jenn mason

IF - Fast

2009-10-23T12:19:00.002-05:00

Finally! I have time to work on another Illustration Friday Prompt! (as well as 10 other things going on right now!)
Today I wanted to do a piece about sending love through the mail--Fast. Sure an email will send the words I LOVE YOU fast, and a text will send it even faster. You could Facebook it or even twitter it. But is Fast always the best way? What about the time when Carrier Pigeons were the FAST way to send mail.

But what if we used good old fashioned air mail to send our hopes, dreams and desires to those we loved. Is that the fastest way to send something so fragile? I live with the person my heart has always longed for so there is no need to send him a letter but I need to make sure he always knows his Place in My Heart.
Place in My Heart
Jenn Mason
October 2009
Gelatin Print, Found Objects, Pen and Golden Threads.
If you're here from IF, welcome! If you're a regular reader, thanks for coming back. If you're lost and just happened upon here, Have a great Friday and I hope you get back safely.

All Hands on Deck

2009-10-22T12:45:00.001-05:00

I'm so excited to be part of this fundraiser! If you go to the www.alldecksonhand.org website you can look under artists and see all the amazing boards that were turned in. If you're interested you will be able to bid on line when the auction starts.

2009-10-03T02:36:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome to the studio!

Well, not the studio but the open studio.

You may have seen the cover of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios Fall 2009. You would be looking at my home!

This picture at the top? And the one below it? Both of these are "before" pictures of our home as it once stood just two short years ago. A carriage house turned wood worker shop.

The house was built in 1850 and I'm not quite sure how I got past the claustrophobia of it all and saw the possibilites but we made an offer and started construction the day it became ours.

Eventually we'll get to a couple photos of my studio but first I thought I'd show you some behind the scenes look at the photo shoot for the cover. I had always wanted to know what happened at one of these and now I do!

It's a lot of fidgeting things a round, moving lights and MacGyvereing things into place. Although the space stays pretty true to the actual thing, we had to shift things just slightly here

and there to make sure they looked good on camera.

Here you can see that they already have an idea of the cover layout before we even get a real shot. There were two "advance team" trips out to take photos before we had the hired guns show up.

And show up they did. With full sized computers and screens, cameras and lights. We moved around a ton of furniture just to make room for the equipment!

It was really fun to watch the process and I'm honored that I got to play a role in the September issue.

I'm especially proud of it because it's not just my artwork on the walls that I'm able to share with you but also my home. This was a labor of love of both my wonderful husband Matt and I. We designed the whole house by ourselves and we had a wonderful contractor (Stealth Construction). Who gave us everything we wanted and more.

I'm not sure if it really comes across in the photos but that big wall with all the art on it? It's really on a diagonal.

We designed that wall especially for Open Studios here in Brookline, MA.

The space is big and modular making it possible to move a few pieces of furniture and entirely recreate the space.Starting this month I will be teaching workshops in my home/studio. We've hosted a Soup Crawl, book club and during Open Studios I host 4 other artists in the space as well as a mixed media gallery!

So here are a few shots of the actual studio which sits just off this main room in the photo. It makes it easy to stay in touch with the kids while they do their homework and to work on dinner and a project at the same time. I hope it's helpful to hear that I struggle with all the same things that you do. Finding time to make art, keeping the studio cleaned up enough so that I can find things, storage, etc.

A couple of the things I love are the little nook with the shelves (this is where my under the counter cd player lives) and my closet with a sink! OH Joy! And I love that it has punches of electric green in it too.

If you want to find out what I'm up to please feel free to subscribe to my blog. You can also check out my workshop schedule on my Create Everyday Workshop Blog. My personal artist website is www.JennMason.com and you can find out more about my books, licensed artwork and fine art there!

And my latest endeavor is www.EverydayArtistStudio.com where our mission is to encourage you to live more creatively every day, regardless of family plan, age or career path!

Studio Tour!

2009-10-02T14:25:00.003-05:00

In honor of the new Open Studios issue by Cloth Paper Scissors I will be participating in their on-line studio tour. (yes that's my house on the cover!) There are over 50 artists who are sharing their spaces! (let's just say I lost count at 50ish)

Tomorrow all the artists will have their studio pictures up on their websites/blogs.

Come back tomorrow and see my collections of studio and OPEN Studio pictures (or pick up a copy of the magazine and see them in print!)

I can't wait to go visit all the studios!

More tomorrow!

Teaching workshops at the Studio!

2009-10-02T10:52:00.004-05:00

I think I am now working on no less than four blogs right now! I hope I can keep them all straight.

For those of you who follow this blog, let me point you for a moment to my new blog Create Everyday Workshops that I created specifically for the workshops I'll be teaching from the home studio.

The Fall Semester is themed Handmade Giving and our first class is Chandelier Charming and takes place on October 7th. You can sign up for one class or the whole semester! ($25 or $150 respectively)

As always, you can find me trying to inspire you to live more creatively everyday at www.EverydayArtistStudio.com!

The Key to Balance (on a skateboard!)

2009-09-15T10:37:00.003-05:00

So, this is a fun video I put together on the Making of The Key to Balance, a piece of art I created for the All Decks on Hand Show and Auction taking place this fall at the After Hours Gallery (www.afterhoursgallery.com) to benefit the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.

All the artists were to create their art on a skateboard deck--and I decided to go all out and create an assemblage.

My daughter needed something to do and likes to help out when she can so I put her to work sanding the board. I always wanted an assistant!

While I am not immediately affected by autisim in my family, I appreciate the struggle families have to help raise their child with autisim in a happy, healthy and supportive environment. I was very excited to be able to help out doing what I love to do--share beauty with the world, on a skateboard no less! I hope that someone falls in love with my piece, "The Key to Balance" which speacks to both this ability to cope with autisim, as well as any personal struggle someone may have. You must take ONE step at a time. You must walk thru some murkieness. You must find the keys or tools to cope and you must take it all with you through your journey. In return, you get to stop pushing and enjoy the wind in your hair every once in a while.

By the way, thanks to Earth Safe Finishes for the products to paint and stain this board. I enjoyed using thebproduct knowing I was being green! I see myself using more of their products in my art in the future! Check them out: www.earthsafefinishes.com

Back from Cleveland

2009-09-10T15:59:00.002-05:00

Cleveland ROCKS! Ok, I was actually just outside of Cleveland, sitting in a Clarion Hotel for the better part of the day but day 2 was REALLY fun. I taped a DVD Workshop called Mixed Media Medley for Cloth Paper Scissors. I'm talking FUN. Fun and more fun. Even though I had to wait until the very end of the day waiting for all the fascinating artists that were taping their Quilting Arts TV segments (we shared the same set)--I still had fun. I actually got to watch a lot of the taping of the different segments which was good quality creative time as far as I'm concerned!

Take a look at the video I put together but be warned, I start out without any make-up on!

This week is the last Brimfield of the year and Back to school--double bonus! More pictures to follow! and I promise to let you know when the DVD is available too.

Work Benefits

2009-09-01T09:41:00.001-05:00

Just one of the many benefits of doing the work I do. Don’t ask.

This is from the CHA Consumer show in Orlando earlier in the summer. It was taken in between Booth demos and teaching a class. Now, don’t you wish you were there?

Studios Cover Shot!

2009-08-19T10:58:00.004-05:00

It was quite an ordeal to have the photographer in from Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine but it was enjoyable. We spent a lot of time tweaking, moving lights and eatting scones. ( I ate the scones--I wasn't allowed to touch the lights) The crew was terrific and I loved the behind the scenes look at the photo shoot. And here is the cover! You can pre-order your copy here if you want. I've got a pretty extensive article on how to participate in (and visit!) an Open Studios event.

The piece on the easel is a brand new piece that I created just for the photo shoot and I'm really happy with it. Mostly because it just makes me happy to look at!

In the meantime, I'm working in the studio on preparing for a video workshop for Quilting Arts Workshops.

More about that trip in the near future.
Don't forget, you can read my daily blog at www.EverydayArtistStudio.com where my mission is to encourage you to live more creatively--Every Day.

Free time is a state of mind

2009-07-20T11:07:00.000-05:00

So, as of noon yesterday, I was free. Why? because these beauties left on a bus to NH for a week at two different Girl Scout camps. They look happy enough eh? So why am I posting this on my work blog? Because their leaving means I have to WORK, WORK and work a little more.

I’m using the beginning of the week to crank through my class kits for the classes I’ll be teaching in Arizona at I-scrap and Crafty Papers as well as Art Unraveled. I’ve never felt less free. Oh, and I’m missing the girls. I’m glad to know that when I pick them up this weekend we all get to go on a well deserved vacation (and work for me) to Disneyworld. I could use a little glutinous joy. I hope the girls are having a good time. I hope they love camp just as much as I did. I hope I don’t get any more paper cuts and still have time to go for a bike ride.

Trying out WIndows Live Writer

2009-07-05T13:04:00.001-05:00

So I’m giving Windows Live Writer a chance at winning my heart. I’ll have to let you know what I think when I figure it all out It seems to be a good way to work on my posts out of wi-fi range and to be able to do spell check, manage photos and more.

2009-06-18T10:41:00.002-05:00

Little Sister Megan showing her stuff at the Real Estate One golf outing! (Pictured with Chairman Dick Elsie).

other news...4 1/2 more days of school left. The studio is complete overwhelmed with things to do before the school days have ended. Every year is a new challenge on how to balance fun, work, art, design and my least favorite...housework.

In the midst of scheduling classes in Phoenix this summer while I'm out at Art Unraveled. Make sure to check back soon!

Look at Me I'm on TV!

2009-06-16T10:56:00.002-05:00

This is a show I filmed with Stefanie Girard earlier this year and I'm so excited to see it. Believe it or not we did it in one take and I managed to not trip over my own words! (too much that is!0

It was really fun to work on and have my make up touched up and my mic clipped on. I think I'm just a regular ham.

If you're visiting today, don't forget to go the Craftside blog where they are giving away a copy of my book! YEAH!

Also, don't forget to go to my new website www.EverydayArtistStudio.com where we inspire you to live more creatively everyday!

Brownie Goodness

2009-06-05T14:11:00.000-05:00

Abby's Brownie troop makes "Art to Wear!"

Last week I got a chance to work with these lovely ladies on some t shirt decorating. Because I didn't want to mess with those horrible glitter paints, we used a fantastic iron-on product called Art-Wear Design Sheets byJune tailor. You can feed these sheets through an inkjet printer or color on them with crayons or markers! That made for a wonderful NO MESS project.

We finished things off with our very own bling (rhinestone nail heads!)

It was a big hit and the girls were so proud of their art-to-wear. All they need is a trip to the local bead store to finish off their Art-To-Wear-Badge.

Thanks for the fun girls!

Nature Inspiration

2009-06-04T14:07:00.000-05:00

I met this beauty on Tuesday at my neighbor's garden. The flower was easily 10" wide and stunning. The inside was an amazing purple that while being intensely black also had a glowing sense about it. I think perhaps I've found my pallette for my Halloween line of Brush Strokes! You never know!

Brimfield Confusion

2009-06-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

Emergency Post! my dear friend Karin posted this picture of me on her blog and there has been some confusion! I am the in the bright green jacket on the left and Betty Boop is on the RIGHT! Not the other way around.

No worries, that kind of mistake has been made by the most perceptive of peeps.

Keep Smiling!

Yikes!

2009-06-02T08:48:00.002-05:00

So bad! I can't stand it...

Just thought I'd throw you a bone and share what I've been working on.

You can also check out today's blog on Everyday Artist Studio to see video and more pictures.

But basically, I'm preparing for CHA Summer, the Craft Super Show (following CHA) and Artunraveled.

I'm also doing my part to help the Broadway on the Riverway fundraiser for Wheelock Family Theater. I got the Silent Auction paperwork duty.

I'm also working on a brand new idea that involves art, small town New England and teaching...but you'll have to wait to hear more about that later.

Days are filled with School assemblies, Spring Sings, School Picnics (which I think I have the right to skip because it falls on my B-day --June 9th!), dance recitals and final brownie gatherings.

The days are lovely though and I'm able to hop on my bike and run errands almost everyday. Now if only I could get my to-do list done so I can make some art.

2009-05-11T13:36:00.002-05:00

Here is the lovely Becky practicing her jigs, reels and slip jigs at Inner Space before her last Feis (Irish Dance Competition).

And, I don't know why they have to wear the curly wigs, I just know that they do. Or at least Becky thinks she does. She used to have to curl up her hair and put a headband on but she moved up to the school dress and now it's wig time. She was just born to be curly--as curly could be!

I apologize to all of you who already saw this on facebook. I need to be better about updating everything at the same time.

Becky Throws in the first pitch at the Red Sox game!

2009-05-08T07:29:00.006-05:00

Wow, how cool is this? Here is the video of Becky throwing in the first pitch. Both girls attended the game with their Big Sisters but Becky and her Big, Emily were nominated by Big Sister and got the opportunity to throw in the first pitch.

This evening was the first BIG event that Abby did with her fabulous new Big Sister and it's quite impossible for me to say which girl had a better time! I'm so proud of my little girls and I'm so grateful to the Big Sister program which offers wonderful mentoring and positive role models for my girls. Yes, my girls live a fairly wonderful life filled with Irish dance classes and theater classes (thanks to a Boston College Study grant) but I felt they still could benefit by having a positive female role model who was NOT their mom.

Thanks to Emily and Anouschka the two most wonderful big sisters a girl could have. You truly are making a difference!

On another note, we had our last open studios meeting/bbq last night and finished up the evening with our last Salon of the year. The weather was lovely and we had the front door open and in walked to members of the public asking if our "gallery" was open. Uh... SURE! I was very surprised but was so happy to have them there. We all shared our art and the feedback was amazing and I suppose the night seemed a little magical with the addition of two women walking in off the street. (Artists LOVE it when weird stuff like that happens).

All in all a great night!

Brushstrokes Now Available

2009-04-24T13:04:00.000-05:00

Well, here is another one of my babies. This isn't the curly-headed kind I'm known for, this is the bright, joyful, balloon dog kind of baby.

I created the line using hand-painted boards and individually created icons just like I do in my (much higher-priced) fine art collages.

The process is so much fun, that I've developed a wedding and baby line (coming out this summer and next winter respectively!)

The line was created not just for scrapbooking but also for card making and other paper art projects. The 12 x 12 stickers and the rub-ons have multiple of each image so you can make invites or thank yous, place cards or favors.

The dimensional stickers are just too cute, make a series of birthday cards or use them as special touches to memory pages or books.

The four different papers are all double sided cardstock with bright, vibrant colors. Pair these with any coordinating solid color cardstock for a real attention grabber. And while the line as a whole was designed to be a Birthday line, there are many many different parts of this collection that could be used as just wonderfully cheerful paper. I hope you enjoy! If you local store doesn't already carry this line, please request it!

Making Art for Kiddos!

2009-04-23T12:45:00.003-05:00

This piece entitled "All in a Row" is a piece I completed for the John Pierce Elementary School Auction/Fundraiser. It measures 20" x 16" and is on a museum quality birch canvas.

I usually use standard stretched canvas but was introduced to these wonderful structures when creating my piece for the Kent Street Project.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them, especially when you need strong support so you can drill or screw into them.

The photo on this piece is an actual toner transfer done with a toner copy, gel medium and a bucket 'o elbow grease. The photo is a picture of a class at Pierce school in 1905 (the school was already 50 years old by this time!)

The book on the bottom is a front cover from a primary reader circa about the same time and the other images are from the inside pages of this book and a national speller book. I love the illustration on the right hand side, it's hard to make out here but it's a teacher at a black board and the first thing she's written is a is for ale. LOVE it!

If you're at the auction, bid early, bid often and bid loudly!

Hypocrite

2009-04-15T12:07:00.003-05:00

I don't see how I can advise someone to keep up with their blogging or to be consistent with their blogging if I, myself, am REALLY REALLY bad at it.

I do take comfort in the fact that I am running a pretty wonderful new site, www.EverydayArtistStudio.com, that encourages people to live more creatively every day regardless of their age, or career path. We have already had thousands of visits from over 44 different countries. We are still in our BETA launch but hope to have even more wonderful additions by this summer. Oh, and did I mention that there are daily weekday blogs!

So I haven't stopped blogging, I'm just bad about blogging everywhere. I'm also twittering not too! twitter.com/everydayartist

In the meantime, I'm almost ready for Brookline Artists Open Studios coming up May 2 and 3.

This piece to the left was inspired by the piece just below it.

You may be surprised to know that the second piece is 6" x 6" and was created for my new wedding line I'm working on for Creative Imaginations. The piece above is 24" x 36"! My first time working this big with text and boy was it FUN! Expect to see a lot more of this kind of work in the future.

A kind word...

2009-03-20T11:17:00.003-05:00

This week I received both a question about a project in my new book, The Cardmaker's Workbook as well as an unsolicited compliment! The astute reader was hoping to find a template for the purse pictured on page 59. Unfortunately the purse pictured was a lovely sticker made by K & Co. and licensed by the wonderfully talented Amy Butler.

The compliment, well, I'm just too touched not to share it with you!

Dear Ms Mason:
I felt the need to write you a short note after I purchased your book The Cardmakers workbook. I have been making cards-mostly with rubber stamps--for about 15 years. I have every book imaginable on the subject and thought I did not need to buy another one. UNTIL i saw this book. It is wonderful--the best of all that I have purchased over the years. I am sure my copy will be dogeared and highlighted before long. I am already looking forward to applying several of your ideas on my upcoming projects.
Thank you for a wonderful tool.
Best wishes----Gail W.

Thanks Gail! Your comments made my day!

Other news at the studio? Well I'm keeping busy with all the Brookline Open Studios hoopla and managed to get the brochure and poster off to the printer in time! Yeah. Thanks, of course goes to my team of designers, editors, runners and proofers.

Altered Paper Jewelry Inspires

2009-03-06T11:44:00.002-05:00

Here's a great link to a blog article from my friend Stefanie Girard at Craftside. I just love how Stef takes inspiration from the books she features. I think its a perfect way to show readers how to look beyond the pages of the book and make the projects customized for themselves.

Have you tried making any of the projects in any of my books? If so, email me at Jenn@JennMason.com and I'll post them here!

Don't forget to check out my new website, www.EverydayArtistStudio.com for inspiration on how to live creatively everyday! Today is Frugal Friday on the blog--come by and save a couple$$!

Welcome Sadie!

2009-02-24T14:04:00.003-05:00

There is nothing that makes you miss home more than funerals and babies.

Today and 10:07 am after 2 hours of fighting to stay in, Sadie Jane joined our family! Proud mom, Sarah (my sister) labored through the night much to my brother Jeff's dismay and Father's joy (Jeff picked the 23rd on the baby pool and Dad picked today!)

All are doing well, even though Sadie looks a little miffed in this picture and I'm missing home a little more. Today, for Sadie, I will begin to crochet a pair of booties (since I'm no where near finishing the sweater). Funny how the creation of a little baby makes you feel like creating something of your own.

Happy Birthday Sadie--Great Job Sarah.

Any one going to creatively top that today?