July 18, 2008 by Susan

The menagerie keeps growing. And you, too, can create your own family of cute sock and glove critters. It’s not too late to sign up for our Sock Animal workshop which is coming up soon, Sunday July 27th. Register soon. Our last workshop, a beeswax collage class, was filled!
Capra the Goat, by Jessie S.; Spot the Dog, Tush the Pig (Fatush’s little brother), Ellie the Phant, Boris the Dog, and Zippy the Zebra, all by me.
Posted in Classes, Creativity, Fiber & Textiles, Student's Work, recycle/repurpose | No Comments »
July 17, 2008 by Susan


Yep, I know, hard to believe it- but the Boonville Art Barn was on the cover the the Ukiah Daily Journal on Saturday July 12th. Not all the photos are online, but check it out the article here!
Tags: Add new tag, Book Arts, Classes, Mendocino, Poetry, recycle/repurpose, ukiah daily journal
Posted in Book Arts, Classes, Kid's Camp, Student's Work | No Comments »
July 16, 2008 by Susan
Tags: accordion book, Book Arts, Boonville camp, Kid's Camp, paste paper, Poetry
Posted in Book Arts, Collage & Assemblage, Kid's Camp, Poetry and Writing, Student's Work, Uncategorized | No Comments »
June 30, 2008 by Susan








Our Art Barn open house was a great success! Thanks, to all who attended.
As most of Mendocino County, California, continued suffering from overwhelming, out-of-control fires, we used the Art Barn opening as a gathering time and space to create wonderful, hand-made “Thank You” collage cards for our local AV volunteer firefighters who have worked tirelessly on our behalf, saving hundreds of homes in the affected areas. We also made paste paper and wonderfully healing paste paper prayer flags. Tonight we are going to the Anderson Valley Firefighter’s Appreciation Dinner to give them a check (we raised some much-needed funds) and a huge pile of gorgeous and heartfelt cards. It was very therapeutic and fun!
Many special thanks to David, Dawn, Jessica, Taunia, Paula, Lisa, Mary, Neil, Geraldine, Susan, Susan, & Susan (whew!), Ann, Maureen, Vicki, Hannah, Julia, Sara, Julie, Mitch, Dennis, Jane, Regine, and everyone else who stopped in.
Tags: collage, Firefighter's, open house, paste paper, prayer flags
Posted in Collage & Assemblage, Student's Work, exhibits, recycle/repurpose | 1 Comment »
June 2, 2008 by Susan
I am so excited- in two weeks I will be teaching a week long Book Arts workshop entitled “Open Secrets” at the Mendocino Art Center. Marci Easterbrook, a wonderful artist/teacher had to cancel and asked me to fill-in for her. It will be a wonderful week on the gorgeous Mendocino Coast! Check their site online or give them a call for more info, they’re at 707. 937-5818 or 800.653-3328. Email them at mendoart@mcn.org
“Open Secret”: Artist book forms and materials can reveal and conceal. Learning techniques of multiple folds, pop ups, sewing and inserts, we will make several small books and one complex folded book based on Heidi Kyle’s model. Embossing and transfer printing by press and hand will create unique papers with photo, painting, or drawing sources. This class is packed with resources and hands on methods for use at home or in the classroom. Materials fee: $20. Tuition: $325. (Discounts available now for Mendo County residents.)
Tags: Book Arts, collage, Mando Art Center, Susan Gross, workshop
Posted in Book Arts, Calendar, Classes, Collage & Assemblage, Student's Work, recycle/repurpose | 1 Comment »
June 2, 2008 by Susan
Yay! We have our Workshop & Camp schedule page. Please register soon as space is limited. Highlights:
Kids’ Writing and Book Arts Camp
Mini Matchbox Shrines
Beeswax Collage
Sock Animals
Monoprinting
Book Arts
We also have our Monthly Memberships and $12 Tuesdays!
Call to register- 707.489.9899.
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May 21, 2008 by Susan
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
May 21, 2008 by Susan
This weekend we are participating in the Anderson Valley Art Tour- AKA Open Studios. The Barn will be open from 11 - 5 for three days, there will be some student work on display and lots of my work (see my blog for a peek at my work, and go here for more info on the tour.) We hope to see you!
Tags: art tour, Open studio, student work
Posted in Student's Work, exhibits | No Comments »
May 14, 2008 by Susan

Kate Castagnola


Susan McClure


Julie Leibenbaum
These collages are what I call “Painting with Paper,”and they are incredibly fun to do. These are all fairly complex examples, but one can create very simple collages with this technique also. When I see paper, especially gorgeous colors from magazine photos- I think “COLOR! Tear-up! Piece together!” What a way to recycle.
Tags: collage, student work, recycle, paint with paper, peacock, nest
Posted in Classes, Collage & Assemblage, Mendo College, Student's Work, recycle/repurpose | No Comments »
April 19, 2008 by Susan

Ellen Springwater

Jessica Spain

Susan Addison (close-up)

Julie Leibenbaum

Susan McClure (close-up)
OK, so maybe they are more white-ish-on-white-ish. It was just a starting point. And these are just a few of the wonderful pieces created in the Anderson Valley Collage class. There are more to come!
Tags: assemblage, collage, student work, white on white
Posted in Classes, Collage & Assemblage, Mendo College, Student's Work | No Comments »