Here’s my current teaching schedule for classes out of state. If you’re interested in having me teach at your store/event, just email me. I’d love to hear from you.
January: Whim So Doodle, Tampa, FL.
March 1-7, 2012: Art From the Heart, Harrogate, UK.
March 10-11, 2012: Holland.
April:
May 26, 2012: Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Sept 15 & 16, 2012: The Ink Pad, NYC.
I've been messing around in my art journal while I wait for class projects to dry…this one is imperfect & grungy, just how I like it.
I just wanted so share where I'll be teaching…come and art with me! 🙂
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I'll be at the amazing Whim-So-Doodle in St. Petersburg, Fl on June 10th, 11th, and 12th. I will be teaching three classes…details on the classes will be up soon!I had a fabulous time teaching there when I went in March…can't wait to go back!
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I'll be teaching at the Maya Road Artistic Journey event this year…way excited! It is Sept 30-Oct 2, 2011, hosted by the awesome Crafty Scrapper. Click here for all the details, Sign-ups will be taken over the phone only by calling The Crafty Scrapper starting on April 27th, 2011 at 10 am Central time. Click here for all the details.
I've been building some fun art houses…so fun to do with collage scraps. I learned how to do the houses & windows like this from the "Towers and Turrets" class by Sharon Tomlinson. I never did do the jewelry portion of that class before the materials were taken down…I'm a procrastinator (actually, I was just too busy to do it…too many deadlines….need to simplify!).
I've tweaked the ole blog…added a navigation bar at the top. There you'll find links for my online classes at Get It Scrapped, as well as any classes I teach locally at The Creative Quest.
I am swamped…drowning, really. But it will all get done. Somehow. Right? It always does.
I am starting a new journal…working on the backgrounds I posted last week. There's just something about a blank book that's exciting. So full of possibilites!
What pen do you use?
Ah, pens. It’s so hard to find the perfect pen, and every art journaler has his or her own preference. Here are the pens I use the most:
Water-based Poster-Paint Sharpie…also known as the “shaky” pen.” I generally buy the extra-fine point. You have to shake this pen well and “burp” it to keep the ink flowing (burping means pressing the nib into the pen). I love this pen because it will write on almost anything, and the paint inside the pen is very opaque and dark. Note that the paint inside the white pen tends to separate, so you have to shake it a good long time to get a nice, opaque white. Disadvantages of this pen: seem to run out quickly, nibs can be problematic, sometimes can spit onto your work.
Faber-Castell Pitt Pens. Super dark, great pen.
Regular Sharpies. I actually prefer the “Extra Fine Point” over the “Ultra Fine Point.” The line is stronger and the tip lasts longer. I buy the Extra Fines at Office Max (sold only in boxes of 12).
What Journal Do You Use?
When I first started art journaling, I would buy wire-bound scrapbooks at JoAnn’s. They cost about $10 and were filled with a heavy-weight cardstock that could stand up to all the painting & inking. Then…suddenly…they were discontinued and impossible to find.
When I was teaching in Holland, I went into a lovely bookstore in Veghel and found an amazing journal (the pages below were done in the “Holland” journal). I filled it up rapidly…I decided that I love, love, love working in a journal with nice watercolor paper! I just adore it…the watercolor pages have deckle edge and high cotton content…it was a true pleasure to work in.
So, I scoured the US for a similar book…I wasn’t able to find the same size journal that I bought in Holland. I did find some similar journals, though.
I have filled two huge journals (11″x15.5″) made by Global Art (see one below, opened up the dimensions are 24″ x 15.5″….it’s big). I bought them from from MisterArt.com, but they do have a several smaller versions. NOTE: This journals can also be purchased in the art department at Hobby Lobby. They’re cheaper there, and you can use a coupon. The disadvantage to these journal is they are poorly made. Honestly, mine fall apart by the time I’ve half-filled them, which is frustrating. I often have to use waxed linen bookbinders thread to sew the signatures back into the book.
I’ve also used tried these , also by Global Art. (I have the small square one & use it as my grunge journal)…the paper is decently heavy. I would definitely buy one again.
Other options if you want a journal with watercolor paper: Moleskin Watercolor books, Holbein watercolor books, buying a Bind-it-all and binding your own, or binding your own using bookmaking skills. 🙂 Of course, literally anything can be a journal…old books, you name it. I’m just giving you a few options if you’re interested in using a journal like mine.
Will You Come and Teach at My Store/Event?
Yes! I love to teach. Just email me (dinawakley(@)q.com) and we can work out contract, details, etc.
What is Your Favorite Spray Ink?
I always say I am an equal-opportunity spray ink lover. Each type of spray ink is different and is good for various applications.
Adirondack Color Wash by Ranger is my absolute favorite ink. Frankly, I’m a slave to it. This ink is really a deeply-pigmented dye. It reacts with water and has lifting properties (in other words there are many art techniques you an do with it). It is permanent when heat set.
Maya Mist sprays like a dream and has fabulous coverage (great for raw chipboard). More initially permanent than the Adirondack ink (i.e. you can’t do lifting technqiues). Great on fabric, permanent when heat set. New colors are added all the time. I’ve recently become addicted to the silver color…it gives you a glitter look without the glitter work.
Studio Calico Mister Huey inks spray wonderfully and come in great colors. They have an opaque white ink that is so, so cool. Like “you need one now” cool.
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists have lovely shimmer. I’ve gone through many bottles of their Jazz Blue color (it’s just the perfect blue). Their educational dept/team does a great job with tutorials and videos, be sure to check out their website for tips and ideas.
Do you have a question for me? Email me (link is on the left).
Had so much fun at our mixed media group last night…so fun to get together with kindred art spirits! We had two special guests last night…the amazing and inspiring Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is in town for NAMTA, so she came and it was so fun to hang with her. We chatted about art and balance and teaching and trying to juggle it all. The super-cute Jaime also came…she owns the amazing Crafter's Workshop (such fab stencils & templates). We arted with so many talented gals: Samantha Kira, Penney, April, Kay, Karla, Julie K, Krista, and Tina.
Here's the first layout from Pink Ninjas…don't you love that unicorn pegacorn cabochon? [Thanks to the sweet Maddie for letting me know it's a pegacorn!!]
I'm a guest this month for Pink Ninja Scrapbook Kit club with the "Wonderful Life" kit…look for my layouts soon! For those of you who have boys, you'll have to check back…the kit had lots of pretty Easter colors, and I used pictures of my fellas with PINK!
