The Artists Life

Recently, I feel as though I’ve been living under a rock. A good portion of an artist’s life is spent blissfully alone with her medium. It’s our happy place where we surrender to our muse, loose ourselves in the creative process and thrive. Some call it the zone. I’ve been very fortunate this summer and have been spending a lot of time in the zone. While there I’ve been working on a new series designed for the sole purpose of making beautiful pieces of art that speak to people.

The scary part is that it’s easy to lose your original focus when you’re in the zone. You go in with an idea, a plan, and you come out with something totally different. Sometimes that new thing is better than you could have imagined. Other times it’s an awful, ugly disaster you quickly get rid of before anyone realizes it came from you. It’s the risk you take for wandering the shadowy path.

The concept for the Signature Collection bloomed along with the lilies back in the spring. It took weeks to fine tune the model and then the summer months to bring the series to fruition. In all that time I’ve had little feedback on the strength of the series except from my family. And truth be told, they’re hard won critics when it comes to my art. So earlier this week when I shared the first teaser photos of the series I wasn’t sure what to expect or what kind of reaction people would have toward my personal expression. I’m thrilled to tell you the response has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s inspiring; it makes the long, hot hours and hard work worthwhile.  

My time spent under the rock was rejuvenating. Crawling out now, I’m looking forward to life in the light and I’m excited about sharing the fruits of my labor with you.

  

The Signature Collection is in the final stages of completion. You’ll find the completed series on my website in the coming weeks.

An artist opens a dialog with strangers though her art. It’s an invitation to see the world though her eyes. 

Tell me what you see.

Lisa

News from the Studio. You can now subscribe to my newsletter on my website or on Facebook.

FREE Pattern of the week is now available on my website just click artist studio/Pattern of the week

Web www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt

California here I come!

 

Join me for 2 intense, hands-on, 2-day glass fusing workshops at Pacific Art Glass in October. Hurry, hurry! Registration deadline is September 1.

Fired Up, 2-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop
When: Thursday, October 16 – Friday, October 17.
Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.
Register: http://www.pacificartglass.com/index.php?file=products&cat_id=49
For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

Fusing for the adventurous!
Instructor Lisa Vogt
Advanced Glass Fusing Class
2-Day, Hands-on
Intermediate/Advanced skill levels
Maximum 12 students

Fired UP, fusing for the adventurous, is the workshop you’ve been waiting for! Fuel that burning desire to break out of your comfort zone, elevate your skill level and grow your creative talent. In this comprehensive workshop, Lisa will show you how to develop your own distinctive design style and apply that unique flair to make engaging, stand-out artwork. You’ll learn how to utilize different techniques in combination to create striking, artistic pieces. Receive step-by-step instruction and trade tips for project layout and assembly. Gain valuable experience while working with an assortment of tools, supplies and fusible materials, in ways that open creative expression. Receive key information on time-tested fusing practices, kiln operation and specifics for firing gallery quality glasswork. Both intermediate and advanced fusers alike will find value in the practical uses of the many innovative techniques employed in making the class projects. Students will leave class with several projects, firing guides, plus the working knowledge and confidence to go bigger and make more elaborate pieces of art. By workshops end, you’ll be a well-equipped pioneer, eager to blaze new artistic trails all your own.  

Students should bring: 3 to 5, 4” x 6” photo prints of past work, glass cutting tools, mosaic nippers, safety glasses, pen and paper.

Some projects will be ready for pick up the morning following class. 
Photo shown demonstrates techniques utilized in class.  
 

Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on Workshop
When: Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19 
Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.
Register: http://www.pacificartglass.com/index.php?file=products&cat_id=49
For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

Instructor Lisa Vogt
Glass Fusing Workshop
All skill levels
2-Day, Hands on
Maximum 12 students

Strong line quality and solid color saturation are powerful design tools glass fusers take advantage of to create eye popping art. Now combine these tried methods with the gradient blends and soft washes achieved through painting with frit and you can push your work from ordinary to extraordinary.  

Lisa will show you through demonstration and hands-on exercises the many methods she employs to make dynamic effects with the application of glass frit and powders. Each student will complete several projects, and leave class with a renewed appreciation for the infinite artistic possibilities glass fusing offers. You’ll immediately be able to apply your new found talent for painting, shading and blending to create full bodied works of art just like the great masters. 

Students will work on a scale versions of the projects shown.  
Students should bring: glass cutting tools, tweezers, safety glasses, pen and paper. 

Projects will be ready for pick up the morning following class.

I'm looking forward to seeing YOU in class!
Lisa 

Web www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt

Inspiration

Times Square

When asked, “Do you want cake or ice cream?” I just smile sweetly. Why settle for one thing when you can enjoy several? So when it came time to plan my trip to Pennsylvania for a teaching engagement, I arranged to extend my stay. Then, in addition to teaching, I could visit family and attend a writing conference, all while up north.

The Empire State Building

The two-day Painting with Frit class I taught at Warner Stained Glass in Allentown, PA went extremely well. It was a pleasure to work with such an open, creative group of glass enthusiasts. The students’ approached the different projects with eager enthusiasm which later paid-off in beautifully executed pieces.

Then I spent a few days relaxing poolside, under sunny skies in NJ, visiting family and friends. It was a welcome break before what was sure to be a busy weekend in New York City, where I’d attend the Writer’s Digest conference. I called that portion of my trip, “Operation kick ass!” I’ve been working on a novel for a while. And though I practice writing, and read what I can about technique, my progress has stalled.

Back in 1999, I was a small-time local stained glass store owner and artist. Attending a national glass conference in Long Beach, California gave me an expanded, world view of glass, art and business. Seeing the bigger picture clarified my goals as an artist. That experience gave me the confidence to break tradition and forge my own path. I knew bigger, better things were within my reach. It was a matter of moving past wanting and working on doing. Attending that show changed my career.

The Writer’s Digest Conference in NYC

Now that the Writer’s Digest conference is behind me, I have similar clarity. Only this time it relates to reaching my writing goals. Attending the Writer’s Digest conference confirmed that I’m on the right track and revitalized my commitment to finishing my book. I’m hopeful it’s the catalyst that will launch my writing career.

There’s a lesson to be learned. Don’t just talk about your dreams, or wait for them to come to you. Get out there. Do whatever it takes to make them come true.

What’s your dream? Go. Make it happen. 

Lisa

Up Coming Classes

Fired Up, 2-Day, Hands-on Glass Fusing Workshop

When: Thursday, October 16 – Friday, October 17.

Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.

Register: http://www.pacificartglass.com/index.php?file=products&cat_id=49

For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

Painting with Frit, 2-Day, Hands-on Workshop

When: Saturday, October 18 - Sunday, October 19 

Where: Pacific Art Glass, Gardena, CA.

Register: http://www.pacificartglass.com/index.php?file=products&cat_id=49

For more information: www.pacificartglass.com Call (800) 354-5277

News from the Studio. You can now subscribe to my newsletter on my website or on Facebook.

FREE Pattern of the week is now available on my website just click artist studio/Pattern of the week

Web www.LisaVogt.net
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhOifd7wukk
Facebook www.Facebook.com/LisaJVogt