Monday, January 7, 2013

52 Pickup with Seth Apter


I spent a glorious daySunday in Seth Apter's 52 Pickup workshop at Little Bird Creations in New York City.  There were so many wonderful things about this workshop.  Perhaps only a New Yorker will appreciate this, but I drove into the city in 25 minutes flat and IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PARKING SPACE directly across from Little Bird!  This was so awesome that I had to photograph it!
 

The other wonderful things were watching my cards (a playing deck covered in black gesso), go from boring...

to brilliant, with Seth's techniques of adding and then debossing paint, adding all sorts of marks, including stencils (guess which ones I used!)...


and then collaging with papers I made from Carolyn Dube's gelli plate party!


I made new friends, including Barb (yellow sweater), an amazing mixed media/fiber artist.  She quilts with fabric and aluminum cans! (that is NOT a typo).   Check out her blog! 


It was great to spend the day learning from Seth. What a smart, nice man.  He is so encouraging and is able to gracefully balance the presentation of new techniques to a group, with guiding students individually.  I also fell in love with Little Bird Creations ; it is hard to believe that such a lovely, intimate studio like this exists in the heart of Manhattan.  And Michelle Luxenberg, who runs it, is a sweetheart!  I know I'll be back there soon!  

Finally, I discovered that Seth and I have a cyber friend in common - Lynn Cohen.  Lynn has just published a book called One Fish Taco and Half an Order of Guacamole,  her chronicle in words and pictures of a year of illustration and conversation at a local restaurant!  This seems the perfect gift for your favorite foodie, artists or both, and I can't wait to get mine!


Have YOU been doing any work with stencils?  (They don't have to be mine!)  Any at all???  I know you have.  So what are you waiting for?  Link up to the stencil blog party by Wednesday night and be eligible to win my Rain stencil!  Then check back on Thursday, 1/10, for the next installment of the Stencil Test Drive, featuring Natasha May, Maggie Nemetz, Judy Shea and Revlie Schuit!


Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

Linking up to Simon Stamps & Show (Embrace the Old - as the photo in one of those collages is me when I was 16!).
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13 comments:

  1. Jessica, I was so pleased to read this posts. I am planning to choose one of three of Seth's workshops when he goes to Portland, Oregon in May this year! I'll couple it with a visit to Son, his dear sweet wife and three grand children there! But wasn't sure which one I'd like best. Yours sounded fun!!! Thanks for sharing what you did, they look terrific!!!
    Thanks again, too for all the nice things you have said about my book, 'One Fish...." Hugs, Lynn

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  2. That's cool, Jessica with the black gesso. My 52 cards were in white gesso and all stuck onto an old map. What is on the back of yours? Is there one of those send in your deck of cards exchange going on somewhere? I love the bird with the moon card. I will have to get over and visit Lynn. I missed about two weeks of PPF and so have not caught up with what everyone is doing.

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  3. Seth is going to teach in Oregon in May, so it was nice to hear your "review" because I'm thinking about taking one of his classes. Also, Barb does lovely work but when you said she does quilts with soda cans, it brought to mind this artist: Ross Palmer Beecher. I saw Ross's show three time last year when it was here, she does these amazing quilts with recycled materials. Here is the show I saw in Salem, Or at the Halle Ford Museum http://www.gregkucera.com/beecher.htm. Enjoy!

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  4. I am so happy you attended the workshop Jessica. You really rocked all 52 cards -- and the cover. Thanks so much for being a part of such a fun and creative day. Loving all of your stencils that you brought!

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  5. awesome Jessica- I think Seth is brilliant and hope to take a class from him one day :)

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  6. These cards are so cool! I NEED and WANT your Hebrew letter stencil so badly. It's on my list!!! I'll have to check out this studio the next time I visit my sister and her family in NYC. It's one of my favorite places to travel to!

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  7. Fabulous pieces of art, wonderful quirky backgrounds and great colour palettes. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

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  8. I am so jealous that you got to spend a day with Seth, he IS a nice, nice, talented guy. Your cards rock, the black gesso sets off your colorful explorations so well. Looks like you spent some time with some fascinating folks as well. Wish I lived closer. xox

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  9. I am loving the collage papers with the metallic touches! The black gesso is now on my must-get list. so cool !

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  10. what cool cards Jessica! (so far I have not been such a fan of black gesso but I may have to give it another look now :) Having the time and parking factor on your side certainly meant that this was a class for you and you were meant to be there. And I so love Lynn Cohen's illustrations.

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  11. I've never heard of this place...thanks for telling! Seth's work is wonderful! Your cards are FABULOUS!

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  12. It looks like you had so much fun! Wish I would have been there to play with you!!!

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  13. Now THAT is just cool. Nicely done!


    ;-> Felicia
    The Journal Junkie
    Blog: http://feliciathejournaljunkie.blogspot.com/

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