Digging in Deeper with Extreme Portraits Live

 Over the last week I  talked a lot about honing your artistic skills and working towards the mastery of  your chosen craft, art, and interest (not that those are separate categories but they could be).  One thing I've discovered through my own journey is that the magic 'sauce' for anything I've done is in this one big secret....ready for it????  Practice!!     Don't get me wrong, there are shortcuts that one can take and 'aha' moments you can break through with that will propel you a bit further, but by and large, the magic potion is in the practice.    For me, one of the most significant improvement in anything I've done has been in my portraits.   I've found my groove and I can see my style go from primitive and pretty girls, to ones that have much more emotion and substance in my style.   Sharing those 'aha' moments and helping YOU move from what you are currently doing now, to a more "Extreme Portrait' (drawing and painting)  is the basis of my class coming up at Random Arts  in Saluda, NC, this February 28, and March 1st. Emotional. Colorful. Deep,  Full of Substance and Character.

During this 2 day class, we will work on shading  and developing features of our portrait. I'll guide you along in my exercises to give you confidence in the fact that you can do this, too.   Maybe not exactly like me, but perhaps even BETTER!  It's about YOU...and using your strengths, your style and your vision to capture the feeling behind a person you are portraying or 'creating' if it's from imagination.

 In addition to working on our drawing skills we will be working on developing some really interesting backgrounds full of texture and original mark making.....as our painted portraits will beckon for more grit and grunge then just a simple painted background piece.

In order to get the richness and depth our "Extreme Portraits' call for, we need to create a foundation to jump off with.  This picture is about 6 or 7 layers in from the beginning....

 Over the 2 days we will learn strategies to create shape and form...and NOT be afraid to use non-traditional colors for our faces.    I believe in the theory that one can create amazing portraits with just about ANY color.   Trust me.  Or trust yourself may be the better way to look at it.

 I'll show you how to make your paintings radiate with color through techniques that date back 100's of years but are not as used as often in this day and age because many artists don't want to take the time to  glaze and layer, glaze and layer, shade and highlight, shade and highlight some more than do it all over again...as many times as necessary.   It's fascinating to see it all come together...and quite frankly, there will be times that it' a bit scary. That's the part where you have to stick with me, stick with you...and keep the process going.

 

 We will also do exercises that are not as time consuming.  Not everything has to be a journey, there is a lot of value in just working super fast and letting the rawness of your brush strokes do the talking for you.    

My mission is to expose you to it all..and to be your guide.

My style is a bit imperfect.  It's a bit gritty.  It's full of texture.  Not traditional but yet it is.....It's about color and emotion and trying to  capture someone's spirit and give it a 'voice' on your canvas.

Time permitting, we may even work a bit on painting ourselves...so bring a fun picture of yourself in black and white and in color.  This class is about exploring.  Practicing. Learning.  Diving in and  immersing yourself for 2 full days of portrait play.    Nestled in the mountains of Western  NC,  Random Arts is the perfect intimate location to visit and leave inspired for unlimited amount of creative ventures.  Art, culture, nature, and amazing photographic opportunities abound over and above this classroom setting.  

Join on this 2 day exploratory journey into "Extreme Portraits" . 

Take you work from flat to that which is full of depth and texture.

Draw and paint eyes that will pierce.

Paint faces that have shape and  radiate with color.

You'll hone your skills around shading and highlighting.

You will find ways to let go of  traditional colors and explore a brave new world of contemporary colors.

Combining painting with drawing we will literally do it all during Extreme Portraits.

For registration and location information,   Please visit this link here.

I'll be teaching this class on February 28 and March 1st, 2015--the only time I will be doing this particular class live in 2015 so don't miss out on this fun opportunity!!

As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, part of the magic sauce on the road to mastery is practice, but a little guidance along the way doesn't hurt :)   Allow me to be your guide for 2 days!

Until we meet again,  go out and be brave, do something that might be outside your comfort zone and  live a bit outside the lines.

Go Extreme.

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Have you seen my new cards in my shop?   Just listed today several new styles and a couple best sellers back in stock!

Inspirational Messages: Do You Have The Grit Gene?

Over the last few days I've been working on lots of projects that kinda have been more computer orientated.  Okay ya...not really projects unless you call me a project..haha!  Taxes.  The good news is that last year, I was doing that in March and this is of course, January. I'm making progress on my 'work in progress' self.  

While doing 'book work' or any type of repetitive computer work (or even sometimes in the art studio), I like to listen to "Ted Talks" and amazingly, I feel like I'm 'upping' my IQ by a millimeter and expanding my critical thinking by tenfold.  wink wink.  

I thought I'd share some of my recent Ted Talks  binge listening sessions  with you over the next couple of days and share my thoughts on how they may relate to you, me, and living/working in a creative settting.

Do you think Grit plays a role in YOUR success in art, professional life, or personal best self?

I love how Angela Lee Duckworth says, ' that we need to be able to fail, to learn and to persevere over the long haul'.  I see all to often people (and it's not just in art) that become paralyzed by the thought of trying something outside of their comfort zone because they are afraid of failing.  

So what if your painting is not a masterpiece the first time you pick up the brush?  Are you in it for the long term? Is this what you want to do and are you ready to roll up your sleeves for the long haul to learn everything you can learn about your medium?

There are many talented people who do awesome at whatever they touch.  And there are others who have that 'grit' gene who have the ABILITY to be just as awesome as that talented person but they are afraid to do anything because they are not currently on the same level as person xyz.  Should that matter? Is growth and success a finite result?  Or is your learning capability a long term marathon, one that effectively increases in success and development over time and is  the result of  simply, not giving up after the first try.

Use your Grit Gene today and believe you can do anything you set your mind to.  It's not going to be easy, and you aren't going to be perfect...nor are you going to be successful each and every attempt at whatever you do...but you will (and I guarantee it) be a million times more successful by keep moving forward. Be passionate and fearless with what you do and know that achievements are won rather than given out of thin air (well most of the time..this is life after all and not everything is fair) ;)

Until we meet again,

Jodi

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Check out what's new in the shop this week!

My Favorite Pictures of 2014: What a year it was!

Did you have enough Art yesterday??   What??!  Can one ever have enough art? Well maybe.  Maybe there is a little life beyond the canvas. Today I wanted to share some of my favorite photos, maybe not award winning photos but pictures that brought me back through some of moments from 2014 that were special and worthy of a trip down memory lane. 

As I was going through each month (that's how I save my pictures), I realized that there aren't enough pictures of my everyday life. I have tons and tons and I mean tons of art pictures.  Not nearly as much of my kids, friends, family or from things we've done throughout the year.  There's a lot don't get me wrong, but I dare say it's a 20/80 mix.

That's something I'd like to change in 2015.  More everyday life memories captured.

Hmm...wonder how I can do that?  A picture a day challenge perhaps?? Or at least every other day?? It's something to seriously think about.

Well..without further adieu, here are some of my favorite photographs from 2014

1) This picture was taken last February,while I was with some friends at the Ferrington Village Folk Art Festival in Pittsboro.  We've managed to go for the last several years in a row and it's a lot of fun. The artwork can be primitive but no less intriguing and thought provoking. These beer bottle caps were on top of one of the artists vendors truck. You should have seen the rest of the truck!  

Taking time out to do fun things with friends other than going out for dinner or drinks is something I want to do more of as well. 

2)  Kicking off the year of teaching around the country, my first stop was at one of my favorite shops, Random Arts in Saluda, NC.  I love seeing all the smiling happy faces of my students and friends.  Hey see our 'guy' in the corner?? This year I had several men take several of my work shops which was wonderful, too!   It makes me happy that my teaching appeals to such a diverse group of eager and fun students.  

3) For the last several years I've taken a 'work' trip with two of my friends out to the Outer Banks in the late winter/early spring to deliver our new collections to our shops along the OBX. Here we are in Nags Head...what a view. Ya, hard job we have, right? :)  As much as I enjoy doing what I'm doing, when I can share the time and work with friends, talking about dreaming about all the things we are doing or could be doing, it makes it that much more enjoyable.  It's not a job, it's an adventure.

4)  This is one of my rare photos of me and my Mom (along with my stepfather, Craig; and my son Josh).   For Easter they treated us with a week at the beach.   Here we are taking a side excursion to see one of my artist friends, John Walters at his home in Georgetown, SC.  This is a view from his apartment roof.  Can you believe that?    My Mom lives in NY and of course we live in NC so our visits are to few and far between but this year we had 2 weeks together which we all cherished.  Lots of laughs and memories.

5) We made it back home in time to see the dogwoods blooming.  This picture makes me sad in a way because lightening struck my beautiful tree in my front yard and killed it. I probably should replace it with a new tree this year but I am so not skilled in the gardening and horticulture arena.  Did I ever tell you the story of the 80 dollar tomato and my crush on the man who owned the flower/vegetable shop I like to go to? lol  Another time, Maybe!

6&7)  Here's a glimpse of our first ReMe retreat on Ocracoke Island.   Just the fact that we realized a dream of doing something amazing and special for artists, students in a location that has so much meaning to us..well that in itself is a big check off the bucket list.   The friends and lifetime connections we made with our guests was worth all the work we put into this venture in itself.     I just love looking at the front porch of our historic inn and the students walking towards the great expanse of the Atlantic Ocean...through the dunes, magic and memories are made.

8) Josh is going to kill me if he sees this picture...but I had to share. My baby boy in his first tux at the end of year school dance for the 8th graders.  Did he have to wear a tux. No.  But the boy has always wanted to wear one  since he was a little kid. I had to talk him down from having his school pictures taken in one several years in a row. I told him he'd thank me one day for not letting him do that..lol.  Anyway, this is a favorite of mine because it really shows how mature Josh has grown...he's not my baby boy anymore. Well, he is..and always will be but both of my boys are becoming such fine young men. Proud Momma here :))

9)  Most years I go home to NY for 4th of July but this year we spent the day over at my friend Mary's lake house on Lake Tillery in NC.  We go there a lot and have so much fun, I really love the beach but growing up on Lake Erie, I have a soft spot in my heart for lakes, hills and mountains.  Mary and Richard's home have become a safe haven and a home away from home in the summer time to us, it's not just the beautiful setting, it's being around friends that we love so much.  

10)  July was a busy month for sure.  After the 4th, my friend Jean and I headed up highway 95 to go teach at Create Mixed Media Retreats in New Jersey.  This picture is from my last class of the week there, I don't have a lot of photos from me teaching so this snapshot Jean captured of me in action is special.  I can't tell you how much each and every student has touched my heart. It's wonderful when you can meet people in person and truly get to know them, see their work, and hear their story.  I find that we are a lot more connected to each other than we ever could imagine.

11) After teaching several days in row (and all the prep time prior to the event)...I'm pretty much spent for the next few days and can barely do anything.  Normally, I head right back home to unpack and jump back into the next big thing but I wanted to include this picture because one of the many things Jean has taught me is to stop and take a breather, even when you are more exhausted than you can imagine.  On our way home from New Jersey, we took our time heading back and spent the night in a quaint hotel in the town of Natural Bridge, Va.  Can you tell where it got it's name from?  

See, if we would have rushed home, we would have missed this stop along the way. It was breathtaking and awesome to say the least.

12) Just a few days after returning from NJ  I headed to NY with my boys to go to my nephew's graduation party.  Here's a shot of my Dad and his girlfriend, Nancy.  I don't have many pictures of my Dad either as he lives in Florida and we might get to see each other 1x a year if that.   Heading back home each year means a lot to me, it's hard living so far away from my family. I do feel my kids are missing out a bit, not having their cousins or grandparents right nearby to be around more often. The time we do have together means the world to us.

13) Most of the time when I travel and really pretty much all the time I teach, I drive to my destination.     This picture like the one from Natural Bridge was taken on the return trip from one of my teaching excursions. I actually drove. to. Dallas. Tx.  Do you know how many miles that is?? lol.  I'm insane.  Stopping in Mississippi just for a few, but at least I stopped to take a moment and enjoy the view.

14).  This isn't the best picture of us (myself and my friend, Jean) but the moment was spectacular....Jean is an amazing friend. On our way to Ct to teach at Art is You, she had made prior arrangements to get us tickets to a taping of "The Chew" which is my favorite daytime talk show..and I might have a crush on Michael Symon. :) She totally surprised me, can you believe that?   We had a ton of fun during the taping, I got to see...not hug or kiss unfortunately my crush..lol..I was in my glory!   We even got some parting gifts, that's another story altogether!

15)  After the taping of the show, we walked around Manhattan--what a spectacular place to be.  It's hard not to be inspired or stimulated by everything to see.  We didn't have a lot of time, so basically it was just a walking and eating tour as we had to head up to CT later in the day to get ready for several days of teaching.   See what I mean, Jean has really taught me or forced me to stop and enjoy life a bit, there's more to see and do beyond work even though I eat, sleep, and breath my life.  

16)  Once in Ct, I kicked off several day of teaching at Art Is You. This picture is from my class, Podtastic which I taught in person during a few events.   Such great memories from AIY, I've met so many people that I will never forget for many reasons.   This event is also one that gave me my first opportunity to teach on a larger scale, and for that, I'll always be grateful. I"m sad I won't be back in 2015 but hopefully down the road our paths will cross again.

17 &18)   It's October in these 2 shots and we are back in Ocracoke for our fall retreat of ReMe. I had to share this picture of Lynn, one of our guests as I think it says it all about how we all felt during the event...happy, smiling, having fun..and at peace.  Lynn took one of my very very very first classes I ever taught when I first started teaching workshops and has since taken many other classes from me and become one of my biggest patrons of my original art, she's also a dear friend. I have many individuals I can say the same about, I am very lucky to have made many friends in those that have taken classes from me.     We are all brought together for a reason I believe.

19) Okay so I had to share a little art....in November I received a copy of the book my work was featured in.  I've been very very lucky to have been published several times, but this particular publication is super special to me because I was recognized for having a top painting in the mixed media category for 2014.  And it's my pods, which I love doing. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the book, it's called, Incite 2 .   One other thing I want to mention is the fact that I didn't just get picked, I had to enter into a juried contest so while I may not be the best ever in mixed media--it's still cool to have that recognition.  Plus, it just goes to show you that things don't just fall in your lap, you have to go after them! :)

20, 21, and 22)    Again, not the most profound pictures but certainly meaningful...the top picture is a view of my living room..nothing fancy but it's my first house and I'm still making it more of our home little by little as I can afford to make changes. This month we took down the mammoth entertainment center and replaced it with a new tv and stand.  It totally opens up the room. I love looking at our tree which is now filled with tons of handmade ornaments I've acquired through swaps from artists plus of course my boys ornaments from when they were little.  

The fact my art has allowed me to even buy a new tv and tv stand as well as host a Christmas and party for friends...plus donate many things for charity and angel trees...is just amazing. lol.  I'm grateful to YOU for helping us achieve dreams as well.  Anything is possible if you believe and work towards your dreams!

Middle picture--Zach just moved out of his Dad's house and is now on his own...so many of his gifts were to help him out get started in his first place.  Here he is opening up a kinda sorta joke gift but one that he can use...tons of spices.  :))

Last but not least....I can honestly say this has been a great holiday season. I have to admit, I had gone through a little slump in the past couple of years,  not truly enjoying the holidays as much as I used to but this year we tried to do things that really gave us much more than just gifts, our time with friends and family gave us the gift of memories.

I know everyone loves to open up gifts. Totally get that.  But beyond holding that shiny thing in your hand,  isn't it nice to be able to hold good memories in your heart forever?

Let's do more of that in 2015.

Jodi

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Specials---until New Years Day save 25% off of my classes over at Icreateflix.com using code

New Year 15

Including: Grunge Ink,  Funky Little City Scapes, Mini City, and Twinks on Yupo

Pre-registration special for my upcoming class, Podtastic!

Save 15.00 off the retail price! Starts soon!

Is There A Right Answer?

It was recently asked of me by a business coach,  am I an Artist who Teaches, or a Teacher who is an Artist?  My first response was that I am an Artist who Teaches but then as the discussion dug down deeper about what I do and why I do what I do...the question surfaced again,  "So I ask you again, are you an Artist who Teaches or a Teacher who is an Artist? Because you do realize all we have talked about for the last hour is about your teaching!"   I never really thought about it in those terms before and I'm not sure that there is any one right answer, but I do know that I thoroughly enjoy teaching art to my students who after several years of doing this --are all scattered throughout the world.  Some, I'm lucky enough to have met in person but even those who I connect with online are are ones that I'm blessed to have in my life. I'm lucky all the way around, whichever way you look at it and whoever it is I am, or whoever it is that I've become. I enjoy both creating art, and teaching about it.

I love seeing my students smiles when they are having fun and in their element. Or hearing about a breakthrough when they create something they didn't think they could do when first walking through the door.   I enjoy  them quietly (or not so quietly!!! )  share stories and getting to know one another as the day(s) progress during a workshop and retreat.

I feel compelled to share my own stories so that the students feel that we are connected in ways that they hadn't ever realized so that they know that they can do this or that too!   It isn't that hard once you roll up your sleeves and dig in.  You took the first step by showing up, now allow your muse to appear on the canvas. She may not be pretty at first but as you work through that awkward stage, you will come out on the other side to something amazing!  There are always many breakthroughs, some easier than others to work past but they are all, they are ALL....worth it!

Admittedly, I don't know all the rules or even all the answers but I will share with you practices and techniques I've come to favor and employ in my own work-the why behind what I do, what I use, and how I do it is shared and broken down so that you feel empowered to create from whatever stage in the journey you are on. There is something for everyone to learn, every day, and every time.

I teach you how to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes because Lord knows I make enough myself but I don't give up. Even when I give up, I don't give up if that makes sense. I figure out how to move past a slip up and turn it into a "Holy cow, I can't believe this worked or look at what this turned into now!".  Some of my best discoveries have come from mistakes or some of my best paintings were ones that I renovated the second or third time around.

Honestly, it is hard to master anything in one day or a several hours but I strive to give you the tools that you need when you walk out  of the classroom (or finish an online workshop) to lay the foundation to mastery, and the knowledge to realize that mastery is hardly ever found because we ALL continue to grow and evolve the more and more we do something.     I hope I give you, the student,  confidence to know that you are more than capable of greatness.   That is a secret sauce that goes into what I do when I teach.

I hope that when I teach you, you see that even seemingly simply design has many layers of love and time put into it. That good things don't just happen immediately but they do happen with more work, more love, more details, and more time put into them.  I hope that when I ask you to find that place that makes you happy when you create, you dig deep and find somewhere you can build on as you compose your own mini masterpiece that makes you smile while you immerse yourself in the process.

Going back to the original question, am I an Artist who Teaches, or a Teacher is an Artist--I think the answer is clear. I am a Teacher who at the core of her being,  couldn't do what she does without being an artist first and foremost.  They are all connected. I hope I can connect with you if you are ready to be one of my students now or in the future. Either way, we are connected and not that different from one another, I've seen and heard it many times over.   I know this above all, I enjoy what I do immensely and I have passion for who I've become and can't wait to share it with anyone who is willing to participate, listen, and create with me-or on the flip side, collect and cherish the art I've brought into this world.

That's the mark I've made so far in this journey.   The calling, the purpose after the main purpose which is to be a mother to my boys.  It's all connected in many ways. :)  I hope you find a calling or purpose that fills your heart with passion.



(All the above pictures feature classes I'll be teaching at Create in Dallas Texas in about 2 weeks!!!)

Waterflowing Selfie,  Mini City,  Glazed and Not so Confused, Angelic Inspirations,  and Ornamental--can be purchased through the Create Texas Website. Stop by HERE to find more information. PLUS I will also be vending at the artist faire that Friday evening. 

Dates for the event are September 17th-21st , 2014.

There are many opportunities to learn and enjoy yourself in one of my many classes over the next few months both in person and online! I'm going to feature some of those events/classes over the next few days so stay tuned!!!    My newest online class is being released,  September 12th.  We are offering a pre-sale price on this workshop  "Grunge Ink" through the opening so don't miss out on the opportunity to explore contemporary abstracts on a unique surface!

Stop here for more details and to register :)  

Podcast: Online Video Teaching (An interview with me hosted by Cara from Icreateflix)

I don't do interviews often but when I do...I guess I have a lot to say!!   This is a jam packed podcast with my friend Cara over at Icreateflix.com.   Cara called me up to chat about art,  following your dreams and  how I got started teaching online art classes (PLUS lots of great tips for YOU if you decide to follow that same path).  

Here's more from Cara's intro on the episode:

*WARING THIS IS AN EXTRA LONG EPISODE OVER 1 1/2 HOURS PACKED FULL OF CONTENT ABOUT ONLINE VIDEO TEACHING ALL OUR EPISODES ARE USUALLY UNDER AN HOUR BUT THIS WAS TO JUICY TO CUT DOWN

Join Jodi Ohl and I today as we talk about the Hot Topic  “Online Video Teaching”.  Jodi has done over 16 online courses and I am the content developer for iCreateFlix.com, where I support many artists from around the country who offer their content online.

 In this extra special episode Jodi and I talk candidly about building your class, filming it and then the editing process. You will want to grab your pen and paper to take notes on this one!

Jodi is not only a full time mixed media artist but also a wonderful teacher who travels the country teaching art at live events and retreats. She has been and continues to be published in various major publications regularly. She became a full time artist two years ago and hasn’t looked back since as she is “Living The Creative Life” everyday.

VISIT www.iCreateFlix HERE:

http://icreateflix.com/index.php

To see classes Jodi offers on icreateflix.com visit:

http://icreateflix.com/view_profile.php?ID=3178#.U9fsdxZUHgI

* Please note the last 10 mins of programing we experience audio difficulties which is were we are talking about one of the retreats that Jodi is a founder in called REME to find out more about this retreat visit here:

http://remeretreats.blogspot.com

Here's our podcast:  (click the image to be taken to blog talk radio)

Check out my latest class,  Twinks on Yupo over on Icreateflix!  Sale price now through 8/4--save 15.00!

Art Is.....

More Exciting News!!

I'll be teaching at the East Coast Retreat of
"Art Is...Who...Who" in Danbury Ct next October!!  Just looking at the line up of instructors, I have to pinch myself to be amongst so much talent and so many favorite peeps!  This is going to be a retreat not to miss! Sallieanne and Ellen have loads of activities that will be going on before, during and after the workshops as well which makes it much more than a venue for classes, it will be a true EXPERIENCE!

Registration opens January 1st so I'll be back with more information on what I'll be teaching and when as soon as they post it for the public.

Happy New Year to all my friends and family.  May this year be full of great adventures, prosperity, health, love, and happiness!

xoxo With love and gratitude,

Jodi Ohl