A Travelling Art Kit

                                                                                                               

My bag has wonderful bamboo handles and an oval bottom

one of my felted pencil pouches

 During the summer months, one thing I have come to cherish, is my Art Bag-an art on the go kit. I bring it with me everywhere especially during the summer months where so much of life is lived out doors, in the woods, on a boat, vacoationing in the sand. I made my bag by repurposing, a thrift store find. I found a beautiful turquoise wool sweater, that I created into a type of carpet bag style bag. I felted it and embellished the front with antique pillowcase lace, buttons, velvet ribbon and flowers I made with the leftover scraps from the sweater. In it I often have too many things, but all of them are things in process and artwork that I love doing. What better way to spend your time than doing something you love while you wait or have a gap of unsolicited time. This to me is time well spent! It helps me relax, changes my mood, and can draw me into the solace and peace of my Creator.  If you know anything about me, you know I am all about art and faith.
I love my Art Bag, it helps me keep art in the front of my life, because I can always have it with me. I don't know about you but I can always use more beauty and peace in my life and there is no better way to get it than through the creative process.

Details of the front of my bag.

Here is what is in my Art Bag:

• folder of loose ephemera for collaging
• journal and sketch book
• zipper pouch with tools-scissors, glue sticks, washi tape
• zipper pouch with all my sketching supplies- pencils, stabilo pen, gum eraser, sharpener,charcoal pencils and blender.
• small spray mister 
• my watercolor palette,paint brush and water brush pens
• A collage project- could be an altered book I am working on.
• stitching box dmc floss, thimble, tape measure, needle case beads, fabric scraps, buttons, small hoop and stitching project. 
• I also bring a zipper pouch with essentials- hand lotion, lip gloss, tea bags, tylenol etc.  

Below I have linked to some other artists I admire and their ideas on this the subject of traveling and on the go art kits.
Willowing-Mixed Media and Lifebook Artist
Coached by Grace-DIY Travel size watercolor video too
Lorraine Bell-Artist travel art kit video
Danielle Donaldson-artist creativeGIRL go to kit

Painting Flowers! Class Registration is Open

I love flowers. If  I have to pick a pattern, I will always pick the floral pattern. I have enjoyed flowers my whole life. From the time when I was a child making clay beads,with flower decals, in the garage with my mom, to my cottage business making ribbon flower brooches, to growing roses in my yard.There is something so soft and feminine about them. I. Love. Them.

So, of course I would teach a class on how to paint flowers! In this class students will learn three different techniques, to paint three different flowers, using three different mediums.

When: May 24th, 31st, June 6th

Time: 6:00-8:00pm

Cost: $25.00 per class

Where: The Apprentice Art Studio in North Tacoma

All Skill levels welcome!Come to one or all of them. Materials included

Space is limited, Register HERE

Watercolor Peony

I spent the day yesterday, with a dear friend, watercolor painting. We had a wonderful time together and I wanted to share the results of our day.  My goal was to learn some preliminary things from her and practice before we took a watercolor class together.

I have never taken a watercolor class, so I wanted to learn from Laura whom I admire. Her artistic talent is inspiring and captivating. Not to mention she is a great teacher, wonderful encourage-er and helps me see God's world through a colorful lens! I am so glad we are friends! We had a lovely day together. Once I got over my initial nervousness and the feeling of being awkward and not knowing what I was doing, the paint started to flow. At one point, the feeling of defeat was creeping in around midday and Laura suggested that we start working on our background as a contrast. Boy that did the trick! We both were able to get a better picture of what we were trying to accomplish.  I can't wait for our Kay Barnes Watercolor Class.

This is my first ever, large format watercolor painting, it is 15 x 24.  It was painted from a photograph of a peony, one of my favorite flowers.