molinillo

Yet another quiltlet. This one is stamped with a hand carved stamp and the shapes are from my 'new series' based on the Molinillo. I have a collection of them from my trip to Oaxaca.

Mundo Lindo

Here's a pic of the last Mundo Lindo class (the thursday kids). We made kites and flew them in the park. It was lovely. I hugged each child at the end of class, and told them a few things that made him or her a great kid.

The VERY good new is that a large non-profit in Escondido wants to hire me to continue Mundo Lindo, and we met yesterday. I'll keep you posted, but hopefully it will start up again in the fall, this time just once a week, but still free to the kids. I feel good about this--very good. Thanks for your support too!
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workshop in August

Intro to Wet Felting Workshop
Aug 25 (1/2 day) Tuesday 9 AM – 12 noon taught by me, Jane LaFazio
Park Blvd Studio, San Diego $50/60
Materials fee: $30 includes everything.
Using colorful wool fibers, a modernized ancient technique, some creative designing and a lot of elbow grease, you will create a beautiful and feels-so-soft felt square in few hours. It may not be large enough to build a yurt; but it will make a lovely wall hanging or become part of another fiber piece. During the felting process there will be lots of time to visit and laugh with other participants and you won’t need to go to the gym to work out that day! All materials are provided for you including a selection of wool rovings and the equipment needed to create your own original 18x18” piece of hand-made felt. Wear clothes and shoes that may get wet.
Register: (858) 454-5872 or mail or in-person at Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037 http://ljathenaeum.org/school.html

matilija poppy

Another quiltlet. 4x4 inches.

Butterfly Aloe Kimono

I started this in the "Mixed Media with Paper & Cloth" class I teach. I'm pleased how it turned out, and I have another Kimono in the works. Here's some of my previous Asian inspired work.

calendar couple!

Oh look, the San Diego Padres made Husb and I their calendar couple! ha ha. Actually, we went to the game thursday night (had a great time) and the photographer snapped this pic and put it here, so we could order $$$$ worth.

oaxaca inspiration with color

I'm participating in my friend, Melanie Testa's "Inspired to Quilt, video prompt challenges." These journal pages are the first step in creating some stamps.
Husb and I and a group of good friends traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico in 2004. It was a fabulous, fascinating trip! One of our best. I kept a journal with writings, sketches and photos, and for this assignment, I went back through the journal and selected patterns that intriqued me.

Mundo Lindo

As you know, the after-school art program I created is coming to an end after 2 amazing years. Grab a cup of coffee, or depending on the hour, a glass of wine, and if you like kids and kid's creativity, watch this photoset in a slide show. It really tells the whole story of Mundo Lindo ~ beautiful world.

ramona art guild may 09 demo

I demoed last night at the Ramona Art Guild. They are a lovely group, very friendly and fun. (Don't look at this picture of me. It was warm, so my bangs are curled up, goofy facial expression, and I'm wearing my husband's watch, because mine is being repaired.) Do look at my recently completed artwork. It's called 'Butterfly Aloe Kimono.' It's was created, in what I'm calling mosaic collage. I've worked with the kimono shape for a long time, and have recently returned to it. More to come!

postcards

the text on the back of each card reads:

Jane LaFazio
www.PlainJaneStudio.com and www.JaneVille.blogspot.com

Bella Italia: Orvieto Sketchbook May 23 – 29, 2010
Travel to Ovieto, Italy as a “journey of discovery.” You will experience Italy authentically and thoroughly. Learn about Italian food, wine and culture and enjoy learning to sketch and watercolor the things you see. You’ll will savor, experience, and delight in all Italy’s richness.

May 23 Arrive Orvieto, welcome dinner; May 24 Orientation, guide to your week, living in the moment.Learn to sketch what you see. Spend the morning drawing and painting some of the details of our B&B, its plants and architectural details. Colors of Orvieto walking tour, Italian culture, wine tasting; May 25 Sketching and painting in the town of Orvieto. Cooking class, learning the art of making pasta, dinner & wine; May 26 Sketching and painting on location at the Etruscan Necropolis and the Cathedral San Brizio Chapel. Shop for local treats and picnic, afternoon free, evening Etruscan cave tour; May 27 Market Day. Visit the food & flower market, sketching and painting the sights, and shopping for picnic. Sketch and paint our picnic goods. Picnic! Create portfolio to hold your Orvieto pages and mementos. Vineyard tour and wine tasting off the rock; May 28 Complete and embellish portfolio and sketchbook pages, show and share; May 29 depart.

www.AdventuresInItaly.net/s10lafazio.html or email info@AdventuresInItaly.net
$2475 Six nights double occupancy (airfare not included)

Art vs Craft

We saw Judy Chicago speak last night at San Diego Museum of Art. Her seminal work "The Dinner Party" made a great impression on me, and I have great admiration for Judy's drive, talent and collaborative projects. Last night, when asked the difference between art and craft, she said "craft is used for it's own sake" and "art is used in the service of meaning." Judy's work is foremost about meaning and message. She selects the materials after, or based on the meaning she wants to communicate. When I think of my artwork, I can name only one or two pieces that began as 'meaning' first. Usually I start with the materials, and sometimes, find meaning from them, sometimes not.
Thought provoking.

farmers market find

Not my best work, but I'll post it anyway.

don and jane may 2009

Husb and I took a drawing/color pencil workshop from the lovely and talented Irina Gronborg at California Center for Creative Renewal

I teach my 'Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style' workshop there. My next workshop is September 26 at CCCR.

don walks the Labryinth

Add this to the list of why I love my husb. He walked the Labryinth.

Nasturtium

My color pencil drawing from the workshop with Irina.

poppies

Matilija poppies in pencil with a touch of color pencil. From the workshop I took on Saturday.

cake step 1

Wendee posted a link to this cake recipe on facebook and I just had to try it. I couldn't find gel food coloring, so I just used regular.

cake step 2

put the batter in the pan, per the directions.

cake!

It turned out pretty good! though looking again at the recipe, I see I was spose to put all the colors in each layer. Oh well--Next time! I made this for a dinner party last night. Happy belated birthday Jeannie and Susie!

button box bag

I think this is adorable!! It's from my own fabric design (via Spoonflower) and Ileen sewed it for me! it's a tote/grocery bag about 15" long or so.