"Tangerine" in Dublin is the place to be...

Howdy blog readers, today hip chick went on a field trip to lovely downtown Dublin. Not Ireland, mind you, but California. My new friend Julee told me about her friend Gina's cute shop called Tangerine, and being I like to support other hip chicky types I went to check it out. It was delicious!

It was a bit Hip Chick and a bit more, I was drooling over everything.

I wanted to buy it all, she has incredible taste. Tangerine also offers art classes and she sells a ton of great art supplies for them. I aim to do the same eventually so it was very inspiring for me to see how she had it all laid out. Gina Gabriell the owner, was a delightful lady.

She is one of those multi talented women who you wanna hate cause they are so damn good at everything but you can't because they are so doggone sweet. Yup that's her. And she has a heart wrenching story. Her daughter died of brain cancer at age 19 in 2007. I could hardly breathe when she told me this...she shares her story on her blog. Gina is an powerful writer.
http://stevieandthedreamofhorses.blogspot.com/
Frankly I am awed by women like Gina. She is incredibly balanced, she's talented and charming and STRONG. The store alone impressed me but meeting Gina and hearing her story blew me away..

it's inspiring to meet someone who teaches you things. Gina taught me a lot today without even realizing it. First she taught me about how I want to incorporate art supplies into Hip Chick's shop, like she does so well at Tangerine. Secondly she taught me about strength and hope through her courageous battle with Stevie's passing, and trying to move forward with having more children. Lastly she taught me to keep doing what I'm doing (again unbeknownst to her) because I want to be like her when I grow up. I want to make all different types of art, I want to sell it online and at the shop, I want to facilitate workshops, and surround myself with people making art a part of their lives.

Here is Gina's studio which she said was messy, honey if that's messy she'd faint at my desk!

so all I can say is it was a pleasure to go to Tangerine today. I discovered a real treasure in more ways than one. For those of you who live nearby I highly recommend you treat yourself by going to this shop. People like Gina help me better myself by showing me where I can go....and I in turn can help someone else. It's all part of the journey. As long as we make art a part of life we are going to be just fine...or as Gina's slogan says so well,
"Make Art=Be Happy"

Stencils are my latest craze

One good thing about crummy weather and it being slow at the shop, I create more. I have been making journals all week, out of composition books and I pretty them up with paper and tags and stamps. They are fun and a great gift at only $18.00.

Today I pulled out some small wood pieces and decided to play with them and see what I could come up with. I made a cute little sign..

and a small collage of my daughter in her tutu with 'dance' from the dictionary and some added elements to give it depth.

I liked how it turned out and so did Abby. The best part is using what's around the shop and seeing what I can come up with. Yesterday I decided I wanted to try stenciling, as it's pretty prevelant in mixed media what with all the layering that goes on. But stencils are kinda hard to find so I decided to make my own. Initially I didnt have the proper tools, I had an old blade and our cutting board with which I made a basic bird, which is on the cover of the first journal above. Today I found my new exacto knife and cutting pad and I was fired up to make much better stencils. Here's what I made. I started with an easy one...

then progressed quickly...

I loved this one and was pleased how it came out....recognize it??? "The silly walk" from Monty Python

and my finale was Mona as in Lisa. Here's my first attempt...

oops, where's her mouth?? Then I got the mouth shape out and.....

Wa-La, a masterpiece! I was truly shocked how well it came out. So I am on a stencil roll now. I love that I can use these over and over, and making them only costs .20 I mean how cheap is that?! Just transperancy paper and a knife, and of course patience. Which isn't really my virtue but when it comes to certain things I can exhibit some. Hope you enjoyed my show and tell...I am sure I shall be making plenty more art as it's nothing but rain and even snow in the forecast...when life gives you rain make a sun stencil and create your own landscape!

Collage class with Steph Jordan

Hip Chick is hosting another fun art class April 16th with the fabulous Steph Jordan.  Here are the details...

Come have fun with Mixed Media Artist Steph Jordan and learn several different techniques while creating a fabulous 11 x 14 Collage on Canvas.  Supplies provided by Steph.

The techniques you learn can be used on many different Art projects and Crafts and include using Beeswax, Emboss, Gel Gloss and more.

As hostess of ‘Living In Color With Steph Jordan’ and owner of her own Art business ‘Diviacity’ Steph has focused on teaching healing Arts as well as navigating your way around all of the product out there.

Steph has taught her product driven (lots of gooey stuff) techniques at various venues in the Bay as well as Los Angeles and Sacramento. 

Join us for 3 hours of mad fun! Plus… Steph gives each guest a ticket and before it’s all over someone wins a fabulous prize to Inspire and Create their own goodies!

April 16^th , 2011

11 – 2

Kit & Supplies Provided

$65

Here are some of Steph's collages

Everyone loves "Mona"...

and here's more

This is "Goddess Nature" and there's one more

"Her heritage"

I love collages and Steph is a master, so I will be excited to learn new techniques myself!  Steph has a dynamic spirit and this is going to be a fun time.  If you want to bring a photo of yourself this is encouraged but not necessary.  All materials are included in the price of the class.  Mixed media is so hot right now and these collages are all individual, reflecting your personality.  The fun of taking a class at Hip Chick's is the camaraderie of learning  a fun technique around other interesting people in a fabulous setting.  How could you resist learning art surrounded by tutus and antiques??  

So sign up now, there is space for 10 and it's first come, first served, you can sign up at the shop, through my facebook hip chick or by phone at 707-747-5543.  Spend your saturday making something lasting and special, I sure will!

Rainy days are good for Art

Yesterday I played hooky.  I admit it.  I drove in the sleet and rain to the shop on Thursday and I couldn't bear it again friday so I called in sick.  Haha.  My boss is very understanding, she said "just chillax Carrie," so I did.  I vegged all day, in my sweats.  munched on everything in the house, joined Constant Contact to help me organize my Hip Chick customers and then I made a journal page.  Here it is...

How I started this was first I was practicing my lettering by using a calligraphy book as a guide.  I thought of a shield with the different aspects of my life as a form to hold the words and I penciled them in before going over them with markers.  Then I shaded each word and thought of what to put inside the  compartments.  I started with the marriage, I had just read a story in Real Simple on this woman's marriage,and she had a nice quote I wanted to use, "marriage: a conversation that lasts a lifetime."  So this is in small text with an image of a couple holding hands, then I added an image of a man and lady dancing.  Easy-done.  I did friends next and I didn't want to just put pictures of friends, rather a symbol of what friendship represents, and I found this image of a girl splashing in puddles.  So I cut out her legs and put her on my shield in puddles, thus symbolizing friendship to me.  Friends are companions to play with, to let your self be completely free with and just laugh.  Next I did family, I found this tree stamp and it seemed to go perfectly, obviously trees are symbolic of family, and they represent nature and the Earth.  I kept this simple with just my core family names and painted the background with watercolors.  Lastly was Art and I made a heart as art is close to my heart, and then added the word "creativity" and some wings as they are my spiritual symbol.  I didn't know what else to put in the space and I saw this shoe that caught my eye so I decided to draw it and hang it by a string, like some eye candy.  Lord knows I couldn't walk in them but I do love them and I appreciated their style.  So all in all this probably took a couple hours and I was pleased with it's outcome.  I felt somewhat productive making some art on my 'sick' day and really it was the right choice.  I watched it rain ALL day and I was thankful I was inside, on my couch all cozy, contemplating life.
Today however, I must go in, I am going to get a run in as I am much overdue, this weather has hampered my motivation.  Brrrr.  Then it's off to the shop to create more art and hopefully make a few sales.  Hope wherever you are that you have a good day today, try something new, it's the best way to learn.  Thanks for stopping by, I love your support!

Walk on the Wild side Wednesday

http://heartcollective.blogspot.com/2011/02/walk-on-wild-side-wednesday_16.html?showComment=1297876328487#c3901664416636801433

Today I look outside and see white puffy clouds and rain drops on the trees.  I am laying in bed catching up on my emails, and facebook before I pack up and head to the shop.  Julee Hermann wrote about the shop on her blog so I wanted to share.  She is going to be teaching a class at Hip Chick's on April 9th and I can't wait.  I love having art classes at the shop for many reasons, I love sharing my happy place with others who are creating, I get to learn something new and it's just FUN!  Art classes are in demand and I am thrilled to facilitate this at the shop.  Julee's class is April 9th 11-3 , it's $65.00 supplies included and sign ups are at the shop or through me.  A credit card reserves your spot.  This class is limited to 10 people and you will be learning how to solder.  I myself have never tried it so I'm excited...here is Julee's link to her online class which describes the process we will be learning.
http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=1897

Julee and I just met a week ago, after I friended her through "Creative Workshops".  I saw she lived in Orinda and I said "hey Julee I live in Danville, we should meet, so she and her sidekick Stephanie came to the shop and we all feel madly in love."  So it is with artists.  I love connecting with other artists and the online art communities I have listed in my sidebar have acquainted me with many.  So I better get off my duff and get ready for my day.  Lots of creating to be done, hope you all have a wonderful day, thanks for checking in on Hip Chick happenings!

Art makes people happy

I honestly need to catch my breath, things have been so exciting, even this Hip Chick who LOVES fun is reeling from recent events. About a month ago on a whim I went to you tube and typed in "mixed media" and found fun videos of artists doing their thing. This has since ignited a flurry of events that are mind blowingly awesome. Ok as I shared in recent blog posts I found Pam Carriker, Millande, and Gary Reef all on you tube and loved each of their unique styles. Well each of them have their own network of people and from there I have been meeting these incredible artists, all in mere days. I saw Julee Hermann on "Creative Workshops" and I noticed she lives in Orinda which is very close by so I said hey, I have a place in Benicia, yatta yatta. And what do you know she shows up at my hip chick door on friday with her fabulousness and Steph in tow and we became BFF's  instantaniously. They are just like me, they love fun, they love creating and sparks flew!

Let's just say it didn't take any coercing to get them to put on tutu's!! We are already collaborating for a big art event this summer...Each of these talented ladies has plenty to offer...here are some of their goodies...
here is Julee's blog,
http://heartcollective.blogspot.com/
and here is Steph's
http://www.stephjordanincolor.blogspot.com/

then I on Saturday I got to host Anna Corba's art class at the shop. We had 10 people come create beautiful collages and it was simply exquisite. Anna is such a sweet lady and she was the pioneer behind all this vintage crafting that we all love. I have admired her work for years, so to meet her and have her in my shop was truly an honor. I felt extremely grateful watching everyone having fun gathered in my happy place.

Anna provided everyone with a packet full of collage images, she walked us through how to put them on the canvas and then the final step was layering wax over the top. I was so jazzed I didn't think I would be able to focus on making one, but I am glad I managed to pull something together. Now I have a special piece to remind me of this Joy Jar day. Here are some peoples work...

Joanne and Mandi made some beauties

So did Terin who is really taping into her artist. There are more pictures on my facebook Hip Chick Page so if you want to see all the fun look there...it was a magical day. I feel incredibly blessed. I had a big "ah ha" moment recently that I'll share. I was a Women's Studies and Art Double major in college and when I graduated I thought that's nice. Now what? I went on to have my daughter and raise the family and I put art aside. It was only a couple years ago after reading "The Artist's Way" that I reacquainted myself with my artist. And then I followed my dreams to lead me to where I am now. My "ah ha" was this.....This is exactly what a Women's Studies/Art Major does, she has a business geared toward empowering women in the arts. And it's called "Hip Chick Designs."  It only took me 16 years to figure it out, but how wonderful to see the culmination of experiences that meshed together to get me here. It's not the destination but the journey that's the point.

Today is my day off, ahhh...I needed to catch up on some chores but I always try to squeeze some fun into everyday. So I did my errands and I sat down and did my journal page from my Journal 365 class by Pam Carriker. I signed up a couple weeks ago and have been so inspired by Pam. She is a very talented and easy to follow teacher. I have some of the journal art supplies, the funny thing is I have an art studio and I have supplies there but I want supplies at home too, so I don't have to cart them back and forth. So today I bought some watercolor crayons and a journal, some charcoal pencils and I sat down and did the one of the assignments. It was from lesson 6 and it was to draw a mask and say something about the mask we wear in our lives.
What we put out in the world vs. how we feel on the inside.

So I did "carefree" for the outside and "struggling" on the inside for me in regards to art. I love it and yet I struggle truth be told. It's just so challenging and I'm my worst critic. It takes ALOT to impress me. haha. sad but true. So then you're supposed to doodle and use the crayons to color which I really enjoyed. My favorite thing about Pam's class and mixed media is learning something new. New experiences are what help us live life fully so I always love the stimulation of learning. So I humbly submit my page for you blog people who are so supportive, and I say bravo. Bravo to anyone who tries, because it is better to try and fail then never to try at all. There is so much beauty in willingness through courageous acts. So I am here to encourage and say TRY, I promise I don't think I'm any better then you are. One is not born an artist, an artist puts in the work. That's the truth.
I also share my latest pet portrait of "El Fuego" a friend's grandson's pet lizard.

I have never painted a lizard and the request was, El Fuego on a cactus, in the desert with a sunset in the background. So this is what I came up with. I hope he likes it. Lizards are tricky, there isn't much color on them so I used more color in the other elements. Now it's time for my afternoon run, thank you for checking my blog and for supporting this crazy Hip Chick on her art journey.....