4.28.2015

Just one thing

A recent lesson in bestill52, my online creative class with kim klassen, was to take one thing and see how many different ways you could photograph it.  At first, nothing came to mind to really motivate me to do a series...

but this past weekend...as I was cleaning up the garden bouquet that was now withered and dying, this one tulip caught my eye...and persuaded me to play...

Different settings, changing light, varied filters and editing...it was a good exercise in seeing how a mood or a feeling could change with the slightest adjustments...







































and while we're talking about one more thing...
Early Bird registration for Art Party Portland ends May 1
for details, information and registration, click here

joining the group over at kim klassen's for texture tuesday...
used kk textures enlightened and monday in my editing work of the tulips...

4.22.2015

Happy Earth Day!








































I remember the first Earth Day in 1970...I'm glad that we are still giving a nod to the Earth and all its wonders...and I am still hopeful that more and more of us come to realize that we must treat this planet with all the love and respect we give our personal homes...because, in the big picture, the Earth is our ultimate home...

This idea of treating the Earth wisely is part of what fuels my art...foraging from those things that others throw away and find no value in...finding new life in remnants of the past...creating combinations of everyday ephemera.

I'm pleased to have three of my collage assemblages included in a gallery show at the Schack Art Center which is all about recycled art.  "Saving the Environment: Sustainable Art" runs at the Center from April 23 - May 30; the opening reception is tomorrow evening from 5-8 pm at the Center which is located in downtown Everett.

If you're in the neighborhood, stop on by...I'll be there...along with plenty of great art to amaze you...you'll be surprised at what others may think is junk can be turned into fantastic art with just a bit of insight and inspiration...

4.10.2015

Following the thread...

I love old things...and the stories that they tell...

Some people see a pile of useless junk...I see a former life, a past event, a fleeting thought, a momentary wish...

Sometimes I let my imagination run ahead...and spin a tale...pulling the thread of the story...seeing where it may lead...

Last week I participated in the 7 vignettes challenge on Instagram.  Sponsored by Interiors Addict, there's a list of 7 prompts for you to follow and post your photographic inspiration.  I had such a grand time chasing down my story that I thought I would share with you here...

Day One - Blush
I can't say exactly what prompted me to pull out these things...most likely it was the large spool of linen thread in a dusty pink color sitting on a shelf that caught my eye...and then the photo on my inspiration board behind my computer screen...it was the start of the tale...

"blush...the color that rises in a young girl's cheeks when an admirer notices her in all her beauty..."



Day 2 - Bloom
"the fresh lilac blooms brightened her outlook that spring had arrived on this first day of April"

Day 3 - Light
"and so she had a thought...an inkling of an idea...perhaps this young man who made her blush...and brought her such lovely blooms...was the one...her face lit up with anticipation..."



































Day 4 - Soft
"she felt like she could soar...her heart unfettered...but if she fell, she knew she would have a soft place to land...is this what one calls love..."



































Day 5 - Easter
"rebirth...a new awakening...a fresh start...could this be the direction she sought...the path to follow...her heart guides the way...



































Day 6 - Weave
"she remembered him hanging around her father's auto shop...never saying much but always tinkering...papa passed away while she was away at nursing school and now he had taken over the shop...their lives had been intertwined at the edges for years...perhaps it was time to strengthen the weave..."



































Day 7 - Gold
"tied up with hopes for the future, a home filled with love and a promise of time eternal, the circle of gold on her ring finger signifies, not a closed chapter, but a new beginning..."



































Pulling the thread of imagination, you never know what you might find...
joining with others over at kim klassen's Friday Finds...

and I invite you to follow me on Instagram, you'll find me as four corners design...
let me know if you're on IG, I'll follow back

4.08.2015

April in Paris

lilacs blooming...the air fresh with scent...a breeze lingers and stirs memories...
my head in the clouds...like a faded polaroid print, the image is clear but the details are fuzzy...








































a composition from my online creative class...
I will be off on an adventure next week...but not to Paris...at least, not this time...

4.05.2015

Happy Easter

a rebirth...a new beginning...a fresh start...oh happy day...



4.01.2015

Art Party Portland - Registration now open!



























A weekend to hang out with other creatives...in a cool, hip town...with plenty of opportunities to make wild art, scrumptious meals and new friends...what more could you ask for?

The idea of this weekend germinated back in January...and since then has blossomed into a full-fledged event...Beth Huffaker, aka shutterhuf, has agreed to co-host with me and we have been cooking up plans...
Early bird registration is now open...so read on to get all the details...

Art Party Portland - Thursday, October 8 to Sunday, October 11, 2015

First the location - Portland, Oregon - a fun, funky city with plenty of creative vibe. We'll be staying in a grand Craftsman bungalow in North Portland.  It will be a communal atmosphere - as in, we'll be sharing bedrooms and bathrooms but there's plenty of space inside and out for togetherness as well as moments of quiet.  There's plenty of coffeeshops, restaurants and boutiques within walking distance and with Portland's great mass transit system, its easy to get downtown or other areas of town if you want to go exploring. 

Here's a breakdown of the weekend...though it remains flexible to incorporate what ever creative adventures you want to include...

Thursday, October 8

           Arrive anytime to the grand old house we are renting for the weekend in North Portland...the airport is also on the north side of town so it should be easy to shuttle over to the house.  Our first gathering will be dinner Thursday night at the house where everyone will meet.

Friday, October 9
            There are no shortage of activities for a creative spirit in Portland – you are free and welcome to explore whatever you desire.
            But – we will also be hosting a number of workshops (morning and afternoon sessions) that you can choose from...
            Beth will be teaching an art image transfer workshop and an iphone photography session...
            I’ll be teaching a session on altered metal tins and a session on constructing corrugated cardboard journals.
            Other ideas floating about...creative writing, junk mail collage, cooking/baking (how about some handmade chocolate truffles?), a visit to a local artisan who actually is making a living being an artist...

Is there a talent you want to share with the group? Or is there a skill/idea/process you’d like to know more about? We'd love to hear your thoughts to make it your weekend - let us know!

There will be light eating options for breakfast and lunch on this day; we’ll have a large group dinner again this night...maybe some specialty cooking?  wine tasting?
And after dinner...Idea Exchange: social media is all the rage...how can you utilize it to your best advantage...

Saturday, October 10
            Junk Bonanza is in town this weekend...one of the largest vintage markets in the country is being held in Portland for the first time...Beth and I are pumped to go and happy to take along whoever else is game...The admission to this event is on your own...tickets are $10; additional details on the show at junkbonanza.com
            If junk is not your thing...there’s Powell’s Bookstore (an entire city block of literary coolness) the Saturday Farmer’s Market (produce, food, art and tons of fun), Washington Park (great hiking trails and nature photo opps)
             Janet Brown of Janet Brown Studios will be teaching a session on Indigo Dyeing.
             Wendy Lee Lynds will teach a session on creative art journaling. 

Group dinner again this night...maybe another Idea Exchange on how to keep the art mojo going when life interferes...

Sunday, October 11
            Winding down...we’ll have breakfast together and then pack up and head for home...with a suitcase filled with memories and creative spark...

As I mentioned earlier, it’s a big rambling house that's the hub for the weekend...its not fancy or elaborate...very down home...clean and tidy...but funky décor.  Its going to be a group experience...there are no private bedrooms and 4 shared bathrooms.  There’s a combination of twin, double and queen beds – even a couple of bunk beds...one bedroom has 6 beds in it, some have only two...think of it as urban camping...and probably best to maybe bring earplugs along...you know we all snore now...but keep in mind that this communal setting is what is keeping this adventure affordable...

If you think that you would like more privacy or a different setting, there are plenty of hotel options in town...and there is a registration fee for those who are staying somewhere else and are participating during the day.

Are you ready to join us...and be a part of this collective of creative spirits?

Early Bird Registraion is now open until May 1 or sooner if event fills. After May 1, the registration fee will be $400.
         $375 includes
* shared lodging at the house for three nights
* group dinners on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights, light breakfast and lunch for Fri and Sat, 
group breakfast on Sun
* all workshop supplies for whatever sessions you take
* plenty of other surprises and sparks

Here is the PayPal link for Early Bird Registration

Activity only Registration – opens now until September 30
$275 includes
 * staying each night elsewhere but participating in all activities and meals 
 at the house Thurs - Sunday as described above
 * all workshop supplies for whatever sessions you take
 * plenty of other surprises and sparks

  Here is the PayPal link for Event Activity Registration
      
Cancellation Policy - 50% refund up until September 1, 2015, after that time, no refunds given.


Additional details about the exact location of the North Portland house as well as more information on schedule, activities, and creative sparks will be provided to registrants upon payment.  You will be asked for a mail address when you complete your PayPal transaction so we can send a confirmation packet to you.

Have any questions, comments or concerns - feel free to email or call/text me 
amy_duncan@yahoo.com
425-239-6132
or my partner in creativity, Beth Huffaker at bhuffak@gmail.com

It's going to be quite a creative party...Beth and I hope you will be joining us!

worth a look...

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