greenpepperpressblog

Tag: workshop

  • frozen….and on fire

    MWicebranch \

    The view from this morning.  Ice-covered everything.  The sound of ice on snow is louder than you would think.  Luckily most of it melted off the trees and powerlines before causing too much damage.  In addition to the frozen roads, my computer has been freezing up all day.  Rrrgghhh.  Frustrating because I was ready to post the new crusade, second in the Evidence Series…AND I have been on-fire with thoughts that I wanted to type up.  What kind of thoughts?  I have a new workshop that will be presented later this year (announcement coming soon) and the plans and preparations and ideas haven't stopped flooding in….three days may not be enough to cover all the material gathered in my mental files, and scribbled notes.  OMG, I can't wait!

    I was able to post the crusade….with additional new journal pages to follow.  Come play!

    GPP C48BeenThere 

  • more trickery

    Mwpt5 
    As requested, here are more photos from my Parlor Tricks book….followed by some workshop photos I borrowed from Kathy.  It was frightfully fun!

    MWPT1 
    MWPT2 
    Mwpt33 
     

    MWPT4 

    I've been asked to offer this as an online class which I am giving some serious consideration.  I'm facing a decision – whether or not to have it include a kit that has to be assembled and mailed, or if I should redesign the format so the punched paper and coils are not necessary and all parts could be offered as a printable download.  I would love your feedback…..if you are interested, let me ask you this: 

    1.  Would you want to receive a kit that is required to make a coil bound book?

    OR

    2.  Would you prefer to download all the pieces and print from home?   

     

  • more trickery

    Mwpt5 
    As requested, here are more photos from my Parlor Tricks book….followed by some workshop photos I borrowed from Kathy.  It was frightfully fun!

    MWPT1 
    MWPT2 
    Mwpt33 
     

    MWPT4 

    I've been asked to offer this as an online class which I am giving some serious consideration.  I'm facing a decision – whether or not to have it include a kit that has to be assembled and mailed, or if I should redesign the format so the punched paper and coils are not necessary and all parts could be offered as a printable download.  I would love your feedback…..if you are interested, let me ask you this: 

    1.  Would you want to receive a kit that is required to make a coil bound book?

    OR

    2.  Would you prefer to download all the pieces and print from home?   

     

  • report from valley ridge

    I remember getting ready to teach my first workshop about eight years ago.  I was a wreck.  I packed too much.  I was worried I wouldn't live up to the expectations of my students.  I was sure I would get off track and forget something important.  I had stagefright. 

    Nothing much has changed except that now I have the experience to know what really matters ~ show your true self, fire up some confidence and enthusiasm in your students, and get them to realize they have it within them to make cool stuff.  It doesn't even matter what the class is – the point of it all is to relish in the time set aside to honor our creative selves. 

    Valley Ridge is the kind of place that makes that time even more special.  The atmosphere is unmatched.  There are not many venues that provide two and three day classes.  Having that second day is such a gift.  You get to stroll into the workroom where your supplies are already unpacked.  You get to pat yourself on the back for what you've accomplished and then you get to take advantage of another whole day to dig in deeper, ask more questions, learn from your instructor and your neighbors. 

    These two classes were an absolute blast.  Such a great group of artists!  I left VR feeling fulfilled in every way.  It felt good to be intense and deliberate in creating.  It was rewarding to see the fabulous work.  I loved seeing old friends, and made some new ones.  My spirit is soaring!

    MW RWIVRa 

    MW RWIVRb 

    MW RWIVRc 

    MW PTVRa 

    I can't believe I don't have any detail shots of the Parlor books!  Hopefully some friends will share their pictures with me – I know Kathy will have some….there were terrific tricks happening in our parlors!  Here is a cute story….The first night Kathy and I were remembering the first time I came to VR to teach Roll With It (2005).  We were thinking of the students and I was asking about some of the ones I hadn't heard from in a while.  We mentioned Cindy.  Two days later SHE CALLED at 9:30 pm to ask if the there was room in the Sat/Sun class.  She arrived from Iowa the next morning!  <enter twilight zone music>  I met her at her car….in the backseat was her pillow….No way!  I had just made a sign for my Parlor Tricks book, see below.  Lyrics from Hotel California!  Love that kind of synchronicity!

    MW PTVRcindy 

    MWVRspoils 

    MWravenmask 

    Terrific to spend time with Kathy.  So special to have Mom playing along with us.  I think she the most 'commitments' by adding content in her book.  (Of course she was the teacher's pet *grin*) Loved every minute of it.  Crossing fingers we can convince Kathy to emerge from sabbatical next fall for another gathering at her amazing place.

    Thank you.  * blows kisses*

  • report from valley ridge

    I remember getting ready to teach my first workshop about eight years ago.  I was a wreck.  I packed too much.  I was worried I wouldn't live up to the expectations of my students.  I was sure I would get off track and forget something important.  I had stagefright. 

    Nothing much has changed except that now I have the experience to know what really matters ~ show your true self, fire up some confidence and enthusiasm in your students, and get them to realize they have it within them to make cool stuff.  It doesn't even matter what the class is – the point of it all is to relish in the time set aside to honor our creative selves. 

    Valley Ridge is the kind of place that makes that time even more special.  The atmosphere is unmatched.  There are not many venues that provide two and three day classes.  Having that second day is such a gift.  You get to stroll into the workroom where your supplies are already unpacked.  You get to pat yourself on the back for what you've accomplished and then you get to take advantage of another whole day to dig in deeper, ask more questions, learn from your instructor and your neighbors. 

    These two classes were an absolute blast.  Such a great group of artists!  I left VR feeling fulfilled in every way.  It felt good to be intense and deliberate in creating.  It was rewarding to see the fabulous work.  I loved seeing old friends, and made some new ones.  My spirit is soaring!

    MW RWIVRa 

    MW RWIVRb 

    MW RWIVRc 

    MW PTVRa 

    I can't believe I don't have any detail shots of the Parlor books!  Hopefully some friends will share their pictures with me – I know Kathy will have some….there were terrific tricks happening in our parlors!  Here is a cute story….The first night Kathy and I were remembering the first time I came to VR to teach Roll With It (2005).  We were thinking of the students and I was asking about some of the ones I hadn't heard from in a while.  We mentioned Cindy.  Two days later SHE CALLED at 9:30 pm to ask if the there was room in the Sat/Sun class.  She arrived from Iowa the next morning!  <enter twilight zone music>  I met her at her car….in the backseat was her pillow….No way!  I had just made a sign for my Parlor Tricks book, see below.  Lyrics from Hotel California!  Love that kind of synchronicity!

    MW PTVRcindy 

    MWVRspoils 

    MWravenmask 

    Terrific to spend time with Kathy.  So special to have Mom playing along with us.  I think she the most 'commitments' by adding content in her book.  (Of course she was the teacher's pet *grin*) Loved every minute of it.  Crossing fingers we can convince Kathy to emerge from sabbatical next fall for another gathering at her amazing place.

    Thank you.  * blows kisses*

  • *waves*

    MWOnTheRoad

    I'm off to Valley Ridge!  Looking forward to seeing old friends, and to make new ones.  Mom will be joining me – always a fun event.  I promise to report when I return next week.

    I'm sorry to say I have no update on the rubber stamp arrival.  I can't believe the new collection isn't here and apologize for the extended wait.  Thanks for your patience.  I will post here as soon as they get here. 

    *crosses fingers* & *blows kisses*

  • *waves*

    MWOnTheRoad

    I'm off to Valley Ridge!  Looking forward to seeing old friends, and to make new ones.  Mom will be joining me – always a fun event.  I promise to report when I return next week.

    I'm sorry to say I have no update on the rubber stamp arrival.  I can't believe the new collection isn't here and apologize for the extended wait.  Thanks for your patience.  I will post here as soon as they get here. 

    *crosses fingers* & *blows kisses*

  • step into my parlor

    It's crunch week.  I'm busy packing all the kits and supplies for my workshops to send to Valley Ridge.  This is such a fun time!  I may be quiet here but I am a tasmanian devil behind the scene.  Not only is there alot to get done but I keep distracting myself by adding things to my sample journal.  Here is a test drive a few images I've prepared for Parlor Tricks.  No time for RubyTuesday-ing at the moment.  I will be back on task soon.

    MWInTheParlor

  • step into my parlor

    It's crunch week.  I'm busy packing all the kits and supplies for my workshops to send to Valley Ridge.  This is such a fun time!  I may be quiet here but I am a tasmanian devil behind the scene.  Not only is there alot to get done but I keep distracting myself by adding things to my sample journal.  Here is a test drive a few images I've prepared for Parlor Tricks.  No time for RubyTuesday-ing at the moment.  I will be back on task soon.

    MWInTheParlor

  • in real life

    Taking a workshop is a unique experience – in whatever form it is presented.  I view the time you set aside for a class as *an appointment with creativity*.  You claim a portion of your precious time to devote solely to art and discovery.  Being in a classroom with other like-minded souls, be they friends, or not-yet-friends, can be intimidating, but it can also be a wonderfully fulfilling experience.  So much is learned in a group setting – we learn from each other as we work on projects, or try new things, and problem solve together.  I love standing in the role of teacher.  I love being the one who gets to witness your light-bulb-moments.  I love spilling my entire arsenal of tricks and techniques, to share all that I know, to assist students in finding new visions, stretch their boundaries, and feel confidence and satisfaction in their work. 

    In less than a month I will be making my annual trip to Wisconsin to teach at my most favorite workshop venue:  Valley Ridge Art Studio.  It is the only place I have committed to teach in the last few years.  I've said it before – it truly is a magical place.  Since they are taking a well-deserved sabbatical in 2011 it will my last real life gig for a while.  There really is nothing that compares to being physically present in an environment like this.  I get it that online workshops are increasingly popular.  I get it that online classes can be taken at your convenience, at your own pace, from wherever you are on the globe.  I hope to embark on this new platform for teaching sometime in the future.  But I'll say it again, there is nothing that compares to being physically present, and setting aside undivided attention for the purpose of moving forward on your artistic journey.

    There is still time, and some room, to join me in September.  Hope to see you there.

    MWrollbannerA

    MWparlorbannerA

    You can see class descriptions by following the sidebar links on the left, or visit Valley Ridge here and here.