Funky Bird! Art class with Jodi Ohl

Ahhhh yes, the funkier the better!  I've always loved whimsical, quirky and colorful animals.... the further away from realism the better!  Animals that are created from my imagination are what I enjoy painting, so this "Dirty Flirty Birds" mixed media class by Jodi Ohl is right up my alley!

I love her style and her process, so this is one of a few of her art classes that I've taken over the last couple of years.

This piece is a 6x12, created using acrylics, bleeding art tissue paper, Faber Castell Pitt Pen and of course my trusty Fineliner filled with black fluid acrylic paint.

I've just purchased another of Jodi's DVD downloads calls "Zen Painting", so I can't wait to dive into practice this weekend!  Abstracts are so much more difficult than you think they are to create, so I'm really looking forward to watching Jodi's process.

When I take art classes such as these, I don't mind painting following the artist's style to the letter with my beginning practice.  Over time, I begin to develop my own style and although you can see the class influences, they become more of an original piece.  (already, after only a couple of paintings, I've incorporated my preferred googly, lidded eye)

As long as I give credit to the artist with whom I've taken inspiration from, and not profit from the pieces that I've created while trying to find my style within their teachings.... I see no issue with copying their work as I develop and learn.

Just my 2 cents :-)

Cheers,
Steph

ps  I'm not affiliated with Jodi, I just love her work and her classes!

BlueBelle the Bird!: Mixed Media Process Video

3 weeks.  That's all it takes for me to be out of practice.  I need to remember this, to help me stay focused and maintain my motivation!  Life just got busy this fall and I spent more time in Photoshop then creating and getting messy.  I must remember to find that balance!

I'm not sure how to explain it, but my spirit feels so much better, sated even, when I find the time to create something.  My mind is always thinking of things to do next, things to create, that if I don't try and make one of these ideas a reality every now and again, I feel antsy. 

Here is my latest mixed media piece, BlueBelle the Bird.... she just makes me giggle!  I love this cartoony style, and I hope to make a few more characters (non bird like) with the same googly eyes soon!

Here is the process video, and the Original painting is for sale in my shop!  Thanks so much for visiting!

Products used:

8x10 wooden board canvas

(I covered it in Black Gesso before the video)

Misc Acrylic Paints

Liquitex Matt Medium

Sharpie White Paint pen (fine point, water based)

Hard Foam Stamps

(handmade with kids craft items at Dollarama... feels like mini pool noodles!)

Foam/Sponges

(recycled electronic packaging, instead of foam brushes)

Misc Stencils

Bamboo Pen

Glass Pen (Gypsy Road)

Punchinella

Stabilo Pencil

Bubble Wrap

Spectra Art Tissue Paper

7Gypsys Tissue Paper

Watercolor + Cats

I have been absolutely enamoured with watercolours lately.  Well, perhaps a little obsessed would be a better description.

I've always loved the soft look and feel of watercolours, and after taking a few online classes that touched on the medium, I've been practicing up as storm!

My first class with Carla Sonheim was: Cats! Cats! Cats!

I have to admit, the class appealed to me due to the subject matter (naturally...), but the lessons and paradigm shift that I experienced after I watched the lessons and then completed all of the homework were incredible.

I've always been stuck in my own head when it came to painting/sketching/drawing and Carla's class really helped me figure out how to let go and work on my hand/eye coordination.

My big revelation: Your work will improve if you practice!!!  Not all artists are natural born talents that can whip something up in a heartbeat.  Most artists spend countless hours working in sketchbooks and finding their "style".

I'm not certain why this concept never occurred to me before, I'm just thankful I had my "lightbulb" moment and I've been working in my sketchbook non-stop ever since :-)

This class has been my starting point, and since I love the subject matter so much, I figured I would just continue on trying to figure out "my style".  I started trying create watercolor cats based on work from Surfing Sloth, and I think I'm starting to figure out what appeals to me.

Many artists have said that if you keep using colors, mediums and techniques that inspire you and make you happy, you will eventually find your own voice... it just takes time.

Steph
xo

Mixed Media Bunny

I'm a bit of an online art class junkie.  Seriously, I can't help myself!  I love watching art process videos, especially when using mediums, products or techniques I've never imagined or encountered before. 

Some of my favorite classes are given by Juliette Crane.  They always inspire me and she shares so much!  She really puts herself out there for her students.  

The last class I took from her was called How to Create Whimsical Animals and I just couldn't resist when she had her sale last month.

Here is one of my "Whimsical Bunnies" that I worked on as I was watching her videos.  I loved working with Shiva Oil sticks for some of  the background and the entire bunny was painted with my fingertips!

Also, using Bristol paper (as Juliette does) changed the game for me.  Since I don't feel the pressure of working on canvas, I am able to work through any nerves I may have when staring at the blank page.

I really enjoyed this process, I'm slowly learning how to let go and try things out... as Juliette teaches us, everything can be painted over if it doesn't work out!

Cheers,
Steph
xo

How to Paint an Owl

It's no secret.  I love owls!  I'm not sure when it began, but it slowly crept up on me around the time I began My Little Bit of Whimsy and I started making them out of polymer clay.  Fast forward to a few years later, and our house is filled with owl images and figurines! 

I adore them, and have always loved the idea of painting my own wall art... so when I came across Juliette Crane's "How to Paint an Owl" class, it seemed like a perfect fit!

Here is my first painted owl (no mixed media, straight up paint!)  I'm loving this class and her technique!

Thanks for stopping by!
Steph
xo