dj pettitt - gentle whispering hues

Beautiful Orvieto Italy!

I'm so excited that I'll be teaching another painted photo and journal workshop in Orvieto, Italy in just a few months! I'm still sighing and thinking about my trip to Australia (I still have more to share about my amazing time there!) but with September approaching, my thoughts and my heart turn toward beautiful Orvieto, 
and memories of last year's dreamy adventure fill my mind. I fell head over heals in love with the beautiful Italian people;   

rolling terraced vineyards, and narrow, one-way cobblestone streets winding through  ancient villages clinging to cliff walls;      
the golden afternoon light;  
   
the many family run boutiques, markets, and restaurants blending food, art, and community;        
and the ancient history, breathtaking architecture, and heart-stirring sculpture.    
               I also fell in love with Giovanni, the head nun running San Lodovico, the 400 year old convent/B&B where we stay and create art. Honestly, I wanted to adopt her and bring her home. She reminded me so much of my sweet grandmother. I can't wait to give Giovanni another great big hug!

Below are a few shots of last year's students and the fun we had together. There are spots left in the September workshop, so if you're interested, or have questions, email Kristi, Bill  or myself, and any of us will be more than happy to answer your questions.

 cooking class

 
 

Bill and Kristi, our amazing host and hostess!

 
                     
  

     painted photo of an angel from the cemetery near Orvieto

Dearest Orvieto, I look forward to meeting again soon, so I can once again wrap my heart around you while closing my eyes and breathing deep of your magnificent beauty and charm.

painted photo of an Italian House Crow

Finished the book... it's ready to journal in.

Here's the finished journal (sold) that I made as a sample for my workshop this weekend. The covers are 6X9 canvas panels. The front cover includes a painted and collaged photograph:Spine with vintage buttons:
Back cover is a painted canvas panel:
I added faux crazy quilting and hand stitching on the lining of the front cover (faux because of the raw edges). On the right is a signature-wrap:
More faux crazy quilting and hand stitching on the inside back cover:
6 Signatures:
Painted and embellished pages:

An Artful Journey registration opening, artsee bloggers, and journal prize

Greetings! I hope you're all enjoying beautiful July weather, fun summer and family activities, and of course... lots of art projects! I wanted to remind everyone that tomorrow at  noon, An Artful Journey registration opens! I love teaching at Cindy's retreat, and I'm very excited about the class that I'll be offering next February at AAJ. Even though we've already listed techniques included in the class, I'm still coming up with new ideas and love the direction that my photo paintings are going. I'll continue to post new samples as I finish them. After my workshop this weekend in Jacksonville, I'll be creating with those new ideas in mind and can't wait to see where they take me. Speaking of new ideas and visions, Geri Centonze has created a great place to be inspired and to explore the work of other blogging artists. Her artsee bloggers site premiered today, and after checking it out, I'm happy to recommend the site to you. Rather than blog hopping, you can find links to many different artists directly from her site. Different categories at the top of the page make it a simple click to explore areas you're most interested in. Geri has plans to add links to many more artists, as well as include interviews and tutorials (I'll be adding one as time permits), so be sure and check it out and bookmark it! You can also contact Geri if you would like your blog to be included on the site. Yesterday, I had my first Monthly Caption Drawing on my Facebook page, and Marla McCafferty won this single signature journal that I made for the prize: If we aren't FB friends, and you would like to play, send me a friendship request so you can get in on the fun.I've been posting a photo once a week and anyone who leaves a comment with a caption for the photo will be in the next Monthly Caption Drawing.The journal pages are painted, lightly stamped, and hinged with fabric.
 

New book finished for my workshop in Orvieto Italy

Just finished a book sample for my Italy workshop in May. I'm so incredibly excited that after waiting so long, it's almost here. I leave on May 3rd, and I've been researching and deciding where I want to go during the extra week that I'll be there. I think I've decided on Siena and the surrounding area for 3 days, and Venice and Burano (the island with all the brightly painted houses) for the remaining 4 days. Any advice or favorite places that you've experienced in Italy? I would love to hear about it!

I'll also be teaching this same workshop in Australia in April, 2012!

angel photo by Bill Steiner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Jacksonville workshop

Woo Whoooo! I had so much fun teaching in Jacksonville Oregon last weekend! What a wonderful group of women. I'm blessed that my classes seem to always draw students who mesh perfectly. We went to dinner as a group twice and had such a great time. Lots of laughs and friendships made. And everyone left with finished or almost finished books! We laughed hard and worked hard, and I was beaming as one after another finished their books.

Susan from the Magnolia Inn  not only makes gorgeous books, she's an incredible cook too. She brought us homemade brownies tied with string that could be taken off and used in our books. Mmmm they were scrumptious.

At dinner Terry shared hysterical stories from when she was a bank teller in Alabama. Did you know that you could rob a bank with a Gar fish? Well, you could try, but you might get laughed out of the bank. Really... it's true. Here's Terry describing the fish gasping for air and chomping it's teeth as the crazy wannabe bank robber took it out of the paper bag and threatened the teller with it. I'm still laughing at her story.
I loved teaching so close to home and have decided to teach another 3 day workshop at the antique store in July. I'm limiting it to 8, and some of the gals are coming back, so I think there are only 1 or 2 spots left. It will be a book workshop and will include painting on photos. I don't have a page on my site yet, but the date will be July 15-17 and it will be at The Trolley Stop Antique Shop in Jacksonville Oregon. If you are interested in reserving a spot, email me for more info.

Liz even finished a small book along with the large one!

workshop sample finished

pocket on inside front cover

pocket on inside back cover

finished book

This book has many of the techniques that I'll be teaching in Italy next May as well as Australia in April, 2012. I'll also be teaching a similar book near here in January. We won't be painting photos, but the rest of the book will be similar to this. The January 2011 class is in Jacksonville, Oregon at the Trolley Stop Antique Store, about 15 minutes from my home. I'll be teaching a small (10 max), 2 day workshop. I'm excited about teaching without having to travel. And, how fun to create at an antique store with loads of yummmy inspiration all around!

The book is much softer looking than it appears in the photos. It was dark and rainy this afternoon, so I used a flash. One day, I'm going to take the time to learn how to use one!

 

update

I've had some setbacks with my health (nothing big, I'm just battling thyroid and adrenal fatigue, making me tired and unable to think clearly) and have decided that it's best to postpone online classes for a few months so I can get well. I feel badly, and know that so many were looking forward to it, but I just can't get it together right now. It will happen, I just need to get well first. In the mean time, I'll be opening my etsy site again, and will be offering books, prints, simple tutorials with kits, and other goodies as I'm able.

Below are some shots of a book I'm working on and will be offering for sale in the next few days. I haven't painted a face in about a year, and it felt good to begin again. It's not finished yet, but I thought I'd show you the progress so far. She'll be the cover of the book.

progress report for my online book class

I wanted to remind everyone interested in the online book class (or future online classes) to be sure you are signed up on my mailing list for updates and details. There's a link on the right. If you can't remember whether you have signed up or not, you can sign up again... you won't get duplicate newsletters.

I appreciate the enthusiasm and can't wait to get started! It looks like it will be October before I can get everything ready. I was hoping for September, but I want to make sure I have time to tend all the details as well as make sure I'm not battling technology like I did in the last class. I'll begin taking sign-ups around the end of August and will let you know exact details in a newsletter, blog posts, and on my site.

 

working on class samples

I'm getting excited about my class next month at An Artful Journey! We'll be altering and painting photos that have been printed on fabric, as well as learning other mixed media technique to incorporate into the book we'll work on throughout the retreat.

Here's an unfinished class sample that I started last night, using a photo of my niece who got married last week.

I'm driving the 6.5 hours instead of flying this time, which will be fabulous since I can stop for photo shoots, and I won't have to deal with all the hassles of flying. I'm planning on taking the coastal route back home and enjoying the drive for a few days instead of rushing home. There are so many beautiful places to photograph between here and Los Gatos, and I don't want to miss any. Well, I'm sure I can't hit them all, but I'll pack in as much as I can!

There are two spots open in my class, and it's the last time I'll be teaching other than online and internationally. I have exciting news about teaching in Australia again in April of 2012 that I will share soon!

Sweet English Sparrows near the garden