Category Archives: ART SHARE
Tips, techniques and tricks of the trade to assist artists in their painting and careers.
Over 300 DVDs Have Sold!
Over 300 Alcohol Ink Dreamscaping DVDs Have Sold!
I so appreciate the feedback I’m receiving from people who have bought my DVDs and are practicing the Dreamscaping Process. These artists are creating art they’re pleased with and art that is selling well online, at exhibitions and at shows. Many are teaching what they’ve learned and gaining their own following.
Dreamy Falls
©Alexis Bonavitacola
While they may have started out with my DVDs, their own personal styles are emerging. Many have incorporated their own discoveries and are making their own contributions, introducing new ideas and techniques creating their own unique art.
Here are just a few, click on these artists’ names to see their work:
Michelle’s comment made my day:
In seeking a more vibrant & saturated medium, I was fortunate enough to come across a preview of June’s level 1 DVD of which I now have, as well as level 2 . I have been reinvigorated and re inspired with the fluidity and organic imagery that AI allows. Early on in my art endeavours & teaching watercolours, I could never have been accused of being an abstractionist, but with June’s gentle encouragement to release inhibition and to listen to intuition, I find my collections have really developed into a much truer expression of my artwork.
Over 412 members have joined the Alcohol Ink Art Facebook Group since it began last fall. Many AIA members are sharing their own methods, quite different from mine. Others, while creating awesome work, don’t have a blog or website….yet 
To see their creations and learn more about this fascinating medium, request to join: Alcohol Ink Art Facebook Group
Let’s Keep Dreaming 
Other Surfaces For Alcohol Inks
I’ve used alcohol inks on Yupo and ceramic tile, but there are members in AIA who are getting amazing results experimenting with different substrates. Here are just a few:
Stacy Stall Wills Using Clay Board
Billie Crain Using Copper Simple Leaf, 5″ x 7″
Kim Peto Using Aluminum, 16″ x 20″
Jeanne Caruth Rhea Using Deep Cradled Panel 30″ x 30″
Come meet these artists and many more by requesting membership in Alcohol Ink Art Facebook Group.
Come join 378 others in AIA and learn more about this fascinating medium:
Over 170 DVDs Have Sold!
Over 170 Level 1 & 2 Dreamscaping With June Rollins® DVDs Have Sold!
I’m happy my DVDs are being received well. I love hearing from excited beginners, thrilled with their results and more experienced artists energized from this looser, more intuitive approach, eager to implement the Dreamscaping method into their own styles and mediums. One artist in particular stood out to me this week, Linda Powell.
Linda ordered my Deluxe Kit on Feb. 4th and has already created 35 paintings! One of my favorites is Dreamy Abstract No. 101, shown above. She told me she loves getting lost in the Dreamscaping Process. Easy to do with this, fun, intuitive method that uses no brushes or pre-planned sketches.
Linda’s art and online marketing got my attention, but I especially wanted to share her story after she told me:
I am self taught…took painting up about 7 years ago when I found out I had breast cancer. Glad I bought your kit because I just found out that I have breast cancer again (this time a different type) and it has helped me keep my mind off the cancer and the treatment…keeps my hands busy.
See more of Linda’s work in her Etsy Shop
We all have stories humming beneath the surface of our art. Some stories are filled with the joy and struggles of learning a new painting method, others are filled with the joy and struggles of life. Have you purchased my DVDs and have a meaningful story to share? If so, hope you will comment below.
Let’s Keep Dreaming
See preview clips of my 3rd DVD available April 2013: Piñata Dreamscaping On Ceramic Tile With June Rollins®
Alcohol Ink Art Facebook Group Has 200 Members!
This morning I welcomed the 200th member into AIA, the Alcohol Ink Art Facebook Group I began a little over 5 months ago. I’m continually amazed at the way artists around the world are experimenting with this versatile medium.
From jewelry by Maxine Pring, South Wales, UK.
To, batik creations on wax paper by Billie Crain
To, award winning art by Katherine Smith-Schad!
To swirls and circles by Karen Walker, AIA, Co-Admin.
Tommy McDonell is combining Acrylic Inks With Alcohol Inks
And Monica Moody, is creating hand pulled lino block prints.
The 20/20 Monarch shown will be hanging in my home soon
There are many more amazing works by other AIA Members. Plus, several instructors in AIA with DVDs and offering alcohol ink workshops in a variety of styles.
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To be in on the latest happenings with alcohol inks, or if you’re interested in learning more about Alcohol Ink Art, (beginners welcome), request an invite on Facebook to join this sharing, encouraging, supportive community!
To Request Membership, Go to Facebook and Click:
Alcohol Ink Art Facebook Group
Let’s Keep Dreaming
This E-mail Made My Day!
This morning I opened an e-mail from one of my students…
(which she gave me permission to share with you).
Pam with her 1rst Place Dreamscape
“Due to your encouragement, I entered my Dreamscape in the June show
and won 1st place in the “Other” category.
Thanks so much for the instruction, support and enthusiasm!”
Pam Griner
Administrative Assistant
Artists League of the Sandhills
This has got to be one of the best messages an instructor can get!
Congratulations, Pam!
Learn More about the Absolutely Art Show at Artists League of the Sandhills
Beginner Tip #5 – Really Good Watercolorists Only Use Sable Brushes
NOT TRUE!
Take a look at two of my favorite watercolorists
and read why they love synthetic brushes:
Everyday Graces By Susan Crouch http://www.susancrouch.com
I enjoy experimenting with different kinds of brushes, but I keep coming back to Cheap Joe’s American Journey. This synthetic brush works well with my techniques because it has good spring and the capacity to hold lots of paint. Also, it’s affordable!
Bundled Up By Crystal Cook www.crystalcookart.com
www.crystalcookart.blogspot.com
I prefer synthetic brushes. I really like to have a super sharp point on my large brushes, for adding finishing details, and I could not find a sable brush that could hold a good deal of water and also keep a sharp point. For me, those two things are really all I need in a good watercolor brush and I found that the cheaper (cheaper when compared to the high quality sable’s, but not just any cheap synthetic brush, you still need to get a good quality brush) synthetics worked just as well (though perhaps not as durable) as the sable ones. I also think that my mentality about ‘saving’ my sable brushes, since they are SO expensive, hindered the way I worked with the brush. They became a precious commodity that I didn’t want to ruin or harm, where as the synthetic ones. . . well, let’s just say that I’m not afraid to soak them in water, or scrub out some color as needed. I have a more fearless approach when I’m using a supply that I know I won’t have to spend a day’s worth of pay replacing if it gets damaged.
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I was eager to share this post because, What brush should I use? is one of the most common questions I receive in my workshops.
I’ve mainly used sable, but have observed some students make the investment and don’t like them. I love the wicking action of sable and how it slowly releases pigment onto the paper. But sable is not known for it’s spring, which can make it challenging. My best suggestion is to experiment and find what works for you.
I love the delicate, lyrical quality Susan achieves in her watercolors. And I love the strength and drama in Crystal’s work. Makes me want to try synthetic, how about you?
Have you discovered brushes that work for you, or don’t? Be the first to comment…
2011 In Review – Thank You to My Subscribers!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for my blog. I wanted to share it with you. Happy New Year!
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 11,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Nurturing The Creative Spirit
If there is a candyland for the creative spirit,
I was just there.
On Oct. 17th and 18th I, along with five others, participated in an Art Journaling Workshop offered by Catherine Anderson in her studio.
We were given countless creative techniques with paint and paper, but more importantly, we were given a safe, nourishing space to create. Inner critics were told to leave the room while inner artists emerged and played to their hearts’ content.
Did I mention the fresh salad and quiche served for lunch? How about the blueberry tarts? Oh, and there was the soothing sound of water from a decorative fountain just outside one of the studio windows, not far from the labyrinth we were encouraged to walk.
No wonder, we were all smiles.
Be good to your inner artist, visit:
Catherine Anderson Studio
Alcohol Ink Beginnings
I’d like you to meet the instructor that introduced me to alcohol inks, Karen Walker. Here we are on August 24, 2009 during that initial workshop at Artists League of the Sandhills in Aberdeen, NC, an hour from where I live. I remember feeling like a kid in a candy store:)
The morning session of our class was devoted to becoming familiar with the many ink colors and how they responded on Yupo, a 100% recyclable, tree-free synthetic paper.
I loved getting to know this highly unpredictable, extremely responsive, unconventional medium. It was just amazing how a variety of interesting shapes, textures and edges seemed to appear on their own with very little effort on my part.
During the afternoon portion of our class Karen introduced and demonstrated methods for creating more representational paintings. Out came tiny brushes and a variety of products, purchased from the cosmetic aisle, to lift paint.
All around me, my fellow class members were creating lovely representational works, from sunflowers to butterflies and even a drummer marching in a parade.
But, I was in awe with what the medium wanted to do on it’s own. Other than a simple generic flower shape I lifted out with a cotton ball,
(can you believe it?). I just couldn’t go into these almost effortless creations and begin to manipulate. To me, it felt like, I would be ruining them.
Maybe, I was just hyper-skittish because of the disasters I’ve experienced from overworking watercolors. Or maybe because I’ve been so intentional in my other paintings, I just wanted to play. Needed to play.
Whatever the reason, my inner child relished being an uninhibited, abstract artist, at least for the day. And our instructor was sensitive enough to affirm my explorations. After all, I was not doing what the teacher said. Shame on me.
Afterwards, I continued to explore alcohol inks. Gradually, out of a spirit of play and experimentation, a Dreamscape theme emerged and I began getting requests to teach.
Out of respect to my instructor, I contacted Karen, to see if she would like to teach outside her immediate area. She gave me her blessing, encouraging me to go ahead, saying my method of using the inks was different from hers.
Dreamscaping is a drop and guide approach without the use of brushes. But it is possible to achieve fascinating, representational alcohol inks with brushes, as Karen teaches in her workshops.
To see how Karen uses alcohol inks and find out about her online classes, visit: Karen’s Ink Painting Blog
