GirlMeetsArt

A hand-built and decorated box holds rubbings from Penland’s grounds.

Despite spending many summers at art colonies or crafts schools in remote wooded locations, I never got much inspiration from nature in doing my art. All the green just did not do much for me.

Then one summer I signed up for a bookmaking class at Penland, taught by Julie Leonard, a book artist with the University of Iowa.I decided to tackle a complex construction project, (more…)

In 1987, I journeyed from Chicago to Oxbow Art Colony. This map, embroidered on fabric I screenprinted in a Penland class, shows my journey of discovery.

I’m sure that Mom was looking down from heaven last summer, asking “So, now you’re going to take up feminine things?”

As a child, I was so not into dolls or dress up. Give me a set of Legos or a wagon of Playskool wooden blocks, or better yet, let me run around with the boys playing shoot ’em up, and I was happy. Sewing in home ec? Yuk, okay, I had to do it, but once was enough. My sister was the girls’ girl who made her own clothes and did cross-stitch.

Collage: Girls just want to have fun in the sun

Claudine Hellmuth is a particular “idol” of mine. Some years ago, I bought and devoured her first book, Collage Discovery Workshop!, full of whimsical art and generous tips, instructions, and cheerleading.

Then I had the great fortune of taking one of her high-energy workshops at an Art & Soul retreat. In one intense day, I created several collages using her techniques and exploring the idea of feminine beauty. And just plain having fun.