The Sweets of Araby just published in paperback! Sawaya artwork praised by WSJ & Boston Globe!

The Sweets of Araby pastry cookbook which i illustrated and did cover design as well has just been published in a paperback edition. Countrymen Press, the publisher recently commissioned me to revise the cover for the paperback book! it has just been published in the early part of December, 2013, perfect timing for holiday gift giving!

one of the delightful things about the paperback edition is two of the three endorsements of the book praise my artwork…the Wall Street Journal and Boston Globe!

“Never before has so much oil, sugar, starch and spice been squeezed between two covers. Better to consume this whimsical, beautifully illustrated book one chapter at a time.”—Wall Street Journal

“The eye-catching colors of Linda Dalal Sawaya’s charming illustrations make this book one to savor in or out of the kitchen.”—Boston Globe

jewelry making using one of mama's porcelain roses

in the spring i treated myself to a jewelry workshop to learn how to do "cold connections". in other words, how to put things together with yes, cold connections. we did do some flaming (annealing) of  metal, melting wire to make beads like the ones at the top of the piece above, which is my first piece using a porcelain rose that my beloved mother alice made. there were instances were it was necessary to solder, and mostly it was great to learn how to rivet, wire, and drill holes.

we experimented with etching metal, lamination, and rolling patterns into metal, such as the square and circle in my piece which i'm inspired to call homage to alice.

here are two views of altoid tins that were annealed to remove the paint. the first one blistered so beautifully, i saved it and will varnish to maintain the pattern instead of washing it off.

painting from life! allaprima portland at studio 30

today i had another opportunity to paint from life with some great painters at studio 30 in st. john's neighborhood of portland.  paintings from today including mine are on view at the allaprima portland blog, which is promptly updated by wonderful artist celeste bergin.

most of the time i love to work from memory and imagination, but painting from life and observation is such good practice. i am grateful to be painting with very talented artists and learning, always learning! this was done in a less than 3 hour session with oil on canvas.  as much as i am happy with it, i  love looking at the other artist's work done today and am inspired.

here is my painting done there two weeks ago.

  

linda sawaya new SoulCollage® cards and workshop update!

 

recently made SoulCollage® cards for my deck: monkey mind, children of the light, the lovers, hand of fatima, and eagle ally. 

delighting in preparing for my upcoming SoulCollage® workshop march 1 and 2 which filled up quickly. 

if you'd like to be notified for the next workshop, please email me! 

 

 

 sending love and creativity and blessings your way!

Intro to SoulCollage® Workshop March 1 & 2, 2013 in Portland taught by Linda Dalal Sawaya

Intro to SoulCollage® Workshop

An Intuitive Collage Process

taught by artist Linda Dalal Sawaya

March 1 and 2, 2013 in outer NW Portland art studio

SoulCollage® is a simple but deep process of using collage to tap into your heart and soul. The workshop begins with a Friday night intro from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, followed by all day Saturday from 11 to 4 pm to make cards, read, and write about them. By connecting with our creativity, intuition and inner wisdom, we leave behind the everyday world, and enter an inner world of image, symbolism, and imagination. It is a fun and revealing method, where participants learn to create a tool supporting our individual growth, which develops and expands with us.  

Here is one of three OPRAH cards I made to honor a woman who is a part of my COMMUNITY, someone whom I have learned from and respect. A reading from each card provides insight to my life right here and right now, and suggests internal as well as external support and resources.

This card emerged to honor my journey on my spiritual path.

In SoulCollage® there are four suits: Committee, Community, Companion, and Council, which encompass all aspects of our lives. The card below engages with a dark, playful, silly, mischievous, trickster part of myself.

No experience is necessary for this workshop. Anyone can do it, and it is an insightful and affirming process. Surprises emerge and delight us as we connect with our inner Highest Selves through this playful way, juxtaposing images that do not obviously connect, but create another dimension revealing connections to be discovered.

Please email me with questions or if you'd like to reserve a spot.

Workshop fee is $85, which includes all materials. Treat yourself to a creative gift for yourself and sign up now! Teens and adults are welcome. Bring a friend, and receive a discount for two! Space is limited.

Linda is a trained SoulCollage® facilitator and a working artist, illustrator, and cookbook author. To learn more about me, visit my website.

The card below was made to honor a writer whom I was blessed to know. We make cards to help deal with difficult issues and to celebrate our blessings; to ask questions and to help process things old and new. To call on our elders, mentors, animal companions, and beyond.

I will be honored if you join me in this workshop. I hope these images give you an idea of the vast and magical range of possibilities to be discovered with SoulCollage®.