oh my...what a weekend! Mary Saracino and I co-taught a workshop on the Sacred Feminine. Mary took the class on a  whirlwind tour of images of the Goddess from prehistoric times to the Black Madonna. I introduced participants to the freedom of visual journaling. Together the images and the art wove a marvelous experience shared by us all! I had no idea that the history of the Divine Feminine was a universal expression, transcending what we currently think of as religious differences. Mary's gentle and inclusive approach to the "surprised history"  led us all into a new understanding of iconic images and personal experiences. It was such a great emersion into the world of the shared narrative; and delightful to be a fully engaged student again!
Check out Mary's writing at www.marysaracino.com and her new book "She is Everywhere" on Amazon. Wow.

This is the entrance to the Mabel Dodge Luhan home in Taos. 7 ladies made it our magnificent home for just 2 nights but we seemed to squeeze some magic out of each minute! We set up a studio in the log cabin classroom and painted, journaled, explored, collaged and laughed thru the day and a half workshop. The air was fragrant, the sky endlessly changing and we went from wet chilly days to blazing sun. Bear poo, spray inks, breakfast burritos, altered photos, quick draw...it was so much fun to be together in this interestiing  and visually stimulating space. The people watching was also entertaining! I had a totally inspiring time and loved absolutely every second.  Thanks ladies!! (below is a slide show of our time together, put mouse over the picture and you can choose

Sure looks easy....yikes! A summer of changes; changing roles (no work this semester at either Metro or DU) and changing directions. I have certainly heard from  many sources that these times of great change offer great opportunities. So here it is! I finally completed the prototype and first five journal kits I have been thinking of for what seems likes years. I brought the kit to my dear friend Carol for her opinion today and, based on her feedback, am ready for the roll out this weekend at the opening of the Visual Journal show. The roller coaster has just gotten to the top of the lift, now

Another new technique I am playing with is using aluminum tape (purchased in a hardware store) attached to a page, then incised, then painted over with black gesso which is wiped off after a few minutes. Fun! I'll plan my next video tutorial on these two techniques. Check back in a few weeks, or let me know if  you have used either of these and how your pages turned out.

In this tutorial I am trying to show ways to prep the blank pages so it is easier to get going in a new journal book. I am guessing many folks have loads of beautiful journals, often still blank just because the thought of actually starting those first pages is terrifying. The materials I am using in this video are simple as possible: a glue stick, some text from a discarded book (or newspapers, or paper bags, dictionaries, etc), an old tooth brush, some watercolors, some odd things to use as stamps (old erasers, corks) and stamp ink that is washable (dye ink). That is it! Just start playiing and you will find the pages are much easier to work with if you try the layered approach. I look forward to hearing about your progress.