How To: Demonstration on Finishing Your Artwork

Three posts in a week and more to come! Maybe I'm getting into a new groove which would be great!

Today, I wanted to share with you a short demonstration on a question I seem to get all the time on finishing my work.   In this video I show you what I do and explain why, but do know that this is just my way of doing things and that there are probably other products and other ways of applying the final application.  Many roads lead to the same destination, always.      I did happen to notice I miss spoke on the Liquitex products I used so I will share the list on the bottom of this post.  Hope this helps answer some questions! Keep them coming, if I can do other short demonstrations in the future with your 'burning' question, I will. Leave me a comment today and let me know what you  would like to learn.




The Products I used in this video are:  Krylon Low Odor Gloss Spray Varnish,   Liquitex Gloss Varnish,  Liquitex Satin Varnish,  Brush from Lowes (soft finishing brush).

This piece and more new art are now in my shop!

Stop by and take a look by clicking HERE.

AEDM Projects 7-10 A weekend of Art at The Art of the Carolinas

Some of the paints I showcased,  Soho Acrylics, Soho Watercolors, and Matisse Paints

 Let me start out by saying Happy Veteran's Day to all
the men and women who have dedicated their lives to protecting
our country and our freedom not just here, but around the world.  To you, we salute  and are forever thankful to  you and your families. 

You may have wondered where in the world I have been after posting several days in a row...I just disappear.  She's slacking off again  you might have been saying.
Well I was really slacking off but I did disappear into a little (okay big) oasis of artistic goodies and creativeness at a local trade show called, "The Art of the Carolina's" which is sponsored by Jerry's Artarama.
I was lucky enough to be asked back to demonstrate my art using paints that you can purchase at Jerry's (Soho Watercolors, Acrylics, and Matisse paints) for the three days of the trade show over at the North Raleigh Hilton.
For any budding or professional artist, this trade show is like being in a HUGE candy store!!

One of the artists across from me demonstrating some classical art using Charvin Pant

On hand are several artists who use the products displayed and who are giving free demonstrations with those products,  owners of some of the paint and art supply companies (in the back you see on of the owners of Charvin paints who is from France where a sweater over his shirt), and insightful sales reps who can tell you anything you want to know about their products, what's new, what to use for your projects, what not to do with it, and how to use their supplies.
Often the vendors also have their newest products that are just out on the market that you get to see and purchase first hand.
This is my third year demonstrating and I always have a lot of fun talking to everyone, meeting all the folks that are shopping and getting to know the vendors who make or sell the products that I've come to love!
I have to say, it can even be a little intimidating.  I was right nearby 3 or 4 artists who are all way more experienced than me doing their demonstrations, classically trained,  have books out, tv shows, dvds, corporate commissions, and then there was me. Totally different.  Freestyle and kooky colored pieces.
The comment of the event from customers was "Wow, it looks like you are having fun" and then I'd proceed to say of course! Art should be fun!  ...and then go into discussing the products and processes I use.

An Abstract of mine using Soho Acrylics

Despite initial intimidation,  I just settled into a groove and showcased a variety of work that I do, from abstracts to funky houses, to portraits, and expressionistic sort of pieces...watercolors, acrylics, drawing material, stencils, finger painting...doing it all over the 3 days.
At some point maybe it even came to me while I was driving home, I realized that while I was different than the others..there's room for all types of artists in this world because I'm obviously making it (maybe not a millionaire or even a thousandaire..lol) but I'm paying the light bill and a few other things ;) with my art, and I have nothing to be ashamed about just because I didn't go to school for this.
I just have perseverance and a good work ethic, desire, motivation and maybe a touch of crazy to pursue what I'm doing despite the odds.

It helps to love color and be willing to

explore what you can do in a variety of different ways.  I work without fear of making a mistake when I'm actually working.  I say that because I'm not fearless in this pursuit. I worry all the time about whether I'm good enough, whether or not I will have enough ideas to keep this going, whether or not I'm going to keep up the pace...and more.  But when I'm painting and in the studio, I don't let fear take over. I just go with my gut and have fun. That's the secret.  Just doing things...anything and let the flow come to you. The more you do something, the easier it is to create without fear.

This weekend was super busy, crazy busy! In addition to purchasing art supplies at a great price,  you could also take a variety of classes in their workshop area.   I saw people from all over the US that came to immerse themselves in the creative spirit for the 4 days.  Before or after classes the students would shopped till they dropped ( a load of money..lol). While they shopped, all the demo artists such as myself to showcase some of the products they could purchase and see the products in action.
I love coming up with unusual color combinations that just explode on the canvas...so that's what I did here in another one of my "Pods and Portals" collection I'm working on.

None of my pieces are quite done but I did manage to get pretty far on all of them.

Of course I had to showcase one of my funky villages which I love love love creating.
There are so many layers underneath this work, its hard to believe the way it
morphed into this quaint little community.

Finishing touches included some shading and writing which
enhances the painting and brings out some of the background designs.

Still some finishing touches to go but I love how it turned out and was a favorite among the people that stopped by my table.

More fun abstract work....

A portrait of mine in progress

Late Saturday afternoon I started one other painting....one of my funky portraits. Not having a reference photo to work with as challenging but the more I experimented and just kept building up the values and colors, the more I could see the face start to take shape.

I probably worked on this for 4 or 5 hours and still have some details to go...

It's fun though to see how you can create something out of nothing. Never fear the blank canvas. You can make your own magic happen.

My last painting of the weekend was this abstract which the colors were inspired by a journal page. In this piece I used some Matisse colors (love me some Australian Sienna and Yellow Green), along with drawing materials, stencils of mine and scrapes into the paint using Catalyst wedges/blades.
I definitely have more to do on this, but again, it always amazes me that even without having a direction in mind, the moment you commit to putting the first brush stroke out on the canvas, you have something. Then you put the next stroke on the canvas and you see it developing. If you keep going, solving problems along the way, you have the start if not the finish of something you created with your own two hands. I just love that feeling.  Seeing something you create, well you dont' have to go to school to revel in that joy.
You just need to be brave and do it.

So that's where I've been the last few days...just playing away in front a bazillion people. Most of whom are far more experience than I.
Does that really matter?
You be the judge.
It's never too late  to learn.
There's always more than one way to do something.
There's always going to be someone better than you.
Don't let comparisons stop you from adding beautiful work into the world.
I'm going to keep that in mind for myself in those moments of doubt.
I got this and so do you.
:)

Artfully Yours,

Jodi Ohl

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

Are you interested in taking classes from Me?  Join me at one of my several offerings over at Creative Workshops!

All of these classes are available for open ended e-learning  24/7:

Painting with Crayons

Hello everyone! Just wanted to share with you one of my upcoming activities in the area this weekend. I'll be doing a fun FREE demo at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh, NC this Saturday, 2/11/11. I will be featuring a few products such as the Caran D'Arche Neocolor II watersoluble crayons, along with Derwint water soluble pencils, and the new Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal. Not only that--you can sign up for my upcoming work shop while you are there ;)))    March 19th,  "Birds of a Feather"   Visit Jerry's Art Events for more details!!!  I'm super excited about both of these creative events and hope to see  you there!!  Extra bonus points, Jerry's has everything  artsy under the sun that you could dream about and then some!  I always load up on supplies when I'm there!! 

I hope your week has been good and you had a wonderful Valentine's Day :)  Mine was a little less than to be desired--too much chaos and to dos going on at work to enjoy the day--even if I had someone to enjoy it with,,haha.  Maybe next year prince will show up instead of the frog that never changes his spots....or was that a leopard???  LOL  Either way, the frog that was a frog is still a frog and always will be one so I just need to get over it and move the heck along with life!!   Times like these are always good for my painting.....and tomorrow I have the day off so I hope to get  a good few hours of studio time in to paint off my frustration and disappointment.   Here's to 2011-2012....may it have a lot less frogs, fewer bumps in the road and brighter sunshine days for us all :)))

Sharing....Art Every Day Month Day 13 and Kinda 14 :)

 The theme for this post is about not just creating art everyday...but sharing art today.

Some very profound things happened while in Raleigh at the Art of the Carolina's....

 I was fortunate to be invited to participate in my own way by sharing techniques and tips over in the Strathmore booth featuring their new product line of visual journals.   Can I just say doing things like this is very rewarding, especially when I get to meet people that enjoy seeing other artists work or have heard about me or seen my work and just want to talk with me about my ideas and processes?

 I met a special person today that stopped in the booth and was sitting behind me quietly watching me.  She wanted to meet me after seeing one of my journal pages the night before while it was on display. It touched her in a way that was very emotional.   The words and the imagery connected to her because of a sad situation that is going on in her circle of friends and family....The words I put done came from an experience I had lived through...but to the point that it was an experience or words that someone else was going through in  a different yet similar way was really, really, amazing to me.  To feel that connection through something I created was and is just a wonderful feeling especially because it could help another person cope with the situation if only even a tiny bit by knowing they are not alone in that feeling.

 Later on in the day I conducted a second demo featuring a variety of background techniques.    It's always great to share a bit of what I know with others that are really enthusiastic and engaged in the process.  To share art with others is extremely powerful.  The energy was so positive, it really inspired me.

 After my demo...sweet Michelle shared some of her techniques creating painted paper collages. Michelle is the vice president of the Carolina Mixed Media Guild, the organization which hosted the make and take event in conjunction with Jerry's. Her artwork is amazing as well.   I learned some new tricks and techniques through her generous demonstrations....and it was great to have a new technique that I am definitely interested in incorporating with what I do :) 

Here's my little ATC that I created using Michelle's painted paper collage technique--so sweet :)  

I also sold one of my paintings today that wasn't actually one I was going to sell....but something told me to bring it to the  trade show. It was a piece that was an emotional piece to create...and I recreated it a couple of times before I considered it complete.  The customer saw it and loved  the elements and depth I had incorporated into it....several which spoke to her for her own reasons even though they were totally different from the reasons why I put them in the painting...she connected with the piece and knew she had to have it.  It's funny how connections happen through art...through sharing of art...and through making, creating, and giving art to others.  I hope you never get bored with infusing creativity into your every day.....in anyway that you see fit, it can change your world in so many positive ways.  

***

Last but not least, I just wanted to say thank you to Penny Arrowood, who is the President of the Carolina Mixed Media Guild. With her leadership along with the other very dedicated board members , Penny has been the guiding light  making these events we participate in and community art outreach programs happen.   When we talk about giving...Penny has really given it her all to be our leader.  We talked today about the direction of the guild and how when we first joined together, there were about 8 of us....now, the guild has grown tremendously, to almost 100 active members and even more online that follow our group throughout the Carolina's and beyond.  Penny is an artist herself, but that passion has taken a back seat so that she can administer and foster the enhancement of our guild and the artists members of this guild.  It's a huge sacrifice for her not to be able to create as much as she would like to for the sake of other artists' advancement, but one that she does with vision and enthusiasm like none other I have ever seen.  

Thank you Penny, for all that you do.  You have helped create an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, and motivating for us all. 

Talk about sharing.

Mini Zentangle Doodles and a Demonstration

In honor of Art Everyday Month hosted by the uber talented Leah, I'm trying to be better at showcasing what I'm doing and blogging more frequently (as well as visiting blogs). Over the last few months, it just seems that I've been bogged down with misc. things that have kept me from my little online world of blogging. Art has not stopped though...in fact, this year I've done a lot of projects, shows, and even a bit of writing. (Stay tuned for a new article coming out in Cloth Paper Scissors come January)!

I'm trying to position myself to one day doing this gig full time. I'm having a hard time deciding when that would be though. When do you know you are ready??? Is anyone else out there self employed??? How did you get started? Did you have another income coming in before you hit the ground running??? I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I don't have a lot of money saved, that's the problem. AND I just bought this house. I do have my 401k I could tap into...but...not sure if that would be wise. hmmmm...all things to ponder as I decide what I want to do with the next 40 years of my life :)

In the mean time...I'm conducting classes, creating when I can, and even doing demos for different functions and organizations. My next two demos will be at the Art of the Carolina's this coming weekend, held in Raleigh at the North Raleigh Hilton. On Friday at 12:00 I will do a ATC demo on creating distressed backgrounds using ranger inks; then on Saturday I will be doing a demo at the Strathmore table featuring their ATC papers and these quick little pen, pencil and marker doodles-similar to the ones featured in Cloth Paper Scissors on "Zentangles". I am a bit addicted to these mini mindless activities. I've added a twist to a few of them by lightly sketching a subject rather than random tangles and filling in the body of my sketch with fun doodles and limited colors. I love how they look matted! Come see me at 1:00 pm on Saturday at the Strathmore table!!

***
Question of the day--when do you know it's time to go off on your own???