Cultivate Simplicity, No. 3

Our book making class on Saturday was so much fun (I’m not the only one saying that either). Three times I invited the participants to check in with themselves to find out if that was true for them and each time the answer was emphatically, “Yes!”

First we let marbles, rolled in ink/watercolor, saunter around on watercolor paper, which was a moment for all of us to practice letting go of expectations.

While those pieces of art dried, I taught how to fold a piece of watercolor paper into a palm-sized book and bind it with glue and cloth (or cloth binding tape, if preferred).

From here, artists continued to embellish their books with gold or silver wax paste, or moved back to their sauntering marble paper. With spray bottles filled with water, we attempted to ‘wake up’ the marble path of ink and watched as the color bloomed. At one point there was a little disagreement about the color brown. One artist said, “No, I don’t want to use brown–that’s an ugly color.” Later, another participant added brown to her page simply to give it some love. It ended up being just the right color!

There is still time to sign up for this class, which will be offered again on Wednesday, July 24 at 5:30! Tiny Art Books At 2Towns Cider House 33930 Southeast Eastgate Circle Corvallis, OR 97333

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 2

Last week I journeyed one more time (this summer) to Drift Creek Camp, in the Siuslaw National Forest near Lincoln City, Oregon. It is always a joy to be there; to be with my friends Brenda and Tony and the curated community created by all the camp staff. Being there, it’s easy to feel safe and loved because the whole place is infused with generations of care. . . for one another and for creation. Leaving is always very hard work.

I found myself overwhelmed by the gifts of everyone there–music, leading, humor, warmth, cooking. Of course artistry too. The young camper who created the small, colorful painting above, right said (as he painted), “Oh, this color is the opposite of what I was looking for, but exactly what I needed.” As he painted he told us about his goats and how funny they are. He wasn’t aware of the masterpiece taking shape in front of him.

What’s Next:

Join me in a simple book-making class at 2Towns Cider House on July 20 at 2pm; July 24 at 5:30pm.

Learn about Neurographic Art with me at the Albany Public Library on August 6 at 5:30pm.

Book a private art party!

Commission a pet portrait!

Upcoming Art Classes With Jaqui Eicher

Tiny Art Books At 2Towns Cider House 33930 Southeast Eastgate Circle Corvallis, OR 97333

Saturday July 20, 2pm and/or Wednesday July 24th, 5:30pm

What to Expect: You will have all the freedom and guidance you prefer as you create your one-of-a-kind masterpiece! Jaqui will lead you through the steps she has used in her practice. This process of creating your own book is thoughtful and empowering. Once you learn the basic process, you can take the idea to any level you want (big/small, plain/fancy) and use any supplies you choose.

Take Aways: You will leave with a unique book all your own and resources (including news about future classes). Hopefully you will find inspiration to continue your own art practice and gather inspiration from your peers.

* If have an aesthetic in mind and you would like to bring your own supplies — we will be using multi-media art paper, scissors, stick glue, PVA glue, handmade paper, bone folder, and cloth book tape.

Register on Eventbrite

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 1

More art in more places. More art at Drift Creek Camp, in the Siuslaw National Forest; more art using gifts from the forest collected on walks with my sweet dog, just minutes from my home. Last week high school age humans created Neurographic art and recycled cardboard bird mobiles and adult humans learned to make pine needle baskets that fit neatly in the palm of their hand. We all paid attention to things that matter, like kindness and empathy and words.

Creating a pine needle basket is an intuitive process. Your hands feel when the bundle of hydrated needles want to start the upward shape of the side of the basket. There is no such thing as a machine-made basket; human hands make them. I noticed, while teaching adults the first simple stitch in basketry, that the word oblique (when offered by a student) to describe what I was demonstrating, felt wildly out of place–but it wasn’t wrong. At the end of the class, we talked about that word and how we all react to words and how we use them differently.

The high school age humans listened as I described the multitude of choices they could make as we progressed through the steps in creating Neurographic art, recognizing that in a world where it feels like they have control of so little, this could feel like a gift. My dear friend Brenda pointed out that using watercolor can also feel like letting go of control (also a gift).

I love this work, and I get tired. After this weekend of another pine needle basket making class at Black Sheep Gathering in Albany, I’m taking a little break from teaching art. I’ll be painting pet portraits instead* while I process all the learning I’ve done this week while I taught.

* I just realized I’m painting a cat named Tommy and a dog named Jerry. That’s fun.

Art at Drift Creek Camp

These pictures represent my work with 30+ 3rd/4th grade students who are enjoying summer camp at Drift Creek Camp, in the Siuslaw National Forest up the mountain from Lincoln City, Oregon.

Being at Drift Creek fills so many different parts of my very soul–I worked as a counselor there in the late 1980s (when I learned to play chords on a guitar); before that I worked as a kitchen helper (when I learned how to scrub pots); before that I was a camper (when I wasn’t too afraid to get my tetanus booster); before that I went with my home church group for many years (when I learned how to hike and love the ancient forest).

Being at Drift Creek with campers fills so many other parts of my soul–teaching paper-making, learning to know these young people and soaking up their energy; witnessing their kindness and authenticity; seeing the expressions of creativity; and learning that some of their parents were campers in my cabin when I was a counselor there.

What. A. Gift.

There is still more. My friends Brenda and Tony Kauffman are the camp directors. Being able to spend time with them in this amazing natural place will be a memory I’ll carry with me forever. Maybe next week I’ll take Tony up on his challenge to join in the Polar Bear Swim at 7:00 am.

New Direction Home

For more than ten years I’ve been looking for ‘home’. I tried so hard to make downtown Corvallis my home, but living across from an iconic and noisy bar, it turns out, is A LOT. Too much. My dog Pearl and I love our neighbors and have both made so many friends downtown, but something needed to change. We both feel much happier and settled when we are near moving water, some trees and away from pavement/traffic. We have finally found a place to be near water, trees and even closer to the park we walk every day with friends. We are both sleeping at night now (as it happens, sleep is one of the keys to a happy life).

Also for ten years I’ve been working on my art practice and profession. Formerly a middle school teacher in public schools, I’ve danced around teaching both young and old during this ten year span, interspersed with some other jobs that included animals. I’ve been working in places that nurtured different parts of my soul.

For some reason this move to a quieter place, paired with some artistic practices, connections with people and just the right timing, I now have found my footing; I’ve discovered the path to pursue: Teaching art to all ages. Using the practices that have kept me going for the past 10 years to teach others how to keep going. Kyle Morton wrote in one of my favorite songs, Time, Time: “Time, time, inexorable time/you were drawing a circle/I was drawing a line.” I’ve been made aware recently of how much circling back I have done in my life. The more I circle back, the more sure-footed I become. My hope is to continue this new direction toward the home within me, and while I’m here, help others do the same.

Here are some pictures from recent classes and a list of upcoming classes. I’ve met some amazing folks and I even ran into some people I’m fond of from the past.

Upcoming Classes:

June 17/18; June 24/25 — Art at Drift Creek Camp Summer Camp

June 28/30 — Pine Needle Basketry at Black Sheep Gathering in Albany

July 1/2; July 8/9 — Art at Drift Creek Camp Summer Camp

July 6 — Neurographic Art at Albany Mennonite Church for youth

July 20, 2pm — Book making at 2 Towns Ciderhouse (spaces available)

July 24th, 5:30 — Book making at 2 Town Ciderhouse (spaces available)

If you would like more information, please send me a message. Also, please inquire about private classes for your own group of friends. I’ll travel to you, if you like.

With Love,

Jaqui Eicher (and Pearl)

jaqui.eicher@gmail.com

Upcoming Art Classes

I would be tickled to see you at any of these classes! Please join me for art, fun, conversation, and shared space. No experience necessary.

May 22 AND May 29, 5:30-6:30 PM, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, 33930 SE Eastgate Cir, Corvallis, OR 97333

Neurographic Art: Part meditation, part processing, part prayer, part art, part poetry, this process is deeply soulful and empowering. You will amaze yourself with your finished piece!

Register on Eventbrite

May 23, 6-8 PM, CreativiTEE, 110 Commercial St NE Downtown Salem

Papermaking: Jaqui will lead you through the steps she has used in her own practice. This process of creating something new out of tired, old documents is deeply soulful and empowering. Jaqui has used her documents from 10 years ago, as well as her childhood poetry. Your paper will not be completely dry when you leave, but you’ll be given the tools to complete the work.

Register on Eventbrite

My Type of Gratitude List, No. 11

December 2, 2023: I am grateful for the light of friendship, of pets like Pearl and intelligent people working on behalf of those without much privilege or power.

December 7, 2023: I am grateful for technology, even if it makes me curse and swear at least once every day.

December 11, 2023: I am grateful for Pearl and for sunshine in Winter.

December 18, 2023: I am grateful for vacuums. I love the felling of a freshly vacuumed space.

December 19, 2023: I am grateful for color–color can bring so much comfort and joy. I’m relying on the benefits of color more every day.

December 31, 2023: I am grateful for Pearl, and for friends who understand Pearl. Maybe because that feels like they understand me. Pearl is an extension of my spirit.

My Type of Gratitude List, No. 10

November 4, 2023: I am grateful beyond measure for Drift Creek Camp and beloved friends to share it with.

November 9, 2023: I am grateful for sun breaks on rainy days in November.

November 16, 2023: I am grateful for cortisone shots in the heel. That’s right–you heard me. Anything to help plantar fasciitis.

November 17, 2023: I am grateful for friends who can help me move large items when I really need help. #dumbdelivery.

November 24, 2023: I am grateful for friends who accept me as I am.

November 29, 2023: I am grateful for sunlight.

My Type of Gratitude List, No. 9

October 9, 2023: I am grateful that I learned how to sew simple things and how to repair clothing.

October 17, 2023: I am grateful for Lisa and Nathaniel. Seeing them at Goodwill tonight made my whole day. {here my typewriter ribbon gave out} I am also thankful for typewriter ribbon.

October 20, 2023: I am immensely grateful for cotton, and all the people involved with growing, harvesting, dying and sewing pieces of clothing that I wear.

October 24, 2023: I am grateful for having a mop, because that means I have a floor to clean, and that means I have a home.

October 25, 2023: I am so grateful for friends and co workers that I can invite over for cocktails.