If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. Today I'm sharing pages from the end of March and the beginning of... Read more →

I read a really interesting article last night called, "Ethical Dilemmas of Providing Free Content." It's all about whether or not crafters and artists should provide free patterns, free downloads, free instructions, etc. The ethical dilemma is based around whether doing all that work for free actually gains you paying customers (so you can pay your rent, your health care, buy food, etc.) or not. Obviously, I'm a fan of free. I give you this blog 5-days-a-week for free. But, the article did get me thinking (click through and read it). My thoughts: Providing free content is (as the graphic... Read more →

I put together a quick video about my "5 Dots" set of Art Foamies foam stamps. It's packed with ideas on how to use these stamps together and separately! Here are some of the samples from the video: Layering stamps: Using the stamps as monoprinting plates: Layering the stamps with stencils: Using the back and front of the stamp: "One" stamp with two very different looks: And here are all the stamped papers: I love Art Foamies for their big size, ease of use, and ability to print with acrylic paint. Hope you learned a trick or two! Thanks for... Read more →

Hello, friends! Here's a little bit about life right now: What are you listening to? My current favorite podcast is "Stuff You Should Know." I just listened to an hour on patents. It should have been boring, but I was fascinated. Hosts Chuck and Josh dive deep on stuff that we all sort of know about but really ought to have a stronger working knowledge about. What are you wearing? Black on black on black. It's my favorite color to wear. It mixes and matches and allows you to wear obnoxious earrings. ;) What have you bought? Can we talk... Read more →

I shared the progress of this epic dresser redo a few weeks ago. At long last, it is done! After painting it, I waxed it: And I added new knobs: And it all came together! I love the painted drawer sides. I know that only I will see them, but they make me happy! All in all, I must confess, I think this dresser turned out even better than I imagined or hoped! Just in case you were wondering, I snapped these photos in my new house -- which is totally empty and clutter free. So, it makes for a... Read more →

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek. Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. Today I'm sharing pages from a new art journal! I make all of... Read more →

Today I'm trying out Blickrylics for the first time. They're Blick's Economy Acrylic Paints. Watch the video to see my discoveries: And here are some of the experiments from the video: Links for you: Color Mixing Class Gelli Printing Class Solemn Branch Stencil Love Sonnet Stencil Bauhaus Stencil Gelli Plate Brayer Deli Paper Have you tried out the Blickrylics before? What did you think? Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Have you heard of inktober? It’s a month-long challenge that was started by illustrator and cartoonist Jake Parker. In essentials, you are encouraged to create an ink drawing each day in October. Here's a video about it that he put together: Each year he releases a series of prompts, which you are welcome to adhere to or not. This is the list of prompts for this year: I’ve participated in the #inktober challenge twice before – both times focusing on lettering and not adhering to any prompts. See a blog post about it from 2014, and from 2015. I even... Read more →

As promised, here are the photos from the final class I taught at Whimsodoodle in Florida, Gelatin Printing: Beyond Basics: Lots of fun, right? Here are my personal takeaways: Every time I teach there are a few basics that I always go over no matter the class. These basics aren't sexy. In fact, I've tried offering classes in these areas and people don't sign up. BUT, these basics truly are huge keys to your being successful at creating the kind of work you want to. I think if you're looking for a good foundation for lots of kinds of art... Read more →

Hellooooo! Today I'm sharing photos from two classes I taught at Whimsodoodle in Florida. First up, Hand Lettered: And then Reduction Painting: I had a great time in these classes and tomorrow I'll be sharing photos from the third class I taught, Gelatin Printing: Beyond Basics, along with sharing some thoughts on learning, arting, and what I took away from a weekend of art classes! Thanks for stopping by! --- P.S. You can always find my upcoming in-person classes HERE. Read more →