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Tough-Sh-Life-Advice-Lazy/dp/1592407447" target="_blank">Kevin Smith</a>)</b>Surely this was redeemable?!?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGew8ZASzzptyYVAswwxaCRJ1EgNoGikGRXXyJCjxeAjVdG57C_dJF16R0344zNzOQtaW6tfFstgUXNBRkRc7YT0jM59rIhnAL4kPlNHW1FB8LL_ISSuoYNf3lfX-o2CQKBQ4PzOAkjoHxUrvnWj5zY3BBcuJXP3-b0WCp4nh4k8hY5fpXxe7hEfL/s1674/PXL_20230205_151326644.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="1674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGew8ZASzzptyYVAswwxaCRJ1EgNoGikGRXXyJCjxeAjVdG57C_dJF16R0344zNzOQtaW6tfFstgUXNBRkRc7YT0jM59rIhnAL4kPlNHW1FB8LL_ISSuoYNf3lfX-o2CQKBQ4PzOAkjoHxUrvnWj5zY3BBcuJXP3-b0WCp4nh4k8hY5fpXxe7hEfL/s16000/PXL_20230205_151326644.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>And then the next day's prompt was "Cactus".</p><p>I didn't have any cactus imagery. I tried to print out some vintage botanical cactus illustrations. My printer sucks. They were unusable. So I went to some black and white silhouettes thinking I'd do a gel print. Yah. That sounded doable. Only they turned out, meh! as some gel prints are wont to do. And I was about ready to pull my hair out but from the previous day's disaster, I wasn't about to quit. Yet. So I tried to add some paint. And then some image transfers. And well... you look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkMN1nfVClxhWPgDxQf1mQV2rG4n6JLhGOK7XFl2QNf-o0A717VqSR5489v4wTQgUoZmYIC0EMFop-1uo2EPbzZtcdqgLzq0GmBPJ6vGq8FfcY8jBbezqv7UkZoFTmjcugWKOAhGk2WT_KhpIbQLV59KPpl3FfIov6RL5tGhgWA3UabHfGeTHwqf_/s2120/PXL_20230207_134244407~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2120" data-original-width="2120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkMN1nfVClxhWPgDxQf1mQV2rG4n6JLhGOK7XFl2QNf-o0A717VqSR5489v4wTQgUoZmYIC0EMFop-1uo2EPbzZtcdqgLzq0GmBPJ6vGq8FfcY8jBbezqv7UkZoFTmjcugWKOAhGk2WT_KhpIbQLV59KPpl3FfIov6RL5tGhgWA3UabHfGeTHwqf_/s16000/PXL_20230207_134244407~2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>What a frickin mess! </p><p>But something kept me going. And you know what? It came to me WHY the "cloth" piece got left behind and I kept trying with this one. The intention was good. Let me emphasize that:</p><blockquote><p>The intention was Good.</p></blockquote><p>The cloth piece didn't have a clear direction. My intention got lost and I just couldn't pick up the thread. Nor did I WANT to find it. It was worth ditching. And y'know? I was perfectly fine giving up and calling QUITSs on it. (should've also done that on the Kevin Smith book FYI!!! there's two weeks of my life I'll nver get back!)</p><p>But this cactus one? Sure it was a mess. The gel print sucked. But the intention was still there. I felt I hadn't discovered all I needed to and it WAS redeemable. So I kept on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hNX0q90lx1wZHOVTAvivfF3hSLkqJxf0CpUMbDlL-h6Mlh-XPvVRQGz5DvyTTWHIHMXPj-IN0NGyH3E1YfyXMWiYpAJOo7b9wuIu3nHmIFKmDA4eTdZqOuWGALhPnvDWpmcE0xD165WcZwyxqFEtPLRVjXD4Qa8EO3qcZa62MtiiKJdPy1koGFNR/s1550/PXL_20230207_164332099~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1550" data-original-width="1550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hNX0q90lx1wZHOVTAvivfF3hSLkqJxf0CpUMbDlL-h6Mlh-XPvVRQGz5DvyTTWHIHMXPj-IN0NGyH3E1YfyXMWiYpAJOo7b9wuIu3nHmIFKmDA4eTdZqOuWGALhPnvDWpmcE0xD165WcZwyxqFEtPLRVjXD4Qa8EO3qcZa62MtiiKJdPy1koGFNR/s16000/PXL_20230207_164332099~2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>And it worked! So if you happen to be at your wits end with a piece, ask yourself this question... Is it STILL true to where I wanted it to go? If it is? Figure it out. If it isn't, stop. You aren't a quitter. It just got away from you. And that's perfectly okay. Put it aside and start something new. And focus...REALLY focus... on what your intention is. Because that's where the magic lies. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilwQWcOHtolvco6KUowuGFIwgfBQtqqjWiwCKvJ9KKjF2_SEEwcnRLXXBoeDn0dgCI-gpl3lJOOTBKxWAZOMTb7z7G0QZoxP2VckH27MsA9Kd_Gui_r38X_BGM_7EUcbLJYU1M4PPTCv6OcIyO4_Qz6ZOGkpiUrFFyM7B7KcZZBL9883_OS2i6Zp2/s1835/PXL_20230208_144506892~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1835" data-original-width="1835" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgilwQWcOHtolvco6KUowuGFIwgfBQtqqjWiwCKvJ9KKjF2_SEEwcnRLXXBoeDn0dgCI-gpl3lJOOTBKxWAZOMTb7z7G0QZoxP2VckH27MsA9Kd_Gui_r38X_BGM_7EUcbLJYU1M4PPTCv6OcIyO4_Qz6ZOGkpiUrFFyM7B7KcZZBL9883_OS2i6Zp2/s16000/PXL_20230208_144506892~2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339904641086796622.post-13044557721320925862023-02-03T07:00:00.001-04:002023-11-21T14:55:02.524-04:00Collage material from your own hand<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8mk05lddyd2_HPZUag0j3O7xfcVK-4viI1QaW8OAJSeo88qXPVw6m5m1kcSxHbeSj08fYU1zQdunSInQ8R_U-IkkHirMC72loy4Rw8Q0UrVEJPE6C_0gvgsQGJ5ihUHejTvtlvl-x2J9c32j6eVrBTiaGHFbve8fVjvedzmE70nuQEHXiQlpy0Q0/s2268/PXL_20230131_152525227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8mk05lddyd2_HPZUag0j3O7xfcVK-4viI1QaW8OAJSeo88qXPVw6m5m1kcSxHbeSj08fYU1zQdunSInQ8R_U-IkkHirMC72loy4Rw8Q0UrVEJPE6C_0gvgsQGJ5ihUHejTvtlvl-x2J9c32j6eVrBTiaGHFbve8fVjvedzmE70nuQEHXiQlpy0Q0/s16000/PXL_20230131_152525227.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>The other day I was sitting at my desk making some new collage bits out of old collage detritus and thought it might be entertaining? helpful? inspirational? to do a bit of a deep dive into the Hows and Whys of creating your own collage fodder. </p><p>Often I have sheets of paper I use for rolling off excess paint from gelprinting, unsuccessful prints or pieces that are left from other collage projects and I throw these into a box beside my work desk. Eventually though, I've pawed through them for the 1000th time and the inspiration has long since left the building and that's when I take a low energy day or am between projects or waiting for paint to dry (cuz sometimes you need to know when to STOP; another post for another day) and go through that box and thin things out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft1uQWv0cqI0n-8z3pkDAEiUFM3Imgsld4GQCImsft9zmT_nvDn7GkTupOJwM-fqgD7tScLKsIdepIUD8f1h75eBrfy90P9Uqq9TlW3Cxc2IgAWozputIWfhQzJcCj96_vymxLsAezMWZMg5erXxTNcw-1kPODVZxgeTzwBMpe1HH21JaTGdZVubm/s4032/PXL_20230201_132634706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhft1uQWv0cqI0n-8z3pkDAEiUFM3Imgsld4GQCImsft9zmT_nvDn7GkTupOJwM-fqgD7tScLKsIdepIUD8f1h75eBrfy90P9Uqq9TlW3Cxc2IgAWozputIWfhQzJcCj96_vymxLsAezMWZMg5erXxTNcw-1kPODVZxgeTzwBMpe1HH21JaTGdZVubm/s16000/PXL_20230201_132634706.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>What gets chucked? Obvious garbage ... hand ripped edges off a magazine photo, blank paper bits (which go into another box for notes), book pages with no useable words. What remains are pieces that I can still use but have lost their charm and need some zzuzzhing up OR bits of tissue paper, maybe blank or maybe with some pattern from gel printing. And I grab my acrylic markers and Letraset and fineliners and have at it. I make patterns...stripes, circles, dots. I write lines I've loved from poems or quotes. I spatter. Sometimes I'll collage bits onto other bits. Or I'll paint transparent layers over the existing pieces to change up the palette. When I'm done, I have a whole new-to-me set of collage materials. So often I'm inspired to start something with these newly created bits. Win win!</p><p>But why, you ask? Why would I take time to DO this? Why not just bin the works and start afresh? Besides the waste... and, seriously, I have a hard enough time dealing with the garbage I DO create... it allows me to make my own marks which in turn makes my work more ME. Does that really make a difference? I think so. All you have to do is look at work that is created solely out of purchased materials (thinking Michaels here #sorrynotsorry). It can be lovely. But kinda soul less. If I paint some stripes or make some dots they are not going to look like the same stripes or dots that YOU make. Similar perhaps. But definitely not the same. If we both use pre-printed striped paper from a store, they are going to look exactly the same, even if we use them in different ways. The end result of creating your own marks in your own distinctive way is your art reflects YOUR style, becomes more YOU. And that is always a Good Thing. </p><p>Here's a little video I made, showing some of the collage material I made in my latest session. Enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwtzk3EgSkbL4Oc7zLqUbIR1Cg2Re1-uDld2qn9B1EaiAljwncyxNUlUgL8MHstoo_kftuPq2K8YZ3ANEoioA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><br /></p>Jen Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00222788533733622375noreply@blogger.com