Creative Escape 2011



One of the bigger name in the scrapbooking industry in Singapore - Laine's Papeterie and sister company - Papermarket, once again, organised the very fun-filled, informative and interesting class (nearly boot-camp style) with celebrity mixed-medium artist Donna Downey. This is Donna's third Creative Escape in Singapore and if I remembered correctly, this is her only Asian class to date. According to Donna, the scrapbookers in US, Canada and even in parts of Europe where she has previously taught, were amazed that scrapbooking is quite popular in Singapore. Donna also told us her students were impressed that she could teach the Asian students without an interpreter or translator. Well, fortunately or not, English is the main language spoken and written and its importance has even supersede our very own mother tongue of all races in Singapore!

This year's class began with appreciation of the finer acrylic paints. There are many types/brands of acrylic paints in the industry but the wonders of the more expensive and finer ones are so much easier to work with and the effects were much better on canvas without priming with gesso. In using slightly inferior acrylic paints, the use of good gesso is probably a MUST so that the paint will stay and look better on canvas.

The second class was built on what we had learnt from the first class and most of us became better with the second project we were working on and before anyone know it, everyone was helping everyone out with lesser aid from the sweet instructors-turn-helpers. And the final class was the one which everyone had been waiting for - Inspired Journal. This is Donna's signature class and while everyone taught it was going to be a tough class, this turned out to be the MOST DIFFICULT CLASS!!! Just kidding. Inspired Journal was the one class which allowed each and everyone in class to use the various techniques taught and then to be further explored in any way each and everyone wanted to.

Having attended last year's class, I will try to incorporate last year's techniques and this year's to see what I can do to my Journal. I shall post some pictures when I am done. Just give me about 6 more months. Not much mojo lately.

Have a good week ahead!