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.  

Swept Up in Artsy Adventures! A Recap and Giveaway!

Over the last several weeks, I've been on a whirlwind adventure that's spanned from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the Midwest and back again.  It's already the 2nd of November so before all the creative goodness fades away, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of the month AND offer you a fun giveaway at the end of my post that you don't want to miss!!  

  As you can see from this picture, I've been painting...painting a lot!!  Preparing for studio openings, classes, solo shows, my shop and....don't fall over....for my a NEW book I'm writing!!!  Oh my goodness, all of this is truly a dream come true. I'll be sharing the journey of writing and composing my book over the next 12 months as YOU are a part of it just as much as I am!
In the middle of getting ready for my fall teaching tour, I also worked on HUGE project with my friends,  Jan McClay and Jean Skipper:  Jan  opened a new studio not far from my hometown and Jean and I are lucky to be 2 of the working artists who have their studios in the new shop.  

The new studio space includes a class room space,  2 working artists plus our managing artists space along with the work of over 15 North Carolina artists.  As you can see from the smiling faces, we are thrilled to be here!!!!   We already have started a great line up of classes and events and we are barely a month old..be sure to like our facebook page to keep up to date on all the fun 'happenings'!

You can see part of my studio beside of the classroom space.   

Just prior to our grand opening at the studio...and I do mean just prior to it.....I spent a few days over at Random Arts in the western part of our state (Saluda, NC) teaching 3 days of workshops to an incredible group of students!  I truly love this space!  It was great connecting with old friends as well as meeting lots of new people over the course of the weekend.

                    I never get tired of hearing all about these artists lives, inspiration, and stories that they tell during our time together. I'm constantly reminded how connected our lives are in so many ways!

After returning from Random Arts, I hurried back home and finished putting the final touches on my solo show at Artful Living Group in Carolina Beach. I returned from Random Arts on Sunday evening, got the final touches on the show stuff on Monday then headed to the beach with only a couple of days to spare before the show opening on Thursday, October 1st.  

When one has a solo show, it's not something that just comes together in a blink of an eye...but rather it's a compilation of months and months (if not years) of work.  I've been working on many of these pieces for the better part of the last 6-8 months if not longer, it was so satisfying  along with a teensy eensy bit stressful seeing each and every piece fit together like a jig saw puzzle.  No two things were alike of course, but when each of the pieces were shown together, I could see finally what I had been envisioning in my head for the longest time.      To me, that is success....or at least one facet of success: "To see your vision become reality through many moments which fit together into the sum of all parts".    

I kinda skipped the order of things that have gone on over the last few weeks..so sorry--anyways   so after my show at the beach, I immediately came home for our Grand Opening at Creative Studios, October 3rd.   It was sooooo much fun seeing our community, friends, and family come out to support us that day!  You could feel the buzz of excitement as our guests wandered through the gallery, checking out our studios, work in progress,  sifting through the selection of art supplies and many other gifts we are offering.    I hope if you are ever in the area, you, too stop in to see us!
(Hours and location can be found HERE).

As much fun as I was having at the new studio, work was calling me about 950 miles away towards another group of  incredible artists in Louisiana, Missouri where I was a guest instructor for 3 days of workshops at Kristen Power's shop and studio, "The Moon and the Maker".  What fun I had with this crew!!

As you could see, among the art, we had tons of moments of laughter and silliness!!!

No doubt, we all were meeting lots of new friends and reveling in the creative atmosphere all around us!   This was really more than a group of workshops,  Kristen created a retreat like setting with breakfast, lunch and tons of supplies to be shared with all.   I am looking forward to heading back to see my new friends next October!!!

So that was my Columbus Day weekend...see what I mean, it was a whirlwind few weeks!

But...that's not the end of the fun...nope....

I pretty much washed the clothes in my suitcase, got the boy all straight with his practices, school events, games and stuff he needed, re-packed my suitcase, got an oil changed, did a bunch of shopping and more packing, before I headed East to our Outer Banks, NC as the next week ReMe Retreats was commencing. I landed there on the 18th-with the rest of the organizers before the students started wandering in the next day for 5 nights and 4 days of creative recharging on the island of Ocracoke   

This retreat was our 4th in 2 years and as always, we all were just floored at the diversity of our guests, the range of talents, the warm hearts and open minds.  We had such a wonderful experience, and speaking for all of us who spear headed the retreat,  Jean, Penny, and our house mother Debbie,  we all are so lucky to have had the pleasure to host all of these women once again.

 From Texas to Maine, we had guests representing several states and although similar in their creative instincts, they were as different as could be in their day to day life outside of art.  As I say that, we all found many common bonds to tie us altogether in our experiences, some that made us laugh, stories that made us misty eyed, and other truths spoke that gave us all great reflection within ourselves.

We are all lucky indeed to have traveled together in order to share this experience, and I hope we all connect again soon!

Setting up for our first day of class with me--look at this great crew!

I could go on and on about the wonders of ReMe and the magic of the island, but I'll end this section by showing you the glorious sunset on the sound that was right outside our front doors.   

September and October have  been  simply  amazing and inspiring to say the least!

I think I mentioned at the beginning of the post (story, novella) that I had a giveaway for you and ...ta-dahhhhh here it is!!    You may or may not have heard that I recently had 4 DVD's published by F & W Media (Cloth Paper Scissors, North Light Books, etc) this month so I am going to be doing a few giveaways over the next few weeks that will include a signed DVD and a few art goodies to go along with your project.

In this special prize pack, if you win, you will receive the DVD, "Expressive Watercolor on Yupo" along with a 12 piece set of Twinkling H20s, a few sample sheets of Yupo paper and who knows what else. If I have more than 100 comments, I will add even more goodies to the pack!

So how to enter to win?  Please leave a comment at the end of this post and tell us about one of your creative or other fun memories from the last several weeks. We want to hear about your adventures.

To receive 2 chances to win,  you can simply share this post and then come back here and comment, letting us know where you shared.

I'll take entries from now through Monday November 9th---but PLEASE, keep coming back all month as I will have more giveaways, and tons of artsy inspiration to share with you!! :))

PS....PLEASE be sure to leave a way for me to get a hold of you if you win, not all comments link to a live blog anymore so if you can leave your email , it would help me tremendously! :)))

If you already  purchased this DVD and win, perhaps you can give your winnings away as a holiday gift.  PLUS...don't forget you will receive some artsy supplies, too!!

To see all of my newly released DVD's please check out the home page of my website:

Click HERE

Thank you as always for checking out my blog! I'll try next time not to be 'gone' for so long and do shorter posts from now on..lol :))

Artfully Yours,

Jodi Ohl

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Check out my 2016 workshop schedule!  Chances are, I may be in a state close to you!!

2016 Workshops

The Last 20 Miles....

Hey my peeps!    

This little birdie pretty much says it all!  

"I'm on a Mission" !

It's funny, I was telling someone yesterday that when I agreed to do x y z months and months and months ago, it all sounded doable and like a great idea, and believe me, it all has been great (lots of fun once I'm in the moment,   fun meeting everyone, and fun preparing...eehhh hmmm...well, fun painting not packing,  un packing, hauling stuff around and driving from one end of the state to the other 2 or 3 times this week...haha)!  But really, things could not be crazier lately! I haven't cooked a home made dinner in a bout 2 weeks for the boy!  Well, a little exaggeration, I did make home made  white chocolate chip Belgian Waffles and bacon this morning for lil man.  

Here's how my last week and half have been:

Sample from my class at Random Arts, "Skinny Little Mini Cities"

So some of you that follow me on Facebook know that last Thursday  through Sunday I was just outside of Asheville  (about 4 hours from home) teaching at Random Arts a 3 day workshop (oh my gosh..soooo sooo much fun!  I'll be back next September if not sooner for another round of artsy goodness).  

My demo piece from my class at Random Arts,  "Wild Flowers"

Choose Wisely,   16 x 20 abstract featured at Artful Living Group in Carolina Beach through October

 Monday I headed back to the new studio to finish hanging and pricing my work for my next trip down the coast to Carolina Beach (3 hours from my house).   I had most of it finished but you know how it is, there are always last minute touches that need to be completed.   

Not having a lot of time to spare, I had to return to the studio Tuesday morning  at 5:30 am after taking Josh to football to pack my car  so I could go down to the beach to hang my work for my featured artist show.  

For those of you not familiar with NC...Saluda is in the Western Part of the state,  I live in the middle of the state, and Carolina Beach is on the  southern coast of NC...altogether from one end to the other we are talking about 8 or 9 hours a part.

Okay..so travel down to the beach Tuesday morning,  hang the work in about 2 hours, drive back that afternoon, collapse in a heap of exhaustion evening.

Wednesday, not a bad day considering all the running the last few days... got up at 5:00 am,  took little man to football, cleaned the house, finished packing for my next trip, worked on some writing material in the afternoon,  dinner out with lil man evening,  then slept like a log before heading back to the beach for the show the next day. 

Several of my favorite pieces from the collection at Artful Living Group. I have over 25 new pieces featured!

Thursday, finished some personal stuff then headed back to the beach (another 3 hour drive) in the afternoon,  I wasn't sure how all  the weather was going to effect attendance, with Joaquin looming out to see and rain that hasn't stopped in about a week and half, but I was hopeful nonetheless.

We did have a few brave souls that came out to the reception  (which the gals at Artful Living Group did an awesome job of preparing tons of great appetizers and other goodies). however the weather was so uncooperative, it wasn't as good as it could have been.

I  met some really wonderful people and reconnected with old friends,  the collection looks fantastic, we had a great spread, I had a wonderful crab cake dinner afterwards, and my hotel (despite the rain) looked out at the amazing ocean!  All in all...not a bad thing.

Drove back home Friday, unpacked the car, then headed up to the studio to work until early evening with my studio partners to get ready for our Grand Opening Saturday of our NEW studio...swept, rearranged, hung, signed, tidied up,  and put the glitz on our new shop.....yep...went home exhausted, collapsed about 8:30 in the bed.

This a view of where my side of the studio started off at the beginning of the month....

Finally--Saturday arrived and our Grand Opening was here!  Jan, Jean and I along with a host of other friends who helped out in numerous ways over the last month or two were all  ready to meet and greet   our guests bright and early-whoa nelly, it was busy right from the get go, full of friends, family and community members!

Here's 2 of our first guests getting settled in while their Mom shopped:

 

You can see me in the background making some last minute signs while our visitors colored at one of our classroom tables. :)

Remember my side of the studio from the first picture--here it is now all set up (well kinda of, there's another section the picture cut off but who's counting):

Doors are open and we are now open regular hours of Monday thru Saturday, 10-5pm. Additional hours for classes or special events  as needed.

By Saturday evening we were all ready to crack open the champagne and celebrate all the amazing things we accomplished in the last few months and relish in how the studio opening event went!  

We hope the community embraces a new artistic endeavor  and we become a destination place for those that want to take creative classes, one on one workshops, and of course peruse the array of offerings by largely NC artists along with specialty art supplies to sooth your creative muse.

So here I am Sunday evening, bleary eyed but happy,  exhausted but energized. And guess what...I'm working on getting ready to head out again on Wednesday to drive to Missouri for my weekend of workshops at KP's Rubbermoon Studios!

Like I said in the beginning, it all sounded like a great idea at the time...sure I can handle it (and I haven't even talked about perhaps one of my biggest projects of my entire life that I'm working on in between all of this!!).     It all HAS BEEN great!!!! I created a painting to communicate the emotion I've been feeling lately:

It's called: "The Last 20 Miles"....  it's that point where you are sure to run out of gas, you are on empty and you don't think you can make it any further than you already have gone.  Somewhere deep inside of you, you pull out that last ounce of strength you have so you can go that last 20 miles.  You never know how far you can go unless you push yourself to the limit and out of your comfort zone. 

With that said, I haven't been all that realistic as to what I'm capable of.  My house is a  state of organized mess.  My laundry is just barely kept up.  I've been missing my boy because we've been passing like ships in the night, and I have been stretched with how much work I physically can do.  The point is, I am going that last 20 miles by tackling each day as it comes and pushing myself to do my best no matter what.  No matter how tired I am. No matter how long it takes.  But also, I'm taking moments of self care so I can keep up. Going to bed relatively early.  Deep breathing.  Early morning wake up in peace and quiet. Reading when I can.  Staying focused within each project and not jumping around. Stopping every here and there to take it all in. For as crazy as these last few weeks have been, I am beyond lucky to be able to do what I am doing  for a living. 

If you don't stop to enjoy it, you rush right through the good moments.

My only conclusion to this whole laundry list of to-dos and to-dones:  In the future, I am going to space out events a bit better. Haha.  That's it, my words of wisdom.  Get a better calendar :) Oh, and keep a sense of humor, surround yourself with people who will lift you up when you fall to your knees, or who will kick you  in the butt when you say you can't go any further!

Until next time!!

Jodi

#livingthegoodlife

#livingthedream

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To find more of my classes, check out this link HERE:

Can't attend an in person class, try one of my online classes or purchase on of my DVD's!

Will you be in the Carolina Beach/Wilmington/Crystal Coast  area this October?  Stop by

Artful Living Group to see my featured artist show, "Land of the Whimsical and Odd".

Last but not least,  please stop by our new studio and gallery, "Creative Studios, NC" in Vass, NC and like our Facebook page to keep up on the latest and greatest! I'll be scheduling new classes at the shop soon! In the meantime,  Jean, Jan, and several guests artists and teachers will be hosting classes, meetups, and workshops on a monthly basis!

Wandering the Precipice 24 x 24 (one of my newest abstracts)  available at Creative Studios NC!