My first class was with Cindy Wunsch, who I talked about in this post after I took her class at Create NJ in July 2012. We started off making collages focusing on creating lots of texture on our canvases. My collage:
turned into this painting,
I think I was subconsciously painting Cindy and me!
My biggest challenge at the retreat was taking a portrait class with Pam Carriker. Pam is phenomenally talented, inspiring and actually managed to demystify realistic portrait painting for me! She has a line of "face map" stencils with Stencil Girl, which helped us practice facial proportions. She gave us step by steps about shading that made me feel like I could actually master face painting one day!
You can see my portraits right at the start of this video,
where you will also meet Sue Pelletier, a whimsical, tell it like it is kind of lady, with whom I felt an instant connection. We had a wonderful time creating our individual house canvases and making whimsical birds and hearts out of model magic and wrapping them in tissue paper and gauze. My birds are going to take a little flight over to Simon Says Stamp and Show, where the current challenge is "Fly."
What a fun group!
Another great thing about being at Art is You, Nashville, was getting together with MaryBeth Shaw, owner of Stencil Girl, and some of my sister Stencil Girl designers!
From left to right are me, Sue Pelletier, MaryBeth and Pam Carriker. So honored to be working with these amazing women! We have some cool collaborations planned so stay tuned!
Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.
Oh wow, I never realized how big your bird painting was! It's rocking and I know you all had such a wonderful time....next year Nashville here I come...xox
ReplyDeleteThat would be sooo great. I'm going to start stocking up on napkins!
DeleteWow Jessica...your creative week in Nashville sounds like heaven! Pam lives in Springfield...where I do, and I have NEVER met her. I have never heard of any classes she's taught her. I need to get connected! haha Your pieces you created are amazing! I love them all! Such fabulous art! The one you have particularly entered for Simon Says Stamp and Show this week is breathtaking. I really love your trees and the house up on legs. What a wonderful design! So full of life and color! Your sweet birds on this piece are so cute and really seem quite a home in the "neighborhood". :) Thanks for sharing your always amazing art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. Gorgeous! <3 Candy
ReplyDeleteAmazing Jessica. I love the paper bag album and looks like you had fun with the faces. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful interview! I'm one of those people who wanted to attend but I'm can't draw. I was concerned that I would not fit in or I'd be so bad compared to everyone else. I will start saving my money for next year!
ReplyDeleteYou, Sue, MaryBeth, Carolyn Dube, are all famous people to me. It was so cool to hear you talking and being regular people. Thanks for sharing your story about being a lawyer first. It gives me hope.
What a great trip. I would also be so happy to be around such great creative people, no matter who they are. All being there for the same reason, is what's so cool about Art is.... Stencil Girl has turned into a great company with wonderful artists. Your pieces are amazing. What else is new?
ReplyDeleteThat would so much fun to be a part of. I love what you created while you were there.
ReplyDeleteThat's a gorgeous collage. Love the birds and the house with the abstract people.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous post! I can feel the energy and enthusiasm from here. Love all your gorgeous creations.... I'm so looking forward to AIY in Stamford!
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the vid Jessica-and could feel your exuberance and joy thru your creative time in these classes. made me smile when you said about making things unrealistic-me too:) Fab art projects!! I would never have guessed your birds project was as big as it is in your collective photo-wow!
ReplyDeletefab creations! Wonderful ... and though I didn't understand everything in the vid .. I really can feel all the happiness and good feelings to meet other artists and it seems like you all had much much fun!
ReplyDeletethnak you for sharing Jessica!
I love seeing your art - especially when I've seen it in person too! I know we've only been back a very short time but I already miss it- and seeing you in person!
ReplyDeleteWow! These are all so wonderful. I love the generous size! And the motif is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteRinda
Thanks for all the reminders of our fun week! All your projects turned out beautiful! Can't wait until we do it again!
ReplyDeleteWow!! You created some wonderful work, what an amazing workshop and great photos. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteFantsatic! You've had a great time and your art is so great, I love it so much, adorable!
ReplyDeleteWonderful time for all and so much creative work accomplished! Bravo to you ^_^
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a lot of fun .... Would love to be able to go to an art retreat. I'm gonna try to find out whether there's also something like that here in Australia ....
ReplyDeleteI love your large houses, birds and houses! Really neat textures and colors doodles, too. Enjoyed the video with friends, and I already like your faces(the unrealistic ones!) LOL
ReplyDeleteReading your post and seeing all the fantastic art and photos of the art workshop makes me feel like I'm on the outside of a candy store looking in and having no money to spend. It's such fun to see how much you enjoyed the retreat and how enthused you are. The portrait class sounds like something very worthwhile for someone who is as talented as you are.
ReplyDeletewow you had such a fab time, yes indeedy and with gorgeous results.
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF, Annette x
http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
That retreat sounds very energizing. Love the bird painting too.
ReplyDeleteSo much wonderful creative soulful girl energy in that Video...I sure hope people watch it to find out little tidbits about our Jessica that they may not know.... It was fun and interesting!! I won't give any of it away, but I loved it!! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Cindy and you painting...it really is and just adorable and all the whimsy and color I adore!! Great post and thanks for sharing your fabulous retreat!! I love hearing women giggling and having fun... and I agree one hundred percent....once you find your passion or bliss...material things don't mean the same!! I truly believe it's the secret to life!! Sorry this is so wordy but this post was so inspirational and filled with joy!! Love the houses too....so fun!! I am working on a digital piece that reminds me of your house!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles
Hugs Giggles
WOW!!! Both of these canvas pieces are amazing, HUGE, and amazing!!! Art IsYou looks so fantastic...some day I shall go! I love your house with legs and what acute bird! FUN all around! Thanks for soaring with us this week at Simon Says Stamp & Show!
ReplyDeletethat looks like you have had an incredible creative and inspiring time... so jealous and envious and all that but thanks so much for sharing it all... makes it feel like we got to be there with you just a little bit...xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post...and clearly a wonderful retreat. So cool to see you and the crew on video too!
ReplyDeleteWonderful work, love all the wonderful details, colors and textures! Seems like you had amazing time!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a wonderful time! Love what you created. The houses, trees, and birds are fabulous. Great colours and textures. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing time you must have had!
ReplyDeleteI really love seeing what people create during their workshops. Some are sooo lucky to go. I hope I can go to something like this one day. I am really fond of the painting that you subconsciously did of you and your friend!
ReplyDeleteOK, you are amazing!!!! Another one pinned! Thanks for joining us this week! - Ashli :)
ReplyDeletewow, your paintings are gorgeous and I am totally green with envy that you were at this retreat and got to take classes with these artists! thanks so much for sharing these...
ReplyDeleteLove the painting you did with Cindy Wunsch! And it seems you had a wonderful time, it sounds really great. I enjoy these kinds of gatherings/workshops too!
ReplyDeleteHappy belated PPF!
Ilona xxx