Blog
One Layer Away: FB Live Online Class
ONE LAYER AWAY
Wednesday July 22 2:30pm EDT or Saturday July 25 8:00pm EDT
Registration opens Tuesday July 14 at Noon EDT
Join me for a one-session, two-hour online class all about the layers. I will guide you through the process of creating mixed media backgrounds with depth, dimension and detail. In this workshop we will be building up a surface, layer by layer, with supplies and techniques both traditional and innovative. This class is designed to help you embrace an approach to creativity that is all about freedom, working without a plan and letting the layers be your guide. We will discuss strategies to help you start a piece, make choices along the way, and know when you are done. Topics such as composition, color selection, and mark making will be touched on. All in a fun-filled, jam-packed, whirlwind 120 minutes during which you will always be only one layer away from magic.
The supply list can be found at the end of this description.
The Skinny:
- You need to have a Facebook account to participate as the class takes place in a private Facebook Group for paid attendees only.
- Consider the group your community, where you can ask questions, post pictures of your project and comment on the work of others.
- The group will remain open beyond the date of the class so that you can go back and watch the video whenever and as often as you like.
- Cost of the workshop is $25USD and registration is available at http://www.sethapter.com/categories. Payment is accepted via PayPal only. Your PayPal receipt is considered confirmation that you registered.
- There are no refunds and no switching class dates once registered.
- Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access a downloadable and printable PDF which includes the same info that you are reading now, including the supply list.
- To watch the video live, come to the private Facebook group at start time and you will see the video playing. After the Live, the recorded video will be pinned to the top and can always be found by clicking on the Announcement link.
Registration:
- Registration opens Tuesday July 14 at Noon EDT.
- Registration closes 48 hours before the scheduled class or when 250 slots have been filled – whichever comes first.
- Registration will reopen after the Live class ends so that the class will be available to new participants as a recording.
IMPORTANT
Once registered, you need to request an invitation to become a member of the Facebook group in which the class is held. Search Facebook for either One Layer Away July 22 or One Layer Away July 25 and request to join. In order for me to recognize you so that I can approve you for the group, you must include your FB name in the "Order Comments" section that you will see at the bottom of the checkout page as you continue through the registration process.
The Supply List:
This class was designed to focus primarily on basic supplies that most of you are likely to already have but if you are missing something, feel free to substitute. You will need to have the listed supplies ready at the start of the Live workshop if you want to follow along.
-At least 3 sheets of heavyweight watercolor paper (140lb/300g) in your choice of size. I will be demoing on an 8x8 inch square.
-Fluid acrylic paint in your favorite colors
-Ink pads (dye ink – such as Ranger Distress - and permanent – such as StazOn)
-Paint brushes (Please note that the layers I create are best achieved using inexpensive chip brushes in both ½ and 1inch sizes. Google “chip brushes” if this is unclear.)
-Palette knife
-Water container
-Craft mat or paint palette
-Glue stick
-Heat tool
-Unmounted background/mark making stamps
-Washi tape
-Mark Makers (I will be using Signo Uniball white gel pens, Marabu Art Crayons and Stabilo All pencils in assorted colors – but anything you have will work)
-I will be using textured wallpaper but you can substitute any embossed or textured paper or material.
Call for Creative Team Members
PUTTING OUT THE CALL...
THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU!
I am so very excited to announce that I am looking for a small group of people to join my first Creative Team, beginning September 1 and running for a 6-month period. I have been considering this for quite some time but have always hesitated as I am not looking to create a "design team" in the traditional sense. The goal of this team and the role of its members is still evolving but will revolve around creativity, community, mutual support, education, diversity, promotion, innovation, and - of course - art. If you are passionate about those words, read on...
As a Creative Team member, you will be asked to:
-Be an active part of a diverse, inclusive and supportive community.
-Create and promote one artwork/project/experience/event per month across your social media platforms.
-Work with the team on collaborative, creative projects and cross promotional events.
-Be involved with online postings for new product releases.
-Be active on social media and comfortable appearing in video content, both pre-recorded and live.
As a Creative Team member, you will be:
-Paid for your time, talent, effort and creativity.
-Provided with select new and prior releases of Seth Apter product.
-Included in a private Facebook group for team members only.
-Promoted on a dedicated team page on my website and across my social media channels.
-Provided with support, guidance and encouragement with respect to your own creative career and brand.
If after reading the brief, you are excited by the opportunity of being a member of this team, please apply by emailing the following information to shap97@gmail.com with Seth Apter Creative Team in the subject heading:
-Your name and current hometown/country (Internationals are welcome and encouraged to apply)
-Links to all your social media channels.
-Three (and only three) images, included in the email as attachments, of three projects/artworks that you feel best represent your creative style.
Deadline to apply is June 30, 2020. Decisions will be made by and announced within the first two weeks of August.
Please note that you will only hear back from me if you are selected or if I have addiitonal questions to discuss. In addition, depending on the number of applications, I may not have the time to respond to individual questions regarding this call. Rather, I will answer any questions you have if you are among the group that I choose to contact. Finally please know that there are likely to be many people looking to join the few spots available. Not making the team is no reflection on your talent, ability, worth, or skills.
Looking forward to receiving your emails and building the team!
Thank you, Seth
THIS CALL IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU!
The Left Brain Podcast
LISTEN UP
I am excited to be a guest, along with Kristin Williams - artist and owner of Ephemera Paducah in Kentucky - on The Left Brain Artist, a podcast series developed by Suzanne Redmond that focuses on the business side of art.
In this podcast, the three of us discuss the results of our survey of 1600+ artists and how they have been effected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We also share some potential strategies for creatives, instructors and small business owners based on the findings.
You can listen to the podcast and the many others she has on offer at iTunes, Spotify, Google Play Music, CastBox or Stitcher. Not familair with podcasts, just click here to go to Suzanne's site to easily listen. You can also head to the same post on Suzanne's site to simply read a list of 16 "takeaways" that summarize the conversation.
Aladine and StencilGirl Products: Online Event Day 2
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Welcome to Day 2 of an amazing online event combining the talents of ten people and the products of both Aladine and StencilGirl.
Today the work of five new artists are featured. Click here to find the links to yesterday's five and to join in yesterday's giveaway to win a selection of art products from my collections with both StencilGirl Products and Aladine. And make sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to see how you can join today's, all-new giveaway.
Here is just a preview of what you will find today. Click each artist's name to see more pictures and get more details on their artwork. Plus, head to this StencilGirl Product blog post to see even more.
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate this collaboration, StencilGirl and I are giving away $35 gift certificates to our online shops. To be eligible, just leave a comment on this blog post. And you have additional chances to win if you leave comments on the blogs of the five artists involved as well as this post on StencilGirl Talk. The giveaway closes end of day on Wednesday June 3 and the winner will be posted on both my blog and on StencilGirl Products Facebook page.
Online Event: Two Days, Ten Artists, Aladine and StencilGirl Products
I am so excited to welcome you to day one of a two-day online event combining the talents of ten people and the products of both Aladine and StencilGirl.
Ten creatives were provided with their choice of stencils from StencilGirl Products and Izink inks from my collection with Aladine. Today I am highlighting the amazing work of five unique and special artists. Follow the links below to their sites and show them the love with a comment, thumbs up or share - or all of the above. Tomorrow, head to the StencilGirl blog for the links to five additional artists and their creations. And when you get there, you will also find a special giveaway to celebrate as well.
And head to the bottom of this post to see how you can enter today's giveaway.
GIVEAWAY
To celebrate this collaboration, I am giving away a creative kit combining products from my collections with both StencilGirl Products and Aladine. To be eligible, just leave a comment on this blog post. And yes, Internationals are eligible. The giveaway closes end of day on Wednesday June 3 and the winner will be posted on both my blog and my Facebook page. If I have your email address, I will contact you directly as well.
Mini Book Madness: Registration Open
REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
(updated May 31)
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Wednesday May 27 1:30pm EDT: Sold Out
Saturday May 30 8:00pm EDT: Sold Out
Tuesday June 2 3:00pm EDT: Sold Out
UPDATE: All three classes have filled. Email me at shap97@gmail.com if you would like to be notified when registration reopens for the recorded sessions
Mini Book Madness: FB Live Online Class
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An online class being held via Facebook Live
Wednesday May 27 1:30pm EDT
Saturday May 30 8:00pm EDT
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Join me for a one-session, two-hour online class where we create a one-of-kind mini artist book. Measuring 2.5 x 2.5 inches when closed, we will build this book from scratch using basic materials and a no-sew binding. After learning the basic technique, you will be able to use it to easily create books of any size.
Once our books are bound and our covers are covered, we will move to the inside where I will demonstrate my approach to abstract collage. Given that the class is only two-hours, you will not have time to finish collaging all the pages in your book. But you will absolutely have time to complete the book structure, learn the collage techniques and start working on the pages.
This class was designed to focus on basic supplies that you are likely to already have in your studio. Please note that I only include specific brands or individual item names to help clarify the supply. There is a great deal of flexibility built in, so feel free to substitute as desired. Anything goes and I want your book to reflect the artist that you are!
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The Supply List (The list looks long only because I wanted to be detailed):
-Book covers: In advance of the class cut your choice of material for your covers into two 2.5 inch squares. You can use any sturdy material such as book board, chip board, the back of a pad or journal, a book cover from a hardback book, etc. Please note that I will only reference this size during the class and you will be on your own to determine sizing for other parts of this project should you chose to use a different size cover.
-Cardstock: Two or three sheets of standard cardstock (or 90lb watercolor paper). Please note you should choose a color(s) that you like as this paper will (potentially) not be fully covered in your final project.
-Adhesive: I will be using a glue stick for collage and PVA (traditional book binders glue) for the binding…but you can substitute any liquid adhesive (such as matte medium or other white glue) .
-Scissors and/or craft knife & craft mat.
-Ruler
-Pen or pencil: used to mark measurements so any fine point will do.
-Thin, lightweight paper that will be used to cover your covers. Make sure that you have a piece that measures about 8x8 inches or two pieces that are at least 6x6 each. You can use scrapbook paper, printer paper that you have decorated, book pages, vintage ledger paper, ephemera, etc. Please note that while we will add our own touches to this paper, you will be ahead of the game if you have paper already decorated to your liking to use for your cover.
-I will be using the following items to collage and decorate the pages (and optionally to add to the cover). Choose your favorite selection from all the following items:
-Stamps: Background and mark making stamps are good.
-Washi tape: Choose your favorite designs.
-Ink pads: Make sure you have some dye ink pads (such as Distress) but I will use both dye and permanent (such as StazOn or Archival).
-Mark Makers: Your favorite journal pens, pencils, paint pens, markers, crayons, etc. You really only need a few.
-Collage Paper: Anything goes. Scrapbook paper, painted paper, vintage book pages, ephemera, Gelli plate prints, paper scraps, etc. Remember that you don’t need much because we are working small.
-Collage Elements – I will use stickers and rub-ons but these are optional.
Please note: You will need to have the listed supplies ready at the start of the Live workshop if you want to follow along. If you have questions, I prefer you comment inside the FB group rather than messaging/emailing me directly. If you are wondering about something, no doubt others will be too. I promise I will answer.
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The Skinny:
- The class will be taking place in a private Facebook Group that only includes paid attendees.
- You need to have a Facebook account to be able to participate.
- Registration opens Sunday May 17 at noon EDT.
- Registration closes 48 hours before the scheduled class.
- Registration will reopen after the Live class ends so that the class will be available to anybody who would like to watch the recording.
- Whether you watch it Live or not, the group will remain open so that you can go back and watch the video as often as you like.
- There will be no refunds.
For Registration: Registration is taking place through my online shop on my website. You will need an account to complete the process and will have the opportunity to set this up at a few points along the process.
- Go to sethapter.com and click on the link to ‘Shop’ directly under the banner on the home page.
- Click on the ‘Mini Book Madness’ category.
- Choose your preferred class date and select ‘Add to Cart’.
- When ready, click on ‘Checkout’.
- In the ‘Order Comments’ section, please add your Facebook name so you can be invited to the private Facebook Group.
- Click ‘continue’ and you will automatically be taken to PayPal to complete your order.
- Once you complete your purchase, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your PDF (which is stored in the Files section of your account page). You will need to click on the appropriate link in the email and you will be directed to the PDF if you already have an account on my site or directed to set up an account if you are new to my site.
- You can choose to download (and print if you like) the PDF which includes all of the information you are reading now.
For Payment: Attendance at the workshop costs $20USD. Payment is accepted through my shop (as outlined above) via PayPal only. Your PayPal receipt is considered confirmation that you registered.
For Facebook Group Membership: After you register, I will send you an invitation to the Facebook Group associated with your class time only. The Facebook groups will open Wednesday May 20 and invitations to join the group will be sent out at that time. Please allow a few days to pass before you are concerned if you haven’t gotten your invite. Once you are in the group, feel free to chat with me and the other participants. During and after the class you are welcome to ask questions and share pictures of your work.
Hope you are as excited for this adventure as I am!
COVID-19 and the Art Community: Survey Results + Video
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Our community has been greatly impacted by the pandemic. Kristin Reese Williams and I decided to create a survey to take the pulse of the community to help uncover the impact of COVID-19 on our creative lives and provide information to direct efforts going forward in terms of in-person and online classes, art commerce, and community connection. The survey was live between May 4 and May 6, 2020 and included 19 questions, all but one of which needed to be answered to complete the survey. The optional question asked for additional comments. It was 100% anonymous and International in scope. More than 1,600 people responded.
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In the following video, Kristin and I discuss the results from each question and summarize the findings.
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A summary of the results for download and review is available here.
Welcome Back
Welcome Back! For two years, from 2016 to 2018, I was a designer with Spellbinders and released four collections of dies, stamps, and other paper art supplies.
I have held onto a limited number of my favorite designs and am "re-releasing" them now.
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Many of these items are no longer available, although some independent craft shops may have a few still floating around. Have a look see here.
