Celebrating Creative Curiosity

This past weekend, I had the honor of making a birthday wish come true for a fellow CMMAG member and lovely friend.  She approached me last year, after receiving one of my postcards at a workshop, about putting something special together for her birthday.  After learning more about her interests *beyond making books* we decided on “An Introduction to Metal Working.”  The idea being a finished piece that encompassed all of the learning of the day – a “charm bracelet of techniques” if you will.  As it often does, Life intervened, and we ended up not celebrating last years birthday until this year – and to my mind, that only made it all the sweeter!

We gathered, a group of 8 women, in her beautiful studio space and whiled away the day learning, laughing, sharing, and making together.  It was a very full day, and as we parted company at the end of it we were the best kind of weary.  More than one of the days guests has contacted me since to share their plans for the “next thing/idea/project” that they want to accomplish with this new-found knowledge.  This *THIS* is what makes my heart soar – this is why I love what I do, and revel in every single opportunity I get to do it! 

…it is for this very reason that there are so few photos of our time together.  I would count this my singular regret from the day.  I was SO in my groove that I neglected to get around the table with the camera in hand more often.  I can faithfully report that there were indeed smiling faces above these busy hands!  Throughout the course of the day, we forged, formed, cut, shaped, smoothed, stamped, textured, trimmed, wrapped, and embellished our way to a wearable illustration of things they had learned.  The hostess and I were tickled with how everything came together, her guests raved, and I loaded up and headed home in the afterglow of a day well-spent among the creatively curious. 

Onward and upward!

 

Words of Wisdom for Today:

Creativity embeds knowledge so that
it can become practice.
We move what we're learning
from our heads to our hearts
through our hands.
                          ~Brene Brown

Zoom, Zig-Zag, ZIP!

Ahhh, fickle February with your actual and virtual highs and lows:  new work, new opportunities, slight set backs, and a return to a familiar place.  ...and just like that *snap* February is taking her leave...  SO much news, time just flies right by.  Let us onward, shall we?  Lots o' loveliness in store, and I don't want you to miss a single bit.

New and lovely things are happening in the work realm.  Here are a trio of examples:

Melodies of the Sea

This series (and another:  From the Night Sky) was inspired by the exercise of finding a visual line connecting the random patterns afforded by this marbling process.  It happened quite organically during the #50for50 project, last spring.  It was then replicated purposely for the creation of some special gifts this past Christmas.  Working with a set color palette, and within an established theme is the latest twist.  I have to admit:  I am loving it!  The decision to incorporate different sizes of the mini canvases has opened whole new pathways in my mind.  More happening here -- be on the lookout.  This whole adventure came about as a result of discovering this medium and the company behind it at Art of the Carolinas in 2016.  While I have encountered many loves at that show over the past 10 years, this one has had an abiding effect like no other.  Which leads us to our next nugget o' news...

It's "official" and I am delighted to share with y'all:  I am now an Artist Educator for Marabu.  This means various and sundry things, not the least of which that I get to be an ambassador for a line of products that I genuinely enjoy working with.  While at present I seem to be consumed with ways to use their Easy Marble, I am actually getting my hands dirty with other items (!)  I look forward to sharing some of my experiments with you, here.  I also look forward to incorporating these new goodies in my workshops. 

Big News this week in the land of Your Creative Connection:  We are officially a TRIO!  Michelle and I had the opportunity to spend part of last weekend creating and planning with our fabulous Guest Artist, Jeanne Faith d'Orleans.  We are SO excited for all that this brings to our efforts to provide a unique, innovative experience in October.  We have some delicious magic hidden up our sleeves, and I am SUPER excited about being able to share that with you, soon!  *ironically, if you were a subscriber to our Newsletter you would already know what I am talking about!?  ...they get all the juicy stuff up to a week before anyone else*

...oh, the giggles that went into getting this photo!

I suppose, in the face of all of this metaphorical sunshine, I should have been ready for a spot of rain -- yet I was not...  With the virtuous plan of heading across town to meet a friend for a good walk on the Cape Fear River Trail, I hopped in the Cute Ute last weekend -- and after a confusing sound and the refusal of said vehicle to run, I hopped back out.  Following a rather entertaining exchange with the delightful Stephen of Mitchell's Towing (courtesy of my AAA membership), I watched my wheels roll away on the back of a large tow truck.  It's amazing how badly you want to go somewhere *anywhere* when you know that you can't (!)  After much less delightful exchanges with various and sundry parties, I was able *with a little help from my friends* to secure a back-up vehicle that in addition to getting me where I am obliged to be in the interim, will also be quite handy and helpful once this crisis has passed. 

"You say good-bye, and I say hello -- hello, hello!"

Finally (and one of the many reasons I could not be without transport for a couple of weeks), I wrapped up the month with a return to the Demo Table at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh!  I spent a happy afternoon on the final Saturday in February demonstrating Nature Printing with the GELLI Plate.  Had some lovely conversations with folks who lingered a while, and *add drumroll, here* it looks like I will return to teaching at Jerry's in the summer!  This is a "homecoming" of sorts, for me; I am thrilled to be returning and will have all of the details for you, soon!

Whew!  ...and, without a moment to waste, March is knocking at the door!  A few more firsts, and some comfortable regularity -- readying for more new-ness on the horizon, and seeking out additions to the creative roster.  I'll see you back here shortly, with more to share and look forward to.

Onward and upward!

Words of wisdom for today:

No winter lasts forever;
no spring skips its turn.
                           ~ Hal Borland

New – Now – Neat-o

     Greetings folk of the online realm!  Am I the only one who has trouble believing that today is the last day of January?  *2018!?!*  I suppose that time flies whether you are having fun or not (?)  Luckily, I have been doing much work and having much fun – in spite of some wildly wacky weather for January, in these parts…

     After much planning, and putting off – hemming and hawing – pondering and dismissal, the time has finally come!  …yep, Yep, YEP!  Gentle readers of Blog-land-ia, I offer you *insert drumroll and/or maniacal laughter, here*:  ART PAPER LOVE (AKA my latest love-child OR a newly minted wonderland of visual merriments -- with more goodness arriving weekly, for the foreseeable future)!  I am immensely grateful to the eagle eyes of MDP and mi madre!  Lucky am I to have such vigilant editors in my corner.

     Over the course of the next few weeks, visitors will be treated to loads of new stuff including, but not limited to:  new Blog posts (to further highlight the joys of web-based wonderments), the addition of an interactive Events calendar, and the arrival of an actual purchasing portal (with work, by me, for sale)  *…hey:  Go BIG, or go home – right?*

     More big news is in store with regard to my latest collaborative creative endeavor:  Your Creative Connection.  If you haven’t yet, please do visit our nook on the ‘net for additional information about this unique, creative experience.  …and if you want to be among the very first to know the all of the latest news and developments, remember to sign up for our Newsletter!

     What else is New, Now, and Neat-O in my neck of the woods?  Well:  *thanks for asking!* I will be back at the Demo Table at Jerry’s Artarama Raleigh in the coming months, I have been invited to teach in a new *to me* venue this Summer/Fall (The Yadkin Valley Fiber Room), and I have scheduled what I hope to be the first of many Private Engagements this year *this one a Birthday Party for a CMMAG chum*  So…  as 2018 continues to un-spool before me, I look forward to having even more neat, new, and nifty creative happenings to share with you *some of which are so close I can taste them*!  What has kept you busy throughout the 1^st parcel of this most amazing New Year?  I’d love to know!  Drop me a line, or leave a comment.

     The worktable is calling, and so I must go!  Thanks for visiting with me here – I hope you enjoy the new website as much as I have enjoyed *at long last* making it happen. 

Onward & upward,

Words of wisdom for today:

Progress means getting

nearer to the place you want to be.

And if you have taken a wrong turning,

then to go forward does not get you any nearer.
If you are on the wrong road,

progress means doing an about-turn

and walking back to the right road;

and in that case the man who turns back soonest

is the most progressive man.
                           ~ C. S. Lewis

Cool News

Hi, neighbor! 

I am ever so happy to have some super neat news to share with you:  I have a new teaching home *w00t!*  Beginning in May, I am presenting a series of Bookmaking Workshops at Sertoma Arts Center in Raleigh. I am both grateful and excited for this latest adventure in my creative Journey.   I hope to see you, there!  

I will be adding a Workshops tab to the blog to make it easier to find all the details.  For now, here is the Summer Schedule.  Registration is available Online, via the mail with the Downloadable Form., or in person at Sertoma. 
[Course #208268]

  

The first offering in the series is a classic -- but don't be fooled by the simple appearance!  This book form is a powerhouse:  loaded with design possibilities, and well-suited to any number of tasks.  We will explore many ways to construct an accordion (or concertina) book--including, but not limited to:  enhanced folding techniques, adding length to paper, covering book boards (with cloth and paper), adding depth and dimension, and closure options. Suitable for all skill levels, our look at this form will have your mind racing with all sorts of ways to create beyond our time together!

Should you have any questions or concerns, please leave a comment here, or email me (parrowood@gmail.com), and I will happily answer them.   

And with that, I will bid you adieu *for now* and happy Friday!

Onward & upward,

p.s. -- even more cool news is coming...  *soon!*

Words of Wisdom for today:

The artist must train not only his eye

but also his soul.

                                - Wassily Kandinsky

Marching On

Spring is springing, and time seems to be racing along!  Greetings, gentle reader – and welcome to April, 2017.  I feel like I am blossoming into this season, as surely as the unfurling azaleas that line the front fence.  I want to share some cool news with y’all, today!  

While attending Life is aVerb Camp in the scenic mountains of NC last fall, I had the chance to catch up with folks I met originally at the first incarnation of this event 4 years ago…  It was also my first experience as an instructor at Camp – which was way big fun, and something I hope to do again in the future.  As often happens when such an amazing group of folks convene, there were many encounters that resulted in conversations that were continued long after the time we spent together. 

One such conversation was with the lovely Terri Belford of Inspired Livelihood.  Terri’s on-line offerings are jam-packed with excellent information, handy resources, and ready answers to any questions that one may have along the way.  She mentioned that she was assembling a new offering about teaching for creatives.  Interest piqued, I told her I would definitely be honored and interested in taking part.  We stayed in touch as things progressed, I am so tickled to invite you to explore Inspired to Teach!  If you have ever considered sharing your passion with others – whatever it may be – this is an amazing tool.  Speakers include artists, writers, yogis, coaches, event organizers, and more.  I am thrilled to be a part of this line up, and would love to hear your thoughts!

To register, please visit:  Inspired Livelihood - Inspired to Teach  (direct link to registration)

Upon completion of your registration, you'll receive a daily e-mail for 30 days with a mix of written, audio, and video content to accommodate different learning styles.  You will have the material forever, so you can work at your own pace.  I must admit:   I like to save up a few days at a time ;-)  I highly recommend subscribing to Terri' blog, too!

About the title:  In my youth, and well into my adulthood, I played coronet in the Salvation Army Band in Raleigh, NC.  Years of immersion in Hymn Tunes – both the playing and singing of – means that a significant portion of my memory banks are filled with this music and the memories associated with it.  Throughout the month of March *…and where the h3ll did it go in such a hurry, eh?* I caught myself thinking of, humming, and/or tapping a toe to a particular tune.  Thanks to the wonders of the interwebs, I am able to share it with you! *happy am I that the visit of the Reading Songsters to Chatham was recorded*

Time marches on, as do we all!

Onward & Upward,

Azaleas:  front yard in HoCo - Samsung Galaxy S4 

Sheet Music:  from Hymnary.org

Video:  YouTube