I'm back! And............I'm very excited to present, to you, during this week, photos of the "Altered Egos" workshop that Kerri and I held over the last two weekends. Included, here, are two photos of our actual classroom space filled with 16 fantastic artists and friends who we adore!
This workshop was inspired by Christy Tomlinson's She-Art online workshop. Kerri and I came up with the idea to present the workshop in journal form beginning with creating our own handmade journals out of one sheet of 22 x 30 watercolor paper. We encouraged students to include their "altered ego" gals in a very personal way having the figure as well as the page reflect something of themselves; could be special features, of themselves, or favorite activities, etc. We also shared our own techniques in terms of backgrounds as well as some suggestions for creating the "egos".
Kerri and I were so pumped about this workshop and, in fact, we're going to add a "play date", of sorts, so we can all finish our journals together. I am working, now, on the date.
I couldn't think of a better way to start a new week but with three photos of students' art, here, so I can begin to share their works with all of you.
All of the students created their own spin on this activity and Kerri and I are both so proud of what they've accomplished.
It's great to be back Blogging, again, and I look forward to sharing more on this workshop, with you, in the coming days.
Hope you all have been well and enjoying your time. Love, Marilyn xxoo
Thought I would leave you with a salute from Sophia! Here's to you staying well and safe!
I'm going to be a little quiet, for a bit, here.
But; I when I get back I will be sharing photos of students' works from the Altered Egos workshop that Kerri and I are offering. We had Part I, yesterday, and Part II is coming up next Sunday.
In meantime......know you are all in my thoughts. Love, Marilyn
Well; the sun came out, for us, here on Friday! Hurray! It was welcomed by all; particularly with the third round of rains that fell during the week, adding even more challenges for people who were already effected by the flooding.
Yesterday felt like a special day with the sun coming out and things just seemed more hopeful. 
We are supposed to be looking at a few days, in a row, of calmer and brighter days. :)
This photo is a journal page I created, last night, with my thoughts drifting to Autumn. It's truly my favorite time of the year and I welcome the crisp cool air, the lush colors, apple pie (not mine-lol!), wearing sweaters and socks!
The poem I included in the piece is a bit obscured as I placed a piece of mica over it so I will type it out here:
Delicious Autumn!
My very soul is wedded to it
And if I were a bird
I would fly about the earth
Seeking the successive autumns.
....George Eliot
This poem says it all for me.
Peaceful and safe thoughts to all of you! Have a great weekend!
Much love - Marilyn xxoo
This is a journal page I worked on over the weekend. It reflects my ongoing uneasiness with the weather we've been experiencing, not only in my own area, but across the country. The page also reflects some discoveries I am making through it all.
I have found my art journal helps me to work through feelings and one thing that I am learning from news reports and talking to people going through hardships, there is hope! The human spirit is amazing!
And; people coming together, in communities, and some helping outside their own communities, to assist their fellow man - volunteering time and hours to help out in some way with clean up, food, a lending ear, etc. Businesses are offering donations through the Red Cross - it all offers hope for so many in need at this time.
I also am paying attention, more, to each and every new day! When I hear the birds singing, outside my window, I awaken with a renewed sense of hope!
For all who are going through hardships, awakening to hearing the birds' song, find peace and hope in your days knowing that there are others who care and are reaching out to help.
My continued wishes to all for a safe and hopeful week ahead.
Much love.....................Marilyn
This journal page started out as a watercolor background that got away from me. I let it be for a couple of days, just got back to it and went over it with stencils, sprays, sketched and painted in the figure. It seemed to come together with an excerpt from a poem of one of my friends Carole Fults. She gave me permission to use her poems or parts of them in my art and this excerpt just seemed fitting for this piece (if you click on the image, I think you'll be able to read the words).
Thoughts of all of you; have a safe and peaceful weekend.
Much love......................Marilyn xxoo
I'd like to begin, this post, by thanking everyone for their prayers and positive thoughts for helping us get through this past weekend with "Irene". It was a white-knuckle ride but we made it through and we are left with a sense of deep appreciation and gratitude for coming out of it the way we did.
We have minimal clean-up, here, and were only without power for a brief few minutes! There are many left without power and it might be days before they get it back. Parts of our area has serious flooding concerns, roads are closed due to downed trees and power lines, there are so many stories regarding, this storm, that I couldn't possibly cover in this post.
Wherever Irene hit, she certainly left her mark and there are some deaths, unfortunately, being reported. I'm sure we'll be hearing lots of things about Irene for a long time to come.
Right now we are thankful and my heart goes out to those who have much to recover from the storm.
I, for one, never thought we would ever see a day when a hurricane would come up the coast as far as it did; perhaps I took that for granted that it could never happen here. I was listening to some scientific reasons for it on TV last night. But, I never felt living here was the perfect place. Northeast living does come with its challenges. And; where is the perfect place? I do not think that it exists. Based on religious beliefs, heaven perhaps, but I'm talking about the now.
I've come to the conclusion that the perfect place, for me, is right here in New York because my family and friends are here. That is the answer, for me, and all that comes with living, in this area, is worth it. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else because my heart is here. This storm really got me to thinking, through my fears, the stress of not knowing what was going to happen, listening to those terrible winds and the non-stop rain, I never thought, once, that I'd like to be any place but here.
The rewards we are getting now will be a week of mild temps, dry air, bright sunshine and cool nights. Thank you! I do feel we deserve it and the calm weather will help with recovery and resuming our daily lives. Yet; more than ever, feeling the true spirit of living is one day at a time - and not taking anything for granted.
Again; thank you all for the comforting words you've posted and sent to me. Hope you and yours are all safe and have a great week ahead.
I leave you with a picture of a journal page I did the day before the storm hit. It is called "The Ice Skater". I created the page with a Citra Solv-treated National Geographic page. I began painting around the negative space that I saw of a figure who appeared to be ice skating and adding some collage. I loved the free-motion appearance of the figure, seemingly peaceful, calm, and joyous in her skating. Honestly, today? I could go get a pair of skates on and do the same!!!!! :)
Best always........................Love, Marilyn xxoo
This is a recent journal page I worked on trying to come to grips with my fears after hearing predictions about Hurricane Irene.
I have never been much of a summer person for a couple of reasons; the heat is the main reason and I do not do well through summer storms; maybe it's a carry over from a scary experience I had a long time ago. But; it was an unforgettable one.
Now; Irene is the "mother lode" to me and so many people are in its path of destruction which is very disturbing to me. It's a very big storm and the East Coast is bracing for it or trying to anyway.
We will get the effects of Irene on Sunday and I need to come to terms with my fears. We will get deluged with rain and damaging winds; that is what is predicted.
This all just leaves me feeling very vulnerable and ill-at-ease; maybe we all have fears that we are not ready to face yet.
Today is a lovely day, here, and I will try, my best, to focus on the now. Maybe that is the message along the way through this journey, or should I say "journal" of life - live for the now!
It felt good to release some of my feelings on a journal page in my way.
I will pray and keep positive thoughts for all who already have and will be effected by Hurricane Irene. This has been quite a year for natural disasters and I say enough is enough!
All be safe this weekend!
Much love - Marilyn
