Friday, November 27, 2015

Gratitude - an Art Journal Page


Feeling grateful for blessings....


big and small.

"Blessings" stamp from RubberMoon.  Created in my art journal.   

Make your own Art Goddess Angel in my online class, Embrace Your Inner Art Goddess.  Only $9.99 through 12/20

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.


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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

How to Quiet the Inner Critic and Manifest Your Inner Art Goddess


We all have an inner critic - a negative voice that holds us back by whispering fear and caution in our heads.  How do we quiet the inner critic so that our creativity can blossom and flourish?



She is inside us for a reason - maybe she thinks her job is to protect us from embarrassment or failure.  Maybe she is protecting us from the judgment of an old art teacher or a critical parent...  



By acknowledging her voice, we can convince her to relax and soften, allowing us to manifest our inner art goddess and all the positive affirmations she has for us. 

Noreen With a Her Work in Progress

I would like to teach you my techniques for doing this in my newest online class, Embrace Your Inner Art Goddess.  

Techniques in this class include creating a rich, atmospheric background, bright patterned collage papers, some face painting techniques, and more. 

The class includes lifetime access to two full length, downloadable videos, a pdf file, and access to a secret Facebook group where we can connect and share work.

It's $9.99 until  December 20, and then will go to it's everyday price of $24.99.  So purchase it, download it - it's yours forever!






Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  


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Sunday, November 22, 2015

Introducing "Build-a-Villa" Stamps!

I am so excited to announce a new line of stamps with Rubbermoon called "Build a Villa."  You can mix and match them to create your own village.



I just got them in the mail, and can't wait to start playing with them!  Take a look:



You can also watch "Introducing "Build-A-Villa" from RubberMoon on YouTube here.

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  

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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Why An Open Heart is the Only Rational Answer

Windows and Doors Stencil  Available on Society6
With the horrific bombings and shootings in Paris last week, fear-mongering is running rampant - politicians and ordinary people are reacting in anger, and urging closing off, shutting down, turning in.  But bombs and hatred will never win against terrorists.  People turn to violence when they have no hope, no options.  The true weapons against terrorism are education, employment, hope, compassion and love.  We need MORE love, not more fear.

Medallions Stencil, Cascading Leaves Stencil, Falling Feathers Stencil and Hamsa Stamp
As an artist, my response is to make art and thus these images in my art journal.  Open doors.  Think of "others" as the same as me, with the same hopes, dreams and fears.  Think of my ancestors who were rejected and shunned because they were different.

The worst thing these attacks can do is close our hearts and take away our humanity.  Don't let that happen.

Kim Geiser created this beautiful coloring page as a free gift and plea to "Please Love More."  As she says, "Please share, print, use this picture and allow it to remind us to use our powers for good. "

by Kim Geiser Studios http://persimmonsgal54220.blogspot.com/2015/11/please.html

And just a reminder:
The last day to purchase these downloadable online classes for $9.99 is 11/23! Then they go to their normal price of $24.99.  So if you're interested, purchase them, download them, and do them at your convenience!



Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  


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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Why Art is Good for the Brain and Soul



Some of us make art because we HAVE to.  But even if you're not compelled by some energy buried deep inside of you, making art, playing with color and shapes, is good for you.  It stimulates parts of your spirit and brain that may not have been touched in a long time.

Recently, I collected some leaves while walking my dog.  The colors and shapes touched me deeply.  While admiring nature's canvas, I "received" a lesson from these leaves on the ground... they knew when to fall.  They didn't hang on.  They let go.  Just when they were at their most beautiful, they released.

They had profound wisdom to share with me.



When I came home, I thought about painting with the leaves.  Instead, I started playing on my GelliArts Gel Printing Plate, using the leaves as masks.  I made many prints.  And then I pulled out some favorite Stencil Girl leaf stencils and started over stenciling on my prints.  On one of them, I saw a head and hand behind Terri Stegmiller's Curvy Stems.  I traced it out with white chalk - can you see it? (Looks a little bit like E.T.!)  I had to "bring her out."


here's how she progressed.


And here she is, finished.  Around her head are marks from a border stencil by Pam Carriker  and around her neck are marks from Stencil Club Stencils.   She holds her hand up to feel the wind and catch the wisdom of the leaves. She will remind me when it is the right time to let go.


So make some art - collect pretty things from nature and use them as inspiration to make pretty marks and patterns.  See what ideas they spark in your brain, and what emotions they spark in your soul.  Here's a link to 20 Different Crafts with Fall Leaves.

 

LIMITED TIME OFFER ALERT:  
Have you checked out my new online classes?  There are only 6 more days to purchase them for $9.99!  Buy them now and do them whenever you'd like - they are downloadable and yours forever! 

Here's what people are saying about them:

"Thanks for jump starting my creative juices, Jessica. The flowers are growing and blooming..on wood panel, canvas, and in my art mournal. Thanks, Jessica Sporn...love your Floral Canvas online lesson."  Robin Bass

"I just loved your Village Shadowbox class! It really helped me loosen up, and just have fun! Your instructions are clear and helpful, while still allowing us to use our own style. Loved it!"  Michelle Rydell

"Thank you! I just watched all the videos for Village Shadowbox and absolutely loved it! I learned so many tips and techniques!! Great videos!!! " Laura Marshall

"Just finished my page from Jessica Sporn's online class called Floral Canvas. Great class with lots of insight on painting, layering, and mark making!"  Marjie Kemper
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Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  


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Saturday, November 14, 2015

Giveaway Alert for Creating From Your Soul


I'm honored to be a guest today on "Creating from Your Soul," a 21 day FREE online series of interviews with artists sharing tips and techniques. She is interviewing 21 artists this month so be sure to sign up so you can see the video interviews with little demos and giveaways.

Leave a comment today, letting me know your thoughts on my interview and the series in general.  I will pick one commenter to win this 3 x 3" canvas, entitled "Intent."  Free shipping anywhere in the world.

Also, have you checked out my new online classes?  They're $9.99 for only 9 more days!  After 11/23, they will be $24.99.  They are yours forever - so buy them at the reduced price, download them and save them for when it's convenient for you to do at your leisure!



UPDATE: and the winner is!  I have reached out to Loulou and look forward to getting this little canvas to a new home!

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.


If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  


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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Be the First to Take My Online Classes!

You asked and I listened!  I have launched downloadable online classes

For a LIMITED TIME, until November 23rd, these classes are available for just $9.99. The price will then increase to $24.99.  

Watch the introductory videos, check them out, and I hope you enjoy!

VILLAGE SHADOWBOX  



Learn resist techniques and more to create uniquely patterned papers. We'll use those papers to "build" unique, whimsical houses, and assemble those houses in a shadowbox to create a village. This is a great holiday project because your houses can be used for the shadowbox, and also for fanciful gift tags, cards, and more. The class includes four videos, a pdf file, and access to a secret Facebook group where we can connect and share work.  Here's the introductory video!


REGISTER TODAY!
SPECIAL OFFER!
$9.99 if bought by November 23rd!


FLORAL CANVAS

In this project-based class, we'll create a floral canvas using household objects and stencils. The techniques will be applicable to all your art journaling and other mixed media projects! The class includes a 16-minute video, a pdf file, and access to a secret Facebook group where we can connect and share work.  Here's the introductory video!




REGISTER TODAY!
SPECIAL OFFER!
$9.99 if bought by November 23rd!

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on FacebookPinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  

Thursday, November 5, 2015

Stencil Test Drive Redux (#1) and Giveaway

When I first began designing stencils for Stencil Girl, I hosted hops where generous artists took my stencils for a "test drive."  Today starts a monthly series -- the first Thursday of the month -- re-visiting those test drives.  I will also be sharing posts where other artists used my Rubbermoon stamps.  (I will also share posts by other artists who've used my stencils.  So if you have used them, make sure to let me know!)  

GIVEAWAY ALERT!  Each month, I will give away one of the featured stencils to one lucky commenter.  Comments for the giveaway will close on Sunday at 9AM EST, and the winner will be posted in this post by Monday morning at 9AM EST, so make sure to check back! 

This week - a look back at the Cascading Leaves Stencil Test Drive.  Here's my project and the Cascading Leaves stencil itself. 


Click the names below the images to go to the original blog posts.









I hope you'll check out these posts.  

Giveaway Closed. For a chance to win the Cascading Leaves Stencil, make sure to leave a comment below that includes your email address.  

And if you've used one of my stencils, make sure to send me a picture/link and let me know! 

Comments for the giveaway will close on Sunday at 9AM EST, and the winner will be posted in this post by Monday morning at 9AM EST, so make sure to check back!

And the winner is - Sandi Pulizzi!  The stencil is on its way to you!

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  


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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

How to Create an Embossed Box Tutorial and Class Recap


I recently had the honor of hosting six lovely women in my home studio for a Meetup class I call "Blessings Box."  It involves repurposing a cigar box into a box to hold treasured items representing blessings.   After the class pix - there's a tutorial for how you can make a box of your own!

I am lucky enough to have a nearby cigar store that gives me empty boxes whenever they accumulate.  I have to leave them outside for a week to let aerate, but then they're just perfect!


We had so much fun play with loads of stencils from Stencil Girl.  We created embossed embellishments, tissue paper accents, and collage papers, which we used to create mosaic designs on the boxes and more. 


Look at this pile of lovingly used stencils!


Tery Favo had brought a tutorial with her for embossing a box into a very gothic, steampunk creation.  Isn't it gorgeous?


I decided to try my own take on this technique.  First, I painted my box with black gesso.  Next, I took my Hearts, Flowers and More stencil and scraped Modeling paste through it with a palette knife.  I let it dry overnight, and then painted over all of the embossed areas with black gesso.  


I pulled out some of my earthiest fluid acrylic colors.  Using my fingers, I rubbed Van Dyke Brown, Burnt Umber Light, and then Burnt Umber around the raised areas of my box.  When that was dry, I placed the stencil back over the embossed areas, and stenciled them with Iridescent Bronze and Iridescent Gold.  I painted repurposed wooden bingo balls with the iridescent gold and bronze paint, and glued them as feet and a handle.



Another holiday gift done!


This is one of my favorite pics from class - it's a Michelle Ward's Marrakech Mix stencil and my Medieval Leaf Stencil having a playdate!

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you don't already, please sign-up for my newsletter HERE, and follow me on Facebook, PinterestBloglovin and YouTube, so that you never miss a giveaway, and always get the latest Jessica Sporn Designs News!  


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