Zen Leads to Truth

Anything is possible ONE STROKE AT A TIME...

My hometown of Lancaster, PA. 

          I love to create Zentangles yet sometimes I only have five minutes or less and my hand is anxious and wants to create lines without too much attention to pattern details or too much thinking at all. I just draw my border and put on my favorite worship music and I zen out.

          To "zen out" might sound like my brain just goes to mush...but the opposite appears to be happening. Because when I step back afterwards and see where the process lead me I discover my visual environment (what I see outside my window) has found its way into my art forms. I see rolling hills, farmer's crop lines, patterns, nature's leaves, trees, and even the power lines of the humming cityscape nearby. 

          Not only does the process calm my mind; but most importantly the worship music allows my spirit to express itself in a pure and truthful pattern that would not have been possible if I gave myself the task to "draw my environment"... especially not in the short amount of time given. I would of stressed, analyzed icons, patterns and double guessed myself on what was the "correct" creative art answer to the task. WOW! I'm tired just thinking about it.. definitely not zen at all.

         Zen, to me is freedom to fall into the word of the worship of God. For it is he who gifts me the art that I create. My efforts are inspired by his love for me to push forward to use his gifts. But the outcomes are best when I submit to his word and praise him in the process. There are no mistakes in creating art; just as there is no mistake that God created you. When we trust God to lead us all creations lead to joy. 

          Enjoy your art ministry and share God's truth.

Making Some Discoveries

Yesterday I had the pleasure to reintroduce myself to Mitch Lyons. I first met Mitch a couple of weeks ago at the annual PA Guild of Craftsmen Fair held in my hometown of Lancaster, PA. If you have never attended this arts and crafts fair... IT IS A MUST... I encourage you to visit the PA Guild of Craftsmen website and mark your calendars. I also highly recommend visiting Mitch's website you will not be disappointed! Mitch is a master at making clay monoprints. YES I said CLAY!! I had never heard of such a thing and Mitch informed me "it's because I invented it". Thanks for sharing Mitch! God Bless.

1.Colored slip is added to the leather hard clay slab.

Until you are able to make your own personal pilgrimage to PA to visit Mitch enjoy these photos I took yesterday (with Mitch's approval of course) which captures the intricate, beautiful, monoprinting demonstration Mitch so graciously presented at his home art studio located in New London, PA.

2. Introducing more color by sifting in chalk and pastels.

Mitch is planning to hold a two day weekend workshop in April 2012 and I am already saving my pennies to make sure I am there!  See his website for details. If you are not able to visit his studio he does sell DVDs on his art making process. Either way his artwork and process are so inspiring and captivating you will not be satisfied with just one peek at his website you will want to meet him in person - he is planning to host some traveling workshops and he is open to doing one day demonstrations.

NOTE: I have added my personal captions to these photos but to read how Mitch explains his clay monoprinting process in details click on this link.

3. Getting ready to make a monoprint.

As I stood next to Mitch yesterday I could not help but to be re energized about the art making process and re discovering the joy it brings me. Mitch is just what I needed to boost up my creative spirits and I left eager to jump into my little attic art studio to explore what my own emerging art journey had to offer.

4. Creating a charge with a brayer (Mitch said "it's a pizza roller").

I am so blessed to live so close to such remarkable artists like Mitch who have been making art for over 40 years; yet Mitch still holds the enthusiasm of a mindful artist discovering his pleasure in art making for the first time.  THANK YOU, Mitch for sharing your love of art making, answering all of my "Curious Girl" questions and I look forward to revisiting your studio in April for your weekend workshop.

As for the fruits of my labor upon my return from visiting with Mitch see the pictures below of the fun I had creating and exploring my own recipes for making an original mixed media collage art project.

Enjoy;-)
~ Sandra

The elements: a recycled iPhone box I painted with white gesso, my hand painted mixed media papers, and a laser copy of an old fashion hand plow (the plow image shows up in other artwork I'm currently creating inspired by my summer volunteering at my local CSA at the Lancaster Farmacy). I miss the farm.

Close up of the hand painted papers adhered to the substrate using Golden Soft Gel Matte Medium with some additional handmade markings layered on using a Faber-Castell watercolor pencil (black).

Adding on additional hand painted paper (remains from another project - nothing goes to waste). I just let the negative shapes created by the cutouts dictate the orientation of the layout. 

Front view of the piece thus far. I love how you can still see some of the Apple wordage seeping through the gesso.

Close up of the overlaying papers and the texture they create.

The final piece with the hand plow image added on using a gel medium transfer.

Defining the size: 3-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches.

"Winter PLOW" mixed media collage

Inching in some quality time with family and art!

Downtown Lancaster, PA on Friday for the annual Mayor's Tree Lighting event.

I love living in Lancaster, PA! Where else can you greet Santa Claus with free Egg Nog and Apple Cider at the local Marriott Hotel, take in a tree lighting and community sing-along of holiday tunes with the town's local brass band, do a little window shopping in 100 year old downtown shops and local Central Farmer's Market and end it all by trying out some of the new wooden toys at the local TellUs360 shop. My mother, sister-in-law, niece and I inched our way through large crowds on Friday evening at the annual Mayor's Tree Lighting Event. If you're ever in PA you must come visit Lancaster, a gem of a town;-)

Enjoy,
Sandra

Amelia and Jessica share some mother daughter time.

Three generations of Granthon girls take a photo.

My mother and I stop for a photo (tons of people behind us).

Checking out the goods at the local Central Farmer's Market.

Amelia doing a balancing act at TellUs360 in downtown Lancaster, PA.

PS
I was also able to inch in some art time this weekend. Look at these sweet little collage inches I just started. LOVE THEM ;-)