Mixed Media Art and Musings by Jodi Ohl-check out my latest newsletter!

A month in review--check out my latest Newsletter!
I'll be back later this week with more news :) tonight I'm beat!!!
Have an artfully great week!!

Mini Zentangle Doodles and a Demonstration

In honor of Art Everyday Month hosted by the uber talented Leah, I'm trying to be better at showcasing what I'm doing and blogging more frequently (as well as visiting blogs). Over the last few months, it just seems that I've been bogged down with misc. things that have kept me from my little online world of blogging. Art has not stopped though...in fact, this year I've done a lot of projects, shows, and even a bit of writing. (Stay tuned for a new article coming out in Cloth Paper Scissors come January)!

I'm trying to position myself to one day doing this gig full time. I'm having a hard time deciding when that would be though. When do you know you are ready??? Is anyone else out there self employed??? How did you get started? Did you have another income coming in before you hit the ground running??? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I don't have a lot of money saved, that's the problem. AND I just bought this house. I do have my 401k I could tap into...but...not sure if that would be wise. hmmmm...all things to ponder as I decide what I want to do with the next 40 years of my life :)

In the mean time...I'm conducting classes, creating when I can, and even doing demos for different functions and organizations. My next two demos will be at the Art of the Carolina's this coming weekend, held in Raleigh at the North Raleigh Hilton. On Friday at 12:00 I will do a ATC demo on creating distressed backgrounds using ranger inks; then on Saturday I will be doing a demo at the Strathmore table featuring their ATC papers and these quick little pen, pencil and marker doodles-similar to the ones featured in Cloth Paper Scissors on "Zentangles". I am a bit addicted to these mini mindless activities. I've added a twist to a few of them by lightly sketching a subject rather than random tangles and filling in the body of my sketch with fun doodles and limited colors. I love how they look matted! Come see me at 1:00 pm on Saturday at the Strathmore table!!

***
Question of the day--when do you know it's time to go off on your own???

Image Transfer Class and Art of the Carolina's

What a crew!
Just sharing a few pics from my samples shown during my class yesterday on Image Transfer techniques. My students were eager to learn, enjoyed a variety of different techniques--some worked better than others, but over all I think that that's how image transfers are, testy and challenging but alluring and mystical all at the same time. Revealing the faint hint of the image or the crystal clear copy is all part of the fun!

I also explained the process of creating a paint skin then creating a photo copy on a typically non porous surface by using Golden't digital ground. I've just started playing with this technique but love the possibilities that it provides to add dimension and mystery to my work.

Do you see my little assistant in back??? Such a trooper to put up with all my artistic endeavors. My oldest son was here for the weekend so he was my other trusty assistant in charge of heavy lifting and transportation of equipment..lol...see there's room for the entire fam in the art biz. Who knew???

This is perhaps my favorite technique....anyone wanna guess how I did this??? The first person that answers correctly wins bragging rights..haha :)

***

Coming up this week:
The Art of the Carolina's
I'll be doing a demo in the ATC make and take room on Friday at 12:00pm--woot woot

Come see me in the vendor area where I will be doing a demo on Saturday at the Strathmore table as well from 1-2pm!

I'll be featuring techniques to creating backgrounds using Ranger distress pads, working with pen and ink, and of course, creating funky lil mini houses as time permits. This is my first time doing a demo for such a wide and diverse audience so wish me luck! I have stage fright I think!

Hope you have a creative week!

Art at the Speed of Life- and other GOOD Things

Exciting news!! My good friend Pam Carriker is writing her first book !!!! woooot wooot!

AND....I am going to be one of the contributing writers!! another wooot wooot! I received my assignments yesterday and CAN'T wait to get started!
The book will be released in the Fall of 2010 so stay tuned for more details and join the journey by visiting Pam's new blog "Art at the Speed of Life"!
CONGRATS PAM!

***
Other good news--I got a clean bill of health from my biopsy on Thursday so I am very relieved, I mean VERY relieved. I had an awful week full of anxiety and stress just worrying about the possibilities (I'm a worry wart by nature), so when the Dr. walked in the room and said, it's all good, I about fell out :)))) Nothing like a little scare or a big scare to reel you back in to take stock of what is important in the world. Because of this episode, I have a pocketful of ideas I'm going to start enacting on that I have been just setting aside waiting for tomorrow. Why wait? One of the ideas is actually not an idea but a commitment to continue teaching and holding work shops. In fact, I'm holding another one tomorrow locally at Swank Coffee shop in Southern Pines.
"Image This"
..an exploration of image transfer techniques
I've been experimenting for the last two weeks with a variety of image transfer methods and really have only begun to touch on the array of ways you can do image transfers. One of the techniques that I played with for the first time is that of working with Golden's Digital ground and really playing with these products. My mind is twirling with different uses of this application. I've had the package sitting in a drawer for almost a year so it was about time I tried it out!

Here's a sneak peek of a packing tape transfer that I played with for another one of my samples:


What's YOUR favorite method of Image transfer techniques? Any tips you can offer for a successful transfer??

***

Lastly, my other resolution is to get back to blogging more regularly and pay more attention to my Etsy shop. These last two months with moving and my art show have really been a whirlwind, then there was my little health scare. I appreciate more than words all of your support and to those of you who have dropped me an email to check in--your good thoughts and support have helped hold me up amongst so much chaos lately! Thank you :)

Recap of October!

Can it really be the beginning of November already?? For those of you who thought I fell of the face of the earth, fear not :) I simply have let time escape me once again. Right after my big move I had to prepare for the Holly Arts Festival in Pinehurst, NC and a class on artsy tag making so I lost track of time.




One of my signature pieces for the show was this BIG painting (30x 40), "Findley Lake". Working on this piece really stretched some of my artistic wings as I normally do very whimsical pieces.


This time around, I wanted to incorporate my signature textured background, a limited color palette, but then create a work of art that met whimsy with realism, if that makes sense.

However you want to categorize it, it was such FUN to create! I think I'm going to do a collection of funky old houses over the next twelve months. I'm going to have to travel with my camera (which I should be doing anyway) and search for some good prospects for my new art 'campaig' :)

So...how did the Holly Arts Festival go?? Well, first there was the rain, then the cold wind (did I mention it was an outdoor show?) then there was finally a hint of sun by mid afternoon. I really had high expectations for this show considering it was in Pinehurst and how well I did at Springfest in Southern Pines. Truthfully, if we are being honest, I felt like the last kid picked for the team during this show..lol. I don't think my art work fit for this type of festival. The ones that did well were the primitive folk art, country, and anything and everything having to do with dogs. Did I mention I was right next to a guy that sold handmade dog collars?? The ca-ching ca-ching of his register was like fingernails on a chalkboard reminding me how it was two 0'clock and I had only cashed in 20 dollars worth of merchandise....


after spending 2 months preparing for this show... I did put on a smile and tried to keep my spirits up because I know, sometimes things work out during shows and other times it doesn't pan out. I've only participated in 2 shows so I'm not really talking from experience, I'm mainly relaying what my sweet friends tried to convey to my puppy dog face :) THANKFULLY the afternoon brightened up and so did the sales, and I did sell 3 of my newest pieces (see the last post), otherwise I might have jumped off the artistic cliff!

I'm still glad I did the show because it forced me to bulk up on some of my items and I did create a large piece that hopefully will eventually find a new home (right now it is being showcased at Swank Handmade Market and Coffeeshop, in Southern Pines, NC). It's just hard not to be disappointed at the outcome when I had high hopes to really do well.


Here's a peek at the piece hung in front of my booth :)


...my cute bird series drew some attention, definitely the hit of the show once again.

On the Monday after the show, I returned to work and received a call from the Dr's office asking me to go back for another re-check on a procedure I had done that previous Friday. I have to tell you, it's been really nerve wracking simply even waiting for the results of the test. I'm a worry wart anyway so I've really had to focus on other things so I don't drive myself insane (which I probably wouldn't have to drive too far to get there ;).


Tomorrow I go once again for another procedure and hopefully by Thursday of this week I will know one way or another if it's nothing or if it's something. Either way, I'm sure things will be fine but there are those moments that cloud your ability balance fact with reality and you imagine every possible scenario with the what ifs.

Worrying about the what ifs in life can stop your forward movement. Thankfully, I have had an outpouring of support and uplifting words to keep me from drowning in the what ifs and I'm doing much better this week than I was last week when I found out about the possibilities of what could be the next steps should the road turn one way rather than the other.

...control what you can control and let the rest happen as they may then deal with it one day at a time.

one day at a time. One day, today...is all we are promised so make the most of it. :)

Have an artfully great week!

Change is in the Air!

"Sweet Retreat" .....I love the sound of that name for my
new studio, as it represents the part of me that uses art for solace and peace, it's become a way to retreat but blossom at the same time. That in and of itself, is Sweet.....Thank you Stacey "Art Snark" for suggesting the name! Please drop me a line to pick out your colors for your custom 6x6 Sweet HeARTS!!! Congrats! I really loved all the names picked out, it was hard to choose but I decided to go with the one that most picked as a winner and one that rang true to my love for this studio space :) happy day!



This week I've been scurrying away in the studio, working on a new collection for an upcoming show and trying to tie some loose ends on a few works in progress I had going. Next Saturday (October 17th) is the Holly Arts Festival, in Pinehurst, NC. It will be my second show this year, my second show ever. I feel better prepared for this one in some ways but not where I want to be considering I knew about this since April. It just seems that I have delved in so many projects this last few months that have been sooooo encompassing of my time that I haven't been able to prepare for some other things as well as I wanted to. All we can do is take one day at a time and do the best we can do each and every day. What more can one ask?


I don't typically work in holiday motifs when painting by I do love this fallish/Halloweeny look to this collection. So much so, I might just carry it forward in another grouping or so.

"Change is in the Air" 6 x 12



"Coming Home" 4 x6



Fall is one of my favorite seasons. I'm ready now to settle in for some quiet time, some nesting, some bonding with my new abode, dig into some new projects and start fresh again. This time, for the right reasons and in the right direction.


Be patient...that's something I need to do as I try to do as much as I can in a very short time.

It's all about following a dream, your dream. My dream.


Wherever the road takes you this week, may your travels be safe and your journey be full of adventure and creativity :)

Hope to see some of you next week!!

Stop by my booth and mention you saw this post and receive 25% off any one item!

Connections

So I'm all moved in, somewhat un packed (about 8 or 10 strategically placed boxes left), and beginning to realize where I am when I get up at 2 am for my snack (hehe). It's quite a change, I must say. I don' t know if it's all soaked in or not yet. I'm starting to think of projects I want to do to make the house my home.

Amongst those projects of course I have to fit in a few art projects ;) Here's a piece that I worked on for a feature at the Art of the Carolina's in Raleigh, NC (Nov 13-15). The theme of the exhibition is "The World of Art" we were given a bag of art goodies and epherema to use at our discretion to create a piece the reflected the theme.



I'm not going to lie. I had no freakin clue what to do with all the what nots and colors of paint that I don't normally use..lol. Not to mention I had to do it this week with only a few days to spare after I moved when I needed to get started.

I've been doing a lot of portrait paintings lately so I dived in with a portrait that I was hoping would reflect a little more international flavor in it's depiction but still capture my distinct style of texture and layers of interest.


As I'm painting this, I discovered a perfect theme.....Connections. All the papers under neath the painting in the collage connect with one another, symbolizes the connections that art has across all nations and all people. You don't have to speak a certain language to connect with a work of art. People can connect without words, through a love and appreciation of art.



Connections....hmmm it may be a theme to explore along with more portrait paintings. Who knows where the road will go so I might as well enjoy the journey.



Speaking of the road and journey...if you are in the neighborhood next weekend, be sure to stop by and see me at the Holly ARts Festival in Pinehurst, NC on October 17th, and since you will be around that weekend you might as well sign up for my class at Swank on the 18th, from 1-3pm "Getting your Tag On" create mini works of craft-artivity in our Tag Art class. Perfect timing for the holidays. Give a gift with a Swanky art tag and you will be the bomb this holiday season!!!

For more info please contact Jessica or Petra, the lovely owners of Swank at swankgirls@gmail.com

If tag art isn't your thing, perhaps you'd like to join us on November 8th for another workshop in our Swanky Art Class series: Image Transfers, "Imagine This" learn a variety of fun and intriguing techniques to create unique and mystical image transfers to use in your art or scrapbooking projects. This class will be $35.oo

**Name this Studio Contest still open! Check out the post below for more details!

Hope you are having a creative week!

New beginning --and a GIVEAWAY!

You probably wonder where I've been this last week! Not surprisingly, I've been buried under a pile of boxes. This truck jam packed full times 2 which we started moving last Friday. I didn't have as much help as I thought I would so there was just two of us on Friday doing all the heavy lifting and moving. The excitement of a new beginning kept me going though despite the elbow grease required :)


Here's a pic of my quaint little abode, a 1960's ranch that is as cute as can be. For my first home, it's perfect. Probably the only thing missing that was on my wish list is a wrap around porch, but I do have a deck..lol...so there you go, it's all about compromise and loving what you have and not focusing on what you don't.


Another selling feature was this super sweet woodsy back yard, complete with an out building (with lots of spiders...eeek!). I hope to make this into an outdoor studio one day. It already has a cement floor and good bones to work with. In the Carolina's, summer is brutal so this would have to be more of a Spring and Fall art house but who knows, I'll probably have to fit it with air and heat anyway if I want to keep paint out there and paintings. All I know is that I love it!

The kitchen in disarray, this was about 10:00 pm last Friday night as we were putting up all the stuff after about 12 hours of work. I don't love the plaid wall paper on the back wall.. so that will be changed out but I do have tons of cupboard space so that's a good starting point.

Cozy little living room....I set this up right away so we'd have a place to sit in between all the chaos of moving. I am changing out the wallpaper (wall paper every where!!) eventually and hopefully get a new living room suite. In the course of moving I found my fall decorations so I put those out the first night, too. I forgot I even had them to begin with..lol.



And on to my studio....shelves everywhere! YIPPPEE I can FINALLY move all my art junque out of the dining room and set it up so I can not only be inspired, but be efficient at what I do! Previously, I spent more time going through boxes and totes to find what I needed. Talk about frustating!


I'm not even kidding you when I say I had half a truck load alone of art stuff....that is for rizzle!
It's taken me all week to get things out the boxes and on the shelves.

I have most everything un packed and so now it will be just a matter of rearranging here and there, making sure I have my supplies in a way that makes artful sense and then beautifying it with creative goodness as I go along.

Hey, how about a contest--Let's come up with a name for my new studio. Are you in???
What will you win?? A pair of 2 of my heart blocks, 6x6 in the color of your choice and words of your choice.
To enter, just name your suggestion in a comment to me, now through October 10th and the winning suggestion or inspiration for the studio name will get a pair of customized Sweet HeART blocks!


progress....almost ready to create....


Love the fireplace, I just need to get a smaller table so I can make an L shaped work area by my desk and leave the fire place area open. Perhaps put a small reading chair in the other corner not pictured.


Last night I finally started on a new project.....in my new studio, in my new home. :)



Next up...see the finished piece and more about my new painting :0

Thank you for taking this house buying journey with me. I couldn't have done it without the support and guidance of my friends and family! It's been a ride but I'm proud of where I am right now and excited to see where I go next with my new role as a homeowner :)

Don't forget to put your choice in the hat for the giveaway by making a suggestion for my studio name!

Winds of Change

If I had a dime for every time I cried over the last few days, I'd be a millionaire.
Isn't if funny that during a time that one should be feeling so much joy and excitement,
I'm feeling worn down and broken.

I guess I'm the kind of person that gets very worked up about things, emotional and passionate, anxiety prone and determined all at the same time. And then, something happens that I just can't control despite the best laid plans which sends me into a tailspin.

What to do, what to do, when you can not win either way you turn? What to do when you
want things to be one way and the wind blows in an entirely new direction? How can you rise above the feelings of sadness and bring back the light to where it should have been shining?


The only thing I know how to do to alleviate some of the stress and pain is through my art. Creating can heal, but it can't solve the world problems. Nor can it solve mine. I wish it could, so that tomorrow when I close on the house, I can also feel the joy and excitement about something that I wanted for so long and have worked so hard for to make happen. There's going to be someone missing when I get my keys and when we spend our first night there, and it breaks my heart and engulfs my world with sadness to the point I almost wanted to say forget it all...the house, my art, my job...just crawl in a little ball and let the world go on around me.

But that would be giving up, and giving up isn't something I normally do. But I do have to let go and allow some things to work out without my forcing them to. Time does heal some wounds and the rest, well, the best we can hope for is a strong band aid to get us through till it heals enough to stand on it's own.


Change brings about excitement, joy, fear, apprehension, and anxiety for me.....it's when the rest of the world spins so fast that I need to just step back and catch my breath so that I can move forward with the strength I know is inside of me.

Wind please guide this change with the gentlest of breeze....that is all that I ask, for now....

(((Art courtesy of my class that I taught at Swank this week...."Mixed Media Symbolic Portraits, "Change"...what do you think, do you feel that I should continue to work with portraits some and offer them in my Etsy shop?????))

Finding My Way Home, part 2

For those of you who have been following me on my home buying journey....I FINALLY got my final commitment from the bank on Friday so it looks like I will be moving next week!! whoohooo! You have no idea how stressed out I was over this process, mostly because I didn't get my commitment until less then a week before. I guess it's a bit of being slightly naive about the process, I thought being pre-qualified pretty much it meant it was a done deal unless something dramatically was uncovered during your loan process. I started all of this back at the beginning of August so I thought surely I would know way ahead of time if this was a done deal or not.....but that's not the case. They had me on pins and needles up to the very end. Nevermind 3/4's of the house is packed up and I'm living with boxes after boxes everywhere. Never mind I already gave my notice to the landlord.....yikes. I'm s stressbucket anyway so managing this process, plus work, plus keeping up with my art biz, family life and classes I've been teaching about put me over the edge!! So much so I had to visit with Miss Clairol yesterday :) It's all better now and I'm looking slightly less haggard so it's all good!

I just wanted to show you the works in progress for my Mixed Media Portrait class. In the last post or so, you saw the finished version of one my portraits. Now....check out the process that leads up to the final versionl. I'm loving doing these funky girls...a bit of realism mixed in with my abstract and funky mixed media art. In this piece, I'm using purples just trying to move slightly to the right of my signature blues. I'm really loving purple, cream and brown(or silver) combination lately. I haven't quite decided what my complimentary colors will be just yet.

Stay tuned for the final version. My class is this afternoon so wish me luck!
In this sample, you can see one of my funky lil houses coming to life; after all....If I'm doing a self portrait, how could I not include something that I've been obsessed with for over a year?? 'Finding My Way Home' has been what my life has been focussed on for the longest time. Thank you for taking the journey with me!

Jodi