sharing "Altared Books" in 2014

It's almost mid-December and I have to admit, I'm getting excited about the new year already! I know I should slow down and enjoy Christmas, but gosh! I'm just so fired up about 2014! I followed my heart artistically and expanded my art to include something I'm calling "Altared Books." I was first inspired by the art of Dia De Los Muertos imagery and wanted to make a tiny world that held an altar tucked within a book. My first few pieces were exclusively "Day of the Dead" related. Then, I created books dedicated to people that I wrote stories about. These darling little worlds can be created to honor anything! Imagination is the only limit. 

It is my intent to offer workshops so that I can share the making of these pieces of assemblage art with others. Each gathering will be very fun! We'll dress up in frilly aprons, don sparkly tiaras, and create completely unique art! Wow, I can't wait! I'll be sharing more information about these plans as I begin to set dates. I've been asked to offer a workshop at "The Old Mortuary Inn" in Dunsmuir, CA.

an "Altared Book" by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa dedicated to Frida Khalo

A view of an "Altared Book" featureing hand-painted & sculpted "sugar skulls," many jewelry and religious artifacts, flowers, birds, ribbon, sand dollar doves and many other little bits. 

The cover of an "Altared Book" by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

Inside cover of an "Altared Book" by Laura Pallatin of LaBelle Mariposa

a tiny Christmas scene inside and "Altared Book"

Christmas in an Altared Book

A praying mouse is inside a book dedicated to a fictional cat lover. 

The cover of an Altared Book with a cute locket and secret butterflies inside. 

The inside of the Altared Book dedicated to fictional "Auntie Bella"

Getting ready for the Mariposa Festival

Happy Monday!!

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Day of the dead skull to be used for a pendant

Hey, there! I hope that your Monday morning is full of promise for the coming week. Since my mom, Maralee Lowder, and I are heading south to the Mariposa Festival this weekend, I'm going to be out in the garden shed creating pendants for the event. It's kinda funny. I have made so many butterfly pendants so far, yet the new images I've been working on are "day of the dead" skulls. It's been fun to do something so different. To follow you'll see what I came up with. I just love the imagery, especially the bright colors

Special Mother's Day painting for a wild momma's pendant

Sunflowers always make me feel happy inside. This one will make such a cute pendant.

I had a wonderful time teaching classes at Trezher's Gift and Gallery in Sacramento. The students came up with wonderful projects. I find it so humbling to offer a group of people a framework to create within, then watch them come up with completely unique works of art. The shop owner was so happy with the class that they booked four more for the coming year!

That's me on the right, teaching a class at Trezhers Gift shop in Sacramento, CA