I'm more than Excited!!

My art supplies are still in storage ;(

However, I've been able to take a couple of workshops close to home that didn't require all my supplies and have found an awesome network of artists and crafters.

**I discovered just how close Random Arts, Saluda, NC http://www.randomartsnow.com is to me - ONLY 20 minutes!  I've looked at their workshop schedule many times over the years and couldn't make it.   Jane packs a lot of art supplies, found objects and friendliness into one place.  If you haven't been - give yourself a treat and visit.  She brings in top notch artists for workshops.

Now that I'm so close I've joined their twice monthly ZenDoodle (free) get togethers.   It's been a long time since I did any intentional doodling.  Luckily I kept my colored pencils, markers and pens with me and didn't send them to storage.

At the last get together Jane showed us how to pull together a Gouache resist project…using water color paper, sharpie, water color paint, white gouache and black ink.  Here is a link to a short video Jane put together in January showing the Gouache resist technique https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ytnqGl1R94&list=UUmFf-x1yorLaLo78n-rgqfw

My first Gouache Resist attempt - 4 1/2" x 5 1/2"
Words and/or embellishments need to be added.

Practice doodling - ea section is 2 1/5" x 3 1/2"

I've also taken a one day workshop at Random Arts - "Texturize This" given by Jodi Ohl http://sweetrepeats.blogspot.com.  We used Silks paints (they are so beautifully pigmented) - stencils, acrylics, etc., - the secret tool, a heat gun - the secret supply, Golden's self leavening gel. OMG!   There will be so many opportunities to use this technique in my mixed media work.  A fantastic workshop with an amazing and generous artist.  I missed the September issue of Craft, Paper and Scizzors magazine featuring Jodi's work and this technique - I'll have to order it online.

I don't have a photo box set up here but the sun came out briefly and I took some pictures.  At least one layer of gel is poured over the substrate - you can't see the depth in these pictures - but it's there.

6 x 6 - used stamps and stencils

6 x 6 - used stamps and metal #5

6 x 6 - stencils, stamp, rhinestones

**Art Mob Studios and Marketplace is located in downtown Hendersonville (5 minutes from my house) it contains local artists studios, galleries and offers workshops.  I've been able to take a 4 week Calligraphy workshop from Catherine Langsdorf  http://longvillagelettering.blogspot.com.  She's a very good teacher.  I plan to take advantage of more workshops that don't require my full arsenal of supplies.