Happy New Year!

Haooy BEW Tear! (“Happy New Year” in Bird.)

Year of the SPARK! Mini Video

“Year of the SPARK!” Online Class! from Silly U on Vimeo.

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Hello! Here is a little mini video about our new online class, “2015: Year of the Spark!” Our talented nephew, Will Sonheim, did the editing. Thanks, Will!

Lynn Whipple and I are so looking forward to working with all of you who have already signed up (and all of you who haven’t, yet!)

For more details:
www.yearofthespark.com

“Introductions” begin January 1st, and your first mixed-media lesson is on Thursday, January 8, 2015! (But sign up by December 31st to get two signed mini-prints from Lynn and me!)

Knotting Clothes

I’ve been crocheting a rug. One of those projects that may or may not get abandoned, but it’s been fun to cut up old clothing into narrow strips and knot it together.

It’s very relaxing and competitive at the same time: “Just one more row before bed! Just one more!” Right now it’s about 3’5″ x 2’5″, and I’m hoping for at least 3’5″ x 8′ (for our hallway). A winter project!! I hope you are having a wonderful day.

3 Things “Coffee Blobs” Teach Me About Creativity

I have a coffee pot that leaks all over the counter if I pour too fast.

I know this, and I always begin by pouring slowly, but then I get impatient and speed up, and coffee drips all over the counter.

I’ve been thinking about these coffee “blobs” and have come up with three things these blobs and creativity have in common:

1. Blobs and Creativity are Both Messy (And Messes are Fun).

It’s fun to see what will happen when you pull out the scissors and yarn, the paint and canvas, the charcoal and paper. And, apparently, it’s fun to let the coffee drip all over the counter. There’s a thrill when the coffee begins dripping (or when the first mark or stitch is made).

What’s going to happen? Will it be something cool this time? The anticipation of what a mess might turn into is satisfying. Messes are unpredictable, and that’s fun.

3. Blobs and Creativity Both “Waste” Time.

Arguably it’s a colossal waste of time to make messes like the ones here, take the time to photograph them, and then clean everything up. Why not just learn to pour properly?

And I know some people feel taking the time to paint a picture or work in a sketchbook or play the guitar can be better spent doing something useful, such as laundry, vacuuming, or making money.

Whatever. It’s more fun to draw, paint, sew and drip caffeine all over the counter!

Making stuff makes us happier people somehow.

Waste time! It’s good for the soul.

3. Blobs and Creativity Can Both Spin Out of Control.

I love the coffee stains in the photo above, but the spaghetti sauce from the night before is just gross. Time to clean up!

Blobs and creativity both require some clean-up, both physically and metaphorically.

For example, at the moment I have fabric on every surface of the living room (couch, chairs, carpet). But it needs to be picked up at some point, or it will drive both me and my husband crazy.

Similarly, sometimes an idea or a project or a painting just gets too big, TOO messy, and needs to be tidied up a bit. Reigned in. Simplified. Edited.

We make a mess, we clean it up; that’s what humans do!

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I’m sure if I thought harder I could come up with more parallels, but that will need to be it for now, because I’m off to Ikea to buy sheets.

Have a wonderful night!

Happy Holidays PDF! Ornaments & Tags from Lynn & Carla

Hello!

Happy Holidays from Lynn Whipple and Me (and “2015: Year of the Spark!“)

Click the images below and after about 15-30 seconds, a PDF will load in your browser window. Then, just print and use!

Here is my offering:

http://www.carlasonheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sparkholidaycarla1.pdf

And Lynn’s!

http://www.carlasonheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sparkholidaylynn.pdf

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

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About “SPARK“:

Lynn Whipple and I are co-teaching a year-long online art/creativity class in 2015. The emphasis will be on creativity and FUN. 24 jam-packed lessons (2 per month, one each from Lynn and myself), and even some arty business conversations, too. For more information, go to www.yearofthespark.com. Sign up by December 31, 2014 and received two signed mini-prints!

“Fairyland” ‘Zine #2; “The Magic Horse”

 

Hello! Participants from this year’s year-long Fairy Tale class just finished a new ‘zine!

“A Magic Horse is magic because it can turn into a magic…

 

 

… and many more!

Here is the link to the collaborative ‘zine… thank you to everyone who participated!

http://www.carlasonheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Fairyland2finalb.pdf

And if you have trouble loading the above, here is smaller version:

http://www.carlasonheim.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Fairyland2finalc.pdf

 

Pom Pons a la Mandy Greer

December is here and in my studio that means making pom pons, apparently (see banner above)!

A few weeks ago I took a workshop from Seattle installation artist Mandy Greer. We crocheted a long garland with yarn and fabric, then started making pom pons to hang on it. For three hours a small group of us rolled and knotted yarn. And when I drove home afterwords I felt RIDICULOUSLY happy.

So happy!

Seattleites: Mandy is hosting some classes this month if you’re interested… and she’s having a studio sale this coming weekend!

Blue Figure

I spent an hour or two at Seattle’s Gage Academy of Art yesterday at their annual Drawing Jam (an all-day drawing event with live models, etc)… it was fun to get the charcoal out!

This model was wonderful to draw.

These three were the best of many tries.

Hope you’re having a wonderful day!

Two Cats

Registration Now OPEN for “2015: Year of the Spark!”

Hello, hello, hello! Registration is now open for the next year-long online class…

2015: Year of the SPARK!

… which I am excited to be co-teaching with the wonderful Lynn Whipple!

This class is about ART, and how we can infuse MORE of it into our lives…. More art, more creativity, more time, more inspiration, more motivation, and more FUN!

Lynn and I share a love of making art, moving our hands, and keeping things FUN. We believe that the more fun you have, the more open your mind is to creative solutions, which produces more authentic and imaginative art! We want to share what we know about being an artist, making art, living a creative life, and the business of art.  Two times a month (one each from Lynn and Carla) you will receive a video lesson + pdf which will include a short spark-your-art exercise (how do we make the time for creativity? How do we start?), as well as a longer, technique-based mixed-media project. In addition, Each month Lynn and I will take turns addressing some “business of art” topics, including applying to shows, galleries, publishing, teaching, and online selling.  This year includes: • 24 VIDEO LESSONS (12 from Lynn, 12 from Carla) • 24 Spark-Your-Art CREATIVITY EXERCISES • 24 Mixed-Media PROJECTS/TECHNIQUES (throughout the year we’ll work with drawing, painting, watercolors, acrylics, fabric, wire, charcoal, pencil, collage, glue….) • 24 accompanying PDFs with step-outs, written instructions, references, links, etc. • Instructor FEEDBACK on uploaded or emailed work • Private BLOG and closed FACEBOOK groups. • Monthly BUSINESS DISCUSSIONS with insights on making art for a living 

If you sign up by December 31, 2014, you will receive a set of two signed prints from Lynn and me, with artwork created especially for “2015: Year of the Spark!” Prints will ship in late January.

Sign up today!

For more information: www.yearofthespark.com

2015: Year of the SPARK!! from Silly U on Vimeo.