|
|
|
|
|
The Traveling Artist Edition ~ Part Two
July 13, 2013
Jacqueline Sullivan's Studio Letter
|
|
|
Welcome Friends.......
to the second part of Jacqueline's Studio Letter ~ The Traveling Artist Edition. This special edition of the Letter is devoted to the artist in all of us who seeks to re-fire the creative spirit by exploring new landscapes, learning new techniques, sharing with fellow artists and studying with a new teacher. Part 2 of Jacqueline's Studio Letter features an interview with Arlene Reiss, Fine Art Coordinator for the Mendocino Art Center about the Center and making the most of your art retreat, Jacqueline's favorite resources for the traveling artist, plenty of links to cool traveling artist stuff and a few travel quotes to get you in the mood !
Did you miss Part One ? Here's the link to catch up.
Reach out to Jacqueline for Studio Letter comments + suggestions, query on her studio practices or for information on workshop booking @ JacquelineSullivan@mac.com
|
|
|
|
An Interview with Arlene Reiss of the Mendocino Art Center
 The lovely northern California coastal town of Mendocino is 3 hours north of San Francisco hugging the rough shore line and cold blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Mendocino, founded in 1850 as a logging center and fishing village on the coastal bluffs overlooking the Pacific, is listed on the National Historic Register. Over the past 50 years Mendocino has become known as an art colony and supportive community for artists of many bents. The ocean, coastal scenic routes, big trees, vineyards and proximity to Napa, Sonoma and San Francisco have made Mendocino a much desired travel destination despite or perhaps because of its geographic isolation.
Jacqueline’s Studio Letter – The Traveling Artist Edition – interviewed Arlene Reiss, Mendocino Art Center Fine Arts Coordinator about the value of traveling to enrich your artistic soul. We are highlighting this Center since Jacqueline will be there August 19 – 23 teaching her very popular experiential workshop – Acrylics, Textures, Layers, & Metallics. Arlene said that Jacqueline’s work “really speaks to me†and was delighted to be hosting Jacqueline’s workshop this summer at the Center.
The Mendocino Art Center [MAC] was founded in 1959 and attracts many national, international and local artists who wish for a retreat from the world to reconnect with their muse and make art!
Arlene, a native New Yorker, has been a Mendocino resident for forty years. In addition to her work at MAC, Arlene is also one of the founding partners in Partners Gallery in Ft. Bragg – a historic coastal town 16 miles north of Mendo. She is a well known acrylic and collage artist who describes her work as “very experimental and abstractâ€. “I don’t pre-think too muchâ€, she said. Arlene will have her own show in July at Partners Gallery titled Here + There.
Arlene has served in her coordinating role at MAC for two years describing it as the perfect job allowing her to help fellow artists. When asked about the most challenging aspect of her role Arlene described the difficulty of “getting the word out on all our wonderful classes†and assisting teaching artists to communicate widely about their classes to stimulate student interest. On the northern California coast Arlene said that a traveling artist can experience quiet and see the night sky, tour the many fine galleries in the area, experience a small theatrical production and hear great music. This part of California is known for all the different places to try great food, taste new wines, bubbly and beers. Take a stroll on the beach and inspiration awaits you in the sand ~ an unusual sea shell, a branch of oddly shaped driftwood, or a chunk of sea glass. The Mendocino Botanical Gardens [8 miles north of the MAC on the edge of Fr. Bragg] is atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and planted with coastal flowers, shrubs, trees, manicured gardens and nature trails. And according to Arlene the Gardens are also a great place to paint !
Mendocino Art Center offers over 200 classes and workshops throughout the year in fine arts, sculpture, jewelry, fiber arts and ceramics. MAC’s art education calendar is available on-line and also published in the Mendocino Arts Magazine. “We aren’t intimidating†Arlene said, “we encourage expression.†People come to be in nature and take an art class. It is the kind of place where you can travel alone, with a spouse, a friend or a group and there will be something every season of the year for everyone.
There are many ways to run away and make art. Plan a road trip across your state for a workshop you always wanted to take, travel to another part of the country combining tourist activities with art classes or retreat to a place like Mendocino where the voyage of discovery takes you to a new place opening your eyes and artistic heart.
~ Chris Wachsmuth, San Francisco
|
|
|
arlene's 5 must have travel art supplies
1. sketch book that can take watermedia – Canson brand field sketch book, 6â€x6†size, 65lb wt paper
2. fine pens, drawing pencils in a little bag
3. stabilo woody 3-in-1 crayons and pencils [can be used as a colored pencil, crayon and watercolor]
4. watercolor pencils
5. my camera
|
|
|
|
the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes......marcel proust, 1871-1922
image: Jacqueline Sullivan, 2013 ~ fabric collage
|
|
|
Jacqueline's Favorite Traveling Artist Supplies
1. bound sketchbook – 60 lb. paper, hardbound, 8 ½ x11 – 160 pages
2. smartphone for its camera and the free app EVERNOTE
3. Peerless watercolor drysheet colors - comes in a booklet or set of 40, sheets are 2"x6"
4. Daniel Smith Niji waterbrush
5. a few torn sheets of Arches Text Wove
6. Ptit Drawing pen set
7. Pentel pocket brush
8. broad edge pigma calligraphy marker
Read more @ Jacqueline's Blog for details on these favorites, sources and weblinks
image: Jacqueline Sullivan, 2013 art journal page , gesso + acrylics
|
|
|
How do I carry all my stuff?
My tool bag that I keep packed with all my small essentials is a Yazzii Bag ! I have a large size one, about 12†x 12†and it holds a LOT. I also have a smaller one for all my calligraphy supplies. These bags have lots of compartments for organization and are lightweight and easy to pack.
Read more @ Jacqueline's Blog for more information and sources on the Yazzi Bag and other traveling artist packing ideas !
|
|
|
|
other resources for the traveling artist
 Luggage scale – portable luggage scales, digital + analog, $10-32, multiple sources available on a google search from best buy to amazon, target and container stores
Container store leak proof bottles – Nalgene bottles in multiple sizes for carry-on and packed luggage, workshop kits too – round and rectangle shaped bottles, jars, wide-mouth and flip tops
a 3-layer travel art kit from Vickie Porter's in my head studios blog, 6/11/12. Vickie tells us this 3 layer plastic box is one of her favorites for both travel and organizing small projects. It is made by and available online from Snapware. and from Target Stores.
Cloth - Paper - Scissors, Summer 2009 - summer travel tips for artists + art destinations - may still be available for purchase as a back issue
10 essentials for your watercolor travel kit
from Mary Marquiss, Have Brush ~ Will Travel artist blog, 6/19/12
Katherine Tyrrell Making a Mark blog post on supplies, packing tips, links to MANY resources for the traveling artist – excellent post from 2011
|
|
|
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
|
|
|
|
Where will Jacqueline be traveling this summer & fall ?
|
|
|
Jacqueline's Video Art Workshops
Coming at the end of July ! ......Go For The Gesso - Jacqueline's newest video workshop is a 1 hour DVD providing instruction in a variety of gesso techniques incorporating acrylic paints, pan pastels and stamping techniques to create beautiful color - layers and texture. The DVD is $27 and includes S+H for US addresses [international mailing quoted by country]. See Jacqueline's blog for ordering information, supplementary materials which accompany the DVD and a special offer for the first 25 buyers ! Or contact Jacqueline directly to order now.
Simple Metal Etching - introducing Jacqueline's 3rd video art workshop teaching you 3 different methods for creating a resist on copper and brass. The DVD is $20 and includes supplementary materials which are emailed to you. S+H is FREE for US addresses. International addresses quoted by country. Additional information on Jacqueline's blog. DVD may also be ordered by email.
Mixed Media Textural Collage - See Jacqueline's blog post [Nov 13, 2012] for complete details on the DVD's content and ordering. $20 includes supplementary materials. S+H FREE for US addresses. International addresses quoted by country. DVD may also be ordered by email.
Acrylics, Textures, Layers, Metalics -Jacqueline's very popular class continues to be available from CCP - see Jacqueline's web page for a link to CCP for ordering and to view a preview of the video workshop
Interested in a special gift for an artist friend ? Contact Jacqueline about a custom artist package of supplies from Jacqueline's studio created around the themes presented in your selected DVD.
|
|
|
final thoughts for the traveling artist.......
-
arrange to spend a few extra days before or after to play tourist
-
explore sightseeing, nature, cultural experiences that are available in proximity to your retreat's location
-
consider renting a car for your post retreat excursions
-
check out a Moon Travel Guides or Lonely Planet for your destination – these are superb travel resources
-
contact the organization sponsoring your art retreat for their suggestions on side travel in the vicinity of your art retreat; check out their website, google the location for travel guides
-
contact the local art guild or art center for travel suggestions or ask for a local artist contact to discuss your travel
-
give yourself some time to do a little research in order to make the most of your additional time
-
consider playing host yourself for a traveling artist ~ artists don't seem to be strangers for very long !
Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quietest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.
~ Pat Conroy, author The Water is Wide
|
|
Jacqueline Designs, Inc
A Studio Letter July 2013
Vol. 1 #7
Written & Published By:
Jacqueline Sullivan & Chris Wachsmuth .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
