Using my Mom's French Book in my Journal

One of my favorite things to do in my journals is to use book pages in foreign languages as a background for my watercolor paintings.  If you would like to see more about how I did the page below, see my post on the Sketchbook Challenge Blog.

Free EBook for YOU!

I got a very nice email from Tiffany who manages the Cloth Paper Scissors community.  She sent me this the link for a free eBook that features my art from my Travel Journals: Using Maps as a Starting Point article.  

There are also several great articles in this eBook about art journaling prompts, journaling tips and a review of writing tools.

Just click on the link and you can download the PDF file for your use!

Using Black as Color

The second article that I wrote for the 2014 summer issue of Pages is about starting out with black on your journal page.  We will be preparing some of our journal pages using this technique in my upcoming watercolor workshop, the Colors of Umbria, Keeping a Watercolor Journal,  in Orvieto, Italy.  There are just a few spots left if you want to join us!

New Article for Cloth, Paper, Scissors - Pages Magazine

I'm excited to tell you that I am just about finished with an article I wrote for the Summer 2014 Issue of Pages.  I am putting the finishing touches on some journal paintings that I had started.  This is so fun for me because it is like visiting old friends.   I am getting them ready to send off to Interweave Studios in Boston to be photo graphed so I want them to look their best!  This particular article that I have been working on is about my favorite water-soluble pen.  I will tell you about the other articles I have been working on in a following post.

Playing with Water-Soluble Pens

Those of you that have watched my DVD, know that I love to play with water-soluble pens.  I don't think that I can pass up a good looking pen.  I have so many that I really can't keep track of them.  I have been playing around with water-soluble pens for an article that will be in the 2014 summer issue of the PAGES magazine.  To organize my pens, I made examples of each one in my watercolor journal.  Do you have a pen you love?  What is your favorite pen to use in your journals?  How do you organize your pens?

Happy Colorful New Year - It's a Beautiful Day!

"Your success and happiness lies in you.  Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties."  Helen Keller

Today is my birthday and the beginning of a new year!  I feel blessed in many ways.  I am so happy that I made the decision 14 years ago to quit my secure job as a lab technician to stay at home and pursue art.  I was scared, lonely and I had no idea what I was doing but I just knew that I had to draw, paint, mix gooey colorful messes and create.   I have made so many wonderful new friends.  Artists are the best!

The Good, the Bad and the Beauty of Color DVD

My DVD, The Good, the Bad and the Beauty of Color watercolor workshop is available for pre-order.  If you missed this online workshop you will soon be able to own a copy of the DVD.

I am currently filming and editing and working on my 2014 watercolor workshop with Artful Gathering Online workshops.  I will be offering some step-by-step watercolor painting lessons.  Please stay tuned for more details!

Peaceful Wishes

I am sending you best wishes during the holiday season.  Thank you to all m y wonderful artistic friends, new and renewed.  I have enjoyed spending time, traveling and painting with you. 

As always - You inspire me!

2014 Workshop Calendar

New for 2014

Here is what I have been working on for 2014 Classes and Workshops....

Watercolor journaling demo and workshop at Daniel Smith Fine Art Supplies, Seattle and Bellevue, Washington - Dates and times TBA

ARTFUL GATHERING ONLINE ART RETREAT - This summer!  I will be teaching follow-along watercolor paintings.  My 2013 workshop - The Good, the Bad and the Beauty of Color is now available for pre-order.  

Art Unraveled:            Watercolor Art Journal - Tuesday July 29, 2014

                                    Kaleidoscope Hearts - Wednesday, July 30, 2014

                                    Inky Doodle Watercolors - Thursday July 31, 2014

The Colors of Umbria; Keeping a Watercolor Journal - Orvieto, Italy.  September 7 - 13, 2014

CREATE - Chicago & Seattle - Times and Dated TBA

Just in Time for the Holidays!

Watercolor Journal Page using Expansion Kit colors.

I am happy to announce that have designed a Daniel Smith Expansion Kit and it is now available for purchase.  It is the perfect complement to my Daniel Smith Jacqueline Newbold Travel Kit.  These additional six Daniel Smith colors are my favorite go-to colors and are always on my palette.  I suggest these when students ask for more color ideas to fill up their palettes.  Along with the addition of these beautiful colors, a larger and smaller brush, artist tape, water holder and a great vinyl art bag to hold it all, you now have everything you need to paint at home or while you travel!  It ships priority mail at no charge.  If you want to add additional art supplies to your order, be sure to tell them my TRP number (phone-in orders only) and you will get an additional 10% off of your order!  A gift for you :)
Here is my TRP NUMBER:  TRP00274