Moving in New Directions!

 
To stay fresh, one must explore uncharted territories, even if the ocean explored has been explored by others-it's still your new journey and time to stretch your own wings.  That is exactly what I have been up to this month...moving in new directions and exploring processes that are very new and exciting for me.  These are 5 of more than 15 new pieces in a body of work I'm creating (which will grow by leaps in bounds over the next few months) as I wrap my artistic mind and skills around a new medium, new techniques and lots of uncharted territory.     I've dabbled a bit in cold wax, but nothing to the extent I've been playing with this month.   As I look to the future, one thing is clear.  Nothing stays the same forever, and everything is about to change.  I consider that a good thing.

Never be afraid to grow, change, and simply hone your skills by stretching your wings.  You never know what you'll discover, you may even fall in love...and that is the precipice that I'm standing on right now.

While I plan to do a series of classes down the road, the first major class I will be conducting on Cold Wax and Oil painting will be this October during our ReMe Retreats-The Sandhills.   The retreat is now open for registration with more info coming up shortly...this is your sneak peek at my class which I'm so stoked about!    I'm also sharing in this blog post, some of my favorite supplies used in creating this body of work.  Go ahead and try it, and then if you want some guidance, come back to me and I hope to give you what you need to blossom just as you should.

Here's to always spreading your wings and growing.  New doors open when you push through them.

 Cold Wax and Oil Painting Supplies

In 2017, I'm working on a new collection of abstracts along with new in person workshops, online classes and perhaps even a dvd down the road around the mysterious and beautiful qualities of cold wax and oil painting techniques and processes.  Stay tuned for more details.  In the meantime, I'd like to share some of my favorite supplies that I've found fun to use in the creation of this new body of work.   

Oil Paint medium, use to thin out paint, add glazes and gloss.

Gamblin Cold Wax Medium

Dorland's Wax Medium

Add some texture to your paintings with this diverse set of  palette knives.

Basic palette knives you need for mixing and applying cold wax and oil paints.

Smooth, blend, mix, and apply your paint mixture with this flexible, silicone wedge by Princeton.

Shiva Oil Painting sticks- colorless blender

Yes you need a big daddy titanium white paint stick!

Assorted oil painting sticks

Basic starter set of oil paints, add on as you need-- (larger set click here)get extra titanium white.

Oil pencils, great to draw on your surface prior to painting or over top once dry. 

Other scraper options--check out items in the baking section of a homegoods store such as this silicone scraper.

Davinci wood panels

I actually prefer the square format but any size or shape to paint with, but any wood panels you can find will work.

Oil paint brushes

Oil Paint Brush Washer-stainless steel 

Brush Cleaner Lavender Oil  is one option you can use.

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Not ready to dive into abstracts using cold wax and oils, be sure to check out my new book!

22 exercises and tons of inspiration are included in my first solo publication, "Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink" 

Texture Tutorial-A Free Exercise From My Book!

Hello Friends!  I hope you had a great holiday with family and friends!  I'm still coming down from my sugar and family fun high!  I have lots of new blog posts planned for the coming days but first, I wanted to share an article I wrote for my friends at Cloth Paper Scissors where I have been  'moonlighting' as a guest blogger and soon to be guest columnist in 2017 for the magazine!   This tutorial has a clickable link that includes a downloadable tutorial taken straight from my book,  "Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink".  If you haven't received it yet or wondering about the projects included--here's a variation of one of them!

Some of the supplies you'll need include:  Silks Acrylics  (any colors),  Ampersand Claybord , High Powered Heat Gun,  Golden's Tar Gel (or Self Leveling Gel, or Pouring Medium), and to get the black marks on the bubbles, Staz on Ink.  You'll see in the project featured I also use a bit of Titanium White and a Brayer.


Let's Get Started:  

Do you have an affinity for texture? I know I do. I love it so much that I’ve come up with a couple of classes where texture is the star of the show. There’s just something about a piece of art that has imperfections or clearly has an uneven surface that begs to be touched.

I have long used many gel mediums in my work but when you’re teaching a one day class, it’s hard to use many of the commercial mediums to teach with because they simply won’t dry in time. I came across this technique by accident when I was trying to speed my painting for a class I was teaching, with not just a heat gun, but a heat tool—you know the one that looks like it should be used in a factory or welding shop? Needless to say, it didn’t just heat up my gesso/gel medium—it also burned it and bubbled the surface. The look was actually fascinating.   

......Read on for the rest of the article and to download the tutorial!

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I'm so thrilled, my book is trending #1 in Mixed Media and on the Hot New Release list!  If you haven't bought it yet,  you can get it a variety of different ways!   

Through Amazon by clicking this link or image:

Or, if you'd like a signed copy of my book, I'm offering 3 different package deals that you can check out here!

Most major book stores will be carrying it, too!  If your local shop doesn't carry it yet, please recommend it to the manager/owner!!  

Here's a few of the reviews that have come in so far!  (BTW...after this week, I'm going to try not to read the reviews...lol as I know someone is going to not love it and I don't want the bad reviews to hurt my heart..but in my head I know it's coming).  For now, I'm going to ride the high and pat myself on the back for doing the best job I could do for the place I was in creatively, and so far...that job looks like it's resonating with artists who have bought the book!   Thank you all for the emails, texts, and Facebook posts!  Keep em coming if you have bought the book yourself! I love seeing them!     I'm already thinking of what's next and there will be a next!! :))

 Order this now! Fantastic book.I buy many, many art books and mostly mixed media oriented topics -- and I am picky, and I don't often review books. But this book is worth more than 5 stars to me. Everything about it is wonderful and I think it is a perfect combination of attractive (to me) projects and techniques. Although it is step by step technique, it isn't a "make this" crafty project book nor do I find myself not finding the techniques approachable. I am excited to dive in and see where it takes me. Wow is all I can say --- and I hope to someday take an in-person workshop with Jodi.  (M. Shea)

It is a beautiful book, the pages are fantastic qualityI have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this book since I pre-ordered an age ago. It arrived yesterday and I couldn't wait to delve in. It is a beautiful book, the pages are fantastic quality, full of vibrant color. I have been following Jodi for quite a few years now and have several of her online courses. I had the good fortune to attend one of her workshops in Florida last year, which was amazing. She is a lovely lady who very generously shares her techniques and unique ideas with everyone. Her playful style is super easy and there are no mistakes....everything is an opportunity. Love this book. Super inspirational. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!  (M. Scales)

5.0 out of 5 starsAwesome Book For Beginner to Advanced"Highly Recommended"There's an old saying, "when the student is ready, the teacher will appear". This is my book-of-the-year! I'm a trained, skilled artist and this information has taken my study to a new and exciting level. A great tool for those beginning and experienced.  (V. Phillips)

What a wonderful book. Was delighted when it came. Easy to follow with great illustration. The author has years of experience teaching and it shows. I highly recommend this book for beginners to advanced, something for everyone.  (D.Belica)