Family and an Early Birthday

My family threw a (total!) surprise birthday party for me yesterday. My cousin Ken and his family graciously hosted (and they know how to host the best parties!) Mom, Tristan, Jack and I pulled into the driveway where everyone was sitting under tents. I said, "Mom!!! Why are you pulling into the driveway?! Everyone else is parked on the street!!!" She said, "Surprise! This is for you!" I had no clue. My 40th birthday isn't until October. My cousin Kate gave me permission to start celebrating now. I had a great time seeing my family (we were missing a few people and it wasn't the same without them. You know who you are and how much we all love you.) I'm thankful to my mom, Erin, Marc, the Fallons for doing this and everyone who attended or sent love my way. *Thank you.*

Books, Books, Books

I've been helping my Mom sort through and rearrange things while I'm here. I found a bin with a lot of my papers and artwork from when I grew up. One of the things that I noticed was how many books I made while I was growing up. I remember my first diary (it was a gift from my parents in fourth grade. It had a little lock on it.) I don't remember having made so many books from paper though. Funny how things are. The next time I'm here, I'm going to try to take pictures of the paper books as I know there are some stored in the Christmas bins. When I was little, I either always had a doll, book or paper and crayons in my hand. If I was lucky, it was all three. I was always drawing and making little things out of paper. Some things haven't changed.

Bringing Home the Goods from Kept Creations

Having a wonderful time teaching at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA. It's always a good thing to see familiar faces and to meet a few new ones, too! Thanks to Kim and the Gang for a fun two days!!!

7 May 2014 Journal Page

Heading to my classes at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA soon. It's been a very busy week and a half. I always feel bad that I never have time to see everyone and do everything while I'm here. My Mom still isn't completely settled in her condo and we try to help her as much as we can while we're here. My sister also needs help with her little munchkins, too. There's only so much one can do when time goes by so fast. I try my best, though, to do what I can.

7 May 2014 Art Journal Page

The last few nights I've been journaling in bed late at night. I've been sleeping with my bag next to me. Not out of comfort but it's a nice feeling being able to work late in it and just pack it up, pull up the covers and shut off the light. My last thoughts after a long day. I miss working on my floor at home but while I'm traveling, I'll make anything work. Classes at Kept Creations in Whitman tomorrow. Can't wait!

7 May 2014 Journal Page

Little monkeys are keeping me busy. I squeezed in some art time late last night. Just like my nephew carries his backpack around with his favorite toys, I've been carrying my bag around for any seize the glue stick type moments.

6 May 2014 Journal Page

We headed into Cambridge yesterday with the family. Walking, waffles (Zinneken's), books and toys. We met up with my Dad's best friend, Uncle Warren, who took us on a behind the scenes, unauthorized tour of Harvard. Professor Q took us behind doors, ropes and gates and encouraged Tristan to, "Think big and explore what's around you." Tristan is still talking about it today. Today I have to pick up a couple of things for my classes this weekend at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA. Also hanging out with redheaded munchkins. Looking forward to a good day.

5 May 2014 Journal Page

At my sister's house chilling with little munchkins. We're heading to Cambridge at some point today. Lots of redheads on their way into the city today!

Bringing Home More Goods from the Ink Pad in NYC

Back in Massachusetts after a great weekend of teaching at the fabulous Ink Pad in New York City. As always, I had a wonderful time. I know that I say it often, but I really do have the best students. I truly mean that. I appreciate each and every one of you. It means a lot to see old faces as well as meet new ones. Thank you to each of you who attended the classes. Thank you to Anna, Barbara and the Ink Pad Gang for making it happen. Thanks to my Mom for keeping me company and for tagging along. Looking forward to next time!!!! I truly *heart* NY!

Bringing Home the Books

A trip to NYC would be incomplete for me without a visit to The Strand. Here are the gems that I picked up last night. Off to teach for The Ink Pad today! Yay!

Bringing Home the Goods: from the Ink Pad NYC

Tape! Stamps! Stencils! Oh my! A fun time was had by all. Looking forward to my classes in the morning!

5 May 2014 Journal Page

In New York! Well, upstate NY tonight. Heading into the city tomorrow. My favorite helper won't be with me. He's spending the next few days at his Grandpa's house. Always an adventure!

Blogging from MA

Tristan and I are in Massachusetts. Hanging with the little monkeys today. Here's the cover of my latest journal that I'll be sharing here the next couple of weeks. Heading to New York at some point tomorrow!

On the Go Art Journal Bag

My art journal bag is something that I never travel without! I downsized my pens, tape, stickers, stencils, papers, etc... I even picked a small journal on purpose because I knew that I would be limited in space and size. That said, I'm traveling with about 200 pounds of art supplies for my classes. I may downsize for me but never for my students!

I Never Travel Without Them...

Books! Here's what I'll be bringing with me as I head back East tomorrow. I even went out and bought a paperback copy of Van Gogh's Letters instead of carrying my hardcover copy around. I hope to pick up one or two new titles in MA and NY this trip. I love books as souvenirs. Trekking to NYC later this week to teach at The Ink Pad (my MA classes are at the end of the month.) Any places that you'd recommend? I love books (The Strand is always on my list), art supplies (the Ink Pad!!!!) anything art related, film, pizza, bagels and cupcakes and not necessarily in that order! Thanks in advance!

4 May 2014 Journal Page

I know that I'm not alone in saying that today is a hard day for me. It's the kind of day where one needs to be especially gentle with themselves and those around them. Kindness and love always help. It's still hard, though.

Above is the last page in my, "Journey Into the Self" book. If you want to revisit the journal, you can see all of the pages by clicking here.

Blog Love:
Andy Runton: Help Chewie! 
Michael Palin's Tour of the Best Loved Monty Python Sketch Locations
I can't wait for this issue

June Collage Sheet of the Month Club

Thanks to everyone who signed up for my May Collage Sheet of the Month! I'm very excited to share with you the collage sheet for June.

(A very BIG thank you to my son, Tristan, who put the images together for me. Half of whatever is earned from the sale of the sheets is going into an account for him for college.)

 

You can sign up on a month by month basis (I'll announce when the new sheet is ready on the blog.) You'll receive via email a digital, high resolution PDF file of an 8 1/2 x 11" page collage sheet (of the 8 1/2 x 11" image shown but without the text through it and at a much higher resolution) You can download your sheet, save it and print it out as much as you'd like. 

Please allow up to 24 hours for me to respond to your order.

This collage sheet is exclusive to the Collage Sheet of the Month Club and is only available here (it will not be passed out in classes, etc...).

You can still order sheets from January here,  February here, March here , April here and May here.

You can order June's sheet for $4:

Tour Mary Blair's Magic Color Flair Exhibit With Me

 The Disney Museum in San Francisco (in The Presidio) has a Mary Blair exhibit going through September 7th, 2014. I made a special trip into the City specifically for this exhibit. It was well worth the admission price and I could have easily spent all day at the museums. I am trying to figure out if I can go back up there again before it ends.

If you visit the museum, make sure that you trek downstairs in the main building (make sure you explore the Marc Davis exhibit) and walk around the staircase area and check out the floor, Mary's art table, etc...)

 

 

 

 

 After you buy your ticket, follow the trains!

 Look at the cut out decals on the wall!

The above sketch (as well as the two sketches below were done by fans in a guestbook on the second floor. These were some of my favorites.)

 

 Note how the walls aren't painted but there are boards/panels that are painted in Mary's palette and attached to the walls.

 

 Mary's sketchbook!!!

 

 

I can't recommend the books that are out there about Mary Blair and her art enough. These are my favorites:

If you can't make it to San Francisco, check out John Canemaker's Magic Color Flair as a lot of the artwork from the exhibit can be found on the pages.

The other books mentioned are:

• The Colors of Mary Blair (my favorite of the Mary Blair books)
• Mary Blair Treasury of Golden Books
• The Art and Flair of Mary Blair (this is a link to the updated edition which is a reprint with no new information.)

If you like this, you may enjoy an older post (with lots of links and photos) about Mary Blair.

I also have a Mary Blair pinterest board (that I hope to be adding to this summer.)

Any of these are on my wishlist (my favorite is this one.) Eventually I hope to get one of these, too.  More artwork to dream about here and here.

The Magic of Mary Blair will keep you busy for some time!

Very big thanks to my friends, Connie and Meryl, for trekking there with me. It was a lot of fun and having you both there made it extra special!!!