Inspired by Lives and Letters.
I am taking my second-ever online art class. I was so blown away by the first one I took a few months ago, that when I learned the same artist, Lendon Noe was doing another, I had to join in again.
The class is hosted by another wonderfully-talented artist, Carla Sonheim, who hosts a variety of online art classes.
Lendon (I just love her name, by the way, and especially when she says it with her adorable southern accent) is a mixed media artist, and I have learned so many different techniques and ways to really stretch my artistic talent and creative brain from her.
This class is especially poignant, because it is not just about art for the sake of art, but it is about our art telling a story.
It is about creating art that “communicates.”
It is about being inspired by the lives of those who are important to us and the letters they have written.
We’ve done some fun things with dying tissue paper and creating plaster pieces (which I’ve shared in some photos here) and then put them together in a way that creates a dialogue (at least to us in some personal way).
We then were tasked with searching for some letters that were important to us. Lendon has some beautiful letters written by her father to his mother and brother while he was serving in World War II.
Though I don’t have anything that wonderfully poignant, I was able to dig deep into my cedar chest – the same cedar chest Hubby made for me when we were engaged – my “hope chest” that still sits in our bedroom almost 36 years later – and found the very first note he ever wrote to me (one he left on my car at work with a rose asking me out on a first date before he even knew how to spell my name) and another poem he wrote to me 10 days before our wedding.
It might not look like much to you, but I was so excited to give it to Hubby as a gift that I framed it and wrapped it and presented it to him one ordinary day last week.
If you are wondering what the Bingo references are all about, you can read about the beginning of our story here.
Thank you my sweet art and blogging friend Jill Kuhn at Jill’s Art Journal for nudging me into this class. I am truly Inspired by Lives and Letters.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sweet😊
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Wow Jodi, This is so precious and created with so much thought and love. What a treasure! I know that your Hubby will never ever spell uou name again incorrectly when he has that 1st note asking you out for a date within your art piece. Great word Jodi ! You are really branching out in your artistic techniques, much like my friend the plant guy! Ha Ha.
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awww – thanks Gary – it was fun to create something so meaningful. 🙂 ❤
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Creating art that communicates…I like that wording. 😊
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Lendon Noe – she really communicates with art! 🙂
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Wonderful mixed media work Jodi – I especially love the 3rd, 4th & 5th pieces, me being a colour and texture junkie! The collage you created tells a lovely personal story that will surely be treasured by many generations of your family in the future….
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Thanks Evelyn – so fun to create!
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How awesome and creative this is! I love your art piece you gifted your husband!😎👍
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Thanks Mary – It was so fun to do.
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How wonderful, Jodi! I am sure that Marty just loved it! It is beautiful!
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We smiled remembering (and not remembering) and read some other letters. So sweet ❤
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It sounds like a very sweet and pleasant moment! ❤
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Oh wow, fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing your class work art as well as the finished project. I love the theme of Lives and Letters. And, what a meaningful tribute to Marty. Happy day Jodi!
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Thanks Sharon! What it lacks in artistic creativity is hopefully gained in love 🙂
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Wow, what an awesome gift!! ❤️❤️❤️ Beautiful work, Jodi! A beloved piece that will be cherished by many generations.
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Awwww Thanks Patty! I hope 🙂 ❤
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I love this story.
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Thanks Colleen! Bingo has been called! Hold your cards! 🙂
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Oh shoot, I forgot to go to the link! Now I have to so I understand fully!!!
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LOL!
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wow – what a wonderful class and piece you created –
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Thanks Beth – a lot of meaning and love in it ❤
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I never thought that art could be offered online. But as your art work shows I was mistaken. Thanks, Jodi!
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so much fun!
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What a beautiful way to preserve those precious memories!
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Thanks so much!
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There is nothing better than an art class to inspire and open new doors. Your collage is so special, a collage of sweet memories, I know you both will enjoy having it in your home…
Jenna
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Thanks Jenna – this mixed media is surely out of my comfort zone and I feel a bit “weak” at it, but am enjoying learning and stretching.
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I hear ya!
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I can’t wait to see all of the art you produce from this class. This seems like a terrific family history project! What a treasure your creations are going to be!!! I expect to be inspired through you! Thanks!
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Oh Lenore – How sweet of you. So good to be hearing from you and seeing your posts again. I’ve missed you. 🙂
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A true gift from the heart, Jodi! And what fun for you to start exploring different medias. You’ll be sculpting statues soon, lol!
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Oh dear – who knows?!! This is fun – and certainly out of my comfort zone!
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I love them all Jodi. Sounds like a great class!
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Thanks Amanda – having fun stretching out of my comfort zone.
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It looks like a great deal of fun too me! Keeping enjoying it 🙂
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Thank you for sharing your beautiful love story. It reminded me of mine. Great memories!
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Awww! How sweet! I’m so glad! Wanna share yours?
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I can see how appealing this class would be for you. You are a natural born story teller, in your words, your poems, your photographs, even your food, and especially your art work. It’s so freeing to play with tissue paper, plaster, etc and create. You are very caring and sentimental. Your piece is endearing, making it a gift to hubby for no special occaision, you make everyone feel like your best friend and you shine in bringing out the best in people you touch. Keep growing, experimenting, and mostly having fun. Even if it maynot be the creative outlet you continue, it is providing a foundation to share with your grandchildren.
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What did I ever do to deserve a sweet friend like you dear Dena?! What a blessing you are! Thank you for your kindness. I am not nearly as wonderful as you make me out to be – LOL! but Thank you!!!
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Hi Jodi, I so LOVE what your created for your hubby!! ❤️❤️❤️ So special! 😍 I bet he was surprised!
I’m so happy you are enjoying the class, I knew you would excell at it! I can’t wait to see more of your creations! 😘xo
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Hi Jill – not sure I am excelling at all. In fact, feel kind of awkward and UN-Artsy when I see all the other creations. Mixed media is new to me, and so cool. Mine lacks the creativity, but is filled with love. 🙂
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Well, I think it is beautiful!! 💙💚❤️ And isn’t it more about the JOY it gives YOU in making art?! 🎨👍😍 Art from your heart is the best ever!! 💖
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You are one very talented lady, Jodi. This is great!
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Oh George – it was so fun digging up those notes and memories! 🙂
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What a wonderful collage of memories (and smiles)! (K)
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I was so giddy about it – LOL!
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I liked how you added so many pieces of your beginning love with your husband. 💕 This is such a touching piece and looks so professional, Jodi!! I loved this personal mixed media collage!! Wow! 🎇
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I adore the work you have created through Lendon’s class …. but the prize has to go to the piece you made for your husband. It is not only personal and touching but also extremely exciting on the eye with all the different elements begging to be explored and yet melding together perfectly – rather like the early stages of a life-long romance which is highly appropriate ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
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awww – thanks Fiona – I was so giddy about giving it to him – LOL!
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That is TOO sweet 💕
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The moments like that are more rare these days. We know each other so well and are so comfortable. Remembering these early days is fun to think back about.
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Love, Love, Love Jodi – well done !!!
Oh, and btw, such a different unique name, Lendon….very nice
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Thanks Lynne! Love her name, and when she says it with her sweet southern accent – it sounds like Linndon 🙂
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Awww Jodi you are too sweet! A definite romantic at heart! Love it! So glad that you shared it with us.
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❤
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You are stretching your creative wings and soaring to new heights! A harmonious blend of old and new that perfectly says “I Love You”! Thank-you for sharing your fantabulous gift. P.S. The Toddler Art Critic gives “10 stars to My Jodi’s picture”, that’s all his fingers…his highest rating!
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Awh! Thanks you two!!! ❤
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This is amazing Jodi! I love the notes and the sentiments. It is so very special! Love! xxx
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Thanks Lynn! It was so special to find those notes 🙂
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I love this!
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Thanks lynn
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This is terrific, Jodi, and I’m sure your husband loves it. That’s what art is all about….connecting! And you are very good at it. I’m so glad you keep expanding your horizons. It has been fun watching you learn and grow as an artist, and learning to trust your own, unique vision and share it with the rest of us!
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Thank you so much Ann! It was fun to remember back to those early years. ☺️❤️
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Jodi, this is WONDERFUL!!
And I am so glad that you are enjoying it.
I must admit that the story about your husband brought a tear (or two or three) to my eyes.
Such a beautiful way to remember.
Thank you for sharing, and I hope you will share more from your classes here.
Happy day to you!
xo.
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Aww. Thanks Lisa ☺️
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Aww! What a sweet gift and one made with love!
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☺️❤️👍
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I joined this class after it was over. I’m enjoying watching all the videos and plan to go back and start from the beginning. I’ve made a couple of envelopes and plan on starting the tissue dying soon. I love Carla’s on-line classes and have been doing them for years.
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Have fun Carol! I have only done two of Lendon’s – so much fun!
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