Creative Jumpstarts 2017 Super Sale Price!!

 Creative Jumpstarts 2017 Registration is Now Open! 

I'm excited to announce that  I'll be participating as an artist in Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2017, run for the 6th time by Nathalie Kalbach.

If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2017.

 Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters. 

Throughout January participants get access to 27 downloadable videos from 27 featured artists!

I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” See for yourself:

Announcing Creative JumpStart 2017 - CJS17 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

Head on over to Nathalie's site to sign up and for more details:

 Click Here! 

You get 27 videos for just $40 (USD) if you sign up before November 30th, (11:59 pm (EST), 2016.

Afterwards it will be 45 USD until December 31st, 2016 before it goes to its normal sale price of 50 USD.

 So what are you waiting for? 

Sign up by clicking HERE.

Boosting Your Creativity over 25 Days!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!  I had visions of writing a prolific post to launch the New Year with but unfortunately I've been feeling under the weather for the last few days and just been working enough to get by then collapsing..lol   Even with a sickly start to the New Year, I feel like there is so much promise for the days, weeks and months ahead! I feel blessed to be doing what I love!   That prolific post will come hopefully sometime this week when I come down from the Mucinex/Nyquil haze! 

 In the meantime, I kicked back this morning and watched the first three days of Creative Jumpstart 2016 and for those of you who have already joined in, I'm sure you are seeing such a diverse treat of great projects showcased in just the first few days!

There's more to come for sure,  and as a featured artist in this program for the second year in a row, I just wanted to be sure to share my excitement with you and encourage you to sign up for this program, especially if you want to learn a variety of techniques and to get introduced to a ton of products you may have no idea that were even out there or how to use them!

Boosting my creativity is on my New Year resolution list, I mean I feel like I'm already creative but I want to EXPAND to a few new horizons and DEEPEN my understanding of products and techniques so I can become a better overall artist.

Wanna jump with me and do the same thing?  Click the link below or the image and learn more about CJS 2016!

                                              Click here to view more details

A Soul Filled Interview: Jodi Ohl

Exciting news, I was recently interviewed by Sheree Keys who had some very thought provoking questions  for me, stop by her community blog and check it out. 

What advice would you give someone who wants to become an artist?

My advice is first and foremost, practice everyday. Don’t compare yourself to others but learn from others. There are no shortcuts to practice honestly. Know that you will have peaks and valleys but if you know in your heart, you are going to pick up the pieces and go back into the studio (or kitchen table, or nook in your office) tomorrow and try again…that is a success..... READ MORE HERE

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Some exciting news coming on Monday.......it's my Birthday and I'm going to have a little Arty Party with you!  :)  You don't have to bring anything unless you have a bottle of wine..haha. ;)  Seriously, if you were around the blog over the last few years, you might know what's going on....but if not, stay tuned, it's going to be a big happy ARTY Birthday celebration!!  Set your clocks for Monday morning, 12/14/15!  I'll have the post up by 11 if not sooner :)

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Looking for some last minute gifts?  Check out my Etsy shop for a wide variety of prints, cards, magnets,  original paintings, as well as several online classes!   I will accept a few commission orders for January so if you want some special, please let me know!

Looking to participate in something low pressure and lots of fun? Join us for Creative Jumpstart 2016!  Pre-registration begins now and you save 5.00 off the low price of 50.00 for the next couple of weeks!   Click on the image below to find out more information and to register!

Creative JumpStart 2016 with Coupon Code!

I'm excited to announce that I'll be participating once again as an artist  in Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2016, which is in its 5th year, by Nathalie Kalbach. If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online event to kick your creativity into high gear in January 2016. 

Learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with artists and crafters. 

Head on over to Nathalie's site   to register:  Click here to view more details

Throughout January participants get 25 downloadable videos from 24 featured artists. I'm proud to be one of those artists, called “JumpStarters.” See for yourself:

But wait – it gets better: as my valued reader, you’ll get $5 extra off today. Just use this coupon code during checkout:

cjs2016

*This is a limited offer valid from 10:00 am Dec 4, 2015 to 11:59 pm EST on Dec 11, 2015.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up here  Click here to view more details and apply the coupon code during check out process.

My 2014 Favorite Art Supplies and More!

Follow Jodi Ohl's board Products I Love on Pinterest.

Over the last few days I've shared some favorites of mine from 2014. It's been so fun to look back and reminisce through art and my photos!  I hope you've enjoyed the view from my lens :)

Today I 'pinned' some of my favorite products that I use quite religiously and love. I love so many products that it was hard to share but these are some the regular art supplies that I used in a lot of my classes and in my own art.    I may even show you a few pieces so you can see how I've used them.

1.   Gelli Plates-what can I say, they are fun, addictive and can be used in so many ways. I had this piece featured in Joan Bess's new book Gelli Plate Printing without a Press.  All of the flowers and reddish pieces around this muse's head are all Gelli Plate Prints. Super cool?!  (painting available)

2.  Stabilo Marks All Pencil in Black (love white and graphite, too).  If you buy this product, I suggest getting 2 or 6 of them..lol  as they will become a favorite tool to use. Watersoluble, will write on virtually everything, and easy to draw and shade with. Drawback, the leads are soft especially in the colored pencils so they do break easily or at least I break them easily.    Here's a piece where you can see the dark marks that I drew with the black Stabilo pencil.  It's also a favorite abstract piece of mine and it started off as just a practice piece.   You never know when "play" is going to become serious bizness!

3.Neutral colors of Twinkling H20s--I love all the colors offered in the "Twinks" line but I really love the fact that they come in neutral shades for face painting.  Not to say you can't mix your own shades for portraits, but it's so nice to have these perfect shades of browns and neutrals already to roll.  These are colors that are hard to find in watercolors as well.   They also offer a second set with slightly darker shades of browns/neutrals.  I used the browns and the pinks in this lovely ladies face which was one of my samples for a watercolor portrait class last year.  (Painting available)

4) Golden's High Flow Acrylic Paint-This came out earlier last year and I was fortunate to get 2 sets for Christmas (Merry Christmas to Me 2013..heehee). They are part paint, part ink and although I don't really use them to paint on canvas, I love to paint with them. I use them to fill empty markers,  as inks for my dip pens, and as a primary ingredient in a lot of my grunge paintings.  All the colors are yummy but I especially love the quin gold and magenta.  See....

5) Yupo Paper -I couldn't get these cool effects if it wasn't for my friends over at Yupo creating such awesome substrates for us to paint and draw on.  Yes you can draw on it as well...it's a little tricky but it accepts marker and pencil really well, too.   Here's another Yupo painting I've done (the last two featured were also on Yupo paper).  (avail--mounted on cradled wood)

6) Ampersand Claybord--another great company who's products I love!  I've been using the claybords for my textured pieces along with Silks Acrylics.   The claybord accepts the paint so well but well..I hate to even say this, we manipulate the surface with heat to create amazing textured areas. You can't do the same thing with other surfaces so claybord and me..well I love it!! :))  (sold)

The top is before texturizing the piece and the bottom afterwards. See what I mean...coolio!    (if you'd like to take a class featuring the process...click over HERE.

7)  Fineline Applicators--not just any, this brand is the best.   If you've taken my last couple of classes, you probably already have them as they are fast becoming a staple in my supply arsenal!  I use them in everything lately, great for mark making, great for graffiti writing, detail work and more. (sold)

See all the cool black lines...yep...they were created using the fineline applicators. Yum and fun!

8) Catalyst Polytip Brushes-these are fast becoming my favorite brushes to use. I didn't think I'd like them at first because at first touch, they are really stiff.  But once saturated with paint, they are surprisingly smooth and ultra sturdy. They hold up to a lot of really rough painting sessions. If you like to paint really fast and with a heavy hand, these are great to us. At the same time, they can be rather delicate too. The bristles stay in tact and don't go all wayward or fall out on you. Give them a try! I had a lot of ground to cover or sky to cover ...lol..in this piece and the Catalyst brushes were great to do the veiling of clouds with my paint. (sold)

9.) Dylusions Art Journal (large):  I love love love this journal and have been using it almost (not quite as I draw in other journals)  exclusively for the last year.  The good part is there are tons of pages. That's also the bad part for me..lol. Sometimes too many pages are intimidating to me and I don't follow through on the journaling process.  This book is great because its extremely well made, the paper is great for journaling, nice and sturdy and it even has a pocket enclosure in the front.  I'll be doing a new journaling class during 2015 and this will be our substrate for it--already decided on that one :))   Check out a few pages from my Art Journal:

10) Silks Acrylics-along with the twinks, I use the Silks quite often in my classes and a variety of projects.  The colors are brilliant glazes. Layer over one another or on paper and you get the sha-zizzle and wowza factor going on.    Here are a couple of piece I used the silks for accents:

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And one I used entirely of silks:

Gosh I am leaving out bucket loads of favorite supplies here! I feel bad!! I may have to do one dedicated to just pens, paints, and other goodies!!  What's your favorite supply???  Let's share and maybe discover something new in the New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!  See ya next Year! :))  

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Other notes:

Are you a part of my Art Insiders' club? If not, join in my newsletter here for special coupons, exclusive deals and be the first to find out cool shizzle!!  My next issue will go out tomorrow so be sure to join in for something special just for my readers! :))

Today is the very last day two of my older online classes will be offered as they are retiring this year.  Sign up today and you will still have access for 12 months!  Great beginners class and super affordable. (Artistic Journaling and Let's Face It)

Final two days of the special savings offered over at Icreateflix.com on their entire catalog of classes using the coupon code at checkout:  New Year 15  and you will save 25%   Check out my classes
HERE.

I've been working steadfastly and around the clock putting the final touches on my upcoming online workshop "Podtastic" which is scheduled to release next week.   There's still time to take advantage of the pre-sale price by registering now.  Click HERE for more info!

Tomorrow kicks off  a collaborative workshop that I'm participating in called "Creative Jumpstarts 2015".   25 lessons by 23 teachers over the course of January and accessible to you until November 2015 for only 25 bucks!  Prizes galore from our sponsor Liquitex.  Stop over to my friend Nathalie's blog to find out more!

Incite, Create, and Renew!

For those of you who are on my newsletter (what???  you're not on my newsletter list?  Well let's change that!! ;)   Sign Up Here,  I had a giveaway for my subscribers to enter into.    The prize was "Incite 2"  (Look who's art was featured not just in the book but also on the inside cover jackets!!!)  plus a bunch of goodies--and I'm here to announce the winner!

And the winner is...Patricia Stark!  Congratulations, Patricia!!   Thank you so much for following along and entering.  I appreciate all of my followers both here, my newsletter subscribers, and of course all the other social media sites out there. I hope I can inspire you to live your life in a creative and colorful way, each and everyday!

If you would like to purchase a copy of your own, believe me, you won't be disappointed. It is a collection of over 100 pieces considered some of the best in mixed media for 2014!  Here is a link to the book:  Purchase here.     

Just when I thought things were slowing down yet, the pause I felt was only for a few 'minutes' because we are about to kick it up in high gear again come January.  First up, I'm participating in a new collaboration (well new to me!!) called Creative Jump Starts 2015, brought to you by Nathalie Kalbach and sponsored by Liquitex.    Haven't heard about CJS?  Well, it's a fantastic quick bit of inspiration everyday for 25 days in January by 23 artists....and get this. It's only 25.00 folks.  If you are feeling a bit in need of variety and putting a fire under your creative muse..this could be just the answer for you!  

Hop over to Nathalie's blog to check out more info and to register!  

Speaking of workshops,  if you didn't see my top banner when you hopped over to the blog--you may have missed the fact that I'm finally releasing a new painting workshop that has been one of my most requested classes online....Previously only an in person class, now you can join in this intensive (but FUN) work shop online as an e-course.   Several hours of videos, and tons of painting techniques, journal work, color exercises, doodles, and more will be included in your tuition.  We will put the brush to the canvas and create PODs and Portals in a "Pod-Tastic" way!!

The work shop will begin January 7th but you can register now and save 15.00 off the retail price.   The class is open ended and self paced, that means you have unlimited access to the class and can work at your pace. So whether you want to do the projects over the course of 6 weeks, 5 months, or 2 years...heck you can do it!  I stay active as a mentor for you as long as you need me within my 'office' hours and you can share your work and get to know your fellow students via a private facebook group.    For more information and to register,  please click HERE!  I'm super stoked about this class as its' one of my favorite ways to 'play' on the canvas but even more than that, the dance with color, doodling, shading, etc...is so fun and energetic, you can't help but enjoy yourself!.

 As if all this goodness wasn't enough, there's more fun to be had this week.....my besties who are also my business partners in our joint retreat venture, ReMe Retreats, Inc. will be getting together on Friday to solidify our 2015 programs for our 3 retreats.  Previously we only had one event, then we added a second last year--and this year we are offering 3 Ocracoke retreat experiences.  To say this is just an art retreat wouldn't be correct...it's more than that.

 It's about making new friends in one of the most peaceful and serene surroundings in the world.  Beautiful, breathtaking yet grounding.

 It's about letting your hair down or putting it up. Laughing with your new "ReMe" sisters....

Creating to your hearts content, full , and renewed.

 It's about Relaxing while viewing a peaceful sunset. A glass of wine or other cocktail of choice and soaking in the awesome beauty of the world around us...both feet on the ground and the wind at our backs.

 It's about gifties and surprises we have in store for our guests that are more than just an afterthought and a just cuz.  We want you to know that YOU are why we do what we do and we are so grateful for YOU, our guest.

 ReMe is about infusing creativity in your life with fun, easy to follow  but incredibly insightful classes by 3 instructors in the areas of painting, jewelry and assemblage,  bookmaking and surface printing.   In other words, we show you how to do lots of cool schtuff. :)

 You might walk in alone, but you'll walk away with 11 new friends, lots of memories, tons of laughs, a suitcase full of new treasures and a belly full of awesome food your hosts (myself, Jean, Penny, and one of our house mother's extraordinaire's cook in house for you from morning to night, we have you covered in every way).  You pretty much just have to show up with a few changes of clothes, your toiletries and you are good :)  haha.  

Yes...that was kind of a joke but not really. This retreat is all inclusive other than your travel.  Check in will be Monday at 3:00pm check out is Saturday morning.   Food, lodging, classes, supplies, beverages and a cocktail hour, guest speakers, little tours and more are all included.  Peeked your interest?  Our blog will tell you more about our retreat with sign up buttons on the left sidebar if you are interested.  Any questions---please feel free to email us at reme@remeretreats.blogspot.com    

Back to my point, Friday we meet again to finalize our NEW details for our program and we are basically counting the days until our new adventures begin. Hope you join us!!

And that my friends, I think is all for tonight. I meant to get this blog post up earlier but...silly me doesn't know how to work the computer when she's buying stuff.  I had to go pick up my microwave at my quote 'local' store...which I didn't realize I had in a store that was over an hour away from me this evening. Ha!.  whoops.  anywhoo.  Now you know the other side of me ;)

Until next time!

Jodi