 I've recently returned from an incredible trip to visit my daughter in England. Some of the many highlights were:
The travel journal supplies I ended up taking were:
 "The carte-de-visite was usually an albumen print from a collodion negative on thin 2.125 inch × 1.125 inch paper mounted onto a thicker paper card."
1. JANE AUSTEN:
"I wish, as well as everybody else, to be perfectly happy; but, like everybody else, it must be in my own way." ~ Jane Austen As I was studying for my final exam which focused on Jane Austen & her contemporaries, I created a Victorian Puzzle Purse. I find this helps me focus when I'm re-listening to lectures or re-watching movies for class. The side with her signature was patterned after fabric in a quilt that she, her sister Cassandra & their mother created (it's still at their home/museum in Chawton). And the side with her portrait includes wallpaper patterns from rooms in their house, her turquoise ring, a game that she played with her sister (Bilboquet or Cup-and-Ball), her quill & ink bottle and the family china. 2. EMILY DICKENSON: "Make me a picture of the sun-- So I can hang it in my room-- And make believe I'm getting warm When others call it "Day"! Draw me a Robin—on a stem-- So I am hearing him, I'll dream, And when the Orchards stop their tune-- Put my pretense—away-- Say if it's really—warm at noon-- Whether it's Buttercups—that "skim"-- Or Butterflies—that "bloom"? Then—skip—the frost—upon the lea-- And skip the Russet—on the tree-- Let's play those—never come!" 3. FOR MY DAUGHTER: I made a little Victorian puzzle purse to send to England with some of my baby girl's favourite things...fabric & notions, bees & lavender, and, most importantly, her sleepy cat Walter. 🐝🪻🧵🪡🐈⬛ These projects are addictive!    I am so grateful to Mastrius, not only for the opportunity to Mentor other artists which was granted in a difficult time in our world, but also their support of the 'Mastrius Women' project. I will be speaking with Founder Julie DeBoer about the project on June 26 at 12pm MT (free online registration at Mastrius.com events). They have also been sharing the project on Instagram...the beautiful women featured so far are:
TOP (LtoR): Anne deJong, Karen Wideman, Lorri Cameron & Gail Blima CENTER: Juudith Hakala, Julie DeBoer, Janice Wearn & Janifer Calvez BOTTOM: Allison Barrow, Deanna Beaujot, Marybeth Bradbury, Ana Zanella & Ghislaine Cleiren "Since 2021, Veronica Funk's mentorship has been deeply influenced by Mastrius' community of supportive women. She celebrates the strength and beauty of women through her art, with her latest passion project "Mastrius Women!" - A portrait series encouraged by fellow Mastrius artist Allison Barrow. This series showcases the inspiring women within our community. A big thank you to Veronica, and a special shoutout to Mastrius women and fellow artists. 💛   When I began to research the William Morris patterns for the borders in the 'Ahead of Her Time' project that were prevalent in the Victorian Era, I quickly learned that his daughter May was responsible for many of them, though she did not receive the credit. She was only acknowledged for her embroidery kits, as that was considered 'woman's work'. I've always wanted to paint her portrait as beautiful photographs and paintings of her and her mother were created by Gabriel Dante Rosetti in their time. She has such a striking profile so, when I received this small tondo (round) cradled wood panel from Rustic Burl Co I knew this would be a perfect addition to this body of work. I have found something so special in using watercolour on prepared wood and am planning to experiment with it extensively in the fall. More exciting news to come!
 "It was the success of the carte-de-visite that led to photography's institutionalisation."
 Join me in ART MENTORSHIP!
I’m hosting a small group (no more than 8 artists) with @mastrius.official where I’ll be supporting you on your art journey. Mastrius is an online platform that connects Master Artists with those who want to learn from them. ARTISTS, this is an opportunity to BOOST YOUR SKILLS & CONFIDENCE in a trusted group designed to share ideas, practical information, and receive feedback about your work. The group meets ONLINE monthly to help you achieve your specific goals! You’ll also get access to our online community to connect with others on a similar journey. I’ll Help You: 🔥 Write statements, bios, press releases & more! 🔥 Build a profitable career 🔥 Design + achieve goals for your creative practice You’ll Also Get: 💥 Learn how to self-critique 💥 Demos of my process + expertise 💥 Guidance to avoid mistakes I’ve made This Group is For You If: ✅ You have a signature style ✅ You want to broaden your marketing reach ✅ You want to make studio time more efficient I’m eager to share what I’ve learned about creativity and working as an artist over the years, and can’t wait to walk alongside you on this next stage of your creative journey. There are ONLY 8 spots available in my group and it fills up fast, so register NOW! (Don’t worry, you’re not locked in & you can cancel at any time… but I’m convinced you’ll want to stick around and reap the rewards of mentorship!) JOIN ME & REGISTER TODAY! 👉 MORE INFO: www.mastrius.com  "The popularity of the small format photograph and its rapid uptake worldwide were due to their relative cheapness, which made portrait photographs accessible to a broader demographic, and prior to the advent of mechanical reproduction of photographs, led to the publication and collection of portraits of prominent persons."
 Love seeing this project grow and it's especially nice to walk into my studio to see the faces of so many women I admire. It gives me so much joy. I'm almost at the halfway mark with the 'Mastrius Women' project so I will be taking a bit of a break from it but will be back at it in a couple of weeks.
 “Art is the stored honey of the human soul.”
– Theodore Dreiser |
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