Seeing with new eyes. It has been a long time since I called Montreal home. I left in December of 1983 to start a new adventure in New York. I never wanted to leave. I loved Montreal. But due to political pressures, and a refusal to transfer to Toronto with the agency I worked for, I …
Seeing it once was magic, twice was pure bliss… During my recent trip to Montreal, I was lucky enough to see “Chagall: Colour and Music” at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. It wasn’t my first time getting to see this fantastic artist’s work on display, that would be four years ago with a friend at …
I saw this headline in an email this week. It stopped me in my tracks. “Creativity Heals. Creativity is a most precious gift.” Yes, indeed. Let’s face it, we might have amazing lives, and be happy most of the time or at least satisfied or content. But there is always a little icky stuff, no …
While at Art Camp last summer, I became friends with Marsha. Everyone LOVES Marsha, so it was easy to fall in love with her and her zest for life. She has been going to Camp De Benneville for many, many years, and is so well acquainted with the forest that she lead nature walks in …
A lot can happen in a year… It’s amazing to think that this time last year one of my biggest desires was to start teaching more classes and workshops… and now I’m the co-founder of Art Lounge with my friend Cindy Blumkin. Located just down the street from me in Encinitas, Art Lounge has provided …
Recently I got to take a few art pieces out of storage, some of which I hadn’t seen in awhile. Seeing it now, old work sitting next to newer pieces, I was struck with a few thoughts… 1. My color palette is consistent, no matter what I do. I love color and use it freely. 2. Patterns, overlapping patterns …
I love to take classes… I am curious and love learning, but the greatest joy is actually sitting in a room filled with art supplies and a bunch of creative people. Michael calls them my “peeps.” And I do have to say that whether or not I am compatible with these folks outside the studio matters …
Wow… can you believe it’s almost 2017? It feels like just yesterday I was planning my trip to Morocco… and that was already over 7 months ago! This year has been one of great changes—personally, professionally and artistically. The year started off on one of the highest notes possible—an once-in-a-lifetime 6-week artist residency in Morocco. …
Holiday gifting is a lot of fun, but it can sometimes be difficult to come up with unique and creative gifts for everyone one your list. Thankfully, Art Lounge is hosting our first ever series of Gypsy Caravans. Throughout the day, there will be three classes where you can create beautiful handmade creations for friends …
Instant gratification… Who doesn’t love a little from time to time? I know I do, but things take time. Especially making art. I am often shocked by how long it takes to make things! Then I remember that it’s in the making, the processing, the imagining that the pleasure occurs. Once I remember, I remind …
Looking for unique, one-of-a-kind holiday presents for friends, family or yourself? Join me at the Art Lounge Holiday Bazaar, Sunday, December 11, 2016 from 12-6pm. This special event will showcase artwork and other handcrafted creations from Art Lounge instructors. This event is fun for the whole family or perfect for a girl’s day, as there …
This past weekend, I had the good fortune of meeting and learning from Helen Hiebert in a 2-day workshop aptly titled, “Illuminating Workshop!” The workshop was filled with all my favorite artist friends from San Diego Book Arts. We learned how to make a flexible paper material lined with copper wire, which was then transformed …
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. —William Shakespeare, As You Like It (Act II, Scene VI) Let me take a moment to wax poetic… Spending 6 weeks in …
Encinitas, California is a magical place. It’s filled with wonderful places that help heal and restore. One such place is The Center for Creative Renewal. This oasis was started by art therapist Ellen Speert, and has been offering artists a quiet place to rejuvenate since 1981. Their mission is to “provide an environment of creativity, stimulation and professionalism, …
I wanted to post this message I recently received from a dear friend of mine in response to the news that I was selected for the Convergence Residency in Morocco. Dan O’Neill is an old friend; we’ve known each other since we were kids in Canada and have been close friends since 1990. He teaches printmaking …
Many years ago I learned about Soul Collage and eventually took the training to become a facilitator. I love the process, but I don’t have a calling to teach it. Taking a class however, is loads of fun. A wonderful art therapist, Ellen Speert lives nearby. She created The Center for Creative Renewal. She teaches a process …
Everything is bigger in Texas… the music, the food… the bookstores. Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some amazing places, but nowhere is quite like Austin, Texas. Its inability to be contained in a little box, with easy descriptors is emblematic of not only its location in the state, but the …
… busy at work in my studio. I am not sure why I love layering, overlapping patterns, fluorescent pink & orange, the look of decay, aged torn paper or anything with a patina. I am not sure why I am drawn to anything that looks old, faded or crumbling… My best friend Tim and I always laugh …
The San Diego Book Arts (SDBA) recently welcomed back Seth Apter for two two-day workshops in San Diego. I attended the first workshop, “Cover to Cover,” which was held September 16 & 17, 2015. This workshop was about using mixed-media techniques to create a one-of-a-kind, unconventional artist’s book. Using vintage book covers as the base, and making a series of double-sided “pages” filled edge …
Honestly, it doesn’t matter if you have a great recipe, or know how to sing well… if you have something to share with someone, or the world… share it!!! I spent several days sharing my love of Gelli printing with many folks who had neither heard of the process or seen the results. Let’s just …
There are thousands of ways to assemble handmade books. I recently spent the day with more than a dozen artists learning a few new structures. Three in fact. We were so busy that the day quickly passed us by. We hardly had time to finish one book, let alone start two others! I can’t wait to …
Grace… Deepak says that the state of Grace comes from being in Gratitude, and meditation is a great way to reach (and stay in) this mindset. The folks at The Chopra Center offer FREE 21-day meditation challenges several times throughout the year, and luckily there’s one going on right now! (This is just one more …
It’s the little things that make one’s life interesting and worth living! Depending on the day, joy comes from different events. Snuggling with my dogs, listening to the rain, walking on a beautiful trail, Gelli printing with friends… or laying in bed watching a movie! Sometimes it’s the little things that others do. A sign …
We rolled down the car windows, inhaling the crisp scent of the woods and pines… Last weekend, my friends Greg and Jean, and I headed up to Camp de Benneville Pines to scope out the location and classrooms where we’ll be teaching for Art Groove, an art camp for adults. We also wanted to connect …
Have you ever been to Idyllwild? Many folks I talk to in San Diego have not, despite the fact that this breathtaking town is only a short drive away. It’s one of my favorite spots in SoCal; I’ve been coming on and off for years now. If you follow me on social media, you may …
Sun, surf, sand and lots of tacos… who wouldn’t want to call San Diego home? For over 20 years, I’ve been fortunate to live in a place where it’s not totally unreasonable to wear shorts and sandals in December (don’t hate me). After growing up in Quebec, Canada and starting my career in New York …
Some days you just have to sit down and get it done! A few weeks ago, I spent a good part of Saturday with my new BFF Deanna SCANNING! Yes, scanning. She has this great, super fast scanner. So we decided to put it to the test and scan 568 of my Gelli prints. The …
It is late spring. The birds are busy with babies, the plants are blooming… and the studio is buzzing with renewed energy and big plans. We are developing new products, getting new cards printed, creating a line of several different types of goodies. We have deadlines with shows coming up. We recently changed our work schedules …
I’ve moved around and traveled a bunch, so I have friends, family and connections in many places. I miss these folks! These relationships are filled with memories, rich histories and lots of laughs… I love the variety of gifts each relationship offers. Since everyone is scattered, staying in touch is important (and sometimes difficult). The …
I’m ecstatic to share with you a project I’ve been working on for the last few months. They’re 5X7 wood panels that feature some of my more popular artwork, along with some new motifs. Currently there are 12 designs available, with additional panels exclusive to the Chopra Center, and I’m hoping to add more in the …
A new car equals a new adventure… So this past Sunday, my partner Michael and I set off to check out his new ride. With our busy schedules we couldn’t go very far, so we headed down the coast to Ocean Beach. “OB” is San Diego’s equivalent to Venice Beach in Los Angeles. Time seems to …
Is it August yet? I’m like a kid anticipating the final bell on the last day of classes; I can’t wait for it to be summer! It’s not because of the longer days and warmer weather (although those do sound nice), but because I’m going to Art Camp at Camp de Benneville Pines for a …
Many activities go into feeding the creative idea pool. One of my favorite ways of doing this is taking little field trips to recharge the juices, introduce new ideas, discover hidden parts of the city and take the time to absorb the odd things one can come across during these outings. Couple this idea with …
Earlier this month, I had the great fortune of seeing Marianne Williamson speak in person at a Chopra Center event in Carlsbad. She is one of my most loved teachers. I often find myself turning to her books for comfort through crisis or to ease my everyday worries. But seeing and experiencing her in person …
When I started scheduling Gelli print classes to teach last summer, the classes seemed to fill without even announcing them. My first class practically filled as soon as I mentioned it to one of the San Diego Book Arts members at our first community potluck. Word spread quickly. For the first class, long time SDBA …
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust The other day, we received this thank you note in the mail from a customer. This sweet note made us truly grateful to have customer’s who love the work we create. Thank you …
Click here and listen… while you read this post. The rain always signifies a fresh start to me, a clean slate. The sounds of the rain falling, gushing out the drains, splashing as cars drive by and the constant, steady drone of sleep inducing sound. The color; vibrant, intense, altered pigment of plants in the …
