Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Penelope - an on demand acrylic painting workshop


I haven't offered an acrylic face painting lesson in a while and I wanted to begin exploring layers and primitive looseness in the face again. I decided to offer this workshop as an on demand lesson, meaning the content is ready to go as soon as you sign up. 
There is also two videos, one all about lips....one all about the nose as well as a downloadable PDF with a step outs visual.


details:
  • open access meaning you receive immediate access to all content in this workshop as soon as you sign up.
  • 3 videos (Penelope start to finish broken into 4 part videos, 1 lip video, 1 nose video)
  • lip and nose focus videos (includes step-by-step downloadable PDF)
  • start to finish Penelope painting on 8x8 board
  • $25
  • lifetime access

You can also watch a teaser video below:



Happy Creating!!


Monday, October 23, 2017

Photos from my family trip

Last month, I joined my aunt Joan, my dad, and my Granny on a "going back home" adventure to Doniphan, MO. I first decided to take my camera and tripod just to get a family photo....but then decided to document the whole trip.

love this pic of my Granny and my Dad. 
it was a gorgeous day, but still hot....!


The church my dad, aunt, and folks attended when they were wee kids.
my Granny's Dad's house

My Great-grandfather's homestead (barn)



Granny wanted me to "get a picture" of this old clock. in downtown Doniphan, MO

majestic tree in the cemetery 

visiting a cemetery with family here.

An old store my dad often visited

an old "swimming hole" my dad when to.

The house my Granny and Grandfather first lived in.



Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Sale on Self work classes!

Happy Wednesday! I am having a sale on all Self work classes now through Monday, October 23rd. Just enter code: SELFWORK20 to save 20%

You can also visit my etsy shop where the sale is already discounted. No need for a code. (just know that it will take up to 24 hours for me to send you an invite to the classroom. using the direct link above gives you immediate access!)

This sale does NOT apply to the retiring classes already deeply discounted:  Paint Your Story, Frolic, and Neat Stuff.

Gouache class (also a part of Watercolor play and discover)

Let the Paint Speak

Permission to Play



Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Goodie Gumdrops open for Registration!




Lately I have been obsessed with painting gingerbread boys and gum drops. I love the sugar coating and the idea that Christmas is coming soon. Why don't we get prepared this year and enjoy the process of journaling throughout the time leading up to the Big Day! Let's cherish our creative time and slow down a bit. I believe that staying creative through the busy holiday season is important. If we don't give ourselves a few minutes of creative time, the stress of all the hubbub can soon start to deplete us. Let's keep that creative muscle fine tuned and play and paint and enjoy this Christmas season!
details:
  • class stars Monday, November 13th
  • 2 guest artists James L. Burke and Ali Brown !! 
  • early registration $55 through October 31st
  • regular registration $65 begins November 1st
class agenda:
  • we will be working in a butterfly journal Jane Davenport (or you can also use a midori travel journal)
  • cover will be created using watercolor and acrylic paint
  • we will be creating pages inside using mainly watercolors, watercolor pencils, graphite, and neocolor ii's
  • 1st project will be to create our cover before the holidays get started
  • and then lessons will post Mon and Wed with shorter journal pages to keep you inspired throughout the holidays.
  • Cover lesson, 6 lessons from me, 1 lesson from James, 1 lesson from Ali ----->> 9 lessons total!
  • pattern work, nutcracker, christmas list, favorite christmas carol.....think holiday sweets gingerbread, cookies, cakes, and of course gum drops.
  • James Burke and Ali Brown will be creating a special lesson for us. I am so EXCITED that they are on board!



 GUEST ARTISTS: 


use what you have on hand. these are the supplies you'll see me use, but not everything is a must. The journal, a few paints, and some watercolors is all that is needed. don't feel like you have to get everything on the list.

Jane davenport - butterfly journal (the blank one) 
--->>and here is the direct link to Jane's shop for our students on the other side of the world
bulldog clips to secure your pages while working.
chic sparrow insert size narrow (8.25 x 4.5") - blank ---->> use code MINDY10 to save 10% in her shop 
3x6 manilla tags or small cut pieces of watercolor paper
fibers - think candy, christmas, gingerbread themed colors (this is for your tag topper) how cute will these be spilling of the top of your journal?!
** Clay or paper clay - to make our own clips. this is optional of course. you could also cut and make a cute clip out of heavy card stock. a couple paper clips to glue to the back
white gesso
Happy Birthday watercolor set - I am working with Rachel Beth on this class and if they are not in stock right now, they will be soon. Also, please contact her with any requests or questions. Her watercolors are amazing!! so creamy and the colors are more subtle (and to me that makes them easier to work with)
Prima basic watercolor set or any set you have on hand
Prima watercolor brushes - ROUNDS size 6, size 2, size 0, size 12
**Da Vinci brush - size 1(this is one of my favorite brushes but it's totally optional)
teeny brush for detail work - princeton liner 10/0
Tim Holtz paint flips: barn door, rusty hinge, marmalade, squeezed lemonade, mowed lawn, tumbled glass, broken china, dusty concord, milled lavender, picket fence, ground espresso - these are the colors I used for this project but feel free to use any colors you like. I love these paints for the cover of the canvas journal because these move effortlessly while painting the cover.
ceramcoat glitter ice - also found in michael's
stickles - used for gumdrops sugar coating :-)
a few colored pencils - red, yellow, green, purple
a few neocolor ii's - in purple, turquoise, yellow, green, etc (or a small set of 12 will be fine)
blick matte acrylic: green blue light
Americana - neon peach punch

FAQ: 
How long will I have access to the course? Lifetime access. Videos are downloadable
Do I need all the supplies on the supply list? No, I am all about using what you have on hand. Any watercolor palette will be fine. I love the Prima palettes and we will be using the Happy Birthday palette from Designs by Rachel Beth but you don't have to have those exact ones.
Will there be a Facebook group? It depends on how many folks sign up. If I get over 50 people to sign up, then I'll definitely host a FB group with the help of my two Admins, Amy and Nolwenn. 
Can I share this content and my link to my friends and family? Please don't. We ask that 1 signin for your household only. thank you! now onward to Gumdrops land!!



Friday, October 6, 2017

Ross's goose and Miss Cleopatra

So it seems we have a Ross's goose joining in with a group of Canadians at my next door neighbors pond. I love my neighborhood. I have seen more rare birds here than anywhere! This small goose doesn't visit arkansas often according to the Cornell Lab of Orinithology. I knew that I'd never seen anything like him so I set out with the poodles to try to get a photo.




Also, I spotted this goose a few years ago....native to Egypt. An Egyptian Goose
I have named her Cleopatra. It seems she has set up residence here this summer.
I feel for her though because her Canadian counterparts seemed to have shunned her and most of the time she is by herself or trying desperately to be with the others. The other day, she was alone and a flock of geese flew over and she called to them...yes, she sounds different and her call is more scratchy (than honky). The flock kept flying to the adjacent pond. A few minutes later, she flew out to be with that group. I felt so sad for a moment. It reminded me of loneliness and how all species has the need for companionship.