StencilClub Party Call January, “My Wish to You In 2018….”

As each year closes and a new year rings in, we find ourselves reflecting on past events and planning for the new. 

Personally, 2017 was a challenging year and I was glad to leave much of it behind; and yet, I must acknowledge its many blessings. Amidst the chaos, struggles, and tears; I received joy, I received kindness, and at a particularly desperate moment, I received assistance from people I had never met and in the end, I was blessed with strength and hope.  

To acknowledge and celebrate endings and beginnings like these, my friends in StencilGirl’s StencilClub decided to use “My Wish for You in 2018….” as the theme for our January Party Call. I placed the name of everyone who RSVP’d they were joining us into my singing bowl. On New Year’s Eve, right before midnight, my daughter Olivia and I began pulling “wish pairs” from the bowl. We recorded the session live on the StencilClub Facebook page so that our club friends could share in the special moment.

Our Party Calls don’t have a lot of rules. This is intentional so those participating can create from within, be authentically true in that moment. In this swap, some created tags, some made journals, others worked on canvas. As the host of this party, I felt privileged to be a part of so much joy and authenticity.  This party became more than just shared art, it became shared expressions of the heart. Many wishes were accompanied with the sender’s personal story.Some of the wish pairs were Stencilclub friends, while others had never connected before this exchange. What a blessing to be surrounded by that many wishes of artsy friends from all over the country and internationally as well!

In conclusion, My Wish to you in 2018 is, “May you find joy and inspiration as you view all of StencilGirl’s StencilClub pieces for Party Call, January 2018” shown below.

Light and Love,

Lisa Dobry

Dee Spillane to Lisa Dobry

Lisa Dobry to Dee Spillane

Debi Vought to Monica Garcia

Monica Garcia to Debi Vought

Patty Donahue to Cathy Costelle

Cathy Costelle to Patty Donahue

Jill Fisher Holmes to Mary Beth Shaw

Mary Beth Shaw to Jill Fisher Holmes

Kymona Tracey to Jill McDowell

Jill McDowell to Kymona Tracey

Patricia Anne Lintner to Anne Marie Fowler

Anne Marie Fowler to Patricia Anne Lintner

Eva Gronroos to Carol Baxter

Carol Baxter to Eva Gronroos

Michelle Pierron to Cathy Weselby

Cathy Weselby to Michelle Pierron

Trena Lynn Brannon to Heidi Blackmar

Janis Graham to Kristie Taylor

Josefine Fourage to Kristin Williams

Kristin Williams to Josefine Fourage

Serendipity and the Party that Followed ~ Guest Post by Lisa Dobry with Awesome Art from StencilClub Members

We have a special treat on the blog today courtesy of a few on pour StencilClub members. We are thrilled and grateful they are sharing. Look what happens when you trade art beginnings with a friend!

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Jill McDowell, morph

Hello from Lisa Dobry!

            As a StencilGirl Club member, I am always thrilled and delighted when a Party comes together. Our Club Party came into being about a year ago after I posted on the StencilClub Facebook page, that I was so excited to have won a Layered Peonies stencil by Jessica Sporn. My club friend Elise, responded, “I have that stencil too!” which was followed by a few more friends, and with that the Party Call was started. 

Recently, at the end of February, something unexpected transpired; I created a tag using the February 2017 Mandalas, Circles and Spheres StencilClub collection by Maria McGuire and posted it to the Club Facebook page commenting, “I held such high hopes for this piece, but then it just went the wrong direction, sigh…”  Minutes later my artsy friend Elise commented, “I love it; send it to me!” Shaking my head in disbelief, I responded back, “LOL! It’s yours; I’ll put it in the mail tomorrow.”  

From that simple interaction, discussions started flowing and our March Party Call became, “This doesn’t speak to me; can you make it your own?” Club friends began posting random, unfinished, not quite right, or missing something, pieces of art for other friends to claim by replying, “That speaks to me.” After which the piece was dropped in the mail, set to inspire in a whole new way.

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Jill McDowell, morph

            I believe creating art is a process, a journey, rather than a destination. I also believe art is very personal, as it comes from within. It’s reflective of our experiences, and in general how we move about the world. Of course, our style and skills develop over time with practice, exposure and exploration, but there consistently remains a sense of “heart” of “self” in one’s work; a signature style. So, when a creative collaboration like our March Party Call comes together, wonderful things show up. The response and momentum created by this simple conversation was both unexpected and powerful. The March Party Call was not just about the beautiful art that was created. There was something deeper, more soulful that took place as connections of many hearts and selves authentically intermingled.

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Jill McDowell, morph

            Creating with other’s art invoked varying emotions. Some shared that they loved the idea of not starting on a blank canvas or expressed they loved getting actual mail and “enjoyed collaborating with others whose work they admired.” In contrast, others openly admitted the process was intimidating, challenging, and feared they’d mess up someone else’s work and experienced a lot of stress. However, when the morphed pieces began posting, I was truly blown away with the diversity of talent and vision. Their journey path was different than mine; their eyes saw things I hadn’t and there was such variance of artistic styles. I repeatedly thought, “Wow! I would never have thought to do that!” I also recognized what an amazing gift we were just given by everyone who jumped into the party and shared themselves. 

Sometimes fabulous things transpire without real intention; serendipity indeed. I hope you find joy, wonderment and inspiration in the body of work shown below. Party on StencilGirl lovers! 

Party on StencilGirl lovers!
Lisa

Lisa Dobry, base ~Jennifer Armstrong morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~Jennifer Armstrong morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~Jennifer Armstrong morph

Jennifer Armstrong, base ~Jill McDowell morph

Elise Bky, base ~ Lisa Dobry, morph

Jennifer Armstrong, base ~ Lisa Dobry, morph

Elise Bky, base ~ Marilyn Huges morph

Jill McDowell, base ~ Marilyn Hughes, morph

Elise Bky, base ~ Teresa Petermann, morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Monica Garcia, morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Monica Garcia, morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Judy Osborn, morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Elise Bky, morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Elise Bky morph

Lisa Dobry, base ~ Heidi Blackmar, morph

Elise Bky, base ~ Teresa Petermann, morph

Elise Buskey, base ~ Teresa Petermann, morph

Ready to call a friend and stencil together?