In a Nutshell....lotsa Artsy Goodness Goin' On!

I know...I know...I've been a bad blogger again.  Just when I think I have it all together,  something happens and gets me distracted and before you know it, things fall apart.    But the good news is, I've been having lots of fun while being distracted!  :)

 First on the list was finishing up and getting ready for the launch of 21 Secrets which started April 1st. OMG.  What a line up of instructors, a huge variety of classes on journaling, art making, upcycling, creative prompts, book making and more!
If you haven't taken a peek at what all the hub bub is about, hop on over to the website and check it out.  21 classes all for under 60.00; access them all from now until December 31st! 

You'll be playing with students all around the world!!!  Plus a private facebook group to bond and share tips, pictures and make friends.  What more could you ask for?

In my lesson, I show you how to make your own journal, create prints from COOL tools from the hardware store, and how to put it all together in a page, along with MANY jumpstarts on the PDF workbook (66 pages) from all the teachers.

Also in March I was one of the featured artists at a shop up in Raleigh, NoFo at the Pig (great food and tons of arts and fine crafts)...check out the display of spring goodies.   After the show is taken down, I'll be bringing some of the pieces to Aria Gifts in Apex.  

For the second year in a row, my friends Nancy and Frank have held an exhibit called "Double Takes" at their gallery, "Eye Candy" in Southern Pines, NC; where a photographer and artist are matched up to showcase their 'take' on the same subject--my partner and I ended up being a quadruple take with a photo, my painting, a bracelet and scarf all inspired by the photographers photo (June White):

I had so much fun doing this painting, it may not look like it in the picture but this is a 30x30....I LOVE painting big!!!  I really really want to do more large scale paintings.  In fact..I have a canvas that was bigger than my old car sitting in my bedroom (width wise anyway..lol) that I've been SCARED to do.  Why?  Just do it. I'm going to. Soon. As soon as I catch up! (my conversation I've been having with my self for some time now!)

(Mary, Angie (owner) Me, and Jean) at the Arestry Hideaway in Beaufort, NC

Unfortunately, I didn't get to the show opening because a few fellow artists friends and I made a trip to the NC to fill some galleries with some new spring items.  I made a ton of beach houses and other funky inspired paintings to sprinkle along the crystal coast and grand strand:)

 We returned just before Easter and I swear, I was worn slam out.  The delivering part, preparation, being 'on' for business, and just thinking about my next steps, where to go from here, am I on the right path, am I doing the right things....so much to consider and it definitely can be draining at times, but in a good way.   Doing something you love and trying to be successful at your own business is OOOOOOOHHHHHH so personal.  It's hard not to take any less then successful venture personally, and at the same time, its easy to forget to celebrate the successes because you are worried about the next thing and how long it will all last.  

Nothing is certain.

Ever.

But it is personal. And I do want to be successful, at the same time I need to remember to breathe and take it all in.   Mistakes and all.  They are what make you who you are.  And I'm not saying I'm making huge giant mistakes other than ONE big one last year which is a story all in itself, it's just the figuring out the path to take and second guessing myself when I overestimate either how much I can do, or how well I will do. 

Anyway...along came Easter and I took a few days off to enjoy it with family...my boys are getting so big. All grow'd up:)

The boys and Charlie:)  

This week has been a whirlwind, too...coming off of Easter, this week has been about the launch of 21 Secrets and getting ready to kick up my heels and load the car till the bumper hits the ground full of artsy goodness and head on down to yeehaw Nashville, Tn to take part of the Art Trunk show of Art Is You Retreats, Nashville

This event is open to the public at the Sheraton Music City hotel, from 9-2pm April 6th. I hope I see some of y'all down there!

So yes...this week I've been tying up some loose ends, finishing more paintings and getting my art on!! Can't wait to see all the artsy peeps at the show!

April 12 marks the roll out of session 2 (a re-release) of my class Twinks on Yupo.  If you didn't have a chance to take it in January, you don't want to miss out on this go around--you will have just enough time to make some fantastic paintings for Mother's Day along with learning super cool watercolor techniques using Twinkling H20s,  Yupo Paper and various other textural tools and mediums.  This is one of a kind class that not only will you get 4 weeks of classes, you will have 12 months of access to the class AND get a 30.00 coupon to buy Twinkling H20s for the class!!

Wowza.

Check out more details here. I really hope you join us, the students from the last session are still creating paintings and showcasing them in our facebook group!

There's even more going on then what I can fit in this post...but we will save that for later and perhaps do a giveaway next week of some sort. My peace offering for you sticking around despite my slackerly blogging ways.   

Much love and creative goodness from me to you...

Jodi Ohl

*****

See what's new in my shop this week! LOTS of summery fun goodies!

A little tour of my artsy world and our next Artful Gathering instructor, Zinnia Galliher!!

Hi kids! Waving hello from sunny NC..and sharing pics from my latest show (first of the season) in Acworth, Ga.  You can see behind me my new collection of owls and summertime art that I've been doing (whimsical beachy characters, mermaids, and lighthouses).  Color collections are something I've been working on since I've began painting and it's one of the most exciting parts of playing out ideas I have in my head and doing so in funky colors that really pop and speak to those that view my work.

 Here's a little peak from the side of the booth...lots of nooks and crannies of goodness spread throughout. One thing I strive to do in my shows is to have something for everyone, so even if you can't afford my 600 dollar painting, I have everything from cards for 4.00 to small minis under 25 and everything in between! Hopefully that's a good strategy..I have tossed it up in my head as to whether or not to only bring mid to high priced originals and forgo all the little items but the economical voice in my head says to have something for everyone because I hope to inspire the masses and not just a select few with my artwork.
On the flip side..it could hurt me because if someone sees a print for 12-15 dollars, after they see an original..they may opt for just the print but its a gamble either way you look at it...

 ...some of my mermaids in my new collection :)

Cake art along side some of my marketing material from published work in some awesome magazines :)

2 of my favorite new paintings. I especially love the colors in the my long village painting, "A Beautiful Messed Up World"....it also contains graffiti writing on top and underneath the work of all of my life secrets. If you took the time to decipher it all..you'd really gain some insight into my world!! LOL That could be good or bad depending on how you look at it!!

 My funky lighthouses...I've been painting tons of these pretties for my summer galleries down by the beach and for anyone that truly loves the majesty and mystery of lighthouses...the symbolic wisdom of guidance and direction they offer as well as the staples of a coastal community, offering safety and direction to those that need it the most.  I'm fascinated by them but of course I like to portray a fun version of what I see and that's exactly what this series is all about. :)

whoohooooo...some more owls in fact these are samples from my upcoming class at Artful Gathering (and today is blog hop day so be sure to read on and meet another wonderful instructor!).  Sign ups start MAY 3rd!!!!!!! YAY~

"Discover"....
This is a playful graffiti abstract that I just adore, it's a 24 x 36 painting that to me encourages one to just go for it..lay all your cards on the table and just dive into the world, take a chance, explore, discover, and be YOU.
Go out and enjoy this world, we only have one chance to get it right!! :)
.....
And now....check out our next instructor for the Artful Gathering blog hop, our fearless leader, Zinnia Galliher
Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!
Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Cristina Zinnia Galliher

http://zinniasart.blogspot.com

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Art and Adventures during March!!!

Hello friends...its been awhile since I wrote a personal post.....March has been super crazy awesome, inspiring, fun, adventurous, and quite the wonderful ride!!!

There was so much to talk about that I just couldn't fit it into one post so I thought I'd do a little video montage about my adventures!

                                                          Click    HERE to go to the video!

I traveled to Saluda, Nc to teach at Random Arts..to Asheville...and then back to near home teaching at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh NC...to the climax of my month when we traveled to the Outer Banks of NC for a gallery hopping trip from one end of the banks to the bottom of NC at Oak Island.....Friends, old and new...you've helped me get back on track to where I was meant to be all along. This month promises to be equally busy as I'll be finishing up 2 new online classes for Artful Gathering, traveling to GA for a show at Acworth, a couple classes near home, another show in Southern Pines, Spring Fest...just to name a few. On top of that, I will be working on TONS of new work to fill all the new galleries that will be representing me soon!!! (Some already have my work)!!!! Sigh....after going through a big obstacle and experience in Jan/February...I am ready to show back up....at home at in the art world. Thank you to those of you who stood by my side in the midst of the craziness. Thank you!! Let the creativity begin once again!!

****
If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and see what's new in my art shop!!
Click here
Have you seen my new photography shop yet???  Please take a look! I have some cool 5.00 prints for a special going on now!!!
Click HERE to see!!

Online Workshop Sale and MORE!!!!

Here we go kids...I promised all month long that I would dish out some AWESOME specials, giveaways, sales and more throughout my "Grand Opening" so to speak of Sweet Repeats Studio Shoppe,  Art by Jodi Ohl  so let's continue the momentum of this POST  (hurry  time runs out on the 5th to enter)and keep the fun going!   What's up next?  As some of you may know, one of my creative partners is Gail Schmidt of Shabby Cottage Studios and  Creative Workshops 

...Gail took me under her wing helped me get started hosting online mixed media workshops, most of which I've held over at her Creative Workshop site over the last few years.  I have to say, that the teaching experience and technical skills I have gained from instructing online has been invaluable to me as an  emerging artist and creative teacher.   I've met so many wonderful individuals who have taken my workshops that it really just keeps inspiring me to do more and more and more.  If you have yet to take one my classes this is the PERFECT time  join in on the fun.  For the ENTIRE month of October, I will be offering a Buy One, Get One 50% sale on three of my classes : 

 

Let's Face It

 

Artistic Journaling....Your Way

Fun with Faux Encaustic

Heck...since you are here right now....let's not wait until October first kiddies...let's start the sale now!  

How do you take advantage of this special?  Purchase any two workshops of the three and you will get a REFUND for 1/2 of the second workshop. Our shopping cart doesn't allow for bogos but this is one way we can work around the system!    This gives you a savings of $22.50 off the regular price of one of the workshops.  That's a hard deal to beat especially since the work shops are OPEN ENDED which means they are a self study course throughout which you can watch the videos over and over again at your convenience (if you are like me and up at 3:00 am...you can watch the videos and create alongside of me:) The workshops are guaranteed to be up for at least one year so you will have PLENTY of time to take the courses and work through all of the projects.      Click on any of the above images or links to read more about the classes.  *Remember this special is off my classes only and will end on October 31st.  

I'm going into day three of my new job and I can tell you that life is crazy, chaotic at times, exciting, a little stressful (mostly because of all my to-dos), and through it all I'm still loving it :)  I would hope so with only three days into the adventure...lol...but I digress....one of the BIG events I've been preparing new work for is the Norcross Art Festival in Ga this weekend (October 1st and 2nd).  I am THRILLED to go back for the second year in a row.  Even without an art show, the town of Norcross is delightful and charming, add 135 or so artists and a festival that is top notch, well you have all the makings of a fantastic time.  Featured here are two of my new pieces I'll be bringing to the show which are slightly different then my current work...I do like to play with abstracts every here and there and these pieces contain all the facets of my style (texture, layers, slightly grungy, edgy,) but in a more subdued color palette.  Okay so I did add some pops of bold colors but who's counting! ;)

This is my favorite of the new pieces, "Baby Gemstones" 12 x 12.  I love the little delicate bubbles appearing as well as the rich texture that begs to be touched.  What does the change in 'programs' say about me?  Not sure...lol...maybe its just saying that a girl can change her 'wardrobe' every here and there...sometimes we need to change our direction a bit to find the best route to get to the place we heading towards in the first place.  Not saying I'm going in this direction forever, it's perhaps a 'rest stop' along the way as I take a breather before moving on to my next collection.  Ya...that's a good way to put the change in direction. It's welcome rest stop along the way.  I hope you love it as much as I do.  If you are in the neighborhood, please stop in my booth and say hi this weekend!  I better get going...still lots more to do. I may not sleep for 4 days friends!  Someone PLEASE bring me some coffee!!  xoxo Jodi

Celebrate with me and WIN lots of Goodness!!

As most of you know....I'm embarking on a new and wonderful journey....a journey that has been a burning desire of mine since a child if you really want to go back in time.  Way back in time says this 'young and sprite' 42 year old.   Back in the day my goal was to be a fiction writer who traveled the 4 corners of the world through romance, adventure, drama, and maybe even a little comedy  nestled in between the pages of my American novel.  That dream  was gently tucked away for pretty much the majority of my life after college when I realized my writing wasn't up to par nor was my ability to be disciplined enough to work for myself  as a writer. I set that goal aside for a more practical life, one in business and management and that's pretty much where I've stayed for the last 20 some years in different incarnations between the companies I've worked for.  Since 2006 though...through a series of events that are a story in and of itself (hey....maybe that could be the plot for my novel that I've always dreamed about!), I've found my creative voice...and it has grown and grown and become so much a part of who I am now, and who I want to be forever, I am going to listen to the calling within my heart and work full time as an artist starting pretty much this week. In fact, Friday is my last day at my day job. How I got to that point in my decision making process hasn't been easy...but I've made a plan and I'm going to pursue it with everything I have and then some. 

In celebrating this new beginning for me, I have LOTS of fun things in store for YOU...my loyal blog readers, my friends, my new friends who have just started to follow me, and most of all fun things in store for my family.  

What's in it for you???  Well let's just say you are not going to want to miss ANY of my posts coming up....because there is going to be LOTS of giveaways, promotions, specials, and announcements celebrating this  new journey!

So what's on the agenda you ask???? 

The first big announcement is that I am GIVING AWAY....yes you heard it..a FREEBIE from me to you in partnership with my friend and artist extraordinaire, Tamara Laporte of  Willowing      a FREE TUITION to her year long  class... ONE YEAR..holy cow...that's right, ONE YEAR of artsy goodness art journaling, inspiration, lessons, techniques, community, healing and more.  Not to mention all of the wonderful education and fun you will get from Tamara herself, she is sharing the spotlight with 15 other artists (one of which is me..whooohoo) who will be joining her periodically throughout each of the months to share their artistic view on her monthly lesson through a video lesson of their own.    The value of this class is 100.00.....so oh my is that a STEAL based on how much you will get out of the class, it will be more than just a class...it'll be a life changing EXPERIENCE!!
How do you win this most awesome prize???  Simply leave a comment on THIS post from now until October 5th....perhaps tell me why you would like to join this class (click on the images to read even more about the work shop). I can't wait to hear what your dreams and goals will be and what you'd like to get out of the workshop!  Spread the word...send your peeps over here to sign up as anyone can win!!  We want to spread the word about the work shop ultimately which  registration opens up on OCTOBER 3rd, 2011!!
How cool is that????

 (come see me at Norcross Ga October 1st and 2nd for an amazing show.....where I'll be showcasing these pieces and MUCH MUCH MORE)

 What else can you win???? Well since Tam was generous enough to donate one of her classes, I would like to offer up an ORIGINAL painting to one of my blog commenters, to on this post. WHOOOOHOOO.
The painting you will win will be a 6 x 8 painting of one of my cutesy Owl paintings like some of these NEW paintings which I've created over this summer (and then some) for my shows coming up in October.
How cool is that you can win a tuition to Life Book over at willowing.org or you could potentially win one of my new 6 x 8 ORIGINAL paintings.

Don't forget to leave a comment between now and October 5th after which I will use the random number generator to first pick the Life Book winner, and then the second winner will one of my paintings. WHOOHOO!!

 What else is coming up in the next few weeks??   Stay tuned to find out.....one other VERY cool thing I'll be sharing is a giveaway that I am partnering with Somerset Studios with....woot woot....gotta love partner ships and Artful goodness wherever you turn :)

......you may also see gift certificates......artsty destash giveaways, prints......special sales and more.

Celebrate with me from now and hopefully for the rest of my life, living a life that is soulful, passionate, and full of adventure and creativity.  Here's to living the dream by pursuing what is burning inside of you...no matter how long it takes, it's never too late to begin again. and again. and again.  No regrets, we get one chance to live our live our life to the fullest.  Let's do this!
Because...."You are so worth it"

with love,  Jodi

All The Pieces of the Puzzle are Coming together.

It's hard to believe it's already June, the season where  our mouths are tasting bbq dinners and the kids are excited with anticipation of the promise of summer, lazy days of sleeping in and trips to the beach with friends.   I am drinking in the early mornings out on the deck, sipping on coffee and enjoying a quiet minute with my journal.  It's a good time of the year.  We have made it through half of the year but plenty of days left to achieve the goals you set out to do.  One of my goals this year was to attend 4 art shows instead of my normal 2.  So far, I've already attended 3 shows and have 2 or 3 more planned.   It feels good to be on track.  It feels good to check things off our list and see that  yes, we are on the right path and moving forward.  Maybe not as quickly as we wanted but we are still on our way.

I decided early this year that I was going to work on a new collection and I am well on my way to having over 25 pieces all ready in that collection with several pieces all ready sold thanks to recent shows and some of my shops I have work in.   I even taught a class using my special texture and paint blending techniques at Jerry's Artarama in March.   A special bonus project that stemmed from an idea to do something different and carry that idea through.   You never know when one thing may lead to the next....

Yes  of course, it may take a leap of faith to get there.  You see, I am preparing myself for a huge transition coming soon.  It's something I've been wanting to do for the last couple of years.  2011 was my goal to go solo as an artist....leaving the security of my day job behind.  I still haven't decided exactly when in 2011 that will be, but I am very much determined to follow through on my goal.  When I say it may require a Leap of Faith, I should have mentioned that when I leap, I can only do so with a plan. I'm definitely not the type that runs fast and furious to no where in particular without looking back or carrying an extra pair of sneakers with me in case of emergency.  Rather, I opt to make a plan and execute on the plan, then take off running and not look behind me.  Sometimes the plan takes awhile.  Not everything can happen the exact moment you think of an idea.  Sometimes, yes....but for me, this is truly a life changing decision that will either allow me to rise to all that I can be, or it may pull me down farther below then I've ever been before.  I'm confidant that it will be the former rather than the latter.

Part of that plan includes doing more shows, more teaching engagements,   new collections, more commission work,  creating a website,   adding new products and supplies, expanding my gallery presence, and just plain old working my tail off to make it happen.  It's scary though.  Especially when I've done very well at my day job and there's no good reason for me to leave except to follow my dreams at a time that they are really boiling over in me, wanting that opportunity to prove to myself that I can do it.  I will do it....

Dream the impossible. There are very few things in life that are impossible, it's up to you to make them happen though.  

It's funny how "it's taken me my whole life to realize that the worst of times were the very things that have lead me to all the best life has to offer".   A year ago when I shared with many my "Art Saves" on Crescendoh, I opened up and let everyone in to what truly catapulted me into the world of art.  It was a dark time in my life, very dark.  Mentally and physically I was exhausted.  Emotionally I was spent.  It was art that led  me out of that dark cauldron of mud and disgrace of my where my life had turned.  

And now I'm flying away....flying away because of those times have enlightened me to all the strength and endurance that probably were always inside of my all along.  It took me being knocked down though to be able to dust off my knees and find out where it is that I belonged and what I needed to do to get there.

It was as if God had to wake me up before my dreams flew away.  

I'm awake now and I'm ready to tackle this new journey head on and with gratitude for all those that have helped me, encouraged me, and supported me over the last few  years.

You were apart of my growth and experience, and for that I thank you. 

And now...a year later, I know the time is coming soon, how I'm going to do it all and be successful is a matter that I have yet to fully work out.  Not everything has a manual attached to it though...sometimes you have to find your way be just doing...and you'll find that there is no black and white,  the truth is somewhere in between.   

Change is in the air and it's coming soon. 

Please stop by Crescendoh the week of June 13th to read my part II of my Art Saves Story.. :)