Hello and Happy Summer from Wood Rabbit Studios! I have not updated this blog in quite a while, since my website is more of a focal point and I enjoy posting photos on Instagram. I am currently in search of a studio-specific teaching and/or arts-education position. I intend to have more updates about what's happening in my teaching-life this fall. I have spent a good deal of time the past 2 years making craft (ie dreamcatchers, ornaments, and more) for sale at art salons, et cetera. Below you can still find an archive of my mask-making students and their experiences working with me.
Thanks and happy art-making!

April 2016

I'm excited to "pre-announce" that I'm working on promo materials and a new website for Wood Rabbit Studios...opening this year! Stay tuned for more from 
Wood Rabbit!

Current Offerings:

Private Sacred Maskmaking, Mixed-Media Collage and Customized Personal Art Curriculum for Individuals, Couples and Groups 

A one-day all-day workshop at my home studio, on location in your home or anywhere we choose together. Weekly, bi-weekly or groupings of sessions available to meet your needs. 

(More info on request!). 

We are all change-agents, facing the turning. We are the authors of our realities, creating the new chapter of our lives. Honor and commemorate this time with a guided-journey, gentle movement and mask-making and/or art-making session that is custom tailored for your needs. Perfect for mothers and daughters, for women reaching menopause, for men or women experiencing the death of a love one, and for anyone in life-transition who is seeking a way to work through and express that which cannot be said in words. 

Mask-making can be a deeply nourishing and creative opportunity to explore your spiritual self and express your divinity through the creative process. Through the hands-on creation of a plaster mask, you may discover new wisdom and insight. Through sculpting and embellishing a plaster gauze mold of your original face, your own unique sacred mask emerges. I provide all materials, including a veritable candy store of art supplies and artifacts for your pleasure.

For anyone interested in exploring further into the mysteries of their muses and their own creativity as a journey of self-discovery. Makes an incredible gift!

Sessions start at $250 per person, sliding scale for two or more based on need.

Want more information? Email me: deniseastar@gmail.com

AUGUST 14, 2015...Sun, Moon and Venus in Leo the Lion!

In the current chapter of this journey of my life, I've come to realize that personally and professionally, I really love to facilitate and simply bear witness to people stepping into their power, with particular emphasis on women and girls. It's miraculous and awe-inspiring for me to witness life transitions, rites of passage and phases of transformation in my students, fellow artists and clients, as well as my friends and in my family. I had the esteemed privilege of being part of the Three Girls Theater New Works Festival last week, as curator of the art show. It was a wonderful, well received art exhibition featuring my own artwork alongside three other amazing female artists. And the festival! The work of these incredible contemporary Bay Area women playwrights was really something to behold! I am so honored to be folded into the 3Girls Family!

Just this morning, I was walking down the street with my amazing son and my wonderful nieces, girls who are growing into smart, strong young women before my eyes. They have been at an amazing camp this week with my son, making their own bows and arrows and practicing archery as young Artemis' and Orions, standing tall and proud in their power. Lately I am in absolute awe as I bare witness to mothers who are making difficult choices in the face of a challenging marriage, a dying relative, a high-needs child...or simply coping the immensity of life and death in our crazy world. 

We are clearly in a time of enormous intensity and change, personally and politically and socially, and it's is often too huge to integrate. Time and time again, I witness the power of art and the creative process in people's lives and what a difference such work can make. All too often in our culture, we neglect the need to honor rites of passage, life changes, and times of transition. Which is why I am honored to once again offer the following:

Private Sacred Maskmaking for Individuals, Couples and Groups 

A one-day all-day workshop at my home studio, on location in your home or anywhere you feel drawn to (more info on request!).

We are all change-agents, facing the turning. We are the authors of our realities, creating the new chapter of our lives. Honor and commemorate this time with a guided-journey, gentle movement and mask-making session that is custom tailored for your needs. Perfect for mothers and daughters, for women reaching menopause, for those experiencing the death of a love one, and for anyone in life-transition who is seeking a way to work through and express that which cannot be said in words. 

Mask-making is a deeply nourishing and creative opportunity to explore your spiritual self and express your divinity through the creative process. Through the hands-on creation of a plaster mask, you may discover new wisdom and insight. Through sculpting and embellishing a plaster gauze mold of your original face, your own unique sacred mask emerges. I provide all materials, including a veritable candy store of art supplies and artifacts for your pleasure.

This experience is a perfect retreat for anyone who is interested in exploring further into the mysteries of his/her muses and his/her own creativity as a journey of self-discovery. Makes an incredible gift!

Sessions start at $250 per person, sliding scale for two or more based on need.

Want more information? Email me: deniseastar@gmail.com

Risky Women: Wreaking Havoc!

Art Show as part of Three Girls Theater New Works Festival

August 3-9, 2015

Thick House Theater

1695 18th St

San Francisco

Featuring:

Adrienne Bolsega, Chantelle Goldthwaite, Beth Benson, Denise Doyle

Risky Women: Wreaking Havoc!

A sassy, sexy, risky show of

female artists

who push the boundaries of being.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”  Hunter S. Thompson

So many of us are taught to play it safe, look and act a certain way, to maintain control, to strive to be something resembling “normal”. Life as a woman on this planet really isn’t that one-dimensional now, is it? And maybe for some of us, it never was. One of the definitions of Havoc is to destroy or devastate. Four female artists take a look at the inner and outer worlds of femininity, sexuality, spirituality...and create work that is, in some way, risky. We are walking the edge, acting impulsively or spontaneously, and sometimes flying entirely out of control. These four artists are wreaking havoc with our preconceived notions of normal, crossing over, confiding in our desires, inspiring confessions and creative outbursts, and showing us what it looks like to take risks & push the boundaries of being.

Denise Doyle

Curator

Upcoming Workshop at Arts Benicia!

Sacred Creative Mask:

Animal Wisdom

Saturday, September 6, 2:30-7:30 pm and Sunday and

September 7, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

$120 AB Members | $135 non-members plus a $15 materials fee

To Register, follow this link:

http://artsbenicia.org/denise-doyle/

Location: Arts Benicia Classroom

Do you have an animal that follows you around, appears often in your dreams or in waking life? Would you like to develop a more connected creative relationship with your animal self? Create your own animal spirit mask! Instructor will provide a delightful array of supplies for decoration. This experience is a perfect retreat for anyone who is interested in exploring further into the mysteries of your muses and your own creativity as a journey of self-discovery.

Notes:

• All levels
• Age minimum:
• 18 years,although a minor may be accompanied by parent or guardian.
• One 2-day Session
• Minimum students 4 | Maximum 12
• A materials fee of $15 is to be paid directly to instructor.

SPECIAL NOTES: Please collect and bring personal items for your mask (i.e. locks of hair, bones, teeth, ashes, horns, jewelry, fabric, photos, mementos, etc.) The class works well with an even number, but is okay with an odd number (I can demo with the extra person)

Email instructor at deniseastar@gmail.com for a supply list.\ and if you have questions about the class.

What a wonderful weekend at Arts Benicia!

It was my great pleasure to teach Women's Sacred Mask at Arts Benicia this past weekend! My students were very engaged, creative and willing to go deep into the creative process. Below are just a few photos of their brilliant work. I think the images will speak for themselves. I am proposing another class for fall at Arts Benicia...stay tuned for more details!

Art Supplies!

Sisters! 

Happy teacher!

Dear Friends,
There is still space in next weekend's Women's Sacred Mask Workshop at Arts Benicia! Won't you join us?
Please follow this link to the class page at Arts Benicia:
http://artsbenicia.org/events/?p=4889

Sacred Creative Mask: A Women's Maskmaking Intensive

Class Description:

Create your own unique sacred feminine mask! Mask-making is a delicious, deep and very creative opportunity to explore your spiritual self and express your divinity through the creative process. Through gentle guided journey, movement, self-inquiry and the hands-on creation of a plaster mask, you may discover the wisdom of your own divine feminine sources. Whether your ancestral roots are genetic, ethnic, spiritual or cultural, this exploration can lead you into the magic realms of your psyche to connect with your grandmothers, animal spirits, your dreams and your own wisdom. In this workshop, through sculpting, painting, and embellishing a plaster gauze mold of your original face, your own unique mask emerges. You will have the opportunity to write in your journal and ask questions of your mask, documenting the creative process as it unfolds. Instructor will provide a delightful array of colorful supplies for decoration. We will share our masks and our experience and the conclusion of the course. This experience is a perfect retreat for any woman who is interested in exploring further into the mysteries of her muses and her own creativity as a journey of self-discovery. Participants will collect and bring personal items for their masks (ie. locks of hair, bones, teeth, ashes, horns, jewelry, fabric, photos, mementos, etc). No art experience is required.