pamgarrison

still talking creative sketchbooking class

Eventually I'll stop talking all Creative Sketchbooking class here, there, and everywhere...eventually ;). But not today! Today I have more to say.

So, are you in the class with us? If yes, yay, fun, right?!? If no, what?!? ...I kid, I kid...it's ok, it's not for everyone, I know, you'll just have to bear with our excitement while we go on about it a little more. ;)

If you are in the class, I wanted to make sure you know you can watch it by logging in via any internet browser on any computer or device, you don't have to download the app. I mention it because I know one friend was having problems downloading the app. If you are participating, please share what you are making, either on the classroom gallery section of Creativebug (be sure you put your name in the comments if you don't have a profile that uses your name, so that I can give you credit when I pin your work to my #CBsketchbooking pinboard.) If you are sharing on instagram, make sure you hashtag it #CBSketchbooking (be sure you have the ing!) And if you are sharing on a blog, your facebook, or anywhere else, feel free to leave a link in the comments here on the blog. I really want to see your work! I'm not sure I'm seeing everything that you all are sharing, but I'm trying to! The classroom gallery was losing some photos yesterday, but I think they've resolved that, so please give it another go if yours went missing. Today, there are a lot more photos appearing and it's exciting to see them pop up there and on instagram! I'm loving what everyone is up to and hearing about how it's fun to stretch and try new and different things!!! I'm also excited to see what everyone makes and how it might change over the week since the next lesson doesn't release until next Tuesday. Plenty of time to experiment! 

Which is why I'm sharing these pages here today, different pages than were shown in class. The truth is, I rarely love what I make when teaching; my focus is truly on the doing and sharing the process, not the result, but often that leads to each technique being done a little bit faster and more disjointed, because it's about how to play and I'm trying to teach all the different aspects of the concept. Add verbalizing to the mix and it increases the odds for discombobulatin. I was a little bit disappointed to realize that I might feel the same about the samples I made while filming, until I reminded myself again, that that is the point I am trying to get across- no focus on result- so I'm demonstrating that too ! ;) When I sit down and enjoy the same process and techniques at a slower (non talking, non demonstrating) pace, I often end up in a little more finished, and often more pleasing place. Still organically, just a quieter, more natural manner of getting to the end. Which is why I think that the student work will change over this week too, as students keep playing and experimenting and are able to get comfortable with the techniques, they will free up in different ways and possibly even start incorporating into their own typical work a bit. 

So here are some pages from my sketchbooks, using the same concepts of week 1:

love that flower!

Look how different the page on the right looks above, before coloring in the big circle and after coloring in below:

It's a little darker in the day now, but you get the idea, I like it both ways for different reasons.

Today, I used my non dominant hand and forced myself to go very slowly, because that speed is not my usual when creating. I think trying anything that's not one's usual is informative to your creativity. 

I also slowed down the painting process, slow, meditative and enjoyable. Now I'm going to go back in and play with some pens on top...or not...I might wait or paint the whole background. 

It's fun to lean into color exploration and the feel of the brush on the paper. 

I've got a growing stack of sketchbooks, which I see as totally different than my art journals, (but of course, don't have to be). For me, the sketchbooks are used as more of a one technique focus per page, and are a little more organized thought process or experiment taken all the way to finished vs. my art journal pages, which often have a little of this and a little of that mixed with who knows what!

 

Ok, back to searching around for more student art and making more of my own to share!!! xox 

 

so fun!

creative sketchbooking class from Pamela Garrison on Vimeo.

 

You all are the best! I so appreciate all the enthusiasm and participation in my first ever online class, Creative Sketchbooking! I'm trying hard to stay caught up here, in the classroom gallery, on my facebook page and on instagram. Everyone has their own favorite sharing platform, and I'm trying hard to not miss anyone. If you share what you make in class on a blog I hope you'll leave a comment so we can visit! People are just beginning to upload some work (play) to the online class gallery and with the instagram hashtag #CBSketchbooking not #CBSketchbook, that's Lisa Congdon's class (which you would also like I am sure)- I know, we made it a little tricky with such a similar hashtag. We like to keep you on your toes. ;) 

ED:I just went to find the gallery link and it seems that the uploads are not there anymore. Maybe the students removed them, but more likely it's something on the back end, I know they are still working on getting some kinks out, so I'll ask creativebug about it. I pinned them though, before they disappeared, so you can see them there for now. I want to pin yours, so let me know where I can find them please! 

Also, don't forget that there are some contests with prizes going on for help promoting the class on your facebook, instagram, and Pinterest. Here are all the details on that. I really thank all you that help spread the word, the more successful the class is, the more future fun we can have, lol. If you repost on IG or facebook, remember to keep it there until the next Tuesday so you'll be eligible for the prize. When the new week is up, a new post and new prize begins! Again, we tried to adapt the prizes so that no one misses out by not liking a certain platform, and hey, if you like more than one and share on more than one, you just increase your chances. ;) 

As for class, I'm very excited that people are willing to get a little out of their comfort zone and try something new, and possibly not quite as comfortable, in the beginning. this class is all about exercises made to stretch, not making fabulous pages from the get-go, its about trying some new techniques on in the hope you might incorporate some of the approaches into your own work as you continue on. I'm excited to see if the exercises change over the week, if we get more comfortable and make things that look different from the beginning days. 

Fun fun!!! xo

 

 

 

creative sketchbooking class!!!

Hey there!!! The class is live!!!! You can see it here!

Wow, I actually have a class online, that's been a loooooong time coming. I really appreciate all those that have patiently waited!!! I know I've been painfully slow with the creation and release of the content in my brain into an online course format. There's more to come for sure, now that things are moving down the pipeline! 

FYI, I misunderstood yesterday, and said that a credit card isn't needed to have the membership with free trial period. In actuality, to see the class you have to sign up for a membership (with a credit card) and the first two weeks of your membership are free, so you can cancel before the monthly $4.95 charges begin. There is going to be a contest along with the class, and 8 chances to win a free 3 month membership and that one is the free membership, no credit card required, no free trial period with membership. Sorry for the confusion! 

Anyway...back to class!!! I am excited to present new content created with a specific desire to expand creativity and free up creative expression. These sketchbook exercises are guided in hopes that you'll find it easier to not think about result along the way and just play with pen and paint and paper alongside me! 

Creativebug is running a month long contest to encourage participation and promotion of the class. 8 winners (4 from facebook promotion participants, 4 from IG promotion participants) will receive 3 month paid memberships and $25.00 Michael's Crafts gift cards, and one month long class participant that shares their work via Pinterest promotion will win a 1yr creativebug paid membership, a $50.00 Michael's gift card and a sketchbook from class where I've done original art made using class techniques inside, with plenty of white pages for you to work on as well!!! For all the contest details go here. 

So looking forward to seeing who comes to class, please post your work in Creativebug classroom gallery and hashtag #CBSketchbooking when you share on social media so we can all find your work!

Hooray for creative friends, now let's go have some fun!!!

tomorrow's the day!!!

Wow. I can't believe it's finally here! It seems like it's been forever in the works...but my Creative Sketchbooking class over on Creativebug launches tomorrow (mid morning/afternoon PST)!!!!! I don't have a direct link for class to share until it's released, but in the meantime, if you aren't already a Creativebug member, you can sign up for a free two week trial. No credit card needed, it's truly a free trial- (ED: I'm hearing feedback that a credit card IS required. I'm on it and trying to find out if I misunderstood, or if I gave you wrong link etc. I will get back to you as soon as I know!!! 2nd ED: I misunderstood and mixed up the free trial and the prize free trial that's coming. If you sign up for the free trial, you are signing up for a membership and DO need a credit card, you get a 2 week trial for free to determine whether it's a membership you want to continue -and pay $4.95 a month for- or to cancel with no issue before payments actually start. Easier than a guarantee with refund if you aren't satisfied. I apologize for my misunderstanding and misstating the deal!!!!)  I'm sure they know that once we creative types get a look at the 500+ offerings they've got, that we'll be wanting to subscribe. I've been a member long before a collaboration was in play. Now it's only $4.95 a month, the best price it's ever been. 

I took a screenshot from the July preview of classes. This was filmed by the director Brian Emerick and he showed it to me after we were finished, I loved it instantly. 

One more thing before class starts tomorrow, (it's a four part work-along series, with a new part released each Tuesday in August. There's plenty of time, but if you want to have the exact sketchbook I'm using in class to start, it's this one. You can also buy it at Michael's crafts and use one of your coupons to save a bundle. :)

Lots more tomorrow, including promo video, news of some good giveaways/creativebug contests, and more details (with pictures!) of the class!!!! Until then....xoxo

 

summer greetings!

Hi there! How's summer going for you? (If it is summer in your part of the world, that is.)

Time is passing as quickly as ever here, I've still got my head down working hard on both my upcoming Creative Bug class (releases next week!!!-will post the promo video as soon as I have it!), my own self-hosted e-course, a few work assignments, quilt gifts for friends and and and...you know me, never at a loss for items on the creative pursuits list!

I'm happy to be in a spot where I'm very connected to my creative output, but I'm a bit discouraged that I'm finding it so difficult to make time to photograph, post, and write the words to share that creativity with those of you that come by here. It's so nice to have people who understand my creativity and cheer on my various creative pursuits! It's so nice to feel understood. It still amazes me how few people in my everyday life "get" me creatively. I suppose my lack of sharing is true in person as well as online. Hmm...

Having both my kids home for summer is great, but they are keeping me hopping as well. (They are looking for something in this picture, but it struck me as funny and nicely composed while I watched them, I had to snap a pic.)

I wanted to let you know that I collaborated with Ali (her photo above) of www.alimakesthings.bigcartel.com on a few pieces for her Mail Subscription this month and I am soooo excited at what she did with the pieces I submitted. The best kinds of collaborations are those that result in an improved product than what was individually, and I think she nailed it. You can still order this month's Mail if you want to treat yourself to some beautiful snail mail full of art. ;)

I'm working on opening my own little art gallery online instead of selling originals via www.pamg.etsy.com or here on the blog; either a squarespace with a shopify cart, or bigcartel. Any of you have any experience with either or any other suggestions?

Here's a few fading, but still pretty flowers I'm sending out to you! Xoxo

happy Saturday to you!

Xox!

Oh, and as requested, here's a pic of the succulent that grew such pretty blossoms:

Anyone know the name?

July 1

Wow. June was a crazy month for me. I'm pretty sure if I counted the days, I was away from home for at least half of it, and that's a crazy crazy amount for this homebody! I'm glad all the travel is behind me now!

I took this photo on Sunday when I arrived home from the final June excursion:

I think I should spend all of July sitting right here. Now that I survived my lunatic June, it feels as if my summer can really start. Summer is supposed to feel relaxing, after all. 


And now that it's summer, a colorful garland in the hallway seems just right. I made the giant painted cardboard garland for the Creative Bug set. Man, how I love pretty things made from everyday items like a shipping box. 


Here they are before I hot glued them all together. (I didn't bring the giant cardboard rose, I'll have to find a use for it here at home.) and while I'm talking about home decor...

Have I introduced you to our new lamp? I looove it, (even though it was very expensive). I bought it from www.schoolhouseelectric.com . I remember seeing it on someone's Instagram feed a year or two ago and sending a screenshot to a friend telling her I thought she needed it. And after trolling Target and HomeGoods looking for a special lamp for this spot for ages, I decided to splurge and I'm glad I did. I don't know if you can tell from this photo, but it's milk glass. I didn't really realize how much I'd appreciate the craftsmanship of the construction and details like the cloth cord and vintage type plug. It fits so perfectly and I'm trying to keep the table around it spotless despite my penchant for filling up every flat surface with a pile of some sort. 


I think this blooming succulent looks like spring turned to summer, with it's hues ranging from the palest apple green to salmon and pops of sunshine yellow. It's the first time that it's bloomed although it's been potted out front for at least a year or two. I don't know what the plant is called, but I'm referring to it as the bells of summer in my head each time I walk by it. Ring ring ring, summer is here!