Life is a Collage....

Cottage Bella....

I am super excited to have been chosen to be a guest artist on this...

It isn't too late to sign up for all of Teresa's wonderful projects, since she keeps them up for an additional month! You can sign up here.


This is a little sneaky peek at my project...hope you like it!

 





   I have some other fun projects swirling around in my head...maybe I'll do a tutorial on my blog soon!

And my other exciting news....

I now have my own WEBSITE!!!  It is

www.serendipitybynatalie.com


And I am super excited about it!
And I hope that you will sign in my guest register, so that I can let you know when there are new listings and designs!

The lovely Hope Wallace it for me, and it really ended up how I pictured it in my mind...simple, and elegant. Thanks, Hope!

Catch-up.......

Oh my word, so I am seriously behind in what has been going on.  I left off, after Kelly Rae's class at ArtNest....
   Our second class was taught by Mati Rose.  What an adorable girl she is!  Her artwork is so childlike, and whimsical....just plain fun!  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pic during that day.... It started out as a hard one for me. I was out of my comfort zone...trying to use some of the bright colors that Mati uses. I was seriously frustrated with my background, and about ready to toss it, and start over.  But, I forged ahead, and ended up with a painting that I love!! Definately my style, and oddly enough similar to a painting that had been in my head for a long time. I had even gessoed the large canvas (24 x 36), so that it was ready to go! No, I haven't started it yet, but I will!
Here are pics of some of the artwork created in her class...
























And this is mine.....







Our last class was Jane Wynn's...she is such a free spirit, and had a fun sense of humor! This class was waaaay out of my comfort zone, and was somewhat difficult for me. Butane torches are a little scary!  I have amazing respect for Jane, and her arts/science background.  I never thought about the fact that there is so much science in jewelery making! Here is what I made...
They are both filled with resin...The ring is my favorite, and has vintage music paper on the bottom, with a vintge rhinestone button seemingly floating in the resin.  I love the glow that it gives off, and the juxtoposition (love that word), of the rustic copper pipe, with the sparkly bling!!!
Needless to say, the whole retreat  was spectacular, and definately a growing experience for me. Of course in my art, but also in my sense of "self".

Bursting at the seams.......

No, I haven't gained weight!  I am so excited, because I have some fun news...but you will have to wait a couple of days before I can tell you!!
I am so behind in blogging...I still need to finish up telling you about Art NEst...And, I also went last weekend to a wonderful event, La Petite Maison Blanc, put on by Kim Caldwell.  So I definately need to tell you more about that!  But first, I need to get "Hopp'in" on my Surprise!!!!!!

And now for the art......

The first day, we had Kelly Rae's class....We learned her technique of layering, drawing faces, using Shiva oil paint sticks, and stabilo pencils.  Loved it all!  Unfortunately, I am so bad at taking pictures during demonstrations and class...but here are a couple of our work space...


It was the lower level of the house, and had lots of light!

                                         
                                                                                                 

  After they were dry, we took them all upstairs, and placed them all around the room.  This room is even more beautiful with the addition of our art!








(click on any of these to make them larger).








My two paintings are in the bookcase on the right...the middle one on the top. and the third in from the right on the bottom.  I love how everyone's is so different!  And, they were all really good!

Tomorrow...Mati Rose's class!

Home from Art Nest...

To put it simply...WOW. 

Through the friendship of Julie Collings (far left), and Candice Elton (far right), a wonderful art retreat was born... Art Nest. And like any home (nest) should be, it was a welcoming, nurturing, learning, and caring place.
Our wonderful teachers, Mati Rose (2nd from left), Jane Wynn, and Kelly Rae, not only taught us wonderful techniques, but were so helpful, encouraging, and fun!
 From the moment I arrived at the beautiful home that was to be ours for the next couple of days, I felt welcome and among friends.       

There was a lovely fire crackling, and Julie and Candice had beautiful packets ready that they had made for us.  Each with some supplies in them, as well as our cute little name tags.

 

Aren't they fabulous?!

The scenery was amazing...

The sky was gorgeous...no smog!

And these were our neighbors.....

They roamed the hill behind the house, up and down, each day.

 

We were greeted with yummy snacks, and the wonderful food continued through the whole time there.

In this pic is Julie, and the "rock star" Cassondra....  Not only is she a fabulous artist, but she helped with everything throughout.

  One of the "nesters", Karen (who is from Alaska) chose to spend her birthday with all of us!

More on my next post about the classes.....