michelle my belle

Playing with new Art Supplies

2009-11-09T15:59:04-08:00

while i was in Norway a few weeks ago, Janne and i messed around with some sculpty material called DAS. it was SO FUN. and easy to work with.

initially we made a very rough shape with tin foil.
then we just worked the clay over and worked it with our hands and a few simple tools.
let it dry 24 hours.
and then painted with mostly watered down acrylics.
slowly layering the colors.

this little guy was supposed to be a mouse but i'm thinking he looks a bit more like a bear.

i don't know if you can tell, we added a high gloss finish just to the eyes.
i think it made them come alive.

this was janne's piece.
here is another darling piece she created after i left.

it was refreshing to step out of my "normal" way of creating.
honestly i never would have thought that i was capable of sculpting.
it's a lot easier than it looks.
you should try it :)

Cheerful Colors in China

2009-11-06T10:51:04-08:00

i'm home!
loving my family and my freedom to blog and read other blogs.

kfc delivered by bicycle.
does anyone eat there anymore?
...besides in China.

Homeward Bound

2009-11-04T19:40:43-08:00

headin' home.
sitting in the Hong Kong airport
anxiously awaiting the sweet comforts of home.

a peep of what i've been working on.
i'm dying to show you more.
thanks to mean people who copy, i'll have to wait :(

better grab another quick cup of coffee so i can thoroughly annoy the people next to me. (i'm in a window seat-better for sleeping)

Last Day in Norway

2009-10-29T02:40:05-07:00

see the darling girl, janne machine embroidered it in about 30 seconds! so talented!

I'm home now.
Already missing my creative time with Janne.
What a treat this trip was.
So much learned. So much shared.

Glad to be home. Was missing my family.

My last day we spent in Bergen.
My youngest daughter's teacher has a cousin there.
She told me I "must" meet her.
I'm glad she insisted!
Kristin is a delight with a capital "D"!

She took us up Floyen to see the spread of the city.

To her AMAZING house! (i should have taken more pictures!)

And to her favorite coffee bar.

I love meeting new people!
Thank you Kristen for giving us the grand tour!!

This is Janne's uncle who we stayed the last night with.
He was so hospitable.
Insisting on making us a full breakfast at 6AM before we headed for the airport.
Check out this beautiful play house he built for his grandchildren.
Quite a guy.

Thank you Janne and Axel for opening your home and your life to me!
I will treasure this time forever!

Brown Cheese, Blue Seas and Arting

2009-10-26T02:31:46-07:00

more "Arting".
watered down acrylic on plaster.
unfinished.

ever heard of Brown Cheese?
slightly sweet and soft.
ummmm. yum!
traditional breakfast spread every morning:
bread. salted thin cut meat. spreads. jams. white and brown cheese.
i like this.
a lot.

Janne's pappa, Odd
(seriously. that's his name. and his wife's name is Gunn!)
took us out to sea on his boat today.

as far as i can remember
i've never been out on the sea before.
wasn't quite sure if i was going to get sick or not?
here i am
hoping NOT!

lot's of darling boat houses.

once out past all the cute islands.
and into the 6.5 feet waves.
i surprised myself.
and became a nervous nelly.

the view out Janne's front window

i survived.
no sea sickness.
thankful for yet another adventure.

Plaster Painting and Viking Soup

2009-10-25T06:37:58-07:00

My pictures don't do justice to just how beautiful it is here.

I'm relishing this time with my friend snapping pictures and dreaming.

The colors of her house are inspiring enough to feed an army of artists.
She's traveled a lot so it's filled with fun treasures from all over the world.

Hard at ARTING! Our new official word.

We visited a gallery on the other side of the island and were inspired by some work done by another artist. So we came back, pulled out the plaster and started playing.

I'm working on getting rid of the Norwegian flag. Just didn't look quite right.
I really like how the plaster soaks in heavier in some areas than others. And very easy to work with.

Janne's girl. Quite daring isn't she. A girl with major attitude.

We also visited the oldest church in Norway, Moster Church.
Lots of pretty important Norwegian history has taken place here.

Viking Stew, based on what they believe the Vikings ate way back when.
Salted Lamb, veggies and beans of some sort. Pretty tasty actually.

And don't worry about me eating enough...
one word.

BROWNiES!