More Goodies

More goodies for Etsy!

Another Wallet For Etsy!

Another wallet for etsy!

Canvas Remix is Now Available!

YaHOoOOOOOOOooooOOO!!!!

mY BOoK iS AVaiLaBLe!!

to ORder

go to

AmAZon.com!

Back in the Swing of Things

I am finally back into the swing of things- In fact I spent a great deal of my afternoon and evening was spent working (in my new studio space yipeeee!!)on some fun new things for my Etsy store-first being a canvas wallet (update-sold). For the last couple of years I have carried around a wallet that I made from canvas and everywhere I go I get all kinds of comments so I have finally gotten around to creating some to sell. The first is this chunky black and white graffiti wallet big enough to carry as a clutch, full of mixed media accents and layers of colorful canvas. It and some other goodies will be available in my etsy shop by the end of today!!

Don't Mind Me...

Don't mind me...I am finally kicking back in our new living room taking time to actually READ MY OWN BOOK- never thought I would get to say that! I am counting down the days in the next 2 weeks until Canvas Remix is in stores and I can hardly wait. The anticipation is crazy but thankfully I have lots of stuff to keep me busy so hopefully time will fly! We are finally starting to get settled into our new house and though there is still lots to do I finally feel like I can take a deep breath and begin to enjoy the things to come.

At Last!

At last I have my studio space close to set up and there is nothing like organizing painting supplies to get me inspired (and distracted) to paint- so I started my first painting in my new studio! Now it is back to unpacking!!!

A Space of My Own!

The last couple of months, I feel like I have been holding it all together- managing the balancing act that has been my life for so long- jumping from one project to the next- one responsibility to another- switching gears at a moments notice. Though I know things will be winding down once we get past this renovation and move, it still feels never ending and today I physically feel it all catching up with me…my body aches, and I am exhausted! But I have to say that this last weekend though full of moving, lifting, packing and unpacking was one of the happiest days of my LIFE- because we moved all of my art studio (which was a tiny extra bedroom) into our new garage. Now I have real space to stretch out, paint big without destroying anything, lounge on the couch that we relocated, sew at my sewing table and them move over to the floor to paint, make a mess and let creativity take over!! As I began to put stuff away and organize, I found myself filled with absolute JOY and disbelief, in fact I even shed a few grateful tears!! One of my dreams since college was to have my own painting studio- not just a room but a real big creative space like those I remember seeing in books and art history classes. While everyone else was busy memorizing slides, I was busy studying the few photos of the great painter’s studio spaces- looking at all the details of the space, admiring the unintentional messy details that exist when you are in the midst of creativity- Your space as an artist says so much about yout creative process and I have been facinated by all of my favorite artists and their space! Now, I have a place that I have dreamed of and as soon as I get it all organized I will take some photos- perhaps I will take them in black and white as a tribute to my inspiration pics!!

Will it Ever End?

more work...moving, arranging, settling in...will it ever end?

International Quilt Festival

Excited to announce that I will be at the International Quilt Festival participating in the Open Studios at Make it University- more information to come!

More Progress

Bathroom- Before and After

Today will be full of posts because there is so much exciting stuff going on! And to start the day I have to share the before and after pictures of our bathroom which quickly turned into a nightmare scenario after starting our renovation- water damage, 5 layers of water soaked flooring, termites, plumbing problems- uggghhh- we had to gut the ENTIRE bathroom...AND...we are finally done and happy to say that we did it all ourselves (thank goodness for a husband that is a structural engineer and a dad that has tons of renovation experience). I am so happy with the end result, it is crisp, fresh and most importantly- really, really clean!!!

You'll Have to Pardon Me- I AM TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!

So I received the advance copy of my book in the mail yesterday and I am so excited- in fact I woke up at 3am and could not go back to sleep...just thinking about this crazy journey- it is a lot to think about!! And while I try really hard not to take myself too seriously when it comes to my life as an artist- I cannot help but feel as if this is one of those moments that I have waited for (right up there with my first gallery showing!!)- for a long, long, long time- I have spent the last 15 years running after a dream- a dream of being an artist, of sharing this amazing joy that I have for the creative process with others. All this time I have sacrificed a normal career in order to have time and energy to paint and pursue my creative endeavors, I have an education in art that will never get me a 6 figure job, I have been rejected AND embraced...all a part of being an artist. Today I feel empowered and full of hope that this journey is all worth it- all of the struggles and moments of uncertainty, hard work and consistent time spent with my hands in paint chasing after a dream...I wouldn't have it any other way!!

Fingers to the Bone

There is nothing better than sitting back and taking a good look at all you have accomplished! This weekend the work on our home progressed and we worked our fingers to the bone!! And finally we are starting to see results and that is enough to keep us going a little longer. This week we will purchase our couch and starting orgaizing and moving our stuff over little by little- then I can get back to bloggin about art!! And any day now I will have the advance copy of my book in the mail- I can hardly wait for all of the new exciting things to happen!!

Burnt Out

It is official…I am burnt out. The weeks seem to be blending together for me- I am plagued by impatience- waiting for this time of transition to come to and end- to have a fresh start with new ideas, opportunities, and outlook. The last few weeks have been focused on more renovations (we are so close) but even BIGGER for me is transitioning out of the mentoring program that we live and I work in. The last 3 ½ years of my life have been spent living and working with college students, home has not ever really felt like home to me- I work all day at my job and then come home to work with young adults- I have become accustomed to late night knocks at the door, friendships with people who remind me of my own youth, and lots and lots of drama! Though the last few years have taken a toll on my energy, my daily routine and sometimes even my marriage- I would not trade it for anything. Working with young people keeps you fresh and current, giving of yourself is wonderful, it has inspired my art (which I have amazingly fit into this whole crazy routine) and I leave my role as a “live in mentor” a better, stronger and more confident person. As I say goodbye to my role as a mentor, I cannot help but feel a huge sense of relief and excitement about starting over as a “normal” adult who lives in a normal home that will not have to juggle the responsibility of college student’s health and well-being… Instead it is time to focus and worry about my own. In the meantime, I will try and continue to embrace our renovation, enjoy picking colors and furniture design and continue to prepare for my book release- that is enough for now.

Excited!!!!!!!!

oooohhhhh...I am so excited that you can now search inside my book!!!
Please go check it out for a preview!!!!!!

Robert Rauschenberg

I was sad to learn that Robert Rauschenberg died yesterday at 82. Ruschenberg was a huge influence on my own growth as an artist- I was introduced to his work as a young student in art history and painting classes but it wasn't until I took in a mixed media painting class taught by Mel Katz at PSU that I fully grasped how forward thinking and radical he was as an artist. He believed anything could be art and it was evident in the way that the pushed boundaries of painting and sculpture and used everyday objects and junk in his art. Using his work as inspiration in this painting class, the quarter was spent collecting found objects, putting them into our compositions, experimenting with paint and working very hard to find our own voice in the art we were trying to create. Learning how to strike a balance with collage, objects and paint was one of the most challenging tasks for me as a budding painter but also one of the most liberating. Today I find beauty in peeling paint, old pieces of wood, drips of paint, cast out newspaper, peices of weathered fabric and basic everyday trash. I am still inspired and in awe of Rauschenberg and am sad to know that art world has lost one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

Sparkly on the Feet

Many thanks to Maryam of Marrakesh for the two pairs of lovely Moroccan slippers that I recently received in the mail (a wonderful trade for a custom tote!) I love these slippers- they are SO soft, comfy and sparkly on the feet. Check out Maryam's blog for more lovely slippers!!!!!!

Today

Not only is today my wonderful husband's birthday but it was 9 years ago today that we met- we celebrated with a little sushi and short walk on the water.

North Light Author Shout Outs!

It has been a while since I extended some blog love and since there are handful of us North Light authors with books SO SOON to be released I thought I would give a little cyber shout out to the fabulous and creative new titles soon to hit the shelves!!

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girl's Guide to Handmade Jewelry

By Jennifer Perkins

out August 2008

Plexi Class: Cutting-Edge Projects In Plastic

By Tonia Davenport

out May 2008

Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings

By Kelly Rae

out September 2008

A Charming Exchange: 25 Jewelry Projects To Create & Share

By Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae

Out August 2008

Canvas Remix
by Alisa Burke
out July 2008

ArtFiberFest

I am happy to announce that registration for ArtFiberFest begins today! And as a first time teacher at this venue, I am so excited to offer three classes inspired by my soon to be released book- Canvas Remix So if anyone is looking for one-of-a-kind classes in an amazing place, surround by like minded creative souls- consider treating yourself to long weekend of inspiration!

Graffiti Clutch

Canvas Creatures


Artful Accessories