Artists in the desert commonly use found materials in their work. Whether it’s weathered wood, rusting metal, glass shards, broken tools, bent nails, or gnarly roots — it’s all fair game — and these objects are scattered throughout the sun scorched land waiting to be found. The aesthetic of used and discarded items in the …
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 …
By the time you’re done reading this, you’re not going to believe me… Prior to leaving New York City in 1990, I was in a French Canadian documentary entitled “New York Doré.” It was an honor, to say the least, to be selected to participate in this phenomenal project. The director, Suzanne Guy, had befriended me, and …
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. …
I can’t believe it—it’s been four months since I returned from Morocco! Maybe it’s because recently discussed Morocco with a new friend over dinner (who is on her way there this fall), or maybe it’s the art I’ve been creating (I’m working on a painting of the King of Morocco)… or maybe the long conversation I …
I’ve got the bug, and it’s BAD… Being away for 6 weeks this past winter was great! No dishes, no cooking, no car. But rather than satiate me it’s just made me want to get up and go even more. Where to? Now I am thinking about crossing something else off my bucket list… Driving …
Today’s the last day to get into the groove at a discounted rate! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to spend a week creating in nature. Discover new techniques from an expert, unearth hidden talents and come away with a unique and complete altered book that’s all your own… Join me for my Altered …
Explore your creativity & the great outdoors… Join me for a week of creating under the pines and in community at Art Groove Artist Retreat, August 19-24, 2016, in beautiful Angelus Oaks, CA. Want to learn different techniques for crafting your own Altered Book and come away with a book that’s entirely your own? Sign-up …
“Art Groove 2016” Adult Summer Workshops Friday August 19–Wednesday August 24, 2016 All skill levels are welcome for this amazing experience! Camp de Benneville Pines is celebrating their 10th annual summer art camp this August 19-24th! Join us for a week of creative enrichment while relaxing in the beauty of the San Bernardino National Forest. …
Looking to explore and enrich your creative side while enjoying the beautiful outdoors? Join me at Camp de Benneville August 19-24, 2016 Welcome campers! I can’t wait to meet and collaborate with the 12 artists who will be attending my Pattern Play Altered Book Project sessions. I’m honored to be a featured teacher this year …
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 …
“Art Groove 2016” Adult Summer Workshops Friday August 19 – Wednesday August 24, 2016 Artists of all skill levels will enjoy this exceptional experience Enjoy a week of artistic enrichment at Art Groove 2016. Join us for the 10th annual de Benneville Pines’ summer art camp! Five tracks are offered: life drawing, watercolor painting, photography, …
2016: Just back from Morocco… and I feel deeply affected by my experiences there. It seems that I go to Morocco to somehow initiate BIG changes in my life. This was my fifth trip and I do already feel changed, sure more is coming. The biggest change is that I am embarking on a new …
At Camp de Benneville Pines, have a truly memorable summer that engages your artistic being while experiencing the beauty of the outdoors. Join me and my fellow campers August 19-24, 2016 for a a week of creating, collaborating, hiking, meditating and just enjoying our surroundings at Art Groove. Last year I had the pleasure of teaching …
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 …
I’ve recently discussed the notion of being open to change and new opportunities — as well as patience and timing. Well, the time for GOOD and EXCITING and REWARDING opportunity has come! I have been selected for a 4-week artist in residency program in Morocco in February 2016 with Green Olive Arts. (It’s hard not to write this with …
If you like to wait until the last minute, wait no more… Sign-up today for Art Groove Summer Camp! AUGUST 21–27, 2015 Art Groove: Summer Adult Art Camp CAMP DE BENNEVILLE PINES 41750 JENKS LAKE RD. WEST, ANGELUS OAKS, CA 92305 COST: $995 Includes instruction, workshops, materials, food, lodging and all standard activities available at …
Keep it simple: Start with a large sheet of Bristol board. Basic primary color acrylic paints, no bushes choosing to mix and apply paint with your hands. Paint a ground. (background) Notice if anything is calling for your attention. Grab a section. (outline area) Look at the whole and remove what you don’t like. Paint …
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 …
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 …
Photo: www.examiner.com This summer, from August 22st though August 26th, I’ll be immersing myself in art along with 50-70 other artists. It’s Art Camp for grown-ups! Although the schedule hasn’t been cemented, and the brochure and website aren’t yet produced… it’s happening. The morning hours will be filled with painting, printmaking, drawing, ceramics, or photography. …
See the Video: I love to travel. I wish I did it more. Sometimes I just get in the car and go. One of my favorite places on earth happens to be close by, so I feel gratitude for having Joshua Tree within driving distance because it’s one of the most magical places on earth. …
