She Art with Christy Tomlinson

Several months ago I signed up for Christy Tomlinson's 'She Art' on-line class.  She's an excellent instructor who makes it look so easy, but I was my usual insecure and procrastinating self and waited a couple of months before I felt brave enough to begin.  The videos were fun to watch and her attitude that anything you don't like can be painted over and re-done made me feel better.  She's so sweet and by the time you've watched one or two of the sessions, you feel like you know her and you wish she lived next door!

I finally started with a self portrait of sorts. I'm not that happy with the background as I got a little carried away with the roses (stamped using romaine lettuce bases - ha!) and I'm not crazy about how the bird stamp turned out, but overall it's okay.

Making it was so much fun that I decided to make some for friends.  I've been having slumber parties with two very dear friends, Lucy and Gay, for almost 25 years.  We met through work and were all three kind of off-beat crazy. We had so much fun together that we decided to have a slumber party, or SP as we now call it.  Little did we know that we'd be having SP into middle age!  When we all lived in the same area we had SP about three times a year, taking turns hosting and banishing our spouses to a hotel.  Now that Gay lives in another state, we try to SP at least once a year when she visits her family in the OKC area. It's our chance to have time to really talk and catch up.

About 15 years ago we added the gift element.  We each give a bag, box or basket full of gifts to the others, usually one or two nice things and several funny things.  I decided to give them She Art canvases this time.  I made Gay's first. It went well and I was pleased with it.

Lucy's gave me some problems (rub-on issues, paint issues, coloring issues - must have been the humidity) but ultimately turned out well.

They said they like them, but of course they wouldn't say they didn't, no matter how awful they were! Well, yeah, maybe they would...and I wouldn't mind!

Not sure who my next "victim" will be, but She Art is one of the most enjoyable things I've tried.  Thanks, Christy, for encouraging all of us and sharing your talents! I highly recommend the She Art course, and want to try her journaling course next.