InMyStudio
Little glimpses into my life, my greatest loves and bits of everything else.
Sharing the behind-the-scenes to my creative process and what goes into each of my unique pieces.
Thank you so much for your patience and for giving me the space to catch my breath and sort out my admin and life a bit.
At last, I've managed to list some of my TinyBagsofLove.
There aren't too many left but I hope you can still find something there for you.
~ Thank you ~
I've been prepping backgrounds from class. It's not something that comes naturally for me. But it's something I would like to grow more in. I always seem to forget how great it is.
So I had a few prepped canvases like this and I've been dying to work on them. I'm loving how they give such a different element to your work. Working on a painted surface is completely different than working on a clean canvas. Well, at least I find that and sometimes I find it harder but always a gorgeous outcome and one I'm always happy with. I find I have to work with much thicker paint which is most delicious.
EmbraceYourselfWorkshop - Misty Mawn
Working with scratching and stencils. And I'm loving it. I can't wait to play on more textured and prepped backgrounds.
As for this girl, I really love her.
These new pieces are going towards a body of works for an auction later in the year.
Happy painting, Love Me.
I've been using spray varnish for a while now and although I feel confident this is good enough, I've been desperate to test other mediums and products. Especially on my paper pieces, mixed media pieces and I've also been keen to test it on one of my paper clay SoulBearers. My problem is I couldn't find anyone to tell me how to do it. Not even my local art shops.
When Annie came to visit earlier this year, I took her to the Italian art shop and while she was browsing, I found this gorgeous little Italian Wax-Picture Varnish. I have been a little afraid to test it but this weekend past, I was ready.
I have been working on a collage piece that was rather uneven.
I did some research and watched some online tutorials and I struggled to find a solution that was making any sense to me, when I stumbled across WillKempArtSchool and it gave step by step instruction on how to varnish acrylic pieces. I'm soooooo thrilled about this delightful find.
The best tip he gives is how you need to isolate your piece with gel medium solution before applying the varnish and thank goodness I read that....
Isolation and Varnishing - in a nutshell....
For more detailed tips on isolation - read here
For more detailed tips on varnishing - read here.
I am keeping this website on speed-dial, it's full of great tips and lessons and help. Thank you so much WillKempArtSchool. As for my wax-picture varnish finish - it's looking lovely so far and as soon as it dries, I will share more. I have also tested this on one of my small SoulBearers.
I'm excited to see how these two pieces are now sealed and protected.
Much love, Jeanne-Marie
It feels so great to be back in learning mode. Can I tell you how much I love it. At the end of last year I signed up to a lot of new classes, that I haven't started yet. But it was for this year because I wanted to get back to learning. It was my objective for 2017 and it's what I've set this year aside for. I learnt a lot last year and tried a bunch of new things too but I knew this year, I needed to go deeper with my painting and push myself to do new things and learn new skills with my art.
EmbraceYourselfWorkshop - Misty Mawn
I know I've taken a while to get going because of all my art admin and exhibition / auction but I am finally here. When I take a class, I don't flip through it. I have a journal and I take notes and document it all and I usually try most of the class. So last week I watched a lot of tutorials which was completely inspiring and this weekend past I started my book and did my first lesson / homework. I'm rusty for sure. For me there is skill taking a class, the skill in courage, in trying new things and trying everything. The skill of showing up even when there is fear and my fear is tangible and real and I'm uncomfortable.
But I know it's a good thing and I'm thrilled about that. Can't wait to do more.
Love Jeanne-Marie
I love how this pieces speaks to me so much of forgiveness... Lost in the Olive Branches.
This piece has changed 3 times for me and I finally love these two girls. I'm enjoying the gentler colors and script across their chests and the additional hand that is bigger than the other hand.
I know the hand is perspectively too big but I'm not minding it, at all...
I love how it appears to the be a protective hand of the bigger sister. There is so much story here for me and it's a personal story of grace and of forgiveness.
I'm loving being able to finish pieces and loving being able to paint again. My heart is overflowing and my equilibrium feels like it's returning and all might be right with the world again. Happy Studio Day
With much love and grace,
Jeanne-Marie
As you may have heard me mention, after all my commitments, I was was going to be heading back into the classroom. Well this finally happened this week, properly.
Just starting has got me so motivated and inspired, I can't even tell you. it got me motivated to finish these two pieces. I started them in December but they both just seemed to me lacking something.... "feeling" perhaps. I was so flat and exhausted by the end of December.
There is something so precious and sacred about allowing rest to bring new energy and perspective. I always forget this and it always seems to teach me so much, in the art of waiting and the art of patience. I tend to feel guilty and frantic when I'm not painting daily but giving myself time to truly rest and time away from my easel has brought something new back to me.
And I'm so grateful because besides finishing pieces, joy has returned and that's always a good thing.
These past few weeks have been all about TinyBagsofLove local Interviews and Auction admin/shipping but come Thursday, I get to exhale a big sigh of relief. It has been a MASSIVE few weeks and long long days (and nights) and I am, needless to say, exhausted. Being shy by nature, it's not easy to put myself out there publicly, it takes a lot of energy from me.
The relief of knowing all my commitments are almost done, is HUGE.
You know what that means, right? That I am at last for the first time in months, free to create. Create for me and to create for create's sake. And it's made me completely giddy with excitement.
My heart has been more than ready.
I had my final interview today with eTv. and it was such a great time. They asked me so kindly to paint this girl in front of them and on camera and it was daunting but it was enough to be me excited to paint.
I did not expect to paint another TeaBagGirl so soon.
After they left, I had paint left on my palette and I managed to get this beautiful girl out onto my canvas. She was quick and she literally just flowed right out of my brush. Which is always a beautiful feeling.
There is something haunting about her, to me. And I kind of love her.
I originally drew up this piece with my left hand. It was an incredible exercise to do because I had no idea my left hand was capable of anything.
My heart is happy and my schedule is clear for the weekend. I'm heading back into the classroom to be taught and inspired and I can't wait. I will share soon, the classes I've signed up for.
But for now, happy heart this side of the world.
Much Love, Jeanne-Marie
I keep saying next week will be better and I will have more time... but it's mid March and I'm not there yet. So my studio time has been a little elusive to me still. And I'm really struggling with that. I'm just dying to get back to creating, learning and play, just for me.
I'm forcing myself to lay down my expectations and realise that everything that has been happening around the TinyBagsofLove, is just a season. So for now, I'm stealing moments here and there to fill my love tank, even if it's just little bits at a time.
By the way we have added an afternoon slot for a couple of hours, if you would like to come paint with me in North Carolina. It will be an afternoon of sharing with each other and painting together.
I've also been doing some non-dominant hand (left hand) drawing and painting inspired by Ivy Newport's class. Warming up exercises. As soon as I can I'll be heading back into the classroom to go back to learning again this year.
I've had an overwhelming response to my TinyBagsofLove this past week, locally. I am not sure why that happened, exactly. Why now after all this time, as I'm wrapping up my project. That being said, I am a firm believer that everything happens at the exact right time it's meant to. Even if we don't fully understand it. Often its not in our time... but rather at the right time.
This week I had my very first radio interview with Cape Talk. It wasn't too bad. I kind of enjoyed it.
When the radio interview as finished and we put the phone down, Digz and the girls came squealing into my studio and all hugged me. I don't think I will ever forget that. Knowing they are proud of me is all the recognition I need. They have been such a support to me through everything I do. I love you guys.
On Thursday, The Times came into my home to do a video interview. I have to say I loved the morning. I'm quite shy by nature but the producer and videographer, Anthony was so fantastic at what he did. His questions were insightful and he made me feel at ease, right away. Corks was close by to help me but at one stage I looked down at my hands and they were shaking. Eeeeck.
Video and production by Anthony Molyneaux
Yes, I've been totally out of my comfort zones this week with the attention. I don't find it easy. I have got to meet some great people through this project though which I just love. I love that the teabags have given me that, meeting other artists and incredible people who are passionate about what they do.
I have three more interviews early next week and then it's a wrap. It's been such a special time in my life and I thank you all for being part of this.
But I will be heading back to my studio asap, also known as my hiding place :-)
My TinyBagsofLove Auction was incredible and I can't thank you enough for being there to love my TeaBagGirls with me and of course, supporting me and what I did last year.
I'm utterly blown away. Thank you.
This week has seen me and Corks working until all hours of the morning packaging up my tiny girls. Most people ask me how can I bear to part with them but I'm always so ready to share my art and send it out into the world but this week has found my heart lingering with each one as I carefully packaged them up. I'm a tad bit overwhelmed, in the best possible way.
The pre-auction admin was labor intensive and the auction was fast-paced and full on and the time zones, wow those time zones. Now I'm deep in the midst of post-auction labor, a labor of love as I package up my girls and get them ready for their voyage across the seas.
My heart climbed inside each package - safe travels little ones
To my TeaBagGirls - I just want to say, thank you. We have walked with each other for 366 days and then some. You have stood by me through the enormity of exhibition and auction and through this whole venture and you once again have taught me so much in your humility but incredible resilience.
There is huge courage in showing up everyday, in spite of the craziness of life and last year was crazy. I still can't believe I didn't give up half way through and trust me there were moments. But all said and done the beautiful gifts that came from this past year have surpassed my expectations. What a beautiful gift you girls have given me. Thank you.
Safe travels my SweetGirls, my sweet #TeaBagGirls
I have updated my TeaBag page if you want to see my journey this past year. In the past week, locally, I received an overwhelming response in the press about my sweet little project and I've been receiving some love and support from the Rooibos Council of SA which I'm so thrilled about. I wanted them to be part of my journey. I've shared some of that on this page, just follow the button to see some of that.
Once again, as I am wrapping up this incredible project, I just want to say a huge....
I've been wanting to share this new out loud for sometime but I guess I've been a little afraid and nervous and completely shy about it. Plus I needed to get my exhibition behind me. So many aspects were up in the air and soooo much planning involved. We started talking about this as being an option almost a year ago and seeing it come together is a dream come true.
I'm thrilled to say I've finally committed and it's happening.
How I'm viewing it completely, is totally from the angle that I'm going over to paint with friends. And nothing can be more exciting than that and I can honestly say that is the biggest desire on my heart. Getting to work creatively with likeminded peers was the greatest growth and thing I've experienced to date. I am so looking forward to that.
Please check out my events page to see the dates I will be in various areas. I will be sitting this afternoon with my google maps and calendar, to work out my finer details. I will share more as I go.
I am starting in North Carolina with my clay class, close to the end of June 2017. After North Carolina, I'll be heading across to California and will venture up to Oregon. If you are close by to any of these areas, I would love to meet you in person.
I'm so blessed and so honoured to have received my happy mail this week...
Daniela Giles
KJ Allison
Sandra2Paint
If you click on each image it will direct you to their fb / instagram page.
My new Sweet Tea SoulBearer is on my shelf, next to my own Souls and she fits right in. And these two other incredible pieces are going to be framed this week. In fact, I have a few pieces to get back from the framers and to get framed.
Last year I did manage to acquire some beautiful pieces from some of my favourite online artist friends who I admire and completely respect like LynTivenan, MistyMawn and RobinLaws. All going in for framing this week.
Misty Mawn
Robin Laws
Lyn Tivenan
My heart is overflowing, thank you so much and my art collection is growing.
It's Kitty's sweet 16th and it's been such a busy time that both our birthdays this year have kind of flown under the radar. I don't mind that for myself, but this birthday for her is a special one and I'm feeling kind of sad that it's quietly floated passed. We wanted to do something special for her, so we headed out to her fav spot in Cape Town, Kalk Bay and bought her her very own old typewriter that she's been dreaming about for ages.
I must say hearing her tick away at it is rather enjoyable, rhythmic and comforting in some strange way. We have a writer in the house, after all.
As for celebrating this milestone, we have banked this special day and hoping to do something special for her with her friends in the coming month. I'm so grateful that she's handled that with such maturity and grace.
The build up and organising took everything out of me.
Looking back in my haze and blur, I'm still not sure how I did it. But it came together beautifully. Thank you for all, for the love and support to help me arrive on time for this exact moment. It is something that happened in my life that I will never forget.
Beautiful family and friends from afar came in for the night and that touched me more than you know. My Dad and Brother came in from out of town and having their presence was good for my soul. My own family were on high alert for me all night. The girls served and worked and Digz was amazing with hosting. My sweetest friend Anne from Durban came through too. Anne helped me and mentored me through how to put an exhibition together. I seriously couldn't have done it without her.
The turnout was so moving and I was so touched by the love and support. And the online support was so tremendous too. How I wish you could have all been right there with me for the evening. Thank you all so much for walking this year long journey will me to fruition.
Anne shared such beautiful words - thank you my dear friend.
After the opening night, I had two more days at the gallery. It was short and sweet but it was amazing. My brother and Kitty stayed with me the whole weekend to finish the show and after the show was finished my incredible hubby helped me patch up those 366 holes in the wall.
All in all it was a remarkable experience and I'm so glad I did it. Who knew 2 years ago when we spoke about #1faceaday in a tiny Trattoria in Orvieto, Italy that it would lead to this event. Sometimes all we need is a seed to be planted and the idea to be nurtured for it to take root.
I can't say {THANK YOU} enough.
As I neared the end of my #1FaceADay #365Faces +1 project last year and with my tight framing schedule with the exhibition date set, I couldn't photograph my pieces as wonderfully as I needed to. Which left me in a difficult position... with each framed now and behind glass - do I write that off as not being documented or do I spend a bit of time and effort getting that done. I wasn't sure what I was going to do.
This project just felt too big to just let that go.
I love how life works sometimes... near the end of last year, my hubby went on a hike with our brother-in-law who invited his neighbour, Michael. After hiking together, Digz discovered the Mike was none other than a Art Photographer, by profession. I met him last week and we have a date on Friday to professionally catalogue each piece, with the correct equipment, lighting and camera I will be able to get a high resolution shot of each piece.
I'm so blown away by the synchronicity of this and how when you are looking and putting it out there, the answers come sometimes in the least expected way.
#sograteful
The exhibition for my TeaBagGirls is in less than a week. If you are interested in seeing each Tiny Bag of Love, up close and personal, follow the link.
I started this sweet girl just before Christmas last year and changed her just before the year closed out.
I wasn't completely happy with her arms. I had used a hard to bend armature wire that made her arms feel clumsy, so I broke her arms, took out that wire and reset them into a position that I felt captured her emotions more sincerely... Or perhaps it was capturing my own emotions at the time. December always leave me feeling a little on the vulnerable side.
It was good to pour that into my clay.
With my injured shoulder, I had to wait patiently to finish her.. I don't mind waiting, sometimes the wait helps me to see things I can do to finish her story. It's like she was telling me how to go. I started adding her birds and I kind of fell in love with them. I didn't know how I would paint her but I love the direction we went together. Her slender arms and poised hands in the front are so gracious and yet when I look at her back - her birds look like hands around her... Like she's {embracing} herself. There is such a vulnerability to her that keeps me looking at her.
I love the Japanese writing down her back... like it's her delicate spine.
She's bigger than my other pieces but to me, she's beautiful and might be one of my favourite pieces so far. She's different to my other pieces and I kind of like that. She will be displayed at my exhibition next week.
If you are interesting in discovering with PaperClay at all, my SoulBearers Class is still up and running and still very active.
Can I tell you how much I'm loving this little side journey of my LomoInstantWide daily capture. I started my year off a little pessimistic and feeling distracted and a little all over the place. But I am already finding sweet {joy} after just 3 weeks in. Finding beauty in the everyday mundane of the routine and humdrum of everyday life.
I know I've said this before but I've been reminded again when I use my film... there is something so gently calming and beautifully slow when you get to take a film shot. The time you take to size up a good shot. I find it rather meditative and completely therapeutic. And of course, there is the delight when you have managed to capture the moment in beautiful dreamy milky colors.
#ALittleBesotted
I hope it not only inspires you... to find beauty and preciousness in your days and life, but that it will also give you a glimpse into my world a little. To see my beautiful city and country and little glimpses into my crazy family and some of our travels this year.
It certainly makes life easier when I know my little Souls are going to special homes.
Their beautiful handmade boxes finally arrived from my suppliers and I got to carefully swaddle them up in soft foam and bubbles. It's always nerve-wrecking, waiting for them to arrive home because sometimes, not matter how much care I take in wrapping, things can still go wrong en-route. Especially with these ones with 3d body extensions.
Once they leave my hands, I have to trust others to handle them with care and that's the hard part.
So for now, I wait like an anxious Mother, hoping they will get home safely.
Safe travels, little Souls.
If you are local... come and join me.
I would love to see you and meet you at my opening night on the 2nd February 2017 and I would love you to see my 366 Tiny Bags of Love.
My year has started with me singing the blues...
Yup I am feeling a bit on the low side, with low energy, an injured shoulder (keeping me from my studio), low creative mojo and low life mojo. I am still trying to find how I'm going to move forward this year, trying to reflect and regroup after my incredible 2016 year.
Part of my problem is that I didn't go away for the holidays. I know that sounds terribly indulgent and I really don't mean it like that. I just find when I stay home - I don't force myself to rest. I carry on because let's be honest, there is always so much to do.
When my creativity is at an all time low - I usually turn to my camera and to creative play to help me find my way. And I have to say, it's definitely helping lift my spirits and I'm starting to feel a precious spark of excitement and vision...
My new Lomo Cam has a macro lens
My Misty Prints arrived
A triple exposure - Used mx for that and a lens splitter. Fun!
More about this project in another post.
I need some quiet time to reflect and appreciate my 2016 and plan for my 2017. I never got that time now in the holidays so it's left me feeling a little panicked and one step behind. I spent most of this week catching up with work admin and focused on some marketing work for my exhibition. But I'm keeping next week open for some walking, writing and reflecting and planning and to be honest, I can't wait.
I am a Portugal-based artist, creating soulful, nature-inspired portraiture that evokes a deep contemplation and a quiet solitude that can be found in all of us.
