CappuccinoandArtJournal

Mostly postal but art and other things of interest too.
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Thursday, June 26, 2014

Art Field Trip

I think it all started with these......I saw these beautful gelli-printed envelopes on my mail art pal's blog right here
One Woman's Hands
and being....well, me....I just went ahead and invited myself over to Leslie's house to learn how to gelli.

Considering we live about 60 miles apart it wasn't as easy as a bus ride around town. Mr Zip and I hopped on a BART train and about 50 minutes later Leslie picked me up and we zoomed off to her studio.

I even find things like rides on BART inspiring....

The ride was fun and time passed quickly looking at California out the train windows...

Leslie welcomed me into her studio and said "Touch anything, look in the drawers, make yourself at home."
Don't mind if I do -- there was a lot to look at, including lots of examples of her inspiring and terrific art work.

Just part of a nice washi collection...

We got down to business doing what we set out to do -- gelli printing -- and the hours flew by.
What fun!
Here are more of Leslie's cool envelopes
Stop in (her blog) and tell her I said hello (& thank you).

Some stencils....but she showed me how you can use so many things you just have hanging around the house like bubble wrap and those things Starbucks wraps around a hot coffee and various kitchen utensils.
You don't have to buy a lot of stuff.

We printed on deli papers and envelopes and tags.....this was really too much fun.

We covered every surface in her kitchen with papers we printed..
We almost -- but not quite -- forgot to eat lunch!

While eating lunch I browsed around some more....she had a great vintage book on bookkeeping with really wonderful graphics.
We printed on some of the pages and she gave me the book.

Some of Leslie's handmade stamps....


A collection of her handmade books -- did I mention this lady is seriously talented?

Alas, all good things must come to an end. After such a lovely day in very warm Tracy, CA I had to head back to SF on BART.

But I have a whole pile of my own gelli printed papers here in my studio to play with thanks to the Art Field Trip!
I highly recommend you take one yourself if you ever get the chance. I think spending a day working on an art project with a pal is right up there at the top of my list of

favorite things to do.

Leslie and I had traded mail but we had never met. She so generously offered up her day off to give me a workshop in gelli printing.
I find the art world/mail art world to be a generous one. Thank you, Leslie!

Here is Leslie's post about our day

TOO MUCH FUN

How many of you have had art play days like this?
If you have, tell us about it. If you haven't -- call a friend and set one one up.

SEND GOOD MAIL -- GET GOOD MAIL



23 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. These art play days are addictive, Sue -- now I want another one. Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Replies
    1. No kidding!! You ought to know -- don't you and Karen have them too?

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  3. Oh gosh, what a blast, bet you are addicted now. xox

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    Replies
    1. yep -- just went to Michael's for lots of paints -- Corrine.....really fun!

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  4. pamela, thanks for this lovely wedge of inspiration to fuel the weekend's making fires. you always drum up such fun!!

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  5. so jealous! as soon as I saw that top photo I knew where you went. I love Leslie's style and would love to have been there with you.

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    Replies
    1. Karen, we would have loved for you to be there too!! You KNOW sometime I will show up on your door-step in MA, don't you?

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  6. I did this with Mary of Uncustomary Art on Tuesday! Though we didn't learn anything new. Maybe next time!

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    Replies
    1. And I got your postcard from that day just now, Melissa! isn't it fun to make art with friends? When are you coming over?

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  7. What a neatly organised studio! :-) And I like the layering effects you achieved with this technique, beautiful work!

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    Replies
    1. Marie W -- Leslie is more organized than I am, for sure. I spent three more hours today gelli printing and I am getting the hang of it....lots of layers...very fun too.

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  8. I love to "see" you-all's studios!!!! Such a treat!

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    Replies
    1. I love to see where people work too.....love an artist workspace....

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  9. I'm more than a little jealous! Like Karen, I knew you'd been to Leslie's from the first pic. I'm up north in Seattle but keep thinking there are so many art buddies in CA, I must make a general field trip and hop, skip across the state! I really must find time to get my gelli out again - these are FAB.

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    Replies
    1. Terrie -- two words -- road trip! Pack up your art kit and come visit CA!

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  10. Now I am obsessed with gelli printing. I must get supplies. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Go for it, Sue -- it is really fun. I had a three hour session on Sunday and can't wait to do it again.

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  11. Looks like it was lots of fun! Loved seeing the studio space as well.

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