Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Been there, done that....

I'm back from ArtFest!!!! WOW...what a week:) I had so much fun. I'm sure I'll be posting about it for some time as I process my experience and continue to be inspired by all that I saw and did. My classes were terrific and meeting so many fellow bloggers and artists was a blast! Teesha and Tracy Moore did an outstanding job putting this even together. They deserve a standing ovation. Ok, so here's how it went...Cassondra, Ms Citrus Faire picked me up at the airport and we immediately hit it off. We had many amazing conversations over the weekend. What an inspiring artist and person she is. At the gathering on the first night I met one of my very favorite artists, Celine Navarro. I didn't get a chance to talk to her much, but she seemed so very sweet and full of creative energy. Next to Celine (on the right) is Staci of Bailey's Bliss. What a lovely person inside and out. She gave me the most wonderful beautiful earrings as a trade. I also met Hope of Paper Relics. Oh my gosh is she a sweetie! Holly was there (see a picture of us on her blog). She's absolutely fantastic!! Heather of Portals zine fame. She is so much fun! Dawn too...she's looking for submissions for an art journal book. Check it all out here! Oh there are so many bloggers I met. It was fantastic!!!
Before I get ahead of myself, I must say that Port Townsend, Washington is a beautiful place. It's at the tip of the peninsula and this was the view from the base out at the water. Gorgeous!!The beach below was full of dift wood. I had so much fun gathering rocks and sticks and other treasures. This was the gorgeous sunrise on the first day. WOW!

My first day of classes was with LK Ludwig. I have been a fan of her work for so long. Her love of using natural elements in her mixed media work is right up my alley. She had her own books there and she went through them as she showed us different techniques. It was amazing to see these in the flesh.Here's a sampling of the goodies that I made (below). She showed us a technique for creating an image of a natural element onto mesh. Also a very very easy water transfer technique that works amazingly well. Along with a cold water dye technique. We spent a good part of the day outside tromping through the woods looking for natural elements for our projects. It was a lot of fun!

My second day of classes was with Lynne Perrella. Boy did she knock the lid off my usual way of thinking about art and creating. I love that!!!

I created this "mess" (below) in her class and enjoyed every second of it. Totally not the way I usually create, but she really challenged us to let loose! It has a slit in the middle, because she showed us the neatest technique to fold this into a book. Too cool!


The third day of classes was with the lovely and amazing Pam Garrison. Love that girl! Here's us posing with the canvas piece I bought from her on vendor night.

Here's Pam showing us the tricks of the trade.


Me posing with the cover of the ledger book I altered and re-bound during class.


It was a great class to end the weekend with. Lots of friends, playing with different mediums and enjoying some good times:)

It was sad to see my very first ArtFest come to a close. I had looked forward to it for so very long. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. After we left Port Townsend, Cassondra and I spent the day in Seattle. She then headed home to Oregon and I had yet another day in the city. I explored on my own and had a great time before heading home to a family that missed me dearly:) I am so inspired by this amazing opportunity. The artwork that I saw was absolutely fun, funky and fresh. So much talent! I will post many more pics of all the inspiration from my trip in my next post. Oh yea and I got tons of cool trades too. Lots more to share...stay tuned!

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

EEEEEEEEeeeek! I haven't even finished reading all of this post but I just needed to say that! I just buzzed through the pictures real quick! Okay, now to calm down and go through and read it all now! :-)

(SO excited for you!!)

Anonymous said...

It was so great to meet you! I'm glad I finally was able to...

Lilli in Vancouver said...

By all means, do keep sharing every quantum bit of ArtFest, for those of us who didn't make it this year. I'm sure you must need to unburden a gazillion inspiring memories of the event, the classes, the people :)

tricia stirling said...

ooh, i've been waiting for this post with bated breath. what lovely pictures!! now i can feel fulfilled for a spell unitl you're ready to show us more!

kelly rae said...

i am loving reading everyone else's experience. it was just magical and lovely, wasn't it? i wish i had a chance to meet you and talk. my friend liz and i LOVED your trade!

Fiona said...

Sounds like such a great time! Look forward to more installments.

MyMosaicMind said...

Glad you're back! So cool that you had such a blast in a beautiful place with inspiring people and art. Look forward to more pics. Hope you'll show us some techniques! :-)

Merci-Notes said...

Welcome Home Kari!
We have all missed you so. Your projects are amazing!!! The techniques you learned sound fantastic! I am glad that You had a wonderful AND rejuvenating time! I look forward to more news!
With Kindness,
Mary

carlene federer said...

how fun! love what you created!

Sugar Bear said...

Wow! Looks like it was an absolutely great experience. Look forward to reading and seeing more.
Karla

Emine_Pala_Art_22 said...

I'm glad you had a great time over there... Wish I could be there too ;)

Welcome back
emine

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Kari,

How great that it was everything and much more than you expected! There is nothing like having lots of creative people around to share ideas etc. with. People who encourage and love you and your art.:)

I hope that you will be able to enjoy that feeling and the memories for atleast a year (til next time!) I know you have made just a ton of new friends. thanks for sharing, I will live vicariously thru you for now.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home Kari. You were missed and thanks for the update. You are so lucky. I hope I can go sometime. I'm back to your blog for a second peak. Thanks for the beautiful update and lovely photos. I'm so happy you had such a great trip. I kept peeking at your blog for an update so today was the big day. I love the picture of your hand. How cool is that!! Thanks for sharing. I will check back often. your friend Tami.

Anonymous said...

OOOH! Kari, I am so excited for you! I am thrilled that you had such a wonderful time! Love the journal that you made in Pam's class! I really hope to be able to go next year, it would be so much fun!!!
Glad you're back, I miss your posts!
~Cerri
xoxo

Anonymous said...

So glad your back! I'm glad you had a wonderful time. It makes me excited just reading your post. Can't wait to here more!!

Monica said...

Great that you had a wonderful time at Artfest. Love all the pictures and can't wait to see more!

Julie Collings said...

fabulous pictures of everything! your classes sound wonderful, cant wait to go next year.
did you get my flickr mail?

Gypsy Purple said...

Amazing pics....and I can hear you had a lovely time.
Can`t wait to hear and see the rest
Glad you are back safely

longnecklady said...

I can feel the excitement from everyone that was at Artfest. I can't wait to hear more!

xoxo~

Sue

eb said...

loved hearing about your experiences - sounds delightful - you look so enchanting and enchanted

xox - eb.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great time was had by all. Must have been so amazing and inspiring to be surrounded by so much talent....Looking forward to seeing more.....

Anonymous said...

What a great time. I hope to hear a lot more of it, love it !!
And you made such wonderful projects, can't wait to read more about it.
By the way I'am glad your back :-)
I mist your daily blog mail.

Ellen

Boxwood Cottage said...

Welcome back Kari! Oh this is all so exciting! Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to see and read more! xox

Babsarella said...

What an AMAZING experience!!! Thanks for sharing. I hope that some day I too can attend this wonderful event!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Keri!
Oh...your post is amazing, you really had some wonderful experiences!!! I am off to read your next post!
xo
stephanie

deb said...

*Yippee!* pictures!! Loove all those beautiful photos. Welcome home.sweet.home.

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks for sharing! What wonderful photos.

Helle Greer said...

Thank you soooooo much for the GREAT show and tell.
I might just have to go next time.
Love all the art you did.
Helle

Laume said...

It looks like you had a wonderful time. I will definitely have to check into this Artfest. Port Townsend is one of my favorite places! I go through there every opportunity I get when I am up that way visiting friends nearby. In fact it was one of the places I looked for retirement property but alas, out of our price range.

Shona Cole said...

thank you for posting so many pics, i couldn't go this year so I am living vicariously through those that did. there is always next year.... can't wait to read more of your posts