Living With Art and No Rules Art Journal

Extremely excited to see that one of my "Living with Art" pictures was featured over at my friend Seth Apter's Blog,  "The Altered Page".  Click the image to be taken to his blog and check out my 'living with art' picture!  If you don't know Seth or you haven't taken one of Seth's classes...you are missing out on meeting one of the kindest, sweetest and most talented artists and instructors out there in the mixed media world.    He is also the author of a couple of mixed media books and has been featured in countless publications and contributed to many many others.  Bookmark his blog to stay in touch with the pulse of mixed media!  I've had the good fortune to get to know Seth a bit as our paths have crossed on many occasions at several mixed media retreats, I'm honored to be a part of this new series he's curated.

So ya in other news...I've been on a journal roll lately in case you haven't noticed...my last post shared several other pages recently completed...and here are two more.  Again...no real rhyme or reason why I did either of these pages. That's one of the many exciting things about art journaling...you don't have to have a reason or even do the same thing twice.  When you are working on your 'regular program' of art,  if you fall off the beaten path...people really take notice and question why you are doing this that or the other.....in your journal,  it's all about what ever strikes you at the moment and further more,  it doesn't have to be reveled to anyone unless you want it to be.

I suppose that's how your art is too...but my point is...if I suddenly did a painting of a pirate ship with dark moody colors painted with my fingers..haha...I'm stretching here.....I know I'd get emails or messages asking me if I was feeling okay...where did the colorful houses go or quirky flowers! :))   Journal..I could paint my pirate ship and no one would notice I was feeling a little ARRGGGHH!!

Maybe that metaphor wasn't the best but you get the picture.  There's no rules, and I like that sometimes. :)

Artfully yours,

Jodi

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

Speaking of dark and moody but totally fun loving, have you checked out my online class, Grunge Ink?  This is messy, cool. fun,and chock full of great techniques using ink, Golden High Flow Paint, and Yupo paper among other things.

Stop by and see what its all about!

Cool Feature--check it out! Affluent Artist

You all know that I've been thinking about taking my art career to a new level in that I want to do this full time but it is definitely a scary proposition. Especially when you don't have another income source coming in to rely on. However, many, many people have done accomplished their creative goal by taking the plunge and have been successful in their efforts. I've met a very interesting writer who has a great blog and a wonderful book out called the Affluent Artist.
Rick DiBiasio also wrote a little blurb about me on his blog, but really it touches on anyone that wants to 'Make the Jump". I get what he's saying. You can follow the money or you can follow your heart. Perhaps you can do both and actually make a decent living and be happy at the same time.

Given that I'm fortunate to have a good job right now, and I can plan my departure...plan is definitely what I must do before I take the plunge. I need a business plan, I need a budget, I need to know my market, I need to know what it is I intend to do and what avenues I'm going to pursue. Since I do have income coming in right now and am not forced to leave, I'd be smart to pay down on all of my debt so I only have to worry about the necessities when I do go out on my own full time. I'm going to need to bring back frugal but I don't want to be deprived nor do I want to deprive my kids.....gosh, I want it all, don't I????

Well, we should have it all! Why not???

...sigh...so much to think about, it gets me excited and makes me want to throw up all in the same breath....LOL (nice vision, huh)!

Who here has gone from a regular job to a full time creative life???? What advice do you have for me??

Last but not least-final 2 days of my giveaway-comment on the post
WOOT WOOT for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to my ETSY SHOP (which is starting to fill back up with lots of cool items!!)!!! Don't miss out!

Finding My Way Home--My first feature!!!!

Finally--it's arrived!! I have been waiting for this issue (November/December 2008 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors) like it was a marriage proposal..lol. On pins and needles because I new it was on the horizon, I just didn't know exactly when it would land in my lap. It's definitely a proud moment today, to say that I have in my hands my first ever article that I wrote, featuring three of my signature house series in my 'In The Village' collection! Cloth Paper Scissors is my favorite art magazine, so what a thrill to have this happen. It's amazing at how far I've come in just a little over a year!!



That's me--on page 40! Sharing good company with so many other talented people!

What a gorgeous cover--makes me want to get some hot cocoa and curl up by the fireplace next to the tree. If I had a fireplace or a tree right now, I'd be doing exactly that!




My sweet girl....looking to "Find Her Way Home"

This series is extremely important to me. With each and every piece completed, I realize more and more how important finding a community is to feeling centered. To belong, to feel secure, to plant your feet down on firm ground is all so very necessary before you move forward in achieving your dreams.


It's important to know where you came from in order to appreciate and understand where it is you need to go next.


What a discovery, and to think all of my wonderful friends I've met on this little blog have
been able to share this journey with me!!

Before my 15 minutes of fame end, I want to thank wholeheartedly my friend Nanette for helping me edit this article before I submitted-her advice and feedback helped me tremendously in organizing my thoughts. Thank you Nanette!

Also featured in this beautiful issue is a good friend of mine, Nancy Lefko who does gorgeous collages as well. Nancy's Tea for Two piece is a most fabulous piece and has a great feature in the issue. She is also a member of my Metsy team and one of 8 artists I'm working with on a special project. How wonderful it is to have such good company on this journey!!!

And Thank you dear readers, family, friends--for supporting me along the way! Next stop? Who knows but I can't wait to get there!

To see more photos--click here!

To visit my etsy shop--click here!

**Right now, I don't have these pieces back from the publisher, but if anyone is interested in them, please email me at johl3 at windstream dot net. I will be offering these lovely little mixed media paintings (6 x 6 on 1 1/2 inch canvas) in my etsy shop as soon as they arrive. I also have three other pieces featured in a local shop that match the group beautifully!

Thank you again--with love, Jodi ((((aka LUCY))))

Sweet Repeats In Person at Flynne's Coffee Shop

It's funny how as an artist I create and create and create, but because of a lack of space and a desire to keep things pristine for my customers, I do not feature my own work in my house. I miss out on the opportunity to see the pieces that have come from my own hands and heart all together so it was beyond thrilling to see how Flynne put my work up in her coffee shop this week for the First Friday gathering this week. The lighting wasn't all that great for picture taking but hopefully you get the 'picture' of how everything looked all up. I love how she grouped everything!


My yellow collection is definitely one of my new favorites. I'm probably going to start working soon on a few more pieces but on a larger scale of these villages and houses.


For this little collection, on top is a piece I don't think I've shared before because I finished it at the 11th hour. I made my own frame so to speak by painting a masonite board and adhering the canvas board to that.

Several of my local artists friends stopped by the shop in show of support--can't thank you all both in my area and all my online friends and readers for your encouragement which inspired me beyond words, allowing me to get to the point I'm at now. It was an energizing moment for me to see everything come together. The owner even requested I bring in a few more pieces! I promptly started on a couple new canvases yesterday evening. My next few pieces I'm going to work on are going to be much larger than what I have been doing so this will be another test of my endurance and undoubtedly skill. Wish me luck!

****

After a long draining week full of twists and turns even the biggest surprise of all coming on Friday at work, I am ready for a good long nap and a hot bath tonight. It's amazing how stress can really come at you like a steamroller. I'm glad I have an escape with my artwork, sometimes good things arise from the bad. Stay tuned to find out what those good things are!

*****

Last but not least, if there is anyone interested in any of my more recent pieces please email me at johl3 at windstream dot net. My newest pieces will not be listed in my etsy shop for a few months as they will be exclusive to the shop I'm in locally. I am trying to offer standard pricing right now, but I may end up changing the base price at the beginining of the year.

Price list:

3 x 5 $25.00
6x6 $45.00
6 x 12 $59.00
8 x16 $69.00
8 x 10 $50.00

My large piece, Chadwick Bay is offered at $254.


***Have a great weekend!