Challenges

Challenges

There have been so many new things coming my way this year that while my word of the year was supposed to be 'Discover', I think it should have been more aptly titled, "Challenge". I've been striving to do more art (work larger, new styles, new techniques), to embark on different activities such as art/craft shows, to submit to more galleries (will be going into two new galleries this summer), spread the word about my artsy endeavors (started a newsletter this month....check my sidebar out to sign up for the monthly publication which will include a sale coupon in each issue), and continue to submit to various magazines for publication (see some of my work in both Somerset Studio magazine and Cloth Paper Scissors this month). I've also taken on more custom work and LARGER projects than I ever have before, so yes...this has been a year of challenges for me.



By far the biggest challenge and my most gratifying work though has been with the development and creation of my new workshop "Fun with Faux Encaustic". Why was this a challenge? Well, for one thing, I had no idea on how to work a video or edit movies on the computer. I totally had to teach myself the program and how to work my camera. Preparing to teach whether online or in person, or for that matter, even writing a how to article is a totally different ball game then just 'doing'. As a teacher, you might be tempted to skip over things because certain techniques or instructions may seem like they are common knowledge or well known but you can't assume everyone that will be taking your class or reading your article will know what you assume is common knowledge. So breaking down what you know how to do is an art in and of itself, and hopefully I've been able to do it with my writing and in my online class so it is accessible to everyone from the beginner to the more advanced student.

This project was also a challenge because I grossly underestimated how much time it would take me to make it all happen. That's the truth. I approached the project with enough cusion though to complete all the components on time and I'm proud to say, "I DID IT". I have always wanted to teach and hope to do more of it down the road, in fact I will be doing my first (unless something else comes up sooner) 'live' class in March at Jerry's Artarama.

The challenge to me also comes into play because I really struggle with time management between working my day job, parenting, and doing art and promoting my art biz on the side. There never seems to be enough hours in the day, but when you have a passion for something and a true desire to make it happen, you just find a way to do it. I've discovered there's no magic formula to make it happen, and even if there was, it would vary day by day because you can't control things that happen around you. You can just control yourself, your actions, or your 'in-actions'.

I'm committed to doing this. No matter how big the challenge is that comes before me. After all, what is an accomplishment if nothing else, venue to stretch yourself to new heights. The feeling of satisfaction, to me, is so much greater when I know that I've learned something new from what it is that I've taken on. I can honestly say I've learned more in the last year than I've learned over the past several years. For that I'm grateful, and for all the family and friends (especially my loyal blog readers and all the local & online artist friends I've had pushing me along the way), I owe so much to all of you.

What are you challenging yourself with lately?

Coming Home to NY

I'm on a much needed vacation this week!


I'm running into all sorts of cool sites and we're having adventure after adventure....


From visiting with family for a 4th of July celebration....


to traveling long forgotten roads and revisiting places I haven't been to in years.


.....and of course a little good clean fun for the kids at the amusement park with their cousins.

Coming home has been a good thing. No matter how long I live elsewhere, there will never be another place on earth that will look, sound, or feel like home other than right where I'm at now.
I'd forgotten how much I missed the soothing sight of the grand Lake Erie or the soft feel of the damp grass under my feet compared to the dry hard land of the Carolina's. I suppose wherever one grows up will always be considered home, it just takes moving away to realize how much that really means.

Hope you had a great 4th of July and are enjoying the sounds and sights of your home, wherever that may be :)

Creative Workshops!

More Creative Goodness offered at Creative Workshops! This is an upcoming class by a dear friend, Pam Carriker! For more info, check out her blog!

Preview of my upcoming class!

Riding The Wave

Yesterday I walked out in the ocean until I was shoulder deep in the water,and then leaned back and let my legs lift up off the sand. As the water calmly allowed me to float along, I prepared myself for the inevitable wave to rush over me and lead me back to the shore. I was not disappointed. With all the faith I had in me that I would be carried along and not washed under, I felt the power of the tide rise me up from the deepest core. I had no control of where I was going, I only knew that I was moving forward with a rush. It all started with lifting my feet up and giving into what was happening around me. What a peaceful feeling taking your feet out of the sand.

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I'm going on vacation soon but wanted to share with you a special sale in my etsy shop:

End of month Sale...now through June 30th: 8.00 prints (5 x 7) or 8 x10; and 25% off any other item in my shop!!! Now's the time to stock up! Simply purchase your item and wait for a revised in voice from me prior to paying!!

Sweet Repeats Studio Shoppe

Since I will be going away, the sale is ending quickly. All orders will be shipped by Thursday this week.

Hurry--don't miss out, I will be pulling some originals to go to galleries around NC in the next couple of weeks so if you see something, don't delay!!

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This week, try lifting your feet up and see where the wave takes you!

Knee Deep in Mixed Media Art!

In case you don't hear from me, please come looking....I'm knee deep in all sorts of artsy goodness lately! I'm almost afraid of being buried alive under a pile of canvases that I have going right now!
Here's a little preview of what I have going on....

I'm anxiously awaiting the issue of my first time being published in the July/August Somerset Studio. The project is an 8 artist collaboration I participated in earlier this year. You can see a little blurb that I wrote with this first image. Guess what part of the canvas I did for this project??? To read more, please check out the next issue. You can see additional sneak peaks HERE. Also, I'm have a little blurb in the next issue of Cloth Paper Scissors! I wrote a bit about a project that the Carolina Mixed Media Guild held this Spring called the M4 project. Check out the Muse Flash in this issue to read about the fun you can have when you explore with collage, assemblage, and the wind at your creative back.

These Sweet Pastel HeARTs are samples from a BIG project I'm working on and will be working on throughout the summer. LOTS of work, but also lots of fun. I have an order for 130 of these mini 2 x4's and 17 6 x8s for a wedding reception. Ultra cool, huh?? I will be adding names of the guests on the mini heARTS; and table names on the bigger versions. Yikes. What an undertaking but I'm grateful for the opportunity!
I'll be listing some of the samples on Etsy soon....so stay tuned!

This sweet little Fairy will be traveling to a new home, as part of a swap I recently did. I'm having a hard time giving her up..LOL! I don't do a lot of people right now but I'd love to explore this avenue more this year. Perhaps something to work on for the latter half of the year.
In addition to all this, I'm preparing to add on 2 more galleries to my resume this summer. I'm super excited about this as I'm hoping down the road to have items in enough galleries that I will have a regular round of income coming in and be able to switch out items with all of my venues so I don't have to sweat so much when I get new opportunities!!

As if this wasn't enough, as many of you may know....I'm working on an online workshop (Fun with Faux Encaustics) that will commence July 15th over on Creative Workshops ning network which is hosted by the uber talented Gail Schmidt. This is a HUGE undertaking for me as it not only is my first offering to teach, but it's my first attempt to videotape anything. It's a challenge I'm up for though and you won't be disappointed. There are tons of things to learn throughout the videos and instructions that I give. The class itself is suitable for a beginner as well as a more experienced artist...here..take a look at some of the samples I have created for the class. They are about 80% done....check out my workshop to learn how to create a mock encaustic look using paint, collage, drawing tools, and gel mediums!

In between all this craziness this summer, I will be working on a new monthly class I will be hosting locally over at Swank Coffee Shop in Southern Pines, NC starting in August! These will be short classes but fun and informative for everyone! AFFORDABLE, too! I want everyone to feel like they can create from within, with just a little practice, guidance, and a whole lot of imagination.
This year has truly been incredible. I really feel that my goal of going full time is within my reach. I almost don't have time for my day job any more...lol. On top of all the projects I just mentioned, I'm also fitting in a few custom orders for some people that have met me locally thanks to the Springfest arts and crafts fair I did back in April. One of the orders is another BIG project so I'm siked about that!


Lots of artsy goodness going on. I'm incredibly blessed and incredibly stressed..lol :) I'll try not to think of the stress part, I tend to work myself up more than I need to because I want to do it all and do it all 150% of the way. I will be going on vacation in the next couple of weeks back home. I hope my Mom doesn't mind me bringing my art supplies with me...lol. I have too much going on to leave things for a week! I definitely need a break though and my boys deserve a little fun time, too. They've been so supportive of my endeavors, I don't want to make them think my art is more important than them.

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I hope your creative life is treating you well....what good things do you have going on?? Are you taking a vacation this summer? If so, where are you going??

Secret Sale and Question of the Day!

SHHHHHH

Secret Sale going on over at my Etsy Shop!

50% off all prints this weekend, thru midnight Sunday!

INCLUDING

ACEOS
Okay, so let's not make it so secret, help me spread the word!!! :)

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Hope everyone has had a great week! Did you read the new Studios issue yet? I want an ARt House!!!!! I always get such great ideas and inspiration when I look at other artist's studio space, makes me jealous that I have but a little ole crowded dining room to get my ART ON! One of these days! Until then, I can dream!

Tell me Where YOU create and what you love or don't love about your space!!

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CONGRATS to my winner of the free Fun with Faux Encaustic class beginning July 15th:

Elena Nosyreva

Elena doesn't have a blog or a website just yet but I wanted to give her a big shout out and congratulate her for winning! She said she never wins anything so I'm happy that this made her day yesterday when I sent her the news that she was picked amongst the students who have signed up so far for my class.

Have you joined?
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Okay so back to my question of the day!

Tell me where you create and what you love about it or don't love so much about it! Share your display or storage tips with us!!

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PS

Anyone that spreads the word via TWITTER, FACEBOOK, your BLOG or other website about my weekend sale will be entered to win a 4 pack of my ACEO prints! I even have some that are not yet listed so you may get some of my new pieces!!

Just let me know via a comment & or provide me with a link that you shared this post and I will put your name into the drawing!

Questions and Answers about Fun with Faux Encaustic Workshop

There's still time to sign up for my giveaway of 1 free class of my newest online work shop "Fun with Faux Encaustics". How to win? I will be picking randomly one of the paid participants that sign up through 6/15 for a full class 'tuition' refund. It pays to be an early bird!

Class Details:
A beginner to intermediate mixed media course that explores an exciting new technique that mimics encaustic painting
The picture above is simply a representation of the class and not the actual projects taught

Workshop description:

Are you intrigued by the layers of sweet beauty that encaustic painting offers but intimidated by the process and hesitant to invest in another assortment of art supplies? Or, are you looking to try some new techniques that explore the usage of acrylic mediums? Perhaps you simply want to begin your journey into the mixed media art world. If so, then we invite you to join this delightful online workshop. Students will be led through a fascinating process of mimicking encaustic painting by incorporating acrylic mediums, layers of collage, acrylic paint., and enhanced with light journal writing on stretched canvases. Students will be provided with videos, still pictures, and written directions to utilize during the work shop. By the end of the course, students will have completed four faux encaustic pieces. We also have a coupon code for 10% off regularly priced items at Jerry's Artarama for those that register for the class!

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1) I will be away the week of July 15th. Will I be missing out on any live session or get too far behind if I start late?

This is a great question and one that we are pleased to say that we've thought of your busy schedules this summer as we presented the work shop and are offering it as an open class where you can work at your own pace and not worry about missing out on something if you can't start working on the projects on July 15th! This is a self paced workshop so you can view the lessons at your leisure.

2) How will the lessons be structured?

The lessons will be presented in an easy to follow format broken down in several steps via video and again via written instructions. We will open up a forum for student discussions as well as questions. For fun, we will also ask the students to post pics of their works in progress & finished pieces.

3) I've never painted before but I want to learn, I'm just not sure if this will be too complicated for me.

Another great question! A desire to learn and a willingness to explore is really all you need to get started. We will supply you with the foundation to create wonderfully layered mixed media art that mimic encaustic paintings. While true encaustic can not fully be recreated, we will show you how to achieve a dreamy look like encaustic painting through a whimsical series of paintings enhanced with acrylic mediums.

4) I really can't draw, I'm not sure how I will be able to paint!

Have no fear! We will help you explore your creative side that is exists within everyone! You WILL be able to do this!

5) I don't have many paints & suppplies but I want to play along. Where do I get the materials to complete the projects.

I tend to work in a limited color palette and I suggest that you do the same for this class, so you will only need a few colors, craft paint is fine if that's what you have or you can purchase a few colors t at local craft store inexpensively. As far as the rest of the supplies, visit Creative Workshops to download my supply list. Jerry's Artarama is also offering a 10% discount for your order for anything you purchase through their website. We have a coupon code for all paid participants to use. Once you sign up and the class beginss, if you opt to watch the videos, I give you lots of tips for items around the house you can use as well! I can supply collage packs for those that do not have many collage supplies available at a nominal fee.

6) Is the workshop web based or in person?

This class is completely online. I will be available to answer questions from my students for as long as they need me via the forum on Creative Workshops, or via email if the student would rather ask something privately. The forum is ONLY open to paid students, so you will not have to feel funny asking something, we will all be doing this together!

7) What skill level is this class?

I feel that anyone from a true beginner to a more advanced painter who wants to explore mixed media will be able to take this work shop and not only learn some new techniques, they will excel with my easy to follow directions and step by step videos and written directions.

8) If I can't take this class will you be offering more in the future?

I certainly hope so. It's my dream to create full time. Currently, I have a full time day job and am a single parent so until my situation changes and I am full time working artist, my class offerings will be limited but I do intend to offer others in the future! Why wait till then though?? This is an OPEN class, so you can work at your own pace!!!

9) What exactly is encaustic painting? Your workshop looks interesting but I have never heard of encaustic painting!

Encaustic painting is an age old technique that has been around for centuries and used by many of the masters. It is a form of painting that utilizes bees wax, damar resin, and pure pigment. Layers are created by melting the wax and resin (using pigment if you wish) and painting on with a brush, reheating and painting with an iron and other tools over a collage or oil based paint. The resin aids in stabilizing the wax. The result is a deeply layered dreamy look, the wax is almost like a frosting on the painting. Sounds like fun?? It is, but it's also expensive form of painting. You may not want to invest in this medium if you are a beginner or even if you are a skilled painter but yet you desire a look that achieves a similar effect. This class will show you how you can get a cool effect that mimics encaustic painting using collage techniques and acrylic mediums with paint. While you CAN simply add beeswax to acrylic painting, it is HIGHLY recommended that you don't. Wax and acrylic are not stable when adhered together. Your work of art will not stand the test of time nor heat! You don't have to worry about this with our technique as the formulas will enable you to paint over acrylic paint and paper w/o having to worry about anything sliding off or cracking! To learn more about true encaustic painting, click HERE.

I hope that clarifies a few questions, if you have others that I have not addressed, please email me at: johl3@windstream.net!

Seasons of Change

In the Winter, I love the peaceful rest as we prepare for the rebirth of the land and the rejuvenation of our lives after traveling along a year long winding road.

With Spring, I welcome the promise of a new beginning and awakening of my spirit as the earth opens her blooming doors.

The playful abandon & carefree days of summer remind me of my youth when the days were long a and the nights filled with laughter and fun.

And then when our bodies are weary and minds ready for a rest, we cozy up to a crisp fall day warmed by our sweaters and worn jeans as we feed on the long awaited harvest.

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How do you feel about the seasons?? What colors or memories spark you emotions with each of the 4 seasons?

Discover with me the colorful layers of the seasons as I lead you through my new work shop, "Fun with Faux Encaustics"! You still have a few days to sign up for my early registration where I'm giving a refund to one of my students that signs up on or before June 15th! (Scroll down to find my workshop description, there's a button to click on to sign up)!
Feel free to email me with any questions!
johl3@windstream.net

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I hope you are having an inspiring week! If I haven't said it in awhile, let me say it now....thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such heartfelt and sweet comments! I always get motivated when reading my bloggedy friends messages!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
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.....summer is upon us with the kids just about out of school. Bring on the beach, flip flops, and evenings sipping lemonade on the porch as we relax and enjoy the playful months ahead :) It's time to create with the same abandon! What are your crafty and creative endeavors for the season?? Vacation plans??

I have lots of work lined up for the summer but I will be taking a break to head back home (after 2 years away...here I come NY) for the week following 4th of July! I can't wait....looking forward to seeing my family. It's been....tooo.....long. I feel disconnected in so many ways, I really need to have that sense of belonging and roots once more at my side.

Till next time, live to create, create to live!

Little Pink Houses of My Own

If all you wanted to do was paint pink houses and dream about a land far and away that was magical and fun and full of creative inspiration, guess what would happen? Eventually you'd have a house full of paintings and lots of cool things to paint with, tons of awesome art supplies just waiting for their turn to be played with....

.....and 4 loads of laundry piled up on your bed because you'd much rather be painting then doing laundry, I mean, really, how inspiring is folding clothes, anyway? Trust me, this is exactly what would happen!

Perhaps you'd be imagining while painting how wonderful your life would be if you you could just find a pretty pink house with a yard (ahem....a small yard, not a 2 acre unruly mess), perhaps a deck with 2 white wooden rockers waiting to be visited with a cool glass of lemonade tempting your thirsty lips. You'd dream of a kitchen that could fit more than one person and a dining room that could hold 15 or 20 during Thanksgiving and be a open spacious sunny studio the other 364 days of the year. 4 bedrooms nestled within the sturdy walls of your pink palace of creative wonder, ready for guests or a studio that you might one day actually work in full time. I'd bet you'd be dreaming of early morning walks with the dew at your doorstep and sun rising on your back and not a schedule to be fulfilled except for the one you created for yourself, as you walk for inspiration and ponder the next big creation with each early day. Coming home after a half hour or so, with big ideas dancing around your head, you greet each of your beloved jars of paint with sheer joy and loving expectation. Paint, paint, and then paint some more as you travel down whatever road the muse beckons you until the shrill buzz of the dryer interrupts your meditative mind unforgivably.

You look up and realize it was all just a dream, one you've traveled down many times before. As you immerse yourself in this world of tiny houses and colorful towns of your imagination, the reality sets in that the laundry simply will not go quietly into the night without you.

sighh

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I declare, June, the "Get Your Shit Together Month". Seriously. Come with me and take hold of your life so your fantasy world can become more of a reality! What is it that is holding us back? What would make us move forward if we had other things cleared out of our way or at least a path cleared so we can get through!
I know one thing holding me back is scheduling. Handling a full time job with raising a son and then managing an creative pursuit that is quickly becoming a full time job , both exciting and a challenge! Organization and better time management would help me tremendously. To combat this I even went out and bought a pretty pink planner. I've already started to fill it up with things I have planned for the month, months to come and even in early 2010! Wow. Next, I'm planning on putting events on my calender that are necessary monthly, weekly and even daily. I'm using the same planner for my day job as I'm going to do for my artistic endeavors. All in one spot with lists and to dos..well, maybe just maybe I will stay on track.

Other areas I want to organize/tackle/complete this month:

Finish up a custom project
Finish videotaping my workshop
Plan my vacation
Organize my supplies
Clean my closets
Start getting rid of things or put up stuff for a yard sale
Write a couple of articles
Start a newsletter
Start preparing for an October Show
Loose 15 lbs by July 4th..lol
Hey...we all gotta dream!

Anywhoo...I really want to find a dreamy 'pink house' of my own but one of the things that's holding me back is the dread of moving because of all the stuff around me I really don't need anymore. If I start to load XS baggage, perhaps new opportunities will open up for me. I really believe that can work figuratively and literally.

I do need to sock more $$ away....but that's come a long way since I last spoke of this desire. I've paid down on a lot of things as well as added to my income quite nicely over the last year....so things are moving in the right direction. Now, to just stay the course!!

Okay...so tell me what you are going to do during this tribute to "Getting Your Shit Together" Month. It doesn't have to be something dramatic....little shit turns into big shit removal! Really!

:) Till next time! Create to Live, Live to Create!

PS!!! don't forget I am GIVING away 1 FREE Class if you sign up for "Fun with Faux Encaustics" before JUNE 15th!! One lucky winner will be announced from all of the participants one June 16th that their 'tuition' will be reimbursed!! What are you waiting for????? Join in on the fun!