Altered Photos Revisited class this Saturday

January

Sat 3rd Zinnia So Pasadena Altered Photos Revisited with Kelly Kilmer

In this class, you will learn a variety of mixed media explorations, tips, tricks and techniques using photographs and collage images via a variety of methods. Learn how to paint, stamp, collage, and use a plethora of mixed media supplies on photographs. We will also incorporate our photos into a special cool art project creating a small book to house your photos! This is unlike any altered photo class you’ve ever taken (and I encourage taking a variety of them as they all are very different depending on the instructor). Want to use your own photos in your journal or your artwork? Want to spice them up with flavor and flair? Bring to class real lab quality photos (please read the supply list for more info) that you want to “art up” . I will have a selection of my own photos for you to use as well. Please bring some color copies of favorite photos (it’s fun to bring multiple copies of “one” image for a certain activity in class). Learn techniques to alter photographs and even color copies of favorite images. Learn techniques such as “photo painting”, repeating of images on a page to make a stateme

Supply List-Students need to bring to class: about 20 *lab quality printed* photographs you want to alter (Note: The photos will NOT work if they are printed from your computer...We need to use “real photos” and nothing printed from anything but a real photo lab will work. You can have one of the major chain stores or a Mom & Pop camera shop develop your photos. They have to have the "emulsion" in the photos to work. Please note that Kelly will also supply photos for you to use. Questions? Email Kelly) if you have questions about this email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net, scissors, bone folder, cork backed metal ruler, small selection of paper collage and 3-D ephemera (anything personal you want to use-I will have a ton to choose from), marvy markers (if you have them), roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels, container to hold water in, 3 1" bristle brushes, sand paper (fine grit).

Swatches: Little Paper Books class with Kelly-new date!!!

NEW DATE:

Saturday, Dec 27th from 11 to 3 pm

Swatches: Little Paper Books

I'm absolutely addicted to these little books. I guarantee after this class, you'll be too! After you pick from a hodge podge of "found" papers, you will assemble a variety of little paper books. We will quickly assemble a small pile of "swatches" learning a quick and easy bookbinding stitch as you go. We will then start to work quickly on the pages (but not too quickly) working in multiple books at one time, listening to our muses (no criticism only soft whispers of "go for it..."), we will collage, stamp, paint, doodle, stitch and play on the pages. You will learn how to work fast. You will learn a variety of new mixed media collage techniques. You will walk out with a small pile of books that you can toss in a bag and bring with you anywhere and everywhere.

Supply list- Students should, please, bring to class: Favorite Glue stick, Scissors, bone folder, cork backed metal ruler, 3 1" bristle brushes to paint and glue with, container to hold water, small selection of collage ephemera to use, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels. Questions? Please email Kelly at Egorey99@sbcglobal.net

I Saw Santa on Sunday!!!

...and it made me giggle and feel silly that I was so excited. We have had quiet a few famous actors come into Zinnia, some of them really well known. And no offense to those actors, but, Santa topped them all for me. I found tears welling in my eyes as he left.... and I don't care what any one says.... it was Santa and I think it was a sign that I have been good!
Santa was down the street sitting for pictures at Bellini's and he was out taking a walk. He had on the most beautiful red velvet suit with fancy ornate gold trim. His real white beard was trimmed close and neat, he had an electrifying smile and a belly that just made him look jolly. He picked up the little kits I had made on the counter "Christmas Spirit in a Box" - he asked me if I could get together about 10,000. of them, I smile and asked if I could borrow some elves, he smiled back, sure ,he said... so who knows we may have a few hundred elves show up any day to help out.

I wanted to share this with someone.... it was just so darn exciting!!!! I never knew I could have reacted like that.

It is going to be a Great Holiday for me, I am a truly blessed person and am grateful for all the wonderful things. I also have made the handmade pledge,
EVERYTHING !!! I give for Christmas with be hand-made by me. I used to always do this but the last few years I have been extra busy and have not made the time.... I challenge all of you to take that pledge.
go to BuyHandmade.org to take the pledge
It is going to be a wonderful holiday season, I have not felt this much in the holiday spirit in years.

So Happy Holidays everybody, Joy to the World and Peace on Earth

My collection

This is my collection, though odd it brings me fond memories. I like collecting things that other people usually don't collect and these odd little guys always make me smile when I see their funny faces.

Samuel Johnson said, "The pride or the pleasure of making collections, if it be restrained by prudence or morality, produces a pleasing remission after more laborious studies; furnishes an amusement not wholly unprofitable for that part of life, the greater part of many lives, which would otherwise be lost in idleness or vice; it produces an useful traffick between the industry of indigence and the curiosity of wealth; it brings many things to notice that would be neglected; and, by fixing the thoughts upon intellectual pleasures, resists the natural encroachments of sensuality, and maintains the mind in her lawful superiority."

Paul and I were playing this weekend, and made something that looks like this... keep your eyes open for a new class soon!!
I also have another addition to Paul's collection ideas....I found these in a box and decided to clean them up and put them out to enjoy-

BIG HALLOWEEN SALE!   25% off

Carved pumpkins, spooky felt bats & cats, changing portraits from Haunted Memories, wax candle pumpkins, masks, collectibles from ESC, flocked silhouettes, gargoyle candle holders....and so much more!

Well, it's that time of year to ring out the old, and ring in the new. This coming friday is Halloween, and we are having our annual Halloween Sale, between now and then. Everything Halloween is on sale for 25% off, (except artist handmade pieces). Thursday and Friday, (30th & 31st) everything will be 50% off....but don't wait too long,  GREAT Halloween  items are already flying out the door!

VERY SOON, we will have Christmas all set up and ready to go. We  have just finished our "Woodland Holiday" display, which will be our next blog entry. Keep your eyes out.

Day of the Dead Altar class

    Hey! I had a great class this last Monday,And I was fortunate enough to have some very creative and imaginative students.Here are some photos of their final products ,enjoy. Thanks again to my monday group and I look forward to teaching this class again on the Oct 23rd and Oct 29th .

     

My collection!!

Hey there!! I just had to show off one of my collections...I got to add to it last weekend, and always keep my eye out for that odd hand mirror that someone is done with. I also have a bit of thing for clocks, but I have not put them all together yet. I just have at least one sometimes more in every room.

SHOW YOUR COLLECTION!.......

It seems like all of us artist types collect different stuff. Maybe Barbie heads, cardboard game pieces, wooden bingo numbers. Here's an idea....throw it all in a glass container, and show it off. Here are some picture I took, where I put "some" of our collections together. Makes a great statement.

Giant marbles, Dice, Vintage game pieces, a bowl made from bottle caps, old children's wooden blocks, plastic animals, and another container of marbles. 

Food for thought!

What a wonderful weekend with
Keith Lo Bue!
Keith's classes were absolutely amazing! Each class was full of new ideas and techniques. Paul and I took the "Tools of the Trade" class on Friday... and for those of you who are always using your dremel tool to make holes in wood and plastic.... did you know your dremel is not a drill!!! who knew? And grinding through glass is so much easier than I ever thought it would be... wow, it was such a excellent class.

The most full class was Saturdays, "Toner Etching".... lets just say this, Paul told me (he and Joe took the class) he kept looking at the pieces he made and says to himself "wow, I made that" .... I must say what a awesome process etching is.

Sunday's class "Paper over It" was the first time Keith had ever taught this class. It was unusual types of transfer techniques then taken to the next level and different ways of using resin with some special tricks-of-the-trade.

This is Joe's piece from the "Paper Over It" class.
Keith is full of extraordinary information that he has learned from real, as he calls it, "caveman" experience. I appreciated that the instruction and the volume of information that is given to you is in layman's term, sometimes giving you the Aaaa Haaa moment - like "wow, that is so so Gosh Darn COOL!"

So, for those of you who ever get a chance to take a class with Keith Lo Bue..... don't miss it. Not only is he a amazing teacher he is charming and funny too.

Exciting news everyone !!!!!!! Zinnia is hosting three workshops with well known artist and jewelry designer  Keith Lo Bue. For more information on Keith, please visit his official website.

http://www.lobue-art.com/home.html

Classes at Zinnia are filling up fast, so don't wait until the last minute! Please visit the Zinnia website, or call us at 626-441-2181, for more information on this once in a life time event. 

See you in the class!

Joe

The Bee-Cause was an amazing event!
For those of you who missed it, it was a great party!
We sold about half of the number of pieces that were donated which I thought was a huge success. The remaining pieces will be available till mid October for anyone who may want to help the Bee Cause.
We have barely had time to clean up the store from the party and now we are getting ready for Keith Lobue classes.
Keith's classes are filling up quickly so if anyone is hesitating please don't wait much longer. If you are interested in finding out what the classes are please check out Keith's website or Zinnia's, or you can call the store and we will be glad to answer all your questions.
I look forward to hearing from you, Tamara

PS: thanks Gloria & Paul for the great pictures!

Pictures from the Bee-Cause

Pictures from the Bee-Cause

The Bee-cause Show

This is an open invite!
Dear Friends, Family and Fellow Artist,

I am excited to share with you the news that I am expanding Zinnia. I have added a small gallery called the Funky Junque Gallery. To celebrate the opening we are having a benefit for the Honey Bee.

1040 Mission St, #103 South Pasadena, CA 91030 626.441.2181
Saturday, September 13th 7pm - 9pm


Did you know?
The honey bees are disappearing!

That in the year 2035 the world's population of honeybees will cease to exist if they continue to decline at the present rate. 25% of the honeybee population vanished in 2007. Scientist are calling the problem Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). No one cause has been identified, though viruses, malnutrition and pesticides are all suspects. A portion of the proceeds from all BEE art will be donated to The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign and The Pollinator Partnership.

We will be having light refreshments and entertainment.

We will also be viewing a documentary,
The Silence of the Bees

If anyone is interested in viewing the Bee-Cause pieces on line you can check out these following sites:

Art Slant @
http://www.artslant.com/la/events/show/24986-the-bee-cause-a-group-show-dedicated-to-the-honey-bee

LA.com
http://events.la.com/south-pasadena-ca/events/show/84493632-the-bee-cause-a-group-show-dedicated-to-the-honey-bee

Experience LA
http://www.experiencela.com/Calendar/eventmore.asp?key=19370

If any one has any questions please call the store 626-441-2181
Please join us and all the wonderful artist who have donated amazing pieces for this benefit.

I look forward to seeing you there,
Tamara

The Bee- Cause

Oh we hung the "bee-cause" show yesterday.... it is awesome!!! I am in awe at what artist donated to this cause. The opening is September 13th 7-9, but if you get a chance come by before to see what is up. It is a cash and carry show, so after the 13th, you may not get to see all the wonderful work!! Check out some of the pieces here - Artslant.

ojai

OJAI CLASSES "TREASURES".....

Here are just a few of the items that were made by students from the Ojai classes. A couple Mini Tin Assemblages, and a few Vintage Tin Dolls. What's so amazing is that every piece come alive from the artists own imagination. Thank you again to Barbara for the great space, and to my students, Donna, Oli, Gigi and Particia. You all did amazing jobs!

MAGICAL OJAI.....

Not too far away from the land known as Los Angeles is the magical city of Ojai. I was lucky enough to travel there this past weekend, because I had been invited to teach at a wonderful and creative place called ARTFUL LIVING (delights for the craft obsessed). Below you will find some delicious picture of the victorian house that is home to the knitting store, paper and craft store and supplies, and two work/class spaces. Everything your eye lands on is a treat, and Barbara Beck is the owner, and was a perfectly delightful host. Because I was the "guest teacher", Joe and I stayed upstairs in the house, and I got to teach one class on Saturday, and one on Sunday. 

Both classes turned out great and I can't wait to book more classes up there. Needless to say, after the class we were treated to a wonderful tradition at Artful Living, Barbara's husband Marvin, makes a killer-diller Margarita, and we partook in "Marv's Marvelous Margaritas". Getting away from L.A. and going to Ojai was a true treat and much needed! 

Creative Space:

Artful Living is a space where you can shop, take a class, gather with friends (or strangers!), hang out, and SOON....rent the house for a "let's create" weekend or an "artful slumber party". The space has two big upstairs rooms and a large bath. The downstairs has a living room (full of creative books), a beautiful kitchen and a "art space" large enough for at least 10...maybe more!

Next Post: I will post pictures from the classes, and the wonderful artwork that was created.

*click on the pictures to see in super-size!

ARTFUL LIVING from the street.

The side and customers parking.

Entrance  into the store knitting store and ARTFUL LIVING.

The front porch...great to people watch with a cup of coffee and pastry!

Just one shot of the classroom/work space in the house. Wonderful light, and air conditioning!

To contact :  ARTFUL LIVING

                     310 E. Matilija Street

                     Ojai, CA 93023

                     805-640-0800

                     artfulliving@ojai.net