MARCIA'S "9 SQUARES OF FAITHFULNESS"

I was busy making cloud squares as Marcia was working on her collaged accordion books. After finishing up her 3rd book, she took to the clouds!

With all the painted weather papers on the table, Marcia made her own minimal cloud collage, titled 9 Squares of Faithfulness. This was her last project of the week.

Every piece of art Marcia creates is rooted in her close walk with God. This one is no exception.

Marcia: "When I look at this piece of art, I think, no matter what the sky, and therefore, day, may be like, God is faithful, and I can count on His love. He is reminding me in the clouds."

The deeper your love, the higher it goes; every cloud Is a flag to your faithfulness. Psalm 108:4 (The Message)

Marcia's whole blog post: CLICK HERE

Marcia's week in my studio: CLICK HERE

click on photos to enlarge

MARCIA'S BOOK "DRINK OF A LIFETIME" 2nd post

A final post about Marcia's third book, Drink of a Lifetime.

She made all the pages when she came for her studio week here in CT and put the pages into an accordion book she created once she gt home.

Marcia has created a whole series of wonderful Bible story books. They are so easy to pack into her suitcase - small, compact and so engaging!

Marcia will be taking Drink of a Lifetime to Nicaragua this summer when she returns, having been there a year ago. The women in the village are going to love this colorfully illustrated story.

I'm sending you two posts on Marcia's blog. She's thought so much about the story of the woman at the well, that it's best for you to read her reflections on the story.

2 links to Marcia's storytelling:

Genuine Love

Finished Book

photos w/titles of pages 3, 5, 6

"With These Hands"

"The Men in Her Life"

"Bursting with Love"

Read Marcia's blog about her 2011 trip to Nicaragua:

Creative Call Nicaragua

'THE DRINK OF A LIFETIME' by MARCIA 1st post

This is the 3rd book Marcia made when she came for a week in my studio.

The Drink of a Lifetime is inspired by the 'Woman at the Well' account in the Gospels.

Marcia LOVES collaging Bible stories on the pages of these accordion books.

I would love for her to tell you more about this one....I'll ask her. Check back.

click on photos to enlarge

NELSON COMES OUT OF THE CAVE!

A 'Do not disturb' sign!

Marcia made it for Nelson's room, other wise known as his 'cave'.

Aha! A Nelson spotting! Nelson emerges from his cave to carefully manuver through the creativity zone and heads downstairs.

Nelson, founder of the feast, patron of the arts and husband of 43 years, partners with me to welcome and host all the new and old art friends coming through our 'revolving doors.'

Just wanted to give my wonderful, supportive husband a shout-out!

Thank you, my dear!

Oh by the way, more art friends coming on Saturday!

click on photos to enlarge

MARCIA'S 'COULD NOT SEE'

Marcia's second book, Could Not See was inspired by Job 23:10

"But He knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold."

MarcIa's blog post (click on-) Come Forth As Gold, features close-ups and reflections.

Much of Marcia's powerful artwork comes out of personal trial and struggle. Her work authentically shares the power of God in her life.

Yes, she's on an anti-cancer drug, faithfully walking everyday and eating an extreme plant based diet BUT God is the one who gives her the strength to keep going.

I know Marcia will pack Could Not See in her suitcase, taking it on the road and using it to tell her story!

Click photos to enlarge: front page in progress; pages completed-leaning on prepared accordion book: accordion book painted before mounting 5 collaged pages.

MARCIA IS REJOICING EVEN IN THE RAIN!!!

This is Marcia's first accordion fold collage book, made on her recent visit:

"Rejoicing Even In The Rain." And she is, though battling stage 4 cancer every day.

"Today, I continued to work on a variety of design concepts for new collaged art/story books. I've been wanting to collage the idea of God rejoicing over us with singing, and the aspect of birds who sing, even in the rain. Similarly, I wanted to portray, in the art, the idea of God singing over us, even in the rain or in a dark hole - during the dark parts of our stories." From Marcia's blog post 5/17/12:

http://www.thecreativecall.net/mc-blog/rejoicing-even-in-the-rain

click on images to enlarge

When you look at the enlarged completed book, do you see the tiny bit of red here and there across the pages, catching your eye and moving you across the picture story? Great design and use of color, Marcia! It works!

FOLDING PAPER

Continuing Marcia's art week in my studio:  a non-stop flow of creative ideas, art experiences, encouragement and conversation here at our house - May 14-21, 2012 Marcia made several books while here. In the photos, she's trying out several folded paper book structures. Which format will she use for the collaged storybooks she's about to create?  Accordion book wins out everytime. My personal favorite too! Good doses of laughter, sun, walking, and healthy plant based eating abounded all week. Did I mention that my amazing friend Marcia is battling stage four breast cancer?  To be continued....

SALON HAPPENS

The doors are revolving faster than I can keep up with! 


Marcia has come, created and left on 5/21. I've fallen way behind documenting her time here.  Stay tuned to see the beautiful collaged accordion books she started here and is completing back in Seattle. 


A professional I know calls what happens in my studio - Salon. Sounds exotic. But really it all boils down to nonstop conversation, creating, encouragement and hanging out. 

Yesterday my friend, Pat (recently returned from 3 months leading an art school in Italy) and her brother, Chef Pierre (actually Peter) entered the salon!  And took over the kitchen!


As Pat and I created, Peter read excerpts from the latest novel he's writing. Captivating! Now that really does have the ring of salon. 


top down:
Marcia; Pat/Peter: Peter/Marge: Peter/Pat  

MARCIA RETURNS

Marcia was here last March 2011 to learn everything she could from me, about taking art cross culture. 

2 links that share the story of Marcia in my studio last year: start  conclusion

I kid her a lot about my passing the baton on to her, but really in a significant way, that is exactly what has happened. 


From my place she went on short term trips to Nicaragua, Hungary, and Cambodia, putting into practice all that she learned. 

She returned last week to continue the art mentoring, picking up where we left off.

A couple photos taken in my art studio, at the beginning of our week. 


Marcia's personal journey unfolds in the next posts.