Quail Gardens hibiscus

So, yesterday, 9/29, was my birthday. I have a hard time with my birthday-it doesn't matter the year. Although, next year may be a tough one. You know, one of those milestone birthdays...cough, choke...60. For now and through next year, I am 59. Anyway, husb and I went to Quail Gardens to do a little sketching and watercolor, then out to lunch and errands. I had chocolate ice cream for dinner.

FYI: This journal page has a collage piece on it, then I drew and watercolored over it.

Aloe from Saturday's workshop

hey! I updated my website. Added this and updated this.

New mixed media class starts Monday! Join us!

Mixed Media with Paper & Cloth
Oct. 5 – Nov. 16 (7 weeks) in San Diego
Mondays, 9 AM – 12 noonSan Diego/ Park Blvd Studio
$180 members/205. non-members plus $25 mat. fee

I will introduce you to new materials and techniques to create art from paper, cloth or a combination of the two. We’ll created layered, textured artworks using collage materials, paint, drawings, and thread. Come prepared to learn, explore and have fun with a new project each week. Class will be inspirational, positive, and fun, with lots of sharing, laughing, and learning from the others in the class. All levels of experience are welcome, and previous students expect new lessons!

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/schoolsched1.html

Materials: For the first day bring: liquid matte (or gloss) acrylic medium, a foam brush, scissors, and collage papers (like rice paper, magazines, sheer tissues, painted papers, maps, and book pages), pencils and sketchbook or journal. A materials list for the rest of the class will be discussed in the first class. A $25 materials fee will be collected in class.

Workshop Location

This is the gorgeous California Center for Creative Renewal in Encinitas, CA. (It's a private garden.) I taught my workshop "Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style" here yesterday, and will teach it again, same fabulous location, on Saturday, December 5. Even if you've taken from me before, in a group or private lesson, this location is stupendous for succulents and flowers and trees......
Here's the description: Be inspired to record your life, your trip, or your daily adventures in an illustrated journal as you spend a meditative day drawing and sketching in the healing gardens. Jane will guide you through basic drawing, inking and watercolor painting. You’ll choose simple objects, vignettes or vistas to draw and paint, and then journal your thoughts right onto the drawings. At the end of the day you will create a small portfolio to hold your artwork. The class is geared for beginners, but all levels are welcome. Fifteen dollar materials fee includes everything you’ll need: watercolor paper, ink pen, pencil and watercolor set with special Niji Waterbrush. $95/$15 materials fee. $85 if you register 2 weeks prior
You can register here.

yestday's workshop

The garden, yesterday's workshop, has many great spots to sit and draw and paint.

Saturday Workshop

here's Ellen. She lives in this garden (okay, in the house in front) and created and maintains the garden and California Center for Creative Renewal.

Workshop Location

Just one more photo from yesterday's workshop location. So lovely, so serene. And thanks lovely students for making it a wonderful day! (I'll post my sketches tomorrow)

Quilting Arts Oct/Nov 09 issue

Just call it the LaFazio issue! This pic is on page 4, my Zen Eucalyptus quilt is on page 58 (it will also be on display at the Houston Quilt Festival next month) and my article on Quiltlets starts page 72.

Ross Castle, Kilarney, Ireland

Here's the last installment on our trip to Ireland. This is Ross Castle in Kilarney National Park.

Ross Castle, Kilarney, Ireland

We stayed in Kilarney, and I would definitely go back there and stay for a few days or a week. It's near the beautiful Kilarney National Park, with trails, formal gardens and castles too! This is Ross Castle in the distance.

Ross Castle, Kilarney, Ireland

Near Ross Castle.

Kilarney National Park, Ireland

We took a jaunting car ride (a horse drawn carriage) to Ross Castle one day and the next took a lovely hike through a small park of beautiful Kilarney National Park.

Kilarney National Park, Ireland

Another view in Kilarney National Park.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

The Cliffs of Moher, along the west coast of Ireland.

Durty Nelly's, Ireland

The last night in Ireland, we took a taxi to Durty Nelly's (established in 1620!). I told the driver that I'd been a flight attendant 32 years ago, and often come to Durty Nelly's. I was told at the time, the local boys came to meet flight attendants who frequented the bar. (I had great memories of those times...huge sing-alongs in the pub and meeting fun Irish chaps.) Anyway, the taxi driver looks in the rear view mirror at me and says, his his charming brogue "Ah, your a fine lookin' woman now, you must a been a cracker thirty two years ago!"

Back at Durty Nelly's, after 32 years

Thirty two years later, same pub, same beer, same woman. Durty Nelly's is a wonderful place. Full of ambience and music (especially later in the evening.)

Bunratty Castle Medievil Banquet, Ireland

Bunratty Castle, built in 1425, was another spot I went to when I was a flight attendant, so Don and I had to go. It was quite fun, with good food and very good entertainment. Somehow, I feel right at home in a castle!

another winery class

Interrupting this Ireland travelogue, to say that I taught another one-on-one "Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style" class at the Bernardo Winery yesterday. Two lovely students, Kate & Ruth.

winery lantern

At the winery, we all drew this old rusty lantern. The glass was actually broken, and in it an old bird's nest! But, I used my artist prerogative to leave that part out.

Downtown Cork, Ireland

Husb and I took an early morning walk around Cork.