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Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Visitation

This weekend erased the last vestiges of winter gloom. My good girl Katie loaded up her car with art supplies, food and jammies and drove down for a weekend visit. She made me the apron in the photograph above and she brought warm weather, spring and the joyful vibration of her kind spirit with her. It is a sort of wonder, I think, the way a well-loved friend can comfort your soul. And so we had a time out of time.

We started on Friday night with the IEA meeting at Amy Stoner's house. We share a 'no-guilt' potluck before each meeting and this one included 2 kinds valentine cupcakes. I couldn't choose so I ate both.

After an enthusiastic discussion, the dozen of us trooped downstairs into Amy's studio and I did a demonstration of a shellac technique with torch and hot wax. We only ignited the shellac once and put the little flare up out quickly. Much laughter. (I hope Amy's husband isn't reading this!)

Everyone who wanted to got to try out the technique. This is Katie having a go.

On Saturday we grabbed a latte and headed over to Diane's studio for Stephanie Lee's Plaster workshop. Although I took over 70 photos I am going to keep this short; only to tell you that a small class at Diane's studio (classes limited to 10 or less) is the most personal instruction and fun you will ever get. I sat right next to Stephanie and soaked up all her fabulousness for the entire day. We had the best group of plasterers you could ask for, the food was wonderful as always with snacks and hot beverages all day long. Here is one of many things I made.

I know - it's as ugly as a skunk but I never laughed harder and for that reason I 'll never be able to look at it without remembering all the joy bound up in it's making. Katie brought the hand door knocker that we used for casting - I had wooden numbers and the picture frame was from a small metal object. I brought the collage elements (photo of my mother). I call it the cake.

We also made plaster book pages. This is one of mine. I'll show it to you bound with the others once they are cured and finished.

Of course there was an after-party party at the local party place. Duelling cameras and all of that. The others will post photos too but these are my favorites. Diane and I above; isn't she a cutie?

Sue Hadden, Katie and Stephanie. We talked art, babies, husbands, life, friends, future plans, hopes, dreams, wishes. Just like the sewing bees of a century ago, the gals like to get together and let loose. There is a spiritual aspect to so much laughter and friendship. It is good.

I only had one of these bad boys so don't go thinking I'm a lush. I'm pumped now to work and play and share with you. I'll get caught up one of these days. Thanks for stopping by.

23 comments:

Pilar said...

J-Dawg:
What a perfect and wonderful weekend! The apron sweet Katie made is dish. You look so cute in it! I am glad the last few days were filled with lots of love, laughter and art. : D

Karen said...

what fun Judy,
the company, the techniques and the creations. Thanks for sharing
Karen

Ro Bruhn said...

Sounds like you had a great weekend Judy, it's wonderful to see so many people getting together and doing art nowadays. Love what you've created, plaster paper hmm, I suppose it doesn't tear.
Ro
xo

Jodi Ohl said...

Wow-looks like not just a fun weekend but a truly inspiring one as well :) I wish there were more get togethers like yours around our area!

Anonymous said...

it always brings such a huge smile to my face when I see you and Katie getting together with others to have fun & make art... it looks like another WONDERFUL weekend, filled with all good things! xo thanks for letting us in. ;-)

Gwen said...

Looks like so much fun, and i don't think that your piece is ugly as a skunk! I think that plaster stuff looks like a ton of fun, and obviously you had all of the right people there!

xoxo,
Gwen

Maija said...

What a great time you all had! The photos are glorious- you and Katie look so happy!

lklight said...

It looks like so much fun, I can't wait to be there is a few weeks!

katie said...

my insides are still vibrating with joy and laughter, a physical residual of the precious time with you and the girls. i spent 3+ hours when i got home on the computer looking at portland rentals and property - walter liked the idea - we game baby!! xo

Carolyn said...

Looks like so much fun!
also, I noticed your sunny studio snapshot in the last post... looks like a wonderful place to create!

kelly rae said...

judy,
this looks like such fun. i can't wait to get back to portland later this year so i can start taking classes at diane's place. laughing you all you lovely ladies is always a highlight.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Judy, thank you so much for sharing the stick hanging technique. My aunt is in an assisted living facility and I needed a quick way to hang something cheery on her wall. And there was your hint - perfect timing! Also, I finally got to see your Mermaid's Day Off print with my own eyes... it is amazingly beautiful, thanks for mailing it to my friend in PA. Kathy (Oly)

ginny said...

I agree wuth you. There is nothing better than a group of friends making stuff together whether it is dinner or art, the joy is the same. Good for you and your friends. The art work is wonderful too.

Kelly Snelling said...

what fun! what fun! you look absolutely beautiful in your new apron. pretty girl! and i like the cake! i do not think it is ugly as a skunk!

Deirdra Doan said...

I love the photo of you in the apron. So cute, so happy!

Amy Stoner said...

I happen to just love your first plaster piece you created...so cute! I will have to take one of her classes someday. must must must!

I informed jason that after the demo I really had to go out and get another fire extinguisher for the basement studio...and a propane torch so I can play with the shellac too! What fun! Thanks so much for showing us!!!

A.Smith said...

As I told Katie, I am dying of envy here. Look at you and your super jazzy apron,to die for! and the wonders that came out of that Saturday in paradise. All of your pieces are breathtaking and once again I feel like an idiot for having missed a class that I know I would have loved to take. Thank you for sharing both the art and the fun.

Tracie Lyn Huskamp said...

A Happy Time INDEED!!! You silly girls making such merriment... such a wonderful site!

xo

Unknown said...

how fun! Thanks for sharing. Wish I had been there. I'm lusting over cupcakes and adult beverages...

mcdc3s said...

Oh it looks like you have a great time. How lucky to have such a nice community of artist friends to gather with. What a pretty apron. All that delicious food. I am so jealous... but happy for you.

Stephanie Lee said...

Oh my goodness! Are you sure we were only together one day? There was enough laughter and creative play crammed in that one day to last at least a week! Maybe even a month!! :)

As I said on Katie's blog,I DON'T play favorites, but if I did (which I don't) I might (which I wouldn't) have to say (but never outloud) that you and Katie would make the top of that list (not that I would have one). :)

thank you SO much for the lively and enthusiastic energy you so generously contributed that day. I appreciate it more than you know. I'm so looking forward to more time together and looking forward to January...oh so far away. :)

Lorri Scott said...

Judy,

I wanna come play with you!!

Karen Cole said...

Ugly as skunk? Hardly.
Stephanie is great. I did a workshop with her last year and am coming back for more plaster and encaustic fun at Art and Soul(Hampton).