tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18605395292342877502012-01-29T22:08:44.240-08:00Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.comBlogger3011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-65078123196844004522012-01-18T10:47:00.000-08:002012-01-18T11:36:48.501-08:00

Robin Olsen surprised me with a Liebster blog award. Her blog, Rough Around the Edges, always inspires me with her fresh, creative ideas with fibers and the new directions her artwork takes in her painting, journals and travels. I really appreciate her passing this award onto me. Thank you, Robin.The award is meant to showcase bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers. It originated in

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-60045038267104609372012-01-01T11:05:00.001-08:002012-01-01T11:23:27.183-08:00

Readers of my blog know how important my art groups are to my life. I feel fortunate to belong to several- Portland Art Collective, Portland Artist Group, Gussies art journaling retreat group, a weekly sketch group and a group that explores new art techniques together.It's great to have so many like minded art friends. I learn something new from each member. They keep me inspired, encouraged

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-73429308871056359672011-12-15T09:37:00.001-08:002011-12-15T10:07:04.141-08:00

For a month, I've watched the paperwhites grow and now blossom. Each day is full of a new surprise- the angle of a leaf, the sprout of a bud and the bloom of a flower- gifts that keep on giving.The growth and blossoming of the paperwhites remind me of other gifts that keep on giving- friendship, the love and support of family, mother nature, books and new ideas, sharing, a random act of

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-43626172841903045352011-12-06T08:52:00.000-08:002011-12-13T07:23:02.281-08:00

Thanks to all who stopped by my booth at the Portland Art Collective Open Doors Show and Sale to say hello. It's fun to see friends and family. Your support means a lot. I appreciate all who offered good wishes and were there in spirit, too.For more photos of the show check out the post by Dayna Collins on our Portland Art Collective blog HEREand to learn more about the Portland Art Collective

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-75966442697933742532011-11-27T11:42:00.000-08:002011-11-27T12:32:02.769-08:00

Last Spring at ArtFest, I created a Deck of Roses in a class with Orly Avineri. A friend asked me how I was going to use them. I made note cards with the images but wanted to do more with the originals. They sat on my desk for a long time. Then a light bulb went on in my brain with an idea on how to use them. I glued each one onto canvas.I added a textured, molding paste border, paint

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-29657155516328281352011-11-17T13:53:00.001-08:002011-11-18T13:54:15.719-08:00

This year for our Portland Art Collective Open Doors Art Show and Sale, I've made journal kits. Each kit includes a twenty page 5 x 8 inch journal with Vellum Bristol 80# paper, a Pentel water brush and a Coptic Multiliner water proof pigment ink pen and...a palette with fifteen different Peerless Transparent Water Colors. A "How-to-Journal" Zine completes the kit. The kit contains everything

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-11478735343108690132011-11-02T09:20:00.000-07:002011-11-02T09:44:05.384-07:00

Each year, the Portland Audubon Society sponsors a Wild Arts Festival. Local artists create and donate 6x6 inch canvases with a bird theme to benefit Portland's wildlife. My contribution is entitled Frost Moon.The 2011 Wild Arts Festival is November 19th & 20th at Montgomery Park. It's a wonderful opportunity to see nature-themed work by Northwest and nationally known artists and writers.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-35670408367462501122011-10-29T14:47:00.000-07:002011-10-29T15:29:24.184-07:00

At ArtFest last spring, I took a workshop from Orly Avineri called Roots and Shoots. The two collaged paintings that I created can be seen HERE. They measure 11x14 inches.Using the same techniques, I made these four 6x6 inch botanical paintings. I like the combination of loose abstract lines with finely detailed collaged and drawn lines.The mixed media paintings include acrylics, inks and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-89338853507703693632011-10-24T07:30:00.001-07:002011-10-24T09:03:24.376-07:00

I made more word keys for our Portland Art Collective Show and Sale in December. Last year, they were very popular. The safety deposit keys are flooded with solder with metal stamped words, hand soldered silver jump rings, beads and a bit of fiber.Words become keys to life, a reminder to dream or play. Many artists choose a word for the New Year to guide them in their artwork. Selecting one

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-24863641137928076762011-10-21T10:14:00.000-07:002011-10-21T10:35:31.825-07:00

Last weekend, we drove to Menucha in the Columbia Gorge for an art retreat. Dayna Collins inspired me to take photos of the artists' hands. For me, this weekend offered a time to honor friendships, laugh, create, share, reflect and enjoy the beauty of nature. I came home full of inspiration, wonder and a full heart.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-3189673342594854762011-10-14T14:31:00.000-07:002011-10-24T07:54:02.379-07:00

Completing projects for our December Portland Art Collective Show is keeping me busy. The brooches are now finished. The pin back has a bail so they may be worn as a pendant.Last summer, I took Stephanie Lee's Homesteaders Metalsmithing online course. These brooches were inspired by her class. They are soldered bezels with my drawings, resin, sterling silver branches and wire wraps. In the

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-6496664098365888102011-09-29T11:45:00.001-07:002011-09-29T14:33:00.200-07:00

Last week, I started an online class with Katie Kendrick entitled "Layered Impressions". Many of her techniques are based on her upcoming book with the same name- a mixed media approach to painting and poetry. I've always admired the story telling style in her artwork. I'm just scratching the surface here in practicing some of the lessons. We drew several faces with our non-dominant hand and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-65876436176419127452011-09-18T11:28:00.000-07:002011-09-19T07:53:17.047-07:00

This week, I was fortunate to play with my watercolors and sketch twice with two different groups of friends. In the watercolor above, I played with stencils, textured items, a little tissue paper collage and drawing. I am attracted to art with the combination of solid colors and line drawings. Knowing when to stop and let some white paper, negative space show in the background is a challenge

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-55872758544830094472011-09-14T09:38:00.000-07:002011-09-14T10:16:09.859-07:00

My wonderful summer continued last weekend with a trip to Astoria and the Long Beach Peninsula with art friends, Suzanne and Jan . While Portland sizzled with 90°F temps, we enjoyed cool, sunny weather in the 60's on the coast. I don't usually like to frequent antique stores but had fun visiting two in Nahcotta near Oysterville. I was particularly excited to find two tins for a dollar each

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-41028899184044554512011-09-06T14:59:00.001-07:002011-09-06T15:43:07.824-07:00

We sketched at Luscher Farm today. Those who follow my blog know that this is a favorite summer place for us to sketch. I decided to play with landscape this time. The community gardens spread over several acres. Rows of cabbages and corn covered a large field.I couldn't resist a photo of the cabbage patch doll scarecrows.Nasturtiums and sunflowers grace almost every plot.The lilies add a

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-11375049287716986672011-08-31T16:33:00.000-07:002011-08-31T18:19:05.172-07:00

It's been awhile since I shared my visual calendars. The summer goes by so fast and it's starting to feel like fall with cooler evenings, shorter days and a few leaves changing color. My visual monthly calendars contain books read, artwork, sketches, travels, appointments. The artwork on the right is one of Robin Olsen's fabric pieces. Go HERE for an older post on how to make your own visual

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-77208145349411023162011-08-28T13:08:00.000-07:002011-08-28T13:40:05.064-07:00

We sketched in the Japanese Garden last week. The summer garden's layers of green create a quiet, peaceful place. A few hostas and hydrangeas bloomed adding a little contrast and color. I overheard one visitor say the verdant greens and mosses do not exist where he lives. I often take this beauty for granted. In 2012, the Garden celebrates The Year of the Healing Garden. The leaflet had

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-12431376239600740892011-08-25T14:35:00.000-07:002011-08-25T15:05:08.859-07:00

One of my trips this month took me to Guemes Island and an art retreat with Seattle and Vancouver, BC friends. One of my goals was to complete a file folder journal. I first read the instructions for this journal in the January/February 2011 issue of Cloth, Paper, Scissors in an article by Heidi Sekovski and Karin Winter on making art from office supplies. My friend, Robin Olsen, made her

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-58526677898335145692011-08-22T15:51:00.001-07:002011-08-22T16:24:27.370-07:00

Last week, we sketched at the Clackamas County Fair. We visited all of the animals; watched young children receive ribbons for their hens, cows and goats; and ate corn dogs and berry pie a la mode. Yum! I like the sign by the pies, "pie fixes everything". I channeled some Roz Stendahl-energy to draw chickens that won't stand still. Her blog posts show her great ability to sketch animals.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-9925533042785835292011-08-20T12:15:00.000-07:002011-08-22T07:19:11.990-07:00

This summer, I've enjoyed several mini-vacations and art projects with friends. Donya and I created these fun bookmarks one evening. We applied watercolor, acrylic paint with stencils and stamps, napkin tissue paper flowers with added line drawings and punched squares. I finally discovered an idea for my watercolor exercise book covers. The triad for the front cover is Hansa yellow

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-90310688814651103132011-07-31T11:49:00.000-07:002011-07-31T16:02:00.264-07:00

SITKA ART AND ECOLOGY CENTER north of Lincoln City on the Oregon coast sits in a beautiful setting between the Salmon River estuary and Cascade Head. I was fortunate to have a four day painting workshop with Bill Parks there last week.BILL PARKS shared his painting techniques and demonstrated how drawing becomes painting. He works in many layers of paint, repaints and paints again adjusting

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-2906830169633671542011-07-19T15:22:00.001-07:002011-07-19T16:40:20.951-07:00

A couple weeks ago, I took a class at the Focus on Book Arts Conference from Susan Collard, an architect and book artist. She makes one of a kind books out of wood. I first saw her books at the 23 Sandy Gallery. The construction and creativity in her books really caught my eye.Over two days, we sawed, drilled, and glued wood to build our books. Check out an overview of our workshop HERE and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-3710567069922989622011-07-17T18:38:00.000-07:002011-07-17T18:44:02.810-07:00

Go HERE and leave a comment to win Judi Stack's Portland Art Collective giveaway for July. Good luck!!!

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-81985794407560489612011-07-12T16:02:00.001-07:002011-07-12T17:52:11.141-07:00

This weekend, we had a Seattle photo crawl in the International District. Last year for our first photo crawl, we went to Pike Street Market. You can read about it HERE.GWEN organizes our experience and makes little journals for us to use with our photos. We bring our cameras, Pogo printers and journaling supplies for a fun, creative day. JAN and I came up from Portland. DAWN, Lynne and LOUIE

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-5465489985259963102011-07-05T14:37:00.000-07:002011-07-05T14:58:37.657-07:00

We sketched today in Cynthia's garden- sun, flowers, friends. Summer is here. Like Leigh from Curly Girl Designs says, "There is no better way to spend the Day than in good company." I had to add her napkin quotes to my journal page. "To slow down and take a little leisure is the happiest method of living." Sweet peas and roses are two of my favorite summer flowers.It feels good to be

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-39549967030611148572011-06-21T10:29:00.001-07:002011-06-21T11:13:28.797-07:00

As a found object artist challenge, the Focus on Book Arts Conference gave each person who registered a packet of materials with a bamboo theme to use in her handmade book. A minimum of five items had to be incorporated into the book. I decorated Thai kozo paper for the cover and used the Secret Belgian bookbinding technique with watercolor paper signatures to make my book. The first item I

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-62612262708799939282011-06-16T07:04:00.000-07:002011-06-16T07:11:15.340-07:00

This month's give-away is a "Timeless" package of a hand-bound journal AND a soldered pendant necklace from PAC artist, Suzanne Reynolds. The covers of the journal/sketchbook feature one of Suzanne's photographs printed on fabric and is filled with blank 90-lb. paper, suitable for wet or dry media. It's bound with linen thread over leather tapes in a way that allows the book to open

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-70432909946514206352011-06-15T12:26:00.001-07:002011-06-15T13:00:19.184-07:00

This week, we drove to St Helens, OR for a Thermofax screen printing class led by Chris Vietmeier. First, we ate lunch at the Houlton Bakery- great food, breads and pastries. Then off to class. Go HERE to see a video by Maggie Weiss of the process. The Thermofax machine was made by 3M and is not manufactured by them now. Chris says a German company makes them. They are expensive at $1000.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-86933580967265645172011-06-12T12:02:00.001-07:002011-06-12T12:19:24.957-07:00

Someone asked the other day if I's ever done pasta machine prints. Upon looking for something else, I happened to rediscover these prints last week. The pasta machine is set at #7. The design is etched with a stylus on to copper or gold foil from Creative Crafts. The first one is inked with Color Box ink pads on the raised surface to get the design. We used an absorbent watercolor or

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-45814400032132727202011-06-06T11:32:00.000-07:002011-06-06T12:04:52.080-07:00

I've taken several visual arts classes at the Multnomah Arts Center and wanted to take a writing course. Last summer, the creative writing excursion series caught my attention. The excursion leaders reflect Portland's avantgarde writing community and offer unique prose and poetry writing exercises at each place. It's great intellectual stimulation. My favorites include Kaia Sand's

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-11250299475760252642011-06-02T09:40:00.000-07:002011-06-02T10:18:51.013-07:00

Last week, we collaged decorative papers into our sketchbooks, sketched on tracing paper and then glued the sketch to the paper collaged page. The idea for this exercise came from Stephanie Levy. Check out her blog HERE.We discovered her work in a new collection of artwork by leading collage artists. It's called Masters- Collage published by Lark Crafts. It's a great book for inspiration and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-80752892846582643932011-05-31T08:33:00.000-07:002011-05-31T09:04:37.112-07:00

I'm still playing with color. Changing the Payne's Gray for Ultramarine Blue really brightened the warm palette. To make an even warmer palette, I changed the red and yellow to Quinacridone Rose and Hansa Yellow. Above are the secondary colors from the first set of primaries. When I mixed the second set of primaries on the paper, I really liked how the secondary colors showed up with this

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-24249533450430305872011-05-23T11:10:00.001-07:002011-05-23T11:39:38.790-07:00

At our Portland Art Collective Menucha retreat this weekend, Lorraine Jones and Laurie Weisstaught us how to do the secret Belgian book binding technique. I made two books with magic decorative papers from my stash. The books measure 4 x 5 inches.The above paper was painted and stamped on artist tissue paper. The black lines are webbing spray paint. Kyrlon makes it in several different

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-226477176876160052011-05-14T09:55:00.000-07:002011-05-14T10:49:21.354-07:00

I love color and mixing watercolor paints to see the different combinations one can make.The above two palettes, I experimented with several years ago in a class with Jude Siegel at Multnomah Arts Center.My friend, Sandy, shared some of her favorite palettes and ways to mix them. We started with the primaries- the cool and warm colorsThen added earth tones to our palettes-Here the fun began to

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-89645801783094546132011-05-01T12:35:00.000-07:002011-05-01T13:09:59.963-07:00

May Baskets Let us take our baskets early To the meadows green, While the wild-flowers still are pearly With the dewdrops' sheen. Fill them full of blossoms rosy, Violets and gay

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-80211564584382330352011-04-30T10:32:00.000-07:002011-04-30T10:42:06.462-07:00

Don't miss Stephanie Brockway's Circus Puppet Theater- Curiosities in Wood at the Guardino Gallery now through May 22nd.She hand carved these puppets, named them and created stories for each character. She's published all in a book. It's a wonderful exhibit of her artwork.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-81995232280961839962011-04-25T14:01:00.000-07:002011-04-25T14:59:20.606-07:00

The sun shone for three days at our beach art retreat in Seaside- glorious sun, full of warmth and energy like the friendships formed and renewed.Friday night, we made 'magic paper'. We painted a large sheet of paper that covered the kitchen island with different colors, added more paint with stamps, stencils, marks and collage. It dried overnight and we each received a couple large sheets of

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-66102914543012377622011-04-20T17:53:00.001-07:002011-04-20T18:05:02.314-07:00

This week sketching, we used magazine photo images for inspiration. Laying down the watercolor paints first......then adding more detail with watercolor and colored pencils. It's a different look for me to get away from pen and ink drawings filled with watercolor- a softer, looser look. I liked working with the layers of paint and pencil and kept adding layer after layer.Here are the magazine

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-77568308903100958222011-04-18T07:11:00.000-07:002011-04-18T07:23:48.344-07:00

Comment HERE to win a Laurie Weiss wine journal. A book artist, Laurie makes a variety of journals that she sells at local art fairs and online. She owns a small vineyard and is a wine connoisseur. Visit her Black Dog Studio to see more of her journals.Good luck and hope you win her wine journal.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-30064259798114704682011-04-15T09:40:00.001-07:002011-04-15T10:10:40.325-07:00

Orly Avineri taught my second ArtFest class. As she explains it, "Diptychs are where two become one, looking at the duality of ourselves- how we are beautiful walking contradictions. Our past roots and future shoots come together in the present or now. Art helps us to connect all these things and to unite our opposites.I liked how we worked on our canvases taped together in the beginning.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-5199688737823662362011-04-11T12:50:00.000-07:002011-04-11T15:03:26.111-07:00

Thank you to all of my blog readers who said hello at ArtFest. It means a lot to know that you actually read my blog. It's fun to be apart of an artist community to share artwork and support one another. This year, I stayed in one of the Officer's Houses at Fort Worden with some of my Portland Art Collective friends- Tory, Dayna, Steph, Suzanne and Debi. Maggie joined us from Olympia. With

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-17476443090530916512011-04-04T10:54:00.000-07:002011-04-04T11:23:29.862-07:00

This week, I'm off to ArtFest, one of my favorite art retreats at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington. I decided to make a few trades for my housemates and other friends. Collecting lots of trades over the years, I wanted to make something practical and useful- thus these metal bookmarks or paper clips. The idea came from Jess at Lost Button Studio. Martha Stewart's paper clip charms

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-44746128383235875082011-04-01T13:44:00.000-07:002011-04-01T14:00:24.757-07:00

It's been a while since I've posted from my sketchbook. We've sketched at Monticello Antiques all winter and are ready to move outdoors. Above, I drew the grape clusters with both dominant and non-dominant hands.The orchids are from this week's sketch date with a little watercolor play.The faces were drawn with dominant and non-dominant hands, too. I really like the freer form of the smaller

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-59580372276713457682011-03-25T17:51:00.000-07:002011-03-25T18:18:35.887-07:00

When I cleaned out my studio, I found an old project with all the supplies to make it. I always wanted to knit one of these beaded amulet bags. It's okay for a first attempt. I know now what I'd do differently- start with two beads per column vs. one; and tighten up my gauge. My knitting was very loose here. The bag measures about 1½ inches square.Years ago, Marianne made this little bag

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-54972625562128115622011-03-19T10:24:00.001-07:002011-03-19T10:54:46.678-07:00

My Guemes Island art buddies inspire me in so many different ways. Last weekend, I made a new coil-bound journal using printer's paper (an absorbent paper that is used to clean the printer's press). I've always admired the journals that Celeste and Tina keep- dark, decorated paper with white ink writing. The cover is stenciled with acrylic paint.It's starting to feel like Spring here in the NW

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-28758291277957552552011-03-17T07:14:00.000-07:002011-03-17T07:20:42.570-07:00

Tammy Vail donated one of her tassel dolls for the Portland Art Collective giveaway for March. She hand-dyed the fibers. I have one of her dolls and really enjoy it. Leave a comment on this post to win. Good luck!

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-64352138172822343512011-03-15T11:35:00.000-07:002011-03-15T12:06:41.925-07:00

The past week, I've been on the road traveling up North to visit friends on Vashon and Guemes Islands. These friends inspire me to create, laugh and learn. Catherine Russel gave us each a challenge to make an eight-page mini-book using a set of prompts that she gave to us. Here are my pages. I loved this exercise and plan to do more artwork with it.Here's a scan of the eight-pages all

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-40217988661279258312011-03-06T16:50:00.000-08:002011-03-09T07:52:31.742-08:00

I've been working on cleaning up my studio for three weeks. It feels good to get this accomplished. I wish I had more space so I could relegate items not used much to another part of the house. But I have to do with the space that I have. Above are the storage bins for my fabrics. I love looking at the colors and have them all color coordinated.I found these tool caddies and used them for

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-76679364906207127562011-03-06T07:25:00.000-08:002011-03-06T07:49:46.200-08:00

Yesterday, I drove to Corvallis to celebrate the life of a special person, Mari Le Glatin Keis. Mari died January 9th at the age of 60. It was wonderful to share her artwork, sketchbooks, memories and stories with family and friends. She inspired me and many others to sketch and draw with eyes and heart while traveling and at home. She had six simple ideas for sketching and living- pack light

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-4782993022692250352011-02-20T11:18:00.001-08:002011-02-20T12:04:56.536-08:00

Portland University Buckley Center Gallery has an incredible exhibit of Sister Corita Kent's prints from three private collections. The works range from her more complex serigraphs in the 1950's up to her more simple and colorful prints of the 1980's. Her artwork chronicles the turbulence of the 1960's. Call the center for location and hours at 503-943-7792. This is a rare exhibit of her

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-79267260058444497792011-02-17T10:04:00.000-08:002011-02-17T10:46:04.237-08:00

Last night at the NW Film Festival, we saw a surprise premier of a short film by Joan C. Gratz, a local animator who developed the use of clay painting in animation. Her newest film, Kubla Khan, based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem is another, worldly dream-scape. Check out this U-tube version of her film- Mona Lisa Descending a StaircaseOver Your Cities Grass will Grow is the main film

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-54418020895398987702011-02-14T10:52:00.001-08:002011-02-14T10:53:07.961-08:00

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-51501450908421852232011-02-13T12:20:00.000-08:002011-02-13T12:30:42.782-08:00

Win one of Stephanie Brockway's hand-carved flaming hearts (the one with "XO" on it). Make a comment on this post- February Portland Art Collective giveaway . Good luck.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-15061610911082446082011-02-11T10:24:00.001-08:002011-02-11T10:52:10.421-08:00

Last October while in San Miguel de Allende, we visited the studio of Leigh Hyams. After meeting her, I wanted to read her book. DH bought it for me online for my birthday. It's a wonderful book full of her experience being a painter and teacher, her travels and great exercises. Every friend who has read this little gem of a book raves about it. Her passion for art inspires and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-48331186573762402712011-01-28T14:39:00.001-08:002011-01-28T15:00:24.465-08:00

In reorganizing my studio, I wanted to find a shelf for all of the idea books I've kept the past ten years. Inside, I write class notes, project ideas, information on favorite artists, inspiration, quotes and sketches for future projects. For example, I came across on old Somerset Studios magazine article by Gina Armfield on "Finding Your Voice". She says it's all a process of acquiring skills

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-39875638173123326162011-01-24T15:18:00.000-08:002011-01-24T15:31:01.932-08:00

Last week in our Portland Artist Group meeting, we created smiling collaged faces to send to women in Nigeria through the Women for Women International Program. This organization helps women survivors of war to rebuild their lives. Whitney Ferré at Creatively Fit organized the project. Check out her blog post. There is still time to make your face collages and mail them to her.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-82355719487929851382011-01-21T07:40:00.000-08:002011-01-21T08:00:14.485-08:00

This week, we sketched at our favorite winter hang out- Monte's Cafe at Monticello Antiques. Robin Olsen found this drawing exercise on the Urban Sketcher's blog. We each selected an item to sketch, and drew it on both sides of our sketchbook spread. Then we passed our sketchbook to the next person and she painted it.Robin used a dry brush technique to paint the doll on the left.I used a wetter

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-41981153706037419122011-01-18T08:56:00.000-08:002011-01-18T09:30:19.100-08:00

Last weekend while it poured down rain outside, four of us spent two wonderful days with Judy Wise in her studio learning hot plate encuastic painting. We used her studio setup and got to try out many different techniques. The Picasso-like face painting above was created on a black background with layers of wax painted on the board.We created sample boards with a variety of encaustic painting

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-40481387275205609062011-01-17T10:07:00.000-08:002011-01-17T10:24:11.274-08:00

Cynthia Mooney is giving away one of her fabric journals this month. Comment Here to win this beautiful journal.As a bonus, she's including a mini-watercolor paint palette. Cynthia teaches journal making and journaling techniques classes. Check out her blog Here for more information. You can see photos of her travel journals.Good luck and hope you win this journal that makes me long for

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-24001594153903236512011-01-14T16:27:00.000-08:002011-01-14T16:51:56.813-08:00

How did it get this way? Four years ago, I moved into my studio. It looked pretty clean then. My interests and artistic pursuits have changed and accumulated in that time. Every surface is covered with piles of papers, books, mail, postcards and/or projects.In one corner, piles of magazines, boxes and rolls of paper await some form of order.The other end of the desk...The work table top...My

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-58194411778487455042011-01-01T12:56:00.000-08:002011-01-01T14:54:45.100-08:00

With the New Year, I decided to make a new sketchbook. I like this size 8x6 inches. The book is made with two canvas boards. The cover is one of Robin Olsen's fabric experiments that I purchase from her.First, I free motion stitched the word sketchbook onto interfacing-backed muslin. I ran it through my Xyron machine and ended up with the adhesive on the right side. Oops! What to do? I

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-73729248164950575172010-12-26T15:02:00.000-08:002010-12-26T15:06:39.052-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S TO YOUA new year is beginning to peak throughsoftly beautiful and different like new falling snow,each day unique and shaped just for you.Your life adding something as each day does grow.My wish for your new year is beautyand softness with surprises thrown in for delight.Love for each day bringing happiness to you,making your life a scene of sparkle and shining sunlight.- Author

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-75830317687074429512010-12-18T11:25:00.001-08:002010-12-18T11:47:33.204-08:00

The 2011 Art Journal Calendar winners are Lilylovekin and Createology. I'll email both of you. Thanks to all of you who commented. I plan to continue the giveaways during the new year. I appreciate everyone who reads my blog and is a follower. New friends have entered my life through blogging. It's wonderful how sharing one's artwork touches someone else in the world. Your friendship and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-49227477594533478822010-12-15T09:03:00.000-08:002010-12-15T09:34:01.063-08:00

We sketched at Monticello Antique Marketplace and visited their Old Fashioned Christmas Show. It's fun to see collections from Christmas past. Seeing friends Christmas decorations and collections inspires creativity for the holidays and good cheer.Last week, we celebrated my mother's 90th birthday. The guest book holds memories of guests and photos from her party. She's healthy, independent

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-22466809097612878432010-12-05T07:51:00.000-08:002010-12-05T12:52:20.645-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came to the Portland Art Collective Art Show and Sale this weekend. It was great to see you. We had gorgeous weather both days and lots of shoppers. As a thank you to my blog readers, I'm giving away two of my 2011 Art Journal Calendars. Comment on this post to enter and I'll draw two names on Saturday, December 18th. Good luck!Lots of ornaments, danglies and charms

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-17172686191015743792010-11-26T09:47:00.000-08:002010-11-26T10:50:54.066-08:00

"Aztec Dream"Six months ago, I started a series of mandala paintings. Several artists recommend working on more that one piece at a time. This process worked really well with this project. While letting one painting dry, I could start working on the next one. By the time I finished the process with each one, the first painting was ready for the next layer."Mandala Rose"I covered each canvas

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-60217725212976372702010-11-21T15:57:00.000-08:002010-11-21T16:24:55.228-08:00

The weatherman predicts snow tonight. It's an early snowfall for the Willamette Valley. So far only the hills are dusted in white. These beaded snowflakes are my danglies for the Portland Art Collective Show coming up in a couple of weeks. Each year, we have a dangly tree with all kinds of ornaments. Here's a photo from last year's show-

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-42637908666730416752010-11-17T07:56:00.000-08:002010-11-17T08:08:06.430-08:00

Yesterday, we sketched at Monticello Antiques. When it's cold and raining, we move indoors to draw something we've brought or an interesting antique from the showroom floor. I brought the large pomegranates and Martha came with the small ones from her family's Texan garden. With good friends, conversation and a cup of java, who could ask for anything more.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-58717612843675109702010-11-14T18:56:00.000-08:002010-11-14T19:07:07.001-08:00

Jan Harris is giving away one of her one-of-a-kind journals. This book has a single stitch coptic binding with a collaged cover measuring 4" by 5". The two insets in the front cover feature a repousse pewter heart and turquoise scarab beetle. There are 12 signatures of sturdy paper that should withstand light water media or collage. Be sure to leave a comment with your name and email

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-91959474951067106592010-11-13T13:08:00.000-08:002010-11-14T12:54:43.568-08:00

This week, I worked on adding embellishments to keys that I flooded with solder and stamped with words and phrases. After taking Stephanie Lee's Homesteader's Metalsmithing online class this summer, I got the idea to use safe deposit keys supplied by DH for pendants. They come in different sizes and shapes. With added soldered wire links, beads and a bit of ribbon, they became great little

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-36321694979188045102010-11-12T15:43:00.000-08:002010-11-12T16:03:35.172-08:00

Thanks to everyone who commented on my art journal zine. Ruth is the lucky winner. Your comments and support continue to inspire and encourage me. In December, I plan to post a giveaway for my 2011 Art Journal Calendar. Stay tuned for that post and you may become the lucky winner.This week, I spent five wonderful days on the Oregon Coast being with friends, creating art, walking on the

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-23138811845548076182010-11-05T13:38:00.001-07:002010-11-05T14:34:23.913-07:00

The past month, I've been busy finishing an art journal zine for a swap with my Guemes Island retreat friends. I made a couple extra copies and want to give one away to my blog readers. Comment on this post and I'll put your name in a hat and draw a winner next a week. The big announcement will be November 12th. Good luck!I've always wanted to create a zine. When I tell people about it, they

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-34825017668780235262010-10-22T09:26:00.001-07:002010-10-22T11:18:02.792-07:00

Two of the many reasons I love Mexico and Mexican culture are its diversity and duality of ancient and new- the traditions, many years of ritual and practice passed down from one generation to the next.We sketched one morning in the desert botanical garden el Charco del Ingenio. The Four Winds Plaza, a ritual and scenic space, was inspired by Tolteca-Chichimeca indigenous beliefs. The outer

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-27661499058731897492010-10-20T08:54:00.001-07:002010-10-20T08:59:37.221-07:00

This month, Tory Brokenshire gives away one of her beautiful chandelier glass journals. Comment Here to win and get more information. Good luck!!!

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-61116162747219272762010-10-18T10:31:00.000-07:002010-10-18T11:13:16.948-07:00

Las Monjigangas, giant puppets, teeter and dance to the music down Canal Street during a parade to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Michael the Archangel or San Miguel.The puppets stand nine feet tall and weigh about 30 to 35 pounds.We visited the studio of Hermes Arroyo, a local monijganga artist. His nephew showed us how the puppets are made- metal/wood frame, cardboard and plaster, acrylic

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-55080225734466861592010-10-12T17:46:00.000-07:002010-10-13T17:59:39.428-07:00

Cynthia, Robin and I traveled to San Miguel de Allende to experience the culture, art and festivities of Mexico. We filled up each day with lots of different activities.All across Mexico, everyone celebrates the Bicentennial of their Independence from Spain and their Revolution Centennial . The state of Guanajuato is where the Mexican Revolution started. September 16th is their Independence

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-62694357795754038882010-09-30T16:58:00.000-07:002010-09-30T17:23:49.513-07:00

My art journal calendar filled up fast this summer with lots of activities with friends and family, creativity, travel, reading and sketching. (June above)July...August...September...It may be awhile till my next post. I'm off to Mexico with Cynthia and Robin. We're bringing our journals and art supplies. My next posts will include photos and journal pages from our trip.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-40954293820852795332010-09-27T09:34:00.000-07:002010-09-27T10:16:28.796-07:00

Port Townsend, Washington holds a special place in my heart. I've traveled here to Fort Worden for ArtFest many times. This weekend, I shared this favorite corner of the world with my book group friends to celebrate one member's 60th birthday.We stayed in Col. P.W. Phisterer's Officer's Row house, built in 1904.The sky became as important as the landscape with ever changing cloud formations and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-330601977772265452010-09-22T10:37:00.000-07:002010-09-22T11:22:52.502-07:00

My creative muse is back. Yeah!!!! It seems like I always leave the preparations for our Portland Art Collective December Show to the last minute. It's much better to be organized and have a plan. I've taken my sketches over several years and used them to make buttons and magnets.These little 3x4½ inches notebooks, I covered with copies of my sketches. They fit great in handbags for keeping

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-59082671182924023262010-09-16T10:36:00.000-07:002010-09-16T11:04:18.304-07:00

Tuesday, we sketched outside St. Honoré Boulangerie in Lake Oswego. The morning never warmed up. We sat with our hands wrapped around coffee cups, talking and sketching a little. Lake View Village and the town of Lake Oswego offer wonderful sidewalk gardens, flowered pots, downtown art, a variety of restaurants and shops. It's hard to see the weather change to rain and darker days. I

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-31266451934964767992010-09-12T12:27:00.000-07:002010-09-12T13:11:03.804-07:00

This weekend, I completed a Mary Ann Moss- style travel journal for an upcoming trip to Mexico. Several months ago, I took her "Remains of the Day" shabby journal online class.See the two other journals I made from her class Here and Here.I used Mexican themed fabric on the front cover, free-motion stitching and tape. I sewed it onto a canvas base to give it body. I zigzag stitched the edges

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-30030085214746115122010-09-10T06:59:00.000-07:002010-09-10T07:12:27.901-07:00

Z'anne Bakke's beautiful "The Archeologist's Find" necklace is the Portland Art Collective's September giveaway. For more information about the necklace with turquoise nuggets, copper and coral beads, read Z'anne's blog story Here. To win this gorgeous necklace, leave a comment on the Portland Art Collective blog Here . Good luck!!!

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-69227407229394521962010-09-06T16:17:00.000-07:002010-09-06T16:52:26.006-07:00

For the past month, I've been taking Stephanie Lee's online class called Homesteader's Metalsmithing. She's offering another class starting September 8th. I highly recommend her course- good quality videos and PDF files. We learned how to make soldered bezels, patina them and add resin.I flooded the key above with solder, stamped the word 'Dream', added patina and a soldered link and beads.The

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-79659220715490326372010-08-31T14:34:00.000-07:002010-08-31T15:10:15.626-07:00

Today feels like fall- the first rain in two months. The days get shorter, neighborhood children prepare for the first day of school next week and I notice subtle changes in the garden- the colors soften, spider webs spread between plants and leaves start to dry out.This morning, we sketched at McMenamins Edgefield. The sunflowers were bent over heavy with their fruit. Blackbirds kept coming

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-66473346288833541572010-08-26T07:47:00.000-07:002010-08-26T08:12:22.010-07:00

We sketched at Luscher Farm this week. The community garden provides 185 gardeners with plots to grow their own vegetables and flowers. This Saturday, the Grow Gather Dinner supports new sustainability projects for schools with local chefs preparing fresh produce from the gardens.Lots of green tomatoes grow on vines but few are turning red. It may be mid-September before they ripen.I

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-10396323154706788692010-08-22T16:46:00.000-07:002010-08-22T17:37:13.529-07:00

Exploring the Oregon Coast with a good friend happens to be one of my favorite travel adventures. It's fun to check out off the beaten path places. South of Lincoln City, up the Siletz River near Kernville we found Barking Dog Farm. Driving downhill to the farm, a row of hollyhocks greets us. I love these old fashioned flowers.We bought fresh organic kale- several varieties, zucchini and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-20465900772028065102010-08-17T08:18:00.000-07:002010-08-17T08:35:48.442-07:00

Dayna Collins made this great paper remnant journal for a giveaway this month on the Portland Art Collective blog. Go Here to comment and have a chance to win this journal.Dayna demonstrates how she used one of her remnant journals to chronicle a recent stay on Portland's waterfront. She also plans to sell these journal at the Portland Art Collective "Open Doors Show" in December.

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-8534294582703295622010-08-10T18:20:00.000-07:002010-08-11T07:36:12.244-07:00

I'd much prefer to sketch flowers. This waterlily at Hughes Water Gardens started turning from white to pink as we sat and sketched in the greenhouse. The subtle color changes happened very slowly. The gardener said that by the end of the day this waterlily would be all pink.Victorian lily pads float in the greenhouse pond with tall lotus plants in the background.The lotus blossom and seed pod

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-1818075270350066962010-08-05T11:18:00.000-07:002010-08-05T11:37:43.201-07:00

Check out my new 2011 Art Journal Calendar. You may preview 15 pages on the sidebar link and order copies from Blurb. The 40 pages contain my artwork and photographs. Keeping an art journal engagement calendar is a great way to start the new year. You can find my reasons for visual journaling in a calendar Here. It seems early to think about 2011. I'm already seeingcalendars in stores. Now

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-35212750856125131102010-08-02T06:24:00.000-07:002010-08-02T10:15:10.297-07:00

Randi Feuerhelm-Watts cleaned out her studio and gave several of her journals that she started but never finished away. I was the lucky recipient of her red journal. It's a book cut in triangular shape with the pages folded. She attached a large grommet to one corner and added a chain to be able to carry it or hang it up.The closure is glued onto the front cover and the back has a red elastic,

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-3541141851922915072010-07-31T11:31:00.001-07:002010-07-31T12:13:52.612-07:00

Last weekend, we returned to Guemes Island for our quarterly art retreat at the red farmhouse. With inspiration from Penelope (checkout her new blog), I made this journal out of rosin paper (supplied by Michelle). The ends are covered with magazine strips and sewn with a coptic stitch (thanks to Celeste's help). The cover includes a 4x6 postcard of a sketch I did last summer.The Red Farmhouse

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-34744941339755802992010-07-27T16:13:00.000-07:002010-07-27T20:14:15.074-07:00

One of my favorite summer pastimes is spending lazy, warm days with friends in their gardens. Today, we sketched in Cynthia's garden full of lanterns, roses and pots full of geraniums, nasturtiums and pansies.Last week, I visited Marianne and loved the time spent in her country garden- talking, reading, being outdoors, listening to bees, birdsong, and the chickens.My friends tend wild gardens-

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-74644933634632463112010-07-15T07:27:00.000-07:002010-07-15T08:07:00.524-07:00

Saturday, I took a class from Dawn Grunwald on making fabric jewelry. She shared a couple ideas that help make free motion machine stitching easier. First, use an embroidery hoop. It helps to give more control in moving the fabric. Use small stitch setting on machine. Move the hoop slowly with fast speed stitching. The results are smaller stitches and a better way to create your

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-79084056040490678082010-07-09T07:09:00.000-07:002010-07-09T07:42:04.015-07:00

For a garden art exchange for our Portland Art Collective picnic, I made a dream catcher. It always fascinates me how a work of art evolves. My DH gave me a box of old lock parts and the shims caught my eye. I originally planned to make a wind chime. On one of our walks, I found a wire circle from an old hub cap and realized that I'd make a dream catcher (12½ inches in diameter).I used the

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-46383889460399566892010-07-07T10:01:00.000-07:002010-07-07T10:16:19.527-07:00

Summer is here in the NW with sunshine and 90°F temperatures. Yesterday, we sketched at one of our favorite spots- Hughes Water Gardens off Stafford Road. Be sure to check out their website for their Waterlily Festival and Invitational Art Show. Artist will be in the garden Sunday July 25th and July 31st giving demonstrations. The leaves of the lotus above remind me of nasturtium leaves but

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-7986267923692384082010-07-02T12:39:00.000-07:002010-07-03T09:54:44.091-07:00

Last Saturday, I took a class with poet Kaia Sand to explore two of Portland's lost neighborhoods- Nihonmachi and Vanport. Readers may remember my interest in the Japaneseinternment during WWII here.It's been a long time since I've taken a writing class. We met at Floyd's Cafe in Old Town, did some practice writing exercises about place and old neighborhoods we remembered from our childhood and

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-88083513654570174822010-06-29T15:13:00.000-07:002010-06-29T15:42:37.995-07:00

Today, we sketched with artists from Costa Rica at Portland's Rose Garden in Washington Park. June is the best time to see the garden in full bloom. Clouds covered Mt. Hood but we got a good view of the city and the roses.One of my favorite roses-From left to right- Carolina, Cynthia, Rosmery, Sonia, Jeannette, Raquel and Ana.Rosmery gave each of us one of her watercolors that she painted while

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-40369149440881882042010-06-25T17:21:00.001-07:002010-06-25T17:47:20.193-07:00

Our sketch group is hosting a group of women artists from Costa Rica this next week and we made them travel art supply kits with a M. Graham watercolor palette. The kit includes a sketchbook with 15 pages of watercolor paper, a glue stick, a water brush, a pen, tissue paper and a palette.I learned how to make these palettes from Cynthia Mooney. I used 150 grit sandpaper to give tooth to the

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-26504507682239162372010-06-22T17:42:00.000-07:002010-06-23T08:05:29.226-07:00

Today, we sketched at the Sara Hite Memorial Rose Garden in North Clackamas Park. The overcast sky cleared and the sun shone- a rarity here in the NW this month.The Rainbow comes and goes,And lovely is the RoseWilliam ShakespeareThe world is a rose,Smell it and pass it to your friendsPersian ProverbIt's so relaxing to sit and sketch in a quiet place, forget about time and take in the beauty.Next

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1860539529234287750.post-21779952478512615462010-06-19T11:53:00.000-07:002010-06-19T12:13:25.896-07:00

We sketched this week at the Lan Su Chinese Garden. I love this yellow-flowering bush but cannot seem to identify it's name. The flowers have five petals on purplish vines. I don't think I could ever be a botanical illustrator. Some of my flowers have only four petals.My handy reference guide is Sunset's Western Garden Book. At first, I thought it might be a Bush Poppy or dendromecon but

Paula McNameehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08689898662649818926noreply@blogger.com10