Bailey's Bliss

ArtFest Michael DeMeng

My first class at ArtFest was Michael DeMeng ...who in my opinion is BRILLIANT!

Not only is Michael an INCREDIBLE teacher, but he is so inspiring. He is so generous and sharing with his knowledge about art.. and life.... His philosophy ISN'T to hoard what he knows, learns and creates, but to share his gift with others.

He was the guest speaker on the first night and I could have listened to him talk for hours. Not only is he innovative but gives such incredible insight on things I normally wouldn't even think about! (I thank him for this!)

I love his style and his way of giving and sharing with others! I cannot wait to take another class from him as soon as I can!

(from left to right...Melanie,Michael,Me,Celine, and Misty ---all of them just incredible people!!!!)

This is what I created in his class..

and then I came home and tried the techniques he taught with a more whimsical, feminine approach...

I walked away from his class with...

new insight

new techniques

and a finished product!

There is so much I want to share about my experience at Artfest but I just don't have enough hours in the day, nor do I have the words to describe my experience. It was my second year going, and the best so far. I think it had a lot to do with the instructors, the old riends, the new found friends!

ArtFest Classes

I have to say I had 2 classes out of 3 at ArtFest that I loved!

that was Michael DeMeng and Carla Sonheim

Carla's class was a Pet Project that of course I devoted to my beloved Bailey!

Not only was the class touching due to the nature, but the energy was incredible! We came out of class with a completed project, we learned tons of great techniques to use in other areas of collage art, and Carla was an incredible instructor and VERY well organized! (not to mention there was NO class fee and she provided us with almost everything we needed!!)

I don't have time to post my projects from Michael's class tonight but here is what I created in Carla's class...

It was a full bound book (this is front and back) with pages inside of exercises we did in class! I took away so much from this class!!! I can't say enough good about it!!!

Tonight (for the first time since I've returned) I had a bit of time to practice what I've learned..

this is what I created tonight! I can't wait to practice some more!!!

Packing SUCKS

I am so freaking out about packing for ArtFest..

I have been feeling so crappy lately and haven't even started packing my clothes NOR my art supplies..

I have thought about it a lot.. but that's as far as I've gotten! I have the hardest time packing .. ESPECIALLY art supplies.. .. you mean I actually have to pick and choose what I want to bring with me from my studio??? OH MAN!! And fit it in a tote???? Where do I even start???

Lucky for me.. going to AF is just a car ride. I can't imagine traveling on a plane and being limited! So I guess.. I can look at it as if whatever I can fit in the car!????

I mention to my husband... "gosh.. I need to get going on packing".. and his reply is.. "Why? you leave on Wednesday!"... and I think yeah.. but you have no idea how hard it is for me to pack it all!!

I  am very excited because I have a house guest coming all the way from France to go to AF with me!I am picking up my friend Celine Navarro at the airport on Monday, and I sure don't want to be still packing when she gets here!! We'll need to hit Seattle and do some shopping and such!! So the packing (or at least the majority of it) NEEDS to be done by Monday!

My house is a wreck and I need to prepare her bedroom and make her nice and comfortable for when she gets here! She has had a very hard year and I need to make sure her stay is a pleasant one!!!