SoulSisterWisdom Magazine: Is Beauty in the Mirror, Mirror?

I have always loved to write and to research. When I was invited to submit an article for the "SoulSisterWisdom" Beauty issue... I was very intrigued. In the article, I shared some of my beliefs and some wonderful quotes about what beauty really means. I was also honored that Rebecca chose to illustrate the issue with many of my images. What a great compliment! I hope you enjoy!

My featured article in Issue #2 of SoulSisterWisdom, "Is Beauty in the Mirror, Mirror?", is shown below.

Below is my artist profile and the images that were used throughout the publication.

SoulSisterWisdom Magazine is an online publication that "aims to generate sisterhood among women by bringing women all around the world together. It is a place where women care, share, listen, inspire, guide, educate, encourage, support and applaud each other.  It is for women who are interested in spirituality, self-development, self-love, self-care and self-responsibility, holistic health and well being, sisterhood, empowerment, positive and productive thinking and action, and co-creating a new world."

You can purchase and read the full issue at www.soulsisterwisdom.com.

Painting Class Fun!

Hi Friends...

Thought I would share a recent class that I held on a lovely, breezy Sunday afternoon in my garage at home. It all started with two of my sweet nieces (age 9 and 26) asking me when we could do a "Craft Day" together.

  

I decided to make it a group by also inviting a few other friends and their daughters. So, we had a group of about 12 total. Because of the range in ages, I wanted to come up with a project that could be fun for everyone. So...the project was to create some amazing textural, abstract canvases.

 

I first asked them to just create texture on the canvas with no composition or plan in mind. I wanted them just to play with splattering, stamping, stenciling, doodling....mark making. They could pick whatever colors they were drawn to from my vast stash of craft paints. Some of them jumped right in without hesitation. Some did not want to even paint a canvas at all. They just wanted to watch. Once, I coaxed them along and they all got rolling...it was fun to just sit back and watch them all let loose.

The next step was to select some large stencils from a collection that I had hand cut and arrange them over the textural background. I had flowers and birds and general shapes. They were to use a stencil brush to go around the edge of the stencil and then paint over the textured background outside of those shapes so that the texture only showed through inside of the stencil shapes. Each person chose to use the stencils in different ways. It just kind of evolved. I had to reassure them that there is no right or wrong way to use them. They could create the image in whatever way it made them happy.

What I absolutely LOVED was how every canvas was completely different with the same instruction. I loved every one of their creations. Some were more orderly and soft...some, more crazy and bold in color. They were all really proud of the end product!

 

And, I am totally hooked on teaching this type of painting class.

I will be teaching this same type of class at the Art Bar on September 24th for The Arts Alliance. If you want to come play with paint and texture...check out their website at www.the-arts-alliance.org!! Remember...You do not need to be an "artist" to take the class. (I happen to think that there is an artist inside everyone!)

Cheers for now!

Lori
XO

Introducing The Lori Siebert Studio Newsletter: Follow My Process!

So...along with many of you...I, too, was recently busy getting ready for Surtex. I thought that I would share a new piece that I just finished to show you a peek at how I work.

When I begin a new piece of art..sometimes I have a sketch and a bit of a plan and sometimes I don't. I kind of think that the best art comes from keeping the plan loose and being willing to change your mind along the way. For this piece...I knew that I wanted to do a bike with a flower basket. And I knew that it was going to have a colorful border...because it is part of a series. The rest just happened as I went along.

I always begin with some base color or pattern. I like to pile on the layers as I go...adding things...painting over things. I often paint an entire section...decide that I don't like it...and paint right over it. I actually like how some of what was there becomes part of the built up layers.

One thing that I do often is grab some color print outs of my own work and tear up pieces of it to work into a new piece. It is my own form of recycling. Hard as I try...I go back to similar color palettes...so chances are ...pieces of my former work will work well in a new piece.

I used to work with the expensive paints...Golden. It is the cadillac of paints and the colors are brilliant. But, recently, I buy the cheapie craft paints. I just go to Michael's and pick out the colors that grab my eye. This can force me to get out of my color ruts...which can be fun and adventurous.

One thing I love is all of the happy accidents that happen in the process of making art. I have already splattered paint, by mistake...and end up loving how it looks and then intentionally splattering more.
I find that a necessary ingredient in keeping it loose and flowing is some great music. Playing music while I work makes me relax and not think too much. Stepping away now and then to dance a bit is great, too!! When I find that I am overworking a part of the piece...I make myself walk away from it. Go do something else and come back to it later with fresh eyes.

I will be sharing more about my process and other interesting things that I want to share with you in future issues. So happy that you will be coming along!! You can sign up for my new newsletter to get more updates and sneak peeks into all the things I'm up to! Click the link below to subscribe!

 

A Mini ArtBizJam Adventure!!

So, we took ArtBizJam on the road...to my studio in Cincinnati, OH! It was a very small group...which was perfect!

We spent two days together creating and bonding. I also did some portfolio reviews and a bit of mentoring based on each person's goals for their work...And the group ending up mentoring me too!

The wonderful ladies who attended were Kelly Hoernig (who actually convinced me to do it), Gina Wilder, Mary Ann Johnson, Cindy Trippe and Jill Metz. I just love these women!

They are so funny, creative, quirky and nurturing. The time together was just wonderful!! We also had a couple of nice meals, cocktails and great conversation. I am realizing that hosting workshops is really gratifying. It is so great to watch people flourish and to actually be part of that process.

The annual ArtBizJam will be held in October in Destin, Florida. My artist friends and I started this about 3 years ago. It is such a blast!! Please check out the details at www.artbizjam.com. We have an amazing speaker this year...Kelly Alford...the founder of the "Iota" brand! She is a true inspiration!!! JOIN US!!!! The beach is spectacular, by the way!!

My Etsy Shop is Now Open!

So friends...I have stepped into the world of selling my own art! In case you haven't heard, we have just opened a shop on Etsy chock full of colorful prints, available in two sizes. I plan to keep adding to the product mix constantly, so please...follow me on Etsy at Lori Siebert Studio...and you will see when new things get added. I would so appreciate if you could help me to make this a successful venture!

Click the image below to go straight to the shop or feel free to click through the gallery of prints below!

ArtBizJam 2014

Well...we are doing it again!

Our first ArtBizJam workshop, held last September in Destin, Florida, was such a success! We are thrilled and excited to announce the plan for the next one happening on October 1st to the 5th!

We had such an amazing group of women who participated in our maiden voyage last fall! We bonded as a group, and still share lots of info and laughs in our Facebook group. Here are some captures from last year's event!

The next one should be even better. Our goal is to give the people who join us an amazing, fun and very useful experience. We learned a few things last year to help us to do an even better job this time around. I hope that you will check out the website for all of the details. If you sign up before July 10th, you save $100.00. Come join us this time! It is a great gift to yourself and your business!

The Art of Food - MadHatter's Tea Party

On February 28th, at The Carnegie Gallery in Covington, Kentucky, my creative partner in crime, Kelly Armstrong, and I participated in an extremely cool event called "The Art of Food." Pam Kravetz, who I adore, was the creative mastermind behind the creation of a "MadHatter's Tea Party" themed performance piece.


The Art of Food (2014) from Golden Hour Moving Pictures on Vimeo.
Each artist created a head to toe look for their character. Kelly and I chose "The Cheshire Cat." We created a pieced sweater coat, t-shirt and skirt from pieces collected at Goodwill. Kelly created all of the splendid fiber jewelry. Our muse for our character was Iris Apfel...an extremely cool fashionista, who is always dripping in pattern, bangles and beads.

Our model, Cate Dean, was absolutely perfect for the role!

The show began with a troubadour leading the whacky cast of characters into the gallery, strumming and singer a wonderful song. Most of the models were either actors or dancers, They were in character all throughout the evening.

It was a delicious mix of color, pattern, music, aromas and playfulness. The runway was the tea party table.

Kelly and I...and my daughter Kenzie, also created 6 of the chairs surrounding the table. We used a very old, very cool "Alice in Wonderland" book for the central imagery on the chairs.

The experience was just spectacular! Loved every minute!!