While drawing round ornaments is very fun and satisfying, especially when we add in all the gorgeous details with a little bit of gold and glitter, after a while it can be great fun to explore other shapes and sizes. Using a little creativity and imagination, we can expand on the basic circle to make more exotic shapes! To do this tutorial, you'll...
January is right around the corner and what better way to start the year off right than in our sketchbooks with some sweet, orangey fun?! Clementines seem to hold a special place in many folks' hearts as I've already had several memories and traditions shared with me since announcing this class. In part, I think it has to do with the smell of...
From Paint A Festive Poinsettia Online Class I'm always amazed at how fast the last three months of the year go whizzing by. I start September with the highest of hopes, believing I'm going to get oh, so much done. The next thing I know, I'm staring at the middle of December in the blink of an eye (or so it seems). Then...
It's entirely possible, maybe even probable, that I have all things Paris on the brain these days since I'll be going to teach a Travel and Art Workshop there in October 2018! And what could be more Parisian than the Eiffel Tower? Along with having Paris on the brain, it seems I have the holidays on my mind as well and what could...
My husband is really good at getting rid of stuff—things I don't think I could ever get rid of! In a recent purge, he decided to trash an old notebook/sketchbook. I picked it up and thumbed through and came across the image below: From Chris' sketchbook, 1998 The page tells the tall tale of a turkey that wasn't too keen on becoming dinner...
Exploring Ideas Building a sketchbook, or modifying one I've purchased, is part of the fun when I'm planning a trip like Paris 2018. (Wanna come to Paris, too? Click the link!) After all, why wait until the month before we leave to start playing with our art supplies? I'm ready to go now, but since that isn't possible, I can start preparing. The...
For The Love Of Pumpkins There is just something about pumpkins...is it the shape? The intense colors? Or maybe, the delicious goodies we make from these golden orbs of yumminess?! Whatever it is, I simply adore them and they are a joy to sketch and paint. This jewel is forever captured so it can be enjoyed and savored through the Autumn Season! The...
Concept Art for 'Tis The Season Have you ever noticed that the less time you have, the more inspired you are or is that just me? Every year, when the temperatures begin to drop, the leaves begin to change, and the decorations start to show up and I find myself ridiculously inspired—I cannot wait to get into the studio to start creating. I...
A Month of Gratitude Spread Most of us have lives full of blessings. I know mine is beyond blessed, but I find that sometimes I lose sight of the bounty because I focus on lack or the wrong things. Sound familiar? I invite you to a Month Of Gratitude. This isn't a challenge and it isn't daily, but rather it is a simple...
If you happen to have missed the news, I am going to be doing an Art Workshop in Paris next October with Blue Walk Tours, and I've been talking about it a lot... Okay, more like non-stop because I am so, so excited for the opportunity and because, well, it's Paris! I have been thrilled by the enthusiastic and excited response the trip...
Dare I admit that I sometimes get bored with watercolors?! I hope that statement didn't scandalize you...but it's true. I compare a steady diet of watercolor to a steady diet of the same sandwich, made with the same ingredients everyday for lunch. After a while, my enjoyment starts to disappear and then it becomes something I do by rote without fully engaging in...
Goodness, it has been a long time coming, but the day has finally arrived...for an Art Workshop in Paris, France! Many of you know the genesis for the ImaginaryTrips.com classes began in early 2009 when someone mentioned hosting me in the City of Light in conjunction with teaching. Nine years later, the dream will become a reality! I cannot tell you how super excited I am for this amazing opportunity to travel with you so we can explore...
I am thrilled beyond words to introduce you to the ALL NEW ImaginaryTrips.com web site! The old web site has been limping along but it lacked so much functionality as to be nearly useless. The new site has all kinds of new capabilities I'm still learning how to utilize. There's even a new logo! I cannot tell you how many sketches and doodles I've...
15-year-old Joey, trying to catch a nap as I try to catch a sketch late at night Looking back, I see lot of my assumptions about journaling were way out there! It would have been nice if someone would have pointed out a few things. I'm not sure if I would have listened or even believed them, but I think if they had...
If your follow me over on Instagram, you will probably want to skip this post as it is a wrap-up of the competition I entered over at @raileurope. Rail Europe is sponsoring a contest for two creative people to take a trip via rail over Germany and Switzerland. Their #talesonrail2017 closes today and the winners are to be announced in the next two weeks....
