playing with Jill K Berry's new "TEXTures2" stencils

My artist friend, Jill K. Berry sent me some of her new  TEXTures 2 stencils to play with and I've been having a lot of fun with them. There are (4) different 6x6 stencils in the pack designed by Jill in a collaboration with Artistcellar. 

Their official name (should you decide to look for them) is "Artistcellar Signature Series Stencils by Jill K Berry and each stencil has its own name which I thought was cool. They are: Picasso, Bird, Gera and Miro. 

I was playing with the stencils in my painting and then in some of my clay sculptures (after the clay had dried and I began painting). The name TEXTures are perfect for them, because I wanted to add texture and dimension into my art and they were perfect for just that! You can do so  much with stencils and if it was warm enough, I'd be outside with them using them with my spray paints.  I also decided to use little sections of one of the stencils to create eyes for my characters which gave them so much more persoality and I'm so happy I decided to do that! I also plan on using some wood icing along with the stencils (just as soon as my order arrives!)

This is one of my clay sculptures that I used one of the stencils on. The size, 6x6 was perfect for this since my sculpture isn't big, so it was easy to put the stencil on and create more texture into my work. 

Jill is generously giving away a set of her new stencils to one of my readers. So just leave a comment on this post and then I will pick a winner after the blog hop is over.

Where bloggers create, 2012

Who am I?
I am an artist. I am an instructor. I am a photographer. I am a traveler. I am a brave girl. I am a friend. I am a bird nerd. I like to paint. I like to sew. I like to make jewelry. I like to do art. But most of all, I like to be me.

Welcome to Lemoncholy's Studio! I have been making art in some form or another for a long time. I got into the mixed media field about 8 years ago and then began teaching about 5 years ago. I am mostly known for my jewelry, but I also do a lot of sewing and painting. When I tire of doing one thing, I simply begin projects in another area to keep me fresh and motivated.

 Last year I moved my studio from my bedroom, where I use to make jewelry in this tiny little alcove, into a room downstairs. It was a beautiful, yet barely used room, so I made it my own. Now I have plenty of space to work, can find (almost) everything, hosts workshops and I even have a fireplace! Life is good. I hope you enjoy a glimpse into my studio and my home, which is just an extension of my studio and creative life. 

 and lastly, I like to introduce you to my studio mascot (everybody needs one!). This is kashie. He's a little bit country and a little bit rocknroll (okay, maybe a mix of naughty and nice!) in a few weeks, he gets his first big boy haircut. check back to see how it turns out!

I want to thank you for stopping by. You can also see my studio tour on Pinterest (where you can read lots of descriptions about the vignettes and so forth) Enjoy the rest of the hop!

xoxo,

kecia

and last but not least! I've decided to giveaway one of my "flower girl" pendants. Just leave me a comment related to my studio and you will be entered!

Where bloggers create 7/14/12

Karen Valentine, of My desert cottage, is holding her annual blog hop, where you get a chance to look into all kinds of artists studios. It's quite fun and you get to see some really amazing studios, which are always full of inspiration and surprises. I will be participating as well (as I think I have a pretty darn cool studio!), so stop by on the 14th to check out my studio and then hop along with all the rest as well!

blog hop continues/I am the spotlight artist this week!

Hi, thanks for stopping by! I'm this weeks spotlight artist in the blog hop.

Artful Gathering Event Registration is Open!

I'm the Spotlight Artist for The Artful Gathering Blog Hop!
Follow along with me for fun, creativity, and a chance to win a

$200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!

This summer I will be teaching a fabulous premiere video workshop at

The Artful Gathering Online Art Retreat 2012

Soldering Flambé

From July 15 to August 25

You’ve heard of soldering with a torch, but it seems a little scary. Maybe even a little intimidating. Kecia has heard all the reasons that you might not be sure you are ready to try it. She's here to tell you it is easy, and that once you’ve been taught the correct way to do it, there’ll be no stopping you!

You will start from the beginning and learn how to operate the torch. From there it’ll be step by step, trouble shooting and learning the ins and outs of bringing solder to metal. After you learn how to operate your torch, you will practice bringing solder to your metal to build a background. From there you will be adding a bezel to your soldered metal to create a focal point. Once the focal point is set, you will add more layers and texture to the bezel by adding papers and dimensional items.

Then... Kecia will walk you through all aspects of using resin. Resin is another product that tends to “scare” people. Following her tips and advice, you will master resin easily. Kecia is an expert on the topic of resin - so take advantage of her knowledge!

Finally, you create a necklace for your newly, handmade, forged pendant! Kecia will discuss a few ways to build a chain using her own methods of creating with vintage, deconstructed elements. You’ll find that you’ll be learning quite a few different techniques all wrapped up in one class and what you’ll take away is the ability to create unique, funky, one of a kind soldered elements that can be used in jewelry (think pendants, bracelets, earrings....), bookmaking and more.

Come Hop With US!

Hop Rules:

If you would like to hop with us and meet all the super awesome Artful Gathering 2012 Art Instructors, and have a chance to win a random drawing prize in our random drawing, then hop with us! Each week, I will announce the blog for you to visit, and off you go to meet them, and to pick up the newest secret word. Your chance to win prizes....

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
   
   


2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys!
   
   


3. This weeks word is ......Paints
   Next week, I'll announce the next person to hop to. Good luck!!!

an open letter to you

i penned you a note today:

Dear Art Friends,

"This is the year of being brave". It is time to jump in and explore. Forget the expectation, forget
being perfect and forget doubting every move that you make. Stop caring so much about the end result and see what happens! Freedom to explore, freedom to create and the freedom to trust yourself more. In the end, I believe you will find the process more enjoyable.

In inspiration,

kecia

be sure and stop by on Sunday as i will be the spotlight artist for Artful Gathering's blog hop!