Pink Bud ~ a collage

 detail "Pink Bud"   by Jane LaFazio

 "Pink Bud" 10x10 collage by Jane LaFazio

 detail "Pink Bud"   by Jane LaFazio

I've written before about the symbols we are attracted to, and as artists, seem to use again and again. One of mine is the branch with leaves shape, in this collage. It was just free cut, since I know it by heart, I use it so much! What is different about this piece, (for me) is the color scheme. I was going for a red and taupe. Ages ago, I saw a picture in a catalog of red and taupe bath towels and really liked it. Filed it away in my brain to use one day.

 detail "Pink Bud"   by Jane LaFazio

I'd thought you'd like to see it before I finished it off with the circles (below). Often it just takes one little addition to finish off a piece....but may take all day to figure out what that one little thing is!

in progress "Pink Bud" by Jane LaFazio BEFORE I added the circles

Art Quilt: Balboa Park Landmark

Buddy considers the composition ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

"Balboa Park Landmark" 24"x24" by Jane LaFazio

This is the second of the series for  Visions Art Museum in San Diego. I was invited to create two art quilts, each measuring 24 inches square, with the theme "Arches." San Diego's Balboa Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and there are arches in every form throughout the beautiful park. The exhibition will be up July 18—October 4, 2015, with the reception on Saturday night, July 18 at 5pm. (I'll be there!)

BeBop helps decide on the focal point ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

detail "Balboa Park Landmark" by Jane LaFazio

Artist Statement: This piece began with a quick watercolor I did of California Tower that I printed onto silk organza. The color palette with touches of green, and the images of plants and flowers were inspired by the gorgeous landscape of Balboa Park. The pinks, creams, and ecru, and the stitched and implied arches represent the architecture throughout the park. 

detail "Balboa Park Landmark" by Jane LaFazio

detail "Balboa Park Landmark" by Jane LaFazio

detail "Balboa Park Landmark" by Jane LaFazio

detail "Balboa Park Landmark" by Jane LaFazio

You saw the process for making the other quilt in this series "California Tower: Balboa Park" in this series of blog posts:
The making of an art quilt Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3. I finished that quilt, before I started this one, and although the process and some of the fabric were the same, they were made separately.

From my sketchbook~ carrotwood pods

the start of the page ~ by Jane LaFazio

These beautiful pods have been dropping like crazy all over our front walk. Husb brought me in a few, admiring their beauty. Perfect subject for my sketchbook.

This is the tree in front of our house. photo by Jane LaFazio

I found out later, from my readers, that it a Carrotwood tree. Who knew?

page in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

page in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

page in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

page in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

page in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

I brought in a branch of just the unopened pods and drew and inked them. Wouldn't you know, the very next day they began to open! (I always tell my students to draw, ink and paint in one sitting!) No problem though, I've got a tree full of more pods, so I brought in another to paint from.

page in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

I got the date stamp here. and I know you're going to ask about my tiny watercolor palette. It's the size of a business card! It's a pocket palette from Expeditionary Art.

Carrotwood Tree ~ by Jane LaFazio

The finished (or nearly so) page ~ by Jane LaFazio

My online Sketching and Watercolor: Journal Style class starts soon! (Each lessons is stepped out in pdf documents, with photos like these and written descriptions. Plus videos) Hope you'll join me! It's the perfect class for beginners!

Abstract Collage Workshop (using gelli printed papers)

colorful palette ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Last Saturday, I taught for the first time at Art on 30th in San Diego. It was fabulous! Great classroom (it's the gallery, so we were surrounded by art all day!) I will definitely teach there again.

My fabulous students in the light-filled classroom/gallery ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

student gelli printed pages ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

students made lots and lots of prints in the morning! ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Me ~ teaching

colorful palette ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

The classroom is also the art gallery at Art on 30th ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

I taught a new class, for me, clumsily titled "Abstract Collage ~ with gelli plate prints." It's a one day workshop. In the morning, I showed lots of ways to use the gelli plate and then we created oodles of monoprints on tissue.

Then in the afternoon, I showed the students how to select from and compose two collages on 10x10 inch boards.

student gelli printed pages ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

I love teaching and inspiring my students! 

student gelli printed pages  ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

lots of space and light! the perf location for a class ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Stay tuned, San Diegans, for more classes from my at Art on 30th. 

colorful palette ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

Student work at the end of the day!! ~ photo by Jane LaFazio
 

My students, and their work! 

I'll be teaching this workshop "Abstract Collage" in Minneapolis on September 18 at Art is You and in Stamford, Connecticut on Friday, October 9

I'm teaching at ART IS YOU ~ art retreats in Minneapolis and Connecticut

I'll be teaching for Art is You in both Minneapolis, Minnesota and in Stamford, Connecticut this year.

My  Sketching and Watercolor: Autumn workshop continues to be my most popular and my favorite to teach. The loose theme for this class is autumn, but it's just a framework to teach people to draw and paint. So often, students will tell me they 'can't draw a stick figure" and that they haven't drawn since 3rd grade. It's absolutely thrilling to me, to watch them learn and then create something in their sketchbook that they are proud of! I feel I'm giving them a lifelong skill that they will always cherish. Giving people the tools to keep an illustrated journal and to really appreciate each moment is priceless! I really feel I'm sharing something important in this workshop. Seriously, learning to draw can be life changing.
Thursday, September 17 in Minneapolis, MN  and in Stamford, Connecticut on Sunday, October 11 

from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio  
 workshop: "Sketching and Watercolor: Autumn"
Thursday, September 17 in Minneapolis, MN

My other two workshops are new this year; both are spin-offs of what I love to do. “Felt Like Stitching”  is instant gratification with colored felt and hand stitching. 
(Saturday, September 19 in Minneapolis, MN and in Stamford, Connecticut Saturday, October 10) 

 “Felt Like Stitching” example by Jane LaFazio 
Saturday, September 19 in Minneapolis, MN

Student work! from my Abstract Collage workshop.

And “Abstract Collage Using the Gelli Plate”  is about my favorite monoprinting and then creating a finished piece to hang on the wall. It will be exciting to watch students take what I teach and make it their own. I'm always wowed by the creativity! (Friday, September 18 in Minneapolis, MN and Friday, October 9 in Stamford, Connecticut) 

"Pink Berry" 10x10 inches by Jane LaFazio

“Abstract Collage Using the Gelli Plate” workshop example. 

Friday, September 18 in Minneapolis, MN

Your Totally Original Small Art Quilt We'll be designing and carving our own easy peasy stamps, using them on fabric, and then using the original fabric to make a hand sewn art quilt. (Sunday, September 20 in Minneapolis ) 

detail Your Totally Original Small Art Quilt by Jane LaFazio

I'm a natural extrovert, so chatting and laughing and teaching fuels me. I love meeting new people, especially when we are all such like-minded, artistic souls, who've come together for the pure pleasure of 'making stuff!' I'm so looking forward to Art is You, Minneapolis, Minnesota and in  Art is You in Stamford, Connecticut, October 7-11, 2015. 

Me ~ teaching

Minneapolis: 

• Sketching and Watercolor: Autumn  Thursday, Sept. 17 
• Abstract Collage Using the Gelli Plate” Friday, Sept. 18 
• Felt Like Stitching Saturday, Sept. 19 
• Your Totally Original Small Art Quilt, Sunday, Sept. 20

Connecticut: 

• Astract Collage using the Gelli plate, Oct 9
• Felt Like Stitching: Saturday, October 10
• Sketching and Watercolor: Journal Style Autumn: Sunday, October 11

Back to the garden ~ last week's workshop

Landscape in progress ~ by Jane LaFazio

from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio

I taught a one day workshop, last Saturday, in one of my favorite Southern California locations. It's one of the most beautiful gardens ever! One and a half acres, tended carefully over the past 30 years, by its owner.

welcome to the garden ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

the labyrinth ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

a fabulous outdoor classroom ~ photo by Jane LaFazio

from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio

photo by Jane LaFazio

photo by Jane LaFazio

photo by Jane LaFazio

from my sketchbook~  by Jane LaFazio

photo by Jane LaFazio

Can't make it to California for a day? Sign up for my online Sketching and Watercolor: Journal Style workshop. It starts July 3.