Thursday, December 27, 2018

Link Love: December

DECEMBER

So many links. So little time. Once a month I am going to share links to articles, artists, websites, social media feeds, artwork, events, books, etc. that I have come across and connected with. Click on through and prepare to be inspired. And if you missed any months, click here.


A Museum Lover's Guide

In Full View
Roz Chast

The Stylist's Guide to the Globe

100 Trends for 2019

Get Lost on the Internet

21 Facts About...

The 25 Most Memorable IG Posts

Not that I like the stuff....


(photo credit - when listed - found in original link)

Monday, December 24, 2018

The Happiest...

The Happiest of holidays to you all.....


May your future be bright and your days filled with light.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Top 10 Blog Posts 2018


Every December, I spend time looking ahead but also reviewing the past. For the last five years, I have looked back over the previous year's blog posts to see which were the most popular based on hits. In doing so, I can better keep track of  the pulse of the art community. Click the following links if you are interested in seeing what was popular back in the day: 2013201420152016, and 2017. for 2016 and here for

I was excited to see that 5 of the top 10 blog posts involve my Baked Texture embossing powder from Emerald Creek. The other posts include 2 posts from my artist issue series Apter's Chapters, as well as posts related to workshops, tutorials, exhibitions and a charity auction.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Predicted Trends of 2018



At the end of 2017, I hosted an informal, totally random survey asking people what one trend they thought would be big in 2018. Now that we are nearing the end of the year, we can see if their predictions came true.

1. Roots. No, not the ones underground, but our origins. There was a strong theme related to "rekindling the love and passion of our roots." Whether that was a general idea or related to a specific art domain, it seems that people want to be in touch with all things handmade, non-commercial, and traditional.

2. Mixed Media. While mixed media is an art movement that goes back to the early 20th century, mixed media as we know it today is hot and getting hotter. Whether it is blending media, layering, combining found objects with commercial products, mixing fibers and paper, or other approaches, mixed media was on the mind of many of the artists who shared their trend predictions.

3. Fine Art Mediums. There has been a steady increase in recent years in the embrace of traditional, fine art mediums within the mixed media and craft worlds. This appears to be continuing with many people noting watercolor paints, portraiture, encaustics, drawing, color mixing, and referencing the color wheel as continuing and coming trends.

4. Nature. All things natural appear to be on the horizon. Think raw surfaces, such as wood, stone, tile and brick, metallics, eco dyeing, water themes, all-things rust, and botanicals.

5. Imperfection. Artists seem to be more and more comfortable embracing the imperfect and it looks like this trend will continue into 2018. Whether patchwork in textile arts, nonrealistic faces in portraiture, or repurposed and up cycled materials, imperfection is the perfect trend.

6. Paint. Paint seems to be the art supply of choice for 2018. Whether watercolors, acrylics or the hot trend of acrylic pouring, paint is definitely our passion.

7. Fiber Art. Perhaps reflecting the trend of returning to our roots, fiber art is everywhere. Stitchery, embroidery, hand sewing, quilting, fringe, patchwork, eco dyeing, and stitching on paper are all hot, hot, hot.

8. Text. Text-based art will continue to be big in 2018. Handwritten and creative lettering, asemic writing, journaling, and using text for story telling are likely to be seen everywhere in the coming year.

9. Journaling. The trend that keeps on giving. Journaling has not yet peaked and will continue strong next year. In recent years, a variety of approaches to journaling led the way. In 2018, bullet journaling and creating your own handmade journals seem to be in the lead.

10. Artivism. An historic trend that seems to reflect the times, creating art and craft for the purpose of political expression, activism, and protest has returned in a big way in 2017 and looks to continue into 2018.

So what do you think? Were any of these predictions correct? And if not...what trends were evident to you in 2018?

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Workshop Update 2019

I completed my 2018 workshop schedule late last month and am already looking forward to getting back on the road and beginning again in 2019. My updated schedule and all the details can always be found on my workshop page but you can have a quick read through this post to see my most recent updates for the first half of the year.


Hoping you will find a workshop that works for you!

1/17: Creativation - Phoenix, AZ: Perfectly PaperArtsy w/Raquel Burillo - registration open
         (available to trade show attendees only)

1/18: Creativation - Phoenix, AZ: Get Baked! - workshop full

2/8: The Queens Ink - Savage, MD: Joker's Wild - workshop full

2/9-10: The Queens Ink - Savage, MD: Bento Box - workshop full

2/14-16: PaperWorks - Tucson, AZ: For Your Eyes Only - workshop full

2/20-21: The Queens Ink - Savage, MD: Bento Box - registration open
                (repeat class added after first one filled)

2/23: The Ink Pad - NYC: Get Baked! - registration open

2/24: The Ink Pad - NYC: Joker's Wild - registration open

3/17-23: MDLH - Taos, NM - A Case of Curiosities w/Roxanne Evans Stout - retreat full         
              (waitlist closed)

4/5: Valley Stamp & Scrap - Neenah, WI: Photo Op - workshop full

4/5: Valley Stamp & Scrap - Neenah, WI: Get Baked! - workshop full
       (add your name to waitlist)

4/6: Valley Stamp & Scrap - Neenah, WI: 52 Card Pickup - workshop full

4/12: Stamplistic - Amherst, OH: 52 Card Pickup - registration open

4/13: Stamplistic - Amherst, OH: 50 Ways to Leave Your Layer - registration open

4/27: Pratt Institute - NYC: Mixed Media Surface Design - registration open 

5/1-6: Tinker Tailor Artist Maker - Redwood City, CA - registration open soon
          (art retreat sponsored by Eat Cake Create)

5/18: Amelia's Creative Crafts - Studley, England: Get Baked! - workshop full

5/19: Amelia's Creative Crafts - Studley, England: 52 Card Pickup - workshop full

5/25: Handmade at Helen's - Dumfries, Scotland: Get Baked! - registration open

5/26: Handmade at Helen's - Dumfries, Scotland: 50 Ways to Leave Your Layer -                       
         registration open

6/6-6/9: Port Townsend School of the Arts - Port Townsend, WA: Bento Box -
             retreat full (add your name to waitlist)

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

IG: My Top Nine


Pop your Instagram handle into Top Nine and out pops a 3x3 grid filled with your most popular images from the year. It is always fun and informative to see what is popular.

My Top Nine

And my own favorite 9 from 2018










Follow me on Instagram here.

Sunday, December 9, 2018

A Synopsis...

A Synopsis of the History of Each



Monday, November 26, 2018

Link Love: November

NOVEMBER

So many links. So little time. Once a month I am going to share links to articles, artists, websites, social media feeds, artwork, events, books, etc. that I have come across and connected with. Click on through and prepare to be inspired. And if you missed any months, click here.


Bet you haven't heard of most of them

Beyond inspired by their IG feed

Andy would be 90 this month. Take a tour of his old NYC haunts

Blown away by her portraits

Sage words from Kristin Reese Williams

Why Japan is still so attached to paper

This book looks interesting 


(photo credit - when listed - found in original link)

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Video Workshops


My video workshop downloads are half price for the holiday weekend workshop at Interweave.


Since I rarely do traditional online classes, this is one way to learn my techniques if you are unable to take my classes in person.


Oh and while you are saving money, the sale on all my products in my online shop continues through end of day Monday. Use code CYBER20 to get 20% off everything except original art (while supplies last).                                                         

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Cyber Sale

It's on...

Head to my online shop and use code CYBER20 for the discount. 
(if you are international, email me your list of items and I will email your total minus discount plus shipping along with a PayPal request)