What I've been up to the past few days

I am almost finished with my memorial piece for Jeanne CAlle and thought I'd go ahead and post an image. It still needs binding, some beading (I ran out of a certain kind of bead I had!) and then some stitching on her hair and face.











Here is another one of my Mixed Media Scarves. I think I'm keeping this one for myself. Not quite sure yet.



















The piece I posted yesterday from my monoprint playing became this:

Morning Play Dates

I've been on a better schedule lately (I'm usually a night owl) and getting up for a morning play date with myself. Some days a bit too early (yesterday was 4 am!) but it's nice to find the time when the house is quiet. I no longer seem to have the energy to work late at night as I use too.

This morning I played around with fabric painting, stamping, monoprinting. Here is one of the six small pieces I worked on. Not the best of the bunch just the one that was dry.

Too some it probably looks like a clean up rag (well, in some ways it is as when I work I hate to waste paint so I wipe my brushes on the piece I'm working on, or dry brush them clean on my fabric) but to me it looks like layers waiting to be added to, or cut up or enhanced with colored pencils. Or, maybe it was just a piece to learn more about the process. What happens if I pour water on my plexiglass after layiering on my paints? What happens if I spread by paint on with a spoon instead of a brush or a brayer? What happens if.....? Everytime I work in this free form play kind of way I discover at least one new trick to use or at least to explore more the next time I play.

Do you have a morning creative date with yourself?

Just a doodle-and what to do with grief

I've been struggling the past few days as I recently attended a memorial service for a friend who was murdered. During the service I learned that her (the victim's) best friend had passed away in November. This person was also a good friend of mine (that i had lost touch with). Now I know why emails and phone calls have not been returned. It never even crossed my mind that she was even sick or had passed away! I knew the day would be hard but not for that reason. I've been struggling with what to do with my deep sadness and have been putting my energy into a memorial quilt for the first friend, Jeanne Calle. I wanted to finish it by the day of the funeral but realized it was impossible but I'm very close to done now. It's not perfect or amazing art. But, it has served the purpose of giving my hands and my mind something to do. Mindless stitching and beading while at the same time keeping my friend's memory at the forefront of my mind every minute of the past few days. I'll post a picture when it is finished. I'll be donating it to the American Cancer Society, where she worked for 20 years, and let them choose whether to keep it or send it along to her family.

This week has been a real wake up call to cherish your friends and your memories and to try hard to live in the moments that you have. For those old friends who haven't heard from me, rest assured you will soon. I'm making a list and urgently feel the need to know that you are all okay.

My friend who passed in November, Carmen Rodriguez, was also an epidemiologist that I worked with at the American Cancer Society. She was a small, feisty person with a huge heart. She had two boys, 12 and 16. My thoughts go out to her husband and her children. She had adrenal cancer found last April and was gone by November. She was only 50. Hug your kids, hug your spouses and hug your friends today.

Here's a silly bird just to lift the mood after this dark post. What a difference a little color makes.

Watercolor Crayon Classes-Mistake on Posted Date

Just a quick note to say I posted the wrong date for one of my upcoming classes.

Watercolor crayons on fabric will be taught on Saturday, March 14th (NOT Saturday, March 7th as I had previously posted.

So, just to keep it all clear, at Red Hen Fabrics in Marietta, GA during March I'll be teaching the following (call the shop to register):

Watercolor Crayons on Fabric, Tuesday, March 3rd, 10 am to 2 pm
and Saturday, March 14th, 10 am to 2pm

Mixed Media No Knit Scarf, Tuesday, March 24th, 10 am to 1 pm

Sorry for the mix-up.

Classes and Creativity Parties

Mixed Media No Knit Scarf will be taught at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta on:

Tuesday, March 24th, 10 to 1 pm, $35.00

They are fast and easy, but absolutely stunning. No one will believe it takes only a couple of hours to make these beautiful scarfs.


And, don't forget about Creativity Parties! The first five to book parties are free to the host! I've booked one already, so only 4 spots left to take advantage of this deal!

I've changed the fees a bit and here is how it works:

-Minimum of 3 people (including host) and Maximum of 10 (including host)
-$20 per person, but host is FREE if there are 4 or more guests
-Supplies/kit fees are $8 to $25 depending on chose of creative offering. However, guests are welcome to bring their own supplies instead.

So, for about the price of a movie, popcorn and soda, you can instead have a good time with friends, get in touch with your inner creative child and create something beautiful!

Contact me if you would like more details.

Tragic Loss of Dr. Eugenia Calle

I've been up since the wee hours of the morning (not normal for me, especially on a Saturday), trying to figure out what to do with my grief and anger over the loss of a very special person. Jeanne Calle was my first supervisor (in a "real" job). She was my mentor. She was like a second mother to me when I was alone for the first time in a big city (Atlanta) with no friends or family. She hired me with no experience in the field of epidemiology. Allowed me to take courses at Emory during the day while working full time. She always encouraged me and believed in me. She was my thesis advisor. And, most importantly, my friend. I watched her fall in love with her late husband Rick Letz who died from lymphoma a couple of years ago.

I'm sad I did not keep in touch the last few years, especially as I had moved back to the Atlanta area. Ironically, I had just emailed her a few weeks ago about possible positions with the American Cancer Society (where she and I worked).

She had just retired two weeks ago (I later found out) and was tragically murdered in her condominium in downtown Atlanta. Her condo was for sale as she had found love again and was selling her home to move in with her fiance. A "buyer" came in to see the condo and killed her, stole her credit cards, cash and wedding band (from marriage to Rick).

I am soooooo angry and so sad. I want everyone to know how much I care for and love them. Even if you haven't heard from me in awhile, even if you think I don't, even if you read this and think, she is not talking about me (yes, you!). I may not have called, written or seen you. But, I think about you, I love you and you have made tremendous difference in my life. All of you who are my friends, now and past.

Jeanne was a real gift to this world. She was passionate about her work and her life. The world is a less good place without her in it.

Dates on Upcoming Watercolor Crayons Class

I will be teaching Watercolor Crayons on Fabric at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta, GA
on

Tuesday, March 3, 10am-2pm, $40.00
and
Saturday, March 7, 10am-2pm., $40.00

No art experience necessary! I show you all the little tricks on using these wonderful little crayons!

Hope to see some of you there!

Heidi

Creativity Parties are Here!!!

I finally completed my preparation for Creativity Play Date Parties! The first five hosts to book parties will be free (not the party, the host, value of $30 to $40!).

Through my own artistic discoveries I have realized that EVERYONE has the ability to be creative. And, I want to share the tremendous joy that finding your inherent creativity can bring.

Each party offers a creative offering and every participant will leave the party with a completed art piece. The projects may be individual or group projects. And, absolutely NO ART EXPERIENCE is necessary!

These parties are perfect for both children and adults, for birthday parties, girls nights out, date night, church groups and even corporate team building exercises.

Some of the offerings include: Doodle to Design, Mixed Media Tote Bags, Watercolor Flowers, Monoprinting, Journal Pillows, Wet Felted Bags, Needle-felted Art and Accessories. I can even help you design a custom offering just for your party.

The great thing about these parties is that it is much less investment than an art course and you will be in a relaxed, fun environment with your friends. I bring all of the supplies to you!

So, if you want to book a party, call me at 404-324-3478 or email me at hmiracle@alum.mit.edu! I can't wait to get started!!! Parties consist of 2 to 3 hours in length with 4 to 10 participants. Cost varies depending on the projects but are either $30 to $40 INCLUDING supplies!

I will list more details on my website very soon.

I live in Woodstock, GA just outside of Atlanta.

Watercolor Crayons Class Coming Soon

I took some time last night to play around with my Neocolor II's on fabric. It had been awhile since I had and my class on them is coming up soon, so I thought it was time to refresh my memory on all of the little details. And, see what I could come up. I was feeling creative but lazy and that is what is great about these crayons! No fuss, no muss. It's just like coloring in a coloring book. Sit down in bed and have some fun. I think she turned out cute. :)

The class will be offered on two dates coming up in March and April at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta, GA. Hope to see some of you there! I'll post more details soon.

Collage Mania

I finally began work on my Collage Mania pieces last night. They are not complete but I thought I'd post one because I'm looking for some feedback. Despite trying to stay with a more moderate color scheme, I found hot pink just calling out to me! I added a hot pink X and then some hand stitching as well. Now I'm thinking about a whole hot pink border. So, my question is this? Am I going overboard. Would it better without any pink at all? They need some stitching and ironing but wanted to go ahead and post before I take it any further.

The tree is from a photo of my husbands (which I have permission to use), that I edited and changed a bit digitally. Then I created a Thermofax screen from it. I really like it and find myself using this screen often.

Look forward to hearing comments so I can move forward!

Thanks in advance!!!

Round Robin Results are in!!!

Tonight was the reveal of a 12 month (well more like 14 in our case) round robin and I was so excited to receive my piece. What a gift! On the left is how it began and on the right is the final result! Several of us in our Fiber Art Fusion group here in Georgia took turns adding to each other's small art quilt. I absolutely love it!!!! Thanks gals!!!! I hope you are all as thrilled with yours as I am with mine!

The second photo is a 5 x 7 I created for our gift exchange in December. It was nice to see it again and grab a photo, but my memory failed me as I had thought it was better in design. It seems a bit cluttered and unfocused now that I have a chance to really "see" it.

New and Old Doodles and Drawings

I spent some time today cleaning out my art room/play room/dining room and went through stacks of drawings that were laying around. I selected a few, some old and new to post today. The third one down is incomplete but it is similar to many I've worked on the last few months. I get bored before I finish them but I definitely feel drawn to start them again and again.

The bird is actually just the top third of a larger piece. Don't ask me what kind of bird it is because I don't know myself. :)

I was glad to find the mermaid as I drew her with my daughter quite some time ago. She wants her in her bedroom and I was afraid I'd lost her.

Mixed-Media No-Knit Scarf Demo this Saturday at Red Hen FAbrics

This Saturday, February 7th, I'll be doing a demo of a Mixed Media/No-Knit scarf at Red Hen Fabrics in Marietta, GA. So stop on by!




I'm posting some photos of old work-some of my first quilts, my son's 1st birthday cake, one of my professional wedding cakes (okay, my only professional wedding cake) and the cake for my final in my Cake Decorating class at Newbury College (back in 2000 or maybe it was 1999). The finals cake was a bit frilly even for my taste back then but we needed to demonstrate that we could work in a lot of different mediums/techniques (run-outs, gum paste, fondant, royal icing, etc.). I've been trying to very slowly scan old photos so that I have digital access to all photos and just thought I'd share these that are art/craft/creativity/quilt related. The quality of the photos isn't so great because most were in scrapbooks and I couldn't lay them flat on my scanner bed very easily.

The sampler quilt was from one of my first classes in Arlington, MA. It was my fourth quilt I think. It is still a UFO. Not quilted that is. Someday. I can't think of the name of the shop where I took the class now but it was a great shop. I hope it is still there. The flower quilt was from Jan Mullens pattern, Daisiez. I loved working with her patterns and fabrics when I started out. This was my third quilt. My niece is the owner of that quilt so I still get to see it occassionally.

Art at the Mill 2009 a Success! Upcoming Classes!

Good morning everyone! I'm spending a lazy Sunday morning in bed with my laptop. Catching up on emails, paying bills, etc. I decided I deserved a little bit of time to unwind before jumping into cleaning my house I've been neglecting for awhile. So, what have I been up to? Mostly, Art at the Mill 2009. It was my third year organizing an event that brings in local artists to my son's elementary school for the day. I think I know a little bit about what it would be like to a professional event planner now, and I'm pretty sure I don't want the job. But, I do love the payoff of the smiling children's faces in the hallways.

This year was reportedly the best ever! We had an amazing drumming trio we found through the Young Audiences/Woodruff Arts Center Showcase last fall, Ritmo Blu. I didn't get to see the performance at the school as I was leading art demonstrations for the kids myself, but I heard great things about them.

Another favorite was Balloon Guy Mike. He wowed the kids with his amazing balloon sculptures. He was nice enough to make an alien for me to take home to my sick son who had to miss the day's presentations.

Other artists/performers were:

Peggy Still, pianist/composer of The Peggy Still School of Music. She trained the actress/pianist in the movie, Benjamin Button.

Erwin Sateler, guitarist from The Woodstock Academy of Dance and Music

Jimmy Hopkins, metal welder/sculptor.

Patricia DiBona, mixed-media artist, who came in with under 24 hours notice (we had one cancellation) and made 244 collage kits for the kids! wow!

Vanessa Sebastian, manga artist.

Rhythm Dance Center, dance.

Yvonne Dauria, basket weaver.

Lena Adams, loom weaver.

Diane Kovach, glass lampwork bead artist.

Dianna Murphy, wheel potter.

Mary Akers, watercolor and batik artist. (an amazing artist and good friend)

Carol Daniels, puppetry.

Tina Wilson, KidzArt.

Publix cake decorators.

It was an amazing day. All of the guests were so talented and all so friendly and giving of their time and talent.

I've also been slowly but surely completing work on pieces that have been in the works for awhile. Most notably a liturgical stole that I completed earlier this month. I stilll don't have photos to share, but will hopefully get around to scheduling a photo session with the owner of the stole this week. I worked on it on and off for 6 months. I find this work very rewarding as it is so personal. I think this is an area where I will continue to take orders and commissions. Here is some of the feedback I received:


"It is exquisite, intricate, beautiful, and so many more superlatives. Heidi, I absolutely love it. It is a very miraculous creation. I want to have a sort of consecration ceremony before I wear it, just between God and me. It feels holy and sacred to me as to what you built into its fabric as well as a sacred honor to wear it. I will wear it as example of the creative and colorful Light forces which flow through all of us in such individual and unique ways, just as the Creator intended it....and as you, the creator, so clearly demonstrated in your crafting of it. "

"Today I held my own consecration service for the stole. Since Saturday, I have been looking
at and imagining how I wanted to celebrate putting it on. I knew I did not want to just "try it
on", but to wear it after certain words had been said and a ritual done to impress the wearing
of it with a sacred resonance. Having done that, I can only say that it feels that if I can
represent its sacred colors in the ways which God intended, I will be a better person for the
wearing of them. Part of what I read today was the verse from the Gnostic Gospel of Philip:
"God is a dyer. The good dyes, true dyes, dissolve into things dyed in them. So too for things
god has dyed. His dyes are imperishable because of their colors." Thank you Heidi for creating
a form to display God's imperishable colors. "

Lastly, I have been working really hard on finding places to teach my classes and have had success! I am determined to make a go of teaching as much as possible. The economic situation has started to take it's toll on our household and I've started collecting the statistics and math job postings in my area, but am praying that I have a few more months before I have to go down that path. I want to find a way to make a real living at what I love. Before taking on a math position, I am open to math tutoring for high school and college students. Contact me if you are interested. I have a BS in Math from MIT, and a MS in Biostatistics from Harvard.

But let's get back to my passion, ART!!!!!! Many more classes and venues are in the works/talks, etc including art classes for children. But, for now I am very excited to report that I have at least two upcoming classes at Red Hen FAbrics in Marietta, GA.

This coming Saturday, February 7th, I'll be doing a demo of mixed-media scarf with an actual hands-on class coming in March.

Also, in March, I'll be teaching my Watercolor Crayons on Fabric on two different occassions at Red Hen. Be watching for the dates (I left my day planner out in the car. :))

Gotta run. My 16 year old kitty is having a rough weekend and apparently it's getting worse while I'm hiding up here in the bedroom. Looks like it will be a trip to vet hospital today. Say some prayers for her.

heidi