Tag Archives: Leah Virsik's work

Art and Soul Inspirational Mixed Media Retreats

I’m teaching how to make my Scrap Fabric Book and Multi Dimensional Book (images below) at Art and Soul Portland in September! I couldn’t be more excited. Traveling to teach has been on my list of things I really want to do… a dream come true. View more of the other fabulous artist workshops here. I’m especially grateful to have been asked.

©2010 Leah Virsik, Scrap Fabric Rectangles multi-section pamphlet stitch, paper, thread, hand screened cover, eyelets, button, elastic 5 5/8 x 5 5/8 x 1/2 inches

©2010 Leah Virsik, Snack: Hungry for Growth Series paper and thread, running stitch binding 2 x 5 x 1 1/2 inches

On that note, I was browsing through the Cal State East Bay magazine tonight and ran across an article stating that students who blog get jobs. Having an online presence has definitely made a difference in my career. It has broadened my world and put me in touch with people I wouldn’t normally come into contact. It’s a valuable source of connection.

Meanwhile, I’m getting ready for Teahouse Studio’s Holiday Art Fair in Berkeley on Saturday, December 10, 2011 • 10am – 5pm. Come and support local artists and crafters.

Crafting Table!
From 12-3pm a crafting table will be set up where you can make your very own fingerless gloves! All materials will be on hand to get your craft on!

Refreshments & Drawing!
Food, drinks + a drawing to win a free spot in a future Teahouse Studio workshop.

Artists/Sellers
Mati Rose McDonough • Tiffany Moore • Stefanie Renee • Liz Kalloch • Jen Hewitt • Steph Cortes of Nerd Jerk • Stacy Newman of Hello Cupcake • Blue Chair Fruit • Jennifer Parker • Leah Virsik • Yueh-Wen Chang (Wen) of Sora Designs • Rachel Cole • Amelia Strader of GoGo Craft

**More details here

©2011 Leah Virsik Squares in Circles acrylic, paper towel, tissue paper, found paper, wood shavings, punched circles and squares on paper 4 x 6 inches

I’m feeling a lot of gratitude lately. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving visit with my in-laws. Tom made a really yummy fish soup per my request. I made pomegranate balsamic vinegar dressing. We both exercised in the morning. Tom encouraged me to go the night before by asking if I had ever felt bad after I went to yoga. Never. I always feel better afterward. It’s helpful also to commit the night before when I have morning practice.

Alice, the owner and inspiration behind Loka Yoga has built an incredible community of people and made a comment about how appreciative she is that people continue to show up to practice. It’s like having her birthday every day. It brought tears to my eyes. I get that when I teach. It’s incredible and amazing to have people show up.

Some other highlights: Tom and I are having fun in the garden building planter boxes. I’m enjoying Linda Lum’s Collage and Composition class at Foothill College. It’s much  more difficult for me online so I’m glad to have the opportunity to go to campus for the rest of the class. Tom and I saw the documentary The Swell Season last night. Loved it. Any opportunity to see Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová I am there.

I love listening to artists talk. I feel very lucky to live very close to Mills College and enjoy the opportunity to hear their visiting artists’ lectures. Last week I heard Leslie Shows who will also be in conversation  with Lawrence Rinder, the Director of Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive on Wednesday, December 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 at Haines Gallery. Talk is at 6:00 p.m. She was quite articulate and left an impression on me. I’m looking forward to seeing her work in person. Her strong interest in materials is reflected in her work.

Afterward, I was in the hallway looking at the promotional art mailers on the wall and a postcard of James Gayles caught my eye. I know James through the Artists Engaged critique group. I had never thought of sending one of my promotional postcards to art schools but what a great idea. Thanks James! I’ve put my cards out at art supply stores, on the community board where I go food shopping, cafes, galleries, but yah, now I’m adding art schools and art centers. You just never know how people will find you.

I feel a bit of excitement. Another student signed up for a class I’m teaching next week. I was working in the studio this morning experimenting with burning fabric with a wood burning tool. Not exactly what I expected but different things emerged that I liked especially the color of  the  burned muslin.

I’m now reading Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast recommended by Natalie Goldberg in her book Writing Down the Bones. I love reading or hearing about an artist’s process and both of these books are very engaging. You have my high recommendation. I picked up both these books at the library. If there’s any way I don’t have to accumulate more stuff it’s a good thing.

Mapping the Intelligence of Artist Work: An Explorative Guide to Making, Thinking and Writing arrived today. I ordered  it after seeing Kathy deRosas‘ copy. We’re in a crit group put on by Lisa Kokin and I find the relationship building and personal growth invaluable.

I’ve been struggling with my work lately and Victoria May encouraged me to  honor my own process directing me to two artists Brad Brown and Nigel Poor who emphasize their process in their art.

I just discovered the wonderful collage work of Clare Goddard thanks to this Pinterest page of Ali Edwards.

There are different ways to go about getting published. Jen Segrest in this Craft Sanity podcast talks about her work getting published from it’s initial discovery on Flickr. That was enough to inspire me to join the photo-based community. Another reason I use Flickr is that I find it an incredibly easy way to document and categorize my work. I also appreciate the opportunity for feedback that the Flickr community provides.

Cloth Paper Scissors Studios found my art studio door on Flickr and used it for an article they wrote in their Spring 2011 issue. They liked some other photos I had on Flickr and with some cleaning and a wonderful mom who helped me arrange things, I was also featured in their Summer 2011 issue. Click to see some of my studio images.

Another way to get published…submit. That’s actually the business model of this magazine in particular. They rely on artists to write articles and submit photos, the artists appreciate the publicity and it’s a great way to sell their magazines.