Danny Gregory

Art Before Breakfast by Danny Gregory

Danny Gregory. Danny is my mentor and my friend. I've been lucky to know him since around 2005. I started reading his blog. I met him in 2006 (pictured below).

Danny and our sketchcrawl in Los Angeles, 2006

He asked me to be in his book, An Illustrated Life, in 2007. 

An Illustrated Life by Danny Gregory

My husband and I saw Danny in New York City, the last time we were there.

New York City, September 2013. Danny, me and Don, my husband

Then, in January 2014, he came to my house in San Diego, to film me for Sketchbook Skool ~ beginnings.

Danny Gregory sitting in my living room, January 2014,
to film me for Sketchbook Skool ~ Beginnings semester.

Danny's written lots of books, and he's got a new one out called "Art Before Breakfast." I promise you, it will make you grab a sketchbook immediately! Get the book. 

And while you're at it, might as well order my Danny favorites of "An Illustrated Life" and "Everyday Matters" too.

Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory

Upcoming workshops

Here's a VIDEO of Danny Gregory and I, discussing Rowe Center in Massachusetts. I'll be teaching a workshop "Autumn Leaves: Adventure in Art Journaling" September 12-14. You can get more info and register here.

Can't make it to the east coast? 

I'm teaching at the following retreats:

Art Unraveled in Phoenix, Arizona REGISTER NOW!

August 3: Layered Journal Pages

August 4: Eight Objects Eight Ways

August 5: Sketching and Watercolor on a Collaged Backgrounds

CREATE in Chicago  registration opening soon

August 13: Sketching and Watercolor on Collage
August 14: Sketching and Watercolor:  Farmers Market

August 15: Free Spirited Free Motion Art Quilting

August 16: Machine Needle-Felting:  Layered  and Textured 

August 17: Mini Text and Textiles:  A Small Hand Stitched Story Quilt (3 hrs)

CREATE in Seattle  registration opening soon

Thursday October 23: Free Spirited Free Motion Art Quilting

Friday, October 24: Machine Needle-Felting: Layered and Textured

Saturday October 25: Machine Needle-Felting: Layered and Textured (repeated)

Sunday, October 26: Mini Text and Textiles: A Small Hand Stitched Story Quilt (3 hrs)

Art is You in Petaluma, California REGISTER NOW!

September 24: 8 objects 8 ways

September 25: Text and Textiles

September 26: Recycled Circles (using paper substrate)

Join my email list

For Email Marketing you can trust.

Click here to find out more about my online class

       

Danny Gregory and Sketchbook Skool

Last year, I interviewed Danny Gregory, for my blog, and this VIDEO is how he answered the questions. Thought you'd like to see it, if you missed it the first time.

And don't forget to sign up for Sketchbook Skool! Six weeks, six different teachers, six points of view.

Danny Gregory comes to visit

Danny Gregory filming ME (in my studio)

So, you know I'm one of the faculty member's of Danny Gregory's brand new Sketchbook Skool (register now, class starts April 4) and I'm so thrilled to be a part of this exciting venture. Each week, for 6 weeks, there will be a different instructor, and my lesson will be released April 25. The lessons will consist of videos, images and text and each teacher is creating their own lesson, based on the theme "beginnings." 

Danny offered to come down from LA and film one of my video portions, the demo. I was THRILLED, appreciative and frankly a little nervous. 

Danny "Spielberg" Gregory at work

We went over to the nearby winery to film me, sketching and watercolor on location.

Danny Gregory filming the B Roll for one of my Sketchbook Skool videos

It was totally fun and a bit nerve wracking, but I'm thrilled with the video Danny made, and I know the students Sketcbook Skool will like it too.

Danny at my house, taking a coffee break

hope to see you at 

from my sketchbook ~ and exciting news that I can't talk about yet...

detail from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaF

detail from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio

detail from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio

  from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio

detail from my sketchbook ~ by Jane LaFazio

So you all know my friend and mentor, Danny Gregory, right? He's the one who inspired me to start a sketchbook and to illustrate the details of my life on a regular basis. (And since my first sketchbook in 2006, to now, I've been published, I teach in person and online (my 6 week Sketching and Watercolor:Journal Style class starts January 17 and registration is open now) ~ oh my! So much has happened from his inspiration and my sticking to it.   

Danny Gregory is starting a new online project that he'll be unveiling in January. Or dare I say WE will be unveiling. Yup, I'm involved and I'm THRILLED. He talks about the new project here, on his blog. That's all I can say.

Paris connections

In Paris, France holding Danny Gregory's new book.

While husb and I were in Paris, we happened upon Shakespeare and Company bookstore. I got goosebumps feeling like I'd come upon someplace I knew so well, but had never seen. I'd ready Cynthia Morris' delightful book "Chasing Sylvia Beach"  which featured prominently, Sylvia Beach, the original founder of Shakespeare & Company, over 100 years ago, and so much of the book was set in the bookstore. Like Cynthia's wonderful main character,Lily, I felt like I'd been transported back in time! It was a totally cool. The bookstore swells with personality and good vibes.
So, while I was busy taking it all in, my husb happened upon one book in the store (and it's a very crowded with books kinda store), and it was Danny Gregory's brand new, as yet released in the United States, A Kiss Before You Go."   Woohoo! Like meeting another good friend in Paris! 

Go on, order both books. They are very different from each other.

A Kiss Before You Go is filled with Danny's wonderful artwork and unflinching honesty about the loss of his dear wife Patti, after 24 years together.

Chasing Sylvia Beach is a great summer-type read, a real page turner that transports you to Paris of 1937.

Interviews as Inspiration ~ Danny Gregory!

This is the fourth of a series of Interviews as Inspiration. I'm inviting people I admire; artists, authors, people I know, and people I don't. It should be fun! and hopefully inspirational for both you and me. 

I'm am beyond thrilled to give you my interview with Danny Gregory.I consider Danny my mentor, since I first saw his blog in ~2005, and it was he who inspired me on my sketchbook path. 

I was lucky to met Danny, just once, on a sketchcrawl in Los Angeles in 2006.

Sketchcrawl 2006! 

Then, when he invited me to be in his book "An Ilustrated Life" I was so honored, excited, thrilled and we've continued to stay in touch.

So, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and watch the delightful  20 minute video Danny made in response to my emailed questions. (The video was a complete surprise to me! and what a treat!)

You can see Danny's other videos here, on DannyGregory TV
Danny's books and his recommendations:
Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory

An Illustrated Life by Danny Gregory (I'm in this one!)
Artist Journal Workshop by Cathy Johnson

The other book Danny mentions are harder to find: Sketchbook Paris by Ronald Searle, Creative Ink Drawing by Paul Hogarth, Coastline by David Gentleman, A Journey to North Korea  by Guy Delisle,  and Painting People by Charlotte Mullins.

Everyday Matters on Flickr

Everyday Matters on Facebook

Everyday Matters Yahoo Group

Now, go grab your sketchbook and draw!  

Links to my other Interviews as Inspiration:

Rachelle Archer, expressive arts therapist at a school for homeless
Cas Holmes, textile artist

Mary Beth Shaw, artist and Stencil Girl Products founder

Marcia Derse, textile designer

Lesley Riley, artist and author

Danny Gregory, artist and author

Judy Reeves, writer

Carlo Roberts, The Blue Walk travel company founder

Jane Powell, Random Arts owner 

Danny Gregory's newest film

Danny Gregory has created another fabulous film...You know, he's my friend and mentor and I adore him and his work. You can see his other Sketchbook Films here. And of course, you must own his books "Everyday Matters" and "An Illustrated Life" (I'm in this book.)

Another Danny Gregory Film

To El and Back: a film about Butch Belair from DannyGregory on Vimeo.
Another extraordinary film from Danny Gregory.

Danny Gregory ~ my idol

The Art of Breakfast from DannyGregory on Vimeo.

This fabulous new video by the extraordinary Danny Gregory says it all. Can you see why I admire him so much? If you're not already, follow his blog and buy his books. He's simply the best.

My online joggles.com class starts tomorrow! Sketching & Watercolor:Journal Style ON LOCATION. Join in! you don't need many supplies...inexpensive watercolors and good quality paper and a perm ink pen.

Today starts the HOT summer giveaway! Go over to Carla Sonheim's blog and leave comment.

Friday Harbor and what Danny Gregory said

Beautiful Friday Harbor, Washington (81 miles from Seattle) I'm teaching a two day "Sketching & Watercolor: Journal Style" workshop at Wild at Heart, September 10 and 11, 2011. Details are on the website or you can email Jan or call her (360) 298-2195.
I sent a copy of my DVD to my pal and mentor, Danny Gregory and here's what he wrote  "I love Jane LaFazio's new DVD 'from art journaling to art" which is an elegant, clear introduction to my favorite art form, full of specific lessons, tips and inspiration."
That makes me happy! Thanks Danny for all you've done for me and every other journaler! And you know, I'm one of 50 artists in Danny's fabulous book "An Illustrated Life."

Fave Books and DVDs

I'm thinking of holiday shopping.  Here are some of my fave books & DVDs, in no particular order, and I'ved * the ones that would be a great kick start if you're participating in the Sketchbook Challenge.

• Everyday Matters by Danny Gregory *
• An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers by Danny Gregory (I'm in this one!) *
• Inspired to Quilt by Melanie Testa
• The Found Object in Textile Art by Cas Holmes
• Journal Spilling by Diana Trout *
• Stitch Alchemy: Combining Fabric & Paper for Mixed Media Art by Kelli Nina Perkins
• Canvas Remix by Alisa Burke
• A Complete Guide to Creative Embroidery by Jan Beany & Jean Littlejohn
• Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists by Carla Sondhiem *
• Nature Inspired Mixed Media Techniques by Tracie Lyn Huskamp

Blurb books, self-published by the artist:

• Painted Threads by Judy Coates Perez
• Wild at the Edges by Virginia Spiegel
• Beneath the Surface by Loris Bogue (My work was included in this exhibition)

DVDs

• Surface Design Sample Platter by Lyric Kinard (includes how to sew an easy journal cover)
• Design, Paint, & Stitch: Wholecloth Quilts by Judy Coates Perez (I confess, this one is on my wish list) 
• Quilting Arts TV hosted by Pokey Bolton (I love these, and watch them again and again while I work in my studio. Especially Series 300... blushing..where I make two appearances.)
• The Small Art Quilt by yours truly. (instructional DVD) 

These were just off the top of my head, so if you've got some super faves, let me know!

A note from Danny

I received this in the mail yesterday, from  the wonderful Danny Gregory. After I wiped the tears from my eyes, I decided I will do just want Danny suggests. Write a few notes to people I love, who I haven't talked to in a while. So, I'll take the next few days off and do just that.

Thankful for my husb, my life, my art, Danny and you, dear readers.

5th grade art

Last year I did a similar art lesson, using Leonardo DaVinci and Danny Gregory. This 5th grade kid drew from an inflatable world globe with his tiny lego on top, then drew a closeup of the lego to the right.