willamette valley

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 4

Do you know the feeling of letting go of all inhibitions? Like you trust the process of LIFE and you are happy to just wake up and go? That’s how our marbles felt at the art class I taught at 2Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis (thank you Hannah and Matt @2Towns). We let those wee scamps run wild and our art showed this freedom.

I taught the process of creating art on a large piece of watercolor paper using marbles rolled in intense watercolors, then set free by spraying the lines with water to let them ‘bloom’. When the art was dry, we each created a book by folding and making three cuts (then folding into the book form).

This process is probably my favorite activity of the entire summer. There’s something to it that feels wild and a little reckless; a little ‘outside of the box’. It’s exhilarating and definitely carefree–feelings I’d love to carry with me into the rest of my week/month/year.

Supplies Used:

Heavy watercolor paper (we used 9 x 16″ pieces, any size will do but it’s important to know the folded book will be roughly 1/4 the size of the original piece)

Glass marbles, Bone Folder, Scissors, Spray Bottle for water

Dr. PH Martin watercolors, calligraphy ink

PVA Glue, Cloth Tape, Packaging Tape, Fabric Strips

Iridescent Watercolor Powder, Craftsmart Premium Wax Finish Gold/Silver

Heat Gun to speed drying

Coming Opportunities:

Neurographic Art class at Albany Public Library on August 6 at 5:30pm.

Book a private art party!

Commission a pet portrait!

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