Artiscape 2017 Classes

I'm happy to say that I have been selected to teach at Artiscape again this year.  If you are unfamiliar with Artiscape, you can read more about it through my series of blog posts here, here and here.

I will be teaching two classes, one on Saturday morning and the other on Sunday morning.  The first is a printmaking class using a technique that I absolutely love!  The second is book folding class utilizing a cut and fold technique that yields amazing results.  My first folded book class in 2015 sold out, and I expect this one to be equally popular.  Part of the reasons my book folding classes are so popular is likely due to the fact that I teach you not only how to do the process in class, but I also teach you how to make your own patterns so you can continue to make your own projects at home.  The folded books make such amazing gifts!

Classes are detailed below.  Click on the class name to register.

Printmaking: Trace Monotype Prints
Saturday, April 29th, 2017
9:30 am - Noon

In this class, students will discover printmaking and how they can use the trace monotype print technique to create very painterly looking works without drawing skills. In this class we will discuss various types of printer's inks and how they affect the use of different coloring tools. We will make a few different prints while practicing the technique. Students will then choose their favorite print to color. The finished piece will be matted and ready to be framed. Brayers will be available, but students can bring their own if they don't want to wait to share. Students should bring their favorite coloring medium (ie colored pencils, pastels, watercolor). Images will be provided, but students may bring photocopied images of their choosing (color or black and white, laser or ink jet). If bringing images, good contrast is a must.

Cut and Fold Book Sculptures that POP!

Sunday, April 30th, 2017

9 am - noon

Students will not only learn the exciting cut and fold technique that allows designs to literally pop off the pages of a closed book, but also how to create their own patterns. After completing this class, students will be able to create patterns from designs of their own choosing to create amazing gifts and home décor items. The patterns we use will be independent of the computer, so no computer skills are necessary. This technique is different from the popular folded book sculpture class offered in the past.

Note:  The folded book sculpture class I taught in 2015 (a different technique) sold out!  I expect this to be very popular, too.  Register early.

Students should bring a hardcover book with 250 -300 pages. Newer books are better.

Now on Instagram

Hello everyone.  It's been a while since I've posted.  I got busy with life. I just wanted to let you know that I am now on Instagram under cyndiduncanarts.  I hope you'll follow me there.

Hopefully, now that the weather is again getting cooler, I will be able to get in here and make some more posts and let you know what I have been up to lately.

Artiscape is around the corner

Hello again.  You may have noticed that I've been absent for a little while.  After publishing Altered Arts magazine for ten years, for some reason using the computer for any reason has equated itself to work in my mind.  I had a really difficult time making myself get on the computer to make posts.  It felt like work, and it wasn't fun at all, so I took a break.  In the interim, I continued creating art and took several classes.  Probably as a result of the ten years publishing, I of course, took LOTS of pictures of everything I did.  Some even have step-outs.  So, I will have plenty to post if I can get into the groove again.

In just a couple short weeks, Artiscape - An Artist's Gathering will take place again in Columbus, Ohio.  This year's theme is:  Masquerade in Venice.  If you haven't already read my three-part article on the 2015 Artiscape, you can find it here.

I am busy working on my class kits, lesson plans, and supply preparations.  I am also busy working on my trades (last year's trades) and just finished my charity auction donation piece.

Artiscape Masquerade in Venice Charity Auction Piece by Cyndi Duncan.

There are still some spaces available in my classes.  Last year both of my classes sold out, don't wait too long.

The two classes I'm teaching are:

The Beekeeper's Journal
Friday, April 22 12:30 - 5:30

This beautiful beekeeper's journal features unique mini niches and page cut-outs. Beeswax will be used to embellish the niche. You will have time to work on some of the individual pages, but your book won't be completely finished in class. Books provided, as they will be prepped in advance.

Note:  This is a great class for trying cut-out altered books with niches, if you have never done them before. It is also great for those who love book art.  We won't be cutting very deeply into the book, but will be doing a lot of cutting!  I just finished decorating the entire book and can share with you the pitfalls and shortcuts I discovered along the way.  This book is a great stand-alone art piece, or can be used as a fun art journal.

Supplies:  Students will need a cutting tool and cutting mat.  I prefer the cheap-o plastic retractable box cutters.  An X-Acto knife will work, too. Additionally, you may want to bring your own heat embossing tool.  If there is enough time, we will begin to work on our pages.  You may wish to bring some paints and embellishments to decorate.  Your book will not be completed in class.  You will leave with the structure complete and the back niche page decorated.

Register for the Beekeeper's Journal here.

Fifty Shades of Gray:  Explorations in Ink
Saturday, April 23 2:30 - 6:30

In shades from gray to black, India ink is a wonderfully versatile product that many artists have never explored. Release your inhibitions and explore India ink mark making using numerous tools, techniques and agents. You will work with Yupo paper, another medium begging to be discovered. The exploration will climax with a creation on a 16x20" stretched canvas that showcases your artistic revelations.

Note:  Working with all the different techniques using India ink on Yupo paper was one of the most satisfying times I have spent in the studio.  It was very Zen-like.  We will be learning lots of techniques, but for those of you used to my Tons of Techniques classes, this one is much more slow paced and allows you a lot of experimentation on your own.  I think you will LOVE it!

Supplies:  In addition to the basic Art Kit that Artiscape recommends, you may wish to bring a soft rubber brayer, a paper cutter, stencils, mark-making/texture-making tools, calligraphy fountain pens (dip pens), black Pitt Pen(s),  and rubber stamps (with solid-filled designs - not detailed stamps).  We will also be painting our canvas with acrylic paints, so you are welcome to bring your favorite colors/brands with you.  I do supply everything you need, but many students find they perfer their favorites and don't like to share the tools.

Register for Fifty Shades of Gray: Explorations In Ink here. 

I hope to see you at Artiscape this year!

~Cyndi

Stampaway USA 2015

Summer is in full-swing, although here in Ohio, although we have yet to really experience it.  I think I have seen the sun twice, maybe three times, since May. Thankfully, I believe the weather pattern is changing.

At any rate, I hope you are enjoying it.  I am making the best of it. I am way too busy, though...and wondering why the time flies so quickly.

Next month I will be teaching at Stampaway USA.  Stampaway is a highly regarded paper arts convention near Cincinnati, Ohio.  There are numerous mixed-media classes, along with rubber stamping classes.  There's something for everyone!

My classes will be on Wednesday, August 5th and Friday, August 7th.  The convention itself takes place at the Sharonville Convention Center.

Niches, Drawers, and Doors workshop by Cyndi Duncan. Stampaway USA 2015, Sharonville (Cincinnati), OH

Niches, Drawers, and Doors
Wednesday, August 5th
12 - 5 pm

During this 5-hour altered book workshop, I will teach you my favorite way to create niches - those fun little recesses where you can showcase wonderful little works of art or other treasures.  You will learn how to create unique swinging doors: a student favorite!  I will also show you how to create windows and several types of drawers in your book where you can tuck away hidden masterpieces. We will finish our time together "arting-up" our sample books.

I will provide a prepped book, along with handouts.  Paints, some decorative papers and embellishments will also be on-hand for your use in decorating your creation.  Students should bring: a cork-backed metal ruler (at least 12"), a pencil, a cutting mat, and a utility-knife (I use box cutters that I typically get at the Dollar Store.).  Optional:  You can bring your own inks, stencils, sprays, stamps, etc., for our creative time.

(If you live on the West Coast and can't make it to Ohio for Stampaway, I will also be teaching this class at Art-Xscape in Austin, Texas, on Friday, October 9th.)
 

Artistic Shadows Steampunk Shadow Box class by Cyndi Duncan. Friday, August 7th, Stampaway USA, Sharonville (Cincinnati), OH.

Artistic Shadows Steampunk Shadow Box
Friday, August 7th
1:30 - 3:30 pm

We will use beautiful Victorian-style Steampunk papers and collage images to create a gorgeous shadow box that you will love and display for years.  We will build our masterpiece inside an exquisite glass-topped display box while exploring different ways to affix items inside the box and create movement through hanging and/or bobbing elements.

You will need to bring a basic tool kit (scissors, glue stick, ruler, favorite stamps, a black dye-based ink pad, black Staz-On ink pad and pencil). Optional: Some students find that a paper trimmer is useful in this class.  Also, the papers in this sample piece are discontinued, so if you have them in your stash and would like to make the box as shown, feel free to bring them along (Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante).  I will provide decorative papers, steampunk collage images, steampunk rubber stamps, and some embellishments.

Elegant Butterfly Book class by Cyndi Duncan. Stampaway USA, Sharonville (Cincinnati), OH

Elegant Butterfly Book
Friday, August 7th
4:00 - 6:00 pm

In this class, we will explore several book folding techniques.  You will select one and use it to create a beautiful habitat for your elegant butterfly embellishments. As we work to transform our book into a lovely masterpiece, we will learn several background techniques to adorn  your work.

You should bring a basic tool kit (see the description for the Steampunk Shadow Box) along with a paperback book for practice, and a 1.5" - 2" thick hardcover book to alter.  All other supplies are provided, however students are welcome to bring their own stencils and acrylic paints to create to their own vision. Optional:  heat embossing tool (to speed up drying time).


I hope you will plan to attend this fun event, and even better, take one of my classes!

Registration for Stampaway is done by mail. You can access the registration form here.

To view the Stampaway USA pdf brochure, click here.

~Cyndi

Artiscape 2015 - The Weekend (Part III)

My Weekend at Artiscape Artist's Gathering.

(Read Part I: here and Part II: here)

Saturday was a pretty relaxing day. I was not teaching any classes that day, and the workshop I was taking did not start until two. I got up at my regular time of 6:30 – 7 am and went down to get another wonderfully made omelet. I then just hung out in the room for most of the rest of the time until lunch. I wrote much of the first part of this post while I lounged around the room. It was a much needed respite!

For lunch I wandered down and had some chicken salad and fruit from their little snack shack in the center of the lovely atrium. I enjoyed eating my lunch with arty friends I've known for years.

Soon enough my class time rolled around and I headed for my Let's Brooch the Subject metalworking class with Jen Crossley. While I had done metal etching before, I had never done cold connections and jewelry sawing. It was a fun class and I learned a lot. When I went to sign in on the class roster, I saw a name that I recognized...the ever-talented Linda Cain! I looked around the room, found her, and called out her name. Linda is an amazing artist who, if you are not already familiar with, you must seek out. Her work is fabulous. I had the privilege of publishing several of Linda's works in AlteredArts magazine. She has since been on Tim Holtz's and Finnabair's design teams, among others. Follow her blog for regular infusions of “amazing-ness.” 

Linda Cain and Cyndi Duncan at Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015.

 

Jen Crossley and Linda Cain in Jen's class Let's Brooch the Subject.

Jen Crossley is a hoot, too. She hails from Australia and has a wonderful sense of humor. Of course she is fun to listen to; she could read a phone book and I would sit enthralled by her accent.

After Jen's class I had about a half hour to go and get ready for the evening's banquet.

While we were waiting for the dinner, we milled about at the evening's happy hour and set about to relieve ourselves of our trades. During this time something happened that has never happened before requiring me to point out some Art Trade Etiquette: If someone asks you if you have trades, and you do, you TRADE with them! You do not say “Yes, what do you have?” then look at the trade and respond: “No, I'm sorry, that's not my style,” or “Thank-you, but I wouldn't be able to use that.” If I had heard what happened to the two women in front of me, I would have never proffered my own trade. I have to imagine that the woman in question just didn't understand how it worked. I wish I wasn't so floored, or I might have asked her if it was her first time trading and kindly explained trade etiquette. I didn't pick my jaw off the floor until much later.

The banquet was a Jules Verne dinner and featured Cirque-de-Soleil-like performers that were fabulous. The food was good, as it always is at these dinners at the Embassy Suites-Dublin. I sat with my roommate, students from my classes and new friends. My roommate retired early and I sought out others who might want to go to the bar for a drink. While we never made it to the bar, I did insert myself into a group of people I did not know, and had a wonderful time learning more about them. It was the perfect ending to an amazing day.

Lisa's attention to detail always makes Artiscape super special.

My friend Mary and I at the Jules Verne Dinner Bash at Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015.

Performers at the Jules Verne Dinner Bash at Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015.

Stay tuned for the final installment of my series on the 2015 Artiscape Artist's Gathering.  Follow my blog by email and you won't miss it.

~Cyndi

5-1-2015:  The name of the performers is The Amazing Giants.  You can read more about them on their website:  http://www.theamazinggiants.com/

1-19-2017:  In linking these pages up to my 2017 Artiscape class offerings, I reread these posts and realized that I never finished the series, lol.  For those of you waiting on pins and needles: I don't remember what I did on Sunday!  Ha, ha, ha. I think I took a class, checked out, attended the Mad Hatter Tea Party and took my exhausted body home. At any rate, I'm sure the series gave you the flavor of the event, even if I didn't get around to finishing it. 

Artiscape 2015 - The Weekend (Part II)

My Weekend at Artiscape Artist's Gathering

(Read Part I of this series here.)

I woke up in the morning on Friday, had the amazing free breakfast, and then headed to my encaustic class with Serena Barton. This workshop was titled: Waxing Literary with Charlotte. While the techniques presented were not new to me, this was the class that spoke to me the most from the brochure, and I was not disappointed. I really enjoyed the workshop, and Serena and my table mates were a joy to get to know.

Student work in Serena Barton's Waxing Literary With Charlotte class at Artiscape 2015.

My artwork from Serena Barton's Waxing Literary With Charlotte class at Artiscape 2015.

Immediately following Serena's class, I was to teach my five-hour Tons of Techniques II workshop, so I had to leave a few minutes early to get my supplies together and to try and grab something to eat. My friend, Stacey, graciously agreed to help with this class, and she was indispensable! Having taught Tons of Techniques I a few years ago, I knew that I would fall over dead if I didn't have a helper. (Maybe not literally, but it would have felt that way!) This time around we learned about 15 different techniques or technique variations, and I demonstrated two more. We did all of that in FOUR hours! That means each technique took about 10 – 15 minutes before we were on to the next. After four hours, we stopped the fast-paced craziness and set about turning our technique samples into the sampler book that students could use for reference after the class.

 

Tons of Techniques II by Cyndi Duncan at Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015

Tons of Techniques II workshop by Cyndi Duncan at Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015.

By the time the end of the class rolled around, I was so exhausted and drained that I could barely think or move. After Stacey helped me clean up and pack the supplies back into my van, I had such a splitting headache, too, that I was soooo grateful for the evening happy hour. I'm sure I am not the only one for whom wine is a miracle cure. Seriously. My headache was so bad my eyes were crossing and I could barely drag myself to the bar, but moments after sitting down with my wine and sipping at it, I glanced up at my arty friends and said, “It's a miracle!” I felt almost back to normal. I think this is because my bad headaches are tension triggered and the wine acts as a muscle relaxer. I don't know...but it sounds good. All I know is that it works. Wine is medicinal for me. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)

That evening I sat with my arty friends, some former and some brand-new, until shortly before the event's Kick-Off Party began.

The Kick-Off Party is a marketplace preview accompanied by sweets, and snacks, and beverages. There were several demonstrations going on during the evening, as well. I had a wonderful time and spent WAY too much. I actually thought to take a picture of the haul for you, but then decided I didn't want proof. 

Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015 Kick-Off Party

Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015 Kick-Off Party

Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015 Kick-Off Party

I bought so much good stuff that I had to force myself to stay out of the marketplace the next day! Of course I hadn't yet seen the wonderful goodies at the outsider art fair...my pocketbook would have been much happier if I had skipped that, too. If I had skipped it, though,  I would have missed out on all the wonderful artist-created goodies I got. It's all good...right?

 ______________________

I hope you're enjoying my series on Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015.  Stay tuned to learn about the rest of the weekend.  If you follow my blog by email, you won't miss it!

~Cyndi

Artiscape 2015 - the Weekend (Part I)

My Weekend at Artiscape Artist's Gathering

During the fun and entertaining opening Kick-Off-Party, Lisa Ohmer, the organizer of Artiscape Artist's Gathering, and I mused about how long we had actually known each other. Lisa reminded me that we had met about twelve years ago at an altered art event sponsored by Stamp Art Jubilee in Atlanta, Georgia. It's funny how that event seemed a lifetime ago. I was there promoting the then-named Altered Book Club (now The Mailbox Muse, under new ownership) that I had just begun. I don't even think that the magazine had been born yet! As a matter-of-fact, I believe that the club had not even sent out its first kit yet. Anyway, that invitation by Lisa has led to many years of participation in the amazing event that she sponsors.

During the twelve-or-so years that I have known of Artiscape, I think I failed to participate on just a couple of occasions. Most of the years I attended I simply had a booth in the marketplace. During the first few years, the event was held in a very quaint Ohio canal town called Roscoe Village. At one of those first events I was able to squeeze out some time to take a workshop by the original altered book Diva, Beth Cote. It was a wonderful workshop on color theory and collage.

Fast forward a few years, and I finally decided that, being a teacher by trade and passion, I wanted to submit classes. That was about four years ago. My first classes were very well-received, and so I was invited back for more. This year I taught two workshops: A three-hour class on book folding and a five-hour techniques class. I'm thrilled to say that both of them sold out.

In the years that I have been associated with this wonderful event, the class with Beth Cote had been the only class I was ever able to take myself. I was either too busy with the magazine/club or vending in the marketplace. That changed this year! Because the magazine is on hiatus, I did not have a vendor booth this year which allowed me free time...time I could use for MYSELF!  As soon as the classes were announced, I eagerly signed up for three amazing workshops.

To help you get a better feel for how the weekend feels and progresses, let me lay it out for you chronologically. I will skip the time I used for class prep and present it to you as an attendee.

I signed up for three workshops, as I mentioned before. One was an encaustic class by Serena Barton, another was a metal jewelry class by Jen Crossley, and the final was a metal soldering class by Shari Replogle. While I am an artist that dabbles in a multitude of mediums, I tend to work mainly in paper arts...and more recently, beading. The jewelry and soldering classes were definitely outside my normal sphere, so I knew I needed to pay particular attention to the supply lists there. Jen Crossley's class required several tools and materials that I did not already have. A friend of mine, also attending Artiscape, offered to let me borrow a couple on the list, but I had to go and purchase the remaining items. This process was kind of fun, in that it got me more excited about my upcoming classes, as I perused the supplies on the internet. I started this process about three weeks before the event.

At about the same time that I began shopping for supplies, my wonderful packet from Artiscape arrived. It contained this lovely name tag and pass for the weekend, along with other important information.

Having attended so many of these wonderful events, I knew that a good portion of the enjoyment was to be found in participating in the artist trades and collaborative auction. So, I set about creating my trades about two weeks before the event. On Sunday of the event there is a Mad Hatter Tea at which the ladies wear hats...many of which they have hand-made. Wanting to add even more fun to the weekend, I also created my own fun little fascinator-type hat, as well. 

Bead Embroidered charms.  Art trades for Artiscape 2015 made by Cyndi Duncan.

Fascinator hat by Cyndi Duncan for the 2015 Artiscape Artist's Retreat.

This was the first year that I stayed in the host hotel, the Embassy Suites-Dublin. I shared a room with a woman from my art group. I have to say, staying at the host hotel is another added bonus to the weekend. As a hotel guest, we were treated to daily happy hours with snacks such as chips with several dips, hard cheeses, and other snack foods. This wine lover absolutely adores that fact that the happy hour included one free beverage - wine, and cocktails included! Additionally, each morning the hotel guests enjoyed an amazing hot breakfast bar which also included an omelet station. Of course, being right in the thick of things also had its obvious advantage. It was nice being able to go back to the room to rest, change, or grab a supply that I forgot or someone else needed.

Attendees who stayed in the host hotel received this lovely gift upon check-in.

Thursday night were the preconference workshops. I arrived a couple of hours before they began, and as I was actually teaching one, spent part of that time setting up and settling in to my room. My class went wonderfully. I am always treated to wonderful students; this class was no exception.

The wonderful students in my Folded Book Sculptures Class at Artiscape 2015.

Tired, but energized for the weekend ahead, I drug myself to bed.

I hope you enjoyed Part I of my series on Artiscape Artist's Gathering 2015.  Stay tuned for Part II.  (Pssst.....If you subscribe to my blog by email, you won't miss it!)

~Cyndi