"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.
Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.
Make your mistakes, next year and forever."
-Neil Gaiman
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Wednesday, December 31, 2014
New Years Wishes
Labels:
An Open Heart Journal,
art journal,
art journaling,
collage
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Bringing Home the Goods: Cambridge
Had a great time in Cambridge yesterday. We went to the Harvard Square Bookstore, The Coop, Black Ink, Bob Slate, Nomad and Joie de Vivre. I only got into trouble at the Harvard Square Bookstore and even then it doesn't count because I had a very generous birthday gift certificate that has been burning a hole in my pocket since the summer. I am eager to dive into what I bought. I was happy that they had so many of the titles that were on my wishlist.
Cambridge has always been one of my favorite places to explore. As a teen, I'd would take The "T" there from Quincy. I loved the used record and bookstores. I worked there one summer at a bank and I'd spend my breaks wandering around the streets and checking out the sites. I still love exploring there and I'm already counting the days again until I can go back.
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Monday, December 29, 2014
29 September 2014 Journal Page
I had a great time teaching in Holliston yesterday. I want to thank Anne and the gang for everything. There were great groups of amazing artists at both venues this weekend. I loved every minute of it!
My latest online class, Making My Mark: A Prompt a Day: January 2015: Collage is live and available for folks to sign up. The paypal button had stopped working but I've fixed it:
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Another thing that has been fixed is not being able to access some of my online classes hosted by yahoogroups on your phones. (With a very big) Thanks to Susan J., who figured out a way around the problem. My latest class is now accessible on your phones, etc... as soon as I can, I will start to make all of my online classes as easily accessible. Thanks for your patience and your help.
Hopefully heading into Cambridge today. I have a big gift certificate burning a hole in my pocket for one of my favorite bookstores. Have a good Monday!
Labels:
An Open Heart Journal,
art journal,
art journaling,
collage
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Pen Love: JetPens Order Review
As part of their sponsorship program, JetPens sent me a $25 gift certificate to play with. I always have a hard time narrowing down the pens that I want to try but here's what I bought this time for November and December:
Pilot FriXion Colors Erasable Marker-in rose, navy and honey yellow.
This is a very good pen for students (because it's erasable and comes in fun colors), doodlers or people who like to play with brush tip pens. It's smooth on paper but doesn't stay on tape or paint. I wouldn't buy it again because for what I do, it doesn't work.
Sailor Mitsuo Aida Double-Sided Brush Pen - Fine / Medium -Maroon Body
I LOVE This pen. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE it. Yeah, it wipes off of
paint or paper but it's just smooth and fun to play with. I love the
double sided tips. Make sure that if you buy one, you realize that
the pen only comes in black on jetpens and the colors are the
different bodies of the pens.
I've written about the Pilot Juice Gel Ink pens before.
They're not my favorite gel pen (see more here) but they are fun and I do
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Sunday, December 21, 2014
17 September 2014 Journal Page
Sorry about all of the class posts the other day. I had to get those out and I figured all at once was a good way to do it!
If you ordered a deck of cards or book from me, you should have them sometime this weekend. They were mailed (as promised) on Monday.
My latest online class, Making My Mark: A Prompt A Day Revised and Revisited: January 2015: Collage Online Class is LIVE. It's on sale through Monday, December 22nd at Noon PST for $20. After that, it will be $25. All of the class information is on the board right now and you can join or start at any time. The class is work at your own pace.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
A Holiday Wish List/Gift Giving Guide for Artists
Someone
asked me what my holiday wish list as far as art supplies went.
Contrary to popular belief, I'm not constantly buying art supplies
unless it's for my classes. My favorite supplies are listed (on the right hand side of the blog here.) I'm always looking for inspiration so books are at the top of my wish list. Three books that I really would love right now are:
Books that I ALREADY HAVE and would recommend to any art lover are: Juliana Coles and Orly Avineri's latest self published offerings of their art journals, Maira Kalman and Lynda Barry's latest are very big favorites.
I would really love this pelvis stencil. I LOVE the sacred heart stencil, the Sri Yantra (and several others) from Artistscellar in 6 x 6" size. I always love Crafters Workshop stencils. I need more alphabet stencils (always looking for letter stencils. Any favorites?) I love small stencils that I can throw in my art journal bag.
Water based paint markers are a big favorites. I just bought some extra fine paint markers from Montana in
colors I didn't have as well as a couple of empty extra fine paint
markers, replacement tips and bottles of their refills for the colors
that I wanted that didn't come in extra fine size.
I'm always looking for collage material so a trip to a good used bookstore like Iliad Books in North Hollywood (my favorite) might be fun for an artist. They can find inspiration or materials!
I'm a BIG sucker for washi tape and alphabet stamps that I search for on etsy or at Kinokuniya. I also love handmade paper so a gift certificate to an art store (like Flax) or Paper Source would make any artist drool.
Pens from Jetpens.
Pens from Jetpens.
Rub-ons. I'm always looking for good rub-ons to use in my artwork. I love the old letraset letters as well as some fun scrapbooking ones.
Stickers because I'm 40 going on 8. You're never too old!
Magazines I love: Uppercase, Flow and Another Escape are all favorites.
I backed this kickstarter project and can't wait for Temple of Art as a book AND A film to come out. (I ordered both.)
Magazines I love: Uppercase, Flow and Another Escape are all favorites.
I backed this kickstarter project and can't wait for Temple of Art as a book AND A film to come out. (I ordered both.)
In person or online classes from your favorite artists and art teachers. They make great gifts! I know someone who loves to teach and can make up gift certificates for you.
The biggest gift that I would want but can only make myself is time. Time to create my journal pages, time to read, time to think, time to immerse myself in what I love to do the most.
The biggest gift that I would want but can only make myself is time. Time to create my journal pages, time to read, time to think, time to immerse myself in what I love to do the most.
Artist friends, what is on your wish list?
Friday, December 19, 2014
A Closer Look at December and January Classes
Here's my list of classes for December 2014 through January 2015.
It's the holiday season and classes make a GREAT gift! You can email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions or want to send a class as a gift.
I'm ALWAYS looking for new teaching venues so if you know of any that may be interested, I'd love to hear. I have taught at stores, museums, schools, backyards, garages, studios and private homes.
My workshops are always process-based learning while creating a unique product. I am well known for not traveling light and bring a large variety of supplies including (but not limited to) collage material, rubber stamps, stencils, pens, markers, tape and more.
Please note the small supply list for each class.
If you're not near where I'll be teaching, but you're interested in taking a class, I do offer a variety of online classes (24 different online workshops as of Winter 2014.) You can find out more info on the right side of my main blog.
Thank YOU for your interest!
December
27th Kept Creations Whitman, MA two NEW classes!
28th ArtStudio 360 Meetup Group Holliston, MA two NEW classes!
January 2015
10th Banana Rose Westlake Village Pocket Planner
11th Scrampers Torrance The Painted Book
18th Book Arts LA Deep Within: Journal Bundles

23-25th Maria's Studio in the Niles Section of Fremont, CA
five NEW classes
31st The Making Place Escondido Cultivating You
I hope to see you there!
It's the holiday season and classes make a GREAT gift! You can email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions or want to send a class as a gift.
I'm ALWAYS looking for new teaching venues so if you know of any that may be interested, I'd love to hear. I have taught at stores, museums, schools, backyards, garages, studios and private homes.
My workshops are always process-based learning while creating a unique product. I am well known for not traveling light and bring a large variety of supplies including (but not limited to) collage material, rubber stamps, stencils, pens, markers, tape and more.
Please note the small supply list for each class.
If you're not near where I'll be teaching, but you're interested in taking a class, I do offer a variety of online classes (24 different online workshops as of Winter 2014.) You can find out more info on the right side of my main blog.

27th Kept Creations Whitman, MA two NEW classes!
28th ArtStudio 360 Meetup Group Holliston, MA two NEW classes!
January 2015
10th Banana Rose Westlake Village Pocket Planner
11th Scrampers Torrance The Painted Book

18th Book Arts LA Deep Within: Journal Bundles

23-25th Maria's Studio in the Niles Section of Fremont, CA
five NEW classes

31st The Making Place Escondido Cultivating You
I hope to see you there!
Sunday, January 11, 2015 Scrampers, Torrance: The Painted Book
I
am really looking forward to returning to teach at Scrampers in Torrance on Sunday, January 11th. The store is HUGE with lots of fun goodies and an extremely large classroom space.
1309 Sartori Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Each class is four hours in length.
Class time is Noon to 4 p.m.
The class fee is $80 per person (per class) which includes a vast array of mediums and materials to complete the necessary project. It is well known that I do not travel light to any of my classes. I will be bringing such things as:
- all materials necessary to complete the project (handmade paper, decorative paper, board, glue, etc...)
- bookbinding supplies (thread, awl, needles)
- rubber stamps
- ink pads
- decorative tape
- stencils
- pens and markers
- gel medium
- collage ephemera and much, much more.
Cancellation policy:
Students are allowed to cancel 72 hours (3 days) before the class.
After that, you can send someone else in your place, transfer to another
one of my classes or receive a kit.
The Painted Book: An Exploration in Layers
By
popular demand, I'm teaching a brand new mixed media class. Roll up
your sleeves, don your aprons and prepare to get messy! We'll explore a
variety of mediums including watercolor, gouache, and much, much more.
Create richly painted pages which you will assemble into a canvas
covered book. Learn new ways of exploring color and layering in this
unique four hour workshop.
Supply list: Apron, tacky glue, scissors, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of
paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, and 1" brush to paint and glue
(I like chip or bristle brushes).
I hope to see you there!
Sunday, January 18th, 2015 Deep Within: Journal Bundles at Book Arts LA
I
am very excited to announce that I will be returning to teach at the Book Arts
Los Angeles Center (at the location where Stampin From the Heart used to
be.) The new space is
gorgeous with plenty of space to work and an amazing amount of
light in the studio. I love teaching there.
BookArtsLA
11720 Washington Place
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Each class is four hours in length.
Class time is Noon to 4 p.m.
The class fee is $85 per person which includes a vast array of mediums and materials to complete the necessary project. It is well known that I do not travel light to any of my classes. I will be bringing such things as:
Please note if these buttons don't work or if you have questions, please email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net.
BookArtsLA
11720 Washington Place
Los Angeles, CA 90066
Each class is four hours in length.
Class time is Noon to 4 p.m.
The class fee is $85 per person which includes a vast array of mediums and materials to complete the necessary project. It is well known that I do not travel light to any of my classes. I will be bringing such things as:
- all materials necessary to complete the project (handmade paper, decorative paper, board, glue, etc...)
- bookbinding supplies (thread, awl, needles)
- rubber stamps
- ink pads
- decorative tape
- stencils
- pens and markers
- gel medium
- collage ephemera and much, much more.
Please note if these buttons don't work or if you have questions, please email me at EGorey99@sbcglobal.net.
Please note that I am handling all of the sign-ups (not BALA.)
I am also scheduled to teach there (classes TBA):
February 15th
March 29th
Sunday, January 18th Noon to 4 p.m.
Deep Within: Journal Bundles
Rarely do we think of art making as a gift to ourselves. In this special four hour workshop, we will transform old books, found ephemera, and much, much more into our own precious journal bundles. Revamp and revitalize materials to create your own self expressive pieces of art.
Supply list: a small selection of favorite ribbon (you will need one piece at least 3' long) or string pieces, scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)
Please bring an x-acto knife and cutting mat ONLY if you have one.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
17 September 2014 Journal Page
The page above is huge and yet it still works using small images. I pull them together by tying odd bits and pieces of paper together using snippets of stencils, color repetition, text and pattern around the page. It might not be the best thing I've ever made but it says exactly what I needed it to say at that moment in time.
When you're struggling with your work, step back and take a minute to really look at your piece. Ask questions but don't judge. Does the piece say everything that you need for it to say? What do you like about it? What don't you like? If there's something that you don't like, step back and look at the page from a distance. Turn it upside down and rotate it so your brain doesn't see the images but shapes, patterns and colors. Can you try pulling a color around the page or repeating a pattern? What about adding some different text in that blank little corner up at the top? These are all questions that have gone through my mind at times as I make my pages.
“I invent nothing, I rediscover.” -Auguste Rodin
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
16 September 2014 Journal Page
Busy week ahead. I'm prepping for my classes at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA as well as ArtStudio 360 in Holliston, MA.
I'm also working on finishing up the 50+ page handout for my latest class, Making My Mark: A Prompt A Day Revised and Revisited: January 2015: Collage. I'm really excited about this class and what folks are going to do with it. It's always my most favorite part about teaching, generating new ideas in a group setting and seeing how we inspire each other.
Blog Love:
A Single Woman Is a Witch: Battling to Save the Art Environment of Mary Nohl (this woman was amazing with what she created.)
Mary Nohl, The Witch of Foxpoint:
Labels:
An Open Heart Journal,
art journal,
art journaling,
collage,
Mary Nohl
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
What a Year Brings
“Please read my diary, look through my things and figure me out." -Kurt Cobain,
Journals
Thirteen.
Thirteen full journals from 2014. All made and filled by me. (The only one missing is the one that is in the third photo. It is living at Kept Creations in Whitman, MA until my classes there next weekend.)
"On Keeping a Journal. Superficial to understand the journal as just a
receptacle for one’s private, secret thoughts — like a confidante who
is deaf, dumb and illiterate. In the journal I do not just express
myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.
The journal is a vehicle for my sense of selfhood. It represents me
as emotionally and spiritually independent. Therefore (alas) it does not
simply record my actual, daily life but rather — in many cases — offers
an alternative to it." -Susan Sontag December 31st entry in her journal, Reborn.
I share these with you to encourage you. If I can do it, so can you. A full year to you may mean one full completed journal of 30 pages or a journal a month or a journal every two weeks. It is all good. To hold them in your hands and look back over the year, a year full of you having lived is a very good thing. Something to celebrate.
Labels:
art journals,
diaries,
journals,
journals kept in a year
Monday, December 15, 2014
Fremont, CA Workshops January 23-25, 2015
I
am very happy to announce that I will be teaching five NEW workshops
at Maria's studio in Fremont, CA January 23-25, 2015 (classes are open to the
public.)
I
will be offering fresh, new workshops teaching a variety of NEW
bookbinding, collage, creative processing, self expression, composition,
design, layering and much, much more.
My workshops are always
process-based learning while creating a unique product. I am well known
for not traveling light and bring a large variety of supplies including
(but not limited to) collage material, rubber stamps, stencils, pens,
markers, tape and more. There is a small supply list below each class
description.
Beginners to advanced are welcome in ALL of the classes.
Interested in signing up? Questions? Please email Kelly for more info! EGorey99@sbcglobal.net
Payments for the Fremont, CA workshop must be made in advance. Due to the fact that the teacher is traveling from Los Angeles and must prep for the workshops in advance, there are no cancellations allowed. No refunds.
You may send someone else in your place if you are unable to attend the workshop, or you will receive a kit for the class. You can either pay via paypal (see button below) or send a check or money order. Once you've signed up for the workshop, you will be sent the address and directions to the workshop location. If you have ANY questions you can email me. I will also give you my cell phone number so you contact me.
The Schedule is:
Payments for the Fremont, CA workshop must be made in advance. Due to the fact that the teacher is traveling from Los Angeles and must prep for the workshops in advance, there are no cancellations allowed. No refunds.
You may send someone else in your place if you are unable to attend the workshop, or you will receive a kit for the class. You can either pay via paypal (see button below) or send a check or money order. Once you've signed up for the workshop, you will be sent the address and directions to the workshop location. If you have ANY questions you can email me. I will also give you my cell phone number so you contact me.
The Schedule is:
Friday, January 23rd
A Journey in Black and White 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
followed by
followed by
Painted Visions 3 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 24th
An Open Heart Journal 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
followed by
Sunday, January 25thfollowed by
Fragile Truths 3 to 7 p.m.
Here in My Head 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
*** When using the paypal button, If
you receive an error message, please email me at
EGorey99@sbcglobal.net You can sign up for ANY of the classes and just
email me with the
name (or names) of the one(s) that you want. Thanks.***
A Closer Look at the Classes:
Friday, January 23rd
A Journey in Black and White 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Want to spend four hours exploring the use of black and white with a hint of color? In this workshop, you will bind a simple (but intriguing) hand stitched journal. We'll then start to work magic on the pages piecing together black and white images and backgrounds to create visually stunning pages. We'll bring pops of color into the mix using pens, markers, stencils, rubber stamps and more.
Please start to gather black and white papers together to use in this class. Don't worry about what you are going to do with them, just accumulate and bring them with you.
Supply list: scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera (ESPECIALLY black and white ephemera), bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)
Supply list: scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera (ESPECIALLY black and white ephemera), bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)
followed by
Painted Visions 3 to 7 p.m.
Do you love color? In this unusual workshop, we'll combine one of my favorite mediums: water soluble crayons with some of my other favorite toys to create a colorful canvas journal. Prepare to get messy and have a lot of fun doing so.
Supply list: apron, scissors, small selection of favorite collage
ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of
paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to paint and/or glue with (I like chip or bristle brushes), a water container (to clean your brush), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old
catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed
paper for this.)
Saturday, January 24th
An Open Heart Journal 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This journal was a game changer for me and it could be the same for you. Working in different sizes has always pushed me to think outside of the box. I always try to do the same with my classes and in this class you will be pushed out of your comfort zone but I guarantee you will love every minute. We'll start by binding the journal with a cool looking stitch. Then, we'll dive in on the pages creating rich layers by combining collage with some of my favorite tools.
Prepare to think large in this class and start to gather your large ephemera that you've been hoarding. Don't worry what you're going to do with it, just bring it with you.
Supply list: scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera (you may want to bring all of your LARGE ephemera that you've been saving though any size papers will work, too!), bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)
Supply list: scissors, small selection of favorite collage ephemera (you may want to bring all of your LARGE ephemera that you've been saving though any size papers will work, too!), bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue (I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed paper for this.)
followed by
Sunday, January 25th
Fragile Truths 3 to 7 p.m.
What do you get when you combine paper, tape, rubber stamps, stencils, markers and your own musings into one unique handmade book? You get four hours of fun, new ideas and fresh art journal pages. Eager to explore collage and/or art journaling? Itching to paint with paper? Then this is the class for you.
Supply list: scissors, small selection of favorite collage
ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of
paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue
(I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old
catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed
paper for this.)
Here in My Head 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Construct an very unique journal with pages full of layers of colorful paper, deep musings and luscious layers that flip and fold out. (See the pictures below.) You'll then learn how to fill the pages with imagery, color, text, patterns and more that speak to you. You'll love this fun class!
Supply list: 1 yard of ribbon, scissors, small selection of favorite collage
ephemera, bone folder, cork back metal ruler, roll of waxed paper, roll of
paper towels OR an old rag, permanent black inkpad, 1" brush to glue
(I like chip or bristle brushes), a few of your favorite glue sticks, an old
catalog or magazine to glue on (if you don't want to use all of your waxed
paper for this.)
I hope to see you there!
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