On Building Confidence and Shaking My Imposter Syndrome! I recently hopped on a plane to join my good friends for a girls' week at the Jersey shore and this time I packed my travel art kit. I found that packing up was the easy part, but I am proud to say that I actually did pull out my sketchbook in public- sketching in front of my friends and in front of strangers. By the end
Getting Expressive with Colorful Cow Watercolor! In this video, I paint a whimsical and colorful cow watercolor painting using just 4 colors. If you'd like to see the step-by-step, real-time tutorial that also includes a traceable drawing, check out my course site here. (This course is coming soon!) In the course version, I narrate the entire process and describe exactly why I chose to use the specific colors I used, and I provide the tips
Turn your Bullet Journal into a Bucket Journal! So, first off, if the term "bullet journal" is new to you, you may want to start here with this video by Ryder, the creator of the Bullet Journal method: How To Bullet Journal. But in short, a bullet journal is a simple, customized planner that is designed to help you get organized and be more productive. So now, onto the whole bullet to bucket journal transformation.
Wellness First Have you ever stubbed your toe? If you have, you’ll probably agree in the seconds following, when the pain was most intense, it was the only thing on your mind. It wouldn’t matter if just moments before you were consumed with a screaming child or preparing for a major presentation scheduled for later that day; in the moments following the impact, nothing but the pain and your thoughts willing it to subside will matter.
One of the wonderful things about the internet is the ease and speed at which we can research just about any topic. This can be an amazing gift, but sometimes it can feel more like a life sentence. The problem is, there’s a LOT of negative information out there, provided by well-meaning individuals. Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely grateful to everyone who takes the time and makes the effort to share information that is often swept under the
Finding Zen in Mandala-Making I’m not sure exactly why, but I have been fascinated with mandalas for quite some time now. Maybe it’s the symmetry and the beautiful balance between the simplicity and intricate detailing. After all, if you break it down into its basic parts it is nothing more than the simplest of shapes, repeated in a series of circular patterns. But as a whole it becomes something that is so much greater than the sum of
TOP 8 REASONS TO MAKE YOUR OWN SKETCH AND ART JOURNALS Because a "smash journal" can be made almost entirely from free, recycled materials. If you ruin a page, so what? That paper was destined for the landfill before you rescued it anyway! Because you can close it up, put it on a shelf and know it is safe and secure. No one will see your work unless you decide to show them- it can be your secret. Because you are sensory being. You can flip through the
Do you know someone who considers him or herself "creatively challenged"? Of course you do! I know this because almost everyone (all grown-ups at least) deals with self doubt at some point or other. In my experience, most people believe they "can't even draw a stick figure" and those that do have artistic talent often feel like posers, and fear that someone else will realize they aren't really all that good after all. Even confident professional artists experience creative blocks. A
Project Supplies Materials used for each project will vary, however there are a few standard materials I always keep in good supply. Paper Fill: My go to for this is my 9” x 12” drawing paper. I really like the texture and weight of this paper, and I purchase this in larger quantities from Blick. If you plan to make writing journals, where it’s important to have lined or dot grid paper, then you will
I am pleased to announce my newest course Create Artful Journals! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to make hand-stitched books and journals that are infused with art! I will show you how you can merge traditional 2-D art, like drawing and painting, as well as mixed media and encaustic art, with the art of the handmade book. This workshop is the perfect balance of fun-filled, expressive art projects and quietly meditative hand stitching techniques. And even better, your completed journals will not only provide a place