Planning Cards

I'm currently midway through my Halloween cards (and probably realistically the only seasonal card I'm doing this year) and at some point I realized that something just wasn't working. The artists we film always suggest doing thumbnail sketches. Here are some of this weekend's thumbnails. Unfortunately for the Halloween card it meant adding cats! Those tails are hard to cut! (This is why I started so early, so that when I need to cut out a ton of cats, I have time. Yay!)

Now that I have all the pieces I'm realizing the color of my moon isn't working. I think it's too cool while everything else in the card is warm tones. I painted all the moons silver and I'm going to have to experiment with adding a little cream to the paint and see if it warms.

Claudine Hallmuth on Martha Stewart Website

You can see Claudine Hellmuth on the Martha Stewart Show!

Four Days with Craig Nelson

Our first day with Craig Nelson started at 6:45 am in a field. We set up this giant sheet-like contraption to soften the sunlight on both Craig and his painting. (It worked beautifully.) We only had one panic when we laid everything out and realized we had nothing to actually put it together with. The rental company was over an hour away and there wouldn't be time to go get the pieces. Luckily Jim just had them in his car. (*phew*)

Craig was here 4 days and was loads of fun. He's traveled all over the world and tells great stories of his adventures. Also, he's an amazing artist and teacher. He is so comfortable teaching that he just speaks his thoughts as he paints, which is ideal for people learning to paint. He's also really easy going and flexible, which is ideal for those of us behind the cameras. We could just pipe up (and he wanted us to) and say, "I don't get this." He'd barely miss a beat and come back with some really clear and concise explanation. Excellent. I can't wait to get started editing.

Craft Season Week 1

So this weekend, beyond being at work both days, I have two goals:
1. cut and assemble all the elements for my Halloween cards.
2. make a vinyl wallet that is good enough to give as a gift.

On the first front, I think I finally have a design that will work. It always amazes me how designs look a certain way in thumbnail form but then seem either empty or overworked in card form.

For number two, I've spent this past week trying different combinations of material and paper to make a vinyl wallet for a birthday. A friend of my boyfriend's and mine loves mass transit and he also had a wallet with the London Tube on it, which he loved but lost. My replacement won't have all the things in it he lost but I thought would be a fun surprise. Here are some of the tests.

Claudine Hellmuth

See your favorite collage artist, Claudine Hellmuth, Wednesday September 12 on the Martha Stewart Show! Claudine will film a live segment and we all can't wait to see!

Congratulations Carl Dalio

Carl Dalio has the cover of the Watercolor Magazine Fall 2007 issue. I picked it up and thought, "Wait, that is really clean color. This looks like a Dalio." And it was.

In other news, the Creative Catalyst team started around 6:45 am and spent our morning in a field with Craig Nelson and his paints. (Because what better way to spend time with Craig Nelson!)

It's the first time I've actually met the real life Craig. He was one of the first artists I edited when I came to Creative Catalyst Productions so it's really nice to meet the man on tape. I can't wait to get back behind a camera this afternoon.

Craft Season Has Begun

Craft Season has begun! It actually began a few days ago but the office has been crazy lately and I'm just now getting to the blog.

We have an artist coming tomorrow and we will out in the middle of a field...literally. Who gets to be at work at 6:45am tomorrow morning? Oh yeah, ME.

But back to Craft Season. I'm starting the preparations now so that come December 22nd I'm not crying over burnt polymer at 2am wondering how I'll ever finish the Christmas gifts. I'm hoping to actually enjoy the process this year! (And after a week of crafts after work I'm liking it already.) So bring on the fun! Craft Season has begun!

Sherri Haab's Fall Schedule

Sherri Haab just posted her fall schedule! Take a look and sign up! Also check out a preview of her DVD, "Precious Metal Clay Jewelry."

September 15, 2007 9am-4pm
PMC Resin Bracelet
Kit Kraft, Studio City, CA
Register at www.kitkraft.biz or call the store to sign up: 818-509-9739
September 21, 2007 9am-4pm
Orem, Utah
Textures and Molds for PMC
Register by contacting Sherri

September 22, 2007 9am-4pm
Orem, Utah
PMC Rings
Register by contacting Sherri
October 3-8th, 2007
Art and Soul Retreat
Portland, Oregon
PMC classes, Resin Casting
www.artandsoulretreat.com

November 3-8, 2007
La Mesa, California
PMC Rings Nov 3rd
PMC Holiday Charm Bracelet, Nov 4th
Macrame Bracelet-Pearls and Silk, Nov 6th
Macrame Rings, Nov 7th
Macrame-Mermaid Necklace, Nov 8th
Register at www.thebouncingbead.com

November 10-11, 2007
San Diego, California
PMC Resin Mixed Media Bracelet, Nov 10
Image Transfer Jewelry, Nov 11
Register at www.shepherdessbeads.com
November 15-18, 2007
Park City, Utah
The Art Nest Retreat
PMC Charms with Spakling Gems
Register www.theartnest.net
February 10-13, 2008
Craft and Hobby Association
Find Sherri at the Watson Guptill Booth or take a macrame class from Sherri through YLI corp.

Jacqueline Sullivan Pre-Sale Ending Soon!

Have I mentioned I'm excited for Jacqueline Sullivan's DVD to come out? I am completely. We filmed Jacqueline at last year's Art and Soul Retreat in Portland, OR. The event itself is amazing. Amazing instructors. Amazing students. I can't say enough good things about it.

We at Creative Catalyst Productions were lucky enough to spend a day with Jacqueline watching her paint and listening to how she thinks about her art. The way she explains the different Golden products made so much sense. She's clear, concise and absolutely inspiring.

Jacqueline Sullivan's "Acrylics: Textures, Layers, and Metallics"

Jacqueline Sullivan's video is on its way!

Too Soon to be Excited?

Alphabet Magnets

I found small 1" square plastic letters in the children's section of Staples and thought, "Hey, these could be cute magnets!"

Simply adhere flat magnet sheet (the kind you can print images on) to the back of the plastic with double stick tape. Cover the whole back side or the magnet won't be strong enough to hold.

Textures, Layers and Metallics Oh My!

Mark your calendars! Jacqueline Sullivan's DVD, "ACRYLICS: Textures, Layers and Metallics" (just as cool as it sounds) will hit the CCP store in 4-6 weeks. Almost seems like too long. In her first Creative Catalyst Productions video, Jacqueline teaches everything you wanted to know about gels and mediums. She explains the different effect possibilities various Golden gels, mediums and GACs will bring to your work. She uses Golden products with tissue, aluminum foil and cheese cloth to create amazing textures, layers and metallics. The only thing I loved more than editing Jacqueline's DVD workshop was filming it.

Check back for pre-order sales!

Elephant Magnets Tutorial

Check out how to create these cute Elephant Magnets! Great for gifts or home decorations!

Elephant Magnets Tutorial

Claudine Helmuth in Cloth, Paper, Scissors!

Check out a familiar face on page 42 of this month's Cloth, Paper, Scissors! This is a take on one of the projects Claudine teaches in her third Creative Catalyst DVD, Beeswax Collage!

Check out Claudine's fun gallery and blog-

Elephant Magnets

I just finished being in a local play and made these magnets as gifts for the wonderful cast and crew. Everything was sort of prairie or elephant themed in that the play was called, "Going to See the Elephant."

A set of these would make a great gift and they are the perfect size for stocking stuffers!

Check back Monday for easy instructions!

Robert Dancik

CCP is heading to the Art and Soul Retreat in Portland again this October. We went last year and had a blast. This year's line up is just as fabulous. We're currently in the mix of planning our booth for booth night and talking with the 3 amazing artists we'll have the privilege of filming during our five days there.

Today we spoke with Robert Dancik. He called us from a workshop he's teaching out in Tennessee at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. It's always so great to begin the conversation with artists about what they'll teach in their DVD workshop. The people aspect is the best part of the job whether it's interacting with our customers at a vendor night or hanging out with the artists between takes. Just through listening to Robert discuss his work I already know this will be a great DVD.

Robert works with many mediums including epoxy, polymer, precious metal clay and a product he didn't invent but did develop called Faux Bone. His combination of any of these materials is simply wonderful.




Check back for more updates here about Robert and in the meantime enjoy the beautiful gallery at his site.

Power of a Line

Going to See the Elephant

Claudine and Creative Catalyst Productions on Decor8!

Holly over at Decor8 - one of my favorite blogs- wrote about Claudine Hellmuth. She includes an interview she did with Claudine and mentions CCP and Claudine's DVDs. Very neat all around!

Cupcake Cards

I love making birthday cards. I've got a whole plan for my grandmother's 85th birthday and these two are for a castmate and my director (I'm in a local play) who both had birthdays over the three day weekend. Envelopes will be made of polka dot wrapping paper.

Quick update: Nicholas Simmons made it home safe and sound. His painting turned out AMAZING!!! I didn't get to watch the filming so I can't WAIT to start editing!

Nicholas Simmons Day 1

Jim just left for the airport for Nicholas Simmons' 3:30 flight. We've been working all day getting the studio set up and there are a lot of variables for this shoot. Nicholas is painting on a 40 x 40 board so we're having to rearrange our usual set. Filming prep has everyone doing random projects in preparation. Zach and I were painting the backdrop before I did a grocery store run for Lynn. (Company lunches always have the best food when artists are here!)

Filming starts tomorrow. I finally looked at the outline he sent us on what he wants to demonstrate. I think it's going to be really great!

Friday!

The birds are so loud outside our office window! I can tell it's sort of annoying our sound editing guy, Zach. He's not anti-bird but it's hard to focus on audio while there is a shouting match of chirps not 5 feet away. Me? I find both very amusing.


I'm on my second pass through Virginia Cobb's DVD. She says such great things. Here's a quote I found today,

"Be real alert to what's going on with you and everything around you when you paint because everything is part of the painting and you are responding not just to the paint, although that's the the big thing, but also the sounds. So one day in my studio I hear birds out my window and another day the rain is pounding on my roof. Do I paint the same on those two days? If I do I'm not paying attention." -V.Cobb

After I found the quote I read it to Zach and he said that everything we do at Creative Catalyst Productions should look and feel like birds chirping. Ha!

(Images are from Virginia's video). See more of Virginia's work here!

Summer Activities

I love planning. I love preparing. The actual doing is fun but I have to say there is a thrill I get sitting down with a clean sheet of paper, a favorite pen and creating a list. My list-in-progress is my "Summer Projects" list for July 2 when I finish the community theater production I'm in. So many plans! There is baking and apartment decorating and sewing!

I told myself I wouldn't start anything new until I had my evenings free again but I caved. I couldn't pass up these two opportunities and I'm really excited about partaking. The first is a weekly crochet lesson done by the very cool women over at Craft Daisies. They polled their readers about whether they'd rather learn knitting or crocheting. I'm happy to learn either! Every Tuesday Heather will post a lesson and we'll have a week to master (ha!) the technique.

The second is another weekly workshop put on by a yahoo group I'm learning to love. I'm a member of a couple of yahoo groups but lurk more than participate. Artists of the Round Table is putting on an Artist Trading Card workshop based on Bernie Berlin's book, "Artist Trading Card Workshop." The book's author will be running the class and I'm very excited for a good introduction into what I think will be a cool chance to work on techniques I can translate into collages. (I suppose ATCs are really just mini collages you give away :)

So, perhaps my summer doesn't begin until July 2 but maybe by then I can add crocheting and ATCs to the summer fun! Either way it's always good to try new things.

Contest!!

Creative Catalyst (where I work and practically live...good thing I adore my co-workers!) has art shows about 4 times a year. Not only is it a great place to show your art and see others' work as well, but there are some fun prizes. (Can't beat fun prizes!)

This summer's theme: Telling Stories with Art. Their (our?) website says:

"The Summer Art Exhibition is about story telling. Summer is a great time to be part of stories from your travels, family outings, neighborhood get togethers. Have fun, tell a story with your art and share it in the Summer Art Show. All media are welcome."

Entries are accepted until August 30th.

I think this is sort of cool. Often Creative Catalyst contests are more media specific (watercolor for example) so I'm excited to see more mixed media in this Summer's.

The juror will be the very cool and talented collage artist Ann Baldwin. We were lucky enough to be able to meet and film Ann during one of her workshops at Art and Soul Retreats, Asilomar California.

Want more information about the show and how to enter? Go here!

Sherri Haab on Craftcast

Sherri Haab is both a talented artist and writer. She visited us last summer and did a whole lot of very very cool projects. Her first DVD came out this last spring on precious metal clay. Expect her resin DVD sometime next year.

The fine people over at Craftcast have an interview with Sherri. Check it out here: Craftcast!

Printmaking!

For more information on "Painterly Printmaking," go here.

Virginia Cobb

The May Craft Cat hit in boxes today so it's back to editing for me.


Virginia Cobb was a ton of fun when she was here and is just as much fun to watch again on camera. It's fascinating to watch her work. I feel at times you can really see which side of the brain she's working from. I'm also starting a collection of quotes. I'll share them as I go. Here Virginia discusses the importance of thinking about your work. She says, "The thinking time is every bit as important as the time you spend putting paint on paper."

Good point~

Paper Scraps!

After a paper project I find that I have a bunch of scraps left over. These pieces are too small to use in a project but I hate to throw such beautiful scraps away. Now a solution: put them through a paper shredder and use them as confetti! It works as a little surprise in an envelope or even as pretty packing material for shipping small jewelry and crafts to friends, family or ETSY customers.

Try This at Home Challenge- Traci Bautista

Why have I not been around? I'm in the middle of play rehearsals and am having time management issues!

But. Here's what I came up with for the latest TTHC for May's Craft Cat. (Hits in boxes middle of next week!) I got to explore all the fun that is Traci Bautista. What a creative woman! We filmed Traci live down at Art and Soul in Asilomar, California. She shows how to create your own papers and fabrics and then how to make a journal complete with cover and colorful inside pages. I used the paper and fabric techniques in a slightly different manner. This will be a Mother's Day table decoration or become a GIANT card!

A Wonderful Way to Start the Week:

At our small company every comment we get has a major impact. Early in the process, when it was just Lynn and Jim doing everything, someone emailed them a list of all the spelling and grammar errors they had made in a DVD and yes, clearly we should NOT be putting out DVDs with *spelling* errors but it's easy to forget that people (us in this case) actually make these DVDs. We make them just like someone knits a sweater or paints a painting. In our case, each of us here has a part of it we do, and unfortunately, a few of us are weak links when it comes to spelling. But because of that one letter, we now *painstakingly* look at every text block at each step of the process to make sure we've got "it's" instead of "its" and (my weak point) "palette" instead of "pallete".

This morning about 30 minutes into the day, Jim one of the co-founders, comes bounding upstairs with a huge smile and says, "Kelly, Zach, I'm going to interrupt your important work b/c this is just too cool." He hands me a 8" diameter circular piece of paper with a note written in a spiral. "Read it out loud," he says. So I do.

A customer writes that she loves our DVDs (yay!) and has actually taken one of our catalogues and used it to make the very paper I'm holding (it's really cool paper). She thanks us for the work we do. I don't think she could know how happy that made everyone in the office. What started out as a rainy dark day just turned into an amazing day. We turn back to our computers with more enthusiasm. Just like when you make something and then wrap it with a pretty bow and hand it over to someone else, you hold your breath to see how they react when it's opened. It makes all the difference when they say, "Thank you, I love it."

Great Artists: Giotto

When looking for the roots of the Renaissance, there is no better place to begin than Giotto. Historians know he was born near Florence in 1267 but his journey to becoming a great artist is somewhat murky. Legend has it that he was painting a lamb on a rock one day when Cimabue happened by and saw much potential.

Giotto spent his life as both a painter and an architect. He landed a prized commission for the Vatican by free handing a circle and sending it in as his sole entry. He worked in Rome for a decade. After he returned to Rome in 1320, he worked on frescos and then became chief architect of the Florence Cathedral.


Giotto's art developed a unique style and he furthered Naturalism through his seemingly three dimensional forms and strong expressions in both his subjects faces and bodies.

(Paintings from Wikimedia Commons. Click on paintings for more information)