WCA San Diego

Manipulated - on line exhibition

2010-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

There was a comment that the poster did not enlarge, the fix - go to http://www.sdwca.org/ and click on the On-Line shows tab , scroll down, and then click on the word "Manipulated" in orange with the green background. The prospectus is a pdf format and it will open and you can enlarge it as large as you want.

The deadline for submissions is 12/25/10.

MANIPULATED - On-Line Exhibition

2010-11-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

WCA San Diego has extended the submission deadline!

Don't miss out on this international exposure opportunity. The new deadline is Christmas Day at midnight. What is Santa bringing you?

GOING GREEN AWARDS

2010-09-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

The awards for WCA San Diego's first on-line show "GOING GREEN - SUMMER 2010" have been announced:
BEST IN SHOW - She Awaits
1ST PLACE - Spirit Hovering
2ND PLACE - What Were We Thinking Cap
3RD PLACE - Death of Analogue Data
HONORABLE MENTION - Blue Nile Boat Ride and Mother Earth II

Please check out the exhibition! www.zhibit.org/sdwcajuriedshow
and then click on "GOING GREEN"

GOING GREEN EXHIBTION

2010-09-06T10:36:00.001-07:00

The exhibition is now on-line and to the juror, Mollie Kellogg. Keep watching for the presentation of awards!

WCA SD President to appear on TV

2010-09-01T23:21:00.000-07:00

President Jennie Bottoms will be appearing on public access TV, "Community Artist Connection" on September 2nd, 9:30 pm on Cox Cable channel 23 in San Diego and channel 18 in North County.

Tune in and find out what is going on with WCA San Diego, and more about the annual retreat scheduled for September 10-12 this year!

WCA SD Members Judge US Open Sand Castle Competition

2010-07-26T08:49:00.000-07:00

Members of WCA San Diego will be judges for the sandcastle competition!

On Sunday AUGUST 8th, the 30th annual official U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition will be held. If you would like to be a judge there is still time to get trained and participate in this fun event. Its a day at the beach - watching as professional and amateur sand carving teams from throughtout the US compete for the more than $21,000 in cash prizes and the title of Master's Champion.

There will be festivities all weekend concluding when the sandcastle craver teams are presented with titles and cash prices presented at the Awards ceremonty on August 8th between 3 and 4 pm

Sandcastle building begins at 9:00 am and concludes at 2:00 p.m. Sculptures are only available for viewing until 4 pm due to the tides.

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER for the 13th ANNUAL 2010 WCA/SD RETREAT

2010-07-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER for the 13th ANNUAL 2010 WCA/SD RETREAT

The retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

Note: This event is for women, only. Sorry guys! Most of our events are co-ed, but this is for women only because of the sleeping arrangements.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE

PLEIN AIR PAINTING with Jen Bottoms

JOURNALING, BLIND DRAWING & MAKING YOUR OWN JOY

with Suzana Norberg

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS with Midge Hyde

ENCAUSTIC COLLAGE with Jaime Lyerly

(more details about the workshops below)

_______________________________________

WHEN

September 10th, 11th and 12th, 2010

WHERE

Camp Stevens, Julian, 1108 Highway 78,

Julian, California 92036 (760) 765-0028

We will be staying in the Wolterstorff Lodge

FEE

$150 Retreat only WCA SD members

$175 Retreat & 1 year basic 2011 membership for WCA

members

$190 Retreat & 1 year basic 2011 WCA Membership for

non-members.

All include 3 days, 2 nights and 5 meals (organically grown

and prepared by Camp Stevens ), and all workshop fees

DIRECTIONS

From San Diego : Take Highway 67 to Ramona, then

Highway 78 east to Julian. Camp Stevens is located 2

miles east of Julian on State Highway 78. There is a

“ Camp Stevens ” entrance sign on the left side of the

highway exactly 2 miles from Julian.

Your $50 Non-refundable deposit due by August 1, 2010

(check or PayPal) secures your reservation. Balance

due by September 1st, by check or PayPal. Upon final

payment you will receive a detailed map, packing list,

materials list, materials to bring and schedule, via

e-mail.

NOTE: There is limited cell phone service.

Women’s Caucus for Art, San Diego

13th Annual Retreat

at Camp Stevens

Julian, California

September 10th, 11th and 12th, 2010

QUESTIONS AND INFO:

Jen Bottoms, (619) 892-3429

9500 Harritt Road, #75

Lakeside, CA 92040

jenniebottoms@gmail.com

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

JOURNALING, BLIND DRAWING and MAKING YOUR OWN JOY with Suzana Norberg

As an advertising copywriter, Sue discovered the joy of art late in life. Inspired by “Harriett The Spy,” her favorite book as a child, Sue always kept a notebook of observations and snippets of overheard conversations.

But it wasn’t until the accidental discovery of three fabulous and freeing books that Sue began incorporating drawing into her work. See the three books that changed Sue’s creative life, page through her journals, and be prepared to draw with your eyes closed. Then apply it all to recording your weekend in a sketchbook that will be provided.

PLEIN AIR PAINTING with Jen Bottoms

Plein Air Painting is painting outdoors. Using oils, acrylics or watercolors whatever is your medium of choice, you will learn simple pallet color and placement while exploring the great outdoors and your personal emotions with the intent of taking out the intimidation factor. Realistic and non-realistic painters alike will love this enabling workshop that will set your spirit free and help you create
flowing, eye appealing works of art. Just let yourself go!

YOGA FOR BEGINNERS with Midge Hyde

Midge has done yoga for over 10 years. She plans to do light yoga exercises, first a warm up, practicing shallow and deep breathing. She reccomends everyone who has a yoga mat to bring it along. We will do mostly standing poses in case there are not enough mats for seated poses. The poses she likes are good stretches and parts of sun salutations, nothing too strenuous, just good stretching and deep breathing....a good way to end or start a day.

ENCAUSTIC COLLAGE with Jaime Lyerly

Encaustic is beeswax, damar resin and pigment applied to a surface hot and fused using heat. We will not be using pigment but instead, be learning the basic techniques of of encaustic collage in this workshop. We will explore layering, collage, incising, embedding and transfers. There will be plenty of time for hands on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this “hot” way of painting.

ABOUT CAMP STEVENS and WCA/SD RETREAT

We will stay in the Wolterstorff Lodge, which was built from the ashes of the Bishop’s Lodge, destroyed in the “Angel Fire” of September 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4 six person rooms with 2 shared baths, and a meeting room with a fireplace. The OUTDOOR FACILITIES include tree house, outdoor chapel and other outdoor meeting and gathering spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a swim in the pool (seasonal), a stroll in the botanical garden, games on the lawns, basketball and volleyball, or an evening campfire.

I hope you can join us! You can check out pictures from last year's retreat on my Facebook page ~ Jaime Lyerly

13th Annual Retreat

2010-06-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

The Retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE
PLEIN AIR PAINTING with Jen Bottoms
JOURNALING, BLIND DRAWING & MAKING YOUR OWN JOY with Suzana Norberg
YOGA FOR BEGINNERS with Midge Hyde
ENCAUSTIC COLLAGE with Jaime Lyerly

WHERE: Camp Stevens, Julian, 1108 Highway 78, Julian CA 92036
We will stay in the Wolterstorff Lodge, which was built from the askes of the Bishop's Lodge, destroyed in the "Angel Fire" of September 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4-6 person rooms with 2 shared baths and a meeting room and gathering spaces.

go to http://www.sdwca.org/new/calendar.htm for full details, the registration form and fee schedule

Watch me tonight live on Community Artist Connection Public Access TV Show!

2010-06-10T17:46:00.000-07:00

Haven't gotten enough of me "talking" on my blog? Watch me on TV!

Tonight at 8 pm, I will be interviewed by artist Laura Jean Thompson for her Community Artist Connection Public Access TV Show.

We will be talking about my encaustic art, future career goals and whatever else she throws my way.

I am surprisingly less nervous than I would expect at the moment. However, I am not sure what is going to happen when I actually get there!

You can watch the broadcast LIVE via the internet at the link below. It should be on 8 pm, PST.
Live Broadcast!

There is supposed to be a "Chat" function that you can ask questions which we can see. This is all new to me so I am not sure how that all works. But feel free to check it out!

I am even letting my 13-year-old son watch via the internet at home. He may be the only kid in the world who would want to "chat" with his mom during her interview.

The show will air later on Public Access TV. I will let you know exactly when it will be on.

Okay - time to shove down some dinner and get moving!

Thanks for the support! ~Jaime Lyerly

San Diego area volunteers needed! Tag Project at Kiku Gardens on Saturday, June 5, 2010

2010-06-04T14:01:00.000-07:00

Image from the Tag Project Facebook page

In San Diego area and have nothing to do this Saturday morning?

Want to help with an amazing project?

Great! Come join us at the Kiku Gardens as we help Artist Wendy Maruyama "age" tags for her Tag Project: E.O. 9066. See this invite below from Wendy:

The Tag Project will be at Kiku Gardens Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10 AM - noon. We are now at a point where we need help taking the tags through an aging process (dunking in coffee and krinkling and setting out to dry).

If you would like to help, please bring rubber gloves, old newspapers, and if you have one, a plastic dishpan or some similar plastic container for dunking tags.

Roll up your sleeves, and join the fun!!

Location:

Kiku Gardens
1260 Third Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91911

Time: 10 AM til 12 pm

Here is more about the Tag Project from the Facebook page:

This project was begun as part of my research on Executive Order 9066: it is the first time I made the personal decision to really look at this sorry chapter in history as a Japanese American artist. I plan to focus on this direction in my work for the next few years.

One project, "The Tag Project", was started in New York - I replicated 1011 tags from internees from my hometown (San Diego/Chula Vista). I was inspired by the thousands of folded origami cranes I saw at the Hiroshima Peace memorial and this group of tags was called "Cascade". I was also deeply moved by the photos of Dorothea Lange, one is shown above: it was her photos that initially provided the physical and emotional weight of the internment, and how it so profoundly affected the Japanese American citizens during and for years to come. All Japanese Americans were rounded up in 1942 and each were issued a tag and an ID number designating their destination: one of several internment camps, all in desolate deserted areas of the United States. The most haunting and striking photos were of the families wearing tags at the various assembly centers before being shipped off by train to these remote areas.

I was taken by the weight of these tags when they were completed and hung, despite appearing to be light and airy. This struck me as being very relevant to the way the internment was perceived by the general American Public. To this day it shocks me to still run into fellow Americans who had no clue that this had happened. I am going to commit to making all 120,000 tags, for all the Japanese Americans who were sent to all the camps. I feel that the sheer numbers and the scale of these tags will convey to all who view this that the internment was a massive project that was to affect an entire culture of people and their future generations.

Find out more on the The TAG Project: E.O. 9066 Blog.

Interview with Wendy in American Craft Magazine - "The Tag Project: In Search of Cultural Memory"

Tag Project Video

The Tag Project | Poston from xavier vasquez on Vimeo.

About Wendy Maruyama -

Wendy Maruyama is Head of the San Diego State Furniture Design /Woodworking program and has taught at SDSU since 1989. Prior to that she has headed programs at California College of Arts and Crafts and at the Appalachian Center for Crafts. She received her BA from San Diego State and MFA from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has been the recipient of a Fulbright Grant to England, foreign travel grants to France and Japan, and four NEA Craftsmen's Fellowships. She also serves on several non-profit boards, including the Furniture Society and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. She is a frequent workshop leader and lecturer and her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. It is documented in numerous publications and included in public collections, among them the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, American Craft Museum, Oakland Museum, Mingei International Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Arizona State University Museum in Tempe.

I know it is late notice, but you really want to come to this event! I would love to see you there.

Happy volunteering! ~ Jaime Lyerly, SDWCA Social Networking Coordinator

Opening Reception tonight for SDSU's "Comatose in the Sculptorium"

2010-05-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

Reminder!

Tonight from 6-9 pm is the San Diego State University's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture class anonymously juried show called "Comatose in the Sculptorium"

Exhibition: Comatose in the Sculptorium: SDSU's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture student show

Dates/Times: May 15 - 20, 2010. Hours variable. Opening: May 15, 2010 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Location: San Diego State University, Flor Y Canto Gallery on the fifth floor of the Art Department.

More Information: Facebook event

What's in it for you:

Support local and emerging artists!
See the experimental and conceptual sculpture that is being produced by the SDSU sculpture students. The variety is amazing.
See my untitled 3-D encaustic sculptures from 2009 in a whole new setting and installation.
Meet the infamous instructor and local artist, Richard Keely.
FREE ADMISSION!

Hope to see you there!

~ Jaime Lyerly

The World of Art Exhibition

2010-05-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

The opening for this exhibition was great. I met lots of new people and of course it goes without saying the ART was fantastic!

Coco's place is an incredible place for an exhibition! If you can get to the show before it closes (2 weeks), you won't be disappointed.

Call for Entries - San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Member Show "A World of Art"

2010-04-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Oops, I am a little (okay a lot) behind on reading my emails, and almost missed the deadline to post this.

If you are a woman artist in San Diego, CA, you won't want to miss this show!

Dear San Diego Women's Caucus for Art (SDWCA) Members,

Don't miss this opportunity to participate in

"A World of Art" - a SDWCA Group Art Show!

May 1 – May 15, 2010

Share your art with the other members, their families, friends, and colleagues.

See attached flyer for all the details and your

entry form. (Bring it with you when you drop off your artwork).

Contact Midge Hyde with any questions you may have and to register your entry.

619.466.3711, midgehyde@gmail.com

Please forward this to anyone you know who is interested in joining SDWCA and entering the show.

ENTRY DATE IS TOMORROW! April 16, 2010 at 6 pm.

~ Jaime Lyerly

gARTage sale tomorrow at 8 a.m. look!

2010-03-12T17:07:00.000-08:00

lg sized paint brushes 6 for $1.00, golden's mediums $1.00 a jar, all crafts supplies $1.00 each, pens 20cents each ---- lots more stuff.
march 13, saturday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
lisa bebi
7941 cinnabar drive
la mesa, CA 91941
(619) 463-3008
rain or shine - in my garage
3 artists cleared out their studios after years of accumulation - please don't make us put t back. i will cry.

bring your own bag.

Call for Art Donations - CSNO Art Relief Silent Auction, THIS Saturday, March 13, 2010, 6-9:30 pm in Balboa Park, San Diego

2010-03-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

This seems like a worthy cause with a timely request, so I had to promote it.

See the message below:

Invitation to our CSNO ART SILENT AUCTION!

Hello!

My name is Stephanie Carman Burgos, co-president for the SDSU on campus club College Students for New Orleans. This spring break Claudia Huizar (co- president) and I will be leading a group of 38 SDSU students to New Orleans for relief work in the St Bernard's Parish in the Greater New Orleans area. This will be our club's 9th trip. The purpose of this trip is not only for our Nawleanteers (New Orleans+ Volunteers) to rebuild houses, re-do landscaping and community centers, but also to spread the word about Louisiana's destroyed condition. The media has neglected to shine light upon this issue, even 5 years after the actual event; we want to enlighten Americans about this ongoing issue, here on US soil.

We would be ecstatic if you could talk for a few minutes about our cause at your general meetings, as well mention our CSNO ART RELIEF SILENT AUCTION. This will take place in El Centro Cultural de la Raza-Balboa Park THIS Saturday March 13 from 6-9:30. Our art relief will be a fun night filled with live entertainment, drinks and food. This silent auction is open to all of San Diego. We are hoping for a great turn out, as this is our main form of fundraising for our trip.

Important!!! : We are still accepting all mediums of art, so if you could briefly encourage people to donate their art, that would be greatly appreciated. All artists' art will be professionally displayed with their piece title as well as name. All funds raised will go directly go to our trip. Interested? Contact Danie Maxwell at max95618@yahoo.com

TICKET PRICES: pre sale- student $7, general $12. at the event- student $10 , general $15

Safe online donations are also accepted: http://ihcenter.org/groups/csno

Thank you so much, if you have any further questions, please email me back or call me at 530.220.2935

Peace, Stephanie

--
Claudia Huizar & Stephanie Carman Burgos
Presidents, College Students for New Orleans
San Diego State University
StudentsVolunteer@gmail.com
Claudia:805.816.1401 Stephanie:530.220.2935

Check out our website: http://StudentsVolunteer.googlepages.com/
Donate at: http://ihcenter.org/groups/csno

- Jaime Lyerly

come to the gARTage sale march 13 - my house.

2010-03-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

come to buy used art supplies for cheap. you don't need to bring something to sell - or barter - that is just an option.

the main event is the garage style sale of materials, supplies and books from my studio and other artists.

lisa bebi's garage

march 13 from 8 am to 1 p.m.

email me fo raddress and directions.

lisabebiart@aol.com

gARTage sale at lisa bebi's house

2010-03-04T14:13:00.000-08:00

hi everyone.
i am hosting a huge gARTage sale next saturday, march 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at my house (garage) in La Mesa.

we will have several artists selling their studio overflow -i.e. art supplies, papers, books, tools, craft materials etc. i don't think there will be art for sale (that's a different event).

if you have something to sell, you may bring it early with a tag on it.
the tag needs to have this info on it:

you name
your price
short general title of item (i.e. paper, pens, paints, etc)
a place to mark "sold" and a place to write the final bargaining price.
then duplicate that info onto the same tag so that we can tear that tag in half.
half the tag goes to the cashier and the other half goes back to you.

or you could stay and help and sell you own stuff.
and, if you are interested in bartering - just bring your stuff and hang around for awhile to barter with whomever may be present. i will leave that part to you.
if you feel so inclined bring starbucks! to share with me! ok.

if you donate stuff to sell or just leave your stuff behind, i will take it to a charity organization like AMVETS or Goodwill.
if you are interested in attending or participating email me at lisabebiart@aol.com for my address. i don't want to post my home address on the internet...
thanks, lisa bebi
if it rains, its called off.

A Thousand Ways to Draw a Tree: Expressive Drawing Workshop in San Diego this Sunday 2/28/2010

2010-02-24T12:48:00.000-08:00

Here is a workshop taught by San Diego Women's Caucus for Art member Valerie Samuel Henderson. Got some free time this weekend? (okay...I know free time doesn't exist...) Come to this workshop. Check it out:

RISKY BUSINESS! Draw Fast and Loose.

An expressive drawing workshop this Sunday, Feb. 28 10am-3pm

It’s called “A Thousand Ways to Draw a Tree”. You get to invent the ways! You get to think like an eight-year-old and draw outside the lines. Experiment, do quick sketches, and try working with new materials like charcoal taped to a stick, graphite crayons, and mixing oil pastel with India ink. Get inspired by Rembrandt, Van Gogh and your kid sister.

Here is the information from the website:

An expressive drawing workshop... Drawing trees is the theme and the focus is intuition, spontaneity and invention. You’ll do lots and lots of quick sketches using memory, observation and imagination. Find ways to draw trees by playing with line like you might play a melody on a saxophone. Experiment with different kinds of drawing tools from graphite sticks to long straws dipped in ink. This is an opportunity to try new things whether or not you have ever taken a drawing class before, or if you’re looking to refresh some sparks.

$62 members / $72 non-members Materials fee $10

Monday, January 18 10am – 3pm

Sunday, February 28 10am – 3pm

Sunday, April 11 10am – 3pm

Taught by an inspired mixed media artist, Valerie Samuel Henderson (BFA in Painting, Mass. College of Art. MFA in Visual Art, U.C.S.D.)

Bravo School of Art. 2690 Historic Decatur Rd Studio 206. San Diego , CA 92106 . 619-223-0058

workshops@BravoSchool of Art.com

www.BravoSchoolOfArt.com

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti's Art Reception and Wine Tasting at "The Wine Spot" Feb 27, 2010

2010-02-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

A unique art reception and wine tasting event on Saturday, February 27, 2010 featuring 2010 San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Vice President Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti.

Here is more information about Ellie and her event:

Ellen Benfatti was born in the United States and resides in North San Diego, California. Several years ago she experienced a life altering event while visiting the spa of a luxury cruise line. Ellen was invited to experience a Reiki treatment. Shortly after her experience she began to have a strong desire to paint. She went on to become a certified Reiki Master Teacher and Artist. She was recently featured on San Diego public television for her brilliant use of color and its connection to increased health. She has spent the last several years studying the affects of color on the human body. Ellie’s studio is located at the New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. She’s a full time Artist and Pain Management Consultant.

She’s currently a featured artist for the Banners lining Pacific Coast Highway in Leucadia.

She opens at “The Wine Spot” on Feb 27th her exhibit will run from Feb 27-March 30th.

Feb 27th Art Reception and Wine Tasting 7-10 pm
The Wine Spot 2917 State St. Carlsbad
Complimentary Wines and Cheeses served from 7-8:30pm

Ellie will be raffling one of her gorgeous pictures and she'll be serving complimentary wines for tasting from 7-8:30.
RSVP on her Facebook event page or just come on down!

To learn more about her you may visit her portfolio at:
www.angelicmanifestations.com

Support local independent artists!
~ Jaime Lyerly, 2010 President of San Diego Women's Caucus for Art

Open Art Studio at Silverton Business Center in San Diego - RESCHEDULED to March 13, 2010

2010-02-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

3.3.2010 update: EVENT RESCHEDULED to March 13, 2010.

Want to see artists in their creative space? Go to an open art studio!

Since I create on my balcony (for encaustics), in my house for other projects, and at the SDSU classrooms, I don't really have my own studio. So it is a privilege to be able to come into the studio space of others and see how they work their magic.

Here is upcoming open art studio not to be missed featuring 6 artists including former San Diego Women's Caucus for Art member Anna Stoa. Information provided by Grace Matthews.

Silverton Ave Open Studios Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 1 – 4pm

Please join us for the first open studios of six artists at the Silverton Business Center in Mira Mesa.

7949-7955 Silverton Ave San Diego, CA 92126
http://art-studio-events.blogspot.com/

Artists:
Rafael “Fallo” Mareyna
Becky Guttin
Gail Liebig
Anna Stoa
Grace Matthews
Sarah Tippit

I am going to try my best to go to this event to peek into these active artist's studios.

Happy studio visiting! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Video from smARTist Telesummit alumni

2010-01-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

I have been eagerly anticipating the smARTist Telesummit which starts TOMORROW, Thursday, January 21, 2010!

The free preview calls are still available for any artist who is interested. You are able to listen to the speakers for the conference all without spending any money. Last year, the preview calls are what hooked me to sign up for the full session. This year, I barely hestiated to sign up, even before the first preview. Last year's conference was amazing and I am excited to listen and take action again.

Ready to jump start your artist career but not sure how? Still not sure what all this talk about smARTist Telesummit is all about? I am here to help again. You may have read my testimonial on my blog post about last year's smARTist. Facilitator Ariane Goodwin shares a video from Artist Amadea Bailey with her smARTist video testimonial.

Embedded videos work for blogger, but will not show when this blog is imported into Facebook, so check it out through this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uYnZmpGoGQ

Feeling compelled to see more about this smARTist Telesummit and maybe take the leap and sign up? Wonderful! I will be right there with you.

Learn more about smARTist and register through my affiliate link.

Click Here http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=887631 (Jaime Lyerly's affiliate link)

My college classes start the same day as the smARTist Telesummit, so I am not sure how much blogging I will get to do while it is going on. However, I will be writing all about it and giving you tips that you can use. The sessions are dense with information, and I am glad this year I signed up to have the transcripts in paper format. Listening later via the internet and downloading the MP3s is the best way for me to be able to attend this conference AND still attend classes.

To your art career success!
~ Jaime Lyerly, President San Diego Women's Caucus for Art

San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Winter Newsletter including Annual Retreat Photos

2010-01-11T12:06:00.000-08:00

You have heard me mention it before, or seen a post on Facebook about it. Wondering what the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art (SDWCA) is all about? I am here to help!

Here is a link to view the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Winter Quarterly Newsletter that is sent out to all members and is available in hard copy at our events. http://sn.im/sdwcanewletter12-09

You can also read previous newsletters at http://www.sdwca.org/new/newsletter.htm

The December newsletter features pictures and information about the Annual Retreat, which I taught "Encaustic Technique." I have been promising pictures and stories on the blog for so long, and I am sorry to let you down. However, I have posted pictures of the Annual Retreat on my Facebook fan pag e, so please check them out there!

The current newsletter also has the final President's message from Laura Jean Thompson, 2005 - 2009 SDWCA President, which includes the official announcement that I am not sure everyone knows yet.

Yours truly, Jaime Lyerly, is the new 2010 President of the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art! Hurray!

I am so excited to be leading the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art this year, along with my two Vice Presidents, Ellie Benfatti and Jen Bottoms. We had our first meeting of the new year yesterday and it was electric!

Here is a little taste of what we have in store for the new year:

Free artist demos open to the public after each of our monthly Board meetings
Juried and Invitational Exhibitions
Online Juried Exhibitions
Development of Scholarship and Professional Grants for artists

This is new territory for the SDWCA, so it will take some work to establish all that we are trying to do. But I believe in my Board will make this happen!

Now back to Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

"Starving to Successful" Author Jason Horejs at the FREE smARTist Preview Call, TONIGHT!

2010-01-05T12:07:00.000-08:00

Last minute change to the Free smARTist Preview call that I wrote about in last week's post Twitter and smARTist 2010. Now it is focused on finding your own path to success.

See the information below about the Free Preview call tonight!

You know that success in the art world doesn't follow the same path for every artist.

And it's great to hear how other artists have figured out their path – you'll get ideas, tips, and suggestions to mix-and-match and use to smooth your own path!

Jason Horejs grew up in the art world – literally: his father is successful painter, John Horejs.

Jason owns Xanadu Gallery and is the author of Starving to Successful: How to Find and Keep the Right Gallery for Your Art, at Any Stage of Your Career. He'll be talking with Ariane Goodwin of smARtist®, tonight about three artists who have found their path to success in very different ways. And he'll be talking about why NOW is the perfect time to be looking for gallery representation.

Tonight, Tuesday, Jan 5th 7-8 pm ET (NY) 4-5 pm PT (CA)

===========================================
If you haven't signed up for the pre-events yet, click here to sign up and get the call-in & webcast details for all the Pre-events (and access to the recording afterwards):

Click Here > http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=887631 (Jaime Lyerly's affiliate link)

* Find the sign-up box in the upper right corner of that web page * Enter your name and email * Look in your inbox for all the call-in & webcast details ===========================================
One thing Ariane makes sure of—all of her smARTist Pre-events have meat on the bone!

Registration is open for the 7-day conference which starts on January 21st, and for a limited time you can make your budget as happy as your art career by paying over 3 installments but only until midnight (PT), tonight:

Click Here > http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=887631 (Jaime Lyerly's affiliate link)

From a smARTist alumni from last year: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
I just want to say, I'm astounded at where my art career has led me since I partook in your course!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When I look back at where I was when I signed up in December to where I am now ... it is truly amazing. The creativity in my work has really opened up. I am no longer afraid to take the next steps. The public art gallery (Art Gallery of Hamilton) in my city has a piece of my work and has asked that I keep them informed about any new work and what is happening with my career. WOW. I can't thank you enough for running an awesome course! - Elle How ----------------------------------------------------------------------

You shouldn't miss this FREE preview calls! There is no obligation to smARTist or myself for signing up for these. It is not a scam. Trust me on this one. And you won't be sorry that you listened.

Sure you can get this art career information other places, but why not take advantage of the fact that it is all available to online to download and listen to at your leisure (or break from the studio!)

To read more about my love of smARTist Telesummit, go to this post about my experience with the 2009 smARTist Telesummit.

Happy Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

lisa bebi: short interview regarding bard hall show.

2010-01-04T19:39:00.001-08:00

Join me at the 2010 smARTist Telesummit in January. Get Recognized, Exhibited and Paid for Your Art!

2009-12-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

I have been waiting to send out this information about the 2010 smARTist Telesummit until after Christmas, but the offer below is too wonderful to wait. So you will get my testimony and plug for this awesome event now while you are in the frenzy of holiday preparations. Don't worry; I won't take up too much of your time!

The 2009 smARTist Telesummit launched my art career last January. I found out about it through the Art Biz Coach, Alyson Stanfield, since she was one of the Keynote Speakers.

I had just started reading her book "I'd rather be in the Studio," and was decompressing from another long and grueling college semester. But the timing was right for me. The smARTist Telesummit is in between my Fall semester and the start of Spring semester. I would actually have time to process this information. What a better way to start of the year than to focus on the beginning of my art career?

The 2009 smARTist motto was:

Get Clear.
Make A Plan.
Inspire The World
With Your Art.

Get clear? That I needed to do. Make a plan? Yeah, I guess I need one of those...and Inspire the World with you Art- that sounds right up my alley!

I was hooked. The only obstacle was the cost. The smARTist telesummit is a hefty price for a self-supporting student and mother to afford. But smARTist offered a 100% money back guarantee. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

So I signed up for the smARtist Telesummit and was amazed on how much information could be crammed into these 1 hour phone call/recordings. You "attend" the conference by either calling into a special phone number during a certain time or downloading an MP3 recording and listening later. There are handouts to download and print out, and a members only discussion board where you can ask questions of Ariane (the facilitator), connect with other participates or just gush about the wonderfulness of the presentation.

After just a few days of listening to the recordings, I learned so much about social networking that I hopped right into Facebook, Twitter and Blogging. I am pretty tech-savvy so this part was easy. Plus there were handouts to tell exactly how to do it all. Then I started on the more difficult items, such as making a plan for my art business. Since this conference is meant for people of all stages of their career, there is lots of information that I am not quite ready to implement (such as getting corporate sponsors for your work). As the school year started for me again, I was prepared to maintain and enhance my sprouting artist career while tackling my classes. If you want to know all that I accomplished this year, check out my post Celebrate your Accomplishments for 2009.

Long story short - the smARTist Telesummit is amazing and worth every penny - for ANY STAGE of your Art Career.

2010 smARTist Telesummit is this motto:
Focus, Facts and Fabulous Art
Get Recognized,
Exhibited,
and Paid what you Deserve!

Check out the pre-event recordings to hear what this is all about. Right click and open this in a separate tab to check it out and then come back here to register using my affiliate link.

http://smartist.com/live-telesummit/pre-event/recordings/

Now for what would drive me to send out this information now! This is a steal! I really wish I would have paid for this upgrade last year so that I could have the transcript recordings. But if you act now, you get this upgrade for FREE! Crazy, I know.

For the next 48 hours (until midnight Dec. 24th PST/CA), or up to 50 registrations, you can get all 3 upgrades ($97 value) for the price of a standard registration for the live 7-day conference:

* A COMPLETE SET OF WRITTEN TELESUMMIT TRANSCRIPTS-all 14 Sessions

Download immediately to your computer. Print. Read. Highlight.
2 MasterMind Panel Days, and 12 Keynote Speaker Presentations.

* Ariane’s "STAY-ON-TRACK" GROUP COACHING PROGRAM

A unique 15-day, "Stay-On-Track" group coaching program, to help you get results before the dust settles. Ariane will be your personal guide to help you
1) identify the holes in your career before the event, and then
2) create your post-event action plan to fill in those holes.

* ACCESS to SPECIAL PLATINUM MEMBER'S ONLY FORUM
Enjoy special access to a Platinum Members' Only Forum where you can dialogue directly with Art Career coach, Ariane, and chat with other artists about how they are using the "Stay-on-Track" Program to get the most out of the conference.

Step 1: Click here to register (please use this link, since it is my affiliate link):
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=887631

Step 2: After you choose to upgrade, type (or copy/paste) this code in the Coupon Code Box and click "apply" to get all 3 upgrades immediately: 2010UPGRADE

Then, let the wild January rumpus begin, where your art career gets all the attention.

PS: Registration is open for the 7-day conference in January, and for a limited time you can choose to pay over 3 installments:

Click Here >
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=887631

Feel free to email me with any questions you have about last year's smARTist Telesummit. It was really life changing. You owe it to yourself to at least check out this conference.

Happy Holidays! I look forward to seeing all that you can accomplish this next year! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Back from the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat!

2009-11-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

See my encaustic paintings here.

Just a short note to let you all know that I am back from the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Annual Retreat, which was last weekend, November 13 - 15, 2009.

I have lots of pictures and stories to tell (don't worry - nothing embarrassing for the wine-drinking ladies,) but this is a super busy week for me with something scheduled everyday and I won't get to them until probably Sunday.

Since this retreat is for women only (because of the close sleeping quarters), it had an abundance of feminine energy, which is similar to my monthly San Diego Women's Drum Circle. However, I have never spent a weekend devoted solely to making art, meeting new people and being out in nature before. Usually, I am trapped inside with my school books (Japanese is killing me....) and spend what little time I have outside of that with my partner Chris and almost 13 year old son, Xen. I couldn't even tell you the last time I had been alone, which is a sad fact in itself. Although I did attend Ellen Benefatti's Healing Family Constellation Workshop on Friday, I have to admit that I left early during Judi Burnett's Portrait Painting Workshop so that I could be alone outside in nature. I sat on a fallen tree branch and wrote in my journal for a hour, before heading off to lunch and then to teach my afternoon workshop. More about these workshops and pictures later.

After a relaxing lunch of mushroom risotto, I came back to set up to teach Encaustic Painting Technique on Saturday afternoon. My workshop went very well, although I am not sure how many people I converted to ways of the wax, yet. We set up the stations outside to keep the smell away from the more sensitive members, and to be outside. What I wasn't counting on was how quickly the sun would go down and how cold it would get! The pictures look like I gave this workshop in Alaska, instead of Julian, California in November. The winter gear and people huddled around the heat guns will give you a hint of the weather change for all of us.

It was an amazing weekend and I look forward to sharing more about the workshops and activities, as well as the stories and general fun we had this weekend. Missing this year's retreat? You can come next year! It is an annual retreat, and while this was my first year going, I know it will not be my last.

Until then, why don't you join us in the WCA/SD Facebook Group page? I am trying to get all the members, prospective members and people who just want to know what we are doing to join this group. You can post your events to our wall, and know that you have an audience that is active in the San Diego Arts community. Share with your friends! They need to be a part of this too.

Happy art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Helen Redman's art show "Tensions in the Journey: From Child to Crone" at the Women's History Museum in San Diego

2009-11-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

Another great event coming to the San Diego area this weekend on November 6, 2009: Founding Mother of the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art (SDWCA) Helen Redman's one woman show "Tensions in the Journey: From Child to Crone" at the Women's History Museum and Educational Center (WHMEC). Check out the press release below from the WHMEC for more information.

Tensions in the Journey:
From Child to Crone
Helen Redman

Exhibition: Nov. 6 - Dec. 5, 2009
Opening reception: November 6, 6-9 PM
Lecture/discussion: November 21, 2-4 PM

For nearly a half century, Helen Redman has been making art. Her stunning portraits and evocative mixed media works track events, both momentous and ordinary, in women’s life cycle. Much more than a visual account of one woman’s perspective on life, her works illuminate something transcendent: they compose a visual memoir of the flux and flow of embodiment and identity across a woman’s life cycle, a memory-laden landscape of time’s passing in a life lived through a certain era and in a particular body.

To celebrate the nearly fifty-year career of the artist Helen Redman, the Women's History Museum and Education Center is hosting Tensions in the Journey: From Child to Crone, an exhibition of selected works from the 1960s-2000s. The exhibition runs from Nov 6 - December 5, 2009, and opens with a reception on November 6th, 6-9 PM at 2323 Broadway, Suite 107, San Diego, California 92102. The exhibition is also part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of women's studies at San Diego State University.

http://www.birthingthecrone.com

I love Helen Redman's work and think this show is going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing more of her work and meeting this powerfully moving artist. I hope you can join me!

Happy art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Artist Lisa Bebi Paint Over Demo added to the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat in November 2009

2009-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

We are honored to have Lisa Bebi to join us as a demo instructor for the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat on November 13 - 15, 2009 in Julian, California! Get ready to have some fun and make some art.

Here is all the information. Hope you can join us!

The retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

THE FAMILY FIELD AND CONSTELLATIONS, group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
PORTRAIT PAINTING with Judith Burnett
ENCAUSTIC TECHNIQUE with Jaime Lyerly
(More details about the workshops below)

Now Added!
PAINT OVER DEMO with Lisa Bebi
See Lisa's innovative Paint Over Technique on her blog, Pimp my Spleen, and in Somerset Studio's Workshop Volume 4.

When: November 13, 14, 15, 2009

Where: Camp Stevens in Julian
1108 Highway 78
Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760)765-0028
We will be staying in the new Wolterstorff Lodge.

Fee: A $135 (member), $155 (non-member) or $180 (retreat plus basic membership) fee covers registration, 2 nights and 5 meals (organically grown and prepared by Camp Stevens), and all workshop fees. Note: There might be a small materials fee.

Directions:
From San Diego: Take highway 67 to Ramona, then Highway 78 east to Julian. Camp Stevens is located 2 miles east of Julian on State Highway 78.
There is a “Camp Stevens” entrance sign on the left side of the highway exactly 2 miles from Julian.

REGISTER EARLY!
A deposit of $35 (refundable before November 6, 2009) is required to secure your reservation, and the full amount of $135, $155 or $180, is due at registration.

Registered participants will receive a detail map, a packing list, schedule, and other details via mail. Please let us know if you require a special diet, or have physical restrictions.

Note: There is no cell phone service.

Workshop Descriptions:
(A WCA/SD membership is NOT required to participate in the retreat)

The family field and constellations; group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
There is a “life force” that flows through families, generation after generation. This force is one, which relates family member’s to each other. This is part of the family field of consciousness. We call it the Family Soul. Ellen will be facilitating a healing session which works with the energetic patterns held within the family. Come ready to heal and restore balance to your body, mind, and soul. The time spent together during this workshop will most likely change your view of yourself, humanity, and your family in a way that fosters more love, compassion, health, and vitality.

Portrait Painting in oils with Judith Burnett
You will learn a basic portrait painting technique. You will learn how to pose your model in order to get a good likeness and a satisfying painting; what materials and colors you will need, and how to mix and apply your paint.

Encaustic painting with Jaime Lyerly
Encaustic is beeswax, damar resin and pigment applied to a surface hot and fused using heat. You will be learning the basic techniques of encaustic painting is this workshop. We will cover history, materials, substrates, tools and safety. We will explore layering, collage, incising, embedding, and transfers. There will be plenty of time for hands-on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this “hot” way of painting. (see more of my encaustic work)

About Camp Stevens and WCA/SD retreat
We will stay in the new Wolterstorff Lodge, which is built from the ashes of the Bishop’s Lodge; destroyed in the “Angel Fire” in September 15, 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4 six person rooms with shared bath, and a meeting room with a fireplace. Outdoor Facilities include a tree house, outdoor chapel and other outdoor meeting and gathering spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a swim in the pool (seasonal), a stroll in the botanical garden, games on the lawns, basketball and volleyball, or an evening campfire.

For more information, or to register for the Retreat, contact Jen Bottoms at (619) 892-3429 or via email.

If you missed my encaustic workshop in Escondido, you can join me for this one! Hope to see you there.

Happy Art Making! See you at the Retreat! ~ Jaime Lyerly

5 Art Actions for Busy Artists to Ignite the Creative Spark and Keep it Burning Bright

2009-10-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

"I'm so busy!"
"I have no time to make art!"
"If there were only __ more hours in the day, then I could make art!"
"I'm so tired after my long day, all I can do is watch TV..."
"My brain is fried... how am I supposed to be creative, NOW?"

I have heard them all before. I have SAID them many, many times. And with this semester's schedule, I really don't have much time to make art. I am so busy that all you will get in this post is words, not how to pictures. So what can we do to keep the creative fires burning or ignite the creative spark that has dwindled? ART ACTIONS to the Rescue!

My idea of Art Actions are a modified version of SARK's Micro-movements, laid out in her book Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day (and awesome book with a ridiculously long title!). Micro-movements are about making an movement toward your goal by doing actions that take no longer than 5 minutes. Each action gets you moving without the pressure of having to do it all. Brilliant! To learn more about how SARK helps artists and writers, Click here to visit Planet SARK.

Art Actions are my own way of tricking myself into making time for art. Even though I love to make art, it can be overwhelming to even get started on project - especially working in encaustic which takes me 45 minutes even to set up and heat my wax! While these Art Actions make take longer than 5 minutes, help push you towards bigger and more complex projects, while keeping the creative fires burning. They also can BECOME larger projects or a series if you love what you are doing. Or they just can be a way to keep your hands moving. I admit to doing all of these Art Actions while watching movies with my family. TV time gives me about 1 - 2 hours worth of uninterrupted creating time. Not bad!

The trick is NOT to put pressure on yourself to make art. These are just exercises, like word association and free writing for writers or blind contour line drawings for figure artists. Onto the actions....

Top 5 Art Actions to Ignite the Creative Spark:

1. Organic shape cut outs
Materials: exacto knife, cutting mat, Bristol board or thicker colored paper

Action: Grab an exacto knife and some paper and start cutting. No straight lines; no rulers; no thought. Keep flowing like a smooth line of charcoal, and see what shapes come from your subconscious. Cut out a shape; put it aside. Cut another one out. Cut out a hole in that one. But no trying to make it look like anything! That can come later, if desired.

2. Abstract Oil Pastel coloring
Materials: Oil Pastels, smooth paper (such as Bristol board or poster board)

Action: Choose a pastel, and scribble on the paper. I call oil pastels "adult crayons" because they have all the excitement of being able to lay down color quickly and easily like crayons, but use artist grade materials instead. So color all over the paper and then when it is filled with color, blend them using your fingers covered in paper towel. Again, don't stress about what flows on the page. I lean towards abstract color blotches because the moment I try to do something with a figure or object, it becomes too analytical. Try coloring in the organic shapes that were cut from Bristol board.

3. Paper art re-purposing
Materials: Old art, drawing exercises, or "failed attempts" on paper, acrylic or mat medium, brush, substrate (board, canvas or paper)
Optional: Scissors

Action: Have lots of art that didn't turn out as expected? Rip it up and make it into something new. I choose to rip things up because it is freeing to separate it from its original intent of being art. Now it is just a scrap of paper - nothing intimidating about that! Glue down the ripped pieces onto a blank piece of paper, canvas or board. Or you can add it directly to another "failed attempt." It is wonderfully freeing. The pictures can become a background for something else, but don't stress about that now. Just rip and glue it down with the mat medium.

4. Stamp Carving
Materials: Blank soft rubber carving blocks, carving tools, pencil
Optional: Transfers or images, tracing paper

Action: Stamp carving is so much fun! It requires a little more attention to what you are doing so you don't cut yourself, so make sure that the TV show you are watching isn't too enthralling. I found this wonderful Stamp Carving Tutorial which will help you with the basics. Personally, I don't do transfers onto the block; I draw and then carve using one of two bits. These are addictive. I wait until I have more time to actually ink the stamp and use it.

5. Intuitive Knitting
Materials: Yarn and knitting tool of your choice (mine is the Knifty Knitter)

Action: Grab your favorite yarn and knitting tool and start knitting. Leave all your patterns and stitch counting for another time. Just explore what the shapes you can make with your tool and the rhythm of your stitch. I set limits for myself to work in; such as one type of yarn, and use a 8 inch rectangular Knifty Knitter loom. Just knit. Have curiosity about what is going on with the piece, but don't try to force it into any shape - especially into something functional! That is the easiest way to kill the creative spirit is to try to give it a function. They can become fiber art pieces later, or hidden inside something bigger...it is up to you!

Ready to ignite the creative spark? Try one of these Art Actions! Turn off your analytical mind, send your inner art critic out on an errand and intuitively make something. It is the act of creating, even for a few minutes that will keep you connected to your art even on your busiest days.

Your Turn: Try one of these Art Actions or one of your own design. What kind of Art Actions do you do to keep your creativity alive? Sketching? Collage? Sewing? Taking apart typewriters? Whatever it is, keep doing it! And share it here with us. I would love to hear your ways to keep the fires burning so that when you do have time, it flows out into beautifully crafted art.

Happy Creating! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art Marketing tip - Facebook fan pages: what, why, and how

2009-10-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Facebook Fan Pages got you confused? You are not alone. Get all the details about Facebook Fan pages by Artist Lisa Call forwarded from the Art Biz Coach in this informative and easy to read article.

Facebook fan pages: what, why, and how

Posted using ShareThis

I have a Facebook Fan page for my own art, but as the article states, it doesn't show the notifications if anyone posts on the fan page. Therefore, I have to remember to check and see if anyone commented on my work. I have been promising pictures of my wood project as a work in progress, and now it is almost complete. I just need to add some hardware to the back of the piece, and finally call it done. So you may not get a work in progress, but you will get to see start to finish on it via pictures. I also post more pictures of studio working shots on my fan page than I do on my blog or personal Facebook page.

There are not clear and distinct lines drawn for my personal Facebook page and my Fan page. I post lots of calls to artists and art marketing tips on my personal page. My blog feeds to both pages. The reason to have a Fan page for me is that it is the only place on Facebook that is ONLY about my art and art related activities. I also run a Fan follower drawing just like I do on this blog.

I do complaining about my schedule, talking about life, silly quizzes and general chit-chatting on my personal page. I talk about my art and interact with people interested in my art on both pages. But only on my fan page to I do fan drawings and post more studio pictures. So to paraphrase the article, become my fan to learn more about my art; friend me on my personal page to see the whole me.

Your Turn:
Do you already have a Facebook Fan page? If so, how do you distinguish it from a personal page? Drawings? Special for fans only drawings? More pictures? Video? I would love to hear your ideas on what makes a Fan page special. When you have created a Facebook Fan page, send me a request to become your fan!

Until then, Happy art and Fan page making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Call for Artists - Conrad Wilde Gallery Submissions

2009-10-07T12:34:00.001-07:00

Conrad Wilde Gallery is accepting submissions for their upcoming shows, including the 5th annual Encaustic exhibit. Their focus is contemporary and encaustic work from emerging and established artists.

Deadlines are mostly in October 2009, so you (and I) must hurry to get these submissions in.

Conrad Wilde Gallery Submissions

Posted using ShareThis

Good Luck to us all! ~ Jaime Lyerly

8th Annual Customer Art Contest at DANIEL SMITH: Artists’ Materials – $1,500 Gift Certificate for the Winner!

2009-10-07T12:16:00.000-07:00

Deadline is February 2010, so there is still lots of time for this opportunity. Check it out.

8th Annual Customer Art Contest at DANIEL SMITH: Artists’ Materials – $1,500 Gift Certificate for the Winner!

Posted using ShareThis

~ Jaime Lyerly

Still time to REGISTER for the Women's Caucus for Art/San Diego (WCA/SD) RETREAT for 2009!

2009-10-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

There is still time to REGISTER for the 12th ANNUAL Women's Caucus for Art/San Diego (WCA/SD) RETREAT for 2009!

Here is all the information from the WCA/SD Retreat Coordinator Jen Bottoms:

The retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

THE FAMILY FIELD AND CONSTELLATIONS, group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
PORTRAIT PAINTING with Judith Burnett
ENCAUSTIC TECHNIQUE with Jaime Lyerly
(More details about the workshops below)

When: November 13, 14, 15, 2009

Where: Camp Stevens in Julian
1108 Highway 78
Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760)765-0028
We will be staying in the new Wolterstorff Lodge.

Fee: A $135 (member), $155 (non-member) or $180 (retreat plus basic membership) fee covers registration, 2 nights and 5 meals (organically grown and prepared by Camp Stevens), and all workshop fees. Note: There might be a small materials fee.

Directions:
From San Diego: Take highway 67 to Ramona, then Highway 78 east to Julian. Camp Stevens is located 2 miles east of Julian on State Highway 78.
There is a “Camp Stevens” entrance sign on the left side of the highway exactly 2 miles from Julian.

REGISTER EARLY!
A deposit of $35 (refundable before November 6, 2009) is required to secure your reservation, and the full amount of $135, $155 or $180, is due at registration.

Registered participants will receive a detail map, a packing list, schedule, and other details via mail. Please let us know if you require a special diet, or have physical restrictions.

Note: There is no cell phone service.

Workshop Descriptions:
(A WCA/SD membership is NOT required to participate in the retreat)

The family field and constellations; group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
There is a “life force” that flows through families, generation after generation. This force is one, which relates family member’s to each other. This is part of the family field of consciousness. We call it the Family Soul. Ellen will be facilitating a healing session which works with the energetic patterns held within the family. Come ready to heal and restore balance to your body, mind, and soul. The time spent together during this workshop will most likely change your view of yourself, humanity, and your family in a way that fosters more love, compassion, health, and vitality.

Portrait Painting in oils with Judith Burnett
You will learn a basic portrait painting technique. You will learn how to pose your model in order to get a good likeness and a satisfying painting; what materials and colors you will need, and how to mix and apply your paint.

Encaustic painting with Jaime Lyerly
Encaustic is beeswax, damar resin and pigment applied to a surface hot and fused using heat. You will be learning the basic techniques of encaustic painting is this workshop. We will cover history, materials, substrates, tools and safety. We will explore layering, collage, incising, embedding, and transfers. There will be plenty of time for hands-on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this “hot” way of painting. (see more of my encaustic work)

About Camp Stevens and WCA/SD retreat
We will stay in the new Wolterstorff Lodge, which is built from the ashes of the Bishop’s Lodge; destroyed in the “Angel Fire” in September 15, 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4 six person rooms with shared bath, and a meeting room with a fireplace. Outdoor Facilities include a tree house, outdoor chapel and other outdoor meeting and gathering spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a swim in the pool (seasonal), a stroll in the botanical garden, games on the lawns, basketball and volleyball, or an evening campfire.

For more information, or to register for the Retreat, contact Jen Bottoms at (619) 892-3429 or via email.

If you missed my encaustic workshop in Escondido, you can join me for this one! Hope to see you there.

Happy Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art Marketing Action: Believe

2009-09-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

If self-doubt about your art (and therefore yourself as an artist) plagues you frequently, check out this week's Art Marketing Action from Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield.

Art Marketing Action: Believe

Posted using ShareThis

I would love to know what you think about this article. Leave a comment here to share with us all.

Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

P.S. More in progress photos to come of my current projects for the college classes I am taking. One is a full sized male head in red clay and the other is carved wood. They are not anywhere close to being done, but it is fun to show you what has been happening the last two weeks in my own art world.

Wine, Chocolate and Discussion - "Why We Make Art" at the Eclipse Chocolat Cafe

2009-08-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Here is another community event to sink your teeth into. See the information below from San Diego Women's Caucus for Art member Steffanie Dotson:

Why We Make Art
-A discussion hosted by the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego Chapter

When: Friday, August 21, 2009 from 6pm - 8pm

Where: Eclipse Chocolat Cafe
2121 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92104
(at El Cajon & Alabama near Washington)

Why: The discussion is intended to get us all thinking and ACTING and inspired to make more art, and to find what our roles are in the community and in our careers as women artists.

10% of all proceeds made during the discussion will go to the WCA San Diego. So come thirsty and hungry for chocolates. Eclipse offers coffee, tea, wine and other delicious dessert beverages such as drinking chocolates. They also have an impressive array of handmade chocolate truffles, candy bars, cupcakes, and other yummy treats.

More about the Topic of discussion:
The question that at one time or another has perplexed us all as artists: Why do I make art?

Our discussion will pose this question and we hope to hear from each of you. Of course, we can't hope to answer or even have a fruitful discussion about this without posing other questions.

What does it take to be a successful artist?
And we pose this question as a very personal inquiry... what makes you feel accomplished, validated?
When you really shave away all the layers of making, whether it be performance art, painting, sculpture, textiles, small metals, wood or clay... what is the essence of what you do?
What is your goal? Is it intertwined with a social obligation?
Who do you make art for?
What's the response you hope to get from your viewer?
What/who are you inspired by?

Over the next week, we hope you'll ponder this topic and possibly make a few notes about ideas that you'd like to share. Bring a friend or two. Forward this invitation to any women you think may be interested. ...and don't forget to scrounge up that couch change. Check your jacket pockets and the junk drawer. We hope everyone will at least buy a drink and a truffle.

Thanks to Steffanie for writing up these questions for discussion. And wine and chocolates to boot! Should be fun.

I am going to try to make this event. I have a very simple answer to the question of "Why I make art" which is to be a creator. I love to make new things come into being. In a world of mass production and "sameness," the unique calls to me. I need to make objects that lift you out of the mundane and live in a world of their own that you want to touch and be a part of.

Your turn:
If you cannot make this event, whether you are busy or in another part of the country, I would love to hear what you think about this topic. It is a question that each artist has to answer for themselves, and no two answers will be alike. Share your answers in the comments here!

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego Annual Retreat

2009-08-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

IT’S TIME TO REGISTER for the 12th ANNUAL Women's Caucus for Art/San Diego (WCA/SD) RETREAT for 2009!

Here is all the information from the WCA/SD Retreat Coordinator Jen Bottoms:

The retreat offers a special time to make art, make new friends and reconnect with old friends.

WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:

THE FAMILY FIELD AND CONSTELLATIONS, group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
PORTRAIT PAINTING with Judith Burnett
ENCAUSTIC TECHNIQUE with Jaime Lyerly
(More details about the workshops below)

When: November 13, 14, 15, 2009

Where: Camp Stevens in Julian
1108 Highway 78
Julian, CA 92036
Phone: (760)765-0028
We will be staying in the new Wolterstorff Lodge.

Fee: A $135 (member), $155 (non-member) or $180 (retreat plus basic membership) fee covers registration, 2 nights and 5 meals (organically grown and prepared by Camp Stevens), and all workshop fees. Note: There might be a small materials fee.

Directions:
From San Diego: Take highway 67 to Ramona, then Highway 78 east to Julian. Camp Stevens is located 2 miles east of Julian on State Highway 78.
There is a “Camp Stevens” entrance sign on the left side of the highway exactly 2 miles from Julian.

REGISTER EARLY!
A deposit of $35 (refundable before November 6, 2009) is required to secure your reservation, and the full amount of $135, $155 or $180, is due no later than Sept.13, 2009.

Registered participants will receive a detail map, a packing list, schedule, and other details via mail. Please let us know if you require a special diet, or have physical restrictions.

Note: There is no cell phone service.

Workshop Descriptions:
(A WCA/SD membership is NOT required to participate in the retreat)

The family field and constellations; group healing session with Ellen Benfatti
There is a “life force” that flows through families, generation after generation. This force is one, which relates family member’s to each other. This is part of the family field of consciousness. We call it the Family Soul. Ellen will be facilitating a healing session which works with the energetic patterns held within the family. Come ready to heal and restore balance to your body, mind, and soul. The time spent together during this workshop will most likely change your view of yourself, humanity, and your family in a way that fosters more love, compassion, health, and vitality.

Portrait Painting in oils with Judith Burnett
You will learn a basic portrait painting technique. You will learn how to pose your model in order to get a good likeness and a satisfying painting; what materials and colors you will need, and how to mix and apply your paint.

Encaustic painting with Jaime Lyerly
Encaustic is beeswax, damar resin and pigment applied to a surface hot and fused using heat. You will be learning the basic techniques of encaustic painting is this workshop. We will cover history, materials, substrates, tools and safety. We will explore layering, collage, incising, embedding, and transfers. There will be plenty of time for hands-on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this “hot” way of painting. (see more of my encaustic work)

About Camp Stevens and WCA/SD retreat
We will stay in the new Wolterstorff Lodge, which is built from the ashes of the Bishop’s Lodge; destroyed in the “Angel Fire” in September 15, 2007. The lodge has 24 beds; 4 six person rooms with shared bath, and a meeting room with a fireplace. Outdoor Facilities include a tree house, outdoor chapel and other outdoor meeting and gathering spaces. Visitors can also enjoy a swim in the pool (seasonal), a stroll in the botanical garden, games on the lawns, basketball and volleyball, or an evening campfire.

For more information, or to register for the Retreat, contact Jen Bottoms at (619) 892-3429 or via email.

If you missed my encaustic workshop in Escondido, you can join me for this one! Hope to see you there.

Happy Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

First 4 Steps towards Selling your Art - from the Art Biz Coach

2009-08-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

For those of you who not my Twitter follower or Facebook friend or fan, you may have missed all my posts about these steps. So, I present to you the Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield's "First 4 steps toward selling your art." They are wonderful and a great reminder that it takes more than just work in the studio to make it as an artist.

It is because of the Art Biz Coach's book "I'd rather be in the studio" and newsletter that I even started my blog and all this social networking. Knowing the steps and learning how to follow through with them is a must for artists at all stages of the game.

Here are the steps:

Step #1 is Devote yourself completely to a studio practice

Step #2 is Create your mailing list

Step #3 is Connect with other artists

Step #4 is Start writing about your art (and never stop)

I have steps #3 and #4 down. I love to write, blog, tweet, and connect with other artists. I write for my own blog, Art Making is a Journey and the Women's Caucus for Art Blog. It is even more fun to write about other artists than my own work. Over the past year, I have written about other artists such as Lisa Bebi, David Fobes, May-Ling Martinez, and events such as the workshops at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, the Women's History Museum's "Herstory" show, and Dance, Vocal and Drum Workshop led by Kat Fulton and Draza Jansky. Granted, most of these events I was somehow involved in, but what better way to write about something than to experience it firsthand?

Step #1 is simple, yet hard to manage. Devoted studio time. Do I have that? I spend lots of time making art, but I recently have been making art in hours of creative energy. When my college classes start again at the end of the month, I will be back on a normal routine of making art almost everyday. Then I will be back to devoted studio time.

Step #2 is the most difficult for me. I am just starting my mailing list, but am not sure which is the best service to use. I signed up for a free trial of Constant Contact email marketing service. I also have downloaded a free trial of Flick! which is a program to manage my art and my contacts in the same place (more information about software programs for artists on the Art Biz Coach Blog). I want to be able to send out art newsletters to announce my art and pass along the great information that I find on the web. If you want to be on my email list, please fill in the box on the right of blog post. Yet, I am still confused on which comes first. Do you have any tips?

So check out these first steps, and let me know what you think. If you have any tips on software programs, email programs or keeping up with studio practice, I would love to hear about it. Put it in the comments here to share with everyone.

Until then, Happy Art-Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop Photos

2009-08-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Artist Trading Cards at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, Before the Workshop swap

We had so much fun at the free Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop led by Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi last Saturday, August 8, 2009 at the Escondido Municipal Gallery! It was great, and I have plenty of pictures to share. Plus, I finally met some of the wonderful artists that I have been connecting with on Facebook. It was an inspirational day!

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop, Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi standing

Most of the workshop time was spent creating the cards using whatever materials wanted. All materials were provided, and we could use anything or everything there. The only criteria to be an Artist Trading Card or ATC is that the card has to be 2.5 inch by 3.5 inch. So stay in that size and let the creativity flow!

Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop, Participates working
photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

My son, Xen, immediately started cutting and gluing cards together. My friend, Starry, took out tiny pieces of tissue and glued them onto a card. Her daughter, Pan, drew anime with pencils. Without much thought, I ripped up some book pages and started gluing them down to the pre-cut card. Grabbing some Golden fluid acrylic paints and brushes, I started to put color down on the cards. I had not worked in acrylics for at least a year, ever since I fell in love with hot encaustic wax. It was wonderful to be able to lay down color and not have to fuse every layer! I forgot how easy and intuitive it is to work in acrylics.

Here are some photographs of some of the cards we did at this workshop.

Artist Trading Cards by Jaime Lyerly, © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Xen, © photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Pan, © photo 2009 Pan

Artist Trading Card by Pan, © photo 2009 Pan

Artist Trading Card by Starry Wizdom, © photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

Artist Trading Card by Starry Wizdom, © photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

After we created the cards, and they dried, it was time to swap them out with the other ATC's available on the wall in the back of the gallery.

Xen and Starry checking out the ATC's available for swap,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Starry laying out her ATC's,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Starry and Pan deciding which ATC's to swap,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

When we made out choices of what which card we wanted from the board above, we switched it out with one of our own. Here are some of the cards we made in their new homes (for the moment!)

Artist Trading Cards by Starry Wizdom in their trading cubby holes,
© photo 2009 Starry Wizdom

Artist Trading Card by Xen in its trading cubby hole,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Artist Trading Card by Jaime Lyerly in its trading cubby hole,
© photo 2009 Jaime Lyerly

Finally, here is a photograph of the ATC's in their cubby holes after the workshop. Most of the original cards had been replaced by ones made by the artists at the workshop. The swap will continue for the duration of the ATC exhibit will be on display until September 3, 2009. If you are in the area, feel free to stop by Escondido Municipal Gallery and trade one!

Artist Trading Cards at the Escondido Municipal Gallery, After the Workshop swap
photo © 2009 Jaime Lyerly

The workshop did more for me than just a few hours of fun. I was so inspired by working in acrylics, that later on that same day, I did more painting. I painted for five hours straight and started 28 paintings in acrylic on 6x6 inch board. Yes, I know 28 paintings are a lot; but when I'm on fire, I go with it! I will have some pictures of those coming up this week.

Until then, Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Free - Artist Trading Card (ATC) Workshop w/Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi tomorrow

2009-08-07T20:52:00.000-07:00

Want to know what I will be doing tomorrow? Taking a FREE Art Workshop with my son, some friends and a whole bunch of artists!

Artists Renee Richetts and Lisa Bebi (WCA member) will be co-teaching a free workshop on Artist Trading Cards (ATC) at the Escondido Municipal Gallery in Escondido, California during the Escondido Saturday Artwalk, this Saturday, August 8, 2009 from 2-4 pm.

Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are little works of art with the only criteria that they need to be 2.5 in X 3.5 inch in size. They are lots of fun to make, and you can trade them with other artists to have original art works in a pocket-sized format. I haven't made an ATC in years, so I am looking forward to this workshop.

Here is more information about the event:

All Ages event
Cost: Free
Materials: Provided
Time: 2 - 4 pm
Place: Escondido Municipal Gallery
262 E. Grand Ave., Escondido, CA
ph. 760-480-4101

After the workshop, check out the opening exhibit of ATC's. Want to participate? Take part in the ATC trade: no money involved, just leave one to take one. What could be better than that?

If you are on Facebook, come RSVP to this event at this link: ATC Workshop Facebook event page.

Hopefully, I will see you tomorrow! Happy Art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art and Jewelry Sale at 8Teen Art Center on August 1, 2009

2009-07-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

Please see message below from Retreat Coordinator Jennie Bottoms:

On August 1, 2009 from 3-6 pm, the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art will be having a Art and Jewelry Sale held at 8teen Art and Cultural Center 3925 Ohio St. North Park. This is an opportunity for our members to sell their artwork and jewelry. If you love art and jewelry - then this is the place to be.

We will also be drawing the winner of the Valana Mineral make-up raffle at 5 pm.

Please come to redecorate your home with new beautiful, inspiring art by local women artists, and don't forget all women need at least one new one of a kind hand made necklace, bracelets and earring set for the upcoming fall fashion season. You will find jewelry to finish up your holiday shopping. We hope to see you there.

Refreshments will be served and we will also have a chocolate fountain!

Contact Jen Bottoms for more information at bottomsjennie@yahoo.com

Please pass this on to everyone you know.

Encaustic Workshop with WCA member Jaime Lyerly at Escondido Municipal Gallery on July 25, 2009

2009-07-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

Making encaustic medium, July 2009

So the last three days, I have been making encaustic medium in preparation for my upcoming "Basic Encaustic Workshop by Jaime Lyerly" which is at the Escondido Municipal Gallery in Escondido, California. The workshop is on Saturday, July 25, 2009 from 12 pm - 3 pm. The price is $75 ($65 for members of EAP). This price includes all supplies, which is a steal! I paid twice that amount for my basic encaustic workshop. See this post for more examples of my more traditional encaustic paintings.

Here is my description of what you will learn and do:
Encaustic painting is an ancient technique of molten beeswax, damar resin, and pigment applied to a surface and fused using heat. Learn the basic techniques of encaustic painting in this workshop. We will cover history, materials, substrates, tools and safety. We will explore layering, collage, incising and transfers. Plenty of time for hands-on experimentation. Bring your own collage elements and get ready to try this "hot" way of painting.

If you are anywhere near Escondido, please come to my workshop! The space is limited to 10 people and you must preregister by Saturday, July 18. Check out the Escondido Municipal Gallery Workshop page for more details and to register. I have plenty of knowledge to share and love to introduce people to the magic of encaustic painting.

Why don't you come join me and bring some friends? Let's spend that Saturday flinging hot wax around and making art!

Happy Art-making! ~Jaime Lyerly

WCA member Lisa Bebi at Booksigning today

2009-07-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

pimp my spleen: join me for "launch"...

Join WCA member Lisa Bebi today at 2 pm at the Orange County Town and Country Barnes and Noble for a BOOKSIGNING for this new publication "Art Quilting Studio." See the link above for more information.

Hope you can come support this great artist.

~Jaime Lyerly

Try Twitter - for Artists

2009-07-06T13:21:00.000-07:00

For those of you who haven't figured it out yet, I think I love Twitter.

Sometimes it makes me angry (like when it suspended my account for suspicious activity yesterday - all fixed now); sometimes sucks away all my time; and sometimes I wonder why I am still on it. But most of the time I find it to be a effective tool to promoting my art, blog, workshops and other art related activities. You can too!

Check out this article Try Twitter by Art Biz Coach Alyson Stanfield. While you are there you can subscribe to her weekly Art Biz Coach newsletters which come every Monday.

I know you are saying to yourself "but I already have a Facebook account, why do I need Twitter?" Facebook is wonderful, but it can be overwhelming with pictures, applications, "friends" from high school and many more things. Twitter strips it down to the bare bones. Read a "tweet" (post) or make a tweet yourself.

Sure, you can get fancy and post pictures on Twitter. But in general, it is a simple way to make connections with people who have similar interests and may be interested in your art. I have found some of the best artists and connections through Twitter - and then found them on Facebook!

Try Twitter. It is a tool for your art. Use it.

When you get on Twitter, come follow me! @jaimelyerly I will help you make sense of it all!

Happy Art Making! Jaime Lyerly

San Diego Women's Art Caucus Member Show at 8Teen Art Center - July 5 - July 18

2009-07-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

Our biggest fan - my son, Xen, relaxing with a soda and a book with
my "Forbidden Fruit Series" behind him at 8Teen

Our last minute blog post to San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Members worked! We have a show and we want you to come see it!

Thanks to all the San Diego WCA members who came today to drop off and hang your work. You made my job easy and the show looks great. See, I told you we could do it!

Here is a sneak preview of the Women's Caucus for Art Member Show held at 8Teen Art and Culture Center from July 5 - July 18, 2009. The photographs do not do these works justice, so you must stop by to see them in person.

Opening reception is from 3 - 6 pm on July 5, 2009. The show will be up until July 18, 2009 and there will be a closing reception on that date (times unknown).

Paintings by Ellen Benfatti and (bottom) Laura Jean Thompson

Paintings/Collage left to right by Jaime Lyerly, Midge Hyde, and Laura Jean Thompson

Paintings by Ellen Benfatti

Paintings left to right by Jen Bottoms and Midge Hyde

Encaustic collage/Paintings "Forbidden Fruit Series" by Jaime Lyerly
(click link to learn more about the "Forbidden Fruit Series")

Encaustic collage/Painting - detail "Forbidden Fruit Series" by Jaime Lyerly

I hope this has whet your appetite and you will come have a look!

Your Turn:
Like what you see and you are a women artist in San Diego? Why don't you join us! The San Diego Women's Caucus for Art accepts membership applications all year round. With my help, the WCA is getting connected on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Please check us out on any of these sites to see what we are up to. WCA members are active in their communities and want to share with you. You can even sign up at an event. There are member shows, opportunities to network and an annual retreat to Julian in November where you can learn art techniques and get away from it all.

This year's WCA retreat is going to be super fun! I am teaching a workshop on Encaustic Painting; and there are two other workshops by local artists. I believe that Cynthia Gott's Inner Archetype Workshop has been replaced by Ellen Benfatti who will be giving a Reiki workshop. Judith Burnett will be giving a workshop on Portrait Painting in Oil. Space is limited and the deadline is rapidly approaching (August 15, 2009 for full payment) - so if you want to get in on the fun, email to Retreat Coordinator Jen Bottoms today!

Hope you can make it to one of our events.

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's Caucus for Art Member Show this Weekend!

2009-07-02T16:37:00.000-07:00

For the Women's Caucus for Art MEMBERS:

The Women's Caucus for Art is having a Member Show at 8Teen Art and Cultural Center this weekend. What? You didn't know? Well you are not alone.

Here is a message from Jen Bottoms, WCA Exhibition Coordinator:
Hi ladies,
I have to apologize for a lack of communication about the art show opening on July 5-18 at the 8teen Center. There is no theme for this show as not to limit any artist as to what can be entered. We have extended the drop off for entries. The drop off will be Friday the 3rd of July from 10-11 or contact me to make special arrangements. Cost is $25.00 for up to three entries.

We would like to have participants vote on the best work and the winner will receive $100.00 certificate to attend the Retreat in November. This is not a cash award and can only be used to attend the Retreat.

So come bring your work down to 8Teen on Friday, July 3rd at 10 am. Jen and I will be there with smiling faces to help hang the work and showcase your talent.

I have three of my newest encaustic works (including my "Forbidden Fruit Series") to ready to be hung, and I am very excited to see what you all have to show off.

Look forward to seeing you and your artwork soon!

For EVERYONE ELSE: We would love you to come check out this show. 8Teen Art Center is a lively venue for music, coffee and art viewing. The Women's Caucus for Art Members will put on a show that you won't forget (even if we have to scramble at the last minute to do it!).

I will post pictures from 8Teen by this weekend at the latest.

Until then, Happy Art-making! Jaime Lyerly
~ Jaime Lyerly

Mural painting photos

2009-05-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

Be part of this history-making event!
Help paint the mural on North Park's oldest wooden building, built in 1931.
Come to 3925 Ohio Street in North Park (just north of University) this Saturday May 23rd starting at 10 am and going until finished.

Artists! Last day for the Mural painting at 8Teen Art Center

2009-05-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Here is a message from Cynthia Goff, M.F.A., the Vice President of the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego:

Artists:
We are desperately asking for your help!

We are having our last painting party this Saturday morning at 10 am to complete our mural at the 8teen Art & Cultural Center (a charitable organization that gives to homeless youth in need).

This will be our last painting party as I've been called out of state and so we must get it finished this Saturday. If each of us came out to paint for just a few hours, we'd easily get it done.

Make it a date with a mate; bring a friend.

Thank you so much!

See you this Saturday at:
8teen Art & Cultural Center,
3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, California 92104.

Map to 8Teen Art & Cultural Center

Bliss out on Art!

Cynthia Gott, M.F.A.
Vice President,
Women's Caucus for Art; San Diego
Art Instructor:
Miramar College
Southwestern College

Click on this link to learn more about the collaborative mural painting project at 8Teen Art and Cultural Center.

Hope to see you there! We cannot do it without you!

Creatively yours, Jaime Lyerly

Yard Sale - May 16 and 17 8 am to 3 pm

2009-05-13T07:26:00.000-07:00

Where: 7267 Amherst St. La Mesa 91941

One woman's junk is another woman's treasure!

Household and garden treasures, clothing, art objects, custom jewelry and baked goods. Proceeds will be used to defray the costs of WCA San Diego's 12th Annual Retreat. (50% to the owner of the goods and 50% to the Retreat Scholarship Fund.

Woman's Caucus for Art/San Diego is a 501(c)(3) organization, receipts will be given for all donations.

Contact Jen Bottoms for more information and how you can help! (619) 892-3429 or e-mail her at http://us.mc638.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=bottomsjennie@yahoo.com

Update on Mural Painting at 8teen

2009-05-10T11:39:00.000-07:00

Update: May 10th painting session has been canceled due to illness.

The mural painting will continue on Friday, May 15 from 9 am to 3 pm.
Email on Friday to see if work will need to be continued on Saturday.
Clear coat will be put on Sunday at 11 am.

Please see message below for all the details. Thanks to those who have already come out to help! Cythnia says that they are "having a blast!" Please join us!

Original message:

Want a way to help your community while doing something fun? Come help the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego (WCA/SD) paint a mural this weekend!

At the 8Teen Art and Cultural Center, the Women's Caucus for Art group and volunteers will be painting a large mural on the wall outside of the building. The group will be lead by WCA/SD V.P. Cynthia Gott, M.F.A., who is also painting instructor at Southwestern College.

We need your help!

Here are the details:

Who:
You, the Women's Caucus for Art, Art students and community members

When:
Friday, May 8, 2009 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, (Mother's Day - Bring your Mom Day!) May 10, 2009 from 1 pm - 5 pm - CANCELED DUE TO ILLNESS

Added dates:
Friday, May 15, 2009 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 2009 - if needed, email for times
Sunday, May 17, 2009 - clear coat will be put on - 11 am

Come to any of the days for as long as you can. You don't need to be there the whole time.

Where:
8Teen Art and Cultural Center
North Park area
3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, CA 92104
Map and Directions

What to bring:
Medium and Large brushes
Please wear a hat, sunscreen and lots of water.

Questions? Please contact Cynthia Gott. Hope to see you there! ~ Jaime Lyerly

San Diego Community Mural Painting at 8Teen - Everyone Welcome!

2009-05-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

Want a way to help your community while doing something fun? Come help the Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego (WCA/SD) paint a mural this weekend!

At the 8Teen Art and Cultural Center, the Women's Caucus for Art group and volunteers will be painting a large mural on the wall outside of the building. The group will be lead by WCA/SD V.P. Cynthia Gott, M.F.A., who is also painting instructor at Southwestern College.

We need your help!

Here are the details:

Who:
You, the Women's Caucus for Art, Art students and community members

When:
Friday, May 8, 2009 from 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday, (Mother's Day - Bring your Mom Day!) May 10, 2009 from 1 pm - 5 pm
Come to any of the days for as long as you can. You don't need to be there the whole time.

Where:
8Teen Art and Cultural Center
North Park area
3925 Ohio Street, San Diego, CA 92104
Map and Directions

What to bring:
Medium and Large brushes, if you have them
Please wear a hat, sunscreen and lots of water.

Depending on how much of the mural gets done this weekend, it may be extended to next weekend. But don't miss out on this weekend's fun!

Questions? Please contact Cynthia Gott. Hope to see you there! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Women's Caucus for Art, San Diego is Social Networking!

2009-05-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

Women's Caucus for Art - San Diego is READY for Social Networking! I know they are because I am getting them set up.

Together we can expand the WCA blog from one that hadn't had a post in two months, to an interactive environment where artist members and the art-loving community can see what we are doing.

We can only do this together.

Artist members, do you have a blog? Great, start posting on this site too!

Contact Laura Jean Thompson for access to this blog and you can post on here too. If you have a Blogspot blog this is easy to do. Just copy the HTML code from your post in the edit post field and paste it into a new post on the WCA/SD blog. Yay! Double exposure for you for free!

Don't have a blog? Go start one now! I recommend Blogspot because it is free and easy to use. Make a blog and just start posting. Post your art, your life, your awards, your gripes - whatever - just start posting.

When you have a blog, contact me, Jaime Lyerly, to get the Blog listed on the WCA/SD and my own blog. More promotion without much effort. Good for you, good for your fans.

Art-loving non-members. Thanks for visiting this blog! We promise to make this a place where non-members can see what is going on with this very active chapter of San Diego community-based artists.

Connect with us!

WCA/SD is now on Twitter. I made this account for any member who wants to try out twitter but doesn't know where to start. Contact me for the password.

We are also a group on Facebook and LinkedIn. A little bit for everyone!

Feeling overwhelmed? Just start with the blog and go from there. I will be running a workshop on Social Networking and Blogging for Artists after I return from my study abroad trip to Japan and China.

Until then, happy art-making and social networking! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Call for Artists - Alley Cat Juried Art Show

2009-05-04T16:11:00.000-07:00

Image from Alley Cat Juried Art Show

Call for San Diego area Artists!

3rd Annual Alley Cat Juried Art Show
Sponsored by the Friends of East County Arts, Inc.

Entry Date: June 5th

Jurors are Vickie DeLong, Director of Bonita Museum and Richard Todd, Coordinator of Arts and Culture, City of Chula Vista. More about the Jurors.

Fees: $25 first entry, $10 for each additional entry

Show runs from July 17 - August 14, 2009 and the opening will in conjunction with the Alley Cat Summer Festival on July 17 - 18th.

Prizes will be awarded in different categories. See the Friends of East County Arts for more details and Prospectus.

Happy Art Making and Show Entering! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Community Artist Connection TV

2009-02-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

It has been acclaimed "a great success".

January 29th was the taping debut of "Community Artist Connection" Public Access TV show. WCA San Diego's President, Laura Jean Thompson taped her first in a series of shows that will feature San Diego Artists. The airing date has not been set yet, but it will be aired on Cox Channel 23 in South San Diego and Channel 18 in North County.

The first taping was hosted by Community Leader and Activist, Walter Davis. Mr. Davis interviewed Laura Jean, President WCA SD, on her reason for wanting to have a public access show, simply put, she wants San Diego Artists (visual, performing, music) to have free access to TV. She intends to interview one artist per half-hour show. She was excited to announce that she has so many worthy artists asking to be part of this show that it has become difficult to decide who to have first.

She will be taping 2 shows per month. Her next taping date is March 5th.

Laura said that she is looking for more people interested in being part of her crew. NO is experience needed. You can become part of the exciting world of TV, be behind the camera, learn how the credits appear, learn the technology behind the "sound board", learn to direct, and be a floor manager, you can do it all!

Herstory 3rd Annual Exhibition at WHM

2009-02-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

March 7th
7:30 p.m.

Third Annual Juried Exhibition"Herstory"
Opening Reception
Women's History Museum San Diego
2323 Broadway #107
San Diego

Art Action Alert

2009-02-07T08:36:00.000-08:00

February 6, 2009

Breaking News

This afternoon the U.S. Senate, during their consideration of the economic recovery bill, approved an egregious amendment offered by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) that stated “None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center, and highway beautification project.” Unfortunately, the amendment passed by a wide vote margin of 73-24, and surprisingly included support from many high profile Senators including Chuck Schumer of New York, Dianne Feinstein of California, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, and several other Democratic and Republican Senators.If the Coburn amendment language is included in the final conference version of this legislation, many arts groups will be prevented from receiving economic recovery funds from any portion of this specific stimulus bill. It is clear that there is still much work to be done in the Senate and in the media about the role that nonprofit arts organizations and artists play in the nation’s economy and workforce.

Plan of Action

Arts advocates need to quickly contact Senators who voted for the Coburn Amendment and express your extreme disappointment with their vote. We need these Senators to know that their vote would detrimentally impact nonprofit arts organizations and the jobs they support in their state. We have crafted a customized message for you to send to your Senators based on their vote on the Coburn Amendment. The correct letter, customized to each of your Senators will appear when you enter your zip code. If your Senator voted for this funding prohibition, you can send them a message expressing your disappointment and ask them to work to delete this language in the final conference bill with the House. If your Senator voted against the Coburn Amendment, you can thank them for their support of the arts.

We need as many news articles as possible this coming week to publish stories about the economic impact of the nonprofit arts industry and how the recession is negatively affecting arts groups across the country. Please click here to customize an opinion editorial to your local media. We have provided you with easy-to-use talking points.

Next week, Americans for the Arts will be sending you another action alert that targets the White House and the soon-to-be-named Senators and Representatives who will serve as conferees to the final economic recovery bill. Please be prepared to take action on this alert as well.

Americans for the Arts itself is submitting op-eds to several national newspapers and online blogs. We are enlisting high profile leaders to co-sign these letters as well.

Americans for the Arts is purchasing full-page ads titled “The Arts = Jobs” in Washington’s top political newspapers in Roll Call, Politico and The Hill on Monday and Tuesday of next week. We encourage you to post the ad on your social network sites.

Please help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. Play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple.

WOMOJO Opening Reception

2008-10-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

The energy at the opening was electric! If you gather women together, give them permission to be as powerful as they are and to use their magic you are in for the an incredible experience.

The collection of art chosen by our juror Mollie Kellogg created a magical space and pulling us into it and allowed us to expand ourside of it making our mark in the universe. We are creating a new world just by unleasing our power.

I have to say this opening was, by far, the best and most spiritual opening I have ever attended. Thank you all for this gift!

I invite anyone that went to the opening to either comment on this entry or add your own. If you didn't attend, please make every effort to attend the awards celebration, October 26th at 1-3 pm.

(And to think I used to be painfully shy -- terrified of being noticed -- the girl that always sat in the corner hiding! -- how things have changed!)

Upcoming Exhibition

2008-09-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

WOMOJO, Women's Mystical Power and MagicExhibition

Open to all members and friends.

At Women's History Museum,

located at 2323 Broadway #107, San Diego, CA

Art Drop Off -- October 2, 5-8 pm and October 3, 10 am - 1 pm

Art Pick up -- Unaccepted works must be picked up October 3, 5-7 pm

Accepted works must be picked up October 26, 3 pm after the awards celebration

Opening Reception -- October 4, 5-8 pm

We will have live entertainment, WCA Member Brenda Penneton will be singing a selection of songs from her recently released CD "An Emotional Woman"

Prospectus and more details in Autumn 2008 newsletter

Writing an Artist Statement

2008-06-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

I'm working on doing an Artist Statement for my updated website that I'm working on and will be launching in the next couple of weeks.

I found this entry on Jerry Lebo's blog and thought it might be useful. If you have other resources you know of or would like to share please do so here.

"Lesson One: Be Brief
An artist statement does not have to be long. In fact, the shorter the better. Three paragraphs of 3-4 lines is plenty. If needed, you can start with a long version of your artist statement and edit it down later--but the final version should be able to be read in around one minute (or less).

Lesson Two: Be Honest
The last thing people want to read is art speak, a lot of blah, blah, or things that you think they want to hear. If you artist statement is going to work--it must be honest about where you are at, why you do what you do, and what your art is about. Keep it simple and straight-forward. In structuring what you are saying, move from the general to the more specific. For example, start with a general statement of why you paint, and then tell the reader more about how you do it later. If you want to be specific about what you are working on at the moment, it is probably best to leave that to last.

Lesson Three: Take your time
Working on your artist statement is going to be harder than actually making art. Be prepared to spend some time. I found it useful to jot down a lot of short notes about what I wanted to say throughout the day--and then try to organize them later. Post-it notes are great. Write a line down on them and post them around your studio--you can collect them at then end of the day and summarize them later. Another idea is to imagine you are being interviewed and being asked some basic questions about your work. For example, what is your favorite material or medium, what do you like best about what you do, how work, when--what have you learned lately? Write down your answers and see if you can bring them together into a statement of some sort later.

Lesson Four: Make it Personal
Never speak in the third-person. It turns people off. Use the personal tense in your writing--for example, say, "My", or "I". Do not say "the artist" or speak about yourself in the third person. This is your statement, and people what to hear something personal. In fact, I think the most important trait of an artist statement is that it is honest and comes from your heart.

Lesson Five: Get help, if you need it
I found a lot of useful information on the Internet about how to go about writing an artist statement, and even some examples. There is no set way to write a artist statement, so don't feel you have to follow an example--but I found the ideas contain in some of the examples useful as a guide.

Anyway, here is my artist statement as of today:

Artist Statement, Jerry Lebo

The process of transforming paint and other materials into images continues to compel and challenge me. Over the years, that process has led me from drawing, etching, and painting, and most recently to pursue experimental processes on paper. Painting fills me with a sense of well-being and humility, and has proven to be a satisfying way for me to translate my visual ideas into a physical reality.I paint both what I see and what I feel—focusing on the sensation and context of my experience. I work deliberately, employing both traditional and innovative techniques, while letting the uncertain nature of painting free my hand. My paintings are finished when they are able to convey a moment or sensation of where I am, as well as what I am seeing."

Art Around Adams

2008-06-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well this last Saturday was eventful. I met some great artists and got to spend the day outside. A real treat for me. I had my pen & ink work in two locations, Paper Antiquities at Hamilton and Adams and then San Diego Coffee Tea and Spice at Marlborough and Adams.

My work at Paper Antiquities was on the sidewalk so I spent the vast majority of my day there. The event stretched from Hamilton on the west to passed Marlborough on the east. It would seem that we need to have more vendors participating at the far ends, and hopefully that will happen next year.

I felt really at home with the people that I was working with and enjoyed every minute of it.

I hope I get to do it again next year!

somerset studio

2008-05-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

currently on newsstands and barnes ad nobles.
please notice i am the featured artist!!! i'm very proud of that.
other notices of lisa bebi:
oh, also please come visit me june 7 in art around dams...at the ladybug gallery, i will be having showing new art, plus live music and tons of other exciting fun. i will be there from noon until 8 p.m.

also, calling all artists: please come to my workshop in italy...october 7- 12, 2008 emai rrichetts@cox.net for more info.

finally, look for my new publication, "iN magazine" san diego regional arts emerging and established artists explored.
launch date october 17, 2008!

from pimp my spleen........

2008-05-31T21:40:00.000-07:00

thank yo for inviting me to come to your site.....please visit me too.
lisa bebi

Upcoming Calendar

2008-05-31T11:51:00.000-07:00

June 8th

Board Meeting, Noon to 2 PM

Open to all members and friends. At Hot Monkey Love Cafe and Music Hall 6875 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 619/469-4113 Watch for the agenda!

June 21st

WCA Table/Booth at San Diego County Fair at Del Mar

Open to all members. WCA has also been invited to have a booth at the Fair, if you are interested in participating please contact Laurie Carlock at 619 284-3118

June 22nd

Soul-stice Celebration 10 AM to Noon

Event at the home of Cynthia Gott, 930 Ebony Avenue, Imperial Beach. Cross street is 9th Avenue off of Imperial beach Blvd. or Palm Avenue,

Cynthia's new phone number 619/508-7155

Introducing WCA/San Diego's blog

2008-05-31T10:21:00.000-07:00

Well this is the blog for WCA San Diego. You can post to the blog, send messages to other members. Just have a good time. Let us know what you're up to!

I look forward to this being another way that we can network with each other, stay connected to all the great women artists and those that love them!