If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, all the posts can be found here. Please read this post first. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. Just play! I will have the sign-up for May posted on May 1! Newcomers are always welcome! On Saturday I went bowling. It was my first time bowling with big balls. Previously I had only been candle pin bowling. My brother was very nice and gave me some instruction along... Read more →

Allowing artwork time to marinate has its benefits. I usually create on a deadline. Class sample is due. Design Team work is due. Booth projects are due. Video is due. But lately I've been trying to walk away from commitments and spend some more time doing art just for me. Just for the love of the game, you know? I painted this piece a few months ago: Pretty. But it doesn't have a story. It doesn't have any heart. I thought about putting some text on it. That's my go-to method for giving artwork some special meaning. But I'm trying... Read more →

I wanted to share some of the beautiful mixed media stitch artwork that's my It's Sew Easy students have been making! It's a great group of talented ladies. Some who have just bought their very first sewing machines. Some who have been sewing for years. Some who feel really comfortable with all the paint and doodling. And some who are brand new to a mixed media way of thinking! I love the mixture! Our first project was a stitched banner using hand painted papers. This is my example: And here is a garland from Jeanette: And one from Emy: Lynn... Read more →

We celebrated Passover by having a whole bunch of our friends over for a big Passover seder! (By the way, looking at this picture I had to laugh. I can see some boxes that *still* haven't been unpacked from our move almost two years ago!) I got a little crafty with the place settings: Patterned Paper placemat, napkin ring made from patterned paper, paper flower, and a fabric leaf... ...and of course adorable quilted placecards! And of course, I love the beautiful banners hanging from the ceiling, along with some "Plague Finger Puppets" dangling in the middle! But I have... Read more →

Sometimes I forget that inspiration is as close an my own backyard. Well, if Central Park were my backyard, which, in a way, it is. In any case, the weather is finally warming up here in New York City and that makes the park oh so inviting to explore. My iPhone and I ran into some beautiful patterns on a stroll through the park! So what does one do with such inspiration? Well, some of it gets stored away for later. I believe in the power of the subconscious. And some of it gets used right away! Here's a quick... Read more →

Hey Peeps! Happy Easter! Join me tomorrow (Monday) at 8pm EST for a free live class featuring these lovely treat bags: We'll be making the bags from beautiful patterned paper and flocked transparencies. Here's the official class description: Party favor bags are such a versatile creation! Use them to send gifts home with your guests, use them as table decorations, or use them to store candy and yummy treats! Learn the simple formula for creating gorgeous party favor bags from patterned paper and flocked transparencies! We’ll create three unique bags in just about an hour! If you've never been to... Read more →

Can you believe that we're more than half way through April? This month has been flying by. And I'm currently hunting for some eager volunteers. If you're an active Art Journal Every Day participant and you're willing to answer a few questions and share a photo or two, drop me an e-mail. Let me know what number you are on the April sign-ups when you e-mail me! If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, all the posts can be found here. Please read this post first. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten... Read more →

I had a ton of fun at my Mixed Media Painting class at The Ink Pad on Saturday. Great students! Terrible weather. And tons and tons of awesome fun! I finally figured out a way to teach face painting so that people leave class thrilled with the faces they create! Yay! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

NAMTA is the International Art Materials Trade Association. It's where retailers go to buy art supplies to stock their stores. Essentially, it's CHA, but for the fine arts world. And it was very interesting working at a booth called "The Crafter's Workshop" at a show for fine arts. Let's just say that more than one person looked at me scornfully and said, "We do fine arts." I had to giggle a little about it. From a purely business perspective I think you're turning away retail dollars if you refuse to even consider new supplies for your store. If I were... Read more →

A blog I really enjoy reading is Ro Bruhn's "My Life in Color." She often gets together with friends to paint fabric. Well I thought it looked like lots of fun, so I decided to get together with my Journal Quilt students at The City Quilter and have a big collaborative painting party! We spread trash bags across the classroom tables and then added big canvas panels. It was a painty good time: At the end of class we cut the panels up and everyone got some canvas to take home and create with! Isn't that fun? I can't wait... Read more →