Jaime Lyerly Art : journey

Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Like magma; like lava

Like Mother Earth, things in my life have been changing rapidly and have shaken me to the core.

Since hitting the Pause button on my blog in May, I have experienced some major life changes:

Graduation with my Bachelor's in Art: Applied Design, with a minor in Psychology
Ending of a my romantic relationship that lasted 10.5 years
Spiritual awakening to my role as a Energy Healer and Shamanic Temple Priestess

These changes needed to happen "off-line" as much as possible so that I could process them. But I am being called to share my journey again with you.

But this journey will be different than before.

Because this earth sign (I'm a Taurus) has been set on FIRE with my new spiritual connection.

And through this fiery, creative channel comes new art.

Like magma, my fiery earth has churned, hidden from view.

Like lava, it is time to let it out.

So expect new and exciting directions for this blog.

The old content, especially my tutorials, will still be here. I will still share resources and things involving art.

But my goal now in life is to Start YOUR Creative Fire!

and teach by example so that it can burn bright and keep you warm during the toughest transitions.

On Fire,
Jaime Lyerly

Thursday, March 17, 2011

What ever happened to Jaime?

I'm still alive!

Personal issues and spiritual awakening have led me to question:

ALL that I am
ALL that I do
Personal life vs. Private life

Personal life vs. Private life is why my blog fell to the wayside.

I had to figure out who I am before I could continue to speak my truth via this blog.

I still don't have it figured out...

But I am closer than I ever have been in my life.

So bear with me a little while longer while I figure out where I need to be.

One thing I know for sure - I was put on this planet to SHARE and HEAL.

Thank you for being a part of my journey!
~ Jaime Lyerly

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

It's time to Register for the 13th Annual San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Retreat! Mark your calendars for September 10-12, 2010 in Julian, CA

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

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Movements of my soul -- Introduction to Family Constellations workshop - Sunday 6/27/2010 in Vista, CA.

I have been changing....

Changing what I am,
what I want,
how I live,
what I do,
what I need,
and how I deal with it all.

During my time of major flux (my partner moving to Berkeley, my son graduating from middle school, my job not being what it used it be, my high stress life taking a toll, researching graduate schools and more) , I usually turn to art-making as a way to cope.

However, it has been a desert of non-productiveness in my life recently.

A lull in creative expression for a week to "unwind" from classes ending has turned into month of no art making.

A few nights of just watching tv has turned into a sleepless nights playing video games.

A break from class work has turned into a break from living.

How does this happen? I am not sure.

But during this time of low productivity has come a huge blessing - a time for "soul work."

Through artist and healer Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti, I learned of Family Constellation work, which is based on social psychology, family dynamics and energy healing.

She calls the changes that occur because of this healing, "Movements of the Soul."

I won't go into too much detail about the constellations here, but I can say that they have changed my life.

Every aspect of it from how I make art, who I think I am, what do I want, how do I get it, and how do I deal with this thing called life.

And it is a lot to process! Which is why I my blog has been neglected and you see me less on the social networking sites. I'm still here.... just thinking, feeling and trying to understand it.

So please bear with me as I morph into this new person that is greater than the sum of her parts.

Want to know more about Family Constellation work?

Great! Check out the links above and the book called The Healing Power of the Past.

Live in San Diego area? Even better!

Ellie is having a three hour workshop this Sunday, June 27, 2010 from 10 am to 2 pm which is an Introduction to Family Constellations.

Here is the info from the Facebook event:

This is an introductory 3 hour workshop. If you've wanted to join Ellie to experience the transformational work of Family Constellations but haven't had the funds or the time now is your opportunity. Ellie asks that all participants contribute a donation of $25.00 to cover the expense of the conference room. Ellie will do 1 constellation chosen by lottery and 1 constellation as a group. Great opportunity for those of you who are wanting to experience more success in your personal finances, life's passion and or career. Ellie will be focusing on Money and the Heart. You must RSVP to attend. Please RSVP by email to: eangel11@gmail.com. If you don't RSVP you will not be admitted to the event. Sorry no exceptions space is limited. When you RSVP please provide name, phone number, and names of guests who are attending with you.

Note: I will be attending this event!

It really is an awesome experience, and I felt compelled to share it with my friends and readers.

To your health and wellness and deep soul movements.. ~ Jaime Lyerly

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Yasaka Shrine with Fortunes

~ Jaime Lyerly

Monday, May 17, 2010

Free e-Book "Exersighs" - Self-esteem Workbook for Artists by Artella

Shared by Sally Evan's Embracing Creativity newsletter. Check it out!

Artella's free giveaway!

Free copy of Exersighs Exersighs is a 10-page ebook of guided exercises and inspiration, with 16 exer-sighs-es to boost your self-esteem effectively and immediately, triggering momentum for your next creative project, and breaking down blocks FOR GOOD.

Artella Freebies Page

~ Jaime Lyerly

Monday, May 10, 2010

"Repeat. Sum. Repeat." Installation Experience - part one

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still working hard on my installation in room Art 418C at San Diego State University with Experimental Musician Chris Miner called "Repeat. Sum. Repeat."

Last Saturday was supposed to be the informal opening, but we were still installing all day and night, so there was not much to see.

This Tuesday, 5/11/2010, all the installation will be complete and the room should be open from 12 pm until 3 pm, and more hours as requested.

Thanks to Joyce and Will for stopping by on Saturday. They got to see all the pieces spread about, but not installed. However, they were very understanding!

Thanks to Gwyneth Mapes for coming by on Sunday, and giving me such an honest opinion of the installation as a whole.

Huge thanks to Starry Wright, Chris Miner and my son, Xen, for helping me install.

A few lessons from this installation experience, so far.

SDSU parking enforcement will still give you a $40 parking ticket, even if you are quickly unloading your car, and they haven't printed the ticket.
Expect to move boxes in and out of the room all day for a couple of days.
Bring other people to talk to! On Friday, I kept leaving the room to seek out interaction with people.
Prepare your artist statement and tags before hand.
Don't expect that the room will be set up with lights and power needed.
Sound installation needs more preparation than expected and should be laid out visually before any art is installed.
Pedestals are pretentious, but needed to differentiate the works, unless prepared before hand.
Purchase all hardware, extension cords and food before installation day.
It is much harder to install older pieces and make new work at the same time. Don't pressure yourself into doing more than you can handle.
Installation is exhausting!

I will have lots of pictures coming soon, video of the pieces including the sound collage by Chris Miner. Stay tuned for more!

Thanks for joining me on this journey! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wordless Wednesday - Toyko Panda

~ Jaime Lyerly

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions (and what's in it for you...)

I have been a busy bee recently and have a few events that you may be interested in, especially if you are in San Diego, CA.

If you are not in the San Diego area, you can join me on the journey through my blog posts (although those always come later than the event).

I would love you to come and experience these, but I know you are all busy.

So, rather than just tooting my own horn about the awesomeness of me to get you to come to these events, I am going to tell you what's in it for you!

These events are in chronological order.

Current/Upcoming events:

Exhibition: A World of Art - San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Member Show

Dates/Times: May 1 - May 15, 2010, call to arrange for viewing times

Location: East Village Company, # 29
906 10th Ave, San Diego (corner of 10th & E-downtown)

More Information: See the Facebook event

What's in it for you:

See the diversity of work from the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art members.
Also to my encaustic covered hand-carved Jelutong wood sculpture "Reliquary" and untitled encaustic painting.
Check out the East Village Company's space, hosted by the elegant and gracious, Coco Cabuquit-Jarboe. Coco opens her artist loft home to host art events. The relaxed ambiance makes viewing the art and meeting the artists a rewarding and intimate experience. One of San Diego's best kept secrets.
FREE ADMISSION!

________________________________________

Exhibition: Repeat. Sum. Repeat. Art installation by Jaime Lyerly and sound installation by Experimental Musician Chris Miner

Date/Times: May 11, 2010, from 12 pm to 3 pm.

Location: San Diego State University, Art Building Installation Room Art 418C (on the fourth floor.) If you are not a student, park in the "W" lot, which you can buy an hourly permit. Call me at 619-750-2404 to get directions from there.

More Information: My first attempt at installing my body of work, including most of my current encaustic paintings and sculpture, and my newest fiber related works. See the Facebook Event.

What's in it for you:

Supporting local and emerging artists!
Check out my body of work, and help me figure out what needs tweaking as I get ready to apply for graduate school.
Experience Chris Miner's sound installation which is based on the patterns and songs of whales. This is the initial stage of this sound collage, and will be expanded for inclusion in the Atomino 2010: Experimental Art Festival in Germany in August 2010.
FREE ADMISSION (obviously - and I will entertain you too!)

__________________________________

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: Coming soon!

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!

_________________________________

Exhibition: San Diego State University Art Council 8th Annual Scholarship Exhibition

Dates/Times: May 22 - June 19, 2010 Opening: May 21, 2010, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location: La Jolla Athenaeum Music and Arts Library

More Information: The Athenaeum presents for the eighth consecutive year an exhibition of artwork by scholarship winners of the San Diego State University's Department of Art, Design, and Art History. Students from the upper division of the undergraduate or the graduate programs will be selected, based on scholarship applications, by the SDSU Art Council. Each of the five receives a monetary award and the opportunity to present their artwork in this exhibition.

What's in it for you:

Support local and emerging artists (see a trend here?)
Meet the five of SDSU's undergraduate and graduate artists who, including myself, have been awarded a scholarship based on an essay and portfolio review. I will get the names of the other four artists soon.
Check out the Artist Book Collection.
FREE ADMISSION!
Three in One! See the other two exhibitions running and opening at the same time in different galleries at the Athenaeum, Including: Selections from the Athenaeum's Erika and Fred Torri Artists' Books Collection: Fischli/Weiss and Ellen Salk: Shaker Loops

Whew! Lots to do in the next few weeks, right?

Even though I would rather avoid these art openings, (yep, that is me - the introvert in me wants to stay home and watch movies instead) , I will be attending all these events.

I would love for you to join me! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Image of the Week - Petah Coyne

Since one of my jobs is to share information, I am going to start an Image of the Week which will include less of my words and more art.

These images will be from artists I have come across during my web searches, readings, classes, artistic research and more.

All of the images have moved me, but I will let them stand on their own without my WHY. I will include the source so that you can check out more.

First Image of the Week - Petah Coyne

Petah Coyne, Untitled #875S-96/7 (Atlanta Gal), 1996–97, mixed media, 67 1/2×55 x 38”.
Courtesy of Galerie Lelong, New York.

More about Petah Coyne's work can be found in this interview by Lynne Tillman from Bomb Magazine.

Moved to share? Please do! I would love to hear your comments.
~Jaime Lyerly

Monday, April 12, 2010

Blog Triage - HW #3 - "About me" Revamped

Where does your path lead?

Like any slacker student, I am choosing to do the homework I like first before the others. Therefore, for my Blog Triage homework, I am skipping #2 for the moment. Don't tell the teachers!

Blog Triage Homework #3 is about revamping our "About Me" page.

Hooray! I have had roughly the same "About Me" page on Blogger since I started the blog in January 2009. Adding a few sentences over the last few months does not count as revamping, so it is time.

How could my "About Me" be the same if the "ME" part of it is not? Haven't I grown in over a year? Haven't you grown?

So rather than fix up the "About me" page and secretly hope that you never see the previous one, I decided to make a blog post to tell you where I was, and where I am NOW.

"About Me" Before:

I am a mixed media artist trying to bridge the gap between personal narrative and art made for the public eye. My works speak of the ambiguity of our future and our connection to the natural world. As a mother, I try to make the best out of what has been given to me and my art reflects that never-ending effort. It is messy, layered, personal and uncertain – just like everyday living. Found objects, discarded materials and branches from nature blend together with beeswax and hand-knitted yarn to create art that is familiar yet hauntingly distant from its original function. My current work is in exploring the limits and versatility of encaustic (molten beeswax applied hot, resin and pigments) in two dimensional and three-dimensional forms. My explorations include traditional encaustic paneling on panel, but also working three dimensionally with the wax to find out how far it can be removed from its' support. I manipulate the wax using heat, and combine it materials that are not used in traditional encaustic painting. I then examine how it is affected by light, motion, and heat. I love to share my process with others.

This "About Me" is basically my artist statement (which also needs lots of help).

To re-write this, here is a little free-writing...

What's the same:

Working in encaustic wax and beeswax
Sharing my process
Still a mother, artist and blogger
Being a nerdy, scholarship-winning honor society art undergraduate student
Tattooed, opinionated, talkative and easily distracted
Playful and full of enthusiasm
Son calls me "Visser One" and say "yes, my evil master..." when I assign extra chores
Interested in Conceptualism, Art History and Psychology
Love to read
Experimentation and process art
Creating something everyday
Love to support other artists
Being a procrastinator

What is different:

My son is starting high school next year (that statement makes me feel old...)
My purple hair
Seeking more of a spiritual connection and balance in my life
Fiber becoming more important to my work
Working more in 3-D encaustic sculpture
Scientific exploration and research more important
Blogging/documenting a larger part of my creative process
Started teaching workshops in Encaustic Painting

So let's combine these together...

See my new (and improved?) About me page.

Updated my fancy purple hair picture too in case that natural color was throwing you off.

"Going outside to work!" I holler to my family as I tie up my purple hair and don my wax-covered apron. With encaustic wax melting on a palette in my studio/balcony space, I juggle birch panels, fiber creations and my digital camera as I head outside. Why? Because you need to see an enthusiastic mixed media and encaustic artist at work. And that is why I am here - to share my process with you.

Encaustic (molten beeswax, damar resin and pigment) is an ancient medium that has grown in popularity in contemporary art. It can be combined with mixed media, collage, wood, fiber, and be transformed into paintings and three-dimensional objects with a luminosity that any medium would envy.

Want to know more? Follow, subscribe to my blog, or my newsletter for all the waxy details. I occasionally teach encaustic workshops in San Diego, so do not miss your chance to fling some wax with me.

Fair warning: my blog is not ALL about waxy bliss. I share tips about social networking, art marketing, San Diego events and unique Calls for Artists. I blog about spiritual growth, community involvement and balance seeking. I write tutorials on art techniques and share my own and other artists' artwork and creative processes. I even blog about blogging and make stuff everyday... anything that gets the creative juices following. However, I cannot do all this without YOU!

So join me on this inspirational path as we find out why "Art making is a Journey."

Whew! Let's hope it is not another year before I update that again.

What do you think? ~ Jaime Lyerly

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Blog Triage - HW 1 - Desperately Seeking Art-Loving Readers

Since the birth of my blog, "Art Making is a Journey" in January 2009, it has grown into the spirited and precocious toddler.

It has changed from a place to share my artwork and journey as an emerging artist to a place that I can connect with artists and readers from all over the world.

It is a visual and written representation of what is in my head, my heart and what is being created with my hands. It is a necessary and exciting part of my own creative process.

But it wouldn't have grown to this without you.

My readers (frequent or first-timers) help me to define what it is that I write about.

When people email me asking about encaustic techniques or set-up, I know it is because of posts on this blog. I love to share my knowledge with others, and this blog has become my platform.

Yet, sometimes it is neglected. ::Cough, Cough:: Even sick. Ignored. Needing medical attention...

So to help revitilize my blog's health, I have signed up for the online "Blog Triage" class taught by Art Biz Coach Alyson B. Stanfield and Original Impulse/Journey Juju Cynthia Morris.

I have been reading Alyson and Cynthia's blogs since the birth of my blog, so I feel like I know them personally. They are doctors who know the secrets to a healthy blog.

Our "Homework" for this class will be completing assignments on our blog. I hope by sharing this that you will be inspired to check the pulse of your own blog. Here is part 1 of Homework 1.
__________________________________

Blog Triage - Homework 1, part 1 - Describe your ideal readers

Desperately Seeking Art-Loving Readers

You:

Highly interested in Encaustic (hot beeswax painting) and want to know more about it

Has a sense of humor!
Love to look at and/or make art
Lifetime learner and seeker of knowledge
Enjoy reading about the creative process
Visually stimulated
Loves process art and experimentation
Cares about contemporary art
Can be artist working in any medium
Can be a student, retiree, working person, male or female (or cat), physical appearance does not matter
Hardworking and dedicated to the creative process
Wants to learn more about how to market your art
Interested in Feminism, Conceptualism, Post-Modernism, and other Art History-isms
Understanding if I ramble and change topics
Willing to support an "unknown," emerging artist

Preference: Living in San Diego area, CA, but open to other areas of the country/world

Enjoy reading blogs and social networking a plus, but not necessary

Me:

Emerging, Mixed media and Encaustic artist

Loves to share and promote Encaustic paintings and sculpture
Hardworking and dedicated student and mother
Loves to write about process art
Tends to write excessively about own life - even the "bad" stuff
Takes lots of in progress pictures
Needs to blog as part of the creative process
Lover of knowledge, with a tad bit of nerdiness
Needs to teach and share that knowledge with others
Cannot resist sharing on Social Networking sites
Very interested in Conceptualism, Feminism and Art-isms yet to be named
Supports other artists
Tends to talk too much and change subject at will

Looking for long-term relationship with multiple readers.
Let's get together and share this love of art! Will you be my reader?

No application needed - just read and enjoy.

Feeling moved to reach out and connect with me? I am always available to respond to your comments and email.

Thanks for sharing in this journey with me, however long you have been here!

Until next time; Happy Art-making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Friday, April 2, 2010

Fiber and Encaustic Sculpture - Collection (Fibrous Waximus)

I am finally going to share one of my most exciting projects with you! Yay! This post is about the piece itself, and I will have another one in the near future about the process. Enjoy!

Concept:
Collection (Fibrous Waximus) explores the realm of art as creation and scientific collection.

Fibrous Waximus is displayed like a insect collection by the T-pins which links the fiber world and the world of science.

Collection (Fibrous Waximus), installation view
Part of the SDSU Student Exhibition Award XII in March 2010
© 2010 Jaime Lyerly

The shadows of the piece are sometimes more substantial than the piece itself and change as the viewer moves around the piece and the collection. Each interact with the neighboring piece either with form or shadow to create an interactive community.

This exploration is continued in Fibrous Waximus II and III, in progress.

Materials:
Embroidery floss hand-waxed with encaustic (pigmented beeswax and damar resin) paint and then hand shaped, and hung on t-pins directly into the wall.

Dimensions variable.

Details of each piece below so that you can see each form as a separate unit.

So after 46 images, what do you think?

It is hard to show exactly depth of each piece and them as a whole via pictures on the internet but you get the idea.

I am personally obsessed with this work and feel it is an exciting new path for my artistic development.

As always, thank you for letting me share my process and work with you!

Happy art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly