How Art And Nature Are Helping Me Through The Pandemic
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Greetings to you in 2021! In the fall each year, I take time to reflect on the year just past. Overall, Iv’e been very lucky, and despite all the difficulties, I feel very grateful for what 2020 taught me, especially from many great...
The Best Gifts for Artists 2020
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Each year I compile a short list of gifts that I think would be wonderfully nurturing for the artists in your life. It’s a list that I hope you as an artist share with your loved ones to give them ideas, and also as a way to spur...
The Mindful Art Studio Book List 2020
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Each fall I compile a list of books that have inspired me throughout the year. I love sharing the books that have inspired my work and enriched my life. While I’m usually share books mostly about art and artists, I’ve realized...
How I Grieved My Brother’s Death Through Art
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Over the weekend, I was listening to an On Being episode with artist Dario Robleto. His work centers on using unexpected materials to remember: the earliest recorded pulse waves cast in gold, his parents’ record collections ground...
Playing With Inchie Art
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: I had to keep quiet about my BIG ART approach for a long time while I was building my class – it’s so fun to share with you now about it. I wanted to get playful, I made a little video for you that shows my process: For this...
Drawing to Calm Anxiety
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Whether you are quarantined at home, or an essential worker going out into the world to make sure the rest of us get our needs met, most of us are feeling anxious, out of sorts, and generally unsure of what to do with ourselves, at least...
Art Can Help Us Through Times of Loneliness
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Like many of you, I’m feeling some anxiety in this time of uncertainty. When I lay down to go to sleep at night, there are a host of thoughts and anxious questions that start reeling through my mind. These questions need to get set...
Why I’m Obsessed with High Flow Acrylic Paint
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Students frequently ask me about high flow paints, and why I like them so much. I thought it was an excellent question and wanted to share why I’m obsessed with high flow acrylic paints with you as well. Let me first say a word or...
Layered Art Journal Pages
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: I thought it would be fun to give you an idea about how to work in a “process oriented” way in your art journal. It’s time we kicked perfectionism to the curb! Let’s focus on finding the joy in making art again....
What’s In My Travel Art Kit
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: I am really passionate about making art on the go. Whether I’m camping for a week in the woods, in NYC for the weekend, or waiting in the doctor’s office, a travel art kit helps me put so much more art play time in my life....
5 Ways to Fill Your Sketchbook
Use these 5 simple methods to fill your sketchbook, gather your ideas, and improve your drawing skills.
5 Ways to Begin (and Finish) an Art Journal Page
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: One of the most common issues that folks run into when they first start trying to keep an art journal is how to begin an art journal page. Some people have too many ideas, some have none at all, and lots doubt their artistic ability. Art...
Art Journaling When You Feel Sad
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: One of the questions I get asked most is how to art journal when you feel sad. My art journal has been a great source of comfort and self-understanding for years. I’m blessed to be able to share my techniques here. I’m hoping...
My Brooklyn Sketchbook Project Journal
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: I’ve been interested in cutouts and layering in my art journals for quite a while. It started with my class, Fluid Art, where I create tunnel journals. Soon I started using my cutouts as collage, as I teach in my new class...
Let’s Make Some Inchies!
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: Join the Inchie Challenge! You’ll get my free Inchie Workbook, and from August 20 – 31st I’ll be sending prompts and inviting you to create small art. For this challenge, we will be creating art that...
Art Journaling for Anxiety: Dwelling in the Mystery
I’ve been trying to find the words to describe why working abstract, with no plan, and letting go of the outcome is such a mindful, exciting, and yet calming experience all at once. It’s one of my main forms of creative self-care these days, and...
12 Ways to Make an Art Studio at Home
Dear Wonderful, Creative You: One of the things that people consistently say gets in the way of making art is not having an art space. I’d like to share some ideas for creating a fun, funky, and functional art space you can really use in your home. [bctt...
Simple Drawing Techniques for Anxiety
Dear Wonderful, Creative You, I don’t normally like to engage in “telling secrets,” but today I will, because I want to share three artistic secrets with you. Don’t tell anyone. Unless you like them. Or find them useful, or fun, or...