No Joke--April Fools Day Specials and New Class Offerings!

Spring into some savings with a 20% off coupon to my Etsy shop using code:

"HELLOSPRING" 

...bonus offer, if you put in to my notes to seller: Add a magnet or add a bookmark, you'll get a free gift with each order!

And WOW--this is a fabulous offer, too!

Check out this special Affiliate offer from Interweave --choose from magazines, art supplies, DVDs and more!  

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You Heard It First!

In other news-we've rescheduled my workshops at Random Arts that were cancelled in February due to snow to September 25-27th!  I think we will be safe from the flurries during September (fingers and toes crossed!!!)

I'm featuring 2 NEW workshops and in person version of my Grunge Ink workshop!

For registration info check out Random Arts Calendar of events.  You can take all three classes or purchase ala carte :)

Random Arts is conveniently located in Saluda, a picturesque town nestled in the mountains of Western NC.  Just outside of Asheville and a short drive from  Charlotte, Atlanta,  Raleigh, Knoxville, and all points in between--enjoy a fall weekend creating to your hearts content and then tour the areas fine restaurants, art galleries, thrift shops,  art district, historical homes-or hike along one of the many mountain trails.    Be sure to register early, space is limited in each workshop!

You can also email Jane Powell at Random Arts for more info on these classes!  Contact her at:
randomarts22@gmail.com



That's about it for today kids..I've have tons of work beckoning me in the studio and writing to do for a project coming up. I hope you have a great Wednesday!    Do something you love today. That's no joke ;)

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Deals, Deadlines, and News Part 3

Hopefully your head isn't about to pop off yet with my part 3 of my Deals, Deadlines, and News series of posts and updates! Mine is..lol   I don't think I could possibly pack anymore into my last few weeks than I have honestly.  As I said before though, it's all good and I'm soooo grateful to have all these experiences to share and awesome sauce news to get you up to speed with!

Some of you may know that I've been teaching all summer long at Create Mixed Media Retreats (ran by the folks at FW Media/ North Light/  Cloth Paper Scissors), first in July in Somerset, NJ (my 3rd year there!!!)

I just returned from a huge event in Chicago for Create where I met even more creative and fun lovin' peeps!   Oh my, what talent!!

4 classes, vending, open studio nights, demos, wine with my roomie Jacquie--I mean really what more could you ask for?  

Perhaps a do over in Texas???? Ya, let's get our boots on, grab the paint brushes, and head to Dallas! That's my big news for this post--My house is a pure T disaster as I have boxes of class schtuff, art to sell, paintings in progress, lists everywhere as I prepare to drive to this far and away but super cool place for Create Mixed Media Retreats, Dallas, Tx! NEXT WEEK!!

I've never been to Dallas before and I've certainly never driven that far so I'm excited, scared, can't wait, but need more time! lol all those things put together but in the end, I know this is going to be a fantastic first event and even better, you can join in the fun still! Yes, there are open seats in several classes (including mine!).  I'm looking forward to meeting a whole new group of students in just a few days.

I'll be teaching 5 classes, yes 5!!!! Holy cow, there is going to be a colorful explosion of fun and adventure down in the southwest!

Glazed and Not so Confused is a class that really rocked the socks off the peeps in NJ and Chicago, but we still have space in Dallas for you to join in the fun. Honestly, if I had a dollar for everyone that said they wished they had taken the class after they saw all the cool projects/samples and pieces that came out of each of the classes..I'd be able to buy me a new pair of cowgirl boots! :))!!  Seriously, I want to thank the folks at Ampersand Claybord and Colourarte for supporting me in my teaching efforts, you guys bring awesome products to the market and I'm thrilled to share some of the potential with everyone.  

See more info here on all of my classes at Create Dallas:)

One of my new classes, Water Flowing Selfie is also supported by Colourarte and the kind folks at Yupo Paper!   Believe me, this is a combination that is stunning -watercolors + Yupo paper creates some of the brightest candy like pieces you've ever seen!

There are lots of cool classes to choose from and as an instructor, I want you to know that I value you as a student and your choice to spend your hard earned money with me, trusting in my guidance and ability to lead you along this stop in the creative journey.  I hope if you were on the fence about coming to the event, you take that leap of faith and join us.  

If you can't take a class, there is always  the artist faire Friday evening to join in, it's free to browse--with lots of original art, prints, jewelry, unique supplies and more! It's only from 6-9 with a TON of drawings for door prizes from all the vendors, how could you resist??

The other day the folks at Cloth Paper Scissors blog asked me to share some painting advice so Here is a little article I wrote about some of my essential tools.

Take a peek!

I have more deals, deadlines, and news to share but I think this is more than enough for one day (pheweeee, 3 posts in one day!!!!!).  Life is good. Hope you have a great weekend!

In case you missed the posts:

SALE->Deals  Part 1

Deadlines--> Deadlines Part 2

Finding Home

When was the last time you dipped your toes in the water or sat down and read your favorite magazine or book? Yes, summer may be over but it doesn't mean that you have to forsake some of your most favorite relaxing activities.  I go back to creating those moments for you and me on my canvas time and time again.

Funky little houses, Mini Cities,  Beachscapes,   A place on the lake,  a downtown historic shopping area--are just a few of the many scenes that come to life in my collection of happy little homes.

 Some are grittier than others. Perhaps symbolic of the crazy life we all seem to lead on a day to day basis, yet when we get down to the root of all...so much to be grateful for.

 Other little villages squish together in a great big colorful community representing our uniqueness as individuals, our personalities our as disguised as the houses we reside in. At the same time, we wouldn't be who we are without our family, friends and neighbors.

 Simple houses.

 Sending us reminders of what we need or what is important in life.

 Memories flooding back of walking along the lake at sunset or sunrise discovering 

ourselves in the peacefulness.

 Sharing how if we simply float for a bit, life becomes clearer so we can run with it all later.

 It's a crazy good life, messy and all. 

 I don't know why I keep coming back to the houses but I do. Well. I. Do. Know.  I've kinda sorta figured out that it's my way of connecting back to memories that I associate with love, family, friendship, community, and peacefulness.  And of course there's more.  I guess it is whatever you want it to be, that's the beauty of art in it's many forms. It is whatever you want it to be!

I'd love to share more with you this September at Create Mixed Media Retreats in Dallas.
Join me for "Mini City Live"   and create your own happy little city/town/neighborhood on canvas during this 1 day class, my last mini city course for the year.   :)
Sign up info here   Create Mixed Media Retreats.