"Sour" is the theme of the day over at Illustration Friday. I thought of this Drama Queen collage I put together for a ZNE Theme Week a couple years ago. She's a bit of a sour puss, for sure.
Here's to hoping your weekend and everything about it is SWEET!
Don't forget to check out all the most recent fabulousness going on at ConvneZioNE! www.ZNEcon.com
xo - Chel
I'll be sharing a table with ZNE Member Gina Gabriell. There will be lots of wonderfulness throughout the entire event, and it was co-produced by ZNEer Tracey Buxton.
Come visit!
Friday, June 27, 2008
5-8 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 2007
8 a.m-3 p.m.
hosted by
Lavender Ridge
7450 W 4th Street
Reno, NV 89523
775) 747-3222
Another wonderful ZNE Zaftig page example (the above by ZNEer Gina Smith!) Have YOU signed up yet? Click on theZNE Zaftig flyer below!
"It is perhaps a more fortunate destiny to have a taste for collecting shells, than to be born a millionaire." - Robert Louis Stevenson
Today's Illustration Friday topic is HOARD. Which made me think of how all of us mixed media artists are known to ... collect ... many an item. Some of us have even been accused of being hoarders.
Here's an altered tag I created a couple years ago. This girl collects seashells. She wakes up thinking of them, she dreams of them. Some might even think, she's a bit of a hoarder.
For the piece uploaded here, I used the image of the tag, and some good 'ol Microsoft clip art to finish the digitally embellished piece.
Happy Friday everyone! May you all have plenty of seashores to explore this weekend!
xo - Chel
Today's Illustration Friday theme is PUNCHLINE, and it made me search through my images to find this years old ATC that I created.
I love the sentiment on it - "If every word I said could make you laugh, I'd talk forever..." I agree wholeheartedly. I love the sound of laughter. I love laughing, and I love the feeling that I have made someone laugh.
Getting the punchline, one of life's great joys.
Here is to hoping that your weekend is filled with joy and laughter! Happy Friday everyone.
xo - Chel
It seems (gasp!) I have misplaced my camera. As in, I have not really seen it - since prior to leaving Michigan.
I am convinced that it is in some corner of a suitcase yet unpacked and will not stress over it too much, until we actually do unpack.
In the meantime, without my photos - I'll share some image that others took, and share this:
My trip to Michigan was extraordinary! Between family, friends, and the wonderful Castle in the Meadow event, I could not have asked for more!
I love this picture that Lisa Dawson (www.youratcstore.blogspot.com ) took, as she drove up the entrance to Meadow Brook Hall:
The fabulous Cookie Sunshine (http://cookiesunshine.typepad.com/the_cookie_sheet/) took some lovely flip phone videos. She did a great job showing off the front of Meadow Brook Hall, where we had our art workshop - here:
Then, I just LOVED this video that Cookie took, because you get a peak at all the incredible artwork created by our fabulous participants:
And finally, here is another Lisa Dawson picture - here I stand proudly among some of the participant artwork:
And Gina Smith took these wonderful pictures:
(Castle above by Angela Hoffman - http://www.geminiangelart.com/)
Sarah Hodsdon (http://www.sarah-n-dipitous.typepad.com/) with her fabulous Castle!
And the wonderful Bernice Wagnitz and Cathy Minerva. (http://bernice97.blogspot.com/ and http://www.minervasmadness.blogspot.com/.
It is good to be home, but I am also sad to have left my family and wonderful art friends in the Midwest. I plan to do everything I can to return next year!
Have a great day everyone!
xo - Chel
Well, the Castle in the Meadow Event (www.CastleintheMeadow) is this weekend, so I did a dry run of the castle we are going to create, today. I have to say, the picture doesn't do it justice, because it doesn't really show the depth. The box on the front is three dimensional, and castle inside is sort of floating inside of it. The Queen is also on a hidden cardboard riser of sorts, so she is raised up from the canvas panel.
The piece incorporates a little bit of everything - a walnut staned canvas panel, creating a box/theatre assemblage. Working with glitter glue and other embellishments, and just - lots of fun. It is a fun project that can be completed in a couple hours. I can't wait to see what everyone else's looks like! I'll post pics next week.
Speaking of which - a few of my girls were mad that when I posted pictures of the house yesterday, I neglected to post my Candy Machine picture - as you can see, one of their favorite places to hang out.
YUM!
Have a great Tuesday everyone!
xo - Chel
The Illustration Friday theme today is BABY. This little one isn't quite a baby, but what an adorable lil girl, definitely someone's baby.
I created this mixed media piece late last year. I particular liked the vintage acrylic birds on the paper lace and fiber wire across the top of the piece.
Happy Friday all!
I almost forgot! Sheesh. Mark your calendars for Wednesday June 11 - in a bit of a podcasting table-turn - I will be the interviewee on an episode of Diva Craft Lounge!
http://www.divacraftlounge.com/
Noon - 1:00 California time.
I'll be talking about the talk of the town - ZNE ConvenZioNE!
As we all head toward the end of May, I hope you all are looking forward to the coming month/s as much as I am!
xo - Chel
I can't believe that June is almost here. I know the month will fly by - SO much wonderful stuff going on! The first week of June I'll be flying out to Michigan for a family reunion. I am really looking forward to it. While there, on June 8 - ZNE will have a Midwest Meet - during our Castle in the Meadow event (www.CastleintheMeadow.com) - I am SO excited about the event. It should be truly extraordinary.
Then, on Saturday 6/21 - I have a full day of classes to teach at Nova Studio.
(photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/leftcoastbound/)
This studio in Point Richmond was so adorable, and the classes should be really cool. Check 'em out, here: http://www.thenovastudio.com/index.htm.
AND! Then, on Friday and Saturday June 27 and June 28 - Gina Gabriell (www.elevenmorning.com) and I will be sharing a booth at the Tumbleweed Cotillion in Reno!
So, to say I am excited about the upcoming month would be a serious understatement. Woo Hoo! June, here I come!
Jon Troast (www.JonTroast.com) was so wonderful, during his concert in my living room (!) - it was just pure joy.
Here are a few of the mesmerized guest. As you can see - it was nearly impossible to get a non-blurry picture. I think it was because there was a wonderful whirlin dirvish of frenetic and positive energy in the air. Here, amongs the blur are Gina Gabriell, Iva Wilcox,their spouses, my best friend Marc, and his date Cara.
Here's a group shot:
Iva, her husband John, Marc and his date Cara, me, Lyn Wright, her husband Bill, Gina, her husband Steve, in front of Gina is her son Noah, and kneeling is Jon Troast.
What can I say about Jon Troast? This guy is truly up and coming, he is so very talented. My 11 year old son loved him, all of the guests loved him - and stay tuned for really exciting news about Jon and the ZNE ConvenZioNE 2008 event- coming soon! www.ZNEcon.com
So, that was Friday night. On Saturday, I headed out to Point Richmond, and the lovely Nova Studio.
The owner of Nova Studio, Lori Nova, is an expert soap and body product maker - and she teaches exquisite classes about the same...
However, the studio also welcomes instructors who teach other topics. There are some wonderful mixed media classes at the studio, though I am teaching a series of art/business related classes. Yesterday I taught a wonderful group of students about the art and craft show circuit. I just loved the lovely pale green studio. What's not to love about this fun wall display, showing off both soap and bodyworks, and fun mixed media samplings:
And I loved this picture - look at all those jars of herbs and petals and all kinds of lovely scented goodies!
If you all want to join me for the next series of classes I am teaching there, they will be on June 21, and you can learn more here:
http://www.thenovastudio.com/2008_CAL_JUN.html
Here is to hoping that you all have a musical, magical, and wonderful weekend, and week to come!
xo - Chel
Forget worrying that the world was coming to an end, SHE worried that everything was just beginning!
Today's IF theme: Worry.
This is a mixed media ATC/Paper Doll I created several years ago. She always looked a bit overly concerned, to me. Ah well.
Switching gears from worried to wonderful (!) - just a quick note to let everyone know that the blog for the Art, Paperie and Pleasantries event is now UP - with lots of fabulous stuff yet to come, there. And don't forget - if you are a ZNE ConvenZioNE registrant, you get early admission and a discount on everything at the show!
Oh - and speaking of ConvenZioNE - a reminder - class registration is now open - and WOW - what a line up!
www.ZNEcon.com
Have a great Friday everyone!
 |
 | |
| ||
The illustration Friday Theme for Friday is ELECTRICITY. I thought of this long ago piece I created in honor of my wonderful friend Cinda Oliverio - right away.
See those electric wires in the background? She reminds me of me, right now. Things are hopping around here! Don't forget that tomorrow, most of the 2008 class descriptions go up! (www.ZNEcon.com) Woo Hoo!
Have a great weekend everyone! I'm heading out of town for the weekend today. The kids and I are going to the wonderful Northern California town of Jenner to celebrate my best friend's 50th birthday! Woo Hoo. See you all soon!
Here's that banner I was working on, on Tuesday. It's about 4 feet wide by 2 feet tall. Also, the magic wand on the left of the picture was created by Sarah Huckman, I got it as part of her Enchanted Swap, and the robins egg blue circle tag above the pink bow on the left side of the picture, is a wonderful glittery art tag created by Gail Schmidt. It was her contribution to the ZNE Design Team Swap. Thanks guys! I had fun with it. Can you tell?
Speaking of fun - what a blast we had at the First Wednesday Street Fair. I have to say, as always - Mediteranean Pizza and Kettle Corn notwithstanding (thanks Gina - YUM!) the best part of the evening was hanging out with such fabulous crafty sistahs!
Here's Julee Herrmann and Iva Wilcox (L/R).
Oooh. And look at this amazing doll by Iva. The tall one with the theatre skirt. I had to have it. : D
Lucky me!
And here's Roni with all her beautiful bling.
Woo Hoo!
If you missed it, don't worry. ZNE/PCM will be at First Wednesday through September. Every first Wednesday of the month. 6-9 p.m. on Main Street in Pleasanton. It is a wonderful outing for the whole family!
Have a great day everyone!
CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION - 1st Wednesday Street Party
The 2008 Pleasanton Downtown Association FIRST WEDNESDAY STREET FAIR season kicks off with our annual Cinco de Mayo themed Street Party. This month's featured band is local favorite, LA VENTANA.
Shop, dine and stroll your way through downtown Pleasanton. Visit our unique shops and restaurants and hit the middle of Main Street and the additional wide variety of businesses and community organizations who will have booths set up market their products and services as well as provide information.
Stop by the ZNE/PCM booth, and then stop in at the Beer and Wine Garden to experience Latin rock and salsa at it's best. It doesn't get any better than La Ventana! Salsa right into summer and enjoy their unique and exciting musical style! Click here to visit La Ventana's website!
Beer,including selections from Anheuser Busch and micro-brews from the Main St. Brewery will be on tap. Great wines from the Livermore Valley will also be available for purchase.
Main Street will be closed from St. John Street to Old Bernal Avenue from 5 to 10 p.m. There will be plenty of off-Main Street parking available. OUR BOOTH WILL BE LOCATED IN SPACE # 175 - Closer to the St. John end of the street. Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Here's who will be there from ZNE/PCM in May:
Me & ZNE(!)
Iva Wilcox
Julee Herrmann
Roni Seabury
Today's Illustration Friday theme is SEED.
It's funny, because they have all these categories you choose from when adding your illustration for the week - like: Realism; Children's Art; Mixed Media - etc. Yet, they don't have the category "Doodle like a Three Year Old." Which, you know, I would pick everytime!
In any case, things have bee SO busy in the land of ZNE lately. It was nice to have an excuse to just sit donw and play with my colored pencils, and, well... doodle like a three year old!
And speaking of seeds - and how busy I have been - I just can't even believe that the ZNE ConvenZioNE event - the seeds of which were planted over three years ago, way back when in our founding member group - has grown to such an AMAZING and extravagant celebration of artists and artistry. With workshop instructors, performers and participants flying in from all over the country - ahve YOU checked it out yet?
Have a great weekend everyone!
Well, cowgal Chelise set off for the ranch yesterday, all dudded up in her denim and gingham dress!
(a lot of these pics are really blurry, but you get the idea.) Isn't it fun to have an excuse to wear red RED red lipstick!
At Diablo Ranch where the wedding took place, I arrived early to help set the tables and get all the favors I made distributed.
I made 100 western cones filled with kisses:
And I decorated 100 little bubble bottles with these shabby tags:
I also made six pairs of western themed earrings which my soon-to-be sister in law gave to her bridesmaids as gifts:
(I even decorated the earring cards with toy cowboys, and the gift bags that she put the earrings in, with little toy horses. So fun!)
At the wedding, the kids found the stable with the pool table, straight away:
Here is to hoping that you all had a wonderful weekend, and that you are all ready for a fabulous week.
Keep your heart lifted, and your spirit ready for what may come. You just never know what doors may open for you...
Today's Illustration Friday theme was PRIMITIVE.
Made me think of all those wonderful Raggedy Anne dolls made by prim style artists. Which made me think in turn, of this doodle I made, in February. (I love me some Annies!)
Hope you all have a great weekend! I'll be doing wedding stuff all weekend... will have fun pics and likely some stories to tell, in the coming days.
xo - Chel
A few weeks ago I mentioned that my brother in law and his fiance were having a western themed wedding. Today we held a bridal shower for my soon to be sister in law Sarah. Here's some fun pics:
Here's Sarah trying on a very silly paper crown that I made for her while demoing crowns at an Altered Everything workshop a few weeks ago.
We hung up streamers and tissue bells, all ready to go for a shower full of fun!
I made this silly little cowgirl hanging, to decorate the front entry.
Then I set out western themed party favors - in "bowls" that were actually little cowboy hats turned upside down!
And a good time was had by all!
More pics coming soon, of wedding favors and more. Inthe meantime, one wedding event "down" - a few more to go, and then next Saturday - the big day!
Hooray!
Hope you all are having a great weekend!
xo - Chel
Today's Illustration Friday theme is FAIL.
So, here's my doodle of a girl who failed to conform to traditional beauty. That's not really a failure though, at least not in my book.
Have a great weekend everyone!
xo - Chel
My snuggle bunny Butter was worried about his mom, this past week - as I the side effects from the meds for the asthma attack had me flat on my back a lot of the time.
My husband snapped this picture of him, protectively cuddling me, one afternoon. Despite my unprecedented bed head (all right, all right. Its precedented around my house!) I thought the picture was too cute not to share.
Speaking of cute, and of days when I was up and around - the Altered Hanger Altered Everything workshop I held week before last was SO fun
. It was made all that much better of course, because the fantabulous PerpetualPlum (Sue Clark) was visiting from Oregon, and so I spent a lovely afternoon Downtown Pleasanton hoppin' with her, prior to the workshop. She stayed for the workshop as well, she's the gorgeous blond in these pictures.
In this shot, we are gathered around my infamous "basket-o-fibers." That's Kathryn Virello on the left. We were also joined by Patti Schuldheisz - but I forgot to snap her picture before she scotted out the door.
Sue took this picture of me, demonstrating how to unscrew the cap from a jar of gesso. This is an important skill to have.
Here is some of our work:
Sue Clark:
Here's the one that Patti Patti Schuldheisz created:
And I had fun making another one as well.
I don't have a close up shot of Kathryn's - as she took hers home to finish. But she returned it to me for a special project we are working on (more on that at a later date) so I'll get a good snapshot of it later. In the meantime, here's another group shot of us, with our finished hangers:
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
xo - Chel
I created this funky Sending Help doodle in January. It seemed like a good submission for the IF theme today: SAVE.
Been battling a terrible asthma attack triggered by my yucky bug from last week, but I am finally on the mend. Breathing is nice.
Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!
xo - Chel
"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
Today's Illustration Friday theme was: Homage
I liked this one. : D
Today's Illustration Friday theme:
Pet Peeves
Here's one of mine as written on the side of my drawing:
Why are anorexic unhappy women the epitome of beauty in this society?
Celebrate your body this weekend, regardless of its shape or size. Beauty does not come from the numbers on a scale.
xo - Chel
I am really excited about the Altered Everything workshop on Tuesday! We'll be creating altered clothes hangers, and as usual, my sample is excessively kitschy - which makes me smile!
Altered hangers can be used:
As hangers for a special piece of clothing.
To hang a coordinated piece of art from.
As necklace and scarf holders.
Or, as a piece of artwork all in themselves!
Wonderful as gifts, or as a gift to yourself! JOIN US!
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW and join us for this fun evening!
A bit of sadness floating around today. And the IF Theme is: Heavy.
Here's to hoping things aren't too heavy in your part of the world.
We had some FABULOUS kids join us for the crown workshop last Tuesday. My stepdaughter Abigail is on the far left, then (me!), my son RJ, Maria Schuldheisz, Gina Gabriell's son Noah, and Gina herself.
Everyone had a good time playing with crown forms, ink pads, images and embellishments.
Everyone was royal that night!
The crowns were really fun to see, all grouped together.
Last week, the SWEETEST little birdy in a nest box arrived on my doorstep.
She was created by the fabulous Julie Molina:
The bird at top is so adorable, honestly I could kiss her:
And the entire box was painted and embellished -inside and out!
Julie also include an adorable little art card (gotta love that glitter crown!) and laid all the goodies in the sweetest little bed of silky flower petals:
I was SO thrilled with this swap! THANK YOU SPECKLED EGG FOR HOSTING!
I gave you guys a sneak peak at the nest I sent Julie, but here are the full pics. Receiving my nest in return was wonderful, but honestly - I had just as much fun creating my little kewpie in a nest!
Here was the "nest" - I cut the brim off an old straw gardening hat (!) with pinking shears, and embellished it with just about everything under the son. I added some mica covered brances for effect. (You know, a "nest" effect.)
Then, I filled it with these chocolate flowers:
And next, I moved on the resident of the nest:
And all packaged up, ready to be shipped out to Julie!
Julie reported that she received her little kewpie in a nest in fine shape ~ and that the chocolates were almost too pretty to eat. (She emphasized the "almost" - ha!)
What fun! I am glad my little kewpie girl is off to a new and artsy home.
: D
This is what it looks like when you stand in the front yard of The ZNE Studios, and look up.
And this is what it looks like when you look down.
How wonderful is that?
It's time for a Spring themed workshop, I think! Tonight I am teaching an altered crown workshop ~ but next week, we'll make Kewpies in a Nest!
Tuesday March 18, 6 - 8 p.m.
As always, yummy refreshments, all supplies, and a special gift pack will be provided for all recipients at each class. Classes are taught by ZNE Founder Chel Stroud Hery.
Classes take place at Poetry on Canvas in downtown Pleasanton.
CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO SIX PARTICIPANTS EACH WEEK - SO PLEASE SIGN UP EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT!
SPRING KEWPIES IN A NEST
The March 18th Workshop will be creating an adorable vintage kewpie doll assemblage - whether you prefer your next to bright and colorful or sweet and pastel, you will go home with a sweet little Kewpie in a Nest of your very own.
Your final piece will be guided by your style and color preferences. The possibilities are endless. The pieces shown are only examples.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW and join us for this fun evening!
Happy Spring everyone!
xo - Chel
Colored pencil, and digital embellishments.
**Tag used on top left is a graphic from Avalon Rose Design.
The illustration friday theme this week - Garden.
May everything growing in your garden, be good!
xo - Chel
Look at these lovely ladies, in the equally lovely Poetry on Canvas Gallery in Pleasanton.
They have already created their canvas panel backgrounds, like experts. : D Now they are thumbing their way through vintage magazines and other image sources. They were about to get serious about creating some incredible mixed media art pieces.
My teaching style emphasizing freedom and creativity - I hope that everyone will walk away from my workshop having learned a few techniques, but even more so - feeling bolstered in the ability to trust their creative drive. "Whatever happens, there are no mistakes. Go with it. Trust yourself, and just do it."
We had a blast, and - as always, I was thrilled and delighted with the diversity of their finished pieces. Here we all are. I'm the proud mama in the cherry apron in the middle. They are each cradling their finished artwork:
What's that? You want to see their artwork closer up? Look how wonderful it all turned out! (And click on any image to see it larger.)
I hope you all are having a wonderfully creative week, as well!
I'm teaching a class tonight - we'll be using a special acryllic paint on canvas panel background technique, and then adding Women and Words with embellishments, to complete our artwork.
The class is full, so I am excited. This year I am teaching at a beautiful new studio downtown called Poetry on Canvas. Should be fun!
Next week, I'll offer a workshop on altered crowns. The projects need to be completed start to finish in 2-3 hours tops, so I don't venture into any really time consuming techniques. I had fun this past weekend seeing what kinds of crowns I could turn out in an hour or so. My kids drew pictures and played with my rubber stamp collection while I glued, glittered, and ink stained glittery gold crown forms.
Here's what I came up with (talk about a big difference between the two!)
The Found Object Queen Crown:
I used vintage buttons, cigar bands, and faux grape pearl clusters. I also added gold ribbon at the bottom, and mica netting. The top of the crown is rounded out with (careful!) carpet pulling razer blades. Aint that sharp! (ha!)
But this crown, was obviously my favorite: The Pearly Pin Up Party Crown!
Need I say more?
Anyway, I think the "Fit for a Queen" crown class will be fun. That class still has some room in it. If you are in the SF Bay Area and would like to join us, check out the details - here:
http://chelise.typepad.com/the_zne_scene/2008/03/march-11-altere.html
Have a
Ultimi commenti