Faerie Enchantment

Artistic Affaire L'Automne, Los Angeles, CA, Part Two!

"As imagination bodies forth
The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen
Turns them to shapes, and gives to airy nothing
A local habitation and a name!"
--Theseus, Act V, scene i, Midsummer Nights Dream

As many of us were bracing for the end of midsummer and the beginning of Autumn, I was preparing for an Autumn, with a garden of dragonflies, butterflies and fairies, who were waiting to decide on Tutu's, Tiara's and their favorite party best, at 9am, these sweet darlings would begin to come alive in my workshop: Dragonfly Ballerina Queen and Assemblage at Artistic Affaire in Los Angeles.I was the first instructor to teach, and was excited to start. With a large crowd of students, I find it best to go over a brief run down of what to expect in the class, then break the project down into steps. As the first step is revealed, I begin to walk to each table and re-discuss it, then move to the next step, and the next, in a timely fashion, when all the steps are completed I walk around the room giving tips, advice, re-explaining steps and details, making sure everyone is on the same page.Each student is encouraged to create from within, to find themselves in the class, re-discovering hidden ideas and playing around with new ones. Character building is the most rewarding part of a workshop both for the teacher and the student, when you find yourself in a technique or piece, the possibilities are endless. I couldn't tell you who had the prettiest one, because they all were, each doll reflected the individuals style and taste. Some choose to create actual dolls, butterflie and fairies instead of a dragonfly girl, some replaced the dragofly wings w/chenille stems for arms, while others made seaside maidens and unique bug creations.The colors and themes were all different from shabby chic pastels, cupcake pinks and creamy blues to grungy and vintage browns, eggplants, metals to French noire, cream and pink, each one was magnificant, here are photos of some of the finished dolls from the class:Now you see why I can't pick a favorite, they are all beautiful! Each of the girls did an over the top amazing doll and assemblage. After class we photographed all the pretties for their soiree. Then we all settled back in our seats and had a fabulous lunch and refreshments, gearing up for another another class which would be now taught by the next amazing instructor: Julie Haymaker Thomas. Now it would be my time to sit back and relax a bit, take in the excitement, visit the swap girls and have my lunch, all while having a creative and amazing time.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of Artistic Affaire where I finish up the day w/the other classes, swaps (Masquerade and Tim Burton) and the other excitement!