New Year, New Me, Same God

I am in awe sometimes by how quickly something can go from an idea to being a new way of life. I started journaling last year and not just journaling but art journaling. It went from something to do to a must do. A new line of communication was opened between me and God and I began to share it with others. New paths were opened for them as well and a small movement was started and began to slowly grow. Now I can't wait to get in my studio and start a dialog with myself and with God. With the growth that I have seen as well as others that I have been sharing with I figured it was time to take this show on the road. (Well at least expand my horizons.) So to start this year off I will be teaching a class here in my studio!

New Year, New Me, Same God

This class will give you a start into what art journaling is about while setting the tone for your 2012 year. You will be focusing on a few words that you want your year to be about, while pairing them up with scripture, worship songs, colors and textures. If you have been journaling before you can still take the class and learn some new techniques and be in community with others. Limited spaces are available for this class so sign up soon.

This one time class will be on January 22, from 1:30-4 
Here at my studio in Skokie, IL
Cost is $20

If you are interested in attending please RSVP by messaging me here or at tpdesign01 (at) yahoo (dot) com. If you need more info please email me soon.

I can't wait to start the new year off with you all! 

little hands, little eyes

As most of you know I have a son who will be 4 in March, who I dearly love. He is loud, full of energy and most of all very creative. One of his favorite things is to paint with me in my studio (aka the basement). I personally wish we could do this all day everyday, but that usually doesn't happen. On the days it does happen it's magical. I love the stories he comes up with as he paints and the colors he chooses to go together. He's not afraid to try anything and he has no rules that he follows. He is free. In his mind you can never mess up.

So many times when I am painting I get wrapped up in the rules or I am afraid to make a mistake, not realizing it's just paint, you can always paint over your mistakes or for really big messes get out your gesso and start from scratch.

I think we do the same thing in life too. So many of us are so worried about making a mess of things that instead of doing something, we do nothing and "hope" it just happens on it's own. The other scenario is that maybe we do start something, but we get into the middle of it and realize it's not coming out the way we hoped so instead of pushing through we just give up.

But I am here to tell you that we should not be afraid, we should see life the way my 3 year old does. You can never get too dirty, you can never mess up to much and you can never use too much paint.

See this verse:
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

of course that is nice and easy to read, but sometimes hard to believe so if that doesn't stoke your fire enough see these next verses...

Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination]. Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody.  Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:14-16  AMP


I love these verses in Timothy, not only does it urge you to use the gifts God has given you but it says PRACTICE...not just do, but PRACTICE. In other words if at first you don't succeed, try, try, again. God knows we won't always get it right, but He does expect us to DO.


So forget the rules and use your gifts, God will do the rest. Happy Wednesday!

My Class

So last Tuesday I taught art journaling for the first time! I had such a blast with the wonderful women at Believers' Fellowship. I started the class with a demonstration on what they were going to be learning to do later on in the class and then gave a brief overview on what art journaling was and why it was important to their spiritual journey.

They jumped right in, when it came time to creating their own page. I had pre-cut 5x7 sheets of paper, markers and paints on the table for them as well as little baggies with magazine pictures, scraps of paper, ribbon, string, buttons (all things that they might find lying around their house. I wanted them to see that they didn't need to go out and buy anything special to start a journal. These women were amazing! They came up with some beautiful pages, which you see in this post. They only had about half hour to forty five minutes to create these! I am still blown away. Especially if you consider most do not consider themselves artistic or creative and it was their first time to work with these materials. Thanks again ladies for making my teaching debut a success!

 

•••••••• GIVEAWAY TIME ••••••••

For my June Giveaway I will be giving away "Hoot" {pictured above}. This Art Block always stops people in their tracks at my shows {I've just never been able to part with him yet}!

He is made up from recycled 2x4, wire, paint, glass, paper, ink and crayon. The total size is 3.5"x3.5". This is a $20 value! To get get your hands on this fab piece all you have to do is visit my Etsy shop and leave a comment here about your favorite piece! It's that easy.

{Make sure to leave your email so I can contact you, when you win!} I will have a couple minor prizes as well so make sure you post often!

Contest ends June 14th.

Art Going Green

So I never really considered myself to be an artist that recycles, just one that uses what's around me (aka resourceful). But after doing several shows lately that were about keeping the environment clean (Earth Day Inspired), it dawned on me that I am helping keep "trash" out of the landfills. And all this time I just thought I was being thrifty!

To give you some ideas on how to keep your environment clean, take a look at what's around you and see what you can give new life.

Lately I have been using cabinet doors, yes cabinet doors. They make a great canvas for paintings and mixed media pieces. A little sanding and priming and wala! A new canvas, and you don't even need to frame the piece, most cabinet doors have great trim giving your new work of art a unique look.

I have also found that old skeleton keys make some great crosses. And come with a second meaning. Jesus and the cross are the "key" to salvation and peace. What a wonderful way to display your Faith!



The one above was created using a cabinet door, scraps of scrapbook paper, skeleton keys and acrylic paint.

And it's not just my finished products that are "re"using materials, I even do it when I am painting to get some unique textures. I have used, old seran wrap, netting, fencing, popcicle sticks, disguarded wood pieces...pretty much what ever is sitting in front of me at the time is fair game.

So what are you doing to keep you environment GREEN?

New Greeting Cards launch this week

Later this week I will be launching a new line of greeting cards online at my etsy store. These greeting cards will vary from birthday to congrats to good luck or just blank. I am so excited about these cards because I am using my own paintings, photography and designs to create them. I have so many ideas for these cards. All will be blank on the inside so you can add your own personal message. Some I will be offering with the option of personalizing them with your own message, name or intials.

I have included a sneak peak at a few of the new designs, let me know what you think of them. I would love some feedback.

My Etsy Shop, part 1

I love graphic design! But I do love to create things by hand still, so I have opened a shop on Etsy.com. At this shop you will find great items for your home or for gifts. Things to make your day at little brighter or to brighten someone elses.

Let me know what you think and if there is anything that you would like to see.

Here is a list of things that you will see at my shop.

Hand painted mirrors
Floral arrangements
Greeting cards
Paintings
Home decor

and coming soon, photography and a new line of greeting cards!

Here is a link to my store, in advance thanks for stopping by!

http://tpdesign.etsy.com/