Monthly Question--Favorite Quotation?

Since many of us use quotations in our artwork or journals, this month's question is "What is your current favorite quotation?"

Sue:

"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose."

Suzie:

"Don’t believe everything you think."

Lenall:

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another."

Dayna:

I love quotes and I love incorporating quotes into my journal pages. Sometimes I use word fragments from quotes or lines of poetry, sometimes it is a full quote, other times I record overhead snippets of conversations. Here are three spreads from my visual journal using word fragments, a quote by John Updike, and a quote I heard my husband's receptionist say to a co-worker. Can you figure out which is which?

Cynthia:

"The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience"

Tory:

Right now my favorite is “I’m so far behind I think I’m first” it makes me laugh and then I remember it’s ok to go slow.

This is one of my favorite art quotes “What art offers is space - a certain breathing room for the spirit.” ~John Updike ~ For me if I didn’t have art I think I could not breathe and my soul would choke.

Suzanne:

This has long been one of my favorite quotes:

"When we say "I surrender" and we relinquish control and let the universe take the lead and we follow, the dance of life becomes effortless. Spiritually, surrender is a mark of strength and not a moment of weakness". Helen White.

It often comes to mind when things aren't working out the way I think they should, and reminds me that sometimes it's best to let go and be open to other outcomes.

Robin:

My favorite is probably the most boring in some ways, but it's in my head a lot. "Just Do It." I love the utter simplicity of that and think of it whenever I get whiny or start procrastinating.

I love quotations and often embroider them into my fabric work. Here're a couple favorites:

Z'Anne:

“Every step we take towards making the State the caretaker of our lives, by that much we move toward making the State our master.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Jill:

I love ," Finished is better than perfect" (thanks for reminding me Cynthia ) and

"Money and art are far apart."

Judi:

"If all you got is a hairpin, you take a hairpin and you start digging." A woman quoted in the book "Feminine Face of God"---Judi

Marilyn:

"Ah, that's the reason a bird can sing, On his darkest day he believes in spring" D. Malloch

Part of a short poem. Last line actually.

A Sneak Peek: Curious Elements

I'm working on a new line of creations incorporating wood, plaster, paint, and found objects into mini collage assemblages and which I am calling Curious Elements. My Curious Elements will be one of the items I'm selling at the Portland Art Collective Open Doors Show in early December, but I wanted to give everyone a sneak peek in July!





A sampling . . . .

July Giveaway - An Altered Book Kit from Judi Stack

Judi Stack enjoys making altered books and put together an altered book kit for our July giveaway. Two large books with cutouts and one smaller board book await your creative energy and imagination to transform them into beautiful books with your own flair.

A how-to book entitled Altered Books 101 along with two Altered Arts magazines offer lots of inspiration.

The kit comes with brushes, sponges, glue spreaders and some of her favorite tools to paint and texture book pages;

a bag of ephemera, decorative papers and a a cutting shape guide. Leave a comment on this blog post to win this fun altered book kit. Good luck!

Annual Picnic: A Countryside Affair

The Portland Art Collective held their annual picnic this week on the outskirts of Salem in the country. The food at this event is always amazingly beautiful and delicious, and healthy, too. There were lovely flowers everywhere and time to linger over conversations.












Our summertime art exchange for this year was a recipe swap. Everyone selected two of their favorite recipes and paired it with their own original art and had copies made. When we got together at the picnic, we swapped recipes and Z'anne bound them for us on the spot! (We've included a sampling of some of the pages.)

Salem Salon: Art Squared

I'm in a show at the Salem Art Association called Salem Salon: Art Squared. The show features the work of established and emerging artists living and working in Western Oregon and is an open-all media exhibit. The show is in the A.N. Bush Gallery and runs July 8-September 3. All of the work submitted had to be 16x16 inches, so the show is very striking in that all of the art is the same size. If you are out and about between now and September, be sure to stop in to the Salem Art Association gallery.








Submitted by Dayna J. Collins of Alley Art Studio.

It's Here !!! It's Time !!!

An Artful Journey registration opens today. Five teachers  (sorry the orange links are adds) with five great classes, I will be teaching the best ever Santos class yet, check it out with this link. This retreat is all about you. Cindy Woods O’Leary has made sure you will be pampered in a unique and beautiful setting. Served outstanding meals and have the opportunity to work with one instructor throughout your stay. She has an open studio policy that lets you work at your own pace as long as you like. I just love this plan, an opportunity to work with students on a quiet evening, visiting with each other and really getting into our art or if you wish you can enjoy your evening under the stars with a glass of wine, it’s your choice.

Sign up today for your future fun, I can hardly wait.