Around the World: Poland and Japan.

EN

I'm back home after my last travel around the world: first stop Poland, the amazing city of Skoczów. Then Japan, Tokio. Two different realities with a common interest, creativity!

The polish Academy (training for Stamperia collaborators) has been an opportunity to present some  new  Stamperia Christmas project and "Monica's Canvases" with a male subject. I love polish kindness, as much as their abilities with colours and their great taste.

So, here below some pics from Poland... and a video tutorial to make my "Man in Black" canvas. I remind you that all the tutorials of my canvases are available on Stamperia website.

People at work and the table with my samples

My courses

Me and my collegue Monica Marianini

IT

Appena rientrata da un lungo viaggio che mi ha portata dapprima in Polonia, nella graziosa cittadina di Skoczów, poi in Giappone, a Tokio. Due realtà diverse accomunate dalla passione per la creatività.

L'Academy (corso formativo dedicato ai collaboratori Stamperia) polacca è stata un'occasione per proporre i primi progetti natalizi firmati Stamperia e Le Tele di Monica con un soggetto maschile. Alla gentilezza ed ospitalità polacca si è affiancato, come sempre, il loro gusto raffinato e la grande abilità nell'uso del colore.

Ecco quindi qualche foto dall'evento... ed il video tutorial per realizzare la mia tela "Man in Black", ricordandovi che tutti i video delle mie tele sono disponibili sul sito Stamperia. 

FR

Je suis à peine  rentrée d’un long  voyage qui m’a  tout d’abord apporté en Pologne, dans la petite ville gracieuse de Skoczów,  puis au Japon, à Tokyo…Un choc culturel et visuel  impressionnant, mais  la passion  pour la créativité rapproche les deux réalités différentes, et les nouveaux  projets de Stamperia et de Monica font le reste pour  créer une ambiance effervescente.

L’Académie (cours formatif dédié aux collaborateurs  Stamperia) Polonaise elle a été  une occasion pour

présenter  les premiers projets de Noël  griffés  Stamperia  et les toiles  de Monica avec  un thème sujet

masculin. Nous  avons apprécié la gentillesse et  hospitalité polonaise, soutenues  comme toujours par

leur gout raffiné et la grande  adresse   dans l’usage de la couleur.

Voilà donc  quelques photos de l’événements… et le tutorial vidéo pour réaliser ma toile «  Man in black »,

« L’homme en noir » et je vous rappelle    que tous les vidéos  de mes toiles sont disponibles sur  le site web Stamperia.

Donc à tout à l’heure !     

Wainting for Japan...

Una carrellata degli ultimi lavori che porterò con me a Tokio dal 13 al 15 Febbraio. Non vedo l'ora di tornare nella splendida Terra del Sol Levante!

EN

Some of the last works that I'll take with me in Tokio from February 13th to 15th 2016. I can't wait to visit again the wonderful Land of the Rising Sun!

Romantic Mixed Media on Canvas and on Suitcase

Decoupage with Plaquette and Wooden Decorations

Scrapbooking Album Cover with Paper and Wooden Decorations

Decoupage on Glass with Stencils and Pastes

Stamperia Creative Workshop - Tokyo

Versione italiana

Version française

July, 12th, 13th, 14h 2015

We leave Milan Malpensa at 6.40 a.m., our new adventure is begun. Me and Luana, my creative colleague, are ready to conquest the East... a little sleepy, but full of enthusiasm!

During the long flight, we review the program: it's the second time in Tokio for me. Luana has never been in Japan but, with a view of our trip, she has studied everything about japanese culture.

We land at Narita Airport at 11.00 a.m. Eddie, our japanese friend, is waiting for us: he accompanies us to visit the famous Tokyo Tower, because we have to wait until 2 p.m. for our hotel room... and the japanese are very strict about time!

We climb on the highest tower of the city and, once there, we can admire all the centre of Tokyo, with its skyscrapers, its big streets, its vivacity. 333 metres height: the Tower's structure reminds the Tour Eiffel, but this japanese version is red, manually painted. Within the construction there are a lot of shops, restaurants and spaces to organize exclusive music concerts.

Walking through the streets, I'm surprised by the view of a strange schoolbus that looks like... a giant Pokemon! Luana, a great Manga fan, explain me something about that curious creature.

Tokyo is famous for its temples. There are a lot of these ancinet and holy edifices among modern skyscrapers. Most of these temples have been restructured, but they preserve an ancient charm. All around, amazing japanese gardens: well-kept, harmonious, rich of little lakes with carps, traditional red bridges and  stone statues.

Our perfect afternoon flies quickly, it's time to leave our luggage to the hotel, then to prepare the products for our courses and, in the end, a good japanese dinner: beer and a delicious sushi with tempura.

I hold my courses in a reputed Creative Institute. Mariko San is the creative who manages the school, she helps us with translations during the lessons.

In the beginning, participants had to be 20... but, in the end, we arrived at 42 pupils!

I've illustrated many different projects and techniques:

A tray decorated with mixmedia decoupage rice paper;

A romantic box with cracklé on plaquette;

A mixed media on canvas;

A box with stencil and roses;

A clock decorated with decoupage rice paper.

After the official introduction and an appropriate bow (bows are like our handshakes), we organize three groups, each one sitting at one table. Then, we start with lesson, explaining step by step every project. A great enthusiasm and curiosity for Stamperia techniques and style arouse!

This adventure has been an incredible experience,  we felt like home! Creativity can go beyond difficulties... even beyond language differences. Our workshop ended with satisfaction and a big wish to meet again.

Here, a final class picture...

Now, I have to prepare my suitcase for my next travel to Russia

See you soon Japan!

さようなら

How to create a 3D painted Sunflower Canvas

Scrivo questo post nell'intervallo dei preparativi per il mio viaggio nella Terra del Sol Levante... inutile dire che non sto nella pelle!

Nel frattempo però vorrei condividere il progetto di una tela realizzata qualche tempo fa, che ha riscosso particolare curiosità:

E voilà, gli step per poterla replicare:

1- Strappare i bordi della carta di riso Stamperia, (codice DFS331);

2- Incollare la carta sulla tela con uno strato di Colla Velo (DC03M) sia sul retro che, una volta posizionata la carta, sul fronte della stessa.

3- Con una spatolina, applicare uno strato di Pasta Gel (K3P04N) su tutta la tela.

  

4- Con un pennello rotondo, applicare i colori seguendo il sottostante disegno dei girasoli e, con una spatolina, creare dei tocchi di colore a rilievo sui contorni dei petali, foglie, porzione centrale dei girasoli sullo sfondo e sugli altri elementi.

I write this post while I'm packing a bag for my next trip in Japan... I'm so excited!

Waiting for departure, I want to share a project that has He has aroused interest and curiosity: my Sunflowers Canvas.

And here, all the steps to reply it:

1- Tear the borders of Stamperia decoupage rice paper (DFS331);

2- Paste the subject on a rectangular canvas, by using Velo Glue (DC03M) on the back and  over the surface of the paper;

3- Apply a layer of Gel Paste on the surface of the canvas, by using a little spatula (K3P04N).

4- Spread Vivace colours (KAB...) on the illustration, by using a round brush. Then, with a little spatula, create reliefs touches on petals, leaves, background and other elements of the illustration. 

J’ecris ce post pendant les préparatifs de mon voyage au Japon… she suis très enthousiaste!

Dans l’attente, je voudrais partage avec vous une toile réalisée il y a quelque temps: Toile Tournesols.

1- Arracher les bords du papier de riz Stamperia (DFS331);

2- Coller le papier sur la toile avec une couche de Colle Velo (DC03M) soit sur le derrière qui sur le front du papier;

3- Avec une spatule, appliquer une couche de Pâte Gel (K3P04N) sur toute la toile;

4- Avec un pinceau rond, appliquer les couleurs Vivace en suivant le dessin sous-jacent des tournesols et, avec la spatula et les Vivace, créer des reliefs sur les contours des petals, feuilles et toutes les autres elements.

Japan Hobby Show 2015

Ero molto ansiosa di partecipare alla fiera di Tokyo, uno degli eventi mondiali più importanti per hobbysti e professionisti. Ero curiosa di saperne di più sui gusti, le tendenze, le novità e la creatività made in Japan.

Tutto in Giappone è particolare e tecnologico, lo si può notare già dall’avveniristico edificio della fiera. Ma all’interno… niente di meno che un concentrato di creatività e fervida fantasia. Tanto per cominciare mi sono sorpresa nel vedere che  allo scoccare dell’orario di apertura tutti si precipitavano di corsa all’interno, e non in senso figurato!

Il nostro stand si è rivelato ricco di attrattiva grazie alla passione orientale per lo stile italiano, i fiori, il vintage e le immagini romantiche... con una preferenza particolare per i piccoli formati: scatoline, mini tele, carte scrap e decorazioni in rilievo, plaquettes, cornici in legno. 

Anch'io mi sono guardata attorno e... sorpresa: se per lo stile decorativo siamo più avanti, riguardo a dettagli, precisione, attenzione per le rifiniture, il lontano Oriente è decisamente al top! Mi hanno colpito molto i progetti tridimensionali molto simili alla porcellana, così come la pazienza con cui gli artigiano realizzavano piccolissimi gioielli di cristallo. Ma l'apice delle loro capacità si esprime nei fiori sintetici (cuciti o incollati): i fiori sono il punto di partenza per la creazione di composizioni sontuose. C'era davvero molto da vedere e da scambiare con un mondo sì lontano, ma in fin dei conti sempre più vicino, caratterizzato da spirito d'accoglienza e grande gentilezza. 

Decoupage and stencils

Cracklé box with stencils and plaquette

Mixed Media on canvas

I was very anxious to take part to Tokyo trade fair, to see novelties and flair. Everything in Japan is singular  and technological… You can notice it already in the building Everything in Japan is unique and technological... and you can see it already from the fair building shape and inside ... nothing less than a powerhouse of creativity and vivid imagination. To begin with, I was surprised to see that at the hour of the opening everyone run inside , and not figuratively! Our stand was very attractive maybe because they love Italian style , flowers, vintage , romantic style ... who knows , but it is a matter of fact that they liked everything we proposed , with a preference for the small size : small boxes , little canvases , scrap cards , all embellished by flowers in relief , plaquette, wood frames .And what about them? Of course I had a look around , and ... surprise : for decorative techniques we are in advance , but concerning the details , the precision , the meticulous attention for finishing , the  Far East is at the top . I was shocked to observe the three-dimensional works very similar to porcelain , or the patience with which they make tiny jewels of crystals . Furthermore , I believe that with synthetic flowers (sewn or glued) they reach the maximum of their manual skills : the flower is the starting point to create sumptuous compositions . Well, I guess there was a lot to see , and to be exchanged with a world seemingly so far away , but closer and closer always respecting their ceremonious bows and profuse kindness.

Je suis très impatient de participer à la foire à Tokyo , je suis curieuse de voir les goûts, les tendances, les nouveautés .

Tout au Japon est unique et technologique... déjà on peut le noter d’après le moderne bâtiment de la foire, et à l'intérieur... rien de moins que le centre de la créativité et de l’imagination . Pour commencer, j’étais  surprise de voir que à l'heure de l’ouverture d'ouverture tout le monde rentrait en courant !

Notre stand attirait beaucoup, peut-être pour le style italien ou parce qu’ils aiment les fleurs, le vintage, le style romantique ... qui le sait, mais quand même ils adoraient  tout ce que nous proposions, avec une préférence pour  ...la petite taille: petites boîtes, châssis, cartes, tout avec des fleurs en relief, plaquettes, à wood frame. Et eux? Il est clair que j’ai jeté un œil au salon et ... surprise: du point de vue de la décoration on est encore à l’avant garde,  mais pour tout ce qui concerne le détail, la précision, l'attention méticuleuse pour les finitions, eh bien chapeau à Extrême-Orient. J’ai été  choqué d'observer leurs œuvres tridimensionnelles très semblables à la porcelaine, ou avec combien de patience ils réalisent de minuscules bijoux de cristaux. En outre, je crois que, avec les fleurs synthétiques (cousues ou collées) ils atteignent le maximum de leur déstresse: la fleur est le point de départ pour créer des compositions somptueuses. Eh bien, je suppose qu'il y a eu beaucoup de choses à voir, et à échanger avec un monde apparemment si loin, qui peut se rapprocher beaucoup mais toujours en respectant  leurs manières et extrême gentillesse.