september in the studio

Autumn is coming!

I'm writing this on Labor Day weekend, and even though summer doesn't officially end until September 22, there's already a nip in the air and the local squirrels are busy burying walnuts all over my garden.

I've also been working on a new website all summer and I'm happy to say, "Yay, it's finally live!" 

With a better designed class schedule, links to the Camp Cactus blog, my Etsy shop and a brand spankin' new checkout system, I'm pretty jazzed with all the changes, and I hope you will be too. 

Here's the link: 

campcactuspdx.com

I'm also excited to announce that I'm offering a very special weekend Santa Doll Workshop in October.

This all-inclusive class features two full days of instruction, lunches, materials, and lots of tips and tricks. By Sunday afternoon, you'll come away with a beautiful St. Nick of your own design.

There are only 8 spaces available, so sign up soon!

Here's wishing you a warm and happy end of summer, 

Cheers,

Jane

Getting warmed up for World Watercolor Month

World Watercolor Month starts July 1st!

 I'm shooting for 31 days of tiny watercolors...will I make it?

Follow me on Instagram: @campcactus

a sneak peek at the Holiday Sale!

Rene van der Spuy creates distinct eye-catching designs inspired by nature, travel and everyday experiences. Her original, limited edition prints (some black and white; others embellished with watercolor paint, paper or thread) are carved and printed by hand on a press. 

More recently she's  connected with her inner seamstress; making pillows inspired by her collages and prints. Screen printed with water based ink onto heavyweight 100% cotton fabric, she adds felt, buttons and hand-embroidery for a special touch.

Born and raised in South Africa, Rene has lived all over the world, from Australia to Brooklyn, and currently resides in Portland. 

Click here for the Holiday Sale dates and times!

home tweet home

Just finished this afternoon: "Home Tweet Home", a new watercolor now available in my little shop over at Big Cartel!

just a little reminder...

Here's a little Tuesday night doodle…

when it's finished it will go into the Etsy shop.

In the meantime, I'm working on a new class schedule for spring.

Stay tuned!

doodling at the pub

Last night some friends and I walked over to our friendly neighborhood pub for a little sketching session. Here's mine:

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

fox unfinished

Here's another half-finished painting

 from tonight's get together in the studio:

I'm in love with watercolors again!

solitary pear

Here's a print of a watercolor I finished last week.

new watercolors

I've been having so much fun painting again. Every Tuesday, a group of artists come over to the studio to hang out, drink wine and draw or paint, and I find myself looking forward to having an excuse to paint whatever I want.

Watercolors on heavyweight Canson paper.

Both are available in the shop.

come see me here next weekend!

(click on the image to enlarge)

I'll be at this show next weekend in Portland,
along with 80 other women artists.
It's a fabulous event, now in its 45th year!
 Check out the list of artists here: http://www.local14.org

Come on by and see my fall line of tiny clothes
for the discriminating Fairy Fashionista!

Art on Alberta

Hey! Come see me, along with my good friend Gretchen Boylan, at the 11th Annual Alberta Art Hop...click here for all the details.

The weather promises to be fabulous, the street will be closed to traffic between 11 am and 6 pm, and there will be lots of entertainment on multiple stages and hundreds of artists and craftspeople there.


I've been busy making so many of these one of a kind, teeny tiny fairy shoes and dresses, I think my eyesight is beginning to go!

And Gretchen will have magical jewelry and assemblages like this:

So come and see us, we're be on NE Alberta Street between 19th and 20th Avenue, on the south side of the street, booth number 08!

psst...over here

This weekend, I'm participating in a group sale and show in honor of Valentine's Day. It's hosted by my dear friend, and fibre artist extraordinaire, Judee Moonbeam.

(click on the photo to enlarge)

I'll have some of my new work there, like this:

and some little shrines like these:

and of course, haute couture and furniture for the discriminating fairy...

So if you're in the Portland area, stop by and shop!

Say it with heART!

Saturday, February 6th • 10 - 6

Sunday, February 7th • 10-5

4546 NE 47th Ave., just north of Prescott

click here for a map

For a list of the other participating artists, and links to their work, click on the link in the sidebar.

new in the etsy shop!

Owl hats made of the softest fleece...check 'em out in the Camp Cactus etsy shop!

holiday sale

The Camp Cactus Holiday Sale is coming up soon! Watch the sidebar for the list of artists, and stay tuned for some photos of what's to come...

In the meantime, here's a sneak peek:

Owl hats by yours truly...

Beautiful backpacks by Tamara King...

Cool and functional 3-pocket bags by Judee Moonbeam

new fairy couture

Some new fairy dresses I'm working on for the fall collection...

this one was inspired by a dress worn by Claudette Colbert

in a 1930s movie I can't remember the name of.

Fittingly, it's for a Parisian garden fairy named Claudette.

The bodice is composed of guinea fowl feathers and down,

with cap sleeves and brooch of poppy pods, and a slim, pencil skirt of paper birch.

Here's a frothy, floaty, sensual dress with a skirt and top of hibiscus flowers, trimmed with gladiola petals and tiny blossoms. It was commissioned by Sofia, a flower fairy from Tuscany.

They'll both be available for purchase in the Camp Cactus etsy shop on Tuesday.

the camp cactus zoo

Today a bunch (flock?) of owls flew in...what next? Elephants? Check 'em out at the Camp Cactus etsy shop!