To Infinity and Beyond!

My husband spent his Christmas vacation 

remodeling the studio

"No one gets anywhere without help." 

That's what artist Chuck Close said in an interview I recently watched and it made me think about this blog post, which is long overdue. 

Mad Construction Skills

Nobody supports and helps me more in my art than my husband and my family. Doug Nelson spent his much needed holiday break not relaxing on the couch, but remodeling my studio. Building shelves, installing countertops, and painting things purple, he kept busy for several days straight. I could have helped by painting, but he insisted. He wanted to do the whole job for me. All I had to do was keep him company and provide a beer and some food every now and then. 

I'm only moral support and manual labor, 

I'm not allowed to measure or operate power tools

Remodeling the studio, isn't it beautiful?

I took this photo of Doug taking a photo of me, 

with my fancy iPhone camera

Behind the Lens

Doug is a professional photographer by trade, this is a talent that is very difficult not to take advantage of! Many of you have witnessed my ever changing look as a result of the many head shots he has taken of me! I am NOT an easy subject to photograph either. I am fussy, I have no idea how to pose, I squint, I am fidgety, I hate 90% of the photos, and I have partial facial paralysis on the right side of my brightly colored head due to a lost battle with Bell's Palsy over 14 years ago. I am super sensitive about this, and my husband does his very best to work around it. I think if you only ever saw the photos he takes of me, you would never know. And THAT makes me super happy. 

400,000 photos of me to get one good one

Poppies on canvas at Pier One Imports

As an artist it's important to have a photographic record of all your work, for website, for printed materials, for archiving. My needs for images go even beyond the average artist. My collage work is licensed with Lang for calendars and gift items as well as retail outlets such as Pier One Imports for canvas reproduction. All of this reproduction is done from the photos that Doug takes with meticulous accuracy. 

My riding partner

HELP! I Need Technical Support 

and can you put air in my bike tires?

Despite being a graphic artist by trade and by Monday through Wednesday, I cannot create a website. I kid you not. My husband has not only designed my Paper Paintings website, but has also set it up in a manner that I can add and subtract images from the online gallery, this I can handle, and I'm very proud of that ability.  

If you own my Collage Process DVD, Doug filmed and edited that major undertaking. He sure did. And this was NEW to him, he figured it out as he went along. Just like he figures out how to fix my computer when I mess it up, throw out my hard drive, lock up my e-mail, or crash the system.

Are you beginning to think that I am very demanding? Or high maintenance? LOL I guess I am. 

Mister Mom

When I am off teaching workshops, as I am this week in Chatanooga TN, my every helpful husband takes care of the kids and the dogs and runs the household while I am gone. That means driving to dance and swim team, cooking, cleaning, running laundry, procuring food, and loving my two little Maltese, and trouble shooting.

Guess who took this amazing photo?

My Crazy Kids

And speaking of the kids, I'd be remiss if I did not thank my two teenagers for having patience with me sometimes missing swim meets or dance competitions in order to pursue my artistic dreams. I make every activity I possibly can, but I do miss a few.  I'm hoping that I'm setting a strong and positive example for them of following your dreams and always reaching for that golden ring.

How About a YouTube Video?

Did you know that my daughter Emilie created my "Progression of a Peacock" YouTube video when she was only 13? She filmed it and edited it all on her own. I owe her a great debt of gratitude because that video has gotten a lot of play! Thank you Emilie. :)

Emilie, my dancer, and Yours Truly at the Nutcracker

Studio Assistant

My son Connor has been helping me in and out of the studio for a long time. He used to under-paint backgrounds for me when I was making small bird collages. He also made sure every one of my Noah's Ark Series pieces (all 50 of them) had bumper feet and hanging wires the day before I packed them up for delivery last year. These days he's almost as tall as I am and he's very handy when it comes to carrying boxes of art into FedEx! Thank you Connor.

Connor, my swimmer, and Yours truly enjoying the Cupcake Bakery 

and our monthly second Saturday in DeLand

A Heart Felt Thank You

Even though you may think it in your head and in your heart, it's always nice to say it out loud. Thank you Doug, Emilie, and Connor for supporting me in all of my endeavors. I wouldn't be who I am today without you. 

Nobody gets anywhere without help.

Gustav Giraffe and the Year of the Giraffe

Gustav Giraffe / 16x64 / collage on cradled birch panel

Lots of attention for my new larger work on Facebook this week as I post the professional photos by my husband (Douglas Nelson Photography) which really outshine my iPhone images. 

A Facebook follower mentioned that Carla Sonheim has penned 2013 as the year of the giraffe and that I should show her this piece. Now, I am familiar with Carla, having taken her online class "The Art of Silliness." 

Carla's "Giraffe Creativity Experiment" class began yesterday, but you might still be able to get in on the fun. This class is 12 months/ 12 projects - an experiment in creativity. The "Year of the Giraffe" is about making the theme of "Giraffe," and a community of artists taking a year long journey with Carla. The more I read about this class on her blog, the more I like it! Carla says that giraffes are a bit absurd looking and that she just can't get them off her mind. I had the very BEST time creating Gustav, playing with the patterns on his neck. I could see myself revisiting this theme. 

It's not just drawing either, Carla is challenging you to create 2D or 3D work, photography, sewing, sculpture, you name it! How fun would a giraffe art quilt be? Wow. 

Carla was cool enough to comment on my giraffe collage and tell me how much she enjoyed not only Gustav, but all of my work. I totally admire Carla's ability to be so organized and resourceful as to run creative online classes that last a year. That's an accomplishment!

Guess what? you CAN still get in on this class, through January 31st. 

http://www.carlasonheim.com/year-of-the-giraffe/

Kindle Fire Cases Now Available

Kindle Fire Peacock Case

I have partnered with Case-Mate.com for custom Paper Paintings iPhone Cases and now Kindle Fire Cases! These custom made cases make excellent holiday gifts for the art lover on your list.

The new Kindle Fire Case is a low profile "Barely There" case from Case-Mate. com with original Paper Paintings collage artwork in full color.

CASES ARE NON RETURNABLE, they are custom made to order.

Kindle Fire Orange Poppies Case

Kindle Fire Koi Fish Case

Available Designs

Kindle Fire Peacock Case $60.00 USD Kindle Fire Orange Poppies Case $60.00 USD Kindle Fire Koi Fish Case $60.00 USD

Holiday Cards

Boxed Sets
I have a limited number of holiday cards available.
glossy A2 4x6 note card with plain white envelopes
10 cards in each clear plastic box with silver tie
$15 plus $5 shipping
while supplies last

From Texas to Arizona

One of the best things about traveling to teach is meeting new people and seeing new places. After Houston, I spent two days in Conroe, TX teaching some wonderful ladies at the Christ Church Art Ministry. We had an awesome two days eating and collaging together! I really enjoyed spending time with this fun loving group of women. They even had a gallery reception in my honor on my last night there. We had food and wine and a great time viewing the art and hanging out. Sandi even brought some of her home made Limoncello, which was to die for!

The ladies from Conroe made and signed this STUNNING bejeweled apron!

While in Conroe I was able to run the perimeter of an all but abandoned outlet mall right behind my hotel. This was awesome as I did not get a lot accomplished on the treadmill in Houston!

Sedona, AZ always makes me happy. This is my second time teaching with the Sedona Art Center and it was nice to return to a familiar place and be hugged by the director when I popped my head in his office to pickup the keys.

When Was the Last Time 

You did Something For the First Time?

This trip I decided to try mountain biking. Let me start by saying that mountain biking totally scares the crap out of me. Why? Because I road bike. Yes, on the road bike, sand, rocks, and holes are not your friend. On a mountain bike, sand, rocks, holes and MOUNTAINS are what it's all about. OMG there are no mountains in FL and I'm used to sea level, we are at 4500 ft. here in Sedona.

Jon Kerschner, my mountain bike guide from Hermosa Tours

But, I am always in for trying something new. Why not? I knew I couldn't go it alone and be safe, so I hooked up with Hermosa Tours and got myself a certified guide. He assured me he had certifications in wilderness first aid and CPR, which made me feel good and bad at the same time. 

Every now and then you have to wander down a new path

It took me a while to get over my fears and "let go" on the bike. I wiped out in the first half hour because I was tense and pulling too hard on the front break while cascading downhill and over loose rocks (not gravel, rocks). As my body bounced downhill and over said rocks,  taking the skin off my elbows, I wondered, "why am I doing this again?" "To grow, and expand my horizons, and experience new things," I reminded myself. Jon explained to me that I needed to trust the bike, be one with it. He said I had to believe that this bike was equipped for the terrain. I needed to forget all I knew about triathlon road biking and group riding on Sunday mornings. I needed to open my mind to something new. This can be difficult as an adult, can't it? Jon said, "try to think like a kid." he said, "A kid just goes into things full force, never worrying that they may not be able to do it. They have faith and confidence." Sounds like advice I have given you, doesn't it? 

So I decided to take my own advice. I trusted Jon, I let go, I had faith. I gained confidence once I let the bike roll faster and faster over rocks and ledges and hills and sand and holes. Guess what? Jon was right, the mountain bike with it's full suspension and big wide tires could handle it. I kept my but back and my center of gravity back as I rolled full speed downhill and pedaled hard and strong up over rocks and hills. I looked 12 feet ahead and not just at what was immediately in front of me. I followed the line that Jon was laying out. I was learning something new and I having a lot of fun doing it!

Jon and I stopped to pose for a photo, with an amazing backdrop

We rode for almost four hours. In the end the uphills were really wiping me out. I had to stop and catch my breath while Jon and Little Kevin seemed like they could go forever. We had backpacks full of water and snacks, clip shoes, sunscreen, and stunning views. I just kept thinking "I can't believe I'm actually doing this."

Eventually even Little Kevin needed a break too, she was pooped

Have faith in yourself, don't be afraid to go down a new path leading you out of your comfort zone. The same goes for your art. Recently I was commissioned to create a tractor. I was happy to have been chosen by the interior designer for the project, and I immediately agreed to provide her with prints of my farm animals and to create an original tractor collage. She sent me a box of brochures from the tractor company to incorporate into the artwork. Lots of straight lines in a tractor. Lots. 

The 20x20 tractor commission finished on the easel

My friend and CEO of Growing Bolder, Marc Middleton (creator of my story that is currently running on PBS TV) commented on my post of the finished tractor collage: "Commissions seem to push you, at least slightly, in a direction you might not go otherwise and the results are always fabulous. More commissions!"

I took this comment and mulled it around a bit. He's right, I'd have never thought to collage a subject with such rigidity, even though it is in the barnyard friends and fowl genre. "Push you in a direction you might not go otherwise." Check.

My previous trip to Sedona I rented a road bike, because it was what I knew. This time I tried something outside my comfort zone. And guess what?

It was a lot more fun.

We made it out alive! Packed in and headed to vegan lunch!

Thanks Lisa!

Lisa in action at the Mosaic Studio

Lisa Morales brought me to Houston to teach two 2-day Paper Painting Collage Workshops. Lisa is not an art group or guild, she's an individual who wanted me to come to Houston. Lisa started a Facebook fan page for the class and we filled 32 slots almost immediately!

I told Lisa that she should start a career in marketing or perhaps in workshop hosting, but Lisa already has a great job, she's going to school at night working toward her BFA and by day she's a Mom of three and a face painter!

After class tonight I had the benefit of watching Lisa work. She transformed a lovely lady into a very cool Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) skull for a halloween party she was headed to.

Dia de los Muertos ©2006, St. Hilaire Nelson

I had to bring my computer to class for my Paper Paintings presentation. After class I had to break it out again to get some graphic design work done before heading out for some AWESOME Greek food at Niko Niko's here in Houston. 

While I was laying out magazine articles for a publication in Michigan, Lisa was painting away.

My mad graphic design skills at their best

Lisa's mad face painting skills at their best

If you are in the Houston area and need an amazing face painter for your next corporate function or birthday party, Lisa's work is outstanding and incredibly creative!

A Pinch of Wonderful is Lisa's website, but I'd say it's more like a big handful!

The finished painting!

Learning Something New Yet Familiar

The Nizza Mosaic Studio in Houston, TX

The Houston Paper Paintings Workshop is being held at the Nizza Mosaic Studio & Gallery. Today at the studio I had the pleasure of observing Darby and his crew working on what will eventually be a 10x15 FOOT mosaic tile mural. This project is expected to take 12-14 months. Darby took a few minutes to describe the project to my students, who were all very curious about this Byzantine glass mosaic tile technique.

Smalti tile are typically opaque glass tiles that were originally developed for use in mosaics created during the time of the Byzantine empire. Smalti is made by mixing molten glass with metal oxides for color; the result is a cloudy mixture that is poured into flat slabs that are cooled and broken into individual pieces. The molten mixture can also be topped with gold leaf, followed by a thin glass film to protect it against tarnishing. (courtesy Wikipedia)

The artist rendering, portraying a scene similar to tapestry

Darby explained that in the Smalti process, the tiles are not grouted, but rather fit perfectly and tightly together as they are glued to a sub surface that has the artist sketch projected and enlarged on it. Since this project is so large, it's been divided into smaller panels that will fit together upon installation.

A face created from Smalti tile

What Darby and his crew are creating with tile is very similar to what we are doing with paper across the hall. He spoke to my students of andemento  which is the direction or flow of the tile pieces within the mosaic. This is what I refer to in my work as directional ripping. It was really interesting to learn about the Smalti tile process and see the very similar way that the mosaic artists create volume!

A good example of andemento in the way the tile follows the form of the tree trunk and roots

Another great example of defining the rabbit form with andemento

Darby told us that this is a project that is for a private home, someone who has commissioned the studio to do several pieces for her home already. The client really likes the gold leaf tiles. Being a Gustav Klimt girl, I like the gold too!

Great gold on the saddle

The "nippers" are the only cutting tool

For a 15-foot mural, these are some very small pieces!

Darby overseeing the process

We all very much appreciated being able to view this project in the works at the studio. I thought about how much easier it is to tear paper than nip glass bits. I'd rather be covered in glue than bleeding, that's for sure! 

I really enjoyed learning about the Smalti process and how the andemento or directional ripping are close cousins!

If you are interested in seeing some amazing mosaic work, or possibly commissioning your own 15-foot mural, stop by Nizza Mosaic Studio & Gallery or visit their website for samples of the amazing work they do!

Nizza Mosaic Studio & Gallery