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Sing for Hope Pianos

I am thrilled to be participating in a very special project and art installation in NYC: Sing for Hope Pianos. I am one of fifty artists selected to design and paint a full-size piano that will go on a special journey of its own. All fifty pianos will be presented for the first time together on June 3 outdoors on a public plaza at 28 Liberty Street in the financial district in Manhattan. The event is open to the public (you) and will run from 12-6pm (it will be postponed if it is raining). I hope that those in the area can join me to see AND play all the pianos.

Following the unveiling, each piano will be placed for approximately three weeks in a public space or park within one of the five boroughs of NYC. My piano will be located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Building 77, 141 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. It will be available for viewing and playing from the evening of June 5 to June 23 from 9am to 8pm. After that, each piano will be donated to a public school in NYC. 

You can see my piano and read my design inspiration online here and view all fifty here.

I always love being part of art events in New York and this is particularly special as it is community-based and will contribute to bringing music and art to the public schools of NYC. I had the pleasure to work on my paino at the same time as the other artists over the span of a number of months. Seeing their designs and watching them create was extra inspiring. A shout out goes to Liquitex who is the sponsor and provided all the materials, except for the many stencils from StencilGirl Products that I used. 

I rarely work so big and had limited time due to my extensive travel schedule. As such, the taks was a bit daunting but I decided to use the same techniques I often use for my usual, small-sized artwork. It was all about the layers. Take a look below to see the process. And hope to see you on June 3!

 

sanded...

primed...

1st paint layer - black...

2nd paint layer - green...

3rd paint layer - ochre...

4th paint layer - red...

close up of texture effects...

adding details...

glazed...

let the stenciling begin...

close up of details...

even more stenciling...

working on the bench & music holder and adding more details....

bench closeup...

the back...

detail of the back...

sign, sealed and delivered...

Embossing Video Tutorials

Every January I attend Creativation, the annual trade show for the craft industry sponsored by the Association for Creative Industries (AFCI). At the show earlier this year, I unveiled my newest collection of Baked Texture and Baked Velvet embossing powders with Emerald Creek. Although you have to be a member to attend, there are many videos taken of company booths, product releases and art demos - making the show a bit accessible to everybody. Christine from Scrap Time seems to cover the entire show very well. She takes so many videos that she is still sharing new ones on her site. And in the last few weeks, she has shared a few of me - which I am now sharing with you!

 

In this first video, I am making a mixed media piece using heat embossing both to create the background and with stamps to create focal points. I also offer some tips in this video on how to best use the translucent colors in the Baked Velvet Mediterranean and Sahara kits.

 

 

In the second video, the demo is all about using embossing powder with stencils. Since I am always all about the layers, this video focuses on layering EPs to create a more dimensional effect.

 

 

All my embossing powders are available in my online shop. And additional video tutorials can be found on my YouTube channel - with more coming soon,

Spring and Summer Workshops

make time to play....

 

This has already been a year filled with workshops and retreats for me...with many more to come.  So far, here are the numbers:

26 classes

11 states

18 flights

2 retreats

 

There is nothing like spending time with fellow creatives, making art, learning new techniques, and forgetting about real life. Continuing my whirlwind, worldwide tour in the spring and fall, my schedule over the next few months takes me further afield to 4 different countries. Hoping that you might be able to join me...

May 18-19: 52 Card Pickup and Get Baked at Amelia's Creative Crafts in Studley, UK. Excited about teaching at this venue for the very first time. Both classes are filled.                       

         

May 25-26: Get Baked and 50 Ways to Leave Your Layer at Handmade at Helen's in Dumfries, Scotland. Not only my first time teaching at this venue but my very first time in Scotland too. Registration is closed and both classes are filled. 

June 5-10: Bento Box - a 4-day retreat at Port Townsend School of Art in Port Townsend, Washington and co-sponsored by The Pacific NorthWest Art School. Two spots have just opened up for this full-on, live-in retreat on an island with a very special history in the mixed-media world.

June 22-23: 50 Ways to Leave Your Layer and Joker's Wild at Creative Inkling in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. I am excited to be teaching at this new venue in PA. Space is available in both classes.

July 17-21: Beyond thrilled to be returning to Australia as part of the Tinker Tailor Artist Maker Retreat. This time I will be stationed at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast Queensland. I mean with names like that, you know this will be special. I am teaching Bento Box, 50 Ways to Leave Your Layer, Get Baked and Joker's Wild. Sign up soon as only a few seats are open in each class. 

August 16-18: Embossing Alchemy, Joker's Wild and Too Cool for Spool at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, Virginia. Happy to be back here and to be debuting two new classes. Registration just opened so get 'em while they are hot.

August 23-25: 50 Ways to Leave Your Layer, 52 Card Pickup and Get Baked at Scrapbook Centrale in Montreal, Quebec Canada. Excited to be teaching here for the first time in a trip that is sure to be different from my last visit when I went dog sledding in the snowy forest. Mark your calendars as registration opens on May 25.

 

And looking ahead to fall...registration just now opened for a 2-day Bento Box workshop on September 27-28 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at Guadalupe's Fun Rubber Stamps.

April: Third Friday Online Open Studio

Welcome to my online studio. I want to invite you to join me (virtually) on the First Friday of every month (but the Third Friday of April) in 2019 when I highlight new artwork and recent favorites that are available for purchase. Have a look around, let me know if you have any questions, and click the link on the title of any artwork that you want to buy or simply learn more about.

 

TWENTIETH CENTURY (sold. thank you)

IMAGINE (sold. thank you)

March: First Friday Online Open Studio

Welcome to my online studio. I want to invite you to join me (virtually) on the First Friday of every month in 2019 when I highlight new artwork and recent favorites that are available for purchase. Have a look around, let me know if you have any questions, and click the link on the title of any artwork that you want to buy or simply learn more about.

OBSERVATIONS (sold. thank you)

JOURNEY (sold. thank you)

HISTORICAL (sold. thank you)

ORIGINAL  (sold. thank you)

Mixed Media Layers: online workshop

I am beyond excited to introduce you to my very first online workshop: Mixed Media Layers. After teaching in person for so many years, I have finally taken the plunge and can now bring my creative ideas to you. In your studio. In your home. In your pajamas. No matter where you live, what time you like to create, or how many times you want to watch - Mixed Media Layers is waiting for you.

This workshop consists of 6 video segments and takes you through the creation of one project using my signature, mixed media techniques. I share my secrets for creating dymanic, layered surfaces.

I demonstrate technqiues for creating texture, offer tips on developing dimensional backgrounds, share my methods for adding the smallest of details to bring the largest effects, reveal the way in which I chose and use a focal image, offer strategies to to add the perfect finishing touches and focus on my belief that you are always only one layer away from magic. I share my favorite tools - and how to use them. Along the way I also highlight ways to create without thinking so you control the inner critic and let your inner artist fly free.

In total you will instantly get 115 minutes of instruction along with VERY detailed PDFs listing the supplies used as well as documenting and illustrating every step along the way. My class is part of a group of courses on StencilGirl Studio - run by Mary Beth Shaw. But please know that stencils are just one small part of the supplies/techniques shown. As you watch and create - and anytime after - you can connect with me via email or message with your comments, questions, and thoughts. The cost of this workshop is $49.00 - pretty much the same price as a cappucino in New York City.

But there is more. Everybody who purchases this course within the month of February will be entered into a random drawing to win the original artwork created in the workshop.

Have a quick look at this intro video to get a taste of what is in store. And them head over to StencilGirl Studio, sign up for an account, and start making layers. 

February: First Friday Online Open Studio

Welcome to my online studio. I want to invite you to join me (virtually) on the First Friday of every month in 2019 when I highlight new artwork and recent favorites that are available for purchase. Have a look around, let me know if you have any questions, and click the link on the title of any artwork that you want to buy or simply learn more about.

 

MAGICAL THINKING (sold. thank you)

 

ENLIGHTENMENT (sold. thank you)

RECOLLECTION (sold. thank you)

DREAMT

DISCOVERY (sold. thank you)

New Release:PaperArtsy Stamp Minis

So very excited to share with you my newest product release from PaperArtsy. My collection with them includes paint, rubber stamps, and wood chip embellisments but this time I have focused on stamps only. And for the very first time, I have designed minis, credit card sized stamps that are perfect addition for your stamp stash.

Mini 33

Mini 34

Mini 35

Mini 36

Mini 37

Mini 38

Mini 39

Mini 40

My new release with PaperArtsy also includes 2 stamp sets and an upcoming blog post will highlight those.

Throwback Thursday: Magical Moments

I always find myself in a moment of reflection at this time of year. As we transition from 2018 to 2019, I feel fortunate to be as contented with this past year as I am excited abouty the upcoming one. Many changes have occurred for me in 2018, both personally and professionally. As is always the case, there have been experiences to remember...and those that I would rather forget. But as a whole, I continue to be energized, mesmerized, and captivated by this adventure we call life. I have many plans for 2019, some that I have already spoken about, some to be revealed soon and some that even I do not know about yet.

Art remains my anchor, my beacon, and a stabilizing force for me. I feel so very fortunate and am endlessly grateful to all of you out there who have become such an important part of my life. Thanks for your visits to all of my sites, your comments, and your emails. Thanks to those of you who have purchased my artwork and taken my classes. Thank you for using all my various products in your own artwork and projects. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for your endless support, inspiration, energy and generosity. I would not be the artist I am today without you all!

There is magic to be found in the lives we are living and I look forward to sharing many more magical moments with you all in 2019.

 

**Throwback Thursday borrows my favorite posts (sometimes edited) from my previous blog The Altered Page. Magical Moments was first published 1/1/14.

New Release: IO Stamps

If it is January, it means it is once again time for the craft industry to unveil their new products. And that means you will be seeing a series of blog posts from me in the coming weeks with my new offerings. 

Today I am excited to share my newest release from Impression Obsession: two brand new stamp sets. Hot off the presses, they are deeply etched, red rubber cling stamps made in the USA.

MISLABELED

With just the right amount of quirk, Mislabeled includes 6 label stamps, all with text surrounded by borders. I mean, there must have been times when you thought you needed a stamp that said Yellow Egg for your journal. Am I right??

 

WRITER'S BLOCK

Maybe the only time you might actually want Writer's Block, this set includes three square stamps filled edge to edge with grungy marks and words to inspire: vision, believe and story.

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This release is in addition to my recent, December release of three other sets: Links, Journal Jargon 6 and Hieroglyphics.

All the stamp sets are available for purchase and shipping now. Check them out - along with all my prior stamp releases - in my online shop.