Mini-Artfest

This year the financial realities of being a parent of a college student have taken hold, therefore I am not attending Artfest.  Fortunately, I have artsy friends - two of whom are attending Artfest and in fact teaching classes this year - who decided to get together before the big event so that we could do some arting together!  We got together at the studio of the uber-talented Michelle Allen of Allen Designs.  Everywhere you look in this studio there are amazing things to see - pure heaven for this color and whimsy junkie!  See what I mean?

Here is Michelle holding up a work in progress.  She's a joyful spirit and it all comes through in her work.  I could post a million pictures of all the amazing things she does, but I'll just give you her link instead (because she has better pictures of her own work!)  Go here.

Janne Robbeson comes all the way from Norway to attend Artfest, and this year she is also teaching!  We got to see a preview of what her students will be learning - appliqued and adorned drawstring velvet bags.  They are gorgeous!  Janne is another one of those ultra-talented artists - she's a costume designer, a painter, an incredible photographer - she does jewelry, assemblage, etc., etc.!  Not to mention she's super stylish!  You can see more about her on Michelle's blog, and of course on her own website: Spindelmaker

  

 Deirdra brought her darling Nikki Nisse doll for show and tell.  Lots more about her doll AND her book!!! on her blog.

 Along with our own little projects to work on, Janne brought her treasure necklace that she had made out of her christening bracelet and other meaningful memories.  Dangling from the chain is a tiny little book with lovely charcoal black paper.  Janne asked each of us to paint something inside.  What a wonderful book of mementos it will be as she continues to gather mini works of art within!  My little page is seen below.

It was a fabulous evening arting with friends!  More, please!