CBoggsArt - Blog

New Ventures with A.C.Moore!

7/4/2019

Thoroughly Modern Mimi is branching out! We'll still be on Etsy, but will also be selling on our new A.C. Moore website, where we'll be offering a mix of Etsy favorites and new designs created just for Thoroughly Modern Mimi on A.C. Moore.

We're excited to announce the new shop opening on July 31, 2019. Check us out and be sure to sign up for Mimi's Mailbox to get VIP updates from both shops in a single monthly email!

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Create Budget-Friendly Mats for your Art

6/8/2019

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Are you looking for an easy and budget-friendly way to display small prints without spending money on frames? This technique is perfect for your personal photos as well as prints to sell at your local artisan market or your online shop.
Check out this video from my YouTube channel for an easy DIY thanks
to Miriam of Miriam's Nature on YouTube and Alex of MatboardShop on Etsy.
Note: This video was formatted for Instagram Stories, so it is not wide screen.

There's more in the works now that summer has arrived here in Ohio!
Follow me on Instagram or join my email list to get a monthly update on new YouTube videos and Skillshare classes.

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Add Some Bubbles to Your Art!

3/24/2019

It all started in my Thursday morning watercolor class when the instructor gave us a day to play with unconventional materials and ended up a YouTube tutorial ten days later! In between, it tried to be an Instagram story, but kept getting interrupted by daily life. Here's the video...enjoy this family fun art activity!

MATERIALS USED TO CREATE PAINTED BUBBLES:
Dawn dish detergent
   Tube gouache paints (or tube watercolors)
   Straw
   Paper and water

Click this image to learn how to create the fish prints used in this tutorial.

If you try this project, leave a comment and let me know how it turned out!
Even better, share a photo on Instagram using #cboggsart2 !

Brrr... Making Art in the Deep Freeze

1/28/2019

We've been in the deep freeze here in Ohio the past few days. Temperatures have dipped into the single digits with well below zero wind chills from time to time.
So I decided to make the best of the weather and use the cold snap to artistic advantage. One of the women in my Thursday watercolor class had told us about what she called "ice painting". Her samples looked quite intriguing, with crystal shapes and lovely blended colors, so I decided to give it a try.
The results were mixed, depending on variables like paper, amount of watercolor paint, and temperature, but it was a lot of fun and a great way to spend some time outside in wintery sunshine!

If you happen to live in a wintery part of the world, try this out yourself. This is also a perfect activity to share with kids of all ages. Just watching the crystals form in the paint in fascinating! Post a photo on Instagram and tag me with @cboggsart. I'd love to see what you do!

To see how I turn these frozen watercolors into mixed media paintings, follow me on Instagram or sign up here for email updates when new blog posts are published.

Continuing the Journey ... One Word 2019

12/30/2018

My "one word" for 2018 was JOURNEY, which I divided into two primary focus areas: FAITH and CREATIVITY. Looking back at my journey through the past year, I can note some successful times and some not-so-successful times.

Of the 12 books I had selected for my FAITH journey, I only managed to read four. A few of the others are begun, but not finished, so for 2019, I am going to reevaluate the selection and continue the journey. To keep myself on track, I'm going to block out 30 minutes every morning before I open a digital device or pick up a paintbrush. For me, it isn't enough to "just read"; I need to actively do something with the reading, so as part of the 30 minutes, I'm going add a quick journal entry to respond to what I have read each day.

My CREATIVITY journey went considerably better. I began taking watercolor class through the local community college in February and returned for the fall semester in August after a summer break. I'm signed up to return in two weeks and have even added a second painting class for this coming semester. In addition, I've taken online classes and workshops on Skillshare and other sites, as well as started teaching my own Skillshare classes.
To keep myself on the CREATIVITY journey path, I've joined The Circle, a six-month online community of artists led by Carrie Brummer of Artist Strong. I've taken two of her short online workshops and really like the way she encourages artists and helps them wherever they are on their creative journey.

So for 2019, my "one word" is CONTINUE. I have an unfinished JOURNEY to explore more of my FAITH and to add to my adventures in CREATIVITY.
How about you? Do you choose a "one word" for the year, or are you a "New Year's Resolution" planner? Leave a comment here or chime in on Instagram,

Whatever your preference, have a very Happy New Year!

Kid Craft Christmas... Weave a Ribbon Tree

12/22/2018

Weaving is so much fun for kids of all ages! This is a perfect way to introduce the skill to your young ones...and use up some of that holiday ribbon, too!

Start by gathering the supplies for the project:

Click the photo below for the tutorial:

This is my last YouTube video for 2019. Check it out and then subscribe to my channel for updates with new video tutorials are published.
For now, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and best wishes for a creatively wonderful New Year!

Never Say Never ... I'm on YouTube Now!

12/16/2018

Yes, it's true! I finally took the plunge and set up a YouTube channel for CBoggsArt. Creating classes for Skillshare has been fun, but sometimes I don't really want to design and create an entire class, I just want to share a quick tutorial or technique in fifteen minutes or less. I'm starting out with just a few fun projects for the Christmas holiday season, like this one for creating simple chipboard ornaments:

And this one for adding hand-stamped and hand-painted tags to your gifts:

I'll also be publishing art projects for parents and caregivers to do with children using my "grandma" name, Mimi. This first one is an easy Christmas tree project that can be completed in about an hour. It was a favorite with my first grade students when I was teaching art full time!

Take a look and if you like what you see, subscribe to my YouTube channel and my email list to get regular updates when new videos are uploaded. This new venture is a work in progress, but I'm looking forward to sharing more art tutorials and DIY project ideas in 2019. Until then, best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and Holiday Season!

Kid Craft Day! Make a Christmas Tree Print

12/13/2018

If you don't mind a bit of a glitter and tempera paint, this is a great way to spend a wintery afternoon in December! This printmaking project was a favorite with my first grade students when I was teaching art full time, so it's ideal for young children with just a little help from a parent or older sibling.

Check out these trees created by first grade students...

When working with young children, especially ages 4-6, it's really all about the process of printing and the joy of paint and glitter, so no need to be concerned about the shape of their trees. Some children will be very precise with the placement of the circles and others, not so much. But either way, the results will be charming!

Start by gathering supplies for the project:

Click the link below for the complete tutorial on my YouTube channel:

youtu.be/FQOSqlUViP0

I'm new to YouTube! If you like this project, subscribe to my YouTube channel for regular updates when new projects are available. In the meantime, make art and have a wonderful holiday season!

In my last blog post, I provided a list of my favorite art teacher tested, kid approved art supplies. If you missed it, click here.

Art Teacher Tested ... Creative Kid Approved

11/6/2018

Now that the holiday season is upon us, it's time to start thinking about the children... and not just what they have on their six-foot long "All I Want from Santa" list! Christmas time means longer breaks from the school routine in most places, with an accompanying chorus of "I'm so bored" once the glow of electronic toys and gadgets fades.

I can't promise an end to the "I'm bored" chant, but having a few basic art supplies on hand can certainly cure some of those post-Christmas blues in your household!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting demonstrations to go with the supplies listed below:

I also have a gift for you, no strings attached! Click this link or the photo below to get FREE access to my kid-friendly class Printmaking Basics: Print with Markers. This link will allow you to view the entire class for free. If you like what you see, click here to learn more about Skillshare.com and my Skillshare classes.

Not ready for a class just yet? Click the link below and sign up for email updates when new classes are released here on the blog, on Skillshare, or on my YouTube Channel.

Click here for email updates

Time Out for LOVE ... Robert Indiana Style!

8/11/2018

How lucky was I for this one? Recently, I was in Orchard Park, NY, to watch my oldest grandson play in a baseball tournament. While I love watching Aiden and his friends on the field, it's also refreshing to have a little break from all that activity in the hot sun. Fortunately for me, the Cougars didn't play until afternoon on Saturday, so I had the morning free to explore on my own. A quick trip through the entertainment guide provided in my hotel room landed me at Buffalo's Albright Knox Gallery and this fabulous exhibit!

Usually I don't bother with the audio guides when I visit an art museum because I just like to view the art and read the labels at my leisure. However, the woman at the reception desk assured me that the audio guide would provide a fascinating backstory to the artwork, so I let her hold my precious Ohio driver's license hostage and took the audio guide. Good decision! I learned so much more than I would have just reading along.

My favorite room in the exhibit also proved to be the most difficult to photograph. Nine of Indiana's "LOVE" sculptures, each from a different type of marble formed a circle facing his iconic "HUG...EAT...DIE...ERR" mantra, which was lit up with hundreds of bright bulbs that flashed in a variety of different patterns. The final piece in the room, a gleaming metal rendition of "Ahava", the Hebrew version of these famous LOVE sculptures, stood alone in the middle of the circle. The room was so large, the lighting was constantly changing, and other museum visitors (and a very diligent museum guard!) were constantly in my viewfinder. Not a single one of my panoramic photos did this room justice, so the one above is the best one I have to share.

Having the audio guide was truly a gift since understanding the story behind Indiana's work added so much to the experience. The repetition of the words "eat", "die", "hug", and "err" are references to the artist's mother and the phrases he remembered her saying. Some works are direct references to literature, such as Moby Dick, and others, such as the one below, connect to the work of other artists. Before viewing this exhibit, I had no idea that Robert Indiana had created pieces inspired by the work of Charles Demuth. I was a bit startled when I walked into one of the exhibit rooms to find myself in front of the painting pictured below!

Demuth's painting "I Saw the Figure Five in Gold" was inspired by a William
Carlos Williams poem "The Great Figure", which describes the sight and sound of a fire engine racing to the scene of a fire. This may be the first time since my retirement from teaching art that I wished I had a classroom to return to in the fall! I had been using the poem to inspire art by my fourth graders, which we then compared to my large print of Charles Demuth's painting. Robert Indiana's work was also part of my fourth grade curriculum, so what a connection this would have made!

Two hours later, it was back to the Orchard Park Little League Fields to cheer for my favorite 8U Cougar and his teammates. For the record, the Cougars ended their tournament run that weekend with a second place trophy!
If you happen to be near Buffalo, NY, or have plans to visit the area soon, the Robert Indiana exhibit will be on display at the Albright Knox Gallery until September 23, 2018. I highly recommend a visit!

Create Your Own Wall Art... No Drawing Required!

8/9/2018

It's easy to create unique, colorful artwork on canvas using stencils, spray paint, and acrylic paints! In this video, I'll show you how to add a pop of color to any room in your home!

To see more of this class, visit my Skillshare channel. You'll be invited to a two month free membership, which will open up hundreds of classes in art, technology, social media, and many other fascinating areas of study. Click here to check it out!

Art is Truly Magic!

7/14/2018

Getting started with acrylics...

Right on the heels of my fabulous experience at the Dayton Art Institute came another wonderful art experience, the Art is Magic Creative Retreat. I was able to participate last year (see post here) and was thrilled to learn that Galia Alena was once again bringing together an amazing group of creative women to share their insights and techniques for mixed media art.

Fun with Gelli Plates...something new to try!

The weekend retreat flies by quickly! Eighteen classes are released over a two day period, each only remaining accessible for 24 hours after its release. There is an option to join the Ongoing Creative Retreat, which I did last year, but this year my funds were limited and I had to come up with a strategy for making the most of each class offering.

Creating backgrounds with spray paint and stencils... fun, fun, fun!

I knew that I couldn't possibly watch each class and complete each project in the time that was available, so I took notes and made a few quick sketches as time permitted, then bookmarked the websites of the artists so that I could find them later.

Collage backgrounds...something I've never tried before!

Now my plan is to work through the various techniques and see where the explorations take my own creative work. I'll be sharing my creative adventures here and on Instagram in the coming weeks.

I'd love to have you join me! I'll be sharing video clips and tips as I explore and experiment with new materials and techniques. You can come back any time, but ....

Don't miss out! Click the button below to receive updates and creative inspiration delivered directly to your inbox twice a month!

Yes, please inspire me now!

How an American Film Star and a British Author Reignited My Creativity

6/29/2018

Don't get me wrong, I love summertime as much as the next person...long, sunny days outdoors...nature trails, camera in hand...visits to grandchildren unencumbered by homework assignments...travel time adventures. It's all good... except for ....

THE CREATIVITY DRAIN!

Those long, lazy days can certainly drain the creativity right out of my brain! I was sure that a weekend of baseball games with the grandsons, followed by a few days soaking up the natural wonder known as Niagara Falls, would be just the ticket for fresh ideas for painting and printmaking.

I WAS SO WRONG!

I came home with some wonderful photographs and great memories, but not a single bit of motivation to pick up a paintbrush or even a drawing pencil.

UNTIL THIS PAST WEEK!

I no longer remember whether it was a Facebook post or an email, but somehow I discovered that the Dayton Art Institute "Language of Art" program had a book-related gallery tour coming up on June 27. That was only about ten days away at the time, but Amazon delivers quickly and I'm a fast reader, so I decided to take a chance on "The Purple Swamp Hen and Other Stories" by British author, Penelope Lively.

MEET MY NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR!

This book was a perfect introduction to Lively's writing style and sometimes quirky take on the human condition. Plenty of unexpected endings and a mix of past and present made each short story a delightful read on a hot summer day, but the whole time I was wondering how our DAI tour leader would relate these tales to art in the museum collections. I was sure that a trip to the Ancient Art galleries would be on the agenda since the first story in Lively's collection provided a bird's eye view of the life and times of ancient Pompeii at the time of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption that buried this once-thriving Italian city.

NOT QUITE CORRECT...

The title story was indeed the first one on the tour, but the artwork chosen for our discussion was Georgia O'Keeffe's "Purple Leaves", a lovely painting by one of my favorite American artists.. Purple pencils were distributed for some quick impressions, followed by a lively (sorry, couldn't resist!) discussion about the meaning of purple from the point of view of both artist and author.

Our tour included two other works, well-chosen for their connections to several stories from Lively's book. I came away with a new appreciation for artist Robert Brackman's "Life About Me", a wall-size painting that I had simply passed on by for years while on my way to view my favorites by Hopper and Wyeth.

SO, WHAT ABOUT BOGART?

Not just the famous American film star, but famous faces from another place and time, thanks to the amazing black and white photography of Yousuf Karsh. This exhibit of 48 iconic portraits, is on loan from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. through mid-September. I wasn't able to stay that same day to visit this exhibit, but returned two days later to soak it in at leisure. Photography was forbidden, but suffice it to say, that I was enthralled by Karsh's work. I had seen several of the photographs over the years in other contexts, but had never given a thought to who may have been the photographer. What a life he must have had, with the opportunity to fulfill his dream of photographing the movers, shakers, and history makers of the 20th century!

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT INSPIRATION?

As part of the Yousuf Karsh exhibit, the works of 20th century Dayton photographer, Jane Reece, were also on display. Unlike Karsh's sharp contrast black and white photography that so perfectly captures the personality of the individual, Reece's work has an ethereal quality with soft images and occasional color overlays with colored pencil and crayon. I've only dabbled a bit with black and white photography, and have much to learn, but I am going to get a few of my photos printed and give adding a bit of color a try in the coming weeks.

COMING NEXT...THE RESULTS!

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM OR SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES AND GET CREATIVE INSPIRATION DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO YOUR INBOX!

INSPIRATION, PLEASE!

You can PRINT with acrylic inks?

5/31/2018

Yes, acrylic inks are a great medium for making monoprints!

I learned this technique from Skillshare teacher, Linda Ormiston. Her class is called "Make a Monoprint Using Acetate, Pen, and Ink". Click here to access her class... it's simple to learn, yet gives such impressive results!

I'm so glad I found Lisa's class! It's a perfect blend of two of my favorite mediums, print-making and watercolors. I'll definitely be exploring this technique further in the coming weeks!

Click the link below to subscribe to my twice-monthly newsletter. No spam, no arm-twisting, just information to inspire your own creative journey!

Inspire Me Now!

Printmaking Basics...Beginners Welcome!

5/3/2018

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Is it really May... already? According to the bright yellow crop of dandelions making their appearance in my yard, I guess it is! Somehow in the rush of daily living, I lost track of February, March, and April. It's been a busy few months filled with family activities, a little quiet time for reading and reflection, and plenty of creative busy-ness.

Back in January, I started my journey through 2018 with two goals: spiritual reading and daily creativity. I have to admit that the reading goal took a hit during March, but I've managed the creative journey a little bit better, thanks to a good friend's suggestion that I join her in taking a watercolor painting class through our local community college. Talk about a humbling experience! My watercolor skills have a way to go, but the class was fun, I learned a lot, and I've already signed up for the fall semester.

In late January, I learned about a website called Skillshare from some Facebook group friends who were teaching classes on the site. I checked it out, took their classes, and decided to take the February "Teach on Skillshare" challenge just to see if I could do it. Found out that I could ... and I did!
I recently published the first two classes in a series I am calling "Printmaking Basics". As a classroom art teacher, I know how much my students loved printmaking, so I'm creating the series to encourage parents to bring this creative activity into their family time at home. The classes are perfect for beginners of any age, five to ninety-five. Supplies are minimal, the mess is worth it, and the results are amazing!

Click here to view this class and create your own colorful floral prints!

This happy green fish is from Printmaking Basics: Print with Markers. Using water based markers eliminates the potentially messy inks and makes printmaking an easy and fun activity for children as young as five years in age. Click the link and check it out!

Now that springtime and warm weather have finally arrived here in Ohio, I'll be spending more time in my favorite outdoor creative spaces, my flower gardens, the local parks, and the outdoor "studio" on my back deck. I'm working on two more classes in the Printmaking Basics series, so take a moment to sign up for my email updates and be one of the first to check them out!

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Creativity for the Journey

1/31/2018

Do you agree? Some days I think I do, others not at all. Maybe it depends on the why I'm creating whatever is on my easel or table top. And very likely, it also depends on what I'm planning to do with that creation.

Call it insecurity...call it fear of rejection...it's all part of that feeling of not being good enough, whatever that means. That's why I've chosen CREATIVITY , along with FAITH, as the two paths I'm determined to follow on my 365 day JOURNEY around the sun this year.

I'm setting aside every Wednesday for CREATIVITY... trying new techniques, exploring new materials, and just taking the time for PLAY!

In the coming weeks, I'll share a few of my playful journeys in creativity, both the successes and the less successful endeavors.

And remember...play is the highest form of research...Albert said so!

I hope you'll join me in the quest for a creative life and would love to hear from you when you do!

Faith for the Journey

1/11/2018

I am a fallen away reader...

The little girl who once loved to spend long afternoons curled up with Nancy Drew and her best friend, Bess, solving mysteries and having amazing adventures, has morphed into a grown woman with too many distractions and too little time at the end of the day to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. It's time for a new direction!

I have declared 2018 the year for a JOURNEY...
down two paths that have been neglected far too long...
FAITH...and CREATIVITY.

To pave the way for the FAITH journey, my goal is to read one book on faith and spirituality each month. The books are all from my own book shelves, collected over time from a variety of sources. And they have one thing in common besides a connection to faith...all have been collecting dust on those shelves, neglected and ignored...
except this one...

January's selection is "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. The book was actually an impulse purchase while waiting to check out at Hobby Lobby just before Christmas. Years ago, when I taught fifth grade literature, one of my favorite books to teach was "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", part of the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I knew little about Lewis beyond this series, so I added this paperback to my cart, checked out, and here I am...the first stop on my literary faith journey!

"Faith … is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods."
C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

The most interesting thing about this book so far is learning that it was based on radio talks given by C.S. Lewis in the 1940s, and yet I'm finding it completely relevant today. I started reading with a bit of trepidation, thinking it would be dull, but not so at all. Each chapter reads as it must have sounded when it was first spoken over the British radio waves all those years ago...timeless and true, never condescending or superior in tone.

So, I am declaring my Faith Journey to be off to a good start... and I'm heading off for a walk down the path of Creativity for my next post!

How about you? Do you belong to a book club, online or in person? Do you participate in reading challenges on the internet? Do you have a recommendation for my Faith Journey book list?

I'd love to hear what you like to read, so please take a moment to fill out this survey and leave a comment if I've left out something you love to read. I'm always on the hunt for a new literary adventure and 2018 is my year for reading!

Reader Survey: goo.gl/forms/qRvJSysefG52fvt12

Jewels for the Journey

1/5/2018

#journey #creativity #faith #word365 Journey silver key ring

Now that I've settled on my Word for 2018, I want to carry it with me as a constant reminder to stay the course and follow the path I have set. This purse charm key ring carries my Word, Journey, along with an artist's palette charm to represent the path of Creativity and a simple silver cross to represent the path of Faith.

Because the palette charm is a large hole bead, I added a peridot crystal, representing my birth month of August, to keep the charm in place. Having completed my purse charm key ring, I'm ready for the journey...wherever it leads me!

"Creativity requires the courage
to let go of certainties."
Erich Fromm

Are you ready to let go of certainties and have faith in your path for 2018? Follow my faith-filled creative journey by signing up for my email list...or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. And, of course, share your Word and your journey...I'd love to have your company along the path!

2018: Time for a Journey!

12/31/2017

#journey #word365 Journey into the woods at Cox Arboretum

Somehow the months of November and December have totally flown by and once again, I find myself on the last day of December wondering where the time went. The past year is fading away and it's time to plan for 2018. I love the idea of having an inspiration word to focus my goals for the year...in 2015, it was balance...for 2016, simplicity...and this past year, the goal was mindful. Not that I was always successful, of course!

But I refuse to give up! This year, I am going on a journey...
a year of exploring faith and creativity.

#journey #word365 blue feather, green field, personal photo

Although I'm not quite sure how to pack for this journey, I am ready for the adventure to begin. The past year is fading into memory...those final months of teaching, all the planning for retirement, and then several months of wandering off the beaten path trying to find a new road to follow.

So much of the new year remains an unsolved mystery...

FAITH:
"complete trust or confidence in something or someone unseen"

#journey #faith #word365 poppy bud, symbol of faith, #gardenphoto

CREATIVITY:
"Mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a particular task."
from www.business dictionary.com

#journey #creativity #word365 #abstractart

I knew this JOURNEY was the right one for me when I came across this quote that sums up the two paths I've chosen for my journey...

"Creativity requires the courage
to let go of certainties."
Erich Fromm

How about you? Do you choose a word to inspire your coming year? I'd love to hear from you on Facebook or Instagram! Post a photo on Instagram using #creativity_crusader or share your thoughts on my Facebook page.

Capturing Colorful Memories: Black & White Photo Challenge

11/6/2017

Tag! You're it!
No, not the childhood playground game that I'm sure some of us slower runners dreaded on a daily basis. This time around it was a Facebook photo challenge. No speed required, just a daily black and white photo, no people, no explanation, and a request to "tag" a friend to get them to join the challenge.
Since I have a collection of photos stashed on my computer, I figured, "Why not? Sounds like fun!"

Day 1 of 7 (scroll to the end of the post to see all seven photos)

Of course, digital technology makes this process relatively easy. Photos can be edited and unedited with the click of a mouse or tap of a finger.

It wasn't quite so easy back when I first started dabbling with photography as a teenager. Cameras required a roll of film and a trip to the local photo shop for processing. Then, a week or more later, another trip to pay and receive that sealed envelope with the photos and negatives...just in case a few were actually good enough to reprint and share!

But that wasn't what I wanted for my first camera. Being a teenager, of course I wanted that instant gratification, so in the summer of 1969, I purchased my very own Polaroid camera to record all the upcoming events of my senior year of high school. Take a look back in time...

In the summer of 1979, my thoughtful husband presented me with my first film camera, partly for my birthday, but mostly because our daughter was due that fall. That Canon AE-1 served me well for quite a few years. It still required film, still required a wait for processing, but the photo quality was a considerable improvement over the Polaroid.

I used that camera for over fifteen years, until the cost of repairs for a damaged film winder became higher than the value of the camera. I replaced it with a series of digital point-and-shoot cameras from Casio, Canon, Nikon, until I finally decided to purchase my Nikon D3300 and an iPhone6. No need to purchase film or pay for processing, no need to wait to see if a shoot was successful. Now I have a new dilemma...how will I ever find the time to organize all those photos!

Until then, I'll continue to take photographs...and posting in black and white from time to time on Instagram, just for the fun of it!

If you're up for the challenge, join me on Instagram and tag your black and white photos #creativity_crusader. I'd love to see them!

<<Previous

Whatever your preference, have a very Happy New Year!

Start by gathering the supplies for the project:

Click the photo below for the tutorial:

​This is my last YouTube video for 2019. Check it out and then subscribe to my channel for updates with new video tutorials are published. For now, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and best wishes for a creatively wonderful New Year!

Check out these trees created by first grade students...

Start by gathering supplies for the project:

Click the link below for the complete tutorial on my YouTube channel:

I'm new to YouTube! If you like this project, subscribe to my YouTube channel for regular updates when new projects are available. In the meantime, make art and have a wonderful holiday season!

I can't promise an end to the "I'm bored" chant, but having a few basic art supplies on hand can certainly cure some of those post-Christmas blues in your household!

I knew that I couldn't possibly watch each class and complete each project in the time that was available, so I took notes and made a few quick sketches as time permitted, then bookmarked the websites of the artists so that I could find them later.

THE CREATIVITY DRAIN!

I WAS SO WRONG!

UNTIL THIS PAST WEEK!

MEET MY NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR!

NOT QUITE CORRECT...

SO, WHAT ABOUT BOGART?

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT INSPIRATION?

COMING NEXT...THE RESULTS!

Yes, acrylic inks are a great medium for making monoprints!

Do you agree? Some days I think I do, others not at all. Maybe it depends on the ​why I'm creating whatever is on my easel or table top. And very likely, it also depends on what I'm planning to do with that creation.

Call it insecurity...call it fear of rejection...it's all part of that feeling of not being good enough, whatever that means. That's why I've chosen CREATIVITY , along with FAITH, as the two paths I'm determined to follow on my 365 day JOURNEY around the sun this year.

​I'm setting aside every Wednesday for CREATIVITY... trying new techniques, exploring new materials, and just taking the time for PLAY!

I have declared 2018 the year for a JOURNEY...​down two paths that have been neglected far too long...​FAITH...and CREATIVITY.

"Faith … is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods." C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

"Creativity requires the courageto let go of certainties." Erich Fromm

But I refuse to give up! This year, I am going on a journey...​a year of exploring faith and creativity​.

FAITH:​"complete trust or confidence in something or someone unseen"

CREATIVITY:​"Mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a particular task." ​​from www.business dictionary.com

"Creativity requires the courageto let go of certainties." Erich Fromm

If you're up for the challenge, join me on Instagram and tag your black and white photos #creativity_crusader. I'd love to see them!

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This is my last YouTube video for 2019. Check it out and then subscribe to my channel for updates with new video tutorials are published.
For now, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and best wishes for a creatively wonderful New Year!

Do you agree? Some days I think I do, others not at all. Maybe it depends on the why I'm creating whatever is on my easel or table top. And very likely, it also depends on what I'm planning to do with that creation.

I'm setting aside every Wednesday for CREATIVITY... trying new techniques, exploring new materials, and just taking the time for PLAY!

I have declared 2018 the year for a JOURNEY...
down two paths that have been neglected far too long...
FAITH...and CREATIVITY.

"Faith … is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods."
C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"

"Creativity requires the courage
to let go of certainties."
Erich Fromm

But I refuse to give up! This year, I am going on a journey...
a year of exploring faith and creativity.

FAITH:
"complete trust or confidence in something or someone unseen"

CREATIVITY:
"Mental characteristic that allows a person to think outside of the box, which results in innovative or different approaches to a particular task."
from www.business dictionary.com

"Creativity requires the courage
to let go of certainties."
Erich Fromm