Somewhere over the rainbow...

I can't really begin to explain how excited I am about this, but I'll try.

I bought my first copy of Somerset Studio over 10 years ago whilst I was on vacation in Florida.  As I flicked through the pages, my eyes were opened at the artwork, the articles and everything else.  I'd never seen magazine publications like this and Cloth, Paper Scissors in the UK, and it was so good to see there were lots of creative people out there.  The page that really struck me at the time was the call for submissions.  I was really excited to see that they allowed you to send in artwork for possible publication.  That was something I'd do.  The possibility of seeing something I'd made in print was something to aim for.

But then, as often happens, life took over.  My priorities switched to work and family and not so much making art.  It's only in the last twelve months that I have actually gathered the courage to send art into publications or approach licensing agents, and yes of course I've not always been successful, BUT just lately, something seems to have switched and now I have.  You can probably hear my squeals of excitement where you are.

These four mixed media canvases are the very first things that I made once I got back to art, and as it turned out, they fit the brief for a submission at the beginning of this year.  And what do you know...

They got published!

(and of course they are OZ themed, my obsession with everything OZ still continues)

Sometimes, you just have to go for it and start to take steps to make things happen for you.

BELIEVE

If you'd like to see them close up, you'll find them in the May/June issue of Somerset Studio.

Ok, I'll stop squealing now!

Rachelle x

Print Candy is here!

I'm really pleased to say that after being postponed for a little while,

PRINT CANDY mixed media workshop is now OPEN for you to sign up.  Class will actually begin on May 1st and run for 5 weeks.  If you do miss the start date, don't worry because you can join any time, but I know that places are already filling fast so I wouldn't want you to miss out. 

To read all about it, and find out what we will be doing, CLICK ME.

And don't forget, if the money is tight, there are a few Payment Plans that you can check out HERE.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Rachelle x

We have a winner!

CONGRATULATIONS

PAULA

you are comment number 12!

You are the winner of this fabulous book,

plus a little piece of original art from me too.

Oh Happy Day!

Thank You so much to you ALL for entering, 

I know Suzi Banks Baum was pleased to see your interest too!

Don't forget, you can still get your hands on a copy HERE.

Rachelle x

Giveaway Time!

How are you today?

So, I figured that it's probably time for a little blog giveaway seeing as we've not had one in a while.  As you might already know, I was recently lucky enough to be asked to be a contributor to another fantastic book.  This was something different for me, as it was for a written piece, rather than an arty one.  But it was such a great pleasure for me to do, and I have to say what a fabulous book it turned out to be too.

Here it is,

It's a collection of writing from 36 women, all Mothers, on different aspects of their creative lives. The very lovely Suzi Banks Baum is the girl who started it all, here's a bit about her taken from her website.

Suzi Banks Baum has been a full-time mom for the last 18 years. She leads the Powder Keg Sessions: A Writing Workshop for Mothers and Others at Simon’s Rock College, and blogs at laundrylinedivine.com. In addition to editing An Anthology of Babes: 36 Women Give Motherhood A Voice, she is writing her own first book, Laundry Line Divine: A Wild Soul Book for Mothers. She lives with her husband and two children in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

This fantastic book will soon be available to purchase via Amazon BUT before that happens I'm going to giveaway a copy (with a little original arty treat inside too as a little extra). And if you were wondering what it is you need to do, well it's simple... Just leave a little comment, that's it, easy peasy.  Then the random number generator will work it's magic sometime on Wednesday to choose a winner. 

But if you can't wait till wednesday, or just want a copy quick fast, then you can get one over on Suzi's website HERE

Oh, and I've just written a new post for Suzi's blog, you can read that HERE too.

Have a fabulous day, lots of luck!

Rachelle x

Easter Greetings...

Wishing you all a very 

Happy Easter

Rachelle x

Stuck for words...

It doesn't happen very often with me - or at least it didn't use to, but just lately I have found myself feeling a little stuck for words.  Not the words to speak in conversations, but more the words to write down.  But to make things worse, it's not only te writing that's been afflicted, but the creativity too - and that DOES feel like a strange thing.

It's a tricky time at home right now, (I'm still caring for my father), and it's all probably down to the stress of everything, or at least that's what I'm blaming for my quietness.

I guess I can't be sunny and upbeat all of the time.

So, just lately I've been distracting myself on Pinterest and browsing collections of fabulous arty images looking for a little inspiration.  It's working all right, I've now got ideas buzzing around to try out.

You can go see what I'm pinning HERE . Pinterest is one of those online resources that you can quite easily get swept away in (you have been warned) but it's great at the same time.

I did manage to create this piece,

she's done using the 'bleeding' technique that I teach in my Portrait Candy workshop.

It's been a while since I made a piece just for fun, most recent things have been for commission requests or other bits and bobs, so she was fun, and provided a little escapism too.

Looking back at this little post now, I realise that I'm not as stuck for words as I thought...

It's amazing what a little tidy of the studio and tapping on a laptop can do for you!

Have a lovely day 

Rachelle x

(iPad doodles)

OTHER NEWS - I almost forgot,

I'm going to close my Etsy shop for the month of April whilst I get on making new fabulous items and other stuff BUT lots of the much loved items will still be there, plus new things too.

You will still be able to join workshops through the blog or workshop website.

xx

Happy Mothers Day...

Happy Mother's Day to all my UK friends.

This is me with my Mum some time in the early 1970's, it makes me laugh to see this, 

I was a huge baby... poor Mum!

And now of course, I'm a Mum too.

This is what I was greeted with this morning...

How sweet...

this was written inside.

My other grown up baby came home to visit too.

So now for a little family time, and a little arty time too!

Have a lovely day 

Rachelle x

Paper Chick mini workshop is open for registration.

It's another $10 workshop and is due to start March 15th.

CLICK ME

for more details.