Junkee Clothing Exchange...

Well, I didn't spend all of my time at convention in Reno. I headed down Virginia St to Junkee Clothing Exchange. Virginia St has a hip arts district with great restaurants and shopping.

Saying Junkee Clothing Exchange is eclectic is an understatement. As a creative person, the minute you open the door, you know you are in the right place....

Think backstage theatre costume department mixed with a little taxidermy and "goodwill" atmosphere.

There are shoes, clothing and props in every corner.

Halloween would be a breeze in this place!

Perceptual overload is at every turn, taxidermy, movie posters, feathers, feathers, feathers!

...and a gas mask or two.

And just when you think it can't get any better, your eyes turn towards the large sign hanging from the ceiling...

COSTUMES!

Lion King? Big Bird?

This one was from a Shakespeare play with the character name written in the vest.

...a little burlesque perhaps?

After all the frenzy, I came away with a United Airways sweater(nifty!), a mink stole and a fabulous kimono(yes it's that fabulous!) 

IDAL Conference in Reno-2012

The 2012 IDAL conference just ended in Reno, Nevada. Each conference has it's own identity, and this one was all about creative energy!

Held at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, the view from my room was spectacular.

We were "wined and dined" literally, and enjoyed all the perks of our environment.

Meetings took up a lot of time, but were balanced by lectures, classes and expo fun!

I studied first with Mats Carlsson from Sweden. We worked on a pompeii technique applied to Michelangelo's Creation from the Sistine Chapel.

I was fortunate to be in the first class Steve Shriver taught at IDAL! This class covered how to paint trompe l'oeil style of egg and dart ornament. (Sign up early next year people, he will be a sellout!)

The energy level at this conference was intense! The casino action seemed to feed the frenzy of all the decorative artists gathering in one place. At Expo, I worked the IDAL booth, attended the painted apparel fashion show, watched the speed painting, talked shop with many vendors and other artists and enjoyed some wine and cheese.

The Annie Sloan chalk paint booth was packed with people trying the products.

Speaking of other artists, I met Peggy Hunt during the Expo opening. She claimed to be an avid reader of my blog (blush) and brought me a very unique gift.

Hmmm.....what could it be???

It was this lovely hand. Peggy must be an avid reader, as she noted I was looking for a hand to add to all my curiosities. This hand fit perfect on a stack of marbled books. I placed a small wooden egg I had marbled to finish the composition. Thank you so much Peggy!

So you see, attending the IDAL conference is really about connecting....with old friends, and new ones. The classes teach you new techniques and deepen your portfolio but the connections you make cannot be compared to any social media on the internet. If at all possible, make Indianapolis (Oct 8-12) your destination for some incredible energy, life lessons and long term friendships in 2013! I will be there waiting for you.

A Helping Hand....

While running to an appointment in Bologna, Italy recently, this fabulous doorknob caught my eye. I stopped long enough to photograph it as I have a love of hands used in architecture.

That is not a reflection. Their are two hands! One on the interior and one for the exterior.

Most people are familiar with the iconic "praying hands" by Albrecht Durer. He also made his way to Bologna around 1507 to "learn the secret art of perspective".

And then there is the lithograph of  Escher's "Drawing Hands"..

Hands used as door handles are more common in other countries, it seems.

These hands are examples of yoga positions. The hands are very important in healing the body and keeping it in balance.

This is a lovely example of a gas jet sconce(see the key on the wrist?)

Be still my heart! ....The best example is this one posted by Regina Garay of Fauxology and is the home of Thierry Bosquet featured in  Entra magazine.  This article is one of my favorites!
...I once left behind a wonderful wooden carved hand at a Paris flea market...have regretted it ever since! I am on the prowl now for vintage carved hands at antique sales. Wish me luck!

What's Next in Trends?

This week, I went to the World Trade Center in Dallas for the gift and lighting show. As you can see, Easter, Halloween and Christmas were covered!

The "restoration hardware" influence is still strong with lots of industrial stenciling on natural fibers.

One thing I did notice was driftwood taking a stronger place in the spotlight.

Driftwood used sculpturally and in a decorative manner.

Bleached and stacked into natural shapes....

Remember the driftwood sculptures in Gump's in San Francisco? They are always ahead of the curve!

Natural fibers were interpreted through lighting as well.

There were some artistic touches for accent pieces. I love the yellow chair!

 Of course, hand painted furniture was still strong. I like the "ombre" approach to the decoration on this chest.

Lots of distressing and floral design....

In the Hemisphere area (where people new to market can set up) I saw a wonderful booth  entitled-"Studio All'Antica"...

Artist Christopher T. Jewett had a booth featuring his faux skills!  His card reads "Classically trained and experienced in: European plasters-Trompe l'oeil, marbling and graining. Commissioned fine art and murals."

There was no one manning his booth while I was there and he has no web site listed on his card, just a phone number. Does anyone know him? I am curious how his response is with a booth at market.

So, mass produced or hand crafted?

A flamboyant reproduction or a one of a kind craft? It seems there is room for both at market, and hopefully,  the same in these economic times!

IDAL-International Decorative Artisans League -2012 Convention

If you are following this blog, you are interested in the field of art! You might be a decorative artist, someone who dabbles with painting furniture or just wanting to find techniques for your own home decor.

Have you looked into taking week long classes at someone's studio? I love to do this, but there are times when money and time do not allow it!

Are any of theses images getting your attention? They are all examples of one or two day classes that will be held in July at this year's IDAL convention in Reno, Nevada. It is just a plane ride away to learning some cutting edge techniques and getting to talk shop with artisans from around the world!

Learn how to paint decorative ornamentation (as shown above) or maybe......

You want to do some realistic clouds on your ceiling!

Or photo realism! Using air brush techniques, create a truly realistic cloud formation.

How often do you get to study with an artist from Florence, Italy using chalk paint, casein and waxes to produce beautiful hand painted furniture?

Want to improve your mural and trompe l'oeil skills? Mats Carlsson from Sweden is teaching two different classes !

How about a chance to talk to representatives from the big art related companies? Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Golden Artist Colors, 3M, Crescent Bronze Powder Co,Modern Masters, Pierre Finkelstein Institute of Decorative Painting Royal Design Studio, Sherwin-Williams, Society of Gilders, Stencilwerks and many others will be on hand in the Expo area. You can buy products and have some hands on experience in their booths. Demonstrations will also be going on in the Expo area. Watch ILia Anossov demonstrate true fresco techniques and others show how to be a more creative artist.

I will be there! How could I miss such an opportunity? Go the the web link and grab a plane ticket! I hope you will come join me in this creative convention!