Artist Tribe

I was thrilled in the fall of 2017 to be one of the five people chosen to be part of artist Gwen Lafleur's very first design team! Five years later, I'm still loving being part of her team. We even had our very first ArtistTribe retreat this summer at Jackie Neal's Art Barn in Western New York State.

The welcome sign had blown over when Jill and I pulled into the driveway, so I secured it.

We played in the Art Barn from sun-up until midnight!

Jill (center) taught us how to make cyanotypes. Riley Neal assisted us and he and Jackie were wonderful hosts

The 2022 ArtistTribe (L to R): Jackie Neal, me, Chrissy Colon (front), Gwen Lafluer, and Jill McDowell

Gwen is an outstanding artist and stocks some amazing items--from all over the world--in her online store. I am honored and blessed to be able to create projects, paintings and decorative items that incorporate here unique beads, trims and stencils. Gwen is a designer for Stencil Girl, and both her stencils and the artwork she creates are just amazing. She also has 30 sets of stamps with PaperArtsy!

Here's a piece I recently made with Gwen and MaryBeth Shaw's StencilClub mashup, Boho Vibes.

This is how the pages look in my new lapbook. (Gwen taught us all how to make a lapbook at the 2022 ArtistTribe retreat)

Here are some of my earlier creations using Gwen Lafluer's stencils and supplies from her online store:
 

Romantic journal collage

Magical Mini Book with Turkmen jewelry part and ribbon closure

Tayala: Golden Rain Goddess done using Gwen's July 2018 Stencil Club designs plus stencils by Andrea Matus deMeng and Michelle Ward. Crown made from Dresden Trim and mini brads

Tuscan Summer Day journal page with Gwen's Stencil Club July 2018 designs, Art Deco stencils, and les Oiseaux Florentine paper on a turmeric teabag background

Turmeric Flip Journal with Boho stencil done in Radiant Rust Baked Texture embossing powder on turmeric teabag background with ring closure and Turkmen jewelry parts accent

9-Patch Paper Quilt with my own fabric and fabric designs made using Gwen's stencils.
Center design is from an Art Deco stencil.

Recycled cardboard with paint skins and Afraid to Try" stencil

Sari Scrap Flower Child Fairy with silk sari scraps, Turkmen jewelry parts and Florentine paper

Medieval-inspired art quilt. "Slice and dice" circle quilt pieces plus sari ribbon trim,
Dresden trim and a small Turkmen jewelry party.

Football Hero Circa 1936, with chalk paints, old dictionary pages and Baked Texture Embossing Powders

1942 Wedding, with chalk paint distressed background, laces and sari scrap medallions

Deco Bookplate stencil with compass coin and Turkmen jewelry parts

Deco Bookplate stencil with molding paste + self portrait and snakeskin

Radiant Rust Workshop: piece was created during a workshop with Seth Apter at Ink Pad NYC.

I went kind of crazy making paper dolls using many of the items from Gwen's online shop.

This doll has three of Gwen's washi tapes

This doll has two of Gwen's washi tapes, embossing powder, plus a downloadable rose

This paper doll has a Dresden trim headdress and mini wings on her boots

The "seek" doll has embossing powder on her wings, leg and blouse and a sari scrap skirt.

Turkmen and Fabric Boho Necklace, made from Turkmen jewelry parts, handmade fabric beads,
glass and metal beads, and strung on "Darn Good Yarn"

Cover for Khadi art journal, using printed teabags and downloadable roses

Warrior Woman paper doll, full view. Using downloadable wings and roses, plus Florentine paper and sari ribbon

Recycled Body Butter jar, front view, showing dangling Turkmen jewelry parts and my own handmade tyvek beads

Recycled Body Butter jar, top view, showing Kuchi patch top

Deco Dreams journal page, utilizing papers, downloadable butterfly, and Gwen's Art Deco stencil

Detail shot of up-cycled shoe box, showing trims and dangling Turkmen jewelry parts

Top view of up-cycled shoe box

Gift box with black, gold and pearl sari trim

Velvet choker necklace with Hmong Star patches

Women Who Run With the Wolves themed journal pages

Holiday gift tag featuring a German Scrap Angel

Black and white holiday tags designed with Gwen's stencils

Mixed Media "Coco" Christmas Ornament with a small Mexican Nicho, ribbon and beads

Fly Your Freak Flag journal page with Dresden Trim wing and crown and stencil

Lunch Hour Journal Page with washi tape accents

ATC with washi tape and downloadable butterfly

ATCs with washi tape and downloadable butterflies

Vintage Circus Journal Page with swinging Turkmen jewelry pieces

Vintage photo collage with stencils, embossing powder, washi tape and Nuvo Drops

Valentines made with heart-shaped rag paper, stencils, English "scrap" cherubs and flowers and assorted trims