pamgarrison

listing some original art on etsy

I've been working on listing some paintings over on my etsy. I'm almost done so they should go live soon. (I wait until they are all listed so that you can see all your choices.) This set is smaller (and therefore, more reasonable priced) vs. the larger, oversized paintings that I often do. Hopefully those of you that have wanted some but didn't have the room on your walls or budget can get some this round.

I'm always making more though, so no worries if small isn't your thing.

Here are some teaser shots :)

I hope they find their way to homes that love them as much as I do! 

{Ed: They're up! www.pamg.etsy.com}

inside the water color set sketch book

Probably not a big surprise to hear that I love watercolor paint sets. I guess one could say I collect them, but all kinds, not just vintage ones, every kind, from new to old, inexpensive dime store sort to fancy art store kinds.  So what's a girl to do in order to remember what she has? What the colors look like, what the sets contain? I decided to document them all in one sketchbook, like I mentioned yesterday. Here are the pages that I've done so far:

I've got just a few more to enter, for now...until some more work their way into my life. I don't know if you read on the photos my writing about the sets, but my oldest purchase was one from college, I've had this love for a long time ;). Among my favorites are the one I wrote about yesterday, the two I bought in Paris, and this one, my most recent purchase, from an antique store:

Look at the tiny porcelain water dish!

But really, they are all so loved, look at these colors:

What's not to love, right?!?!

schmincke water-colours

I've been having so much fun playing with my new watercolors, the delicious set I was oh-so-generously given by my friend  Jenny for my last birthday. Last time I taught at her Studio, she had a set and I flipped out. It was very sweet when months later she gifted me with my own set, because she was so joyful, knowing that it was something that I really wanted but wasn't going to get (they're pricey!) for myself.

They are by far the most beautiful watercolors I have ever had. I first learned of them via Geninne; her set was so amazing, and I assume you've seen her beautiful creations. She had many different sets and brands, but I was taken with these Schminckes that I had never seen before.

I started painting in my handbound journal, made with my favorite watercolor paper:

And then I grabbed my water brush and  my little handbook where I've been documenting all my watercolor sets, and added my new set:

The colors are so rich and beautiful!

I've shown this book (my watercolor-set-documenting-book, for lack of a better name haha) before on my instagram feed, but in case I haven't here, I'll go take some photos and post them here tomorrow. It's a fun little book.

But before I go do that, one last pic of the pretty Schmincke paints

in action:

Happy Friday!!!

weekend recap

What a lovely weekend I had as an honorary Moss sister attending an art retreat for 3 in Palm Springs. Isn't the place Mary Ann found fun? As soon as I got there, I had to add a little birthday festivity, since it was recently Mary Ann's birthday:

Mary Ann had a great point; that the light showing through the garland at the stitched places is as pretty as the other parts,maybe prettier. Of course, we'll have to try more stitching without thread, to create more holes for light and report back.

The place was so beautiful and fun. Both outside:

and inside:

I couldn't resist putting on Mary Ann's round glasses for a photo in the round mirror:

One Moss sister makes her bed, another does not, I'll let you guess which is which:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The journals came out as soon as we'd finished inspecting our new digs. Oh, the journals! So fun to be with other avid art journalers, always. First one I dug into was Mary Ann's sample for her Full Tilt Boogie class...look at the binding!

Then onto another journal, one of Carol's:

 

 

And on and on we went until we got through as much of the pile as our brains could take, without a break for sustenance.

The rest of the trip is a blur of creating, painting, playing and all that goes along with that.

We all made mini journals, here's mine (open):

and of course, some journal pages:

I wanted to steal this paper that Mary Ann made:

But I didn't.

All too soon, the sun set again and it was time for me to return home. Plans for next year made the leaving a little easier. It's always good to leave before you've had your fill, right?

If you would like to see more photos from the weekend through a different lens, you can check out my instagram, Carol's blog, or Mary Ann's blog.

{Ed:just remember, one of them tells "tall tales" and the other spins yarns for school children, so take their renditions with a grain of salt!}

handmade holiday boutique tomorrow!

 

Jenny, Amy and I have been having fun preparing for our little Handmade Holiday Boutique happening this Saturday.

These photos are from when we got together to bring a little winter wonderland to Studio Crescendoh the other night.

And we've each been busy making things on our own. One of my favorite new things to make is these painted totes:

 

I don't think I've ever shown you the tote I painted for myself. (above)

I love it so much and have been working on painting a few for the sale tomorrow. Here's the back of mine:

It's fun having a one of a kind bag, and I get lots of compliments when using it too, which is always nice :).

Here are some more things that I've been gathering for tomorrow's sale:

an old optometrists test lens kit...

...vintage ornaments in fun containers like candy jars and boxes...

...and strands of vintage lights that work...

...inexpensive decorating props...

...Christmas tree paintings...

 

and supplies like bullion...

and vintage wallpaper...(even some of my precious flocked rolls!)

...and so much more...

We hope you'll join us tomorrow 10-4, rain or shine, indoors in the warm winter lights of Studio Crescendoh. Maybe you'll find just the treausre you need to wrap up your Christmas list...oh ya, we'll have a cute little wrapping station too!!!

 

fun at The Art Clinic

 

My weekend of co-teaching at The Art Clinic began with a lovely drive up the coast. I love this part of the drive, but who wouldn't, right? 

I landed at my dear friend Syd's house after unloading my car at The Art Clinic. 

I met Syd many years ago first via online where we were paired up in a mailing order for a collaborative, then at various art events like Teesha's ArtFiberfest. Syd often travels to art events with her art pal Mary, and after meeting them, we became fast friends. I love spending time with both of them so much, we may seem like an unlikely trio, (maybe that's the magic? i don't know...), but we have spent many an art retreat night in hysterics long after we should have turned in. To meet them is to love them. So, to finally stay at Syd's house was a treat. Her entire house shows a lifetime of art pursuits and a true love of the arts. Look at just this one shot of the kitchen I took, I was so in love with all the colors together...and that little center island...yum!

Jennifer arrived at Syd's not long after I did and we spent the next day was spent prepping for class over at The Art Clinic. Carol, who is Syd's partner in The Art Clinic joined in the fun. Carol is also wonderful and brings a different aspect to the Studio and playtime there, having a wise sage sensibility. She is very much like me in her love of craft tools and varied interests, but she is primarily a silversmith and makes beautiful, intricate works. It was great getting to really know her this trip. She's a real hoot and also super at stepping up and handling any need that anyone had (even if it was for a certain drill with a certain bit, right in the middle of painting- yes, it was me, I confess), besides of course, being a passionate artist. 

Here's a pic of Jennifer making me laugh on the way to class :)

 

Another great group of women joined us in the fun:

 

Both old friends and new. 

As always seems to be the case, especially at The Art Clinic I hear,  those that were meant to be there, were. 

Jennifer and I had a great time teaching together. Even though we felt we prepared extensively, you never know till you do it what might occur, and we were so pleased that we are making plans to co-teach again soon. (This time with more advanced notice, we promise!)

Jennifer serenaded me by the fire one night:

And in an attmept to entertain her, I think I pretended to be a rock star? ( not really sure what I was doing, but she did laugh at me, so I call it a success).

Always lots of silliness at weekends away, which is so good for the art as well as the soul. Jennifer and Syd being silly:

Here we are goofing around getting ready to load up our teaching demo board. We just didn't want the time to end!

Really, it was a great weekend. And I could go on and on. I wanted to  once again thank all the artists that came to join us for the weekend. I know it's not an easy feat to get away from your life and all it entails and that it is an investment in your art, with class fees, materials, travel etc. But I also know that you are all worth it and I'm thrilled that you gave yourself Permission to Play!!!! 

And Carol and Syd? You guys are the best! You haven't seen the last of me by a long shot...wait, did I just hear you locking the studio door? You think that's gonna stop me? Hahahahahaha! You should know me better than that by now. xoxox

getting ready to teach at the ArtClinic this weekend

I know I promised more of the studio swap last post, but suddenly, that has been put on hold and I'm busy prepping for teaching this weekend. Unfortunately for me, the work will still be here when I get back, but fortunately for those of you interested, I'll be giving more progress updates then :).

Jennifer, who I'm co teaching with, is now in town, staying at Amy's house since I don't quite have the guest room back in order, but they're coming over tomorrow and we're going to go over all that we want to cover this weekend and I'm sure we'll sneak in some playtime too. Creating with friends is really very fun. That's an unexpected positive about classes; the creative community that occurs. Anyway, we'll be at The Art Clinic and have a couple more spots for those that might be spontaneous and want to jump in and join us!

I spoke with my friend Syd today (she's co-partner in The Art Clinic with Carol), to tie down some details,  and just talking about this weeknd got me really excited and yearning to journal and paint and play right then and there.

Both Jennifer and I will be bringing some paintings for sale and prints too.

And I'll be bringing lots of art journals too and am determined to get Jennifer addicted to art journaling as well as the students this weekend!

The studio clean up will have to wait...I'll enjoy the time away from it {and so will my back}. It's going to be worth it in the end then, I can tell already. "Slow and steady wins the race", that's my current motto. Well, the steady part...as in, contine on Pam...which I am determined to do!

But for now, I wish you:

xoxo

paintings getting their turn behind the camera

My sweet helper Kate is spending a lot of time here working with me. I couldn't resist snapping this photo of her holding one of my little paintings; the light, her hands, the backdrop, all of them struck me as so sweet.

She's putting all her earnings toward a new MacBookPro that she has been working and working for. She's almost 13 and is quite industrious and capable. After a summer of working various jobs for various neighbors, she's to the half way mark. Awesome. I call her Kate the great. She came to Renegade with me both days and worked hard and did a super job. Here's a photo of us together, taken that weekend by Elysa Hill. And here's an instagram I shot of her as she was checking out the pictures we took togher at Magnolia Photo Booth :

It was quite handy having the photo booth across from us, so that we could jump in there first thing in the morning before the crowds came.

Anyway, Kate came over today to help me package up all the orders for the new stamps. Thank you for the Etsy orders!

After we finished that, we began to move on to begin the prep to list some paintings. She took this instagram of me photographing some:

I really enjoy re-aquainting myself with the paintings when it's time to photograph them, getting to see them with fresh eyes and find favorite spots. Like these:

We'll be at it again tomorrow, plugging away. Hopefully, you'll like the smaller size and price of many of the pieces. Of course, I'll let you know here when they finally make it to etsy!

 

working on my booth for Renegade Craft Fair

Did I tell you that I got into Renegade Craft Fair LA? I did! I'll have a booth there this summer. I hope some of you will stop by and say hi!  I'm on the wait list for a bigger booth, and it'd be great if one opened up, becuase I have a lot of ideas that just won't fit in my little 5x10 corner of the world. :).

I've been having lots of fun figuring out my booth, how to display, best use of space etc. This is an instagram I took last night. I'd had a bit of a bad mood brewing and while at the grocery store decided to pick up some inexpensive flowers and margarita makings for myself. I was showing my instagram friends that the fresh nectarine and wet paint on my brush finished off the attitude adjusting I was in need of. I painted until the wee hours of the night, and have been working on it all day as well. Here's where it is now:

Oh, how I love painting, and painting large too!

This is going to be the backdrop for my booth, to separate me from the booth behind me, and to hang some paintings and other things on. When you think about it, a 5x10' booth, with a 6' table in it, pretty much is filled up, so I need to have a way to get more merchandise in the space. And of course, I want it to be an awesome booth- just cuz! So, when brainstorming with Heather about how to have a very sturdy wall that I could hang things from, she suggested using an inexpensive ($15.00) rolling wardrobe from Ikea as the base. Brilliant! My husband attached some plywood and now I'm off and running...

 

Unfortunately, I have to put my brushes down now, have to run to the State Board of Equilization (hate all the non art parts of trying to be an artists that sells her work), and back before son gets out of school. Dang, I was on a roll....maybe later I'll get to paint some more...

are you in portland right now?!?!

Happy Cinco de Mayo friends.  This painting I'm working on above seems fitting for today. It also reminds me of my friend Jennifer Mercede's work. Which brings me to the Portland question of the post title....if you are in Portland right now, you've got to get over to Jennifer's studio and scoop up some treasures! I am so sad that she's letting go of so much at such great prices and I'm missing out due to loacation. She said things are flying out the door but has more left if you are in the area: 

Jennifer Mercede BlowOUt Art Sale:

Today!

3015 NE 19th Ave, Portland.

{Ed: Sunday- if you missed it and want to make arrangements to pop by while she's packing up today, email her at: jmercede@hotmail.com}

Hurry, and then torture me with photos of what you got! I love love love her artwork as you know.

For those of you like me, far away, here are a few more shots of color around here this morning:

a few originals left from this collection

Thank you so much for all the painting loving over on my etsy. The ones on the left that say coming soon have all been listed and there are a few more left if you are interested! xo

new original paintings over on my etsy

Painting, painting, painting, it's all I seem to want to do these days.  I finally have some fully completed pieces

and have listed them for sale over on my etsy shop!

Here are some bits of them:

Here's an instagram of them all in the works:

Oh, how I love color....and pushing it around on the paintings!

a lot of painting going on lately

Every since I spent the weekend painting with Jennifer Mercede, I just don't want to stop.

And I haven't, pretty much off and on, with many painting supplies left out in the family room amonst all the other living that goes on in there.

Painting on wood panels...

        Everything within range gets paint on it...like journal pages...

On this page I was writing about how I feel like I have so many many ideas but spin round and round and have a hard time gaining any traction with my ideas.

My friend and fellow journaler Hope , recently asked me some journaling questions for her column over at the lovely Ripple Effect. You can see more of my journaling pages and answers to her questions here. And boy, the quote by Maya Angelou on today's Ripple Effect post is pretty much sums up where my thoughts are. The need for change, yep, so I don't feel stuck like the thoughts on the journal page above. Working on it!

 

And even though I've left the supplies out and use them frequently, occasionally I try to pick up at least a little, which included cleaning off my paint palette. The dried paint peeled up easily and struck me as so pretty, that I couldn't resist sewing it down on another journal page. Which then turned into a creative to do list instagram:

 

 Off to tackle something on the list, hope you have a great day!

new paintings, new prints

I've been having such fun painting, painting, painting, thouroughly inspired by my playing alongside Jennifer Mercede weekend before last. Above is one of my favorite new ones. Here are some more in the works:

 

                     Here's one that I showed last post, it's a little farther along now, still not done though:

I will be listing some original paintings on etsy when I have a few more done, but for now, I am super excited to have finally made up some prints of the paintings for my etsy shop! Thanks to the teachings of Sarah, my computer tutor extraordinaire, I've got some ready to list. I'm so thrilled with the quality of the prints. They'll be up in my etsy shop soon too, and I'll be printing more of each, and adding to them as paintings are completed.

 

It's it obnoxious to be in love with one's own product? Because I am; I'm really proud of them and so pleased with the quality. Here are some closer peeks:

     But for tonight, I've still got paint on my brush and a few more marks I'm wanting to make.... I'll get         back to the computer to list them after the ideas stop coming so quickly that I'm afraid I'll forget them!

Back soon......

painting with jennifer mercede

             

{an instagram taken while looking over one of my paintings in progress this morning}

This weekend I was lucky enough to take a painting and doodling workshop at Studio Crescendo taught by Jennifer Mercede.  I have always loved her art, and have posted about it here before, but was thrilled to be able to watch her create in person and hear more about her process. The class certainly did not disappoint. I woke up this morning inspired and dying to paint some more. Haven't been able to yet, but soon, I must get back to it soon. During the class I instagrammed a few photos like this one below of Jennifer and me at the very end. We are holding my purchase, a Jennifer Mercede original. Lucky, lucky me.

               
Here's what it looks like hanging in the living room:

 

              

                                      This instagram was taken when the paints first came out :

               

          and later this one of one of mine (a giant 30x30 canvas) in the early stages:

                 

which, after various exercises (including one where we had to cover over 90% of it) now looks like this:

                  

It's still not finished, but when I look at it I see a barn on the bottom center that I just don't think I'll be touching, that way I can call it "she bought the farm" ;) . Like I said before, I'm itching to get back to painting on it.

This is as far as I got on the 2nd board, a 12x12" piece:

                 

The doodling part of the lesson came quite naturally as you can imagine if you've seen my journals or other paintings.

Then there was this piece below :(the closest I got to finished? Not sure.) It's on a birch board sized 20x20.

                 

            Here are some of the "sweet spots" to me:

                        

             

               
                 

On the 2nd day I brought in some other pieces that I had started previously or that were blank so I could take the opportunity while the paint was out if inspiration struck.  I worked on all of them at least a little bit. Working on lots of things at one time is what is most comfortable to me, if I had to work on one and only one at a time, I would feel very constrained. I like the freedom I feel with lots to choose from. I also usually have a journal present when painting to slap the extra paint down on some pages. You know I'm crazy like that. It doesn't bother me at all until it comes time to clean up.

                    

                   

                    

                         

                    

                  

The best part really was getting to know Jennifer though, and getting to see her think while she worked. Here is another instagram of her painting Jenny's dogs, using a photo as inspiration:

                    
Want to see the final portrait? Go to Jenny's post here and see it from start to finish. So cool.

I could go on, but really, I'd be saying the same thing over, so instead, I'll finish by saying a great big thank you to Jennifer for coming down to teach, and Jenny for asking her! I think her teaching gigs have just begun...if you like to paint or doodle, I highly recommend you enroll yourself in Jennifer Mercede's Paint and Doodle School!

 

what a fun art weekend

This weekend my friend Charlotte was able to escape the New York snow and fly my way. We headed up to see some favorite artist friends, Syd and Mary up at Syd's Art Clinic in Solvang. The four of us have talked about meeting there for so long, and it didn't disappoint!

              

         

We all had canvases pinned to the wall and went to town. Syd really inspired us all to be playful and try new things and we painted until late into the night both Friday and Saturday. And then of course, there's the usual laughing and eating and thrifting and chatting and planning that happens when we get to hang out. Here's Syd hard at play:

           

and Mary...

           

and Charlotte...

             

Here's a photo of my first painting in progress:

         

which currently looks like this:

    

It's still a work in progress, and I'm still having fun with it.

 

 

We had some fun with visitors Carol, Sukey, Colleen, Jill and Susan too. Thank you, and Happy Birthday to both Syd and Mary!

But our adventure didn't end there, Charlotte was actually in town to teach a workshop at French General. Here she is with part of the gang. How cute does Kaari look busy at work in the background?

              

Here's Charlotte with Kaari's adorable mom. (Did you notice that Kaari and her mom have very similar sweaters on?  They actually weren't the same, bought at two different stores in two different countries!)

 

                    Kaari's whole family is so great, including her sister, artist Molly Meng. It was so fun to finally meet her!

 

 

            

There were so many more people there, but I only got these few photos, and even that felt like an accomplishment!

It was a whilrwind weekend, but it sure was fun!

 

 

 

 

 

newest paintings

Pink Parfait

Poppy Field
 

Life's a Hoot




Orange Crush

 All available over at Etsy : pamg.etsy.com  ....other non-painting items coming to my etsy soon!

pink parfait

I've started a new painting again. I can't work on just one, so while I continue on the last one I showed you, I'll show you this one too. It's 13" x 34", a fun size to play on. Here it is in full:

 

I feel so influenced by my friend, the super talented and oh so fun Syd McCutcheon. I'm jealous of anyone that is taking this class she's teaching, it's going to be great fun. Often, when I'm working on a painting, she'll give me great input and nudge me a little further. She also sends me great painting links like this one of Jesse Reno. I just love how they tap into their playful sides, just like Jennifer Mercede does, love her too. We'll see where this one ends up, I'm going to go back to the big giant one so I can give you an update on it's progress (or lack thereof) soon. {The big one is the one behind this pink one here:}

i've been playing with paints lately

 

               

                

 

couldn't resist

        

I couldn't resist taking a photo of the jar holding paint brushes behind the sink this morning. The light was hitting it just so. I'd go out and paint if it weren't 105 º out. Guess we're finally getting some summer weather here in So.Cal.  I'm sure the unbearable heat will go as quickly as it came and I'll be back at it soon; I'm itching to slap some paint on some journal pages in a manner too messy for indoors.

Hope you're enjoying cooler temperatures!