Embrace Your Limitations-and Winner of my Giveaway

 Good Monday Morning!

I hope everyone is well rested and ready for a beautiful week ahead, our first full week of June! It hardly seems possible we are hitting the halfway mark of 2013!  

With each passing day, time flies faster than the one before and each year melds into the next in a blink of an eye. 
I think acknowledging this and making the most of each and every day is so important. I know you all know that, but until something sneaks up on you or a life changing event happens, we often forget to make the most of every day and every moment we have with our loved ones.

We forget to do this with ourselves as well. How often do we do something just because others think we should? 

Granted there are times when we just need to do something  or it's the right thing to do, but how often is it that you put yourself to the wayside or make excuses as to why you can't do it?

 Reading through the comments in my giveaway last week really reconfirmed to me that we often make excuses, let fear override our faith and, and put off what we want for the sake of everyone but ourselves, (Among many other amazing 'aha' moments that were shared")

The winner of  my giveaway,  Mo Wassell had this to say,

 "  my AHA moment... so many... I heard something yesterday from an inspirational speaker - basically, to embrace your limitations. I thought of how I don't have much space to create, and even less time, and I tend to put off even trying. But his advice was to use that to push you as an artist... so I will begin creating small pieces that don't take as long... duh! Who knows from there?"

Congratulations Mo! I love what you had to say, even though it was a random pick of numbers that led me to you...I think the words you chose to share with us really are so important and I'm grateful you shared what you've learned.

Embrace Your Limitations.

Make the most of what you have, when you have it (or where you have it).

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No excuses, now go out and do great things in the world. We need you to 'show up'.  Time is ticking as we all know. :)

Jodi

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Did you know my class "Painterly in Pink" over at Dreaming in Color is now open for self study work?  Your registration comes with a 12 month subscription to the class AND a 30.00 coupon for product on the Dreaming in Color (website within the Splash of Color family) for the class!

Stop on by and check it out....learn tips and tricks to drawing facial features and painting semi stylized semi realistic portraits.  Over 36 videos shared all for one low price.

Regenerate and Redefine

 "Regenerate"

20x20 mixed media acrylic painting

re·gen·er·ate

 to re-create, reconstitute, or make over, especially in a better form or condition.

to revive or produce anew; bring into existence again.

Biology . to renew or restore (a lost, removed, or injured part)..

Physics. to restore (a substance) to a favorable state or physical condition.

Most of you probably already knew this...but I just re-remembered when I was looking at some photo references for starfish that they are a species that can regenerate a broken or missing limb.

Amazing.  I wish we all could do that, especially those that were injured in the tragic events last week in Boston...or to those brave soldiers that have been injured and lost limbs while fighting for our freedom....sigh...

...since we can't grow back what's lost in our body or symbolically in our spirit when things go awry in life, it is however possible to transform our mind into a new existence.  How does one transform against all odds?  I wish I knew. I think the best any of us can do is to breathe...let go...forgive...forget..move on..and try to grab on to whatever determination and initiative you have to reinvent your world based on your new circumstances, whatever they may be.

 

Lately I crave peacefulness and quiet.  I am by nature, introverted (that is unless I truly know someone)  but by being introverted, I don't necessarily want to be alone...just in a state of calmness in my surroundings, needing time to think and reinvent, climb higher, and move forward.
 There is advice at every corner and coming from every angle letting me know how or what I should do to accomplish this but in the end, I simply want to do better and do better at what I do. Does that make sense?  And do it at a steady not work 16 hours a day pace.  Regenerating is a funny thing. It comes in many packages, and reveals itself in it's own sweet time.
This week I will be heading out again to the coast, partially business and for part pleasure--restocking galleries in the outer banks, doing some prospecting, market research, photography,  planning for a big event that I will be participating, and then, finally a few days with friends on one of the most peaceful and serene islands around....in Ocracoke. I can't wait to see the water. Feel the sand.  Dig for treasures, laugh with kind souls, and create with the wind outside facing the sun.
Peace.  That's what I really crave right now and can feel it surrounding me because I've starting to calm myself down. I know it's especially important because big changes are coming, and I want to take them on from a place of grounding.
Hope you find that your feet firmly planted as you leap onto the next leg of your journey.

*The painting above was completed with a sheen of inka gold over top some of the textured areas along with over the starfish created a creamy metallic glow on the canvas.  LOVE these products I was given to sample out from my friends at Splash of Color, and Leslie Ohnstad! They are very simple to use, can be rubbed on with your fingers or a brush then buffed out a bit with a soft cloth. If you use them over top of Silks Acrylics, the effects are even more vibrant! Stay tuned for more projects using these cool supplies!

*Also over at Dreaming in Color, I am re-releasing my Twinks on Yupo class-stop by, would love to have you join in on the fun!

(This is a four week class, and then the access to the class will be for an additional 12 months. Every student also receives a 30.00 coupon for product in the Dreaming in Color store! whooohoo!)

See what's new in my shop this week~

" Development"

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!

Just Do It! Free ART Friday :)

TGIF!  Or at least in some countries it's Friday!

I hope your week was magical and productive. I spent the week doing a lot of learning. We are never too old to learn, right? I've been taking a couple of creative business courses this month which I put a lot of effort into this week,  along with just simply sitting my butt down to figure out things I haven't done yet but have had on my 'to do list' for awhile.

For example, I sat down and created a skeleton of a website I hope to grow into something a lot more flourishing than it is right now. But it's there at least, right? It's farther along than it would be if I was just 'thinking about doing it it' . I actually did it.

Here it is if you want to see it. I mean I should hang my head by even posting it because it's not 'complete'  by any means, but by putting it out there, and I know you will be looking...it'll coax me into keep improving it.  :) I have to use reverse psychology on myself from time to time.

I also learned how to thread my sewing machine this week. HA! I know that's not a biggie but it's something I haven't done in almost a year so I totally forgot how to use it. I couldn't even remember how to sew  in reverse. How sad is that?

But look what I made...well it's not perfect but it's pretty cool. Again..it's a lot cooler in person than just an idea in my head that I never got out. It's here in the world because I forced myself to at least try.

I'm working on several projects for 21 Secrets which opens April 1st.  I have to say, it's been a little bit of a struggle for me because I've moved more away from journaling in a book to  just playing with printing with anything I can get my hands on, sketching in a note pad, doodling on something else, scratching out ideas on loose papers. Journal pages and painted papers are  EVERYWHERE!!  That's actually part of the theme for my class, "Diary of a Highly Effective But Inconsistent Journaler"  you may journal here and there, but it's not consistent, heck it may not even be in a book..but what can we do to make it more a part of our artistic routine?  What are some ideas to reel it all into  one or two places so we CAN use our journals for a reference for future art or just to play with ideas. And just WHAT do we journal on? Do we have to journal on the same type of paper all the time?  

All good questions...and I don't know all the answers but I will share with you several things I've learned along the way and assure you we are in this together and that we can make BEAUTIFUL journal pages..even if they are different from the rest  of the world.  That's the amazing part of journaling. It's totally owwwdilly all about YOU. 

 My other aha 'educational' activity was today when I created my  

Free  ART Lesson

 video for the week.  (haha...like the name?  I had fun playing with some of my facebook friends today trying to come up with a name for my tutorials that I'll be doing weekly) Kinda going off topic here but my idea was to work with some of my partner company's products (as well as other assorted projects)  and share tips or lessons with  my friends and followers on a weekly basis, Friday namely... and come up with a name for this project. 

Free ART Friday or Farting on Friday came up as one of the top choices.  Okay so maybe that's not the best choice, but a funky playful name is trying to be born as we speak but I'm not there yet:)

 

 

 Any whoosers,  in doing this video, I just wanted to do a voice over narration. I had no idea how to do that. I mean, I've done MANY MANY videos before.  I've never narrated a video. No clue.  I literally spent 3 hours trying to figure out how to do it, where the button was, how to get there..then how to edit it once I figured out how to do it.

The videos is just over 3 minutes.  3 hours (not including actual creation time) to do this little ez peezy project. Maybe not the best use of my time...but there again....I LEARNED something and  in doing so...that something I surely can use down the road in other projects. Right? Hopefully! Yes, I know I can use that little nugget of info in future things;)

So are you getting the drift of my article today? You never stop learning.  Even when you haven't done something in eons, you can pick it back up and do something even bigger and better than before.  Doing SOMETHING is a heck of a lot better than doing nothing at all.  When you don't know how to do something..sit your butt down and figure it out...or go ask for help (after you've at least tried to make a go at it). 

Magic will happen, I can assure you.

And last but not least, don't let fear paralyze you from doing the unknown. It doesn't have to be perfect either the first go around.  It gets better and better the more you do it.

Okay so with that said, here's my perfectly IMPERFECT video on creating a 

Faux Stained Glass Journal Page using Twinkling H2O's, Pearl Pens on a gessoed substrate. What am I using for my substrate?  Umm....You'll have to join my class at 21 Secrets to find out the rest of the details.  C'mon, you know you wanna! :))

Enjoy your weekend,  make it fun..play art,  enjoy family and friends....and relax.  You deserve it!


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