Updates, A Poll, and A Giveaway

Updates
Thank you to everyone who has stopped by my blog! I'm thrilled that people are responding so well to it.  I wanted to provide a few updates/answers to posts from the last few weeks.

First, the Dina Wakley class "Graffiti of My Life" is almost over.  We still need to do the book binding and covers, but our pages are done.  I'm featuring one of my favorites up top.

Second, Kathy M asked if I was looking to teach in my area, and the answer is generally yes.  I really enjoyed teaching at a LSS in town before it closed.  I just don't see myself travelling very far to teach because, as much as I love to teach, I don't love it enough to go through the work of finding a venue and establishing a new group of students. Ideally, I'd like to do something locally.

Third, with regard to my post on finding a signature style, Keitha wanted to continue the discussion.  So, I have a few things to add.  Tami, at Get it Scrapped, will be teaching a class called Styles. In it, she says you will experiment with a variety of different styles to see what appeals to you and what your style might be.  I remembered an exercise I found in Ali Edwards book, A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking.  She suggested taking six of your favorite layouts and jotting down for each one:  the materials you used; any special techniques you used; and what you loved about each one.  By reviewing your notes, you can get a sense about what your style is. I've done this exercise occasionally with my layouts and pieces of art and found it very helpful.

Fourth, Mel asked what I plan to do with my Latino Service piece.  Right now, my plan is to hold onto it as part of a collection I'm developing on Latino Heritage. I've been very intirgued with the idea of organizing my various art pieces into collections that share common themes and/or techniques.  The idea is not fully developed yet, but one goal I have for this blog is to help catalogue my art into these various collections.

Fifth, I did decide that this piece is done.  It just needs a title and a signature.  Thanks for your feedback!

Sixth, Gennifer asked what I planned to do with my "Organic Art" pieces.  I think I will frame those and hang them in my studio someday.  The someday being when I actually have a studio!  I envision a white mat and black frame.

Seventh, Jen commented on how much she liked the idea of collage dominoes as gifts.  I have photographed a few and attached the picture below.

Finally, Kimberlee guessed that art created by Michael DeMeng in my "strong sense of style" post was art by Liz McGrath.  I checked our Elizabeth McGrath's website, and she makes some very, very cool stuff.  In related news, Michael DeMeng is back from his trip to Mexico, and he's got some awesome new posts on his blog.  Check it out!

A Poll
I am interested in what you most like seeing on my blog, so I'm setting up a poll.  I envisioned the blog as showcasing my mixed media art (like this and this), but I've had very good reactions to the cards and scrapbook pages I've featured.  Yesterday, I just went with one of my photographs. (If you want to check out a post that features a card, two mixed-media pieces and a scrapbook page look at this one.) Please take a second to vote in my poll and let me know what you most like to see here. If for any reason, you can't vote, you can still participate in the weekend give-away. . .

Weekend Give-Away
For the weekend give-away, simply vote in my poll and then post below saying "I voted."  Feel free to add other comments as well. As always, you can post as anonymous, but will need to put your name in the comment, so I can tell who you are to send you a prize. I'll pick a random winner Sunday night, 9:00 p.m. California time.  The winner will receive a collaged domino!