Chicago ~ a wonderful town!

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

I do love Chicago! I was teaching at CREATE last week and had two days to tour the city. The weather was absolutely perfect! 77 degrees and sunny.

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

We went on the 90 minute Chicago Architecture Foundation River Tour . If you visit Chicago, do not miss this tour. (Last year, we visited the Art Institute of Chicago  and loved it.)

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

This 4 condo building is right on the river amid all the skyscrapers. I want to live here!  

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Chicago ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

My good friend, Helen Shafer Garcia was with me and we had a great time!

 Millennium Park ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

 Millennium Park is another must see. That's a Frank Gehry building in the lower left corner.

 ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Cloud Gate, referred to as The Bean (by artist Anish Kapoor)

Yoga in Public Places, The Bean, Millennium Park, Chicago, Ill.

little kids playing with their reflections at The Bean 
~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Frank Lloyd Wright House, Oak Park, Illinois ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

The next day, I was on my own, and took the train to fabulous Oak Park to see the Frank Lloyd Wright house. Yes, I read "Loving Frank" and really enjoyed it.

in front of Frank's office

Frank Lloyd Wright home dining room window ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Frank Lloyd Wright home bathroom window ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Frank Lloyd Wright family photo

Frank Lloyd Wright  ceiling light panel~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Frank Lloyd Wright home living room ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

A Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in Oak Park ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

The neighborhood of Oak Park is gorgeous, and had an audio tour available, but I didn't have time for it.

A Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in Oak Park ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Ernest Hemingway's childhood home ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

And a wonderful surprise for me, Ernest Hemingway grew up a few blocks from the Frank Lloyd Writght home.  Since I'd visited (and blogged about) Hemingway's home in Cuba this past January (and his home in Key West, Florida years ago) I was excited to continue my Hemingway home tours! (Yes, I read "Paris Wife" too, but didn't finish it.)

What a difference in architecture and interiors from Frank Lloyd Wright!

Ernest Hemingway's childhood home ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Ernest Hemingway on the left, holding a gun! with his grandfather and siblings

Lastly, here's a video I made from Millennium Park.  The band "Dead Can Dance" was rehearsing at the amphitheater.

You can see why I love Chicago!

oh, did you know I designed some stencils? tutorial

stencil, wood icing on gesso board in various states of completion
by Jane LaFazio

I've been having fun trying to use my newly designed stencils in every conceivable way. I started this project here and now I started a couple more.

I start by applying layers of acrylic paint. Pods Stencil

this one had paint, and then I added another layer with my two other stencils and wood icing.
I'll paint it when it's dry.

just wood icing on gesso board. painting is next.
Sweet Gum Ball stencil

just wood icing on gesso board. painting is next. Eucalyptus stencil.

And while I had the stencils out, after I cleaned them, I created 3 more prayer flags.

I realized as I was about to type this, I stitched lightning bugs instead of fireflies. hmm. I thought Sweet Gum ball stencil looked like fireworks in red and blue.

the colors reminded me of water

  

Autum colors with Pods stencil

Stay tuned! (Remember, if you create anything with my StencilGirlProducts stencils, send me photo! Pods, Sweet Gum Balls and Eucalyptus are the ones I designed.)

being a student

first one. with derwent graphitone and a waterbrush
 ~ 4x4"by Jane LaFazio

I'm a student too, don't forget! I had a tiny bit of free time so I tuned in to Pam Carriker's Still Pursuing Portraits for another lesson.

second one. with stabilo aquarelle and a waterbrush

 ~ 4x4"by Jane LaFazio

I don't know why they all sort of look eastern European. Pam says often portraits reflect what you're feeling inside when you draw them. Maybe my distant Slavic heritage?

third one. with caran d'ache technalo 3B and a waterbrush
 ~ 4x4" by Jane LaFazio

These are by no means very good, but it is a wonderful exercise, and I learned a lot. I plan on doing more.

more fun with stencils........

layered surface design on fabric by Jane LaFazio

I'm going to be filming some episodes for Quilting Arts TV next week. One of them will be on stenciling fabric and guess which stencils I'll be using?! The stencils I designed for StencilGirlProducts.com 

layered surface design on fabric by Jane LaFazio

layered surface design on fabric by Jane LaFazio

I'm stenciling on fabric and organza and then layering the two together and free motion stitching on top.

layered surface design on fabric by Jane LaFazio

and doing some hand stitching. It's a work in progress.

layered surface design on fabric by Jane LaFazio

you can see the stencils I used here and how I used the stencils here.

Felt Geodes

felt geodes by Jane LaFazio

I'm working on a collection. I made all these from wool roving. some are beaded on the outside. They're called felt geodes.

cut in half with an electric knife to see what you get 

felt geodes by Jane LaFazio

felt geodes by Jane LaFazio

Fun, but time consuming. Great to do while you chat with friends.

San Clemente, CA retreat March 2013

journal page by Jane LaFazio from May 2007

journal page by Jane LaFazio from May 2007

Lavender Sage Art Retreats is planning another retreat. Do you even know that I'm part of Lavender Sage, in partnership with my dear friend, Pamela Underwood? We've facilitated retreats together in Austin, Texas, we've got a sold-out one in Taos, New Mexico and now, we've got one coming up in the beautiful beach town of San Clemente, CA. (50 miles from Los Angeles and 60 miles from San Diego). Our "3 days by the Sea" expressive arts retreat will take place March 8, 9, and 10, 2013. You can find all the details here.  

San Clemente, CA

our home for the retreat...just blocks from the Pacific Ocean

journal page from San Clemente, dated June 2009, by Jane LaFazio