YOU ARE WORTHY

AH! I have a blog! Between working on Daring Adventures in Paint (which is awesome, btw, and if you want to paint more & be inspired, I recommend it!), keeping up with Digital Adventures, getting Creative Warriors all set for May, & my own need to PAINT ALL THE THINGS (especially with spray paint), I am a crazy woman on the edge of I CAN DO IT / OMG WHAT IS FREE TIME. *laughs* A good fencepost to be balancing on, yes!

I promise to share the deets of my impromptu and magical adventures in Berkeley and San Francisco (not limited to Public Transit is Confusing, Did I Really Get a Ride from a Stranger, Blick Owns My Heart, FACE TO FACE OMG, Magical Artists, & more!) this weekend, but for today, I wanted to share an important message. 

Prompted by a comment made by a friend, I filmed this intro for Creative Warrior's April project, and felt it was too important not to share....I even choked up while I was editing. I've done a LOT of work on myself, and know what it feels like to feel lazy, useless, or a waste because you need to CHILL OUT and REST (two things that are VERY good for you!). But THEY AREN'T TRUE. YOU ARE WORTHY AND WONDERFUL. So view my video below. 

I'm also sharing a piece I finished today that will be up in the Etsy shop as prints on Monday.

Now, I shall attempt to tackle my inbox. *winces but is brave!*

Walk In Truth -- speed art journal page video

Yesterday, I received a message from a dear reader who's been around for a bit; you may not think it, but I notice the names as I see likes and comments and notes on the blog, consider you friends -- without all you, I'd still be a girl making art for herself, not a woman discovering her deeper self and sharing that with the world. 

Darling Rita has cancer, and is beating out her doctor's estimates. She wrote the longest, sweetest message, about her memory in the future (and I must take more time to process and think and dream), and one of the things she mentioned was that she missed me on YouTube.

I make a LOT of videos you don't see if you're not enrolled in classes. And I do work for clients, now, doing CHA releases and demo videos and e-classes for others, so YouTube has fallen behind, yes. But Rita's message is the same as others -- and yes, my last test was shaky (sorry!) and this one may be a little unstable (I created a new rigging for my camera; I test with YouTube and perfect for classes/clients!), but I hope to do more little things, tips and peeks and maybe one of these longer videos whenever I can.

But! A lot of this spread is stuff I haven't shared. Stuff I have only just figured out -- my colors and style and what goes where and how it goes.....to the point I want to go DEEPER with all this....I'm not just trying to find what works but HOW.

Feel free to ask questions in the comments and I will try my best to answer them!

Playing With Spraypaint!

Years ago, before I moved to Phoenix, I used to have tons of spray paint. Nothing fancy, just whatever I could grab at Wal-Mart or Lowes. It was messy and gave me a headache when I played for too long, but I adored the look and had just started collecting stencils. 

But winter meant I couldn't go outside to use it, and spray inks were just coming out, so I slowly switched and abandoned all my cans when I moved cross-country.

Recently, my love has been re-kindled by the messy graffiti outsider art of MitsiB. I grabbed the one can I had in my apartment and played, then grabbed a fluorescent red/orange from a big box store. I played for 10 minutes and my head hurt. 

So I decided to try the Liquitex spray paint, hoping 'Low Odor' meant we won't give you a bloody headache and burn out your nose. 

After posting to Instagram and FB, I decided it was a perfect time to test the camera on my new iPhone. C'mon....I'm a video-makin' junkie! How could I NOT test it! This little video was so much fun to put together....I wonder if you'd like more little videos like this? Talking about what I'm working on, using, and creating? I think a mini-tripod is in order (sorry for all the movement!), but I'd love to make more like this....one of the thing I love about videos and blogs is seeing someone else's world. I can share that! 

Let me know YOUR experiences in the comments below. Or suggest my next mini-video topic!

Gelli Printing in Your (hardcover) Journal (VIDEO)

On the lighter side, here is the video I recorded when I hit 1,000 newsletter subscribers, and gave them last week as a thank you (as well as a few other not-seen-elsewhere-things). I have a new set-up, and time between clients (so hire me...I have time!), and have really learned SO MUCH in the past five months about recording & editing & directing & business & so much more, that I wanted to start making videos for myself again.

(Also, I've decided to see if dosage changes with some meds may help with the fatigue and general yuckiness-I-can't-stay-awake-ness, and so far, I've gotten dressed today and am wearing a messy top bun and glasses, since TBD on Pinterest said it is fashionable. I think I still look like a nerdy artist who doesn't like hair in the way when she paints or reads, but hey...that's why they're fashion experts and I blog about art and life. Feeling better today. Got lots of love getting the word out about my awesome $10-off sale for Going Further...really, it's like 3 e-classes' worth of info, inspiration, and so much more...a massive brain-dump of my favorite projects and techniques....you should really grab it if you want to be journaling from now until summer. (I have even uploaded a preview w/ a lesson you can download!) Please help a girl out? I'm not telling you to pay, I'm asking if you would. [you can always donate if you so choose.] Letting my vulnerability hang out here, and man, is it hard. Go watch the video. It's good and fun and artsy and I babble. Are you still reading this side note? Cause I've got a book calling my name from my comfy bed, and a puppy to cuddle with. XOXO, Samie)

Gelli Arts Gel Plate Basics! (video)

Ah, finally! Even if you don't see them, I'm working on videos every single week, and am now working with others to make them awesome & amazing videos for their tutorials, too! So here's the gel plate tutorial I filmed a couple weeks ago! 

I've learned so much and converted more than a handful of people with this fun, easy to use product! I'll be making another with 'advanced' techniques pretty soon, for those of you with your own plates who want to know more! I just....I have so much fun with my gel plates! It's so calming and medatative and full of all sorts of layers and possibilities! 

If you want to see more of what I've created so far, check out my Gel Plate art gallery!

My lovely amazing friend Roben-Marie has ALSO posted her take on gel plates -- we scheduled our posts to go up together to give you all a Weekend of Gelli Arts! 

Thanks to Gelli Arts for giving us the opertunity to play with this amazing product! 

 

Make More Time for Your Art Journal w/ a Couch Box!

 

I've been asked by a few to show y'all what I have in my Couch Box - a box of art supplies that I take with me to journal anywhere and still make amazing art (it's also useful for when you go to a friend's for an art afternoon!). 
But I really do talk about how you can make more time for your art, and a few ideas of what you can do to do something EVERY DAY! It's not as hard as you think! 
Please share your favorite supplies, or your own box, in the comments down below! 

 

the weekly hangout video chat

I've been filming content, classes, and tutorials all week, as well as working on my Etsy shop and my new website (oh, you're going to love it!). Still digging out from under last week's forced "break" from the computer, but trying to stay on top of blog comments!

 

I wanted to post this information early, just in case you haven't heard about this awesome new thing I'm trying out!

Technology today is amazing, connecting people from all over the globe. I wanted to have an honest discussion about being an artist with others who are regular, every-day people. Hobbyists, professionals. Jewelry designers. Fashionistas. Anyone who craves creative expression is welcome! 

Our first chat morphed into authentic sharing of art, fear, thoughts, and ideas we're psyched about. It was amazing, and I want to host this discussion every week! 

This discussion happens every Friday at 8pm EST/5pm PST. 

Yes, this is about 1am in the UK. 

Here is how you can join in: 

Go to my profile on Google + and leave me a message saying you'd like to join. 

I will open the Hangout 10 minutes before we start. 

Hangouts can only handle 10 people at a time. I'm going to work on a rotation system to get more people in to chat, or ask different people to join each week. 

You can watch the live feed on my YouTube page. 

Even if you're not in the room, you can tag me on Twitter, post on my FB page, or even email me to contribute comments and questions to the discussion. 

 

We'll be challenging ourselves to do something fun and creative each week that we can then share on-camera or via the outlets above with each other. We're creating a safe space to share where there are loving comments and suggestions and you don't need to be afraid of judgement. 

29 Faces in May: Final

I thought I'd film the final face, the only side profile I attempted (I didn't realize this until I was nearly to the end of the month!). So check it out below! 

Overall, I had a great time attempting this challenge. While I may not have finished all 29, I did work on one every single day. On some days, when it was hard to do much art, it was amazing to feel accomplished for sitting down and simply drawing with a pen or pencil while watching a movie. 

Here are the rest, in order from the first to the very last...

(I wanted to post these so you could see my progress....and that sticking with something and working on it every day, even for a month, can teach you WONDERS. If I can do this with only ONE art class in my life, YOU CAN TOO!) 

 

(this one was done with OILS!)

You Guys Are Amazing!

I was going to type this all out, but decided I wanted to say it all face-to-face (or face-to-screen). I mean every word. I don't know how this will work as a successful business model, but I KNOW this is where I am the most happy, fullfilled, and serene. 

If you'd like one of the spots, please send me an email. Since this mini-class is open for donation, I didn't want to leave it open in the comments. 

Check out Kiki's blog post about her art journal diary! 

I have a new journal page makin' video for you guys to post tomorrow!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go wrap up in my bed and beg this migraine to GO AWAY! 

'contents' art journal flip [VIDEO]

Hey there love! Want to keep up with what I'm working on? Click here to join my mailing list. And if you're in search of artistic fellowship, why don't you join me and over 300 others at The Studio?

Many of these pages were created for Journaling Deep -- while they currently exist as PDFs, I've been uploading a 25-30 minute tutorial video every single week for about a month and a half, now, and am hoping to create an awesome video tutorial library for new and experienced art journalers alike. 

It's really ambitious. I'm pouring out everything in my head, all I've learned, all I've discovered and tried and played with. And for awhile, I was sad....sad that such a small percentage of y'all were interested in learning what I have to offer, but then my stubborn side said:

You've already done this for half the year and you're going to give up now?

I hope that in months and years to come, more and more aspiring journalers will be interested in the library I'm creating.

Plus, with each video, I learn more about how to frame what I'm recording, about how to use the lighting I have to make things clear. In how to explain what I'm trying to teach. In editing and packaging. 

So that's what I'm building toward. And proving to myself that I have a LOT in this head of mine to shared! 

 

I'm also working on a new class about overcoming resistance and understanding inspiration better, how to find ideas and build off others. It should be out in about three weeks or so! 

Don't forget that I'm also teaching journal making this Saturday at Jerry's Artarama! 

Okay, I'm off to paint for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, I'll be posting a very personal journal page & post about the health problems I've been having lately, more of an apology to everything that has fallen through my fingers as I struggle with a seemingly unsolvable problem. 

Art Journal Workshop Layers - 5 Years Later

5 years ago, I started sharing my artwork via YouTube using the iSight in my MacBook and iMovie. I started with a supply list, then shared a journal page progress video. It hit the front page for How To & Style and prompted me to create more and more videos. 5 years and nearly 100 videos later, I found myself nostalgic and re-watched that video. 

I found myself smiling at this younger me, and how I used materials I've long since fallen in love with. And wondered....

What would that page look like now?

I love what happened. What I created. And wonder what the next 5 years have to bring...

Mixed-Media Paper Match-Up: Strathmore vs. Canson

In this video, I tell you a little bit more about paper, and talk about the new mixed-media papers out there by Canson and Strathmore and gush about my new favorite. I also share some new journal pages in-progress and let the Mad Scientist Kira out of the studio for a few moments. 

Want to win a 6"x9" pad of the Strathmore mixed media series 400 paper? Leave a comment here or on the blog to be entered! 

Climbing out of the background rut & weekend plans...

I meant to get this up yesterday and post an art & pictures post today, but the video didn't work when I went to edit, so BAM! Video today. 

The Whispers (or the Divine, or Flow, or Possibility) had me at the hardware store today getting wood panels, the craft store to grab clear gesso, and put turpentine in my basket. This weekend will be spent prepping and painting on oak. 

What will be I be painting? 

I don't know. 

But I know something it trying to come through.

And I've gotta listen. 

(I'm also brainstorming a piece for a show called The Unsettled Body and think I have a unique perspective on it. It's currated by my teacher, Edna Dapo -- check out her work; she's amazing!)

[video] Q&A #5: alcohol inks, pads, video-making, and more!

This week, I discuss more of your questions, especially those related to creating your own spray inks from alcohol inks (read: NO!) and creating video content for viewers. I also discuss my favorite art books, stamp pads, and a whole bunch more (including my upcoming art workshop!). 

Here're links for a few things mentioned in the video:

Workable Fixatif

Golden GAC 100

My fav books...

Painted Pages

Ordinary Sparkling Moments

1000 Artists' Journal Pages

Strathmore Mixed-Media 400 Series
(I plan on doing a review post for this paper as soon as I've worked on it some more.)

I just wanted to update y'all on a few things around here. The sewing video's been filmed and I just need to edit it -- I'll be posting it on Tuesday, as tomorrow's pretty full (a deadline, class, grocery shopping, and class prep!). I have filmed a short video about the whole Pinterest situation, but I'm, well, a bit scared to post it! If I do, it'll go up tomorrow, since it doesn't require much editing (I actually wrote it and read word-for-word!). 

I'm taking a little internet break this week -- I'm feeling way too overwhelmed by social media and trying to keep up with it all, so I'm unplugging my wireless card and working in the studio most of the time. This also means I'll be working on answering emails -- I really have a bunch I'm itching to answer (but my wrist has gotten angry and I'm wearing a brace) and hope being unplugged will help me be more focused. I need to detox a bit from electronics!

And yes, I put up a donate button again. I'm doing a ton of videos these days, and would love a little help. No pressure! It's just me opening up to the abundance of the universe. This girl is ready to claim 2012 as her year. 

Make sure you're on the mailing list! I'm starting something new and free, and will be sending out a newsletter this week.

Now, I believe Once Upon a Time is on. 

[video] Q&A: all about inspiration, courage, and supplies!

Wow! I think we've found a winner for Kira's Standing And Talking Videos. No color correction needed! I answer a bunch of questions in a socially awkward way, running on iced tea and chai as I am still in the middle of my Diet Coke detox. 

Here are links for things I discuss in the video:

(I did mention Pinterest in the last vid, but am still educating myself about their practices and TOS, so I'll hold off on "officially" endorsing them.)

my google+ profile:
https://plus.google.com/112284082609292585455/

qa forum: 
http://www.journalgirl.com/qaforums/

sticky pages: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCRv5NJlwWc

paper i use in my journals: 
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/paper/printmaking-paper/s...

on-the-go journal kit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjXhxiSfC7M
Couch journal kit: 
http://www.journalgirl.com/blog/2011/11/7/an-armchair-art-solution.html