Sunday, April 29, 2018

Video Workshops

I often get asked if I have online workshops that share my techniques, especially by those people who are unable to join me for a live workshop. My favorite part of teaching is the creative energy that develops when a group of artists are together learning and making art. So I have primarily focused on in-person classes and have never gravitated toward making an online course.

But - and there is always a but - for quite some time I have worked with F+W Media and have a catalog of video workshops that are available as downloads and as streams. Some are also still available as actual DVDs but - and there is that word again - my sense is that this format is not long for this world.

For those of you who may not be familiar, here is a bit of a review of some of my video workshop available at Artists Network.

10 TECHNIQUES FOR PAINTING LAYERS
IN MIXED MEDIA
This is available now as an immediate download and streaming video. A limited number of DVD copies are also available.

This 124-minute long workshop video focuses on techniques for creating paint layers in mixed media art. Step-by-step I demonstrate multiple approaches to paint application including ombre effect, blackout technique, translucent layering, subtractive splatter, brayer basics and more.

Here is a preview...


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10 TECHNIQUES FOR MIXED MEDIA ARTISTS

This is available now as an immediate download or streaming video. A limited number of DVD copies are also available.

In this 118-minute long workshop video, I demonstrate 10 varied techniques that can be easily integrated into your mixed media art. Some may be familiar to you while others are likely to be new. Just a few of the techniques include heat embossing, fiber layering, color staining, photo altering, and debossing. 

Here is a preview...


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CARD PLAY
This is available now as an immediate download or streaming video.

Based on my 52 Card Pickup live workshop, Card Play: Mixed-Media Techniques for Small Works of Art is 96 minutes of creative fun.

In this workshop, I demonstrate how to turn a deck of playing cards in to a year-long art journal. You will learn, step-by-step, a series of mixed-media layering techniques involving gesso, paint, ink, stamping, stenciling, collaging and more. The focus is on creating dynamic layers, loosening up, and creating without thinking. With Card Play, you will always be dealt a winning hand.

Here is a preview...


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TOP 10 COLLAGE PRINCIPLES
This is available now as an immediate download or streaming video.

Based on my Collage Camp live workshop, Seth Apter's Top 10 Collage Principles, this video is 119 minutes long and filled with ideas and techniques for your collage and other mixed-media work.

In this workshop I share 10 principles to bring your collage to the next level and help you move forward if you feel stuck while creating. We start by creating a reference manual complete with 10 mini-collages, each of which demonstrates one of the core principles. Next you will learn a fun, layered painting technique to create unique background for your collage. All the steps are put together as we then create a collage together and review finishing touches to further enhance your artwork.

Here is a preview...


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PHOTO PLAY
This is available now as an immediate download or streaming video. A limited number of DVD copies are also available.

Based on my Photo Op live workshop, Photo Play: Techniques for Altering Photos with Paint and Ink, this video is filled with 91 minutes of artful techniques.

Take your photos out of your phone and take them to a new level. This workshop introduces a series of subtractive techniques to prepare the surface of you photographs and add texture and pattern to the images. This is followed by demonstrations of additive techniques, where we hand-color our photos using watercolor paints, dye inks, and water-based pens and markers. The focus then shifts to integrating these photos into your art. After an introduction in how to create and alter die cuts, we put it all together by creating a dimensional and layered journal page where your photo is the star.

Here is a preview...


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THE ALTERED BOOK
This is available now as an immediate download or streaming video.

Based on my For Your Eyes Only live workshop, The Altered Book: 10 Mixed-Media Techniques contains 95-minutes of instruction on all things book making.

You will learn to make a handmade book from scratch using repurposed book covers and paper. This is a no-sew binding that allows you to bind single sheets into what appears to be a traditional bound book. You will see how to make a binding bar that is the basis for the book and create multiple interactive pages with doors, windows, flaps, and more. I will demonstrate a paper quilting technique to add a dynamic and complex background to your pages and also talk about using dimensional objects to embellish your cover. This class is suitable for both beginning and more seasoned book artists.

Here is a preview...



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You're Only One Layer Away from Magic

Have you ever been stuck while working on your art because you thought you might ruin it by adding another layer? Does over-thinking bring out your inner critic and limit your willingness to take creative chances? 

In this 1-hour webinar from June 2016 that was hosted by the peeps who bring you Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, you will learn mixed-media layering techniques to enhance the depth, complexity and power of your work. This webinar features a recording of a PowerPoint presentation and a demo video.

Discover how to push yourself and your art further by letting go and creating without thinking. I  share tips to help you become more comfortable out of your comfort zone by not getting attached to your work, trusting the process, and taking creative risks. My mantra is, You're only one layer away from magic, so grab your paintbrush and tune in. Magic awaits!
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Friday, April 27, 2018

Four Stencil Techniques

Today I am guesting on StencilGirl Talk - the blog from StencilGirl Products. Rather than creating artwork, I decided to share four easy techniques to raise the bar on your stenciling:





Check out the post for additional directions and to find 2 helpful tips for each technique. And grab those stencils and pounce!

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

The Bakery: 3

It has been so exciting to see what all you creative people out there are doing with Baked Texture, my new embossing powder for artists from Emerald Creek. My hope with these powders was that people would find non-traditional ways to use them. And you haven't disappointed. Here are some of the beauties I have come across online this week. Click each link to see more...


Jenny used Chunky Rust to create this textural tag. And in the technique video that follows, she shows how to use Tim Holtz's new Distress Resist Spray to create the effect.


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Autumn used a variety of products to achieve this rusty surface, including Chunky Rust Baked Texture on the doily underneath her flowers.


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Patricia added both Ancient Amber and Vintage Beeswax into the background of this incredible Mixed media piece. 


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Linda created the most beautiful surfaces on a series of tags using Vintage Beeswax, Ancient Amber, Patina Oxide, Chunky Rust and Rocky Road.


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Nikki used Patina Oxide Baked Texture to create a textural and dimensional frame around the edge of this rusty and crusty piece.


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Have a look at this dimensional, textural, and layered background that Amanda created with Patina Oxide, Deep Sea, Ancient Amber, Dirty Sand and Chunky Rust. 


She also used Vintage Beeswax on the center circle focal point.

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Friday, April 20, 2018

Upcoming

They say April showers being May flowers. I think that they also bring May classes. Early next month, my "workshop season" begins in earnest. I would love for you to join me along the way.

EncaustiCastle 
Lexington, Kentucky

I am excited to be part of a tag-team, book arts retreat hosted by Patricia Seggebruch at the EncaustiCastle in Lexington, Kentucky.


From 5/9-5/12, I am teaching A Library of Memories, a workshop focused on book making, mixed media painting, collage and found object assemblage. Not only is this my only workshop which includes found object art, it is the last time I will be teaching this class.


You also have the option of staying though 5/15 to continue the retreat with the amazing Daniel Essig who will then be teaching Treasure Binding.


You can choose onsite accommodations in the "castle" or join as a day commuter. For more information or to register, click here.

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Everything Scrapbook & Stamps
Lake Worth, Florida

I am excited to be returning to Everything Scrapbook & Stamp In Lake Worth, Florida with two, one-day workshops.


On 5/19, I am bringing my Baked Textures to heat in the Florida sun during my workshop Get Baked! 


On 5/20 we learn the basics behind and create abstract art during my one-day workshop Abstraction Reaction.


Registration is open and more details can be found here and here.

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Quilt & Surface Design Symposium 
Columbus, Ohio

Join me at the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio where I will be part of the annual Quilt & Surface Design Symposium.


My first workshop, from 5/28-6/1 is Table of Contents, a five-day immersion into all things mixed media.


Immediately after, I will be teaching For Your Eyes Only, a 2-day class, from 6/2-6/3.


See more information about my classes and the entire event here.

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Idyllwild Arts 
Idyllwild, California

I am returning to the mountain town of Idyllwild and to Idyllwild arts to teach two workshops over a 3-day weekend.


On 6/15, I bring my most popular class to Idyllwild: 52 Card Pickup.


From 6/16-17 we will be making and filling books in A Book of Moments.


Registration is open and seats are limited. Read all about it here.

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You can also join me in in other states in the USA - as well as Australia and Canada later in the year. See all my 2018 workshops on my workshop page. And...stay tuned for a few more locations to be added soon.

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The Bakery: 2

It has been so exciting to see what all you creative people out there are doing with Baked Texture, my new embossing powder for artists from Emerald Creek, which happily are now back in stock in my online shop.

My hope with these powders was that people would find non-traditional ways to use them. And you haven't disappointed. Here are some of the beauties I have come across online this week. Click each link to see more...


Tracy used Patina Oxide to create the textured butterfly in the center and Chunky Rust around the edges of the tag.


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Autumn used Vintage Beeswax, Patina Oxide and Deep Sea on her textured and layered accordion book.


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Alison created this swath of rust using both Chunky Rust and Rocky Road Baked Texture.


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Julie created a series of pieces, each of which used one of the flavors of Baked Texture. Ancient Amber is above and Chunky Rust is below.


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Barbara created this rough, textural element using Rocky Road.


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Amanda used Rocky Road, Vintage Beeswax, Deep Sea, Ancient Amber, Dirty Sand, and Patina Oxide to create all these multi-textured details.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

I'm on Pinterest. Finally.

This is the year of change and possibility for me and social media is one of the targets. I dropped my Twitter account in January and have not had a second thought. And while I have resisted for many a year for fear of completely disappearing into the computer, I am now the proud owner of a Pinterest account. Yup. I did it. It's been done.


I have just started to create my boards - not to mention to learn all the lingo from yet another platform. So far, my boards fall into four categories...

MY ARTWORK



MY PRODUCTS



MY PRODUCTS, YOUR ART

MY INSPIRATION



I will be building more soon, as well as adding new pins daily. Cause that's what you do, right? Would love for you to check out my site and follow me. And you know I will be following you.