I'm back from ArtFest. I have wanted to go for years, and this year KL and I decided to go. I'm so glad we did...we had a great experience. And, this is the last ArtFest. I am kicking myself that I never went before, but I am so appreciative that I got to experience it before it was all over.
I'm coming home to crushing deadlines...so I'll keep this brief and share some photos.
KL and I met at the Seattle airport, rented a car, and headed to Seattle. We stopped briefly at the famous Pike Street Market.
Then it was off to Fort Worden....ArtFest, here we come!
We saw DQ along the way and had to stop. It would have been a crime not to.
This was our homebase on the fort...we stayed in Officer's Housing. We had some super fun roomies. As usual, I was lame at taking pictures. I always get home & kick myself for not taking more. I think I wanted to just "be"...to be in the moment and experience it without too many distractions.
Day 1...my first class was with Orly Avineri. She guided us through a mixed-media creation on a cardboard substrate. This piece has art on both sides...and at one point she had has tear parts off and switch them around. So some flaps are reversed. Great process...I enjoyed it immensely. The class got me thinking about having a deliberate process, about contrast, about the intent behind a piece of art. A fun tidbit is as I was sitting in class, in walked Dawn Sokol. We've talked online but never met (even though we live about 45 minutes from each other). It was fun to meet her and make art with her that day!
Day 2...my second class was Plaster Sampler with Stephanie Lee (KL and I took it together). So, so fabulous! This really lit a fire of possibilities under me. Stephanie is a generous teacher, especially with her knowledge. The amazing Judy Wise was there as her "assistant"...I have been a fan of Judy's art for years. What a pleasure it was to meet them both! I bought their book months ago, but haven't even looked at it. I've decided I'm going to work through the book and do every project. Here's a link to their book:
Plaster Studio: Mixed-Media Techniques for Painting, Casting and Carving
Day 3...my third class was a painting class with Jesse Reno. He guided us through a unique and many-layered painting process. I enjoyed the process...and I took pictures of the piece as it transformed. I'm going to do a future blog post about it because I think it's fascinating to see how a piece is "born." My piece is super funky, but I love it. The class was a great reminder to be free, to layer, to not be afraid to paint over what is not working, to really "see." The process is actually similar to my "intuitive painting" process that I am teaching in 21 Secrets.
It was a pleasure to be in a creative, nurturing art environment, to spend time with KL, to fill up my own creative soul. Now I'm back and having a rough re-entry into my normal life...my head is spinning, but in a good way. And I forsee a huge Blick order in the near future...heh heh.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time- the art looks amazing. Look forward to seeing more of the 3rd class.
Posted by: Helen Lindfield | April 02, 2012 at 12:57 PM
LOve love love your Jesse Reno piece..........sooooooooooooo funky:)
Posted by: Sue Roddis | April 02, 2012 at 01:23 PM
i love your jesse reno piece of art......what fun to have a class with him.....of course the others are wonderful also.......but i love jesse.... ;-)
Posted by: janie | April 02, 2012 at 01:45 PM
Oh....so much goodness here!
You shined through each different process!
Beautiful!
Posted by: Mary | April 02, 2012 at 03:09 PM
Oh wowser! Lucky, lucky you! Your arty pieces look amazing Dina, so glad you got to go to Artfest :D x x x
Posted by: Sandra | April 02, 2012 at 03:32 PM
I've always wanted to take a class with Jesse Reno, but they're usually way above my budget. Lucky you to study with him!
Posted by: teri | April 02, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Your painting is amazing! I love Judy Wise and plaster. In should get that book.
Rinda
Posted by: Maria | April 02, 2012 at 07:51 PM
LOVED creating with you in Orly's class! We definitely need to try to get together soon...I know life is crazy, though, so no worries!
Posted by: Dawn DeVries Sokol | April 03, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Wow! I love all of the pieces you made. I have been to the last 2 Artfests but did not get to go this year.
Posted by: Marlene Moore | April 03, 2012 at 12:06 PM
ohhh sounds like a blast! Seriously lime green with envy!
Posted by: Ronda Palazzari | April 03, 2012 at 03:50 PM
I am sooooooooooooo jealous!
Posted by: Sarah Anderson | April 07, 2012 at 02:19 PM
Hi Dina! It was sooooooo great to meet you in person in Orly's class! Wow! It was such a wonderful surprise to realize it was YOU, ..... "THE Dina Wakley" whose work I've always admired in publictions. It's good to see some of the pictures of the other two classes you took. I had wanted to be in Jesse's Saturday class as well, however by the time I registered that was no longer an option. Great work!
I also wish Artfest was more than a three-day retreat. I did not get to do all the things I wanted to do, including journalling with you in 10E! Thanks for that generous offer though. I thought you and your friend, KL, needed some "catch-up" time together. You look like great friends! And now I wish you lots of energy and joy as you work on your projects Dina! Perhaps someday our paths will meet again. Until then, keep living a joy-filled, creative life!
Hugs,
Annie Froese
Posted by: Annie Froese | April 09, 2012 at 10:03 AM
OMG! I love this art. I have done some paintings on cardboard: graffiti art, mixed media and some still life's, but this is fabulous!
I sell art on Etsy, my shop is called Painterlywhims, so named by my granddaughter. She is an artist also, using pastels.
Best wishes,
Dona McGilvary
aka Dee
Posted by: Dona McGilvary | August 31, 2014 at 07:17 PM