Mixed Media Classes with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Two weeks ago, I had the chance to spend a weekend taking classes from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer at Papercraft Clubhouse in Westbrook, Connecticut. I had been looking forward to this for a long time! It was so fun to go back and see friends, make art, shop, play, and of course, to meet and learn from Julie! She was just as fun in person as I'd imagined from her videos.

The first day was an all day class called Art Journal Playground. It was so cool to see Julie's art journals in person - they're stunning! I was so inspired, and it was awesome to get to hear and see more about her process. I think it may have changed my own perspective and process for art journaling.

And one of the demos:

I've never been a face person. I've admired them when other people do them, but never thought I'd do them myself. But seeing how Julie makes faces in her journal was too intriguing for me to pass up trying it in my class project. I made three background spreads, but this is the one I finished. I added a quote from class - something Julie said to Kirsten who was sitting next to me.

And yes, I did in fact add Liquid Pearls to my spread. It's a sickness! (And I really don't want to get over it. lol.) I did really like learning how Julie does the shadows on her hand lettering - I don't usually do my own lettering in my books, but I loved how this turned out!

Then, obligatory fan-girl moments. I hauled my copy of Julie's book Carve Stamp Play to have her sign it for me - she's the one who got me into carving stamps. (More on that in a future post!)

And photos... Julie and I, and also Patty and her niece Jen.

After class, we went over to a restaurant called the Cukoo's Nest for dinner. I'd been there before - it's supposed to be Mexican food, but when I was there in October, they were having a German Oktoberfest special (which was pretty good!) We were placing bets as to whether they'd have a corned beef and cabbage special this time... and they did! But I got the nachos. Yum! It was a fun night :)

The second day's class was Painted Paper Collage. We spent the morning learning different techniques for printing our own patterned papers and then that afternoon we cut up our papers and turned them into collages. I've been wanting to learn this for a long time, and it was so fun! Julie did a fantastic job of breaking it all into steps - there were some absolutely stunning collages from the different class members.
And my final piece... I loved Julie's sample so much that I decided to try a face for mine.

It was such a great weekend! I learned a lot, and I've already signed up for Julie's Junque Journal class bundle online. It was also wonderful to spend time with Patty and Tracie, and of course everyone else that I've gotten to know from the store, classes, and Mixed Media club! I really love that I've had chances to go back and see people and keep in touch.

Julie put a really great post up with a recap of the weekend and lots more pictures for anyone who wants to see more of what we did.

I can't wait for my next chance to head out... I think I'll be teaching again in late spring, so I'll post as soon as I have all the details together.

 

Comments

[Tracie larson]

It was a wonderful weekend all around!

[Mary Beth]

Looks like a wonderful class! Your pieces are really terrific - you nailed those faces, wow! and now you've got me interested in those Liquid Pearls too (pusher lol).

[stephanie]

looks like it was a great weekend!