Friday Favs! Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink edition! (Guess who wrote that????))

When I was a young woman, I dreamed of writing a epic romance novel, or envisioned traveling around the country writing about eclectic local eateries (watch out Guy Fierri!). I even toyed with traveling around the world writing about the effects of economic systems on the citizens of various countries.  (That was a very short period of my political/economic writing while in college ;) Needless to say, none of that happened.  Instead of pursuing a career in writing, I went into retail management and then later on worked as a bank manger for many years.

 Flash forward to me at age...late 40 something, and I am living out a new dream that has percolated for many years: writing a book that mimicked one of my workshops!  My first book (hopefully there will be several more to come), "Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink: A Playful Painting Workshop" will be released on December 26th, 2016, but is available on Amazon for pre-order now! 

The great thing about Amazon is that when you pre-order, you are guaranteed the lowest sale price prior to release, so it's a win win!    

Just like you feel when you fall in love with the significant other in your life, I fell in love with art and painting--but even more so with teaching adults about finding their creative voice. One of my goals for writing this book is to help those that want to paint in an abstract way with acrylics to get over the fear of the blank canvas in a playful, non imposing way. What's the word???? Yes, PLAYFUL!  

I can hardly believe all the work that started more than a year ago is finally coming to fruition. Honestly, the work began YEARS ago, but the book portion of this baby of mine started in earnest in September of 2015.  It was about this time last year I was finishing all the projects and getting ready to head to Cincinnati to do the book photo shoot.  Wow, was that a project!  Having never prepared for something so monumental before, I had no idea what to expect or frankly how to prepare.  Do you know what I did?  I just dug in.  When you don't know what to do, the best thing to do, is to simply start and trust your instinct.

Here I am reviewing the PDF file of the book to ensure it was all put together correctly.  I can't believe this is happening!!

That's one of the big themes in my book.  You don't have to be an expert to simply start and learn.  Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink, is very similar to attending one of my workshops except for one or two main projects...there's 22 projects to learn from!  Wowza is right!    You'll learn about a variety of surfaces to use from wood to Yupo paper; you'll discover how to incorporate a variety of mediums into your paintings to create depth and texture.  Students who read this workshop/book will also be encouraged to just play and try anything!  What do you have to loose?  Nothing...but you have EVERYTHING to gain!

Case in point...I didn't choose the cover but I love the painting that the editors chose.  It's bright, colorful, full of texture and patterns, contrast and movement. BUT...this wasn't a painting I had intended on creating as a cover for my book, rather it was a painting I completed during a painting session that I had for a very large work. Here's the original piece I was working on (it's still available fyi :)

"Hanging On By A Shroom"  36 x 48

  In other words, it started off as what I call my "palette painting".  I had a smaller canvas by my side as I worked on my biggie and cleaned off my brushes on it. I  kept layering and layering as I worked on my main painting.  I loved how it came together but it wasn't intentional at all...it was playful and full of instinctual mark making.   Of course I  finished all the details so it tied all together in a composition that I was happy with, but my point is, I didn't stress over it being a masterpiece. It just came alive as each brush stroke was laid on the surface.   Just play, and you never know where that work may take you.....It just may become a cover of your first book!!!!!!! Here is the full painting in case you are interested:

If you'd like to pre-order my new book, be sure to click HERE!  I will also be offering a few packages for sale myself that will include a variety of choices for limited edition prints with a signed copy.  I don't have my website ready for that since I've been traveling so much lately  but that's one of my next main priorities to get set up. Stay tuned for those offers coming up!

Thank you for joining me today for this introduction to my book, "Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink". I'll be sharing a few demonstrations from the book over the next few months as well as even more inspiration for you to get started painting. That's my main goal-to inspire artists like me to get started painting and let go of any pre-conceived notions on how something should be.  Just play and see what happens!

In addition to my book in this Friday Favs article--I wanted to also showcase a variety of mediums I used in the book and use A LOT in my work.   You can't go wrong with any of these acrylic products used to enhance your work! 

Have a great day, make time to create this weekend and beyond!


Fluid Mediums:


Texture Mediums

Glass Beads

Other Fav Crackle Mediums:

Experimental Art: When You Explore...You Become Brave With Each New Step You Take

When I first posed the idea of creating this class to a couple of people that I work with in a parallel sort of way,  they were unsure of it's appeal because of how different it is and how dark it can be compared to my other work. 

Sometimes darkness equates with not so nice things like death, macabre, destruction.

But there are ways to put light into darkness and to come full circle from the different to the enlightening.  

In some ways, that's what we accomplished this week in my first full length live version of my class Grunge, Ink (which has been for almost a year an online class of mine).  I've done demonstrations first with high school students and then with a small group of artists, but this was my first time teaching it on location with a group of adventurous artists.  

The venue for so much inspiration?  The Art More Place in Melbourne, Florida.  As you'll see from some of these pictures, the place is HUGE. It's colorful. It's inspiring! It's a electric!

I'ts magical.  First because of the space, but secondly and most importantly because of the people at the helm who are fostering all of this creativity,  Sherri Otcenasek and her 'gift daughter'  Jane. Then those people at the helm keep multiplying as more and more artists meander their way through for residencies and for classes, all of which attributes to the magic that abounds through the air as soon as you walk through the doors.

Some of the questions I heard from students about to take the class or who were taking the class but still unsure if they were going to like the process...

But do I have to use this?  Is there anything else besides Yupo.  I don't want to use black.   Can I use ....can I do...

The answer I had to say at least for this instance was to just trust me.

Trust that I'm going to lead you down a path of discovery.

It's going to be experimental.  You are going to either love it or hate it.  My goal in either of those cases is to guide you into a experimental zone of creativity.  To open up your mind and help you explore what is possible.  Be open to what can happen when you simply EXPLORE.

 When you explore....you become brave with each new step you take.

You also enter a world of discovery when you step out of your comfort zone.

When you are not tied to the outcome, you leave room for break through moments.

 The more you experiment, the greater chance for success that you have.

I'm so glad my students chose to trust me and to enjoy a day...a weekend of play and experimental processes!

The room was overfilling with joy and many aha moments.

Let's try this with that....

Why not???

How about I do this? 

Can I????

Wow! Look at this??

Is this not cool?

Pieces, papers, artwork, paint,  tools...oh my...everywhere!

I started off with like 200 hundred sheets of paper and every sheet was either used or sold at the end for additional practice at home.

That's a lot of art!!!!!

Here's some of the students and a piece or two that they chose to exhibit from their 'collection'.

I love the diversity of each and everyone's work!!

I love the fact that every student took a chance on their self and did something that may have been way out of their comfort zone or so unlike what they normally do.

It's not easy to be immersed into something new with a room full of friends we haven't met yet.

Despite any initial hesitation,   we all saw that inspiration from each other fed into our own work and that led to some pretty fantastic moments throughout the entire weekend.

I also saw many students work with each other as is the case in all classes.  You didn't have to look far if you needed encouragement or advice, or even to use something someone else had brought along.  Artists are so giving and kind.  

I think the hardest part is being kind with ourselves.  

We are our own worst critic.

We need to get out of our own way to soar to new heights. 

Everyone around us is cheering us on...just look.  You can find the support system you need to do whatever it is you want to do...just look!

I'm so grateful this entire group took the plunge and joined in our workshops this weekend!  Having never taught in Florida before, I was entering into uncharted territories myself and was even rather nervous about it!!

I'm always nervous before teaching...especially when I'm teaching something I haven't taught (in person) or in a new place.  

If I let my fear of doing something new...trying something new,  going someplace new,  experimenting with new ideas...well I would have missed out on a great opportunity to work with 

fantastic artists such as all these women and more that I'm featuring today.    

The bigger picture...I'd miss out on really so many things that my career has blossomed into.

The list is endless.

For those of you who missed this weekend of workshops at Art More Place,  great news--I will be back next year!!!  I am super excited about returning!  We are still working out dates and possible classes but whatever we do,  I hope you decide to join in on the fun. As you can see from the pictures, its a wonderful venue in so many ways and on so many levels!!!!

My next class for Grunge Ink (Live) will be at Random Arts in Saluda, NC where I kick off a weekend of workshops with this class at the end of September.  Random Arts is another little magical place nestled in the mountains of North Carolina that I love love love so much.  It's a smaller venue so be sure to sign up soon, the class is limited to 12 students. 

**I'm also planning on a couple more in person classes in 2016 for this workshop as it is just really fantastic and 'needs' to be shared! lol!!!   

If an in person class is not in the cards right now for you,  I do teach a version of this class online over at Icreateflix.com.  Click here for more information.

EVEN if you have taken the class online,    I recommend taking the class (and vice versus) in person.  It's kinda like buying a cd from a favorite musician and then going to a concert...or like I said, vice versus.  There are benefits to both options that are just as energizing and educational.

More happy smiling students and new friends!

I love all the colors everyone chose for their work!

I love the marks they made and awesome texture discovered!!

So back to the questions I had from many of the students before we began....

When you ask why,  I respond with why not?

Can I?   I say,  it's worth a shot,   I don't always know an outcome when I venture into an 'experiment'. I don't always like what I do, but I always learn something new.

And there are times when I venture into something I new...I fall in love in ways I never thought were possible!   That's the moment you feel most alive!

We communicate with others through our art.  It's hard to say what you don't know, until you just say it while following your instinct.  That's how you get passed the unknown fear. You do it so many times until it becomes second nature and more about your vision, than your idea if that makes sense.

Here's Sherri, the Owner of Art More Place   she is the magic behind this amazing venue!

The more knowledge we gain through experiments and unbridled learning,   we become more confidant.

Knowledge breeds confidence.

Don't be afraid to learn.

Thank you for trusting your experience this weekend in me...and thank you to all of you who have trusted in me in the past to teach you not only about art, but hopefully a little bit about yourself.

***Looks like a missed a few peeps in their 'exhibit' shots'.....sooooo sorry!!!!!*** But here we are all together!!!

Grunge Ink Melbourne, class of 2015

See you next year or sooner!

Keep experimenting.

Keep being brave.

Keep believing in yourself!!!

Keep arting!!

:))

Until we meet again!

Jodi