Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for Orly Avineri: One Artist Journal, August 27th

Orly Avineri journals. But erase what comes to mind when you think journal. Orly’s journals are exquisite, stand-alone works of art. The cover blurb on her self-published book, One Artist Journal explains that journaling is Orly’s attempt to “unify the self by expressing the intricacies of the nature within and around her, through seamless blending of fine art, graphic design and written language.” And seamless it is. Rich, inviting, and my favorite term, drool-worthy art. I’m excited to talk with Orly today, both about journaling and her self-publishing experience.


So please join us for an inspirational chat...


Art & Soul Radio featuring Orly Avineri
with Lesley Riley
Monday, August 27th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio




And don't forget, Art & Soul Radio's interviews are also available on demand, to listen to at your leisure. Check out what other mixed-media artists are doing and how they're living their lives with passion any time!

How Do I Do That? Attaching Hollow Charms...

I recently ran across this helpful how-to from one of our long time Art & Soul attendees — and former Virginia opening night workshop instructor — Michelle Bernard. I know that I myself have purchased tons of adorable little 3D embellishments at Vendor Night, and then had no idea what to do with them or how to attach them to my artwork. Well, now I know. Check out her post below.... it's easy peasy...

Did you ever wish you could attach a cute little 3D embellishment to your project but were reluctant because it was hollow in the back with only a very thin edge? I know I've asked myself, "how can I do this and be sure it's going to stay put?" Well, I'm going to share with you my special method! So... here we go...

Step 1: Grab your embellishment and protect your work table with a non-stick surface. Here I'm using Ranger's Non-Stick Craft Sheet. 

Step 2: Tear up small pieces of paper towel. Paint one piece with a gel medium on both sides. Make sure it's nice and saturated, but not drippy. I'm using Claudine Hellmuth Studio Multi-Medium, also from Ranger.

Step 3: Next you're going to take your gel medium-soaked piece of paper towel and "stuff" it inside your embellishment. You can use a toothpick to make sure it's pushed into all the little nooks and crannies.

Continue painting your pieces of paper towel with gel medium and pushing them into the back of your embellishment until they are even with the back edge of the charm (you can even turn it over onto your non-stick surface for one final "push" to make sure the paper towels are nice and even). Let this dry overnight.

Step 4: So now your embellishment is ready to securely be added to whatever surface you like. Here is the necklace that's waiting for it's little brass kitty cat. Put a glob of gel medium onto the backside of your "stuffed" embellishment and put in place. Don't press it all the way onto your piece too hard. Place it so that there is just a wee bit of "breathing room" for the medium. You'll get a much better hold that way, as all your glue won't all squish out from underneath your charm.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this process as I know I did when I tried it. Opens up a whole new set of possibilities!  ~ Michelle xoxo

A Special Offer for Portland!

Hey all you loyal blog followers... we're offering a special END OF SUMMER promotion.  From August 15-31 you'll get 20% off of any full day/6 hour workshop that you select at our 2012 Portland Art & Soul event! When you are ready to check out on the website, enter the coupon code listed below and the discount will be reflected in your total immediately.

Coupon Code: PSP1

Hurry! This offer expires August 31st, 2012.

Art & Soul Radio... Tune in for Kim Klassen: Where Textures & Photos Connect, August 13th

Artist Kim Klassen joins me from Manitoba, Canada. Kim started out as a folk art painter and doing local craft classes and then exploded onto the scene with her unique style of painting. She spent several years as a full-time artist designing artwork for print and licensing companies. And then… one day Kim opened the Photoshop program on her computer and picked up her camera. The rest is herstory - a story Kim will share with us all today.

So please join us for an inspirational chat...


Art & Soul Radio featuring Kim Klassen
with Lesley Riley
Monday, August 13th
7:00pm EST
blogtalkradio.com/art-and-soul-radio




And don't forget, Art & Soul Radio's interviews are also available on demand, to listen to at your leisure. Check out what other mixed-media artists are doing and how they're living their lives with passion any time!

In Living Color....

Hey! Did you ever want to take a Jesse Reno workshop? Well, you might after watching this really awesome video about the artist — and long-time Art & Soul instructor extraordinaire — to discover more about his background and very unique style of art!

And speaking of videos, we're introducing them on our Art & Soul website. Sort of a little how-do-you-do from the instructors, telling you a little bit about themselves, the workshops they offer and showcasing their individual styles. Moving forward we're going to have more and more videos as a really cool, interactive, face-to-face addition to the project photos for our workshop pages. We thought it would be nice to get to know your instructors or class projects more in-depth while you sit at the computer and contemplate which workshops to take!

Want to see some more videos? Check out this amazingly orchestrated one for Lana Guerra's Misfit Dolls class and this heavenly preview of Serena Barton's Landscape of Dreams class. Just scroll down the workshop page to watch!