Collagraphy is a printmaking technique that involves creating a collaged plate from various materials and then using it to make prints. Here is the basic how-to: Gather materials: Start by collecting materials for your collagraph plate. You can use a variety of items such as cardboard, textured papers, fabric scraps, string, leaves, or any other materials that have interesting textures or patterns. Choose a base: Select a sturdy base material for your collagraph plate. A thick piece of cardboard or mat board works well. Make sure it is large enough to accommodate the size of print you want to create.... Read more →

Spring is in full bloom, and so are the flowers at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) here in Boston. The museum's annual Art in Bloom event returned at the end of April, inviting art enthusiasts and nature lovers alike to experience the lovely juxtaposition of art and floral displays. This is always one of my favorite events of the year. This year I went with my Mom and my three-year-old. In case you don't know what Art in Bloom is: It's a weekend festival that transforms the MFA's galleries into a stunning floral wonderland, with floral designers and garden... Read more →

I recently ran through the new exhibit, Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) here in Boston. I was with my three-year-old and he was mostly interested in the display of LEGOs. If you don't know Hokusai's name, you probably still know his artwork. Few works of art have achieved the same level of recognition and cultural significance as "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." This iconic woodblock print, part of his renowned series "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji," has captured the hearts and imaginations of viewers for centuries. It's also in the public domain, so you... Read more →

Saturday was World Collage Day and I taught a live online class all about how to create a collage from a printable kit. It was tons of fun. Here are a few of the things that students made during class: And here are a few things that people said about class: "Excellent! Great to find someone who knows what it means to teach art vs showing art. And, thanks for your comment clarifying what it means to work “intuitively” – it’s an easy thing to toss out that doesn’t mean a thing. Intuition isn’t magical – it’s cultivated. Love your... Read more →

Lately, I've been doing a lot of redacted art work. I start with a painting and then add something contrasting over it. This could look realistic or be totally abstract. As you probably know, my art journal of choice is a self-made "junque journal" -- created with leftover bits and bobs from my art studio. I prefer a junque journal because I hate starting with a blank page. This particular journal I'm working in happens to have a lot of white paper in it. So, I've been giving myself an underpainting to react to. You can watch the process in... Read more →

This post has been in my drafts folder since February! I miss the days of cranking out blog posts, but I also acknowledge that my priorities have shifted during life with a little one. With all of that said, enjoy.... I recently visited the ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) and was charmed by the large scale mixed media collges of María Berrío. I was with my three-year-old, so I only got to take a few pictures (you can see them below), but I went home and did some research. And I thought I'd share that research with you! First,... Read more →

My 2023 100 Day Project topic is 100 Days of Art Parts. I haven't been publicly posting every day. And I only count it as a day if I've posted my work online. So I'm a bit behind where I ought to be, but I've made my peace with it. After all, the point of The 100 Day Project is to challenge yourself, develop your expertise, explore a new area, etc. It's not "keep on track." Here's what I've been up to: If you're doing a 100 Day Project, I hope it's going well and you're enjoying it and learning... Read more →

I use deli paper a lot to make my art. It's strong, comes in big sheets, and is cheap. I often buy thousands of sheets of it at once. I like to go through my desk-side deli paper stash once a month and decide if the paper is ready to be used or if it needs more layers. To decide if a sheet is finished, I ask myself: "Would I cut it up and use it today or does it need more layers?" I look for bold graphics and intense colors with lots of coverage. If the paper doesn't have... Read more →

We are about 2/3 of the way through The Artist's Way journey! Hooray! Julia Cameron's book provides a roadmap for unlocking and exploring creative potential. Through 12 weeks of practices, the book challenges writers, musicians, designers, and other creatives to quiet their inner critic, take risks, and ultimately practice living a more creative life. Week 8: Recovering a Sense of Strength In Week 8, we’re talking about recovering a sense of strength and building resilience in the face of failure and loss. We’ll talk about the importance of taking small, but consistent action towards our creative goals. Week 9: Recovering... Read more →

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate World Collage Day on May 13th? Join me for a free class on May 13th from 4-5pm EST on Zoom! During the class, I'll be teaching you how to create a beautiful collage using a printable collage kit I made just for this class. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, I'll show you how to make a stunning piece of art using just the kit or by incorporating additional supplies. Best of all, it's completely free! Come join me and let's celebrate World Collage Day together.... Read more →