Line Dancing

Staff meetings, waiting rooms, airplane rides, talking on the phone - all perfect opportunities to doodle and play with line drawing. I love pressing my brain to create fun patterns, using my journal as my playbook. 

Some may call this Zentangle but I don't conform to any particular rules, just allowing my mind to envision pattens and willing my hand to follow through. 

One of my students stared at the blank pages of her journal saying that she didn't know where to start. I told her not to think about it too hard - just put the pen to paper and begin drawing random shapes. Once you get going with nothing particular in mind, magic happens! These shapes are then sectioned out, filled in with staight lines, circles, zig-zags, and other patterns resulting in wonderful designwork.

Alicia's doodle page

I've created several pages of patterns that I reference when doing new work. It's addictive!

Pinterest or searching the internet for doodle patterns are excellent places to get ideas from. 

Having several sizes of pen tips is a plus. This allows you to make very detailed patterns and designs. I like using Pigma micron pens because of the variety of pen tips, they are permanent ink (which is great if you want to watercolor over your images), and they last a long time. Look for these qualities in the pens you use.

 

 

Here are more of my students' artwork - 

Donna goes wild!

Donna's creation

Sandra's lines

Marla's mandala

Open your journal, let loose your mind, and see what exciting art comes flowing out!

Pour Your Art Out - New Classes Are About To Begin!

Start the fall and winter seasons off right by taking art classes taught by your favorite teacher - me!

Beginning Thursday, October 20th and Saturday, October 22nd, learn exciting new weekly projects in "Art Journaling" and "Exploring Crafts". (Thursday projects are repeated on Saturdays). The cost is $20 for each 2 hour class and will include some supplies.

For the first week's projects, here's the plan:

ART JOURNALING
(Thursdays, 5:30pm - 7:30pm; Saturdays, 9:00am - 11:00am)

We will be creating background images and colors using paints, credit cards, string, crayons, various papers, saran wrap, and packing tape transfers.

• Bring your art journal (I use the 8 1/2" x 11" Ranger Dylusions Creative Journal, but bring whatever is your favorite)

EXPLORING CRAFTS
(Thursdays, 7:30pm - 9:30pm; Saturdays, 11:30am - 1:30pm)

With Halloween just around the corner, we will be making pumpkin vases and dioramas. Trust me - these are super cute!

• Bring 2-3 carvable/hollow pumpkins, any size. (I found 6" pumpkins at the Dollar Store and larger ones at Joann's)

Future Art Journaling classes will include zentangles, magazine collage fantasies, adding color over black and white photos, using puzzle pieces, 3D image making, print making, and more.

In Exploring Crafts we'll make seasonal burlap banners, fall wreaths, music sheet angel wings, fabric painting, popsicle stick bracelets, mason jar art, canvas painting...let me stop right there!

All classes will be held in Concord - message me for details.
I'm looking forward to seeing you and getting our art on!

Selfie Journal Pages

Who doesn't make selfie pictures these days? I challenged my journal students to take the selfie craze to a new level by applying their head shots to magazine images. Tons of fun and giggles ensued when we found ourselves with new bodies whether human or animal or flowers. Or maybe the heads showed up in unusual locations like Nicole's face peeping out of a flower basket. 

Nicole in a basket

Print out some pictures of yourself, friends, and family, then thumb through some magazines for that perfect image. Crop your photo face close around the edges and glue it to the found image.

One student decided to draw a caricature of her face and designed a watercolor and washi tape portraiture. Super clever! 

Donna

This is a great project to do with the kids, to create fun greeting cards, or as a ladies art night adventure over cocktails! Where will your imagination take you? Want to be a giraffe? A sunflower? A mermaid or a rock? Now's your chance! It's a whole new you!

2016 Summer Journaling and Crafts Classes!

Can you believe it? Summertime is coming! And with that said, get ready for new art journaling and craft classes brought to you by your favorite artist...me!

  

Marla's Plate

My classes have been such a success! I've met and been inspired by really great people in these groups. Some of their work is seen here and on a few of my "Make-it Monday's" posts. Come join us as we learn all new projects and make new friends!

Haley's Wreath

Classes have been
expanded to 1 1/2 hours short (because our classes are never long enough for all the fun we get into!), and Saturday morning sessions are newly available (to get your weekend art on!).

Sandra's Journal

Sandy's Journal 

Art Journaling
Art journaling is a great way to explore your creativity, get your thoughts on paper, and enjoy the process of making your own kind of art. We’ll play with different techniques such as line drawing, watercolor, "windows" and pockets, and layering papers. There’s no right or wrong style in this fun craft for ages 15 and up!

Course #100520 --- May 5 - June 2, Thursdays - 6pm to 7:30pm
Course #100519 --- June 30 - August 18, Thursdays - 6pm to 7:30pm
Course #100754 --- July 9 - August 20, Saturdays - 9:30am to 11am

Lana's Sunburst Flower

  

Nicole's Watercolor Collage

Exploring Crafts

Each week you’ll learn a fun new craft project using low cost materials perfect for home décor and gift giving. Projects may include jewelry making, decorating birdhouses, Shrinky Dink fun, garden art, altered books, wreaths, canvas painting, and more! Fun crafts for ages 15 and up!

• Course #100521 --- May 5 - June 2, Thursdays - 7:30pm - 9pm
• Course #100522 --- June 30 - August 18, Thursdays - 7:30pm - 9pm
• Course #100755 --- July 9 - August 20, Saturdays - 11am - 12:30pm

Visit www.concordreg.org for more information and to register on-line. Just click on "Activities", and enter the course number. Questions? Email me at kimlawson2000@gmail.com

Let's make something together!

Students' Bottle Wrapped Vases

Chinese Brush Painting

Chinese brush painting is a centuries old art form. It takes practice, skill, and patience - not unlike other art styles - but this brush painting technique is particularly beautiful and meditative.  

Most often done on rice paper, it is used in storytelling, nature scenes, and everyday writings, to name a few.

At the March meeting of the Concord Art Association, guest presenter Barbara Bornet Stumph, told us of her passion for this art style, showed us some of her work, and let us try our hand at creating. Read more about Barbara's Chinese brush painting presentation 

I took a stab at it but used a rock for my artwork rather than traditional paper. 

Tricky but fun! Try something new today!

Journal Pattern Play

A journal is an artists' playground! An opportunity to paint, doodle, write, layer papers, and explore new techniques. There is no limit - let your imagination take you on a journal journey!

On the pages above, I first laid down some basic squares and rectangles using watercolor paints. I kept my color choices to about 5 shades so it wouldn't be too crazy. But don't let that stop you from going with whatever moves you!

The paint dried rather quickly and I was able to move on to the really fun part - doodling. I used Sakura pigma micron pens with several tip sizes so that I could vary the design details. I love these waterproof, permanent pens but you may use any brand of permanent pens for your creation.

I played with different patterns within and around the squares and rectangles just to see what I could come up with. I liked what I made so much that I use the patterns as inspiration for design work on other pages.

Here are samples of what some of my art journaling students are working on...

Dawn Whitehead

Sandra Wolters

Sue Vanlandingham

Sandra Leonard

Aren't they a creative bunch! I am so thankful to inspire and be inspired by them.

I'd love to see what you are working on. Let's post your projects here!

Consider Joining a Local Artists Group and Participate in Upcoming Events!

Concord, and it's neighboring cities, have so many talented artists and related activities sure to spark your own creative fire! Visit my "Events" label above to read about upcoming local art events and organizations that I participate in. See you there!

My 15 Minutes of Fame!

I was recently featured in an article in the Contra Costa Times! What a thrill it was to be contacted by the journalist, Janice De Jesus, where we spent some time talking about my artwork and classes. Read the full article here: 
 http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_29562548/portable-art-galleries-offer-opportunity-to-develop-skills-practice-techniques