Art Journal: Teen Summer Classes

I must confess that I have the best job ever! My main goal in life a few year's back was to find a job I didn't hate. I've worked a lot of jobs over the years. I used to keep track of how many different positions I'd had, but I stopped counting somewhere around 25. Yes. I really have had over 25 different jobs. I've worked as: a cashier, grill cook, waitress, shift supervisor, receptionist, editorial assistant, supermarket clerk, cleaner, babysitter, post office typist, telemarketer, writing tutor, camp counselor, freelance writer, and an art teacher. I've also had several small businesses (homemade bath salts, hemp necklaces, website design, and jewelry). Now that I'm teaching art classes, I know I've finally found my calling. The best part? My job hardly ever feels like "work"; I put a lot of time into it, sure, but it's so fun that I hardly notice!

This summer I am lucky enough to be working with libraries around the state of Rhode Island. I have three programs on offer: button making, shrinky dinks, and art journals, and each library got to choose which program they wanted me to run. I am psyched about all of the programs, but I have a special place in my heart for art journals.

Once I explain what an art journal is to the kids, they get excited. Most of them have ideas right away about what they want to do with their journal.

I like to fill the tables with lots of supplies: paint markers, magazines, colored pencils, stickers, and washi tape. I have learned that it's better to limit the supplies a bit so that I don't completely overwhelm the kids, so I stick to my favorites.

For this class, we had a mix of adults, teens, and younger kids. Since we had a small group, I was open to having a couple six-year-olds and their moms join us. I wasn't sure how the little kids would take to art journals, but I needn't have worried: they loved it!

This lovely lady had a butterfly painted on her face. So cute!

Justin Beaver: in Progress

This is Justin Beaver, Molly's cartoon version of everyone's favorite tween heart throb. Check out Molly's blog, PugPuppy, to see more of her fabulous work!

Love the text on David's art journal!

Looks like we have a new fan of washi tape!

Speak Out: Art Journal Video #2

Success! I'm much happier with the quality of this video! Nick helped me adjust the lighting and reposition the tripod so my head didn't get in the way of the art-in-progress. I added a line of masking tape on my desk to help me keep the journal lined up, too. I'm pretty fascinated watching myself make art, since that's a novel experience, so I hope you enjoy it, too. Something I learned that I didn't know before is that you don't have to worry too much about the sound because you can use a feature on YouTube called Audioswap to add music to the video. I was wondering how people always had great music with their YouTube videos... now I know the secret. And you do, too.

Test Video: Art Journal #1

I love watching people working in their art journals on YouTube, so I've been wanting to record a video of my own. Today, I finally got Nick to help me set up the tripod and recorded myself for 10 minutes working on my art journal. After much frustration, I finally figured out how to convert the video to a format I can use on my MAC (I bought the camcorder pre-MAC). Then, I figured out how to speed up the video in iMovie and add captions. Next time, I want to make sure the video's in better focus and adjust the lighting. Also, I need to make sure the camera is positioned so that my head isn't in the way... haha! But, if you are interested, here is my laughable first attempt at an art journaling video.

Art Journal Rhode Island: Artist Trading Cards

For our Art Journal Rhode Island meeting this month, we decided to experiment with Artist Trading Cards. ATCs are baseball-card sized miniature works of art. Artists around the globe make and trade ATCs, so we figured we'd make a night of 'em. Nick cut a stack of cards using Strathmore Acrylic Linen Canvas paper. Sometimes we work with a theme, but this month, we all did our own thing.

Nick @ Work

Nick did his background with watercolor paints. For the black card in the back, he cut out an image from his journal; everything else is done in watercolor paint.

Jen @ Work

Jen made beautiful backgrounds using a blend of acrylic paints and a piece of sponge which she had so cleverly placed in her supply bag. Excellent thinking! I'll be adding a piece of sponge to my bag o' tricks too! She added collage elements, used chalks to add shimmer, and used paint markers to add really pretty detail work.

Me @ Work

I decided that I wanted to try my hand at making very mini versions of the dolls I've been learning how to paint in Doll Dreams. I was very pleasantly impressed with the results! In this picture I am using a FABULOUS white Uni-Ball Signo UM-153 pen from Jet Pens. I highly recommend you order one, or many, for yourself! I've tried a lot of white pens, and this is the only one that will write on ANYTHING. Very awesome!

The fruits of our labors!