Seth Apter's Blog, page 32

The Week Links: 124

Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week. Earlier posts in the series can be found here.

And here is Week 124...


1. In love with these stitched book pages from Tina Walker.


2. I can never get enough of the surface texture created by Finnabair.


3. Love the layers in the work of Janet Reid.


4. Fascinated by the Year of Knots from Windy Chien.


5. Excited to see the Agnes Martin exhibition at the Guggenheim in NYC.



6. Who wouldn't want to get a package like this in the mail?! From Amy Duncan.

7. Flashback link 2009: detail shots from Handbook.

Creative Strength Training Giveaway

I was recently provided with a copy of the book Creative Strength Training written by Jane Dunnewold to review. As I started to read the introduction, I found myself compelled to turn the pages and keep reading. What struck me first about the book was that it was very different from other art books I have read. While it is filled with creative exercises, this is not a typical art instruction book. And that I like.

Jane introduces a series of "cross training" exercises to help you grow as an artist, break through obstacles, explore your limitations, and discover who you are as an individual, creative person. These exercises involve both art making and writing. She accurately notes that many artists might resist the writing component...but that aspect of the exercises really seems to facilitate a deeper exploration of yourself as an artist.

The book includes the results from many other artists who have already completed the same exercises  and it was fascinating to see the very distinct approaches and styles that each one took. The majority of the featured artists were new to me and I loved being able to get to know a whole new group of creatives.

The chapter titles give the reader a quick idea of what the focus of the book includes: Defining Creative Stamina, Overcoming Stumbling Blocks, The Power of Limitations, Learning to Make and Take Time, What does Alignment Look Like to You?, Making Work Distinctly Your Own, Each of Us is Fascinating, and Discovering Grace through Acts of Making.

I was fortunate to be provided with a second copy of this book to giveaway. To be eligible, simply leave a comment to this post and make sure I have a way to reach you should your name be drawn. International readers are of course eligible too. The giveaway closes on Sunday 11/6.

The Week Links: 123

Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week. Earlier posts in the series can be found here.

And here is Week 123...


1. Digging these sculptural assemblages from John Vosel.


2. I find the coolest images in the Instagram feed of Ronald Sanchez.



3. Mesmerized by the surface details from Barbara Teeslink.


4. I find the layers in the work from Eleni Lasagna very compelling.


5. I so love the fiber art from Jude Hill.


6. These mixed media sculptures from Morgan Brig are overflowing with personality.



7. Flashback link 2015: I always smile when I see the pics from Ron Arad's 2015 exhibition of full-size, crushed cars mounted to the wall.

Art is........

Thrilled to be part of the Art is You family and to be able to announce that registration is now open for the 2017 Art is You retreat in Santa Rosa, California. This event returns to the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel & Spa from April 4-9 and builds on the success of the retreat held there earlier this year. 
I am equally thrilled to be unveiling 2 completely new, never-before-taught, very special workshops at the event.
Table of Contents is a 3-day masterclass in which you will be creating a series of mixed media booklets that come together in the form of an artist book to tell your story.




Animal Magnetism is a collaborative workshop with Kecia Deveney that is all about building your own spirit animal.



Check out our video on what to expect in this workshop:

Hope to see you there!

Stamp Scrap Art Tour

Join me this Saturday 10/29 and Sunday 10/30 when I will be vending at the New Jersey Convention Center in Edison, New Jersey as part of the Stamp Scrap Art Tour.

This show includes a series of make and takes that begin on Friday 10/28 (now sold out) as well as two full days of sales from 18 vendors. It will be one stop shopping for all your art and crafting needs with everything from rubber stamps to paint to ink to paper to dies to stencils to jewelry findings to... Well, you get the idea. A lot!
I will be selling my collections from StencilGirl Products, Impression Obsession, Spellbinders, North Light Media, and PaperArtsy. My table will include my stamps, dies, embossing folders, paints, stencils, DVDs, books, and... Well, you get the idea. A lot!
This will be my first show of this kind and I am excited to see what the weekend will bring. If you attend, please stop by my booth and say hello.

The Week Links: 122

Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week. Earlier posts in the series can be found here.

And here is Week 122...


1. Gorgeous, soft, layered journal pages from Caterina Diglio



2. Love the organic and nature inspired work from Roxanne Evans Stout


3. Always such emotion in the faces of Mindy Lacefield


4. I could look at the layers in the work of Carola Kastman for hours


5. Love the collaged layers created by Roberta Warshaw.


6. I love how Leslie Marsh weaves nature into so many of her stunning books.


7. Flashback link 2012: Still love going through the pages of my nature journal, created in collaboration with Sarah Whitmire. 

Book Binding Tutorial

In the September/October issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, I share a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a book from scratch so that you can bind single sheets of paper (rather than folded signatures).
The theme of the issue is Books with a Purpose and the sample I created is a compendium of mixed media techniques. 

The article describes and illustrates, step-by-step, how to put together the structure of this book.

Index/Rubber Stamping
Stenciling/Embossing
Texting/Collage
Gesso Resist/Die Cutting
White Space/Altered Photo
Textiling/Metallics

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If you are unable to get a copy of the magazine or prefer video, this is the same technique that is featured on my video The Altered Book from Interweave. It is available as an immediate download or DVD.

Art Journal Giveaway

I am thrilled to be a contributing artist in a new and unique book written by Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli titled Art Journal Your Archetypes.
The book explores the process of art journaling, introduces the concept of archetypes, and shows you approaches to combine these two areas. An archetype is partially defined as "an inherited pattern of thought or symbolic imagery derived from the past collective experience." Common archetypes include Artist, Visionary, Goddess, Healer, Lover, Mentor, Rebel and Warrior. Knowing your archetypes helps you to better know your self. Art journaling does this too.
Gabrielle provides a test to find out your guiding archetypes and then helps you to express those in your journal. Despite the focus on archetypes, this is truly an art technique book as the majority of pages take you through illustrated, step-by-step tutorials for art journaling techniques.
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I am among a number of guest artists - including Nathalie Kalbach, Jessica Sporn, Mary Beth Shaw, and Orly Avineri - who have contributed journal pages we created based on our archetypes. Happy to share my pieces below:


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Gabrielle has generously provide me with a copy of the book to giveaway. To be eligible, simply leave a comment to this post and make sure I have a way to reach you should your name be drawn. The giveaway closes on Friday 10/28.
And for a second chance to win, head over to this post on Mary Beth Shaw's blog and leave a comment as well.

TV Time

For those of you who are unable to see the new Make it Artsy television show, being broadcast in the United States on PBS in select markets only, you can watch each episode online for a limited time only.


I am excited to be a featured guest on Episode 2, sharing a technique on mixed media assemblage  wrapping.

Here is just a small preview...






You can watch the entire episode online now through October 28th here. 

Taos 2017

A Case of Curiosities
Join Roxanne Evans Stout and myself for a week of creative magic as we host A Case of Curiosities: a week long retreat at Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos, New Mexico.

March 26 - April 1, 2017
and/or
October 22 - October 28, 2017
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In March 2016, Roxanne and I hosted our first retreat in Taos and instantly new we would return. 

Join us and immerse yourself in the history of Mabel Dodge Luhan House, the beauty of the Taos landscape and the majesty of the Native American Culture.

Imagine... each day awakening to a gourmet breakfast with creative souls and art lovers like yourself, then immersing yourself into creating, playing, exploring, and art making to your heart's content. Around the clock. 

Our projects begin with a simple wooden case with many niches of many different sizes that will house art pieces.


Think handmade books, paintings, collages, assemblages, wrappings, banners, scrolls, shrines, tapestries and more...








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Space is limited. For more information, all the details and registration, please email Lyn Bleiler at lyn.bleiler@yahoo.com