I hope you joined us for the ArtCollab this month as Sarah Matthews and I celebrated Inktober with some printmaking fun in front of the camera. You can watch a recording here and then scroll down for info on registering to attend our next episode.

Here is an overview of what we did:

In this episode of ArtCollab Sarah and I get our ink on! It is Inktober after all so we shared some of our favorite basic printmaking techniques. Sarah showed how she uses Stampbuddies to create gradient prints, and how she loves to partially print over older prints to create a layered abstract look. I showed how to use ArtFoamies with a Gelli Plate and how to reverse images and mix colors while printing. We answered audience questions about foam stamps and Stampbuddies and talked about how to make your own foam stamps. We also announced our next topic and asked the audience for feedback regarding future topic ideas as ArtCollab will be taking a break after the November episode to come back in February.

Upcoming Episode:

Join us for Episode 9: Showing Gratitude – Tuesday, November 2nd at 12noon ET (NYC time)

Sometimes you have people in your life who have been a big part of the journey that you are on today. Maybe they mentored you somewhere near the beginning when your sense of direction wasn’t yet clear. Perhaps they were there along the way, helping you to make important choices and to see the possibilities. Maybe they got you back on track when you swerved and faltered. We want to acknowledge these people in our lives and talk about the incredible impact they have had in making us who we are today. Nobody is on this journey alone and it is time that we spend a little time Showing Gratitude.

Register HERE to Attend

A recording of this ZoomCast will be posted here after the event.

Nat

Did you catch the last episode of ArtCollab with Sarah and I? We were chatting with Rachel Juanita Bellamy about Pass the Brush and it was our first one with a guest! You can watch the recording below and then read on about our next one coming up on September 7th. Registration link is down below.

Here is what we covered:

Episode 6: Pass the Brush – In this episode Sarah and Nat are joined by special guest Rachel Juanita Bellamy! Rachel is the organizer behind 2020’s Pass the Brush event as well as a talented artist and online educator and in this webinar she shares her background, current projects, and the story behind Pass the Brush.

Rachel talks about her time in the US military and her ongoing passion for service. She describes her beginnings as an artist and how it has balanced her interests and skills since childhood. She shares how she shifted her focus to mixed media in response to personal trauma and the desire to create more freely, and how that has evolved into a love for the process of creating, working on multiple pieces at one time, painting on a larger scale, and realizing the dream of creating online classes.

Rachel explains the Pass the Brush event and its origins in Black Lives Matter, George Floyd’s murder, and her own Unmuted program on social media. Unmuted created some of the connections within the mixed media community which helped Pass the Brush – the artist version of “pass the mic” – become a reality.

Rachel talks about her strategy for the event and what some of her goals were. She describes the well-planned preparations leading up to it and those angels behind the scenes who helped make it happen. Finally she talks about the benefits and the steps forward in the industry since Pass the Brush, but stresses the need for a continuing push.

There is another Pass the Brush event planned, so stay tuned!

Upcoming Episode:

Join us for Episode 7: Back to School – Tuesday, September 7th at 12noon EDT (NYC time)

In this episode of ArtCollab, Sarah and Nat are going Back to School. As teachers, they usually find themselves at the front of the class but sometimes stepping back and taking on the role of student can be incredibly beneficial and inspiring. In fact, artists can always learn something new from other artists and engaging in these role reversals is a great way to try a different medium, sharpen skills, approach ideas from a new angle, and maybe even get the inside scoop on tips and tricks from other practicing artists. Taking classes and attending educational events such as artist retreats are also perfect opportunities to forge new friendships and partnerships in creativity. In addition to this discussion, Sarah and Nat will also teach each other a mini lesson in this episode and attendees can enjoy watching and engaging with them as they play both teacher and student.

Register HERE to Attend

Nat

Thank you to all who joined us for the ArtCollab Episode 5 zoomcast – Sarah and I loved having you for our chat about The Art of Self Care. Did you miss it? Don’t worry, you can watch a recording of it below and also read about our next episode, coming up on Tuesday, August 3rd.

Here is what we covered:

In this episode, Sarah and I talk about the importance of Self Care and we offer our tips on how to rest and reset so that we can be our best selves. The past year has left many of us feeling overwhelmed, and now with everything opening back up we are again feeling the pressure to do it all. Even if you love your job, are busy pursuing your dreams, or are balancing a very full plate, making time for yourself is crucial to your health, your ability to care for others, and your ability to make art.

How you make time for yourself and what you do to relax is a personal thing and may take some time to figure out. Living in the moment, reclaiming your vacation time, making art just for yourself, trying new hobbies and types of art, chatting with friends in person, reconnecting with loved ones, and maybe just enjoying the silence are all things to try. The important thing is that you make the time – schedule it and don’t give it up. Self Care is not selfish.

Upcoming Episode:

Join us for Episode 6: Pass the Brush – Tuesday, August 3rd at 12noon EDT (NYC time)

In this episode Sarah and Nat are meeting with Pass the Brush organizer Rachel Juanita Bellamy. In 2020 the Pass the Brush event paired up Sarah and Nat and it prompted them to get to know each other better. Pretty soon they had forged a lovely new friendship and jumped into several creative projects together (including these ArtCollab zoomcasts). They will chat with Rachel about the benefits of artistic collaboration, the importance of elevating others, what has changed since the Pass the Brush event last year, and what challenges remain. Tune in to join us and contribute to the conversation with Questions and in the Chat.

Register HERE to Attend

Nat

Thank you to all who joined us for the ArtCollab Episode 4 zoomcast – Sarah and I loved having you there as we discussed our topic Art is Serious, Craft is Fun. Wow – what an episode, right?!? We laughed AND cried and it got very personal and it felt like we were truly talking BIG IDEAS in this one. Did you miss it? Don’t worry, you can watch a recording of it below.

Here is what we covered:

In this episode Sarah and I talk about that classic creative debate Art vs Craft and how it affects and influences how we work and what we make. Sarah shares her frustrations with having to make the distinction between art and craft in her own work. Nat feels that art and craft work together in what she is doing and explains, “There is no art without craft.” We talk about craft and craftsmanship as a set of skills, learned from another artist/culture/source and when we make it our own we feel we are creating art, and that sometimes comes with our desire to honor the source of inspiration. 

We look at artwork that has touched us and made us aware of new stories and perspectives and then we also share some of our own artwork that has made people react and feel (both positively and negatively). We discuss how art can be a mirror of our experiences, an expression of ideas and emotions, a way to facilitate thought and discourse, and fuel for curiosity. Our conversation gets intense as we share our desire and conviction to use art as a platform and tool for facilitating the discussion of important and sometimes difficult topics.

Upcoming Episode:

Join us for Episode 5: The Art of Self Care – Tuesday, July 6 at 12noon EDT(NYC time)

Let’s not forget to take time to breathe, reset, and make sure that our artistic practice is aligning with our purpose. It is time to talk about the Art of Self Care! As artists we have a go go go mentality and frequently wear many different hats as we juggle various projects, obligations, and revenue streams. When you are this busy, it is easy to forget to take breaks, but we are here to remind you that self care is crucial to success. We’ll discuss how to make sure rest is a part of the schedule and share our personal favorite ways to take a break. Most importantly, we’ll talk about how rest can help refine your focus as an artist – allowing you a moment to reflect on what you are creating, why you are creating, and any adjustments that you might need to make.

Register HERE to Attend

Nat