Good Bye 2016---These Things are Ending

Happy Almost New Year  Y'all!

With every new beginning, there are always some endings!   

Holiday pricing on my UBER popular Zen Painting  workshop ends on Sunday 1/1/17!     Retail price: 109,  now  $90  * This is an ongoing online class.  Join in at any time and work at your own pace!

Creative Jumpstarts begins  on January 1st!   27 artists share tips and projects through short video tutorials throughout January!  Download the videos and watch at your own pace or stream January 1st through November.   Regular price,  $50 dollars. Early bird pricing $45 ends tonight at 11:59 pm EST.  Sign up by going HERE.

The massive year long class, Life Book 2017  also starts on January 1st but today is the last day to enjoy 20% off the workshop!  All videos are downloadable as well.  52 weeks of inspiration to grow and develop as an artist and person.     Use code  FIREWORKS 2017  at checkout for your discount!  To read more about this class,  please click HERE.

So how's that for some inspiration?????

As if that's not enough--if you are a last minute Lucy who loves adventure, abstracts, workshops, and fun in general--join me for my 3 + day workshop,   "Absolutely Abstracts" next week!  An evening reception on January 6th kicks off the 3 day class (first full day is January 7th).  For more information on this exclusive ReMe Presents workshop, "Absolutely Abstracts", please go HERE.


I'll be back later on this weekend with more a recap of 2016 and some fun ideas/classes/thoughts for the New Year!   Until then,   enjoy every minute, because every minute counts!

Jodi

Creating Good Habits and a Giveaway!

There's so many things in 2015 I want to do both professionally and personally, one resolution hardly seems like enough to cover all the bases, does it?     I think I've done a lot of things right in 2014, but what I want to do more of this year  is to focus on the things that make my heart sing, projects or activities that don't stress me out or cause me to run circles around myself, and focus on making room for doors to open up to the  bigger and better adventures.

If I had to pick one word that could encompass a lot of different things it would be:  Flourish.

This word is especially meaningful because it actually is part of a title of my new friend, Julie Kaminski's book in which she used one of my paintings as the cover photo. (How cool is THAT!!!)

I've spent a lot of time thinking about what I want 2015 to look like over the last several weeks and I'm still thinking of possibilities. In some ways, I feel under the gun to decide what I want and how I want to get there right now, today. It's 2015 already for cryin' out loud!  But life doesn't work that way, does it? We are constantly changing, evolving....the pieces and parts in front of us are always changing like a kaleidoscope of opportunities.  I do know that I have come a lot further than I ever thought I could and there's more to come. Rather than beat myself up for what's not done or hasn't been decided, I'm going to just do my best, each and every day...with an eye to a future full of possibilities.

I mentioned in my last post, I want to paint bigger paintings more often. I'm doing that right now. I'm actually working on a large painting for Julie (mentioned above) so she can have her own version of the "flourishing home" in her lovely and 'flourshing home".  It's a 36 x 36 so quite a lot of work and many details to cover...but it's so gratifying seeing it come to life.   I hope to have it finished in the next couple of weeks if not sooner.

In the plans and actually already started, is a major de-cluttering of my studio. I have a new table and lots of new toys but at the same time, if I can't find what I'm doing or have room to move around my space, it's hard to stay inspired and efficient!  Efficient is more the problem rather than inspired. There's enough of that certainly but when time is wasted finding things, it's more than frustrating!  Bye bye to messy clutter!

I spend a lot of time working admittedly but I also love spending time with my boys who are the light of my life.  Josh (on the left) and I made a New Years resolution this year to be more spontaneous and to do...DO..more fun things together.  What's up first? I think we need to take off for a weekend anywhere and just have fun doing something different.   I want lots of those weekends, days, and hours to be a part of our life in 2015 and beyond.

 and more time with friends doing spontaneous things. Here I am with one of my besties on a day trip to NYC on our way to 'somewhere'. :)

Painting on my canvas is fun and I love it don't get me wrong, but I also want to make more time for trying out totally new ideas and just experiment.  After all, you never know when you are going to uncover an idea that will be life changing.    These little guys are one of my experiments from last month that I want to keep exploring.    Who knows what's next!

I also want to get back to more writing of articles and tutorials in 2015.  I love to write about art and show others not just in a classroom setting but through articles and blog posts how to do some 'coolio' things!   Here's a sneak peek at some pieces and parts for an article coming out in Cloth Paper Scissors soon using TintIT sprays and Grafixarts supplies for my project.  I love trying new art supplies so be watching for tons of new projects coming up featuring products from  some of the sponsor companies I work with for classes!

Here's a peek at another new product I received from my friends at Colourarte.com to try sample and come up with some projects with.    These are Radiant Gels. Think modeling paste but in a gel form with color. Dimensional paint with the same hues you've come to love with Silks Acrylics and Twinkling H20s. Now you can get even more texture and dimension with these!

Speaking of writing, another goal of mine is to take the 'book' ideas I have in my head and actually send out proposals to my favorite publisher.  Who knows if anything will come of it. I did take the first step to get all the information I needed to get started, now I need to just clear my slate so I have time to focus on what's really important to me. In 2015 I will do just that.  I'm not sure what topic I'm going to submit, as I have a couple of very different ideas....it's hard to know which direction to go but I'm sure I will figure it out.   Is there anything you'd love to see me write about in a book?? Curious minds wanna know!

I think I've mentioned in previous posts how much I'm loving abstracts and have created a lot of really interesting and fun pieces in 2014.  I've been busy exploring ideas behind the scenes for a new collection and a new class just on abstract composition.  This piece is one that sort of exemplifies some of the ideas I've been exploring.  What do you think?

In the winter time I love to draw. I love to draw anytime really but especially when it's too cold outside to do much. These pieces I'm going to show you are drawings but they are DIGITAL drawings. In the process of cleaning out my studio, I uncovered (aka unburied) my wacom Bamboo pentablet and remembered that I had a goal last year that I really didn't follow through on to explore digital drawings and compositions.  I did several in December which were super fun to do--take a look:

A digital portrait and layered collage...

 A fun little sketch exercise from a magazine ad (again, digital sketch)

A digital design created with my own photos then 'painted' in my digital program.

Digital drawing collage that I worked through to try to get some painting composition ideas.

And more facial parts sketches (digital). I did this yesterday while waiting for one of my videos to render.   I'm not very good at committing to things for more than a couple of weeks when it comes to creative challenges on one topic but I'm going to do my best to take January and continue to explore what I can do with my 'toys' and hopefully it jumpstarts more ideas for future projects and really, just help me become, well...better.

So those are just a few ideas I have for 2015..there's plenty more but I need to save some info for future blog posts and articles...after all, that's one of my goals to do more of in the coming year for YOU and for ME :)

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What are you going to do more of? Less of? Learn in 2015? Bring into your life?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and and anything you'd like to see from me either class wise, article, tutorial, or ummm..BOOK wise!

Share your thoughts and I'll enter you in my giveaway for a 2015 goodie box of fun inspirational art supplies, magazines, or other creative stuff from some of the companies mentioned in this post.

*I'll be sure to include enough goodies to make the package worth over $50.00 probably a lot more! (hey I'm letting go of stuff in 2015, right?  My stash can be your stash too ...lol)

I'll take entries from now until Sunday evening. 

Share this post and come back to comment for another entry!

Oh BTW--Icreatflix.com has extended their 25 % promotion using code:  New Year 2015 until January 4th. It is a site wide promotion but if you want to see my classes over there, click here for more info!

Until Next Time,  Make Today Count!

Jodi

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.  

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!!

12 Tips on How to Be Published in Art Magazines

So you wanna be published in a magazine?

Every so often I get asked how to go about being published, so I thought I'd share a few tips I've found to be helpful along my way.

 It was almost 4 years ago this month that I sent my first entry into Cloth Paper Scissors, never thinking I even had a smidgeon of a chance of being accepted.  Low and behold, a couple weeks after I entered my submission, I was chosen for an article!  It was one of the most exciting days of my life and I'll never forget the thrill of opening that email and sheer fright...because....they wanted my work to be sent and I no longer had it.  

Lesson number one:

1.  If you choose to email the publisher with an article query, ensure you have the items you are sending in. Seems like a no 'brainer' but for me, I didn't think I'd get accepted and I just happened to sell those pieces I sent in. EEEEk.  Well things turned out okay because I was able to recreate those items (after discussing it with the then editor, Pokey Bolton), but it was a scary thought that I almost lost the biggest opportunity of my life because of my ignorance!

2.  Read the guidelines for each magazine you wish to submit to. Each one has specific regulations on what they are looking for.  Some want an email first with specific sized pictures, others want your actual artwork sent in. You can miss an opportunity by not following the rules!

3.  While we are on the topic of reading....read the publication!  If you have the next big 'Bird' art piece that is just out of this world,   make sure that wasn't a recent cover article or main article in the magazine.    They generally are looking for fresh ideas or new takes on established processes.  Put YOUR spin on a project.

4.  Take great pictures.  If you have a beautiful project but shoddy pictures, it probably isn't going to make the cut if you are emailing a query.  Pictures can make or break an online submission.

5. If you have an idea for an article, write a short outline in your query to let the editors know that if you are chosen to write about the process, you are ready to go with an article.

6.  Enter the calls for submissions. It's a great way to get your feet wet and become a recognized name within the magazine.

7.  Blog about your work.  Every so often there are editors scouting talent online through blogs, facebook, pinterest and other various social media outlets for new ideas and artists (or established artists with interesting projects) to feature in their magazine. I've received several opportunities that exact way!

8.  Do your best work.  Send in your best work.  But don't wait until it's so perfect that you never get started trying. Does that make sense?  There is always going to be something bigger and better out there but it's not going to be YOURS or YOU....so just take a chance and try.  

9.  Every no leads to a yes.  You may not get accepted the first time you send in a piece of art, or perhaps it may take you 3 or 4 tries.  Don't let it get you down to the point you stop trying. It's all a matter of timing, other submissions, magazine vision for a particular publication, and so on. You never know when all of that is going to shift so just DO IT:)

10. Be mindful that publications are created months and months out. That means a couple of things.  If you send something in November that is perfect for Christmas, you are wayyyyyy too late and probably way too early.   Christmas articles are starting to be born right about now, in late Spring  for the the Nov/Dec issues (if not earlier).   Not every magazine is holiday specific but several do have a slant on a particular season or holiday especially around the big ones during the course of the year.  Because the magazines work on projects so far in advance, it also means your work will be tied up for 6-12 months when sent in.  In most cases, if you are published, you will get your work back within 30-45 days of the publication hitting the stands.   If it is a paying job (not all are), that is about when you can expect payment as well.

11.  Clearly label with your contact information all of your pieces.   If a publication requires  return shipment payment from you, ensure you enclose that information if you want your work back.  

12.  Last but not least,  I just have to repeat myself in that if you want to be published, simply go ahead and take a chance. Give it a shot. You never will be published  if you don't at least try:)

What are you waiting for? Go make some art!

Jodi

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Looking for some summer fun? 

Try the amazing action packed multi-collaborative workshop "21 Secrets"!

Sign up today!

Look at What the 'Kids" are doing!~

Like a proud Mamma.....I'd like to show you a few paintings from my students that are taking "Sweet Art" an online workshop that I'm teaching at Artful Gathering!!

Adorable, aren't they???? You know you wanna come play with us!!

                                                    All the beautiful samples above were created by my student Diana G.   to see more of her yummy work, please visit her blog:  Di4art

This beautiful work above was completed by the talented Judy J.  Be sure to visit her Etsy shop to see what other sweet goodness she is sharing with the world.!  

Awesome awesome awesome!!!

Sign ups are ongoing through June 20th but don't delay..that's just a couple of days away!! For information on how to sign up for Sweet Art, simply go to Artful Gathering 2012 ning site. It's easy as `1-2-3  and then you soon will be having a sweet time with us 'baking' up goodies that are delicious, almost better than the real thing!

If you can not view the video, please go HERE to see it :)
For a sneak peak please click the link above!

I am excited to announce that I will be doing another online class in August as I partner with the amazing Leslie Ohnsted the senior developer and designer for Luminarte products....Her paints rock! They also shimmer, shine, excite, and inspire!!! Just look at the apron I painted as I sampled some of the goodies Leslie sent me!!  Oh my, this was so fun to do!!! Stay tuned for more details on the online class over at Dreaming Color which will feature some (okay actually alot of colors!!!)

To see all the delicious colors under the rainbow visit Dreaming Color

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Other Classes Coming up.....Don't miss out on my 2 day class event at Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh on June 30th and July 1st!

Free Style Abstracts....two days of spilling, splattering, letting loose and creating several awesome works of art!

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Did you miss out on my book review for The Encaustic Studio? If so, visit my blog post  HERE.

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I'll be at Create NJ in just a few short weeks!! Be sure to check out all the workshops I'm teaching during the event HERE.

More goodness coming soon~ Until then, live to create and create to live!

Jodi Ohl