SEATTLE-WAY LATE!

Ugh -I havent posted in over a month-so sorry guys! I havent posted about the Create retreat or my trip to Seattle-so I'll start with my Seattle trip and post very soon about the Create Retreat~! The main mission was to see my girls Kris and Sarah-get an awesome haircut from Ms. Sarah, Goodwill  and see Gatsby with the Paul Shin and the gang! Well -missiOn accomplished-along with a trip to Georgetown-new hip area, the Goodwill Outlet!!! ( all furniture is 99 cents-where Macklemore filmed that Thrift Shop video! ) a Beckoning Cat exhibit in Bellevue, and a big blow out party/ bonfire with new and old friends! Fortunately the girls will be here in August-I miss them-soooo check out my pics art  the ol Flickr site-altho now it is new and improved? I have been busy working on a super amazing secret that I will share with you soon-cant wait to share it!!

My grandkitty Cairo-coneless!

Door of my dreams in Georgetown-with miss Kris

Maneki- Neko Beckoning cat exhibit some from the 16th century!

Sarah in her new cat ears and cat glasses!

NORTH SUBURBAN NEEDLE ARTS GUILD IN CHICAGO
The Rebel Calligrapher presents a Two day workshop and lecture!

I was made to feel so welcome and treated like a queen. These students were from all disciplines and any had never done calligraphy before. Chicago is amazing-the food each night was to die for! I stayed at the Marriott and had a jacuzzi daily-wow what a charmed life I lead! They have workshops almost monthly and great teachers all- Can you say Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn?
BIG THANKS to Sue Babbs who organized this adventure with attention to every detail-Beth and Caryl for taking me to beautiful dinners, Stana for great  chauffeuring daily-the entire guild for dinner the last night, to everyone who made me feel welcome We had so many laughs and I was reminded of my purpose
OK-you have to see more pics of their work here at my FLICKR page and check out the guild's website here www.needleartsguild.com


Do you want to learn to do these flowers in SoCal at a beautiful Art gallery/store on Saturday May 25? I will post next about teaching at the Word As Art gallery!

SPRING AWAKENING!

Yes Spring is here and I am enjoying working in my garden and rehabbing my pond-I tear myself away to make Floral Fascinators and paint new flower art for several classes and events coming up!

I'll be teaching how to make these at Create Conference in Irvine on June 1st

These are cards that will be for sale at the Santa Ana Artwalk, April 6th!

I kinda feel like Im cheating on letters-but included some words on my flowers! I really love to do these flowers and can't stop! ( and really -they are easy to do!) There is nothing better than sitting in the yard with the fountain trickling , painting nature. How blessed am I?
SO! I will be teaching how to make these flowers here in SoCal soon!

FIRST UP!  SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH!

Join the gallery owners of the Artists Village in Downtown Santa Ana for an evening of dining, shopping for original art and viewing open lofts.

Orange County's hippest new neighborhood invites you to stroll down the four blocks of the 2nd Street Promenade from Broadway Avenue to Spurgeon Street on the First Saturday of EVERY month from 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Admission is FREE.
The monthly event will give you access to buy original art work from some of Southern California’s freshest, edgiest and most talented artists. It also will have open viewings of working lofts owned by artists and designers all in an award winning urban setting.
This is such a wonderful event -if you havent been you simply must-there are open galleries, bands palying in the streets, food trucks, and wonderful and crazy art! My friend Jenny Doh has a space in the Santora Arts Building on Broadway  and she will be hosting me and my stuff. Please come by -say you saw my blog and receive a gift!

 This is a student's work ( Patti Petersen's!)

This is also a student's work!

NEXT! SATURDAY, APRIL 13-10-1pm WATERCOLOR FLOWERS CLASS AT THE ART SUPPLY WAREHOUSE, Westminster,  in the Catalyst gallery, followed by a BEGINNING ITALIC CLASS AT 1:30 contact www.artsupplywarehouse.com   Click on the catalyst button!


DO YOU LIVE ON THE WESTSIDE? Come learn Flowers with me at the wonderful Word Is Art gallery in Culver City in May on the 25th. From 10-1-check out this gallery at www.wordisart.com

LETTERS CALIFORNIA STYLE!

This is Vicci Ewens

Joellen Moline

Patti petersons

Always fun -this is our 8th year and I was again so fortunate to be asked to teach-this time-Fabulous Flowers and Romantic Romans. Letters Cal Style is a small conference held in the Pomona hills at Kellogg Conference center at Cal poly Pomona. Only 120 students so classes are capped at 12. Our weather was exceptional this year-Sunny and in the 80s most days!

Anne Doskow!

I had 12 lovely artists who did simply amazing work. It is always so great to see that confidence emerge-so by the time the class is over the art is wonderful. here are some samples!
ALSO
We had the amazing( dang I use that word a Lot!) Luca Barcellona over from Italy to teach-he was great-and on Sunday he gave a lecture and Chaz Bojorquez came to the dinner and lecture with his lovely wife Christina
Oh I was so excited to sit with them and talk letters and the future of lettering today! so so cool The Society for Calligraphy will be having him speak soon... I iwll def put the info up here. He is the godfather of street lettering here in LA and has a new line coming soon from a famous shoe company.

Luca and Chaz-signing my bok!

Me and Chaz!

So next year I will be back teaching at Letters-this time The Fabric of Memory. a book of hand lettering and momentos, sign up today -more info  on the SfC website-www.societyforcalligraphy.org-plus check out a huge gallery of pics by CC sadler of all the classes that were also there this year-Dont wait and miss out-it will be on Presidents day weekend 2014!

A MOST WONDERFUL NIGHT!

MY OPENING- was amazing! Over 200 people came-I am just getting round to blogging about this -Im kinda gobsmacked still! So lucky I am to have Barbara Close join in this adventure with me-her work is amazing and I think it worked out well-the gallery is still open all month if you missed it. BIG THANKS to Karen Reside in giving us this opportunity -getting it all organized and backing this 100%-we have big plans for lettering, calligraphy and classes at CALB-stay tuned
The night started with IMPACC being the most wonderful host-wrangling spoken word artist and  we were all blown away by the talent-the girls from Society for Calligraphy, Francine, Judy S, Mary Grimes, Bev Womack, and Emily Dennis arrived and started writing bookmarks-thanks to DeAnn Singh for the help here-everyone loved their work. Urban Voodoo performed with cellist Darius Gottlieb, Urban Voodoo brought his consortium of oh so talented poets! Ty and Andre did a live painting that rocked all night, THANKS to all my friends that showed and support my stuff-I know its always a crazy time-and you all still go along with me and I so  appreciate it-who know s whats next-oh yeah -Its time for Letters California Style Next week-Im teaching Water color flowers that I love-but what a change from these huge social justice pieces-I just want to do it all

Early audience-there was a full house soon

The man! Urban Voodoo-where all these amazing words came from

Darius on cello-Andre in hat painting

IMPACC wowing the crowd

OK! You have to see pics of the artists and the work and the gallery so go to my flickr site-linked up here at the right!

WORDZ IN MOTION EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION!

My next adventure! I've been in the studio cranking out canvases like crazy for my show-A collaboration with the spoken word artist Urban Voodoo. This is a pretty big deal being sorta my first solo show-Barbara close is sharing the gallery with me Thank God-i is huge-here's a piece form the show about Trayvon Martin a nd the many young black men killed recently.

 

Here are the details-I know a lot of you are not nearby but if you are won't you join me for the reception?-Its gonna be a stone gas honey!-spoken word performances, Live painting, special vocal stylings  hosted by IMPACC!

Lisa Engelbrecht www.lisaengelbrecht.com
Barbara Close www.bcdezigns.com
UrbanVoodoo www.facebook.com/uvliveanddirect
Cultural Alliance of Long Beach 562-436-3421, cell 562-331-4055

Cultural Alliance of Long Beach and Publishing Urban Words presents.... Wordz In Motion: A Celebration of the Beauty of Expression Through Art and Poetry. Featuring Spoken Word Artist UrbanVoodoo and the Inkwell Collective with Classical Calligraphy Artist Lisa Engelbrecht and the works of lettering artist Barbara Close, the exhibit will meld contemporary urban spoken word with the practice of Calligraphy to produce powerful statements on contemporary culture. The Society for Calligraphy, Southern California will demonstrate hand lettering and participants will be able to make bookmarks and cards.

The opening reception will be held on Saturday, February 2 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Bungalow Art Center at 737 Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach with family activities and an open mic for youth from 5 – 7p.m., a reception from 7 – 8p.m. featuring open mic performances by local spoken word enthusiasts. Spoken word performances by local artists will begin at 8p.m. and local cellist Darius Gottleib will accompany UrbanVoodoo on his poem, Little Andre.  The exhibit continues through February 24, with gallery hours Wednesday – Friday, from 4 – 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon – 5 p.m.  For questions on Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, call 562-436-3421

PAINT AND PLAY WRAP UP!

CC sadlers!

Only the beginning of eats!!

Sandy Doerrs!

I know its been quiet but here is a peek at the fun fun night that was had at my house last week! 15 crazy women came and laughed , made art and toasted to the cry ART! numerous times! It was so much fun-my lovely daughter Kris doled out tempting morsels after morsel -and then Linda Mirth provided the cupcakes! Here is some of the art created-PLUS much more on the flickr page at the right here-click it! There will def be a summer edition of this-maybe outside on the patio!

-many things coming up ( Like my show on Feb. 2!) so stay tuned!

CREATE CONFERENCE WEBSITE SIGN UPS START JAN 8!

ITS ME TEACHING AT THE CREATE RETREAT!
This May, Memorial day weekend
-in Irvine I will be teaching 3 exciting classes at Create-sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors-there are so many great offerings this year-RoAnn Mathias, JoAnne Sharpe, Chris Cozen, Ruth Rae and many more!Just a heads up-the site is now up!

 Here is the link to the website to sign up-workshops sell quickly so be sure to check it out this week
http://www.cvent.com/events/create-mixed-media-retreat-orange-county-2013/event-summary-fad18264218348169857de3256fe09bb.aspx
I believe the first day to sign up is January 8th
The way this conference works is A La Carte-just choose the classes and dates you want!

My classes are Hand Lettered T shirts-Thursday Night

Hand Lettered Prayer Flags-Saturday all day

Fascinating Fascinators!! Sunday Morning

Oh and will be vending and writing at the Artists faire on Friday night!

PAINT AND PLAY AT MY HOUSE!

I want to personally invite you to my home for a fun art night! I know a lot of you are out of the So Cal area but for my local friends I wanted to give you the first shot-there is limited space and I would love to meet you in person if I have not! We will create a beautiful canvas with collage and hand lettering-I know this is a crazy time but it might be the perfect opportunity to do something just for yourself-or gift the class to a friend!

PAINT AND PLAY
A Casual Art Party and Trunk Show with Delicious Bites!
Friday, January 11, 2013 6-10 pm



Come party with us and unleash your inner artist at the studio home of lettering artist and author Lisa Engelbrecht! This is an affordable new kind of art entertainment where friends come together to paint, drink a little wine and discover their creativity in a fun-filled atmosphere. This is an upbeat creative class for everyone.
Not artistic? A little nervous? Don’t worry – I  will teach you step-by-step how to create a unique work of art. It’s easy, fun, and totally stress free. A great girls night out-this is something for everyone. However, the fun is first. The art is secondary.

 We will provide everything you need for the class including the canvas, paint, brushes, lettering and mixed media supplies.. you will create an amazing mixed media piece to take home. ( Plus we will  be serving delicious hors d’oeurves ) Bring your own personal style, your favorite bottle of wine or other beverage, and we do the rest.

(As an added bonus there will be a trunk show of the Artist’s handmade artworks in her studio.)

The Price is $45 which includes all supplies, a bit of bubbly and delicious small bites! ( My daughter Kristin, an excellent cook will be our chef du jour!) Space is limited! so sign up now- you deserve it!
You can sign up today on my website www.lisaengelbrecht.com and click on the store tab.
Or you can send me a check to 6329 Mariquita, Long Beach, 90803-email me at lengelbrecht@earthlink.net
Due to the timing of this you must fill your own spot if you need to cancel. Thanks for understanding!

EASY GILDED INITIALS TUTORIAL!

My Art Spark Tutorial...
EASY GILDED INTIALS!

The Old manuscripts featured 20 Karat gold initials called Versals-they started the verses! You can easily reproduce these stunning shiny letters.

Here I’ve used my versals from the book Hand Lettering for Crafts by Sandra Salamony- but any intials could work.

Using bright colored or black paper sketch the outline of the initial lightly with a pencil. Then carefully fill it with a small brush and Duo Adhesive. You can get Duo Adhesive from Paper and Ink Arts, (www.paperinkarts.com) You can also use Mona Lisa Glue from Michaels but I like the Duo better. You’ll want to fill the initials with a LOT of adhesive-flood it once you do the outline.

Here’s how it looks when you apply the glue. It will be creamy white and cover the paper completely.







Now the hardest part-wait till it drys COMPLETELY CLEAR! During
the drying make sure nothing touches the glue-I always seem to forget and put another paper on top and that wrecks the surface! ( You can just reapply the adhesive if this happens)

                     The letters should look like this when finished drying

Now apply the gold leaf-I find La D’Ore at Michaels and art stores. It comes in many colors and variegated. It is super flimsy and light.

Carefully remove a sheet and place it on the adhesive, using your fingers to get all the nooks and crannies. Remove the excess with a foam brush

                              Using a soft cloth burnish the gold to a dull shine
                                 Voila!! Gold initials ( Or silver or copper)

 

                                      Here I have made a card using one of the initials

My son and I have put together a kit with all you need to make these initials right away!  It includes a mini jar of Duo Adhesive, ( You can make many initials with this small jar!)  3 sheets of assorted gold leaf, 4 quarter sheets of black Artagain paper, an exemplar of my versals, Small brush, and a foam brush. It is $18 plus $4.95 shipping, please order through my website under the store tab-
www.lisaengelbrecht.com

                                              thanks for giving my son a little project!