Spring Break, Make that Spring PRICE Break and What's UP NEXT!

Rainy or cold Spring Days? Art your time away! Check out these deals from Interweave! April 4th through the 10th!


Did you know all of my workshops are on sale at Creative Workshops now through April 8th? Save 20% on every class!  Buy now, watch at your convenience as the classes don't expire!   Classes include my latest workshop, Dirty Flirty Birds!!

Want a little variety in your life?  The newly released 21 Secrets-Tools and Techniques may be just the class for you! This is my second year participating in one of the 21 Secrets collaborative class-this session just started on April 1st and the students are already creating a variety of amazing projects. It's not too late to join in!  The videos are downloadable and come bundled in a beautifully crafted ebook which contains links to all the classes.   Most workshops run about 30min to an hour or more--that's a lot of creating with 21 different classes!!!!  My class offering, "Flowing Features" introduces you to watercolors and creating facial features in colorful and 'flowing' ways!  So much fun!

To Join, click this link then go to the top of the page where it says 21 secrets then click, Tools and Techniques.  Ez Peezy!


Big News--Just added to my working studio calendar of events, my hugely popular and fun class, Grunge Ink!  Come join us at Creative Studios, May 21st for a full day of arting where you will create 3-4 amazing pieces as well learn tons of abstract techniques on Yupo paper.  All supplies included other than a brayer which saves the students upwards of 100 dollars in art supply costs!

Click here to see more info and location, then click 'tickets available' to be taken to the registration page!
Hope to see you in person at this fun filled class!  To stay in the 'know' about our upcoming classes and workshops, be sure to subscribe to our events.

Speaking of Grunge Ink--I'll be traveling to Epherema Paducah in just a little over a week for 3 days of classes. Enjoy a weekend of "Mixed Media Madness" which includes  my one day Grunge Ink class along with my 2 Day Graffiti Houses classes. We have just a few spaces left if you'd like to join us!! This is my first time to EP and I can't wait to see and paint with all my new students!!

Stay tuned for more announcements coming for April, May and June!  

Ohhhh btw!  Save BIG in my Etsy shop this week only!   Use code:  springpricebreak for a 20% off discount on your entire purchase.  Have your eye on a painting?  Today is the day to nab it!   Coupon expires on April 8th!  

Click HERE to see what's new in the shop!

Thank you for all keeping up with my teaching and latest art updates!  I appreciate you all so much for following this journey and for embarking on your own. I love hearing the stories of success and 'a ha' moments from my students and for hearing from my collectors on how the art that they've purchased of mine brings joy to their lives.  Thank you all more than I can say, my gratitude is overflowing!!!

Have a great April! I'll check in with you again in a few weeks (for my newsletter subscribers), and be sure to check out my blog for more frequent updates.  

Most read post of the last few months?  Check out my poignant story,  The Turning Point-a revelation of some of the more difficult moments of my life as a young girl.  

The Messages That Come Through Art Journaling

You can learn a lot about yourself through art journaling. Leafing through some recent pages I can see snippets of where my mind was at the moment I created the page.  Sometimes the reflections I portray through visual clues and cues are from that very moment, and sometimes I'm speaking to someone I know or wish I could impact in some way, and sometimes they are just words I've captured in my mind from some other fleeting experience that I felt the need to keep with me as a reminder.

Rarely ever do I start with an end in mind, if that makes sense. Most of my pages are works that evolve from painting sessions. Cleaning off my brushes, stencils, stamps, brayers...whatever has paint on it at the time can land on a journal page.   Then late at night when I'm cozied up in my jammies, watching tv or perhaps early in the morning while it's quiet, I will sit and work on a page (or 2, or 3).  They may take weeks to finish.  Even months.   It's at the finish line I will infuse words or conversations I have with myself...or those I want to speak to in the sanctuary of my art journal book(s).

Sometimes there are a lot of words....sometimes there are just a few poignant reminders highlighted on the page.  I don't know....I think art journaling allows me to feel less lonely in some ways.  Not that I feel isolated, but there are times when I wish I had someone to talk to when there isn't anyone there.

And then other times, the words are not for me to feel comfort with...as an artist I realize more and more that the words or images are for someone else to take hold of and feel that sense of comfort.

As if...the message comes through you so someone else may hear what they need to hear..when they need to hear it.  An affirmation if you will that is put into the world to boomerang back to the soul that has requested a sign.  Sometimes it is just me that needs the message...but more often then not, there are others out there too that need the guidance.

This page I created last week after spending a few days with someone that I had(have)  a close connection with for the last 11 or so years.....someone that actually was partially responsible for me getting back into art several years ago...some of the words go out to that person...and the rest are just for me.   Sometimes,  art journaling just helps you come to terms with things going on in your life.

I can't fix everything.

You have to want change in order to get it.

I'm glad this AJ streak I've been on has continued as long as it has.  It keeps me humble and allows me to release and let go so I can do what I need to do next, which is to move forward.

***

Is there something that you do in the quiet of the evening or the first glow of the morning sunshine that keeps you grounded with a sense of peace?  If not, find that thing....it could be jogging, walking, writing, drawing, painting or knitting.  You'd be amazed at how less alone and more comforted you will feel while partaking in that activity that is meaningful to you.

I'd love to hear from you!  Drop me a line and tell me what your 'thing' is that keeps you sane!

************

"Letting Go and Not Looking Back" 

Stop by the shop this week and see what's new!

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