you just never know!

i have made a friend in Czech Republic!  Michal is a budding artist...tender winged...and a heart of gold! 
i sent him a stabilo pencil...he could not find one in his country...i stuck in some ephemera...(yes, the almighty underpants) and he opened the handcrafted envelope on video....
how on earth did i get so blessed?!
here is his amazing video...enjoy his accent...i know i am...enjoy his art....i know i am...and know that we are sensitive when we are putting our art out there for other people to feel....
go create something...anything...as long as it is fun...right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SjSSIRQyxQ

Collage Fodder in Australia!

i have sent 2/100 piece ephemera packets to Australia....they finally got there...intact....and Rosemary was kind enough to create a video showing off her 'early Christmas' present that she bought herself!  now...how fun is that?!
you don't have to watch the whole thing, but take a peek...the video is darling...and her accent....i am over the moon!
thank you Rosemary for the support and the effort to create a video...
we do love our ephemera!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRtlCF-6DtI&feature=youtu.be

use it? don't use it? that is the question!

if you have any doubts about whether you are breaking any 'copyright' laws...a lawyer is your best bet....of course...

i have been doing a little bit of research and this is what i have come up with...not my words...so....cut up those images, create your collages, do not mass produce or try to sell them in their original form...got it? be influenced by art that intrigues you...and GO PLAY!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFenMJVD8BM

To summarize, collages that have more of the following characteristics are more likely to qualify as fair use:

*The collage incorporates many different materials from many different sources.
*The materials are juxtaposed or arranged in ways that create new visual and conceptual effects, the more different from the effect of the original materials, the better.
*The collage does not feature a copyrighted work as the central focus or dominant image. Only portions of copyrighted materials are used, rather than the entire image.
*The collage is a one-of-a-kind piece of fine art, or published in a limited edition of fine art prints.

One final note: in addition to copyright, collage artists should also be aware of potential trademark rights that might be associated with their raw materials. Trademarks are brand names or other symbols that represent the commercial source of products or services. Sometimes visual images can be trademarks, such as Mickey Mouse or the Marlboro cowboys. If you use these in your collages, there may be some risk of trademark infringement. However, trademark law also has exceptions for non-competitive uses. While the analysis is not technically the same, generally it is similar to the copyright concept of fair use. Such uses are the most safe when they are the most transformative and unlikely to compete with the trademark owner’s market.

© 2004 Linda Joy Kattwinkel

A Commercial for my Channel....Thank You Chroma Storm Arts

so....about a week ago one of my YouTube followers asked for a couple of 'traveling collage kits'...i sent them off to Georgia....zippity quick...afterall...when you are ready to create...yesterday is not soon enough, right?
well...yesterday i got a notice from Chroma Storm Arts that she got the hand sewn package and she was going to open it on her channel...yikes...i have to say i was a bit nervous...were the kits 'video worthy'?  
Chroma Storm Arts did indeed open them on video....and she did an amazing job of promoting my channel, my art and my traveling collage kit!
it brought me to tears watching her, cross legged on her bed, showing off my kit, sharing a piece of her artwork that she created using some of my techniques....and just being her adorable self!
so...a big shout out to Chroma Storm Arts...for taking the time to spread the word....i am honored!
see you on the table!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l40eXEpvwMM&t=180s

ooops.....i crossed a boundary!

i loathed unfinished projects!  yep...loathe them....
saturday was....'clean the studio' day....boring, but it needs to happen...frequently!  and while i was cleaning the studio i ran across a few unfinished art projects....that drives me crazy...unfinished business...arg!
so....to break up the monotony of cleaning the studio....i played with a little wooden book i had started months ago....i wanted to make it a 'WANTED' book....hmmmmm...now to embellish it with 'wanted offenses'..how fun!
well.....i got a bit political and mentioned a 'political party'...oooops....i have offended someone and they called me on it....well...there you have it!
it won't happen again....it was a playful gesture and not meant to hurt anyone's feelings...and i apologize...i thought about removing the video but have decided to leave it up on Youtube...if you are politically sensitive...you might not want to watch it....
their is my 'waiver'!
go play!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it6RNsJ2om0

so what would you do?

ahhhhhhhh.....so the last video that i posted....hmmmmmm....there were some editing errors....one on my personal friends...and a Youtube subscriber, gently informed me that there were some hiccups in the last video on creating 2 tags in the altered book....hmmmmm....what to do, right?  so into the computer i dig....only to find out that i had trashed the video segments...aha...back to the trusty camera that holds my videos until i am done editing them....oh no...i trashed them off the camera too....
thinking cap....
thinking cap....
well....one of my 'charms' is that i will dig through trash, right?
so i put on my virtual rubber gloves and go digging....i found (in amongst other things) all the segments of the video that i needed...
 reinstalled it into my Theatre application and enjoyed a 'do over'....i think i got the bugs out and i will re publish the video on Youtube....
thanks for the support....
see you on the table!!!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWJ_DVVe5Dg

who knew that being a 'full time artist' would be so busy?!  i teach 3 times a week and create 2 Youtube videos a week....i love my life!  i get to connect with artists all over the world with my Youtube channel....i definitely love my life!

i start my days at 4 a.m. and i can't wait to get into my studio!  i turn on a bright light and start the camera...way fun for this girl!

i worked on some 'tag pages' this morning and i wanted to share the video with you....

keep those 'thumbs up' and comments coming...if you give me a 'thumbs down'...please tell me why so i can learn and adjust....

thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog....and my channel!  you rock!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjVAdhHN5YI

i was walking yesterday and i found.....

a fun little metal box with a lid....hmmmmm....i thought to myself....that is a fun little metal box with a lid....so...of course i bent over and picked it up....to my surprise (and i don't know why i was surprised) it was from some medicinal marijuana!  now....how fun is that?  
so.....i brought it home and transformed it into a 'thank you' card.  a little folded book inside a tin box....rob's mom loves cardinals....perfect!
we just spent the holiday with handsome hubby's family in connecticut....it was lovely and a lot of people went out of their way to make sure the events of the weekend went well.
rob's mom got married, we got a tour of the little town and we had enough food to feed a village!  (i even got to play some euchre!)  
so here is the indica marijuana container with a whole new life!

happy thanksgiving!

we are in connecticut visiting family...i am grateful for so many things.....
i have done dishes...vacuumed and made some magic bars....but first i got to play with my altered book!  i prepared some of my pages for the trip...i left the doodles for the trip...such a smart girl...i packed my altered books and doodle pens...here is the finished pop-up page...closed and opened!
happy thanksgiving and go create, go play....go have fun!

conquering a blank canvas! and a blank stare!

as many of you know....i love creating mixed media videos and posting them for all to see on YouTube.  today was a challenging adventure for me....i was facing.....
A BLANK CANVAS!!!!!  (said with Frankenstein voice)
usually that does not bother me...at all...but today...i was unsure of my process and unsure of the outcome....so....'just move your hands around LM...just move your hands around!'
there is no grander victory than the victory over FEAR...right?
so...i was vulnerable on camera...yep...i faced my fear....on camera!  and....i love the 2 techniques....and ....i love the piece....
rob and i are headed out to see family so i wanted to get next week's class videos made before we left...done!  
enjoy the video...and...see you on the table!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC3mcKTwjnU

a hidden gem....inside a hidden gem!

how about this for a pop-up technique....i am loving it!  it was NOT successful the first time...and i hope i have explained it well in the tutorial video....but...wow!  this was really fun!  i have 2 successful pieces in 2 different altered books....they are not finished yet...(how many times do we say "it is not finished yet")...but really.....they are not finished yet...i will be taking them to Connecticut with me...i will play with doodle on them at the airport, on the plane, and .....well....any time i want to i guess...

so...enjoy this video...a whole new level of altered book for this girl!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2JilT1wifg&t=51s

is it possible?

i have to admit i have not posted in my blog lately on purpose....a conscious effort to NOT blog...
i post on facebook.....i make YouTube videos....i even post some things on instagram...are people saying 'Geez...it is that LorriMarie.....again!'?
do i really have something new to say?  something new to show you?  am i boring you to death? have you had enough of me?
these are the questions that i ask myself....and then....
i get so excited to show what 'newness' i am playing with....new techniques i want to share!
what if you are not on facebook?  how will you find my channel on YouTube?
i am a full time artist....i create, i teach, i share....
so....with that being said...here are three of the newest videos i have posted on YouTube...
1-a completed altered book
2-how to make fun dandelion puff paintings
3-a 2 page spread that i created in my new altered book with fabric and gesso...
so....if you have HAD enough of me....sign off....if i still have your attention...thank you for the support and i hope you are being inspired!
go create, go play, go have fun......see you on the table!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2iQZuD4ukQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMy1RWB20Sc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8KMmtOjJwc

as many of you know.....i teach mixed media...i love to teach mixed media...it keeps me creative and inspired.
since i have been in 'show biz'...ha ha...making YouTube videos....i try to coordinate my classes with my videos....it is good for me and it also helps the students....they know what to expect in class, what supplies to bring, and...after class, they can revisit the video for little reminders.
one really amazing benefits i have found for the class to preview our 'lesson plan' is that they see how i do it and come into class a bit more prepared to use their own 'voice'...who knew!  i love it!
so here is the latest 'altered book' video where i am playing with watercolor paints, inks, alcohol and a 'double pocket' technique....way fun!
enjoy....and if you have not subscribed, please hit the little red 'subscribe' button so you will be notified when a new video is hot off the presses!
see you on the table!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKJ9O2gOY3g

gotta love pajama day!

so....when was your last pajama day?
well....my world comes to a screeching halt every once in a while and i just have to stay in my jammies and play...unapologetically...in my studio...and today was one of those days!
i cancelled all my obligations and just played!
i am creating a 'one of a kind' journal for my granddaughter's birthday.....
i am creating new techniques for the upcoming altered book class...
i am creating a video on the completed altered book....
sometimes my 'physical body' has a hard time keeping up with my 'creative spirit'...no complaints...no complaint!
so...if you have the time....watch the video on the completed altered book....oh...don't worry...there is another one all ready started!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMy1RWB20Sc

what were you doing at 'dark o'clock'?

sometimes art is so exciting that i just can't sleep....can anyone relate to that?
i am trying to create one YouTube video a week....and this week i have finished one of my altered books!  a bitter sweet thing in my 'book'!  but...alas...there is another book 'under construction' so i can keep creating....gotta love the expression of art...i do not know what i would do without it!!!  (oh yes i know....i would be one cranky girl)
sooo....here is the latest 2-page spread....
i don't think i said 'underpants' too many times for the advertisers to support my video...we shall see....i might be 'red flagged' already....
see you on the table!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzY8Rx5MzIM

i may have said 'underpants' one too many times!

ha ha...now this is a funny story!  
as most of you know....i have been trying to get my 'views' on YouTube up to 10,000 so that i could become monetized....yep...make money on YouTube...
while i was in arizona visiting my eldest son...my channel tipped the scales and i achieved....'monetization'.....(said with a dracula voice for dramatic effect)...
oh boy.....i did it!
so this past week i posted my most recent video....
and....low and behold...today i noticed that it has been denied 'monetization'...what the heck....something was found...by their robots...that has been deemed 'offensive'....so....i watched the video again....hmmmmm...i did not accidentally swear....i was wearing all my clothes...what the heck...
aha!!!!!
i used the word 'underpants' to describe the under layer on the art piece....i guess i said it too many times...
well....lesson learned...
i have posted the video again....in hopes of flying in under the radar....but we shall see...
it is kind of funny....i think i may be flagged as porn....
'artporn'...gotta love it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ7bx1R8wbs

Upcoming Classes! Hope you can come and Play with Us!

so....it is that time again...saying goodbye to the last 6 weeks of playtime with a wonderful group of artists!  we create together, we learn together...we laugh and cry together....there is a sense of community that just happens with a group of creative minds unite!
so....i am taking signups for the next 6 weeks sessions...if you are close and you enjoy mixed media techniques...please...come join us...i encourage everyone to leave their perfection at the door and just enjoy the artistic challenges that present themselves...we ALWAYS create something amazing!

‘Letting Go’ 

6 weeks of Mixed Media Classes with LorriMarie Jenkins 

Wednesdays 11-1:30 or 

Thursdays 6:30-9 Beginning

 November 16th through December  28th (skipping Thanksgivng week)

Wednesday November 15th through December 27th (skipping Thanksgiving week)

946 Tyler Street Benicia, Ca. (Femmage) 

I never know exactly what we are going to play with but it is always fun! we will be learning techniques in; background layering, fundamental collage, using textures .This is an invitation to beginning and seasoned artists....I provide a safe place to play and to embrace those ‘happy accidents’ that present themselves while exploring the world of mixed media! You can even come in your pajamas!! I encourage everyone to leave their perfection at the door... 

Class fee...$110 ($20 deposit is required to save your spot) lorrimarie93@gmail.com https://www.facebook.com/lorri.m.jenkins

https://www.youtube.com/user/lorrimarie2002

Altered Book Class

November 12th through December 17th 

Sundays 10-12:30 

Class fee...$125 ($20 deposit is required to save your spot) (limited space)

Back in the Saddle.....

i got home last night after a delightful visit with family in arizona....
my dad, my former mother-in-law, my eldest son and his family....it was the best visit ever!  i got to spend a few hours with my son....we admired street art, visited his brewery, ate lunch at a  gourmet taco eatery and visited over a great cup of coffee while listening to music in the garden of a cafe.....wow....what a delight...
i spent time with my granddaughters....if they wanted to play a game...i did  too....if they wanted to create art...i did too...if they wanted to make trailers on the computer....i dressed up in costume and did it too!  yep...so much fun!
so...back home today and getting ready for class tomorrow....i wanted to make a quick video on the technique we are using...a bit late in the evening but....i got it done...
a bit of this and a bit of that....i do love mixed media!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKOhsMr2xwo

Altered Book Art at Dark O'Clock

rob and i start our days at 4 a.m....we do a workout for 30 minutes....yoga one day....cardio the next....then he heads off to work...and head off to the studio...quiet, dark...private time.  i love that time in my creative space.
this morning i made a video....the action part anyway....then, in the afternoon, when the sun was bright, i did the intro...
i created another page in my altered book....i LOVE my altered books...they allow me to try new techniques on a small scale...a 'study' so to speak...
so....i found a fun focal point in a hiFructose magazine....cut it in half...glued it down....well....another youTube video hits the presses!
see you on the table!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDkSBK-0VOQ

Mixing it up with Acrylic paint and Alcohol!

what a delicious day i have had!  i woke up at 2 a.m....i wish that was unusual....nope...played in the studio for about 4 hours and then took a nap...waking up motivated to make another You Tube video on my altered book.....oh i do love my altered books....such a great way to try new techniques and have everything right there in one...very stressed....fat book!
it is very unusual for me to have a day that i can just play all day...well....i do teach tonight...allowing the 'playtime' to stretch into the evening...but i have really enjoyed today!  i savored every snuggly moment with my puppy....i did my video editing in bed under the cozy blankets with him...ahhhhh...the life of an artist...right?
anyway.....i am very pleased with the video....a new technique for me to pack into my ever growing mixed media 'technique' inventory to share!
i do hope you have a chance to watch the video...send me feedback...and if you are making some of this fun art with me...please send me photos!
and....
see you on the table!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlexiDH_vug