In the Studio #3

Kits Are Almost Done and the Glitter is Everywhere

My first set of holiday  kits–Patchwork Glitter Decoupage Ornaments are almost done–and I’m so excited. (When I start to see glitter on my husband’s face, I know things are reaching critical mass.)

On the left is a little glimpse of what’s in store, although it’s difficult to see the glistening crystal glitter finish on top that adds the special touch–I’m hoping the effect shows up more clearly in the upcoming how-to video as I demonstrate the before and after.

It’s basically a super high quality grown up glitter that works like magic fairy dust–transforming the decoupage from “nice” to “wow” in the final step. I think you’re going to love it.

I’ve also created 4 brand new papers to choose from, designed specifically for this technique:

• Classic Christmas (red and green);
• Winter Wonderland (blue and white–in the photo);
• Fun & Funky Holidays (multi colored brights) and
• Vintage Memories (tans, pale blues and pinks).

This technique is truly all ages and all abilities–the end result is fresh and pretty, and the technique is easy and relaxing. I’ve taught it to a lot of people, so I know it works like a charm and the fact that it’s easy, pretty and affordable has always made it super popular. This is the first time I’ve ever offered it online, so I’m interested to see what papers people like the most.

It’s also a great project for a holiday party. Decorate your own tree, give as office gifts or teacher gifts, tie them onto presents, the list is endless!

This week is video making week, so stay tuned!

Overview at the End of the Evening

My Show

Many people have asked how the opening of my latest digital collage work went at Bishop’s Stock Gallery, and I realize that I never got back! So here I am, getting back.

The Eastern Shore of Maryland is pretty rural, but they have a tight knit art scene and lots of folks showed up to take a look and support the gallery. Very nice.

I answered many questions about my process and technique, and I even met a few folks who read the Make Great Stuff blog, so that was neat surprise! (Hi there!)

Ann Coates, the gallery owner, has asked me to come back in the Spring and give a workshop on something fun to get people’s creative juices flowing. I’m cooking up some ideas so if you live in the Del-Mar-Va area and are interested, please keep your eye out!

If you’d like to see more of my digital collages, click here: http://sarahbushartworks.com/

David Dunlop: Great PBS Painting Teacher

Today, as I was eating lunch, I decided to watch a little TV to accompany my tuna salad. This is quite a rare event for me to watch TV in the afternoon, but I ended up learning a lot–not what we generally expect to say after watching TV.

I tuned into a cooking show about antipasti and learned how to make a wonderful tuna and chickpea salad (I even wrote it down), and was about to skip back down to the studio when I got hooked by the show that followed–one I’d never seen called Landscapes Through Time with David Dunlop.

It just won an emmy and I have to say, if you’ve never seen it and you’re interesting in learning more about how to paint, you should give it a look-see. He’s an excellent teacher and gives a spirited art history lesson at the same time as he explains a particular landscape painting technique.

I studied a great deal of Art History back in the day, but I learned a lot in his half hour lesson on the Hudson River School and the Luminists, and I was completely engaged by his stories and explanations. I love the way he weaves the art history into his technique demonstrations because it really deepens the experience to learn the why behind the what. It’s not cheesy like a lot of TV painting shows, and he really knows his stuff. Check out his website here.

I always love to hear from you, so leave a comment and let me know what you’re thinking about or working on.

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