Book Arts Workshop in San Miguel de Allende

Here are some Pics from my workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. My students did a fantastic job with their handmade books! Congrats and many thanks to all who spent the day painting, stamping, stenciling, mark making, and of course drinking Margaritas! ....ok...some of you!

Back in the USA.....

We've just returned from San Miguel de Allende after teaching a week long Mixed Media retreat,  with my Amigas. What a week it was with laughter and  good times had by all! My students created incredible accordion books with amazing images and colors. The city was singing with lights and festivities for Holy Week. It's hard to get back to reality........we'll return in 2012!

Diane Uke, Laurie Mika, Lynn Leahy, Me!, and Jane LaFazio

Tesoso del Corazon.....Mexico!!

I'm still packing my bags for San Miguel de Allende...lots of goodies for art making that have taken over my large suitcase....clothes?...well...they are stuffed in between wherever and however......I'll be back on April 20 with more Mexican treasures that I can jam into small spaces....of course I won't have as many art supplies on the return trip.... so there!

Joseph Raffael!

Imagine my elation when I stepped into a gallery filled with huge Joseph Raffael watercolors! Today my art buddies and I drove up to see the exhibit at Soka University in Aliso Viejo, CA. The exhibit closes soon....April 15th to be exact. This is the artist who first inspired me to paint in watercolor back in the early 80's....I saw wild bits of color yet thoughtfully marked....wet into wet approaches with blooms! What a breakaway from the mediocre works I had seen before by other watercolor artists.

 What a glorious colorful experience it was.... as you can see I was dancing with joy. The only other time I've seen his work was in New York at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery.

 Here's  a detail from the blue background painting behind me "Blossoms and Sky" 54 1/4" x 89 1/4"........look at the incredible detail and  the color outlines of the shapes...reminiscent of Wayne Thiebaud's works.

This piece is called "Biography: Interior-Exterior, Exterior- Interior"   49 1/2" x 72 3/4". The painting also had incredible details in each inch of the work....small broken color brushstrokes with transparency and brilliance.

Borrego Springs Circle of Art Show

Come out to the desert this weekend! Borrego Springs, CA is the place to be for Arts downtown at the Circle of Art Show.  The Wildflowers should be lovely and hiking trails are close by. I'll have new works for you to buy as well as some small little handmade journals and greeting cards. Hours are 9am to 4pm.

Brandon Gallery Pastel Show

Brandon Gallery in Fallbrook, CA is hosting an exhibit of my Pastel student's works through the end of the month. We had a little party today with treats, chocolate cupcakes made by the gallery director and wine to go with it....what could be a better combo? From left to right: Christine Bowman, Marlene Sheridan, Me!, Doris Bertch, Andi Mandel, Jo-Lind Eckstein, Robin Coats.

I am so proud of my students! Come on in to the gallery and enjoy the versatility and brilliance of Pastels and watermedia. These works were thoughtfully created and painted on location and in the studio.

Visit Fallbrook School of the Arts  for more information on classes. My next set of classes starts soon!

 March 28- Watercolor Basics

March 30-Pastel Painting: in the studio and Plein Air

Contemporary Watermedia- March 31

Book Arts: Embellished and Stitched- March 31.

Plein Air at Elfin Forest Reserve

We had a lovely afternoon painting on location  at Elfin Forest Reserve in Escondido, CA. The sky was clear and the day warm and sunny. This is the second to the last class for my Fallbrook School of the Arts Pastel Class. A new class will start on March 30th. Our afternoon couldn't have been more perfect, pastels and  good conversations about compositions and such........

Along the Vista Grande Trail, Pastel Painting at Santa Rosa Plateau

Along the Vista Grande Trail, Pastel, Helen Shafer Garcia
Originally uploaded by Agave Latte

Today I took my Fallbrook School of the Arts Pastel class to Santa Rosa Plateau to paint on location. It was the calm before the storm...cold and overcast with hints of sunshine. We painted till our fingers got numb, then hiked back to the vistor's center for a warm up critique. Fun afternoon!

Art and Soul Blog Hop!

I'll be teaching at  Portland Art and Soul Retreat www.artandsoulretreat.com/Portland-2011.php    this coming September 28th and 29th! Very exciting! I'm joining these fine instructors in a blog hop...check out thier works to see what they are teaching.

Sharyn Sowell  http://www.sharynsowellartblog.blogspot.com/

Jane LaFazio  http://janeville.blogspot.com/

Jenni Horne   http://www.jennihorne.blogspot.com/

PeggyKrzyzewski-   http://www.artandsoultoo.blogspot.com/

Rogene Manas  http://www.rogenemanas.blogspot.com/

Doreen Kassell  http://www.doreengay-kassel.blogspot.com/

Corey Celaya  http://www.art-with-moxie.blogspot.com/

Patricia Seggebruch  http://www.encaustikits.blogspot.com/

M&Jen Crossley  http://www.amarkintime.blogspot.com/

Barbara Lewis  http://paintingwithfireartwear.blogspot.com/

I'm teaching 2 workshops......

 Batik Flora and Fauna Wednesday September 28th

Casa de Milagros Thursday September 29th

Fallbrook Library Book Arts Exhibit

I just returned home after installing my Book Arts Works for the Grand Gala and Opening of the Newly Built Fallbrook Library. http://www.fallbrooklibraryfriends.org/ It opens to the public next Saturday, January 22th.

This new space is exceptional. The art works alone are incredible and the new outdoor patio will be most popular with readers and artists. Mary Perhacs, Director of the Fallbrook Art Center; http://www.fallbrookartcenter.org/ personally  invited me to exhibit my Artists Books in 2 plexi display boxes located in the new reading room with an outrageous glass beaded fireplace.

Drive up for the afternoon in a  week or so....have a great cup of coffee at Primos Coffee just down the hill, check out the new library.....oh...and did I mention the new planted roof? Succulents and such......So very cool!

My new Book Arts 8 week class starts next Thursday afternoon from 1 to  4pm http://www.fallbrookschoolofthearts.org/classes/paper-arts.html
There is still time to register!