Brett's Graduation Party!!

Yesterday was our son, Brett's graduation party.  He completed college with a BFA - Graphic Design!  We are so proud of him.  Here are a few of the works he completed while working on his Bachelor's degree.

The 3-legged chair received the College President's Award!

Gazing around the room I was surrounded by all his work.  As I looked at the talent he displays in his creations tears came to my eyes.  I always knew he had a talent that was terrific but to see all of his work together in one room was overwhelming.  I can only imagine the future that lies ahead for him!                              

He is Truly Blessed!

                                                                                                                                              

LOVELY SCENERY & FUN CREATING!

Summer is a time to relax and indulge in fun and frolic. With the official start of this new season fast approaching, many of you are perhaps thinking of a getaway. I would like to personally invite you to join me and my daughter-in-law, Tracie Lyn Huskamp, for two inspiring 2-day workshops in late June at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, California!


Idyllwild Academy is located in the Strawberry Valley nestled amidst the picturesque California Mountains, approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Diego, or a 1 hour drive from Palm Springs. The campus is a tranquil site, only 2 miles from the village of Idyllwild, yet removed from any urban distractions. There is both on-site and off-site housing. And lunch is included with your registration.

*Sign-up by Friday, May 25th and receive $50 Off your registration when you bring a friend!

Thursday-Friday, June 28-29: Fiber Collage at Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild California -

(Course #AAMCOO - to register contact Diane Dennis at 951-6590-2171, ext 2365 or send her an email at Summer@Idyllwildarts.org)

Create a stunning! fiber collage, by discovering the magic in adopting orphan quilt blocks and using these cast-offs as the foundation for painted fabric appliqué designs. This workshop, suitable for all levels, explores painting appliques by sketching subjects on muslin fabric using a fast and easy technique that requires no previous drawing skills, and working with acrylic paints to give the sketch color and depth. The instructors will share tips and product information for making paints washer friendly. You will learn techniques for extracting these painted elements from their fabric surround, adhering each extracted subject onto a separate fiber surface and how to create 3D effects with particular appliques. We'll also investigate and discuss design principles of composition.

Saturday-Sunday, June 30-July 1: Pastel Art Journaling at Idyllwild Arts, Idyllwild California -

(Course #AAMJOO - to register contact Diane Dennis at 951-6590-2171, ext 2365 or send her an email at Summer@Idyllwildarts.org)

This workshop, suitable for all levels, explores that art pastel medium along with methods for sketching from a photograph using a fast and easy technique that requires no previous drawing skills, interpreting color, selecting dramatic color combinations, using drawing strokes to make purposeful yet random looking marks, working with glue alternatives for attaching miscellaneous ephemera. We'll explore idea discovery for recording the everyday, along with exploring the benefits of art journaling, overcoming the fear of a blank page, adding greater perspective by including your words/ writings, and tip/tricks for taking photographs to use as page inspiration.

Idyllwild Arts - Huskamp Workshops

ITALY....PARADISE.....

Yes, Italy is TRULY paradise! When Tracie and I taught in Orvieto in 2009 I was awe struck by the vistas, the people and the artwork both in architecture and in murals. Reading in books or seeing in pictures is just not the same. The preservation of the buildings for centuries is something that the Italians have mastered. Each has a unique beauty beyond words. The eyes are constantly searching for more to see.

All my life I have heard how "young" our country is but somehow it did not register until I visited ancient Rome. Then I realized what "infants' our buildings are. I was embarrassed to think that we tear buildings down when they are still only adolescents. Oh, how old the streets, buildings and statues! What Beauty!





The train tip to Orvieto was filled with fantastic views of small villages, coupled with miles of hills and valleys. When we arrived the view from the train station left us speechless.














An afternoon trip to a local vineyard was no less beautiful!








Off to the market. Wow, what color! Shopping daily for lunch was a treat to remember.
















Then, we spent a couple of afternoons touring Orvieto taking pictures. These pictures would be used to create beautiful hand painted works to remember our trip. Students were excited to learn how to take their pictures then create memorable keepsakes of the days spent with friends. Capturing the details for an artwork to hang on the wall gave them a constant reminder of the days in this wonderful land. Each student chose their favorite architectural find then painted a unique artwork.

One student took a picture of this ancient door.





















Then, using the techniques Tracie and I taught she painted this lovely picture. She also incorporated flowers to remind her of the gardens in the courtyard where we stayed. Later, she added her thoughts on the lines to the right hand side of the picture depicting her most favorable memory.






















We would love for you to join us in September when we return to Italy once more. We have been invited to return to Orieto with Kristin and Bill on another FABULOUS Adventure in Italy!

If you have never been to Italy this is an opportunity to share the experience with a group of friends. We keep our group small so the experience is intimate. Spaces are limited so if you want to go with us, you must sign up right away. This is truly an experience you will never forget. Tracie and I can hardly wait to return to paradise.