Magical Mandalas • art class

 If you love mandalas and meditative art forms, you will love this drawing class! Delve into the ancient art of self-expression to create your own personal Mandala, and explore the sacred circle of symbols and patterns - so beautiful and easy to create - no previous art experience required!The very act of creating a mandala can lead us to many blessings, such as the experience of wholeness and inner clarity and possibilities! The artistic process embraces the joy of colour and imaginative mark making, and with the guidance of artist & instructor Sharlena Wood, you will have a finished piece of art to hang on your own wall!All materials will be provided. Options for prints & framing your Mandalas for any occasion will also be available through Great Spirit www.GreatSpiritGallery.comDate • Wed Dec 9th 2015Time • 6:30pm - 9:30pmWhere • RAWspace - 270 Carlaw Ave #102, Toronto ONCost • $55 per person - All materials will be provided.Max 8 people • Space is limited ~ sign up today!Email to sign up• contact@Rawspace.infoWebsite • www.RAWspace.info

Travel Savvy with Acrylic Paint

A recent trip from Toronto, Canada to South East Asia was an amazing experience in many ways, and I learned a lot, primarily in regards to travelling with all my art gear.It was a business trip and I was scheduled to lead 3 x collaborative painting events on a cruise ship. I have packed for and performed these event experiences dozens of times, but in Canada - not internationally. So for many reasons, I had to prepare in a completely different way which included having a Plan B back up just in case my paint was confiscated or my luggage was lost.

The Overview

International Transportation Act Letter + MSDS [Material Safety Data Sheet] paperwork clearly on top of paints that are in airtight ziplock bags and packed in checked baggage.

The Research

The most helpful part of my search was calling manufacturers and artists who I know have travelled to different countries. The general advice was you should have no problems if you have MSDS paperwork on top of paints packed in an airtight ziplock bag, all in your checked luggage. The best discovery is that Golden Artist Paints has an Air Transport Document designed just for these situations. 

Of course, there are no guarantees. Artists paints are in a grey zone for Air Transport carries and security since most of the rules are vague, out of date and sometimes confusing as to what is allowed, restricted or prohibited. For example: On Air Canada’s website, there is a section about paint, but no mention of acrylic paint. It states that Tubes of oil-based and latex paint used by artists are accepted provided the material is packaged in absorbent material and placed in a heavy, plastic leak-proof bag/container.  

Some art material manufacturers recommend calling the airline in advance to verify their policies, so I called Cathay Pacific and a baggage representative explained that paint is acceptable only if it is identified as non-flammable directly on the label, even with an MSDS. Acrylic paint is not flammable, but there is no label on any brand tubes to state this ... it's on the MSDS though. So his response was distressing, albeit understandably on the side of caution and their black and white rules; yet there is no reason not to accept MSDS sheets as that is what they are for. It's funny now, as in the end I had no problems with Cathay Pacific at all - in fact, they were fantastic! I wouldn't recommend a call to the airline though ... unless the rep on the other end is an artist, it will probably be a moot waste of time. 

example for packing acrylic paint for travel

The Trip

So, how did my trip go? Well with all this great advice and information, I felt like a savvy artist traveller by the time I flew out. I had done all I could do on my end, even had a Plan B just in case things went south. Once I got to the airport, I knew it was all up to the Art Gods! :)

I'm happy to say, my bag was checked without any questions (labeled as fragile which I appreciated, and cleared that x-ray security thing both ways) and it was all smooth sailing!

All you need to know

• All paint manufacturers provide MSDS for each specific paint line. Find it on their website or ask your local art store for it. Here is the Golden Artist Colours link. Download and print two copies.

• Golden Artist Paints has an awesome certified document for travel! Download this Air Transport Statement and print two copies.

• Pack a copy of each above document with your paint, and include a copy in your carry-on luggage with all of your flight info.

• Do the same with business cards if you got 'em, and any letter of art related business such as registration for art classes, tours, meetings, lectures or demonstrations during your trip. Too much info is better than not enough.

• Heavy Body vs Fluid Acrylic = as long as the caps close well it does not matter and should be decided based on personal preference.

• Remember that professional quality artist paint is packed with pigment and a little goes a long way. Limit your palette by choosing colours you can mix, then add in your essentials and favorite single pigment colours you can't live without :)

• Pack paint, mediums, brush cleaner etc (anything that could leak) in a large, freezer size zip lock bag. Don't overstuff. Use multiple bags if necessary.

• If possible, pack all materials neatly in an organized and professional bag, case, Artbin etc.

• Bring used paint that is obvious it is personal to avoid paying duty taxes on new goods that might be re-sold.

• Use clear, plain and simple words to explain your materials if you are asked to. It is best not use internal art speak - even the word paint is a buzz word! Alternatives: tools required for an art class/for drawing pictures, personal supplies, non-toxic, non-flammable, water-soluble colour that kids can use... etc

• Be confident in yourself as an artist and take the time to know your materials so you can speak wisely, and with conviction.

Plan B

Before I travelled, I sourced an Art Store at the destination that would have been able to serve 100% of my supply list if my luggage was lost. Popular name brands/manufacturers have International retail locations listed on their website. Always check that first, as it is much easier than to google for stores in places you have never been. Even with a list of retailers, it took me awhile, but I did find a store in Hong Kong that was close enough to my hotel, with a selection of paint, brushes, easel, canvas etc.

Travel Bag

After a lot of searching, I found a Burton Snowboarding bag (156cm) that fit perfectly for my gear! I needed a bag large enough for my easel, rolled canvas, tripod, other materials and equipment. I was delighted - it was reasonably priced and within size allowances. I also kept it under the weight restrictions to avoid paying any extra for oversize/overweight - surprisingly, I fit a Stanrite 500 easel, a tupperware container filled with paint, a bag filled with dozens of brushes, rags, and extras such as canvas pliers and tape and it was under 20 kg.

Creative Alternatives

Naturally, artists think out of the box, so I believe there must be other possibilities in what seems to be a limited International game. For example, as a professional artist with a business, I may look into designing my own label for my own packaged paint and containers, or I may re-fill and re-use the Golden containers and jars I bought for this trip so the packaging matches the Air Transport Document until more paint companies can offer this letter officially.

Paintings!

Thanks for reading - I love sharing, and wanted to post all the tips and advice passed on to me. In the spirit of art community collaboration - please share in the comments your own experiences, research, advice, alternatives, tips and any questions - this is an ongoing learning experience for all artists, and the more information we all have and post online, the better. love light xops.  but what really matters are the collaborative paintings created on this awesome trip :) 

Shared Palette Collaborations • Celebrity Century President's Cruise Asia 2015

Shared Palette Collaborations

Drawing Wild Animals Craftsy Online Art Class - Giveaway! Enter to Win!

Drawing Techniques and Markmaking

Soon to be launched, I wanted to share a little about how special this class is going to be :) (Giveaway details at the end of the post!) This class is directly inspired from my Endangered Animals series and the very techniques and mediums I used to create them. In this class we will use charcoal pencils with Pan Pastels, which is a new and exciting combo. Charcoal is my all time favourite medium, but after 2 decades using it I wanted to mix things up, and incorporating Pan Pastels helped make the drawing process easy! I love this product and wanted to share it with everyone as it has single handedly changed my work in great ways with impressive results.Our main focus will be to understand value, observing the variety of subtle shifts in greyscale, as well creating beautiful line work and mark-marking for the illusion of animal fur, skin and spots. We'll take an in depth look at shading and layering to achieve high realism in facial features and overall details!The concept of Black and White Portraits was heartfelt because my series was personally focused on dramatic intimate portraits to encourage viewers to look these endangered creatures in the eye and feel a connection. Please know I don't want to disappoint anyone ... this class may lack colour, but value is one of the main foundational elements of design. It's how I first learned to describe the illusion of depth, volume and texture. I feel that once you understand value, you understand colour in a unique way too! Your work in all mediums and styles beyond this class will become so dynamic!We put a lot of thought into which animals to focus on in the class projects (Sumatran Elephant, Giant Panda, Amur Leopard) so there would be a lot of examples and inspiration, that way you could apply everything learned to any animal subject you wished. I encourage you to draw what means most to you, and what you feel strongly about in your heart.The decision to research, draw and share these creatures has been one of the most difficult in my life, and I have learned so much. I am incredibly honoured that Craftsy loved these works and created an opportunity where I could share the techniques with you ... I hope you enjoy it, from the bottom of my heart xoxo please share this news with everyone so I can plan trip #3 to Craftsy and film a third class :)  love & light, Sharlena

GIVEAWAY

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Drawing Wild Animals is coming out very soon, and to celebrate, Craftsy and I are hosting a GIVEAWAY!This is your chance to win the class for FREE!

Click this link http://www.craftsy.com/ext/SharlenaWood_Giveawayto sign up for Craftsy or use your existing login information to be entered for a chance to win! One entry per person.The winner will be announced the day of the launch :)

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Sharlena Wood creating in the Craftsy Studio

Mixed Media 'Curse'

Next to the taunting torment of ‘the muse’ who looms with an array of ideas that must be sifted and sorted, it’s choosing a medium that haunts me the most. Sometimes being a mixed media artist is both a blessing and a curse - I am always torn by the multitude of medium possibilities!

• A stack of mirrors sit in my studio awaiting experimentation with acrylic glazes.
• Winter 2014 was all about Pan Pastels to prepare for Craftsy class #2. I'm still learning about and loving them.
• On a recent plein air adventure, I revisited my love of oil paints and the delight of painting outdoors ... even in the middle of snow storm! 
• A trip to the Art Store reveals a slew of new art supplies just released (and I dislike feeling I’m out of touch with the art material world!); I walk out broke, and although inspired with an array of new toys - all the fresh new materials sit around for some time collecting dust until I have time to play. I splurged on a rainbow of pastel pencils months ago, and I have yet to put them to use!

Ideally, one should have more material than one can possibly cope with. ~Frank AuerbachSurrounding myself with materials and surfaces is a huge source of inspiration (I love materials!) yet it can be conflicting living in the midst of it all, waiting until the right idea is a match for it. *sigh* No doubt, this madness is perhaps genius! I can’t say I intend to change my ways, or could, even if I wanted to! With a passion to experiment and honour any idea with the medium that may be its best voice of expression, I have accepted this conundrum - even if it means that my work may rarely have a visual continuity, especially since medium sometimes influences style. I also know that not everything I do will see the light of day anyway. Playing is liberating! Experimentation is educational! So in this time of being overwhelmed by 'all the possibilities', I calmly remind myself that 'all those possibilities' are waiting for me whenever the muse visits, and in the meantime I find clarity and peace in their midst.Take materials that represent you best and go for it! ~Schar Chappell

ArtStars

Looking back at my first online Craftsy class 'Painting Wildlife: Acrylic Mixed Media' and the hundreds of artworks created by artists all over the world in the last half year.Home Sweet Home, from teaching Craftsy class #2 in Denver, CO, just in time for the holidays. With Christmas magic upon us, all that I love and am truly grateful for is swirling around in my heart.Thank you all, for such inspiration!Craftsy currently has a sale on the top 5 best-reviewed classes of 2014! My class Painting Wildlife: Acrylic & Mixed Media is 50% OFF right now until Christmas Day.Love Light

PET PORTRAIT COMMISSIONS

I've been having a fabulous time drawing a lot of pet portraits since moving to The Beaches. Everyone has a dog here (even the cat lovers!) so now I know I will never, ever tire of drawing these incredible creatures! Commissioning a pet portrait can be personal, or a gift - and the time is now! Christmas is coming up, and since I'm ahead of schedule, I am inviting some more orders. Win-Win! 

Animal Portraits 
Charcoal Drawing

A classic, artist expression of your beloved dogs, cats, birds, exotic creatures.

• Signed charcoal drawing on quality paper

• Standard size is 9"x12" unframed (you can frame in a standard 8"x10") - other sizes available

• Satisfaction guaranteed!

Latest Pet Portrait Commissions

Check out my website for more details. Email sharlenawood@gmail.com with your favourite photo of your adorables face for a reference to get started. Make sure it's clear and not effected, so I can see the detail and capture all the special markings and likeness!

Honey Bee

Since I started drawing Endangered Animals, there has been a decline. In the first few months of drawing and researching them, the Black Rhino was declared extinct. Not even a year later, and the news continues to reel in with desolate results. A report came out today : Honeybee Death Rate is Currently too High for Survival of the Species - See more at: http://livefreelivenatural.com/honeybee-death-rate-currently-high-survival-species-crucial-food/#sthash.tecvPGbj.dpufI will leave it to the scientists to share the importance and viability of the Honey Bee, but as an eco-warrior and artist who does research and keep account of the connection to our brilliant planet, I can tell you beyond needing these creatures that they are absolutely remarkable. .... not only regarding the jobs they naturally and selflessly fulfill, but in their every detail that I have studied at magnification. Such magnificence should be marvelled, respected and loved. At the time I included the Honey Bee into my Endangered Species series, I had a feeling they were too small, and too easily ignored, and I was worried from the beginning.Sad days are ahead folks ...the human condition is proving that we are capable of standing by and allowing such an important living creature to vanish. We are such a destructive species. We have a history of waiting until it is far too late.If it is any inspiration, I do think that many care about many creatures as small as the Honey Bee, and wish every day that we all came together to act, and not allow such heart sick situations to ever happen. Yet with Corporate corruption and deceit, our future seems pretty bleak. Instead of choosing to stop using poisons that we knew damn well were harmful to them - KILLING them - as of now, there will be a change greater than we ever could have imagined because bees are a very important species.  And we let them go.They say you never know what you had until it's gone. Truth is, we knew exactly what we had... we just thought we would never lose it, we took it for granted while we had it, combined with Corporations having control over the demise of our future for their current pocket book. And so perhaps we deserve whatever sad future will be without Honey Bees.

Wise Ears

 Prints available at Fine Art America • http://fineartamerica.com/featured/owl-wise-ears-sharlena-wood.html