Creating Muse Journals workshop.

On September 14 and 15, another wonderful weekend of workshop creativity took place at my studio. Six eager participants made beautiful Muse Journals... take a look at how awesome they are!

As ususal, I was blown away by the diverse, fabulous work that came out of this workshop. It inspires me to see what everyone is capable of and their willingness to explore and play.

Heather's Muse Journal

Sian's Muse Journal

Elaine's Muse Journal

Joyce's Muse Journal

Stasia's Muse Journal

Marg's Muse Journal

 Thank you Sian, Heather, Joyce, Stasia, Marg & Elaine for a weekend full of laughter and camaraderie. It was such a pleasure to create with all of you and congratulations on making such original, fabulous Muse Journals!

There you go... more insight into what a Holly Dean workshop is like. You get lots of demonstrations, one-on-one guidance, sheets of very cool collage ephemera to use and keep AND a full-colour, multi-page handout crammed with information and pictures!

Tweet

The Muse Journal Video.

Tweet

Three more studio workshops. Prepare for a creative fall!

Summer is waning and I look forward to the lovely autumn days and nights ahead. And the creativity in the air keeps intensifying!

This fall brings TWO MORE STUDIO WORKSHOPS.

A TWO DAY WORKSHOP IN HOLLY'S MERRICKVILLE STUDIO

SEPTEMBER 14 & 15, 2013

$287 CAD

Creating Mixed Media Muse Journals is back by popular demand. These beautiful journals are the perfect combination of Art + Book, with their small mixed media painting covers and beautifully decorated exposed spines. They are the perfect journal to inspire your creative spirit.

Bring a friend and spend a wonderful weekend making a real, hardcover book! Paint lovely covers and learn the Coptic bookbinding method. There are only 8 spots available and five of them are taken, so act quickly by registering below.

Not sure if this workshop is for you? Click "Register Now" to read all the details on the registration page. You are also welcome to send me an email if you have any questions.

A TWO DAY WORKSHOP IN HOLLY'S MERRICKVILLE STUDIO

NOVEMBER 23 & 24, 2013

$287 CAD

Creating Stamps, Stencils & Collage Papers is back by popular demand. On August 3 & 4 a small group of creative spirits filled the studio with AHA! moments, beautiful papers and laughter. They described the experience as "relaxing and fun". Sound appealing?

Bring a friend and spend a creative weekend playing and making beautiful (and useful!) things. There are only 8 spots available, so act quickly by registering below.

Not sure if this workshop is for you? Click "Register Now" to read all the details on the registration page. You are also welcome to send me an email if you have any questions.

Tweet

Beautiful Books and Art Go So Well Together!

Summer begins tomorrow - it's a great time to get out and about and take in some fabulous art, including Book Art!

The Contemporary Book Arts in Eastern Ontario show runs June 21 to July 20. It would be lovely to see you at the Opening Reception, June 21 from 5 to 7 pm.

I am so thrilled to be a part of this gorgeous book arts show of more than 13 Eastern Ontario artists, including my talented partner, Larry Thompson of Greyweathers Press!

The show is at the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery,
located at St. Lawrence College, Brockville Campus
2288 Parkedale Ave, Brockville, ON
Gallery hours: Tue - Fri, 10 am to 8 pm | Mon & Sat, 10 am to 4 pm
For information: Gallery@sl.on.ca | 613-345-0660 ext. 3636

The From Here to Infinity Gallery is now open. Larry and I are honoured to be part of a select group of artists to launch this wonderful "gallery plus rare-and-used book store"! Books and art together... does it get any better? Larry's lino prints, wood engravings and hand-made letterpress books are on display and for sale, as are my Altered Images.

Altered Images are mysterious and evocative. They “float” inside their deep frames, catching the eye and inviting closer inspection. I create this intriguing digital art by layering photographs, captured with my iPhone, with images of my original mixed media paintings. I work with Photoshop and iPhone apps, losing myself in the process of discovery as I build layer upon layer. Take a closer look at my Altered Images over at my website.

From Here to Infinity Gallery
is located at 213 King St.W., Brockville, ON

____________________________________

This is a good place to remind you that I am teaching Mixed Media Art & Book Workshops in and out of my Studio this Summer. Take a look here and if you find one (or more!) that appeals to you, sign up quickly to make sure you get a spot... there are 8 spots in each of my Studio Workshops. The upcoming out-of-my-studio Wintergreen Muse Journal Workshop is especially wonderful - a retreat weekend in the country while you make your very own book!

If you have any questions about a Workshop, please do send me an email and I will get right back to you. :)

Check out this link for my Studio Workshops too!

Tweet

Book art progress.

It's coming along... take a look!

Tweet

Book art peek.

It's a gorgeous, sunny Winter day outside. I am inside, however, having way too much fun creating a very medieval book art piece for the Art of the Book 2013. I love where this piece is going... More soon :)

Tweet

Arabesque Muse Journals.

I love making Muse Journals. It gives me a chance to explore techniques and ideas in my art on a smaller canvas. They take quite a while to make, but I find the experience delightful. There is something magical about marrying books and art.

Both front and back covers are mixed media originals, hand-sewn onto a blank text block with a Coptic stitch. The binding allows the book to lie flat while it is worked in. It also looks beautiful and is very strong.

The inside covers are decorated with lovely papers and each journal is signed. The spines of each signature are wrapped with decorative paper, enhancing the overall look while adding handy dividers.

These are my latest offerings: Arabesque II and Arabesque III. You can read more about Arabesques and Zentangles in my previous blog posts.

If you would like to buy one of these Muse Journals, please click here to go to my web site order page. Everyone deserves a special journal to capture their creative ideas!

  ARABESQUE II
Muse Journal with original, hand-painted, mixed media covers by Holly Dean.
7" x 5", 192 pages, 75 lb. white, acid free paper suitable for writing, drawing and painting.
$89 CAD plus shipping

ARABESQUE III
Muse Journal with original, hand-painted, mixed media covers by Holly Dean.
7" x 5", 192 pages, 75 lb. white, acid free paper suitable for writing, drawing and painting.
$89 CAD plus shipping

Tweet

Dog On A Cold Stone Table

Ahhh... the loveliness of blogging in the back garden. With a laptop, a coffee and a dog. On a slate table with fading blue paint.

BIG THINGS are in the works. They involve my website and my blog. That's all I'm saying for now.

In the meantime, for anyone in the area, come out and see what artists and craftspeople get up to in the book arts: CBBAG Ottawa Book Arts Show and Sale on Saturday, June 11 at Library and Archives, Ottawa, ON.

And take the time to click on the new badge on my sidebar: ARTISTS FOR RESPECT. It's important.

Wishing everyone a creative week!

Tweet