Sunday, July 22, 2012

...well, that was fun!!!


Home from a 6 hour drive from Somerset, NJ.  Create, New Jersey is now just a memory, and what a creative flurry it was! I taught four, full classes in 48 hours. Exhausted? Can't be, i am always so grateful that this is my "job". Art is my living, and my living is art! What could be better than an art retreat? Making art, teaching art, making art and meeting the best art friends for life. I am in awe when my students are empowered to be fearless in their creativity. It's incredibly rewarding.

Here are some of my fabulous students with their works in progress. I missed getting photos in every class because my iphone was in my music speaker playing my eclectic assortment of tunes while everyone was working. Dancing to the beat of the iphone, paintbrush and spray inks, it was magical!

So now it's time to pack back up for Art Unraveled in Phoenix  in just 10 days! Looking forward to that steamy good art retreat, my first time in Arizona!









We made One Page Wonder art journals and art friends forever!!!  


A deep thought....
What is more important to you when taking a class and making art?  
Is it the process or the finished art piece??  
What do you do with all your art when it's finished?
Share your thoughts with a comment below...

22 comments:

  1. The process is more important to me. I can finish things on my own just fine. It is understanding how to incorporate what I am learning into my own process that makes a class shine for me. If I like the piece well enough, I finish it and display it in my workspace until I know where it is supposed to go. If I am not in love with it, I will write notes on it about what I liked and what I didn't and add it to my journal. I have a journal just for samples, either from classes or trying new things on my own. I find this to be very useful. Hope that answers your question. Thanks as always for sharing.

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  2. I just love this idea of creating a huge piece of art that can become many journals! What a great symbol of our creative individuality and creative community and unity!

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  3. Process is what is important to me too. I don't usually do my best in live classes, so I like to absorb the techniques offered, experiment and when I home I can dig in.

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  4. In the art therapy community there were "moms" of art therapy (as opposed to fathers of a field) who used to argue about whether process or product was of more value. One group felt that art making itself was the healer, the other that using the product as a point of departure(verbal association and exploration) was the point. I think this applies to your question about creativity as well. I vote for both!

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  5. I believe that the process brings the creativity and the healing. It has been almost three years since my husband died and I have immersed myself into art quilting, fiber art, mixed-media, and watercolors. Each stroke of the brush, each cut of the cloth, each drop of dye has helped me move from grief to a newer place in my life.

    I will be at CREATE in Chicago in August for the second year in a row.
    See you then!

    Michele Lasker

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  6. In my world I'd say 95% is about the process and the remain 5% would like to finish a project. I am the queen of unfinished projects so I really enjoy having something 100% done (that I don't have to feel guilty about taking up space). However, given the choice to LEARN more or DO more, I would rather keep learning.

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  7. Oh, I am so bummed you'll be here in AZ and I'm gonna miss you! (I am in Tucson, AZ) It is just a really bad time for me to try and get away (husband deploying and son starting 4th grade). I know your students are going to be so blessed by you!! I lean a little more to the creative process being the most important.. however, for me - one reason I do classes is to come away with a finished project. I will probably never get back around to what I was doing afterwards and need that project to see that I did actually accomplish something. :0)My day to day life is filled with half finished projects.

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  8. ARE YOU EVER COMING ANYWHERE NEAR MEMPHIS, NASHVILLE, LITTLE ROCK OR BRYSON CITY, NC WITH THESE IN PERSON ART CLASSES? I SURE WOULD LIKE TO COME AND BE A PART OF THEM?

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  9. That sounds like a lot of fun. Like you, I am obsessed with twinks. I have played very little with my Silks, but the twinks. They are yummy.

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  10. I get more from the process in the class than the finished project. The fellowship of other creative's is also very important to me. I usually come home all charged up repeats the processes learned over and over so they just become a part of total creative path.

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  11. Oh, definitely the process. As long as there is something to show me what the finished project should look like then I just lose myself in the work. My sister, we take a lot of classes together, always wants to finish in class. We laugh at how different we are. I may take the project home and use the pieces to change it up to fit what I want. She must finish it exactly.
    I want to thank you again for bringing such joy into my life with the online classes. You are a creative wonder.

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  12. I would have to say the process is the most "fun" and important. The finished project is great, but it is getting there that makes you feel so "high" from all that adrenaline pumping thru your veins. Especially when in a class the comraderie and sharing is great!

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  13. The more knowledge I gain, the more the enjoyment I receive in the process:)

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  14. I love learning new things, the process and the finished product...I just love it all!!! I hang my finished prjects on my wall and it is filling in quite nicely:)

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  15. Looks like so much fun! I love the process and what I can take away! Have a great day!!!
    P.S...
    I just followed you from the Brave Girls Blog group... I'd love it if you'd follow me too!
    xoxo
    Renee!
    www.fussitup.blogspot.com

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  16. I just love learning! The process the process the process! It's nice to finish in class, but I don't stress if I don't. As long as I had fun, made friends and learned or re-learned techniques I am a happy camper indeed. That and if I can hang about with FAB-O instructors like YOU, I am mega happy!

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  17. It was so great seeing you (and laughing with you Joanne. Cannot wait for the next retreat!

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  18. When in a class, it's all about the process and being inspired by what others do. I most always find a way to incorporate it into my art journal or on a card.

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  19. I like learning new techniques that I can use again in different projects, so the process is the most enjoyable and the most important to me. I prefer it if the project is not totally finished by the end of class; I will continue working on it after. This helps me to better understand the techniques and to really get them down in my head - so I can repeat later for something else. I admit that I need to get at least 80% of the project done in class. It works as motivation to get it completed.

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  20. I love to learn new techniques and the process is really fun. In the end though, it is the final product that really motivates me and is why I learn new techniques. I want pieces that I can share with others, hang on the wall, enter into competitions. And who knows, maybe some day fulfill my dream write and illustrate a children's book! For me, without product there is not piece of "art", just pages full of technique.

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  21. Joanne I really enjoyed your class. It was so freeing to work on the large page and not have to worry how things were going to line up. I was so happy with my end result and can't wait to add more details. I hope to see you again soon!

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  22. Joanne...I REALLY enjoyed meeting you today!! It just made my day!!! I have followed you, and put you on my blog roll. I am the art bag lady!!! Will be working on them this week..and let you know. Many hugs- Sandie

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