Through The Lens, Let's Chat....

Hello July....I can see this is going to be a summer of whirlwind adventures that move at the speed of light. I've been super busy over the last few weeks with
 shows
exhibits, launching a new business (more about that soon!)  vacation, and upcoming classes both online and in person at Create in NJ, Chicago, and Art is You in Ct.  Wow. Makes my head spin.  Honestly, there are days when I just don't know if I can juggle it all...and then suddenly  I get a second wind and amazingly it all comes together  Truthfully, I really am still figuring it all out.

 

I'm honored when I have comments that come through from people who enjoy my art or look up to me for doing what I'm doing, but at the same time...just like anyone, I wonder if I am doing enough.  I don't think balance is really an option at this point, when you choose to follow your passion...I think you live in a state of blissful chaos with a sprinkling of calmness.

Finding Direction.

It's funny how when I am in the midst of chaos...I seem to have the most to say in my paintings...or try to transcend how I want to feel or am feeling through the stories that are weaved throughout their whimsical exterior.  

I want to relax.  I want to smell the roses so to speak. I want to be busy as all get out and then I want to retreat and refill the well. I want to enjoy the simple things while I can.

 I want to feel the sand in between my toes, I mean really feel it, not just walk through it to get to a different destination.

                                                      Does that make sense at all?

There's a lot that goes on behind the scenes here in my studio...in my head...and most of the time it comes out in my art because I'm not one that talks a lot about how I'm feeling or how I want to feel...I just carry on and do.

....  In connection with my newest online class coming up, I chatted with Cara Rae of Icreateflix.com on blog talk radio.  We had a great time chatting, I was worried about having enough to say and I believe we could have kept on chatting for hours!!  That's what its like when you are doing what you love, there's always more you want to say, more you want to do...it's time that we don't have enough of!

If you have a moment, stop over and listen to our chat, and if you are interested in signing up for my new class which starts July 12th,  I have an early bird special that is going on right now.

I'm really excited to be doing this class as painting funky houses is really where I originally started in this journey. In addition to being fun,  art has been my saving grace and second chance in life and I hope through the classes that teach I will be reaching out to others that have that need to create inside of them. In the interview, I talk a bit about that early inspiration and it isn't all happy....which seems to contradict that which I paint, doesn't it?  I won't give it all away here because I'd really like you to stop by and listen when you have a chance, and I' love for you to join me in my class coming up....even if the summer is busy busy....take ten minutes or so a day to create and I promise you, your life will be filled with beautiful things...even more than you are all ready surrounded by.

Okay kids, I'm heading back to work...there's no rest for those of us with looming deadlines :)  Thank goodness I'm doing what I love! :)))
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For more information on this class, I wrote an FAQ over on my facebook page just for you:)
*Remember early bird registration ends Friday when the class goes live (July 12th, 2013).

I've had some people ask me about my etsy shop and when I'm updating that....oh my, yes, that has been something I've let slip a little but I do have to say, that If you ever see something on my blog or facebook that you like, I"m always willing to do commission pieces.  Almost everything I have right now is out at shops so there's a chance the piece you like may be available...I would just need to connect you with the shop/boutique/gallery it's in.  My contact info:  jodiohl@hotmail.com

 One of these days I will be able to do everything well and not just one or two things at a time :))  Thank you for your patience!  

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Until we meet again, I hope this a beginning of a wonderful summer...go out and make memories.

In a Nutshell....lotsa Artsy Goodness Goin' On!

I know...I know...I've been a bad blogger again.  Just when I think I have it all together,  something happens and gets me distracted and before you know it, things fall apart.    But the good news is, I've been having lots of fun while being distracted!  :)

 First on the list was finishing up and getting ready for the launch of 21 Secrets which started April 1st. OMG.  What a line up of instructors, a huge variety of classes on journaling, art making, upcycling, creative prompts, book making and more!
If you haven't taken a peek at what all the hub bub is about, hop on over to the website and check it out.  21 classes all for under 60.00; access them all from now until December 31st! 

You'll be playing with students all around the world!!!  Plus a private facebook group to bond and share tips, pictures and make friends.  What more could you ask for?

In my lesson, I show you how to make your own journal, create prints from COOL tools from the hardware store, and how to put it all together in a page, along with MANY jumpstarts on the PDF workbook (66 pages) from all the teachers.

Also in March I was one of the featured artists at a shop up in Raleigh, NoFo at the Pig (great food and tons of arts and fine crafts)...check out the display of spring goodies.   After the show is taken down, I'll be bringing some of the pieces to Aria Gifts in Apex.  

For the second year in a row, my friends Nancy and Frank have held an exhibit called "Double Takes" at their gallery, "Eye Candy" in Southern Pines, NC; where a photographer and artist are matched up to showcase their 'take' on the same subject--my partner and I ended up being a quadruple take with a photo, my painting, a bracelet and scarf all inspired by the photographers photo (June White):

I had so much fun doing this painting, it may not look like it in the picture but this is a 30x30....I LOVE painting big!!!  I really really want to do more large scale paintings.  In fact..I have a canvas that was bigger than my old car sitting in my bedroom (width wise anyway..lol) that I've been SCARED to do.  Why?  Just do it. I'm going to. Soon. As soon as I catch up! (my conversation I've been having with my self for some time now!)

(Mary, Angie (owner) Me, and Jean) at the Arestry Hideaway in Beaufort, NC

Unfortunately, I didn't get to the show opening because a few fellow artists friends and I made a trip to the NC to fill some galleries with some new spring items.  I made a ton of beach houses and other funky inspired paintings to sprinkle along the crystal coast and grand strand:)

 We returned just before Easter and I swear, I was worn slam out.  The delivering part, preparation, being 'on' for business, and just thinking about my next steps, where to go from here, am I on the right path, am I doing the right things....so much to consider and it definitely can be draining at times, but in a good way.   Doing something you love and trying to be successful at your own business is OOOOOOOHHHHHH so personal.  It's hard not to take any less then successful venture personally, and at the same time, its easy to forget to celebrate the successes because you are worried about the next thing and how long it will all last.  

Nothing is certain.

Ever.

But it is personal. And I do want to be successful, at the same time I need to remember to breathe and take it all in.   Mistakes and all.  They are what make you who you are.  And I'm not saying I'm making huge giant mistakes other than ONE big one last year which is a story all in itself, it's just the figuring out the path to take and second guessing myself when I overestimate either how much I can do, or how well I will do. 

Anyway...along came Easter and I took a few days off to enjoy it with family...my boys are getting so big. All grow'd up:)

The boys and Charlie:)  

This week has been a whirlwind, too...coming off of Easter, this week has been about the launch of 21 Secrets and getting ready to kick up my heels and load the car till the bumper hits the ground full of artsy goodness and head on down to yeehaw Nashville, Tn to take part of the Art Trunk show of Art Is You Retreats, Nashville

This event is open to the public at the Sheraton Music City hotel, from 9-2pm April 6th. I hope I see some of y'all down there!

So yes...this week I've been tying up some loose ends, finishing more paintings and getting my art on!! Can't wait to see all the artsy peeps at the show!

April 12 marks the roll out of session 2 (a re-release) of my class Twinks on Yupo.  If you didn't have a chance to take it in January, you don't want to miss out on this go around--you will have just enough time to make some fantastic paintings for Mother's Day along with learning super cool watercolor techniques using Twinkling H20s,  Yupo Paper and various other textural tools and mediums.  This is one of a kind class that not only will you get 4 weeks of classes, you will have 12 months of access to the class AND get a 30.00 coupon to buy Twinkling H20s for the class!!

Wowza.

Check out more details here. I really hope you join us, the students from the last session are still creating paintings and showcasing them in our facebook group!

There's even more going on then what I can fit in this post...but we will save that for later and perhaps do a giveaway next week of some sort. My peace offering for you sticking around despite my slackerly blogging ways.   

Much love and creative goodness from me to you...

Jodi Ohl

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See what's new in my shop this week! LOTS of summery fun goodies!

A little tour of my artsy world and our next Artful Gathering instructor, Zinnia Galliher!!

Hi kids! Waving hello from sunny NC..and sharing pics from my latest show (first of the season) in Acworth, Ga.  You can see behind me my new collection of owls and summertime art that I've been doing (whimsical beachy characters, mermaids, and lighthouses).  Color collections are something I've been working on since I've began painting and it's one of the most exciting parts of playing out ideas I have in my head and doing so in funky colors that really pop and speak to those that view my work.

 Here's a little peak from the side of the booth...lots of nooks and crannies of goodness spread throughout. One thing I strive to do in my shows is to have something for everyone, so even if you can't afford my 600 dollar painting, I have everything from cards for 4.00 to small minis under 25 and everything in between! Hopefully that's a good strategy..I have tossed it up in my head as to whether or not to only bring mid to high priced originals and forgo all the little items but the economical voice in my head says to have something for everyone because I hope to inspire the masses and not just a select few with my artwork.
On the flip side..it could hurt me because if someone sees a print for 12-15 dollars, after they see an original..they may opt for just the print but its a gamble either way you look at it...

 ...some of my mermaids in my new collection :)

Cake art along side some of my marketing material from published work in some awesome magazines :)

2 of my favorite new paintings. I especially love the colors in the my long village painting, "A Beautiful Messed Up World"....it also contains graffiti writing on top and underneath the work of all of my life secrets. If you took the time to decipher it all..you'd really gain some insight into my world!! LOL That could be good or bad depending on how you look at it!!

 My funky lighthouses...I've been painting tons of these pretties for my summer galleries down by the beach and for anyone that truly loves the majesty and mystery of lighthouses...the symbolic wisdom of guidance and direction they offer as well as the staples of a coastal community, offering safety and direction to those that need it the most.  I'm fascinated by them but of course I like to portray a fun version of what I see and that's exactly what this series is all about. :)

whoohooooo...some more owls in fact these are samples from my upcoming class at Artful Gathering (and today is blog hop day so be sure to read on and meet another wonderful instructor!).  Sign ups start MAY 3rd!!!!!!! YAY~

"Discover"....
This is a playful graffiti abstract that I just adore, it's a 24 x 36 painting that to me encourages one to just go for it..lay all your cards on the table and just dive into the world, take a chance, explore, discover, and be YOU.
Go out and enjoy this world, we only have one chance to get it right!! :)
.....
And now....check out our next instructor for the Artful Gathering blog hop, our fearless leader, Zinnia Galliher
Our Next Artist is Up for the Artful Gathering Blog Hop!

Celebrating Artful Gathering 2012 Online Art Retreat,
Open for Registration!
Blog Hop your way for chance to win!

From June to August 2012, ArtfulGathering.com will be presenting TWO exciting semesters of premiere online video workshops offered by fabulous artists who are known nationally and internationally. We are all very excited to share out knowledge, skill, and creativity with you, and we hope that you will join us for this AMAZING annual online event.

Blog Hop with us for a chance to win a prizes from Jerry's Artarama!

Each week the faculty of Artful Gathering will be announcing a featured blog to visit.

You can hop along with us until the final destination blog is reached, and where ONE Grand Prize winner will be chosen at Random for a chance to win a $200.00 e-gift card from Jerry's Artarama!!!Two Runner Up winners will also be chosen at random for a chance to win a $25.00 e-gift card from Jerrys.

Each week I will announce the next featured blog for you to visit, and there you will find a new secret word or words that you will need to collect along your way from blog to blog. Once you have collected all the words from each blog you visit, they will work out to say a very artsy phrase. Here are the rules:

1. For your chance to win, you must collect all the secret code words and submit them upon the final destination blog in May. A random drawing will be conducted from those contestants who have submitted the complete collection of secret words!
2. Three winners will be randomly drawn. One for the $200.00 e-card to Jerry's, and two runner's up for the 25.00 e-card to Jerrys.

Remember to collect all the secret words. These words will work out to say a very artful phrase, and you'll need all the pieces to be eligible for the final prize drawings!

Please HOP over and visit the Amazing

Cristina Zinnia Galliher

http://zinniasart.blogspot.com

(Pick Up the Next Secret Word)

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Art and Adventures during March!!!

Hello friends...its been awhile since I wrote a personal post.....March has been super crazy awesome, inspiring, fun, adventurous, and quite the wonderful ride!!!

There was so much to talk about that I just couldn't fit it into one post so I thought I'd do a little video montage about my adventures!

                                                          Click    HERE to go to the video!

I traveled to Saluda, Nc to teach at Random Arts..to Asheville...and then back to near home teaching at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh NC...to the climax of my month when we traveled to the Outer Banks of NC for a gallery hopping trip from one end of the banks to the bottom of NC at Oak Island.....Friends, old and new...you've helped me get back on track to where I was meant to be all along. This month promises to be equally busy as I'll be finishing up 2 new online classes for Artful Gathering, traveling to GA for a show at Acworth, a couple classes near home, another show in Southern Pines, Spring Fest...just to name a few. On top of that, I will be working on TONS of new work to fill all the new galleries that will be representing me soon!!! (Some already have my work)!!!! Sigh....after going through a big obstacle and experience in Jan/February...I am ready to show back up....at home at in the art world. Thank you to those of you who stood by my side in the midst of the craziness. Thank you!! Let the creativity begin once again!!

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If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and see what's new in my art shop!!
Click here
Have you seen my new photography shop yet???  Please take a look! I have some cool 5.00 prints for a special going on now!!!
Click HERE to see!!