How Online Classes Can Jumpstart Your Creativity

The New Year is chock full of lots of inspiration in the form of online classes.  While I love in person classes, taking a class on line can allow you to experiment in the privacy of your own home and at your own pace.  

From Rae Missigman's lesson.

I signed up for the Documented Life Project and Creative Jumpstart 2016.   I haven't jumped into  DLP 2016 yet, but Creative Jumpstart has truly captivated me.  The first thing I think upon waking is - what does Nathalie Kalbach have in store for us today? I can't wait to watch the video, which goes live daily at 7AM EST!  This year, Nat has picked different famous artists and asked mixed media artists to "jump off" of their styles.  You still have lots of time to jump in.

Here's what I created in the first week, which was inspired by Matisse.

Inspiration from Julie Balzer's lesson.

Inspiration from Carmen Sanchez's lesson

Inspiration from Joanne Sharpe's lesson

Can you see Matisse's inspiration?    But do they still look like "me?"  Do you have a favorite?  I'd love to know!

Like my online classes, Creative Jumpstart 2016 is completely downloadable - you can watch the videos as many times as you like.  I'm glad because I'm learning a lot!

If you haven't already - please connect with me here:

InLinkz.com

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Cultivating a Beginner's Mind

Shoshin means "beginner's mind:"  having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would.  There are specific techniques for cultivating it, including discarding fear of failure, and embracing falling down, as well as getting back up. 

I tried to keep these principles in mind on Saturday, when I attended a wonderful day long class taught by Nathalie Kalbach and Julie Balzer at The Ink Pad.   (Thank you Nathalie for letting me use some of your pictures.  I was paying such close attention that I didn't take many of my own!)

Julie and Nat had us use the same supplies, but they taught very different approaches to collage.  Nathalie's approach was in my comfort zone - having a recognizable focus point and using collage to help tell a story.  Here's what I made. Although I expect to do more with it, I already like it...

Julie taught a more abstract approach - and boy was I out of my comfort zone.  I can't say I'm happy with what I did.  To be honest, at some point I kind of gave up out of frustration.    But as Julie so aptly said, who ever learned anything from their successes?  (She actually said a few other choice words - you have to take a class with her to get the flavor!)   I'm determined to revisit these two pieces, and resist the temptation to add a face or cut one of them up into fun shapes for another piece!  I'm also really glad I'm going to a workshop with Jane Davies in a few weeks - she's also an abstract artist and I definitely need more work in this area!  Plus, I'll be there with my bud - Judy Shea - so no matter what, it will be a blast!

Here's the whole group with their pieces.  It was a big class, and Julie and Nat were great about getting around to everyone and sharing so generously.  I loved watching them work separately and together - and especially enjoyed seeing the respect and affection they showed each other.  Plus, the two of them are pretty funny so we all had a lot of laughs!

Julie and Nat are great teachers - individually and together, and I look forward to taking more classes with them.  In fact, I definitely plan to take Nat's class on June 8th at The Ink Pad to hone my knowledge about acrylics:

How about you?  What classes are making your heart sing these days? 

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

 

This I Believe

When I began this blog in March 2012, little did I know that I would become part of such an amazing community of artists, some of whom I am so happy to call my friends.  One of those friends, Corinne Gilman of Sparkle Days Studio, has created a beautiful piece for Fall Fearless and Fly;  her post so perfectly sums up what it is about making art and being part of this community that nourishes and supports us all.  Check it out here.

And I know that my small beginning is just the start of a beautiful journey!

Lately I've been inspired by:

• Jenny, or Jennibellie as she is known, has a bezillion (really, I counted!) free video tutorials on her blog.  She is a wealth of information and inspiration, all freely given.  I am currently riffing on her cereal box tutorial with my art journaling students, and we're having a blast.
•  Julie Fei-Fan Balzer's honest approach to her art journey and her prolific creativity are a source of inspiration for so many artists.  Her most recent podcast with Roben-Marie Smith and Samantha Kira Harding makes clear the synergies and creative stimulation that flow so generously in the blog world. 
•  I recently discovered Kristal Norton's blog, which is full of lots of great resources and good advice.  Kristal just published an e-book: "101+ Creative Journal prompts."  This is a terrific book;  I've used some of the prompts with my middle school art journaling class.   They love it.  I do too!
• Have you heard of "The Frugal Crafter?" Lindsay is a bundle of caffeinated energy.  She is always making things, and videotaping and sharing her process -- for free! 

• This music video of the song "Art."  It says it all!

Here are some arty things I'm looking forward to:

• Donna Downey's "Big 40" workshop this Saturday, December 15 in Ramsey, NJ.  I'm excited to take a class with Donna, and just as excited to be doing it with my friend Marjie Kemper!
• The next Stencil Test Drive on Thursday, December 20 -- test driving "Medieval Leaves" with Carolyn Dube, Corrine Gilman, Maria McGuire and Ronda Palazzari!  I've been playing with those leaves, and they're so versatile and fun!  I can't wait to show you what I've been working on!

And the winner of my Apples & Pomegranate stencil is Beansieleigh!  Email your snail mail address to jessicabethsporn(at)gmail(dot)com and I will send it right out to you.  Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

Thank you for visiting! I read and treasure every comment and will answer any questions as quickly as I can.

PS - my apologies to all my PPF friends whose posts I didn't get to last week.  I will do better this week!