Monoprinting + You = beauty!

Starting Monday we will get immersed in a spontaneous, colorful, meandering practice of Monoprinting. Your scribbles will be surprising and painterly strokes will delight you. Every aspect of 2D art seems to benefit from this fast paced process. I am so excited to get the ball rolling here on Monday! Hop on over to the classroom site through here - to read more!

What we will cover:

Painterly processes and personal mark making

Developing YOUR own style

Drawing into our work

How to make a permanent gelli plate (cheaply!)

faux intaglio

color mixing

ghost printing

texture use

bringing our prints to mixed media

printing in layers

adding other media to the prints

inspiration from other artists

using recycled materials in the process

breaking the mold - shaped plate printing

printing on fabric

weekly videos

printing with paints or inks - how to choose

material links and choices

daily instruction

tips and tricks for the best results 

AND

three extra months to review all the material!

JOIN THE ADVENTURE...

Dive into ART in 2016

I have five new exciting Art Classes to share with you all in 2016! Right now - until Valentine's Day I am offering a sweetheart deal. Read more below and share with your friends!

$99 for any one of my 5 new classes + 3 extra months access to use the materials!!!!

This year I am excited to offer five of my most beloved studio classes online! These classes are available to use 24/7 so you don't have to be in any particular timezone as the classroom is always open!
To begin the year and get everyone loosened up for MAKING great art in 2016 we are presenting three classes in printmaking that everyone at any level can enjoy and open up new skills for making great art with exciting new ways!  There's even a class for YOU and a CHILD to make art together, based on  my best selling books Art Lab for Kids.

Every class has weekly videos PLUS daily lessons to work on for a total of four months!!!

All the details are right here!

Ten Reasons to try Monoprinting

Birds in the Bush A monoprint enriched with pastel

 So what is monoprinting anyway and why am I so excited to offer a month long - 30 instructional days of it this year? Let me count the ways for you! Monoprinting Class begins February 1st! Join us for a low-tech - low materials process oriented great fun class!

Come spring multi layered print with transparent layers. Click to enlarge

1.  Monoprinting is a lot like painting because you end up with ONE image at the end.
2. Unlike painting it goes at a quicker pace.
3. It encourages you to be spontaneous 
4. It helps you work through many ideas in one session.
5. It can allow for mistakes to be triumphs.

Surface  a gelatin monoprint

6. It is a playful process

7. Each print is a useful material for other work.

8. Each print can stand on it's own as art.

9. It's a great way to get drawing back into your life.

10. It will surprise you each time you pull a print!

There are thousands more - but I'll let you find out for yourself ! Have a beautiful weekend!

New Online Printmaking Classes!

I am excited to announce my new online classes for 2016! First up is the new Playful Printmaking series starting next month. There are three separate classes focusing for 4 weeks on a specific method of printmaking Each of these classes have daily instruction through photo illustrative steps. There are weekly videos to guide you through the processes and inspiration and interviews from other artists working with printmaking processes.  There is special pricing available as well for the classes too!
These classes are 30 full days of instruction with an extra 30 days to soak up all the info too.
Wondering what can printmaking do for you?  I've made a list below to illustrate!

Birds in the Bush a monotype with mixed media 

• Opens the door for experimentation
• Allows you to repeat a visual thought easily
• Allows you to use photographs in a new way in your artwork
• Gives you the ability to transfer your designs to fabric
• Expands your understanding of color
• Loosens up your art practice
• Defines your designs
• Gives you a starting point for ideas
• Adds a new layer of texture to your mixed media paintings
• Allows you the freedom to "try again" easily
• Builds confidence
• AND MUCH MORE!
 

Click to learn more about each class right here!

Hello Sweet '16

Watercolor florals example

Greetings from the FIRST Monday of the year! I love a new beginning - a chance to start new projects and set new goals.Choosing a word that can gently sit beside you all year long is another pretty great thing as well.  I don't usually share my word but this year is different. I want to share the word that will guide me to this time next year.

E X P L O R E

Websters defines it:

• to look at (something) in a careful way to learn more about it : to study or analyze (something)
• to talk or think about (something) in a thoughtful and detailed way
• to learn about (something) by trying it

My deepest intentions this year are rooted in exploration. There you have it!

Watercolor abstracted floral

Also, I see the new year is full of good things just waiting to unfold. For me it's all about spending more time with my art, my routine and ideas and my students.  We have a great selection of workshops and classes at artstream - and right now we are setting up our online classroom for the new workshops and classes 24/7 for YOU! Where ever you live, what ever your schedule these classes are available to you to access. Registration opens on Saturday January 9th.

There are three BRAND NEW sets of classes!
Introducing :
Printmaking without a press (three segments to choose from or take all!) Block printing/Monotype/Silkscreen
Watercolor I : Florals and Abstract - get loose and love the medium that goes anywhere with you!
Art Together: Adults and kids making time for art - based on  my best selling books Art Lab for Kids

I am thrilled to be  unveiling a special deal with these classes as well. For the month of January everyone who signs up for one or more of the new classes will receive unlimited use of Let's Paint - a great primer for anyone exploring color and art both novice and seasoned artist!  This offer will be good for all who register by midnight EST January 30th.  Stay tuned for registration!!

Art Camp on Poppytalk!

  A huge thanks to Jan Halverson for reviewing my book Art Camp on her beautiful blog Popptalk! 
We featured the nature mobile and a few other projects from the 52 offered in Art Camp. So hop on over to check it out and make some memories with a little family DIY time! Art Camp is available where books are sold and at my site (for a signed copy) or Amazon! Here's that beautiful mobile!

A little SALE!

my yearly sale at my etsy shop! more work going into the shop daily!

Hello friends! This week I am grateful for all of the support from friends and family both here and abroad. It truly has been a wonderful year for us at artstream and personally for us.  There have been many challenges but what would life be without them?

Each year I hold a little sale at MY Etsy and this year it starts TODAY! Everything is on sale - including books, classes, and art! Give the gift of handmade this year. There is more going into the shop as I have time so give it a peek and stop back often.  This is a studio clean up year - so take advantage!

Have a beautiful week!