I have exciting news! I’m announcing my first ever Creative Spark year long workshop series for adults. It will last from June 2019 to June 2020, and I’ll host a Creative Spark workshop at my house on every even month! As always, the focus will be on low pressure, deeply creative experiences, which inspire and…
Creative Spark Class — October 18, 2017
Join me for another evening of creativity and art. This time, we’ll explore prompts from my newly released (and award winning) book, Journal Sparks. As always, no specific artistic skills are needed — experimentation and discovery will be celebrated. Sip wine (or sparkly water), nibble cheese and treats, play with art supplies, and breathe deeply….
Journal Sparks
Hello, friends! I’m so excited to announce that my new book, Journal Sparks, is now available in stores everywhere! I’m currently hosting a virtual book tour on Instagram and Facebook, so join me there to celebrate the release with inspiration and reviews from some lovely artists, authors, and educators. Here is a little interview where…
Art Scraps and Tiny Poems
This is my favorite re-purposed art project. Use your beautiful scraps to turn your journal page into a captivating display of color, words, and texture. Each time you (or the children in your home or classroom) make art, there are always little piles of scraps left over. Learn to love your mess! Paper used for color…
The Deep Breath Collage (for when everyone needs a break)
I call these my Deep Breath Collages because they require focus, but not too much, which allows my brain to gently sink into a peaceful artistic place without feeling any kind of pressure. They really are perfect for the moment when things feel off, and you need something to make things more calm, peaceful, and…
Creative Spark :: Lines
L I N E S Draw imperfect pencil lines on a journal page. Fill them with color, color, color! I used a mix of Sharpie markers, watercolor, and oil pastels. Use anything you can get your hands on. Draw little patterns, use metallic markers, layer colors, use black and brown and regular pencil. Stream of…
Summer Creative Journaling Workshop for Ages 11-13
S P A R K Creative Journaling Workshop for Teens This playful workshop encourages kids to experiment with ideas, words, color, and abstract shapes. Each workshop features fun art and writing prompts meant to inspire creative thinking. There will be sketching, list making, poetry, collage, watercolor, and more! Time will be set aside for those…
DIY Travel Journal
Last August, my mother-in-law and father-in-law took our entire family (including all of my husband’s siblings and their partners and children) on a grand Hawaiian adventure. During the days before we left, I made a travel journal to give to them as a thank-you for the spectacular gift. As we creep towards the summer season…
Watercolor People
These people have been filling up my journal pages. Most of them have resting faces. Maybe a bit frowny? They are not sad! Just pensive. Make watercolor blobs in your sketchbook. Use an art pen to create people. More blobs, more people, and repeat. This is fun!
On My Page — Journal Doodle
Doodling over watercolor blobs is always a good plan if I am feeling stressed or worried about something. The think-as-you-go, free style technique is simply a nice way to give my brain a break. My brain was calling for a creative escape, so I painted some blobs in my journal. The following morning, I doodled…
Begin With The Hair Part Two (using newspaper and security envelopes)
I’m completely addicted to making these mixed media faces. And, yes — I start with the hair! Funny, because when I was a child, I loved to draw all kinds of hair — high swinging pony tails, really curly, kinky, spiky, long and wavy, and more and more. Some things stay with you. Today, I…
Sketchbook Hair
Sketchbook idea: Hairstyles first, faces second. This is fun for everyone: kids, adults, those in between. It also encourages the artist to appreciate and experiment with different kinds of hair. And, hey, if your kids have the urge to cut hair, maybe this will satisfy? 1. Draw hairstyles on various pieces of paper. Use magazines,…
Blobs With Personalities — Creative Workshop
For the past two years, I’ve been invited to run monthly workshops at The Worcester Family Partnership. WFP is a wonderful organization, which provides an educational, inviting, enriching, and nurturing place for families with small children to spend their mornings. They offer playgroup, healthy snacks, literacy events, and creative enrichment. I feel so lucky to…
Journal Prompt: Bento Art Box
This week, my daughter had a new friend over to the house for lunch and play. After washing hands and doing a few excited pirouettes across the kitchen floor, they sat down at the table. I bought bagels as a special treat, but our friend mentioned that her dad always packs her a special lunch. …
Journal Prompt: Character Development
Use your journal to develop characters who can find their way into your short stories, poems, and plays. List 5-10 ordinary, regular things your character would do on a free day. Write brief notes and draw small sketches to illustrate. Remember, this is practice in stepping into your character’s mind. This is not what you would…
