This is the coolest thing I've seen in a while!

http://fcmx.net/vec/get.swf?i=003702

Wish I could do that ....

(Click on link to view - Link courtesy of Monica Magness aka Princess)

Wild Woman in Progress

Thought you might like to see the start of my collage
during the Wild Woman Workshop.

She is still a work in progress but I definitely like her funky, feminine feel.

Here is a close up of her face.
The sunglasses are another layer of collage.
Notice the little texture bumps just above the glasses?

Sooooooo ....
ready to start your own Wild Woman?

Wild Women and a short Art Lesson

Are you a Wild Woman?
Do you want to be?
Will you dare to be?

The photo above was done by a student in my Wild Woman Workshop

held at the Birmingham Bloomfiled Art Center earlier this year.

This glorious explosion of color and joy

personifies the energy we all experienced during our time together.

Before beginning to collage, the surface was textured
with gesso or cheesecloth or gel,
and then painted.

Each Wild Woman began with a face cut from a magazine.

The surface was painted to add color and some visual texture.

Notice how both positive and negative shape was used by the artist in the pic below.
(see how the face shape is repeated?)

Yummy cheesecloth texture and cool blue and warm brown colors.

Color emphasizes the mood of the piece.

All of these photos show works in progress by students in the class.

What's on Your Reading List?

My reading list includes a plethora of subjects - most with an underlying theme of the feminine, her power and her place in the world. If you haven't yet read 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini, give it a read. Be prepared for your heart to ache and your emotions to reel.

While traveling through the lives portrayed in the book, I came to realize that what we need most now in our wonderful/uncertain/scary/magnificent world is a return to love. An awareness, acceptance, and allowing of our differences; a celebration of our commonalities.

I'll share a quote with you from my favorite web site, http://www.tut.com/

"It takes a BIG person, Donna Jean,

to accept full responsibility for their own happiness.

It takes an even BIGGER person

to accept full responsibility for their own unhappiness.

But, Donna Jean, it takes a spiritual GIANT,

who upon realizing any degree of unhappiness,

decides to be the change they seek

- in spite of having to endure the "same old, same old"

that may still linger on for awhile.

Yeah.
Fee-Fi-Foe-Fum,

The Universe'

Latest Assemblage

Just finished this and totally love my little

tree maidens finally made it into a finished piece!

They have been expectantly looking at me

from the top shelf in my studio for months now.

The jirls are totally delighted to be on display ... such exhibitionists!

Each figure is made of a trimmed branch from our burning bush

with a unique hand made clay head.

The three figures are representations of the stages of a woman's life:

Maiden

Mother

Crone

Hope your day is full of love, peace and creativity.

New Summer Classes at BBAC

I'm so looking forward to the workshops this summer! Got some great new ideas that will stretch you in new directions. Please check out the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center site - to view all the details. (As of today, they don't have their summer classes on line yet so keep checking back.)

Personal Expression using Ancient Alphabets - June 29,30, July 1
While teaching art to her middle school students over the past two years, Donna studied Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Australia, and the Americas. Each of these cultures is rich with ancient art, artifacts, and alphabets. In actual fact, some are really not alphabets at all but a system of glyphs or picture words. Incredibly interesting shapes and meanings are perfect for the creative person to observe, assimilate, and use as inspiration for his or her work. Explore these powerful symbols and use them to start a new series of work. Students should bring supplies that they normally use for painting.

Texture & Collage Painting - July 6, 7, 8
Experiment with texture gels to design a surface and create a focal point. Learn to use fabric and paper to create unusual surface textures. During this relaxed class, students learn to incorporate the Principle and Elements of Design to strengthen their collage work. This is a process oriented class, but students could end up with a finished piece or two. All levels welcome.

Bookmaking (For the Bookmaking Challenged) - July 9, 10, 11

The instructor admits that she is not a bookmaker in the traditional sense. She does not like the precise measuring and fussy attention to detail to create that “perfect” look. She will instruct on how to use unstretched artist canvas to create unique, textured journal covers. The pliability of the canvas gives the journal a soft feel, like worn leather. Instruction also includes luscious texture and painting techniques and various simple binding techniques.
To work on a number of journals, students should bring a variety of paper for pages. Suggestions include cardstock, printmaking paper, watercolor paper, as well as envelopes (manila, junk mail, and the like), decorative papers, rice paper (strong enough to hold up as a page), fabric, old maps, cereal and snack box cardboard, old paintings, and grocery sacks. This is a process and project oriented class. Students may have two or more finished journals by the end of class.

You can check out images and details on my web site.

http://www.donna-engstrom-abstract-art.com/art_classes.html

Come have some fun with me!

One of a Kind Show in Chicago

It's coming up fast - December 4-7 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.
A premier show with many fantastic artists. Click on the link to the left for more info.

Email me your address and I'll send you a postcard
with $3 off the admission price.

This is our second year and I am pleased to be showcased with so many other creatives. My booth will be filled with my new hand made, hand bound journals, as well as collaged canvases and my quirky figurative pieces.


The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit Chicago. So much is going on and the city is glowing with twinkle lights and ablaze with holiday spirit. I hope to see you there.