Swept Up in Artsy Adventures! A Recap and Giveaway!

Over the last several weeks, I've been on a whirlwind adventure that's spanned from the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the Midwest and back again.  It's already the 2nd of November so before all the creative goodness fades away, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of the month AND offer you a fun giveaway at the end of my post that you don't want to miss!!  

  As you can see from this picture, I've been painting...painting a lot!!  Preparing for studio openings, classes, solo shows, my shop and....don't fall over....for my a NEW book I'm writing!!!  Oh my goodness, all of this is truly a dream come true. I'll be sharing the journey of writing and composing my book over the next 12 months as YOU are a part of it just as much as I am!
In the middle of getting ready for my fall teaching tour, I also worked on HUGE project with my friends,  Jan McClay and Jean Skipper:  Jan  opened a new studio not far from my hometown and Jean and I are lucky to be 2 of the working artists who have their studios in the new shop.  

The new studio space includes a class room space,  2 working artists plus our managing artists space along with the work of over 15 North Carolina artists.  As you can see from the smiling faces, we are thrilled to be here!!!!   We already have started a great line up of classes and events and we are barely a month old..be sure to like our facebook page to keep up to date on all the fun 'happenings'!

You can see part of my studio beside of the classroom space.   

Just prior to our grand opening at the studio...and I do mean just prior to it.....I spent a few days over at Random Arts in the western part of our state (Saluda, NC) teaching 3 days of workshops to an incredible group of students!  I truly love this space!  It was great connecting with old friends as well as meeting lots of new people over the course of the weekend.

                    I never get tired of hearing all about these artists lives, inspiration, and stories that they tell during our time together. I'm constantly reminded how connected our lives are in so many ways!

After returning from Random Arts, I hurried back home and finished putting the final touches on my solo show at Artful Living Group in Carolina Beach. I returned from Random Arts on Sunday evening, got the final touches on the show stuff on Monday then headed to the beach with only a couple of days to spare before the show opening on Thursday, October 1st.  

When one has a solo show, it's not something that just comes together in a blink of an eye...but rather it's a compilation of months and months (if not years) of work.  I've been working on many of these pieces for the better part of the last 6-8 months if not longer, it was so satisfying  along with a teensy eensy bit stressful seeing each and every piece fit together like a jig saw puzzle.  No two things were alike of course, but when each of the pieces were shown together, I could see finally what I had been envisioning in my head for the longest time.      To me, that is success....or at least one facet of success: "To see your vision become reality through many moments which fit together into the sum of all parts".    

I kinda skipped the order of things that have gone on over the last few weeks..so sorry--anyways   so after my show at the beach, I immediately came home for our Grand Opening at Creative Studios, October 3rd.   It was sooooo much fun seeing our community, friends, and family come out to support us that day!  You could feel the buzz of excitement as our guests wandered through the gallery, checking out our studios, work in progress,  sifting through the selection of art supplies and many other gifts we are offering.    I hope if you are ever in the area, you, too stop in to see us!
(Hours and location can be found HERE).

As much fun as I was having at the new studio, work was calling me about 950 miles away towards another group of  incredible artists in Louisiana, Missouri where I was a guest instructor for 3 days of workshops at Kristen Power's shop and studio, "The Moon and the Maker".  What fun I had with this crew!!

As you could see, among the art, we had tons of moments of laughter and silliness!!!

No doubt, we all were meeting lots of new friends and reveling in the creative atmosphere all around us!   This was really more than a group of workshops,  Kristen created a retreat like setting with breakfast, lunch and tons of supplies to be shared with all.   I am looking forward to heading back to see my new friends next October!!!

So that was my Columbus Day weekend...see what I mean, it was a whirlwind few weeks!

But...that's not the end of the fun...nope....

I pretty much washed the clothes in my suitcase, got the boy all straight with his practices, school events, games and stuff he needed, re-packed my suitcase, got an oil changed, did a bunch of shopping and more packing, before I headed East to our Outer Banks, NC as the next week ReMe Retreats was commencing. I landed there on the 18th-with the rest of the organizers before the students started wandering in the next day for 5 nights and 4 days of creative recharging on the island of Ocracoke   

This retreat was our 4th in 2 years and as always, we all were just floored at the diversity of our guests, the range of talents, the warm hearts and open minds.  We had such a wonderful experience, and speaking for all of us who spear headed the retreat,  Jean, Penny, and our house mother Debbie,  we all are so lucky to have had the pleasure to host all of these women once again.

 From Texas to Maine, we had guests representing several states and although similar in their creative instincts, they were as different as could be in their day to day life outside of art.  As I say that, we all found many common bonds to tie us altogether in our experiences, some that made us laugh, stories that made us misty eyed, and other truths spoke that gave us all great reflection within ourselves.

We are all lucky indeed to have traveled together in order to share this experience, and I hope we all connect again soon!

Setting up for our first day of class with me--look at this great crew!

I could go on and on about the wonders of ReMe and the magic of the island, but I'll end this section by showing you the glorious sunset on the sound that was right outside our front doors.   

September and October have  been  simply  amazing and inspiring to say the least!

I think I mentioned at the beginning of the post (story, novella) that I had a giveaway for you and ...ta-dahhhhh here it is!!    You may or may not have heard that I recently had 4 DVD's published by F & W Media (Cloth Paper Scissors, North Light Books, etc) this month so I am going to be doing a few giveaways over the next few weeks that will include a signed DVD and a few art goodies to go along with your project.

In this special prize pack, if you win, you will receive the DVD, "Expressive Watercolor on Yupo" along with a 12 piece set of Twinkling H20s, a few sample sheets of Yupo paper and who knows what else. If I have more than 100 comments, I will add even more goodies to the pack!

So how to enter to win?  Please leave a comment at the end of this post and tell us about one of your creative or other fun memories from the last several weeks. We want to hear about your adventures.

To receive 2 chances to win,  you can simply share this post and then come back here and comment, letting us know where you shared.

I'll take entries from now through Monday November 9th---but PLEASE, keep coming back all month as I will have more giveaways, and tons of artsy inspiration to share with you!! :))

PS....PLEASE be sure to leave a way for me to get a hold of you if you win, not all comments link to a live blog anymore so if you can leave your email , it would help me tremendously! :)))

If you already  purchased this DVD and win, perhaps you can give your winnings away as a holiday gift.  PLUS...don't forget you will receive some artsy supplies, too!!

To see all of my newly released DVD's please check out the home page of my website:

Click HERE

Thank you as always for checking out my blog! I'll try next time not to be 'gone' for so long and do shorter posts from now on..lol :))

Artfully Yours,

Jodi Ohl

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Check out my 2016 workshop schedule!  Chances are, I may be in a state close to you!!

2016 Workshops

UPDATED: Big News To Share Part One and a Giveaway!

Update--sorry guys, I'm a little late in posting this winner!

Congratulations to Barb B--you are our winner for a signed copy of Incite 3!

 Barb B said...

Congratulations, Jodi! I might just have to buy this book of yours...love all your work and your classes so much! Thanks!

3:23 PM

 

Please email me at jodiohl at hotmail dot com  with your mailing address!

(You will receive your book by the end of the month--I don't have my extra copies in hand yet)

Thank You ALL for sharing all of your wonderful stories of good news and exciting things going on in your world!!

"Down By The River"  by Jodi Ohl  

Big News To Share Part One!

It has been quite an eventful few weeks around here in my little corner of the woods in North Carolina.    Since the beginning of the month, I've been working on moving my studio to a shared location outside of my home  (our grand opening is October 3rd!).  Quite honestly, the move has taken up a lion's share of my time but there's more..hold the door, yes indeed.  This hasn't taken up much of my time but it's exciting nevertheless,  One of my paintings (the above picture, "Down By The River") is featured in a new book edited by Tonia Jenny, "

Incite 3 - The Art Of Storytelling: The Best of Mixed Media Hardcover – October 14, 2015    

This is my second feature for the Incite family of books, and I couldn't be more thrilled!!  When I was taking a look at the "Look Inside" feature, I also noticed I was quoted on page 5 during the editors forward.  What the what???   I haven't seen the full copy but if it's anything like last year, it definitely is going to be one of those books that you keep to reference and look to for inspiration for years to come.  

close up of  "Down By The River"

In celebration of this event, I am having a private sale of the painting as a limited edition giclee print on either Somerset Velvet paper or Lustre paper.  The print is a large format which comes in the original painting size,  24 x 36.  The texture that is captured in this reproduction is amazing if I do say so myself.   The special offer is more than half off the retail price for my followers.  

If interested,  click here to purchase:

24 x 36  Limited Edition Giclee Print on Lustre Paper    $125.00

24 x 36  Limited Edition Giclee Print on Somerset Velvet Paper  $180.00

***This special is good from 9/15/15-9/30/15 only***


As an added bonus,  one reader will get a signed copy of this book (to be shipped after release date-expected delivery by the end of October).   All you have to do is to share something big happening in your world that you are super excited about!  Leave a comment below for an entry!  Share the post via Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter and get a second entry.  Simply come back and let me know where you shared! EZ PEEZY!

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There's more big news going on but that news deserves a post of it's own...so stay tuned for the another announcement coming up this week!!!  

This is a little hint..:)

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Upcoming Classes!

Join us for a 3 day weekend of creating  over in Saluda, NC at Random Arts!

September 25-27

I'll be teaching, Grunge Ink,  Skinny Little Mini Cities,  and Wildflowers!

We have a few spaces left so why don't you take a artsy weekend break and paint with us!

I'm so looking forward to this event!!!!!  I took the summer off from teaching and I'm so 

looking forward to slinging some paint with my tribe of students and friends!!!

PS...save  $75  when you purchase all three workshops!  

Wild Flowers!

That's about it for now...don't forget to put your name in the hat for a signed copy of Incite 3 by leaving a comment below and telling us about something big going on in your corner of the world.  PLEASE leave your email so I can get a hold of you (or your real name so I can find you on Face Book or elsewhere) in case you win.     

Pick Up Your Paint Brush and Join Us!!

The other day someone mentioned geez...if I had known sooner that you were coming to town, I would have signed up for your class.  Just when I think everyone has seen my message, I realize once again...there are many others that haven't heard yet!   Here's my creative public service and fun announcement!!


This week I'm heading to Florida for two classes at the new and amazing studio and creative learning space called, "Art More Place".      This will be my first time visiting Florida to teach and couldn't be more excited.   We still have a couple spaces available for both workshops, so if you are free this weekend and want to join us, please do!!  More info can be found on my 2015 workshop page.

After my trip to Florida I'll have a mini break and head back home to NY to see my family and friends for a bit then I will be taking most of the summer to dive into more classes online (filming and production takes a long long time...so I appreciate all of you who have been waiting for a new class from me, it won't be long now!!).  I'll also be working on developing a new body of work for a upcoming show and of course for future classes/galleries and Etsy.  My primary focus will be on my online classes though...well there are a couple other big things in the works but you'll have to stick around for that to be revealed ;)

Following  my summer respite, I'm heading  just outside of Asheville for a return visit to one of my all time favorite shops ever,  Random Arts in Saluda, NC.  I'll be teaching 3 classes over three days September 25-27th including two new workshops.  Wild Flowers featured below is a uber fun painting, printing and collage class that is just well, amazing and colorful. You'll learn so many techniques plus go home with a fantastic inspiring piece of art! 

Schedule:

Grunge Ink - September 25

Skinny Little Mini Cities-September 26

Wild Flowers-September 27th  (rumor has it some peeps want to add birds to their pieces and I'm totally down with that!)

There's limited space available so be sure to contact Jane Powell at Random Arts to reserve your space today!

Click HERE for more info.

We JUST added a new workshop in Missouri coming up in October and the weekend is about 1/2 filled with students all ready!!

I'll be heading west to see Kristen Powers at her studio Rubber Moon Studios where we will be splashing away for 3 days working on 2 different projects.

First up we have a 2 day  class called Funky Little Neighborhoods and Journal Jam.    You'll learn all sorts of textural tricks and how to design a quirky neighborhood on canvas with acrylics and more.  In between painting on canvas, you have a few journal exercises to explore and paint along with.   Tons of fun for everyone.  

Did I mention that for  each of the workshops at Rubber Moon Studios 99% of the supplies are included.  PLUS  lunch, drinks and snacks will be provided!!!  Whooohoo!  Just bring your favorite brushes, apron, water container and palette...we will supply the rest!

We will end the weekend with one of my favorite classes,  a 3 hour workshop called Angelic Inspirations.      Short and sweet but ohhhh so powerful,   this is another class not to miss!

For registration and more information, Click HERE

October will be whirlwind of events as soon as I return from Missouri....I'll have a couple of days break and then will be turning the car around and heading East to our beautiful Outer Banks for 2nd 2015 ReMe retreat fall retreat on Ocracoke Island.   We ONLY have 2 spaces remaining so if you want to join in on the magic...don't delay.    Our  May 2016 event is already booked up so this may be the last opportunity until late 2016 to sign up for a ReMe event!!!

ReMe is an all inclusive event (other than travel).  Arrival will be on Monday afternoon and departure Saturday Morning.  In between that time you will enjoy art parties,  all your food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, cocktail hour,   3 classes PLUS all of your supplies,  special events and more...much much more.  If you read through some of our blog posts and peruse all the tabs on our blog, you will get a little taste of what ReMe is all about.....but nothing replaces actually being there and experiencing the magic that happens between all of our guests.

Check out the blog HERE.

BREAKING NEWS....It was just announced that for the first time, I will be heading to the famous Donna Downey studios (outside of Charlotte, NC) in January 2016.  I'll be kicking off their teaching season with a brand new 2 day workshop titled,  "It's a Whimsical Life" .  We will be painting funky houses in acrylics in a layered contemporary style that is almost a fusion of impressionism and mixed media.  Not almost, it is!   Students will also play along in their journals where we will explore color, design, shading and other fun techniques.   

This weekend workshop includes all supplies for the students, lunch and snacks!!  How can you beat that?  

Dates  January 16th and 17th.

For more info, click HERE.

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Sprinkled in between all these events, I will be opening new online classes,  releasing 4 DVD's with FW Media this Fall,  hosting a few local classes at a new venue...(stay tuned),  working on some product designs,  having a solo show in October, and maybe one other out of town weekend in November.  I'll be sure to update you as soon as I have concrete information, dates, times, descriptions, etc.!     

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I finally reached my 100 item goal that I set out to achieve last December in my Etsy shop.

Stop by and see tons of new paintings and products!!

**Any orders placed from today through Monday will be shipped out June 23rd as I will be travel teaching and away from my studio this week.**

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As always, I want to thank you for following me along. I appreciate your enthusiasm, kindness, inspiration and comments.  It's hard to believe it's been almost 9 years since I first started this blog and my artistic journey!!  Wow...so much has happened during that time. I'm excited to see where this next decade and beyond will take us!!

Burning Question: What Inspires You? My Top Ten Ideas PLUS a special coupon code good this week only!

 As a creative type with a background in business, I like to look back on my progress on a regular basis and share some  'aha' moments with you from time to time. Well, really I try to incorporate my own experiences and nuggets of wisdom whenever possible and enjoy hearing what you are discovering as well, in your own artistic pursuits.  

(as an extra bonus I have a GREAT coupon code for you at the end of this post! :)

My sample for the upcoming ReMe reTREAT in Ocracoke Island, NC

I haven't posted a  "Burning Question" in a while so I thought today I'd bundle one in this post as it kinda relates to my topic of 'aha' moments and nuggets of wisdom I wanted to share.  

"What Inspires You? " asked by Emma

That's a great question and one that never really stays the same or is exactly formulaic if you will.  I can't say, "if I take a walk in the woods and look at textures, I'm inspired to run back to my studio and experiment.....or  anytime I dip my feet into the ocean waters, waves of inspiration pour over me"...do those things happen?  Definitely.  Do I have time for artist 'dates' daily (or even sometimes weekly), no...not always.  So then, where does that inspiration to create come from, especially if you are working on your craft daily for hours and hours at a time?  

I think you pull in inspiration from anything and everything you do.  You have to have your eyes wide open on a moment to moment basis to see things others miss or feel things others may dismiss. 

I have conversations with myself, or with others in my head and then play them out in the studio.  But most of all, I simply show up and do the work.  It really is about creating good working habits for the most part, because the more you do something, the more the doors open for the next  idea and the idea after that. 

And once I have an idea, I try to expand on  multiple times...not necessarily recreating that painting exactly but revising it and seeing what else can I do for as long as I'm excited about a process/composition/topic activity.

You stay inspired when you are excited about something you are doing,  and the flow will continue to feed you with ideas the more regular  you are with showing up to do the work.

Does this mean your faucet will always be on?  No...most definitely not.   I don't want to profess any delusional thoughts to you by saying every day will be rainbows and unicorns in the inspiration category or that you will always feel like going into the studio to create with abandon.   Life will throw you curve balls when you least expect it which will derail you for a time. In those moments, allow yourself a break, a nap, a trip, a artist date, or clear away clutter that is impeding your progress both literally and figuratively.

I'm going through a bit of that myself lately. Clutter and unnecessary activities have put obstacles in my way due to my not being clear on what I want in certain areas or not listening to what signs have been put before me.   I notice when I feel pulled in too many directions, I trip over myself rather than removing the obstacles.   It's hard to be inspired when you are chasing your tail.  When I'm focused and not distracted, at peace and calm.... there's no stopping what I can do. That's when the flow of inspiration gains it's greatest momentum.

 Here are some more tips on how I get inspired or stay inspired:

1) Keep a journal.  Whether it's a visual journal, doodle journal, written one, or some combination of all the above, the act of documenting thoughts, playing with color  or patterns, and getting something-anything on the page, will serve as a source of reference for future projects. Art Journaling is also a good habit that will not only help inspire you, it can help relax your mind.

2)  Plan out your activities and most important tasks each week and build in time to work in your studio to create.  These activities could be both personal and professional. By having a plan, you are creating more likely to accomplish the tasks you need to and leave more room for those that you 'want' to do.  (Note, the need and wants aren't necessarily mutually exclusive..but some may take higher precedence over others.)

3)  Stay well rested, eat well, and exercise regularly.  Your physical and emotional well being plays a big part of your ability to stay inspired among many other things in your life.

4)  Don't be afraid to make mistakes.  The fear of not being perfect can derail your creative activities probably more so than anything else.   I'm not saying give yourself permission to do shoddy work, but give yourself permission to experiment, play with new techniques and compositions,  try new colors, and do all of that over and over again.   Remember, masterpieces are few and far between but remarkable and inspiring work is created everyday..IF...quite frankly, you just go to work without worrying about the outcome.  Worry about the outcome as you finish, not as you start.

5)  Repeat designs and expand the possibilities within a collection.  Sometimes when you are excited about something and have a good plan, you can make it even better the more you tweak it by experimenting.   This is also important when developing a collection.  Tying your work together by repeating color palettes,  themes, motifs, and even designs helps in creating a cohesive collection.  Discover how far you can take those ideas, by taking those ideas far and wide.

6)  Evaluate where the heart strings are being pulled in your every day and professional life.  Saying yes to everything means you are taking time away for the right things.  It's hard to let go of the wrong things, especially if they have meant a lot to you in the past.  The problem though is, you start to loose your focus and hence your inspiration when there is so much going on that your head is spinning.  In fact, it's likely to cause temporary (or long term) paralysis, so to speak, if you are spread too thin.

My sample for an upcoming class this September at Random Arts in Saluda, NC.

7) Surround yourself with people that believe in you and lift you up rather than bring you down.  If you are uninspired...take a pulse on the mood of the world around you.  Negativity from within is poisonous, but when it comes from the outside in, well it can darn right kill you.  

8)  Know that from the outside looking in,   it may seem like everything is a bed of roses for those people you admire. They may  have something you want and  appear as if what they are  just doing is just flowing day in and day out without any hiccups or effortlessly 100% of the time.  This is never true. Those that make things easy,  most likely do so because they are insanely committed to what they do. Your mentors  live and breathe their passion and that is why,  from the outside looking in, it looks so polished and easy.
 If you want something with all your heart and soul, you don't wait until the inspiration hits, you run out and find it by doing the work.

That's the magic sauce most of all...doing the work.  

No one said it was going to be easy.

No one said you are going to have time for it (hey we are all busy!!)

But when it flows and you are in the groove-yes it does flow like a open wide faucet and others will be envious of what you do.   You can lead some people to the water but you can't force them to drink it...they have to do it themselves. You have to do it yourself. 

9)  This is one that I have a hard time with...but I know that when I do this, I am way more inspired then when I don't....keep your space open and neat.  It doesn't have to be spotless or totally clutter free, but at the very least, take time to pick up at the end of the day, clear your desk, put away a few things, throw a few things out on a daily basis, and reclaim your sanity by not tripping over yourself physically.   I'm a work in progress in this bullet point...after I finish writing this post, I'm going to go into the studio and clean up. Going forward, I'm going to take time either on Fridays or over the weekend to really clean up because I think it's important to start your week fresh and create a space you can flourish in.

Featured art in the March/April issue of Cloth Paper Scissors

10)  I was reminded of this last tip by a comment on another post I wrote for ReMe last week. It's important to share what makes us smile with others, those little things that we take for granted on a day to day basis should be celebrated.  Take time out to listen to others, to learn about those we love--to learn about the world around us, and you will be amazed at how you feel (and how you will make others feel by just being there to share back and forth).  Capturing the moments in our lives through our art is why we do what we do...it's a celebration of our history, our point of view, and our dialogue with one another.  What's more inspiring than that?

Last but not least---I wanted to thank my readers for taking time out to follow my blog, newsletter, Facebook, and all the other platforms out there.  I couldn't do this on a day to day basis without you.

Save 20% in my shop all week (including paintings, classes, prints, magnets, cards, supplies) using code "hellospring" at check out.  (custom orders not included).

Stop by and see what's new!

If you would like to share what inspires you or ideas you incorporate to stay inspired, leave a comment here!

Likewise, if you have a "Burning Question" about the art biz, creativity, living the creative life, processes, email me at jodiohl@hotmail.com  . I'd love to hear your thoughts and will incorporate as many questions as possible into my future blog posts.