Everything Old is New Again

Industrial Layered Studies in Texture

I tend to move quickly.  An idea strikes, and if I have time in the studio, I execute it.  Often I'll play with a concept for weeks or months. (Or sometimes mere hours!)  And then, when the next commitment interrupts my flow, I'm off and running again.  When I return to my bench, it's generally with new inspiration, and I  move in a different direction. 

 

A little ADHD ?!?  Maybe.  It serves me well in many ways; but a recent visit with friends caused me to reexamine some of the projects, concepts, and techniques that I've abandoned through the years.  These include the earrings shown, and I'll share other similar pieces as I discover them.  They serve as a visual timeline of my professional life as a maker, and they remind me to pause occasionally to appreciate and fully examine what's in front of me in the moment.

Texture and Cold Connections
Still Steal My Heart

Art From The Heart of North Carolina - Dreams Come True at ARTworks Vass

Yesterday marked the one month anniversary of the dream-come-true that is ARTworks Vass.  The month flew, and we're enjoying the entire experience even more than we'd ever imagined. 

We love the classroom.  

We love the gallery.  

We love the special events.  

We love creating here.

We love our Artists in Residence.

We love the ART in all of its forms - Visual, Musical, Performing, Written, Culinary.

In fact, we love being even a small part of this wildly creative community!

Thank you to each of you near and far who have supported this dream.  To those who have listened, encouraged, laughed, cried, planned, supported, painted, built, created, displayed, worked, volunteered, cooked, attended, collected, promoted, performed, served, and generally loved us through our first month; thank you.  

We couldn't have done it without you, and we're looking forward to all that the future holds for us in this magical place.

Thank you for supporting ARTworks Vass.

Thank you for supporting ART from The Heart of North Carolina! 

2017's Major Creative Goal Is ...

My mystery response to this prompt
will soon be revealed to... both of us!

"The major creative goal that I want to achieve in 2017 is..."

Last night, as I continued to formalize my goals and plans for the year, this prompt became part of the process.

I had no problem coming up with a lengthy list of creative goals for the year.  Big and small, my creative dreams are always on my mind.  The challenge enters the picture when I'm asked to narrow them down to one major goal.  I've always been a girl who wants it all.  I dream big, and so much of the wild and wonderful ride that is my life's adventure has been a direct result of that single trait.

As I reflect in midlife, with the hope of self improvement and new beginnings, I recognize that my capacity for considering and pursuing huge numbers of hopes and dreams during every minute of every day has left me exhausted.  My attention has been divided in ways that don't always serve me well.

I suppose that the solution lies in the balance of all of it.  I'll continue to dream big, often, and

sometimes crazily; it's too much a part of who I am to ever stop.  I'll also work toward narrowing my focus, in dreams and in life, so that I can give my full attention to accomplishing my most imminent goals while still moving toward those that are dancing enthusiastically in the background.

I'm going to contemplate my response a bit longer, and I'd love to know what's on your creative horizon too.

What is the one major goal that YOU want to accomplish in 2017?  

Please leave your response in the comments below or email me directly at jeanskipper@jeanskipper.com.

Look at all the bright shiny colors!

As Debbie Keen proves, a bit of order
doesn't diminish their beauty.

Here's to a Heartfelt New Year!

New Year!

2017 is going to

filled with

I'm going to 

to the occasion.

Enjoy the

have

each step of the way.

and

Join me?

****************************************

Each of the pieces shown above is from 

"When Hearts Take Flight"

an artistic collaboration between 

Jean Skipper and Jodi Ohl.

Watch for more collaborative efforts and exciting news and announcements from Jean, Jodi, and ReMe Retreats in 2017!

In Living Color

In my jewelry and in my mixed media assemblages, I tend to be drawn to the same colors again and again.  These include the raw colors of all types of metal, and of metal in various forms of decay.  This palette is comforting to my eye, and somehow it has a story to tell.


In my work, the exception to this includes any and all of the folk art pieces that I create.  In these, all bets are off!  Bright rules; more colors are a wonderful thing; and generally each piece is polka dotted to within an inch of its life.



While I adore both of these approaches to my art, for years I've challenged myself to "add more color to my jewelry".  This has come in the form of beads, enameling, fiber, and various patinas.

In January, I joined the talented Debbie Keen and Nikki Thornburg-Lanigan for a weekend of creative play.  During our time together, we experimented with metal etching, enameling, graphite, colored pencils, and alcohol inks.  We learned from the good , the bad, and the ugly... and we had a ball!


As I posted this photos to Facebook today, I realized that this process of adding color continues to evolve for me, and I love where it's going.

The journey continues...

Inspiration in Living Color

Since our studios are side-by-side, how could I
my Critters and Creatires not find some inspiration in the
expansive color palette of Jodi Ohl's work?!?

I tend to find creative inspiration all around me everyday.  Often, I'm inspired without even thinking about it consciously, and I almost never find the need to articulate why or how something strikes a cord with me.  

Recently I was asked, "What inspires your work?"  This question caused me to pause, and it set me on a more conscious path toward identifying the sources of my inspiration.  "Color" is an answer that I return to again and again when I'm seeking inspiration.  Often it's the colors in nature that inspire me...the greening of trees in Spring, the blue of our Carolina Sky, or the palette that surrounds me while near the ocean.  

Man made cacophonies of color inspire me in a completely different way.  A few photos from my archives follow.  I find that these images are especially inspirational to me.

Glass in Debbie Keen's Lampworking Studio

Fresh veggies prepped and waiting to be transformed.

A collection of buttons at Creative Studios NC.

While inspiration from bright colors isn't always apparent in my collection,

It's hard to miss it when the mood moves me!

In my jewelry, and in Wanda's Folk Art.

Pattern and texture definitely inspire me as well; but I think I'll save that discussion for another day.

What inspires you?  If it's color, what are some of the images that move you to create and how is this inspiration reflected in your work?

When Opportunity Knocks - Creations from Jewelry Class - ReMe - Ocracoke - May 2016

Here's a sample of my work in process from my
'When Opportunity Knocks" Class

At the beginning of May, I had the absolute pleasure of leading my 'When Opportunity Knocks' class at our ReMe Retreat - Ocracoke.

This exploration in self expression is represented by vintage treasures, found objects, resin, beads, baubles, and other parts and pieces.  Our guests knocked it right out of the park!

Here for your viewing pleasure, in no particular order, are 

our guests' creations from this class.

**************************************************************************

We'll be publicly debuting our next 

ReMe Retreat on Monday, May 23rd.  

Stay tuned for more details!

Marketing Magic at The Magic Bean

I just returned from the most invigorating trip to Ocracoke Island.  I was there to lead a series of sessions called, Business Marketing For Creative Entrepreneurs.  We were the  best kind of business community!  Among our ranks there were visual artists, musicians, performers, photographers, and business owners.  We represented arts organizations, non-profits, news outlets, spas, salons, galleries, a book store, a tackle shop, and more!

For the first two days of our time together, we met in small groups at The Magic Bean Coffee Bazaar.  This warm wonderful location was the perfect place for us.  In addition to great coffee and other refreshments, owner Katy Mitchell and her staff welcomed us with open arms.

The story of The Magic Bean is probably best told in a personal visit; you must experience it for yourself!  For now, these pictures will have to do, and I encourage you to treat yourself to a stop at this gem anytime you're on Ocracoke.

Leave your mark.

Holy Creativity!  Inviting you to dive right in and play.

Something for everyone!

A few pieces by the talented Kitty Mitchell.

This was my view throughut the day.
The Magic continues outside...on the porch,
and in the yard and garden!

Thanks again to Katy Mitchell for extending her hospitality, and also to Kim Robinson Meacham of Milk Street Soaps, The Ocracoke Open Source Community, Hyde County, North Carolina, and Lentz Stowe of Beaufort Community College Small Business Center for facilitating such a wonderful opportunity for all involved!  I'll be providing additional details about all of you and the fabulous services that you provide soon on this blog.