Featured in Cloth Paper Scissors! Special Giveaway!

This is probably the  closest I will come to having my name up in lights, and guess what..I'll take it! I wanted to share a little peek at my work featured in this month's issue of Cloth Paper Scissors "Graffiti Doodle Houses" and give you a fun opportunity to win a signed copy and one of the pieces 

featured in the article!

I'm beyond thrilled at how the article turned out, my pieces were showcased so nicely and it's always fun to see your name in print!!!

"The Small Things"   (You can win this piece pictured above!)

 

All of these pieces were completed on wood, recycled wood that I actually, believe it or not, cut myself! Even the shaped houses!  I'm lucky to have a good friend  *Mary N. of " Mary's Funky Fish"

who, bless her heart, is teaching me how to use power tools.  Kind of a scary thought, truthfully. I have to say though it's empowering to do things you have always had other people do for you or relied on others to get done.  I want to do more of those type of things in 2014..not necessarily just cutting my own wood..but learning how to do all sorts of tasks that I previously washed my hands of or never attempted.   I think that in doing so, it can help build confidence.

I've been working on this series of fun graffiti doodle style houses for awhile now, probably about 2 years and yet I still find that I get such a thrill out of designing fun make believe little worlds or villages.

I love the thought of finding a happy place where you feel comfortable, wanted, and amongst friends.  That true sense of community where life is good and fun.   Yes..in a lot of ways, I have found that place of my own...in a lot of ways, I'm still searching for all the components to truly make it ideal. Until it all comes together, I will continue to build these colorful villages and hopefully they will transport both myself and those that will come to own them,  into world that first and foremost, makes you smile.

I'd love for you to have one of these pieces and a signed copy of the magazine, so let's get this giveaway started!

How to enter?  Simply leave me a comment and tell me one place you like to go to that brings a smile to your face, perhaps it's a pizza place that you and your friends gather every Friday night. Maybe it's the boardwalk street down at your favorite beach or the once a year fair that comes to your town every July.    Little pockets of memories that bring you joy...that's where the story of our lives reside.

Enter to win today through Friday! Winner will be chosen this Saturday, January 18th, 2014.

:)  Jodi

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Be sure to check out my Etsy shop for tons of new items this week!

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Are you looking to start the New Year off on a creative foot and need a little inspiration to get started? If so, join my new class "Art Journal: The Book" and learn how to make an ez peezy art journal along with some unique prints to get that inspiration started.  This class is featured at an extra special price of only $22.00; 8 videos and over an hour  and 15 minutes of content for you to enjoy 24/7 with unlimited access.

Class begins January 27th.

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Do you want to get your creative on in person?  Join my first group of live workshops coming up in March over at Random Arts in Saluda, NC.  Saluda is a quaint little mountain town right near Asheville, also conveniently located with just a short road trip from Atlanta, Tennessee, Raleigh, and Charlotte.    3 Days of workshop can be purchased together or sold separately but don't delay, space is limited and will sell out quickly!

Here's a peek at my workshops:

Angelic Inspirations

Pods Abilities

Texturize This!

 To sign up for the workshops, simply contact Jane Powell at randomarts@charter.net

Paint, Play, and a Prize

 Just wanted to send out a quick reminder my newest online class goes live tomorrow!! "Funky Little Cityscapes"  Whooohooo~!    Join in if you want to learn to paint funky houses, quirky buildings, charming flowers and create a painting that pops with loads of color and fun designs!!  If not, we are going to paint the town without you ;)  lol    I've been really looking forward to this class and super duper excited to see what all the students create during the course.  Come on and play with us...you know you want to!

 To Register, click HERE

Some of my city scapes created over the last year:)

You can do this too!

In other news,   I recently did a little video that GASP let you into my studio. It's a frightening thought...I have stuff everywhere, but hey, this is real folks, a neat studio only happens for me when I'm at the end of a series of projects. I clean it all up again and then start fresh. During this video, it ummmm well was not taped during one of those periods of time :

Take a look at it here:

 Okay so that was a picture from before I started working full time. Watch the video to see the path I went down!

If you want to hear a bit about the method behind my madness, be sure to grap a cuppa and listen to my podcast taped the other day with Cara Rae of Icreate Fix.  

That's about it for now kids...momma needs to get back to work and get ready for next week where I'll be at Create in NJ for a few days teaching and vending my art, paint I love, and other cool funky things!  

I have just a few spaces left in a couple of my classes,  be sure to register now to save a spot!

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OHH PS...stop over to my Facebook page to join in on my giveaway for a 12 x 12 Funky House (in the colors of your choice) prize to be fulfilled in August.

Prize valued at $75 dollars!

(the painting will be similar to this design)

Giveaway ends July 12th so be sure to enter now!!

Split Personalities

 Sometimes I think I have a split personality. Well a lot of times I think that, especially when I'm working on projects. Often times I have many things going on at once and my head is buzzing with ideas and like a chicken I pop from one thing to the next and then go run and do a load of laundry and come back and wonder who the heck destroyed my studio while I slipped out for a few minutes.

 This week has been no exception, did I say this week..well actually it's been the last few months dealing with controlled chaos (not sure of the exact definition of that...you'll just have to visualize what that means).   And then all at once things start to come together.  

It's funny though to look at the pieces that are born during times like these. I do have a method to my madness, but it kinda amazes me I can go from the painting above to this one below all during the same painting session.

I like things visually stimulating whether its through color, texture, or composition. I enjoy adding fun crazy cool and made up elements....

 

....and then I like to bring it down a notch and keep it simple but  yet still full of texture and interest.

Kind of like my personality, I can be all over the place and into everything but when I'm ready to dig in or relax, I like the simple things in life. It doesn't take a lot to make me happy, just a bit of variety in the day.

 I'm heading back to the beach soon and taking these with me...Save the date:  June 6th from 6:30-8:30 an opening reception for my exhibit "Coastal Reverie at Artful Living Group, located on Cape Fear Blvd in Carolina Beach.  It'll be a feast for your eyes, full of color, whimsy and coastal memories displayed on the canvas and I can't wait!

Jodi

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Have you heard about Gelli printing? It's all the rage right now and I'm thrilled to be teaching a class that will go over some printing basics,  add some super cool exciting tricks to get the most of your gelli plate, AND show you some awesome ways to use the gazillion prints we will create in class.

This October at Art Is You...come join us!

 

 

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Perhaps Faces are your thing, if so, check out my "Mermaids and Maidens" class also at Art Is you,  there is no doubt you will come away with a magical and mystical portrait of a maiden or mermaid that is full of depth and color with the step by step instructions I'll have for you.  

Join in on the fun!

 

All Nighters Art Everyday Month Day 19

Fridays are a long day for me,  I generally work until 6:30 or 7:00 at night with a full day of craziness to end the week but it's a day and evening I look forward to all week long. Why?  Because it's the day that I stay up and work on projects full force for as long as my eyes will stay open.  Sometimes that's 12:00 am, but most of the time I'll work until maybe 3:00 in the morning or later. I've pulled all nighters on occasion if my art schedule demanded it. And I love every minute of this uninterrupted creative time

I have a routine that I kinda varied from this evening because I got out a little later than normal from my day job (bankers actually work past 5 o'clock...way past 5 in our company.lol) ...I love to go and get a hot cup of coffee at the shop which carries a good portion of my work in Southern Pines (Swank Handmade Market and Coffee Shoppe), then I come home and just go to town with my painting projects. I hate to stop because I might not be able to get another few hours in until late on Saturday.  So I work until I can no longer anymore.  Creating while the rest of the world is asleep. I suspect there are a lot of us out there that like to work until the wee hours on whatever project it is that is calling our name.

 

I like to multitask and have my journal out by my side while painting to put xs paint on or test out stamps. I work in it while pieces are drying or if I need a distraction for a few minutes while I figure out my next steps.

This evening I'm grateful for the few hours of quiet time to reflect and play with my projects, the week has been long and stressful with lots of things pulling me in directions I'm not sure what way I want to go in and I still don't know what to do or which way to turn.  I do know though that I'm feeling better than I've felt all week because I was able to immerse myself in color and play a bit.  I say play because it hardly feels like work when I paint or market my creative business..can one actually have a job that feels like that??  I am working tonight though....creating lots of things this week that will be going to special homes (secret projects that I can't show because they are Christmas gifts for a few special orders),  class projects for upcoming workshops, and working on a new article I'm sending out (after taking a break from writing for a few months while I caught up with everything)....work?  Hardly.  Fun...absolutely. 

Fridays are the best days of the week :)

Saturdays are great too....they just don't rank as high because I have to put my paint brushes down and mop the floors and actually clean the palace..haha. :)  Reality.  

Oh..and this weekend I suppose I better go and get some food for Thanksgiving!  How did that sneek up so quickly on us???   It'll all work out even if it feels like a lot to get done between my real every day world and my extra fun world  of my creative business.  Focus.  One step at a time, smiling all the while doing the things I love.  If you let stress overcome you while you prepare for the things you love, it takes the joy out of doing them in the first place. I'm determined not to stress out this holiday season juggling my two worlds.

Breathe.

Relax

Enjoy

Have a great weekend. I hope you find a few hours of relaxation time to put the stress of your everyday world behind you so you can enjoy the upcoming season in all the ways you want to. Life's too short to not enjoy these moments :)

Should I? or Shouldn't I??

Drive by posting.....see my new work?? Who doesn't love little pink and white houses?
I know I do! Speaking of houses.....

I started to look for one FINALLY. I've been renting forever and finally decided to take the plunge. I was pre-approved yesterday so that gives me some hope. However, from the houses I looked at, what I want is just out of my reach so I'm scared to take the plunge. I really need something with studio space that not only I can work in, but perhaps take on some private students occasionally. hmmm....what to do when you have champagne taste on a beer budget ;)
Really, I want a three bedroom, two bath, medium sized kitchen..I'm really tired of my galley kitchen and want one that I can move around in, cook, and have peeps hang out as I whip up some magic. I really don 't want to use a bedroom as a studio, I'd rather use a den, sun room, or other designated space so that's where I"m having trouble finding something that fits. Oh..of course in a good neighborhood. A little yard would be nice but not too much (my 2 acres has gotten the best of me and I don't want to deal with it anymore).

I did find an older home with lots of character and a DEN with 3 walls of ceiling to floor bookshelves that can be rearranged which I thought would be perfect for my growing stash of supplies. While I like the home, the bedrooms are small, and it needs a little updating (wall paper throughout, and kitchen cabinets that are less than to be desired), but other than that it is pretty close to perfect. Neighborhood isn't exactly what I wanted..but close. I'm just afraid of buying an older home that needs too much renovating (which to the eye it doesn't appear to have too much that needs to be done...but you never know).

Sigh...I'm rambling. :) I'm at a cross roads of something I really want to do but afraid of it at the same time. The cost of owning scares me, too. It looks like my monthly payments will go up by about 300-350 dollars. YIKES. Scary stuff!!! LOL I will just wait and see hopefully the right home will come my way when the time is right. Patience isn't my virture though!

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Other notes, my work shop, Fun with Faux Encaustics is up and running and I couldn't be more proud of all the work that went into it and the positive feedback I've been receiving about the class! There's still time to sign up as it is an open class so you work at your own pace and can view the videos at any time. Try something new and join us! (My work shop is listed about half way down the page or so).

If you haven't yet signed up for my Artsy Newsletter, check out my link on the top right of the sidebar and check it out!!

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Till next time--think about what it is that you are dreaming of and even if it's a stretch....start working towards making it happen!! Do it with me! :)

Little Pink Houses of My Own

If all you wanted to do was paint pink houses and dream about a land far and away that was magical and fun and full of creative inspiration, guess what would happen? Eventually you'd have a house full of paintings and lots of cool things to paint with, tons of awesome art supplies just waiting for their turn to be played with....

.....and 4 loads of laundry piled up on your bed because you'd much rather be painting then doing laundry, I mean, really, how inspiring is folding clothes, anyway? Trust me, this is exactly what would happen!

Perhaps you'd be imagining while painting how wonderful your life would be if you you could just find a pretty pink house with a yard (ahem....a small yard, not a 2 acre unruly mess), perhaps a deck with 2 white wooden rockers waiting to be visited with a cool glass of lemonade tempting your thirsty lips. You'd dream of a kitchen that could fit more than one person and a dining room that could hold 15 or 20 during Thanksgiving and be a open spacious sunny studio the other 364 days of the year. 4 bedrooms nestled within the sturdy walls of your pink palace of creative wonder, ready for guests or a studio that you might one day actually work in full time. I'd bet you'd be dreaming of early morning walks with the dew at your doorstep and sun rising on your back and not a schedule to be fulfilled except for the one you created for yourself, as you walk for inspiration and ponder the next big creation with each early day. Coming home after a half hour or so, with big ideas dancing around your head, you greet each of your beloved jars of paint with sheer joy and loving expectation. Paint, paint, and then paint some more as you travel down whatever road the muse beckons you until the shrill buzz of the dryer interrupts your meditative mind unforgivably.

You look up and realize it was all just a dream, one you've traveled down many times before. As you immerse yourself in this world of tiny houses and colorful towns of your imagination, the reality sets in that the laundry simply will not go quietly into the night without you.

sighh

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I declare, June, the "Get Your Shit Together Month". Seriously. Come with me and take hold of your life so your fantasy world can become more of a reality! What is it that is holding us back? What would make us move forward if we had other things cleared out of our way or at least a path cleared so we can get through!
I know one thing holding me back is scheduling. Handling a full time job with raising a son and then managing an creative pursuit that is quickly becoming a full time job , both exciting and a challenge! Organization and better time management would help me tremendously. To combat this I even went out and bought a pretty pink planner. I've already started to fill it up with things I have planned for the month, months to come and even in early 2010! Wow. Next, I'm planning on putting events on my calender that are necessary monthly, weekly and even daily. I'm using the same planner for my day job as I'm going to do for my artistic endeavors. All in one spot with lists and to dos..well, maybe just maybe I will stay on track.

Other areas I want to organize/tackle/complete this month:

Finish up a custom project
Finish videotaping my workshop
Plan my vacation
Organize my supplies
Clean my closets
Start getting rid of things or put up stuff for a yard sale
Write a couple of articles
Start a newsletter
Start preparing for an October Show
Loose 15 lbs by July 4th..lol
Hey...we all gotta dream!

Anywhoo...I really want to find a dreamy 'pink house' of my own but one of the things that's holding me back is the dread of moving because of all the stuff around me I really don't need anymore. If I start to load XS baggage, perhaps new opportunities will open up for me. I really believe that can work figuratively and literally.

I do need to sock more $$ away....but that's come a long way since I last spoke of this desire. I've paid down on a lot of things as well as added to my income quite nicely over the last year....so things are moving in the right direction. Now, to just stay the course!!

Okay...so tell me what you are going to do during this tribute to "Getting Your Shit Together" Month. It doesn't have to be something dramatic....little shit turns into big shit removal! Really!

:) Till next time! Create to Live, Live to Create!

PS!!! don't forget I am GIVING away 1 FREE Class if you sign up for "Fun with Faux Encaustics" before JUNE 15th!! One lucky winner will be announced from all of the participants one June 16th that their 'tuition' will be reimbursed!! What are you waiting for????? Join in on the fun!

Carolina Blue Collection by Sweet Repeats

Random thoughts.....

Carolina Blue Collection--my largest artwork yet, 24 x 48

40---an age that is quickly approaching in 2 months. Where did the first half of my life go? What is to come in the last half?


It's hard to believe that 10 years has passed since we moved to North Carolina. It's been a good move overall, but it's taken me several years to even feel like I am part of a community. A lot of that is probably my fault and my lack of involvement with anything other than work and home. This last year though, I did step out and join a few groups that I have a lot in common with and it really has opened many new doors for me, both in the sense of community and in the sense of bonding with others which is really necessary especially when we don't have any family within several hundred miles.


It's funny, the community I've found isn't just outside of these four walls in the town around me. A big portion of my feelings of belonging and bonding has come from those I have met through my blog and a couple of other online groups I've joined. It definitely is a 'sisterhood' of sorts.


It makes me think that I should have unlocked these doors and wandered down the path much sooner than I did. It might have made the last ten years a little less lonely. That's my fault, I don't know what I expected--for people to magically find me at my house making a cake and invite themselves over for coffee and conversation?

To the naked eye, you might not realize the many, many layers of an individual.
But it's there. Peel the layers, look underneath and you will find some amazing things. Some amazing people. (pic is a before shot of the section that has 'home' on it).


You definitely need to wander down many roads to find exactly what you are looking for in life. You'll never get there if the journey is not started. Things are happening fast because I started to step out, to experiment, to discover, to network, to bond, to push myself in areas I'm not so comfortable and to explore what is within.

Two things that are very important in the journey of discovery, Friends....


And of course, family.

discover

explore

network

enjoy

peace

aspire

inspire

soar

dream

.....still have doubts, still have worries, still have anxieties but what's different now is that I'm not as alone during those days. It's good to be able to call Carolina Blue Town my home.


((To see the complete set of my Carolina Blue Collection, please visit my flickr page! These pieces are only available locally in Southern Pines, if you are interested in any of my collection, please email me at johl3 at windstream dot net ))

Blue Creek

She's been busy visiting a town far, far away.

Blue Creek, I believe is the name.

A place where there are buildings that have a personality and can speak of a day gone by,

whispering of times when life was so much more simple and anything could be possible and as real as our dreams.