Seth Apter's Blog, page 52
November 3, 2015
On The Road(House): Post 1
At the end of October I spent 4 days teaching in Texas for the first time. The venue was Roadhouse Arts in the town of Bulverde - about halfway between San Antonio and Austin. With a population of less than 5,000 people, there may be more people living on my block in NYC than in Bulverde.
My hosts were Francesca & Nick Watson and I thank them for a very memorable experience.
Roadhouse Arts is part gallery...
part workshop space...
and part working studio.
It is nestled amongst a group of other art related venues that form a very unique community of artisans right in the center of Bulverde.
Right next door is Texas Carpet Baggers. Becky Feeley, the owner, creates the most amazing handcrafted bags from leather, suede and other high-end materials. I knew I was in Texas when I saw her wall of hides. I kept thinking they would make incredible book covers.
If I ever decided to use a murse (which, btw, I will not), I would get one from TCB.
Becky and her husband David hosted lunches for the workshops at their shop.
In between workshops, I had the opportunity to see a bit of the local area and experience a taste of Texas.
Everyday there was an episode of chicken TV right outside my door.
All country music fans know that a stop in Luckenbach is a must. Cue Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.
We had a chance to see a wonderful exhibition of art by Lyn Belisle (pictured) and Michelle Belto at Dan Pfeiffer gallery in Fredericksburg.
The rodeo was rained out but that just meant that we could easily get a seat at the bar.
That's Lisa Stamper Meyer (one of the co-owners of Roadhouse Arts) and Chris Brussat (one of the workshop participants).
And what trip to Texas would be complete without a ride on the mechanical bull? I swear it was closed, otherwise you would be watching the video right now!
And in case this post gives you the idea that all I did was play, stay tuned for Post 2, where I share pictures and videos of the workshops.
My hosts were Francesca & Nick Watson and I thank them for a very memorable experience.
Roadhouse Arts is part gallery...
part workshop space...
and part working studio.It is nestled amongst a group of other art related venues that form a very unique community of artisans right in the center of Bulverde.
Right next door is Texas Carpet Baggers. Becky Feeley, the owner, creates the most amazing handcrafted bags from leather, suede and other high-end materials. I knew I was in Texas when I saw her wall of hides. I kept thinking they would make incredible book covers.
If I ever decided to use a murse (which, btw, I will not), I would get one from TCB.
Becky and her husband David hosted lunches for the workshops at their shop.
In between workshops, I had the opportunity to see a bit of the local area and experience a taste of Texas.
Everyday there was an episode of chicken TV right outside my door.
All country music fans know that a stop in Luckenbach is a must. Cue Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. 
We had a chance to see a wonderful exhibition of art by Lyn Belisle (pictured) and Michelle Belto at Dan Pfeiffer gallery in Fredericksburg.
The rodeo was rained out but that just meant that we could easily get a seat at the bar.
That's Lisa Stamper Meyer (one of the co-owners of Roadhouse Arts) and Chris Brussat (one of the workshop participants).
And what trip to Texas would be complete without a ride on the mechanical bull? I swear it was closed, otherwise you would be watching the video right now!And in case this post gives you the idea that all I did was play, stay tuned for Post 2, where I share pictures and videos of the workshops.
November 2, 2015
This Just In
Sending out thanks to Cloth Paper Scissors who featured my Impression Obsession rubber stamps in their This Just In column in the November/December issue.
Available in my online shop and at the Impression Obsession website
November 1, 2015
The Week Links: 74
Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week. All previous links can be found here.And here is Week 74...
Lose yourself inside a room filled with colorful mist.
The ephemeral work of Andy Goldsworthy can be seen in this post and in his new book.
Photo collages from Jeane Myers that illustrate how the world around her influences her artwork.
Splashed watercolor painting by Tilen Ti.
Check out these curiosities from Obsolete.
The new issue of The Woven Tale Press, filled with art and poetry, is now online.
A basic primer on acrylic paints from Nathalie Kalbach plus some video tips.
October 31, 2015
Join the Club
I am thrilled to be the designer for the month of November for StencilGirl StencilClub.
I have designed 3 stencils in a new series called On the Edge. Part stencil and part mask, these stencils have a twist and are available only to members of the Club. Have a look at the reveal in this video:
In Dreams (9" x 12")
Your Story (6" x 6")
Off and On (4" x 4")
The only way to get these stencils is to join the Club. Every month that you are a member, you receive 3 exclusive stencils (9x12, 6x6, 4x4 inches) designed by a StencilGirl artist that are not available to anybody else. In addition, you receive a 20+ minute private instructional video and detailed PDF from the artist. You are invited to a private Facebook group for members only and are able to purchase any of the club stencils created prior to the date you joined. For every three months that you remain a member, you receive a one-time-use 20% off coupon good on any stencils on the StencilGirl website. You are also eligible for the monthly giveaway, where one member will win artwork created by the artist using their stencils.
My Giveaway
Click here to see all the stencils that StencilGirl Products offers, here for more information about this new release, here to see my other stencil designs, and here for information on joining the Club.
I have designed 3 stencils in a new series called On the Edge. Part stencil and part mask, these stencils have a twist and are available only to members of the Club. Have a look at the reveal in this video:
In Dreams (9" x 12")
Your Story (6" x 6")
Off and On (4" x 4")
The only way to get these stencils is to join the Club. Every month that you are a member, you receive 3 exclusive stencils (9x12, 6x6, 4x4 inches) designed by a StencilGirl artist that are not available to anybody else. In addition, you receive a 20+ minute private instructional video and detailed PDF from the artist. You are invited to a private Facebook group for members only and are able to purchase any of the club stencils created prior to the date you joined. For every three months that you remain a member, you receive a one-time-use 20% off coupon good on any stencils on the StencilGirl website. You are also eligible for the monthly giveaway, where one member will win artwork created by the artist using their stencils.
My Giveaway
Click here to see all the stencils that StencilGirl Products offers, here for more information about this new release, here to see my other stencil designs, and here for information on joining the Club.
October 30, 2015
AIY: Library of Memories
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of teaching a 3-day workshop called Library of Memories at the Art is You retreat in Stamford, Connecticut. On day one, we all took a road trip to NYC for some serious shopping - a trip I documented in this previous blog post.
The Library of Memories project is part painting, part book making, part assemblage, part collage and all mixed media.
I had a wonderful group of very creative people join me for this one. They were all eager, motivated, focused and talented.
The work created by all the participants was stunning and extremely varied - as can be seen in the following work-in-progress details shots.
The project involved creating a painted and embellished hinged box that held an assemblage and a handmade book.
Gwen Lafleur created this beauty...
...and you can read her thoughts on the class and see many more pictures of her project, including her book pages, here.
Here is a stunner from Lisa Abate...
Incredible art was everywhere...
One of the most exciting things about Art is You was the exhibition that followed the 3-day class, where student work was on display.
At every Art is You retreat there is an art trunk, where teachers and other vendors sell their art and supplies. I had a table there where I sold my stamps, stencils, books, DVDs, and artwork.
And of course I bought as well, with this photo showing just a small grouping of the many vintage objects I found.
West Coasters -- if this workshop seems compelling to you, I will be repeating the 3-day experience (minus the road trip to NYC) in April 2016 at Art is You Santa Rosa. Registration for the retreat is now open.
The Library of Memories project is part painting, part book making, part assemblage, part collage and all mixed media.
I had a wonderful group of very creative people join me for this one. They were all eager, motivated, focused and talented.
The work created by all the participants was stunning and extremely varied - as can be seen in the following work-in-progress details shots.
The project involved creating a painted and embellished hinged box that held an assemblage and a handmade book.
Gwen Lafleur created this beauty...
...and you can read her thoughts on the class and see many more pictures of her project, including her book pages, here.
Here is a stunner from Lisa Abate...
Incredible art was everywhere...
One of the most exciting things about Art is You was the exhibition that followed the 3-day class, where student work was on display.
At every Art is You retreat there is an art trunk, where teachers and other vendors sell their art and supplies. I had a table there where I sold my stamps, stencils, books, DVDs, and artwork.
And of course I bought as well, with this photo showing just a small grouping of the many vintage objects I found.
West Coasters -- if this workshop seems compelling to you, I will be repeating the 3-day experience (minus the road trip to NYC) in April 2016 at Art is You Santa Rosa. Registration for the retreat is now open.
October 26, 2015
Top 10 Doodle, Drawing and Mark Making Techniques
I am excited to be one of 8 artists included in a newly released DVD from F+W Media entitled
Top 10 Doodle, Drawing and Mark Making Techniques
. 
This video brings together segments from previously released DVDs that focus on mark making, doodling and drawing techniques perfect for mixed media art and journaling. My segment focuses on using splattering, dry brushing and mark making. This is culled from one of my earlier DVDs Easy Mixed Media Techniques for the Art Journal , which shows you step-by-step how to create the journal pictured below.
The other artists sharing their techniques on this new DVD include Mary Beth Shaw, Dina Wakley, Pam Carriker, Jean Pederson, Gina Rossi Armfield, Nita Leland, and Tiffany Lovering.
Get more details and see a preview here.
And while you are visiting, check out The Mixed-Media Education Multi Pack , a specially priced bundle of mixed media publications that includes the downloadable version of my book The Mixed-Media Artist - along with eBooks from Joanne Sharpe and Gina Rossi Armfield, a workshop DVD from Diana Trout and an issue of the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors.
This video brings together segments from previously released DVDs that focus on mark making, doodling and drawing techniques perfect for mixed media art and journaling. My segment focuses on using splattering, dry brushing and mark making. This is culled from one of my earlier DVDs Easy Mixed Media Techniques for the Art Journal , which shows you step-by-step how to create the journal pictured below.
The other artists sharing their techniques on this new DVD include Mary Beth Shaw, Dina Wakley, Pam Carriker, Jean Pederson, Gina Rossi Armfield, Nita Leland, and Tiffany Lovering.
Get more details and see a preview here.
And while you are visiting, check out The Mixed-Media Education Multi Pack , a specially priced bundle of mixed media publications that includes the downloadable version of my book The Mixed-Media Artist - along with eBooks from Joanne Sharpe and Gina Rossi Armfield, a workshop DVD from Diana Trout and an issue of the magazine Cloth Paper Scissors.
October 24, 2015
The Week Links: 73
Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week. All previous links can be found here.And here is Week 73...
These quilts are actually carved out of wood and painted by Fraser Smith.
Is a messy desk really better for creativity?
The most gorgeous photographs of autumn you might ever see. From Janek Sedlar.
The stunning drape paintings of Sam Gilliam.
Loving these vignettes created by the Swedish wallpaper company Sandberg to illustrate 4 current trends.
Make your own walnut ink and walnut dye (thanks to Poppytalk for the links)
Greed: the first in a series on seven deadly creative sins from Danny Gregory.
October 22, 2015
AIY: New York Tour
Earlier this month, I taught a very special workshop at Art is You in Stamford, Connecticut. I spent 3 days with 20 creative souls, each of whom made their own Library of Memories. I will share more details about and images from the class in an upcoming blog post. For now, here are some details from their pieces in progress:
Day 1 started with a very special adventure: 50+ artists attending the retreat along with a small group of instructors headed into New York City for a day of shopping and inspiration.
A few of the participants at the Stamford Train Station
Practicing -- just in case
On the train, with the excitement building
First stop: Grand Central Station
Searching through the hundreds of pens at Kinokuniya Bookstore
Outside of M&J Trimming
The long checkout line at Beads World
Pit stop at Bryant Park
Back to shopping at Metalliferous, with hundreds of these bins filled with metal findings
Back in Stamford, bags in hand, heading to the workshop space to create
Day 1 started with a very special adventure: 50+ artists attending the retreat along with a small group of instructors headed into New York City for a day of shopping and inspiration.
A few of the participants at the Stamford Train Station
Practicing -- just in case
On the train, with the excitement building
First stop: Grand Central Station
Searching through the hundreds of pens at Kinokuniya Bookstore
Outside of M&J Trimming
The long checkout line at Beads World
Pit stop at Bryant Park
Back to shopping at Metalliferous, with hundreds of these bins filled with metal findings
Back in Stamford, bags in hand, heading to the workshop space to create
October 17, 2015
The Week Links: 72
Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week. All previous links can be found here.And here is Week 72...
Absolutely in love with the work of Ineke Tijsseling.
Tiny museum landscapes from Michelle Remy.
And speaking of...a magical museum of hyperreal miniatures.
A cabinet of curiosities of sorts during Frieze Week London.
Turning a run-down Chicago bank building into an arts center. For $1.
Traveler's notebook from Amy Tangerine via Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.
(how to) Get over comparing yourself to other creatives from Adam J. Kurtz.
October 15, 2015
Putting my stamp on it...
Sending out thanks to Somerset Studio for reviewing my stamp line from Impression Obsession in their upcoming November/December issue and now carrying select stamps from the line in their own
The 16 stamp designs are available in red rubber cling sets or individually as either cling or rubber wood mounted. See them all at the Impression Obsession website or in my online website shop.
The 16 stamp designs are available in red rubber cling sets or individually as either cling or rubber wood mounted. See them all at the Impression Obsession website or in my online website shop.
