What Lies Beneath

January Theme
The Blank Page and How to Face It!
January 31
Art Challenge: Under Paper
Journal Prompt: What Lies Beneath?

Some of you may be asking, "What is under paper?" It's something I use a lot in my studio . . . it's the scrap paper you put UNDER your art as you work on it. It catches the splatters and over sprays, it's what you wipe your fingers and your paintbrush on. Sometimes the under paper is prettier than the piece you are working on {at least in my case, it is}! I keep all of it and reuse it in other work, or as wrapping paper, or mail art.

I dug through my stacks of paper, looking for a piece that would inspire me for this week's challenge and I came upon this:

I used this piece under a bunch of manilla tags I was spraying and painting. This is what was left over. It reminded me of windows. {lightbulb just went on.} I cut a piece and used gel medium to glue it down on my journal. This under paper was a piece of newsprint and it was very lightweight.

Once it was dry, I used a Stabilo pencil to sketch little figures in the windows. {my poor pencil is only a nub!} Next I used a waterbrush to lightly wet the pencil marks to darken and smear them a bit.

I also roughly outlined all of the "windows." I wanted to add some highlights to my figures, so I used my finger to wipe on white gesso. I prefer to use gesso instead of white acrylic, because it will have a degree of transparency when applied.

I liked where this was going, but I thought I really wanted these figures to stand out. I grabbed some fluorescent paints and blended them with my finger on the inside of the windows. I used my finger instead of a brush because I wanted it to be loose and smeared looking. {in a good way!}

I loved how the fluorescent colors made my little people JUMP off the page! They were still a bit disconnected, so I added some bright pink circles in random spots on the pages to "connect" the images on the page.

And now you've seen my "under paper!" Looking forward to your challenges this week. I have been amazed at the participation and the amazing artwork from all of you! Just a little side note also - don't worry about taking the challenges and prompts too literally - create your journal pages however you wish. There are no rules here! The prompts are suggestions and meant to be "jumping off points" in your creative process. Happy Documenting!

Products I used this week . . .

Ranger Dylusions Journal (large) 11 13/16" x 9"	Stabilo All Pencil - 8046 Black	Ranger Dina Wakley Media Gesso Tube, 2-Ounce, White
Crafters Workshop TCW6X6-377 Crafters Workshop Template 6X6-Circle Regiment	4 Oz Heavy Body Fluorescent Acrylic Color Paints Color: Chartreuse	Amsterdam Standard Series Acrylic Paint reflex rose 120 ml
Ranger Dina Wakley Media Gel Medium, 4-Ounce, Matte Finish

InLinkz.com

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman

Join us on The Art to the 5th™ Academy™ - a thriving "community" and classroom for "The Original" Documented Life Project™! Find us on Instagram: #documentedlife

You can learn how all of the Art to the 5th Artists have created their Journal Covers in our new class entitled, "Cover Story." You can find it HERE.

Info

42 Comments

A Cup Full of Art

Just a little Art Inspiration for your Monday morning. Gwyneth Leech is singing my song . . . coffee, art, being with people, documenting, inspiring! So pour yourself a nice cup of coffee and take a few minutes to enjoy!

Oh, and PS . . . my dream job is to create store windows and displays at Anthropologie!

Info

7 Comments

To Write Love On Her Heart

January Theme
The Blank Page and How to Face It!
Week 4: January 24
Art Challenge: Writing
Journal Prompt: Words With Friends

This week's art journal page was tough . . . and I don't mean it was a difficult challenge . . . I mean it was tough for me personally. And this is the nature of Art Journaling for some. For me, it is a place to work things out in my heart and in my head. A diary of sorts, a way to document feelings. And sometimes, those thoughts come tumbling out onto the page like verbal diarrhea. I had this idea that I was just going to write a letter to a friend all over my journal, then cover it up with paint, then draw something on top. But my heart had other plans. For some reason, a poem I wrote over 30 years ago came bubbling up and as I worked on my page, I knew that it had to find a place in this journal. So scratch all of my other ideas. And because it was a difficult thing for me to express and brought up so many uncomfortable things, the page was hard to create -- full of corrections and changes. But that's my process and as raw as this is, I decided to go with it. I'm not one to share very personal things, but somehow I thought this page may be meaningful to some of you.

I started with a collection of old papers, maps, vintage wrapping paper, and bits and pieces from previous art projects. I began to randomly adhere the papers with Gel Medium, leaving white space.

Once the papers were dry, I used a palette knife to spread Texture Paste all over the page. I decided I wanted a more opaque covering, so I squeezed out some Gesso on the page and spread that on top of the Texture Paste. Much better.

While the Texture Paste was still wet, I used a Ranger Ink Texture Tool and dragged it across the page in various areas to add some dimension and interest. You will see how the grooves come into play a little later.

As my page idea came together, I was thinking that I would like to create sort of a plastered wall, with ripped wallpaper. I wanted my writing to look as if someone was scratching markings on the wall. In order to achieve this look, I used a Chalk Paint to rub into the textured page. I used my finger to do this so it would not look uniform.

I started feeling like I had lost all of the color from my page, so I took some watercolor and splattered some red onto the page. Then I spattered black. Then I decided it looked like a CSI crime scene, ick. Since it was splattered with watercolor, it was easy to dab at it with a baby wipe and only remove the watercolor without disrupting the layers underneath.

At this point, I was feeling very uncomfortable - not happy with the way the page was coming together . . . and I realized I was messing around too much with the background because I was avoiding writing out that poem on the page. I decided to walk away and leave it alone for the evening. Sometimes you need to just take a step back.

The next morning, I approached the piece with fresh eyes and felt better about conquering the page. I sharpened my Stabilo Aquarellable Pencil and began to write, holding the pencil way back at the end so I could achieve a messy, scribbly sort of handwriting.

And there you have it. 35 years after writing this poem, it ended up here. So my "words with friends" ended up being a love letter from my young girl self to the woman I am now. An exercise in healing through art.

Here are the products I used this week:

Liquitex Professional Matte Fluid Medium, 8-Ounce	Golden Acrylic Gesso - 8 oz Jar	Ranger Texture Paste, 4-Ounce
Multicraft Imports - Plastic Palette Knife Set 5/Pkg	Plaid PROMO845 Folk Art Home Decor Chalk Set, 8-Ounce	Grumbacher Transparent Watercolor Paint, Set of 12 Pans
Stabilo All Pencil - 8046 Black	Ranger Dylusions Journal (large) 11 13/16" x 9"

InLinkz.com

You can learn how all of the Art to the 5th Artists have created their Journal Covers in our new class entitled, "Cover Story." You can find it HERE.

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman

Join us on The Art to the 5th™ Academy™ - a thriving "community" and classroom for "The Original" Documented Life Project™! Find us on Instagram: #documentedlife

Info

42 Comments

Art Lessons!

I'm so fortunate to have a few good fine art studios in my area and I try to take advantage of every course I can manage to make time for. This past week, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to learn from the amazing Dan Nelson. He is not only an artist, he is also an entertainer. He is an expert in all mediums form oils, to watercolors, to sketching, to calligraphy. He paints and teaches with such joy and enthusiasm and of course my favorite thing about him was the way he encouraged us to let the happy accidents happen {and you all know how I feel about those . . SERENDIPITY!}

Oh yeah - AND HE PAINTS WITH BOTH HANDS!!!

This class was at The Art Room in Windermere, Florida and we were given a canvas, and 4 tiny tubs of acrylic paint mixed with gel medium. As you can see, that's a version of the primary colors, plus white (except we weren't allowed to touch the white!)

We were given one minute, 2 large, flat cheap paintbrushes and then told to slap on the color, while sort of watching for the values! Holy Crap! That was contrary to anything I had ever learned. What? Lighter values first????? That is my under painting in the foreground! I laughed so hard while we were doing this - my less dominant left hand making ridiculous smears and crazy marks.

Next, we were permitted to use the white . . . FOR 30 SECONDS . . . to quickly add some light values wherever we saw them. Again, we were using LARGE flat bristle brushes (about 3 inches wide) and BOTH hands. The inspiration photograph is at the bottom left of my canvas.

That was it. Pencils down. The acrylic paints were whisked away and we were able to enjoy an amazing demonstration by Dan as he switched to smaller brushes and oil paints. And that's when the magic began to happen.

His painting began to come to life and I wondered if I could even make sense out of what I had started with. We switched to oil paints, (the same three colors) and smaller brushes - one for each hand. After a few minutes, my painting started to look like this . . .

Whoa! It was working! And I was using both hands! I was starting to fall in love with these beautiful colors! And oh my gosh, there was a little boat and a cabin emerging! It was an incredible class, and in the end I really, really loved my painting - a bit overworked, but much looser than I typically work. I wished then that I had a week to spend with Dan instead of only one day!

If you have a few minutes, take the time to watch Dan's video below. It is a promotional video, but shows a little taste of his beautiful work and insanely amazing technique.

Info

2 Comments

Guest Artist Announcement

We have been working behind the scenes with the biggest smiles on our faces. Imagine closing your eyes and thinking of your most favorite artists who have inspired you in many ways. Make a list. Now imagine emailing them and asking them to be a part of this amazing project.

And then...

Imagine them saying YES.

A gasp, a cheer and running to text the rest of the A5 artists with the words "He/She is IN!" The emoticons are flying.

Now we can share the list with you. Get ready to cheer.

In alphabetical order and with overwhelming gratitude-

Seriously, join us on Cloud Nine.

We can't wait!! Starting Saturday, January 24th!

Info

Comment

When Tim Holtz Sends You an Email . . .

Who here wouldn't be surprised to have an email from Tim Holtz in their inbox? You can imagine how shocked I was to receive an invitation from him, as Creative Director of Ranger Ink, asking if I would be interested in taking part in Ranger's Annual CHA Designer Challenge!!! But wait, there's more . . . he said "Dina Wakley had selected me personally . . . " Whoa! Was this some kind of joke? After pinching myself, then freaking out for a few minutes, I composed myself and answered, "Of course Tim, I would be honored!"

And so, I was sent a lovely box of Dina Wakley Media products and told to make whatever I wanted on a 9x12 canvas panel and it would be displayed in the Ranger Booth at the Craft and Hobby Association Show in Anaheim California! It was like Christmas--opening the box and then given the freedom to play and create with Ranger & Dina's amazing products! {No pressure at all-haha!}

I loved playing with the heavy body acrylics and using all of the texture elements that were sent to me: Dina Wakley White Gesso, Gel Medium, Texture Paste, Brushes, Textures Stamps & Swirls Stencil! I had a hard time editing my piece but in the end, settled for two sweet faces stitched side by side on tags, then adhered to the canvas!

It was fun to have my friends who were attending the show send me pictures of my artwork hanging! I especially love this one of Dyan Reaveley sent to my by Jill Orobello of Whim So Doodle in St. Petersburg! Surely Dyan has an "I love it!" face on, right???

I was doubly blessed to have Cynthia Shaffer, an amazing photographer (among many other things) take some gorgeous photos (below) and send them to me. I am so grateful to have professional photos of this special event and I am deeply touched by her kindness and generosity!

So, just remember . . . if you ever get an email from Tim Holtz . . . it could be some very good news! Thanks to Dina, Tim, and everyone at Ranger Ink for giving me this opportunity!

Info

10 Comments

Week 3 - The Original Documented Life Project™

January Theme
The Blank Page and How to Face It!
January 10
Art Challenge: The Color Wheel
Journal Prompt: "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way . . . " - Georgia O-Keefe

It's time to get a little color on those blank pages now! This year, I decided I was going to use this Art Journal to Document my growth as an artist. I want to push myself each week to try new things and get out of my usual comfort zone. I grabbed my Pan Pastels, which I am embarrassed to say I have barely used, and decided to go for it!

When I thought about this quote and how much I love color, I imagined how sad the world would be without it! This is how I started my page . . . just a few pencil marks as guidelines . . .

I decided to draw a garden, first with only shades of black, white and grey; then slowly move into color. I started by adding my darker values and some definition.

I tried to play with the juxtaposition of black and white versus color as I added more details to the page. I used random shapes to "suggest" flowers and greenery and trees. The Pan Pastels were so fun and a very forgiving medium. I applied them with Sofft Tools - wonderful for spreading these creamy pastels across the pages.

Once I was satisfied with the pastels, I added some details with Prismacolor pencils. This helped with sharper lines and contour.

I gave the entire page a good spray of workable fixative to keep those pastels in place. It is not a permanent solution, but it will help.

I finished the piece, then decide I wanted to add the quote to the page. My pen wasn't working too well on top of the pastels, so I printed the quote onto a piece of tissue paper, cut it out and adhered it to the page with matte medium. I would have liked for it to have been more transparent, but hey, it's an art journal, right? That's one thing to keep in mind as you work . . . these pieces will not be hanging in galleries and won't go before art critics for review. This is YOUR art, created by YOU, and FOR YOU! Live with it and LOVE it!

As I was spreading my matte medium on the quote, I discovered that it did not disturb the pastels underneath...SWEET! I decided to lightly coat the page with the medium and a very soft brush. No smearing whatsoever! ***Please try this on a scrap piece of paper before applying it in your own journals - not all products have the same results!

I love how my pages turned out this week!!! Hmmm . . . I see a recurrent theme of a path, we shall see where that takes me this year!

You can learn how all of the Art to the 5th Artists have created their Journal Covers in our new class entitled, "Cover Story." You can find it HERE.

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman

Join us on The Art to the 5th™ Academy™ - a thriving "community" and classroom for "The Original" Documented Life Project™! Find us on Instagram: #documentedlife

Info

58 Comments

Week 2 - The Documented Life Project

January Theme
The Blank Page and How to Face It!
January 10
Art Challenge: Gesso
Journal Prompt: "The Beginning is Always Today" - Mary Shelley

Welcome to Week 2! Are we having fun yet? I know I am! I am loving going through The Art to the 5th Academy and seeing all of the amazing journal pages in our gallery. This week, I will be using Gesso in my journal to create a page inspired by Mary Shelley's quote.

I was all set to do something completely different on my page until I came across this picture when I was searching through my drawer of ephemera.

It's from an ancient McCall's sewing pattern envelope and I couldn't stop laughing at it. This is what I feel I look like . . . "What up, Dawg?" Yeah, that's me, the dorky mom who thinks she is so cool! #gangstamom It became my inspiration for my page and a reminder not to take myself too seriously. YO!

I started with Golden Fluid Acrylics and used a brayer to randomly rub them onto the journal page. The Fluid Acrylics have a nice transparency. Once dry, I used a Donna Downey Stencil (poppy stems) to add some light to my background, then dabbed on contrasting colors and the white gesso.

Instead of using gesso on the bottom layer of my journal page, I used the gesso on the top layer. I watered it down and painted a pathway over my background. I love the way the colors just slightly show through the white gesso.

Mary Shelley's quote inspired me to start with today and walk through this year with attributes that I love. Each step, each day is a new beginning. I added my "cool mom" avatar with gel matte medium and embellished the page with a permanent black pen and a smudgy pencil. I love the path I've chosen to walk down this year!

I will be looking forward to seeing everyone's pages this week! Happy Documenting!

You can learn how all of the Art to the 5th Artists have created their Journal Covers in our new class entitled, "Cover Story." You can find it HERE.

Join us on The Art to the 5th™ Academy™ - a thriving "community" and classroom for "The Original" Documented Life Project™!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman

Info

57 Comments

It's A New Year!

Welcome to THE DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT 2015!

January Theme
The Blank Page and How to Face It!
January 1
Art Challenge: Book Paper
Journal Prompt: Be Your Own Goal Keeper

I wanted to greet you all this year with a little tutorial about how I created the first challenge in my art journal . . . Keeping it simple, I incorporated some basic techniques to help you jump start your year!

Supplies Used in This Challenge

Dylusions Art Journal
Moleskine Weekly Planner (if you decide to use last year's book)
Assorted Book Paper
White Gesso
Clear Gesso
Deli Paper
Baby Wipes
Assorted Paintbrushes
Plastic Scraper (hotel room key card)
Tim Holtz Kushgrip Tonic Scissors
Martha Stewart Acrylic Paints (Marmalade, Surf, Granny Smith)
Amsterdam Acrylic Paint (Burnt Umber)
Spray Fixative
Spray Varnish
Blackwing Pencil
Blackwing Pencil Sharpener and kneaded rubber eraser
Calendar Downloads by Paula Cheney
Stamp Set by Wendy Vecchi

You can learn how all of the Art to the 5th Artists have created their Journal Covers in our new class entitled, "Cover Story." You can find it HERE.

Join us on The Art to the 5th™ Academy™ - a thriving "community" and classroom for "The Original" Documented Life Project™!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman

Info

49 Comments

Let Loose

Week 53: Draw or collage something that begins with the first letter of your first name

I can't believe an entire year has flown by! So many challenges • so much inspiration • so many new friends! For our last challenge of the year, we get to do one of my favorite things . . . collage! I gathered up some under papers and collage materials that "spoke" to me and painted over my pages with a layer of gesso. I don't have any more calendar weeks left in my book so I decided to do a two-page spread on the lined paper in the back of my book and I didn't add a tip-in.

I spread gel medium over my gessoed pages and added some underpaper, smoothing with a plastic card.

Next I added layers of book paper, bits and pieces of torn and cut paper and some more gesso.

I found a piece of paper with the words "let loose" written on it and added that to the page.

To finish, I journalled randomly on the page to add my sentiments about letting loose and to add some contrast to the page.

I loved this year together! I hope you will be joining us for the Documented Life Project 2015 - The Journal! Happy New Year!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:

Facebook
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman and Barbara Moore on Instagram

Info

3 Comments

Tradition!

Week 52: Document Your Holiday Traditions

Well we are winding down the Holiday Countdown, the year 2014, and our Documented Life Project . . . only one more challenge left before the New Year. I am excited to start our new project, but a little melancholy that DLP 2014 is coming to an end. I have loved every minute of it! Oh well, enough mushy stuff . . . this time of year I am always a little sappy!

I did a little sketch on my "tip in" - a little holiday cottage. I painted it with watercolor and added some sparkly stickles and splattered some "snow."

I decided to document my family holiday traditions on the back of my flap so I made a little journaling card that I could write my special memories on at the end of the week.

I added my flap to my planner with this ridiculously cute tape from Crate & Barrel - now I have my sweet little cottage and my family traditions on the back!

Wishing you all the warmest of holiday wishes and blessings! Looking forward to seeing how you document your traditions!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:

Facebook
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman and Barbara Moore on Instagram

Info

5 Comments

Straight as an Arrow

Week 51: Arrows!!

For this week's challenge, a playful twist! A simple black tag, cut into an arrow shape, then doodled and attached to a painted background! Voila!

I can't wait to see all of your arrow pages this week!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:

Facebook
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman and Barbara Moore on Instagram

Info

4 Comments

De Plane! De Plane!

Week 50: Pack for a Fantasy Vacation . . . money is no object!

This week, I'm headed to Bora Bora (in my mind)! The top of my bucket list for travel is this exotic French Polynesian island where I will stay in a thatched-roof hut suspended over the water and I will lay on the beach all day and dance under the stars all night.

To create my page, I painted my watercolor paper with watered down acrylic paint. I love the depth of the color. I then added a few clouds and a touch of white to the water to make it shimmer.

In the style of Heather Murray, I printed some stock photos in black and white onto Moab Entrada photo paper. I then cut out the images and adhered them to the painted page with gel medium, smoothing out any bubbles and wrinkles. The beach was created with some printed tissue paper.

I added white acrylic to the light sections to really make the highlights pop, then used a transparent green fluid acrylic to brush over the green areas - such a striking contrast!

What am I packing for my fantasy trip? Not much . . .

1. A bikini - it IS a fantasy trip after all, and in my fantasy I am STILL wearing a bikini {wink}!!!

2. Some sun block

3. My Sketchbook

4. A Pen to Sketch with

5. Some cute little paper umbrellas for my drinks.

That's all I need . . . See you when I get back!

I can't wait to see where you all go on your vacations!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:

Facebook
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Visit our blogs: Sandi Keene, Roben-Marie Smith, Rae Missigman and Barbara Moore on Instagram

Info

3 Comments

Know When to Fold

Week 49 Challenge: Trace a Hand

You know me . . . never wanting to take myself too seriously . . . so for this week's challenge, I drew my version of a hand . . .

An almost Royal Flush . . . with a little "Joker" thrown in! Hope you have a marvelous week!

For more information on this week's challenge you can find us here:

Facebook
Flickr
Instagram: #documentedlife #documentedlifeproject

Looking for previous challenges? click HERE

Info

7 Comments

Playing With Natural Elements

I had the pleasure this week to design with new stamps created by Rae Missigman for PaperBag Studios. From the moment I opened the package, my mind was racing with ideas and ways that I could use this amazing set!

The stamps are big and bold and originate from hand-carved designs by Rae. I instantly thought of stamping on canvas! I had some large zippered pouches in my studio and set to work painting.

I used a large acrylic block with a handle and Staz-On black ink to transfer the designs. Next I used Golden Hi-Flow Acrylic Paints to brush some color onto the stamped images.

I loved using the feathers for leaves and the fall colors on the natural canvas. I decided to go brighter on the next few pouches, alternating using the stamps with both acrylic paint and ink.

I wanted to make some cute little zipper pulls for my pouches, so I grabbed some Shrinky Dinks and stamped the designs right onto the plastic. Next I used some acrylic paint pens to roughly color in the stamps. No need to be too careful as the designs shrink down and the colors get more intense! I punched a hole into each design then used the heat gun to shrink them down. These cute little plastic designs could be turned into earrings or charms for a necklace or bracelet also!

I also used the stamps to create designs in this canvas portfolio - I love the texture elements - perfect for backgrounds! I could have spent another week creating with these stamps - they are an essential set for any mixed media artist! Be sure to visit Rae's Blog, Roben-Marie Smith's Blog and PaperBag Studios website for more inspiration!

Info

4 Comments

Christmas Stories

Announcing a New Workshop in My Studio!

Preview from Lorraine Bell on Vimeo.

I'm so very pleased to announce my new Studio Space online and a brand new class just in time for the Holidays! Join me in my studio for "Christmas Stories." This class consists of over 8 hours of videos where I will teach you to make a treasured journal.

Although this book is designed as a “Christmas Book,” you will be able to use what you learn here to create any type of handmade journal either for a special occasion or for your own art!

In this unique class you will create a holiday keepsake to pass on to future generations. Tell your Christmas stories in this beautiful journal created from a vintage book or encyclopedia. You will learn to sketch and paint holiday figures using a combination of acrylic paint and spray inks. You will paint these figures in on pages that you have adorned with textured layers.

This enchanting journal is full of little surprises like pockets, envelopes, tags, textiles and even old book paper! There are over 50 handmade pages and you will learn the basics of bookbinding to hand-stitch them together. Finish your treasured journal with gilded edges and a decorative cover.

Preserve your holiday stories for years to come in this lovely old book, reminiscent of Christmases past!

You can go HERE to get more information and to sign up.

If you are interested in the workshop, or other free tutorials, you will need to become a registered member of The Studio. Membership is free. On the Studio site, just look in the upper right hand corner to sign up. Once you are registered, you will then be able to pay for and access the Christmas Stories workshop.

I'm so happy to have you join me - we are going to create beautiful art together!

Info

Comment

Good For the Soul!

I am beyond thrilled to share with you all that I will be a guest instructor (Sous Chef) for Soul Food 2015 at Community Thrive!

To get ready for the coming year, all of the Sous Chefs have conducted Artist Interviews so you can get to know them better. You can view the other interviews Here.

TODAY, I will be sharing a few things about myself in my Soul Food Interview! Not only will you get to know a little more about me, but you will also have a chance to win a FREE Soul Food 2015 workshop by leaving a comment below! I will be choosing a winner at random by Noon on December 1st and notify the winner. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you!

Lorraine Bell Artist Interview from Lorraine Bell on Vimeo.

Here are the Details:

Soul Food will run at Community Thrive, from Feb1 - April 30 2015

Here's what you can expect:

3 Main Artists, or "Head Chefs": Mystele Kirkeeng, Heather Santos and Jeanette House
17 Guest Artists or "Sous-Chefs"
2 mixed media video lessons per week for 3 months
Each artist’s favorite comfort food cooking recipe
Classroom access through Dec 31, 2015
Access to a private Soul Food community group on Facebook
10% discount available to Soul Food 2014 alumni
10% discount on Slimline Soul Food 2014 [featuring the head Chefs’ 17 lessons]
10% discount on a new class that they will be announcing on April 1, 2015!

Registration will open on January 1, 2015, and you will need to be a member at Community Thrive in order to purchase and participate in Soul Food.

Community Thrive is free to join and you can register here. When your registration is approved, you’ll find the Soul Food purchase link here [from January 1, 2015].

Follow this link to meet the Soul Food class of 2015 Faculty!

Info

17 Comments

The Secret is Out!

21 Secrets, that is!

For months, I have been dying to share the news and it is finally time! I am honored and delighted to have been asked to be a guest instructor for 21 Secrets (Spring 2015)! So glad the cat is finally out of the bag!

And what a lineup they have for Spring 2015! Yep, that's me up there with all of those amazing artists! I can still hardly believe it!

If you aren't familiar with 21 Secrets, it is a community full of art encouragement and sharing. Their mission is to "make art journaling accessible and engaging to creative hearts everywhere!" Connie Hozvicka, along with Hali Karla of Dirty Footprints Studio does this by inviting 21 artists to share their love of art journaling, their creative process, and their willingness to teach others. You will have 21 lessons by 21 unique artists; and right now you can sign up HERE at these special introductory prices: