Just some thoughts on what is deemed essential in the age of covid-19. This art journal spread is also a study for a painting of a liquor store close by – I love the scaffolding and the look of the building as well as the old signs.
I used acrylic paints and markers to create the buildings and add detail.
I also stamped one of my Mini Motifs stamps in gold to give the background a delicate pattern.
Here are some of the supplies I used:
My class on Wanderlust goes live tomorrow, May 1st! Are you taking part in the year long workshop? If not, you can still sign up HERE. There are a ton of amazing teachers to take you on your artistic journey.
…and I hope to see you tomorrow for another one of my Kaffeeklatsch Get Togethers on Facebook! I’ll be broadcasting LIVE from my studio and chatting with all of you :) Drop by and say Hello!
Today I am sharing an interview I did with artist Jimmy Leslie. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.
I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.
I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?
Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.
A little bit about this video: I met Jimmy years ago at a trade show in Germany and have enjoyed ever since following his art, working on special projects with him, and just being friends with such an enthusiastic and supportive person. In this interview, Jimmy talks about his role as a Resident Artist for an art materials company, his passion for sharing his artistic knowledge in a judgement-free way, and the variety in his day-today activities as a working artist. He discusses the ups and downs of putting yourself out there and connecting through technology, the challenges that artists can face with creating in this climate of crisis, and his own artistic journey that is ongoing. We chat about inspiration, working in sketchbooks, and the benefits of working with different media.
Hello from my Creative Squad and a BIG welcome to our newest member Emilie Murphy! Today is her first project with us and we are very excited to share this art journal page with you. Emilie is using my Santiago, Space Age Modern, and Exchange Place stencils and this month’s theme: Weather Report – Let’s talk about the weather! Do you love thunderstorms? The crisp air of Autumn? A good snowstorm? Are you a fan of endless sunshine? Create something inspired by that go-to topic of small talk – the weather!
“To appreciate the Beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” – Aristotle
Hi everyone! This is my very first project for the Creative Squad this month. I’m so happy to be a part of Nathalie’s Design Team.
I have to say that Spring is probably my favorite season of the year, but as I didn’t get any snow this year, at least where I live in Maryland, I decided to make an art journal page about snowstorms to illustrate our “Weather Report” theme this month.
Let me guide you on how I made my journal page!
I started to spray some Dylusions ink on a 140lb. piece of watercolor paper until I was happy with the result.
Then, to add some texture, I sprayed over the “Space Age Modern” stencil with the same dylusions inks. Let it dry.
Then I sprayed again through the same stencil with some ocean glossy acrylic (new product of Dina Wakley) and let it dry.
One thing that I like to do, in almost all of my journal pages is to add some splatters.
Next, I laid down the “Santiago” stencil and applied a thin coat of acrylic gesso with a sponge through only the portion of the stencil that looks like a cross. I saw Nathalie using it that way for one card of her “Deck of Cards” challenge last November 2019. What an awesome idea! Love this coat of gesso that stays transparent and gives a dreamy look to my background. That’s exactly the effect I wanted.
I repeated the same thing adding some circles from the “Exchange Place” stencil.
At that point, as I was satisfied with the background, I added a thick layer of texture paste to create some snow covering the ground. After I let it dry, I noticed that the ink stained my texture paste too much, so I kept adding some of this paste (about 3 coats) until I was satisfied with the sort of slight bluish whiteness of my snow.
Again, I used the “Santiago” stencil to apply some white embossing powder. I used a VersaMarker watermark pen so that I got a more precise crossed shape from the stencil.
With a white Posca pen, I drew some details to complete the crossed shapes into some snowflakes. Adding some details is my favorite part.
At that stage my journal page was looking nice, but staring at it a little bit longer, I thought that something was missing. I expected you to see the movement of the snow falling on the ground with a feel of cold and/or chill. Therefore, I applied some IZINK Diamond glitter paint with my finger through the circles of the “Exchange Place” stencil, which again, to give me that feel. Hope I succeeded and gave you the exact same feeling!
Also, I added a final coat of white gesso over my texture paste because even with the 3 coats I had applied, the ink was still tinting it too much and I didn’t like the look of it.
To finish my art journal page, I rubbed my finger with some white gesso around the edges of my paper, added more splatters with the white glossy acrylic, and then added this beautiful winter quote from Aristotle: “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake, it is necessary to stand out in the cold”.
I hope you have enjoyed my process in making this journal page about snowstorms and perhaps you have been inspired to make your own.
Have a great day and see you next month! – Emilie
Thank you Emilie! What a magical representation of snow :)
Want to give Emilie’s project a try? You can find all my Stencils in my Online Shop. Here are some of the other supplies she used:
Today my newest online class Artful Adventures with Paul Klee is getting started! You can still get in at the Early Bird price until 11:59pm EST tonight, April 27th 2020.
It is my 4th workshop in the Artful Adventures series and this time we are looking at the whimsical artwork and style of Klee and learning how to bring some of his tricks into our own art journals and artwork. Join us in the classroom as we get started today!
Today I am sharing an interview I did with friend and watercolor artist John DuVal. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.
I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.
I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?
Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.
A little bit about this video: John DuVal is a very talented watercolor artist who paints urban landscapes and dabbles in other media as well. He is a teacher at the Jersey City Art School and also a teacher on Creative JumpStart. In this interview John discusses the challenges of now working on his artwork at home, away from his regular studio, including working at a smaller scale, choosing specific materials that can be taken out and packed away more easily, and dealing with lighting issues. He also talks about using technology and how that has become a new way for him to more easily create as he works as an artist from home, but also discusses it as a double edged sword and is careful with how he lets technology influence his practice as an artist.
Strolls through my hood usually get me out of my studio, they help me get unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. But …there is not much strolling through the hood lately due to the Lock down and so I thought …I take you on a stroll through the house :)
This is what happens a lot of times in the morning – as soon as we are done with breakfast the cats climb on me ..I am not sure why and what this means …maybe they just see me as a living cat climbing tree.
This is Bobby Pretzel supervising the masks I sewed for us, family and neighbors. I think he did a good job.
And here are some of our neighbors, cleaning up the street – because it has been a while since street cleaning occurred, and some assholes think it is cool to just litter the streets with their rubber gloves…and yes I said assholes…there is no nicer word- sorry.
I wanted to show our new stained glass window too – I am sooo in love. We had it made by a local artist Keith, aka TF Dutchman– he makes amazing contemporary artwork with stained glass and a while ago he came and checked out our fireplaces and the other stained glass window we have to come up with this design for us.
The window makes me just so happy and the colors and light through it are different at any time of the day- it is the best thing :)
Like many people I have been baking more and more bread. Well …I am a German and I do love bread for breakfast-and since our artisanal bakery closed I knew I needed to get into this because that is also one of the things I miss a ton from Germany. This is still a no-knead bread as we were lucky enough to have yeast at home- but now I am out of flour and there is no flour …we shall see when my order online is ever going to arrive. Weird times my friends, weird times.
Easter was a bit sad without the usual family gatherings- but I put out some decoration – to make me feel happy. The tulips are fake …there are not tulips to get this year -but these are from my friend Birgit Koopsen in the Netherlands, and she brought them with her a while ago. They fake people out all the time thinking these are real LOL. The eggs are wood – aka also fake to make sure the cats are not destroying them…you see…lots of fake things going on this time hahahah.
Here are Bobby Pretzel and Mingus not really social distancing – LOL- They are bringing us so much joy!
I am so happy for our garden and I cannot wait for more flowers to show up and warmer weather to finally sit outside with a cup of coffee and breathe some fresh air.
We have been sitting outside some evenings after work with a lots of layers of jackets to just feel the air and listen to the birds. Every day there is a beautiful cardinal visiting- I assume he was there before but it is the first time I noticed him as a regular visitor. It is a beautiful sight and like a gift. You notice a lot of things to be grateful for that you usually take for granted in a time like that. That is a good thing.
I hope you enjoyed this little stroll though the house and I hope you all are safe and sound. Until next month!
Oh Nat, that window is just gorgeous!
I love that little spot with the chair to sit outside and read a book and have a cup of tea.
Bread is awesome and I have been baking some bread with kits that I buy at the store (beer bread and banana bread of two of my favs).
Stay safe and create,
Sue
So happy to share with you today a special video interview I did with one of our Creative JumpStart 2020 teachers: Mary Beth Shaw. I have known Mary Beth for years and she is also the amazing woman behind StencilGirl Products. In this interview Mary Beth talks about her CJS lesson and the fun you can have from “making something out of nothing” and getting insight from the thought process behind creating an artwork. Mary Beth also discusses her new live video projects, her focus on self care during these difficult times, and the power of technology and creativity to help us maintain social connections and keep us engaged.
I hope you join me later today at 12noon EST for a live Kaffeeklatsch Get Together chat on Facebook! It will be fun to check in with you this week :)
“What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.” Hoping to see everyone on the other side when all this has passed.
I created some star shaped patterns using my new Triangle Love rubber stamp set, along with my Floral Tile Large and Small sets. I love finding new ways that all of these stamps work together. Pattern building is definitely a good zen activity.
I also used a pencil eraser for the pink dots here and there – the little details tie everything together.
Here are some of the supplies I used:
Also some workshop news: The year long course Wanderlust is back on sale again and my lesson is coming up on May 1st. You can still sign up for the class HERE – it has 27 teachers and 50 lessons to get you going on your artistic journey.
And join me tomorrow, Friday April 24th at 12noon EST for a Kaffeeklatsch chat on Facebook Live – I’ll be telling you about my newest online workshop and also hearing from you – what are you up to these days at home? Drop in and say hello!
So happy to share with you today a special interview I did with one of our Creative JumpStart 2020 students: Christine Conley! I wanted to interview Christine because her experience with the online workshop was very special and super inspiring: she completed every single lesson (one each day in January as the workshop was first coming out) and posted her work on her Instagram for everyone to see and enjoy.
I was so impressed with her dedication to creating that I knew I wanted to learn a bit more about Christine. Here is a little interview I sent her and some of her gorgeous CJS inspired artwork too.
1. What is your name and where are you right now? Christine Conley Monroe, North Carolina
2. How did you learn about Creative JumpStart and what prompted you to Jump? I learned about Creative Jumpstart from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer’s blog and it sounded wonderful so I signed up immediately during the discount period.
3. How many of the 31 lessons have you tried? I completed all 31 lessons and loved them all!
4. What was it about CJS that motivated you each day to create? The lessons were very well done, by highly engaging artists. I felt so excited each day to get up and see the new lesson.
5. How did you maintain your dedication all through January? I had no trouble. I couldn’t wait each day to do the next lesson. Of course, I am older and retired so I am blessed with more free time than many.
6. At the beginning of January, did you have a goal? My goal, which I met, was to complete all 31 lessons.
7. What kinds of artwork and craft projects do you typically enjoy creating? Before Creative Jumpstart, I made cards, jewelry and pottery. I donate some of them to the gift shop at a missionary organization, and I use the rest for gifts.
8. Did CJS inspire you to use any different materials or techniques? Yes, I learned so much about different drawing and coloring materials, and I was inspired to make collage papers and do some journaling.
9 What would you say to a friend who is thinking about doing Creative JumpStart? I would recommend Creative Jumpstart to any person who enjoys making things, or who wants to get started making things. The instruction is clear and very interesting.
10. In 3 words, how would you describe CJS? Three words I would use to describe Creative Jumpstart are: motivating, exciting and excellent.
Thank you Christine for sharing your CJS experience! I just love hearing about your excitement and motivation through it all.
If you’d like to join us in the Creative JumpStart classroom and have access to 31 different mixed media lessons by 31 different mixed media artists – sign up and get started right away. Work at your own pace, try different materials and styles of creating, and download the video lessons for future inspiration too. You can even challenge yourself as Christine did to work on one a day. Regardless of how you approach it, it’s fun, it’s inspiring, and it’s a great community of artists and crafters to meet.
What a beautiful background you have made. I like this.
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