Joyful Purpose

No Excuses Journal Peek of the Week

Remember the New Molskine Journal that I started last week?  Well, I thought you would like to see a "peek into the week".  I think that the best thing about the No Excuses Program is that you have the structure for when you don't know where to start but that you have the freedom to make it your own.








 

Color My World

A blog reader asked if I would ever share my color palette.  Why of course silly!  All you have to do is ask!  It was actually a very fun little project to put together.

So here is a little video on how to set up a palette.

creating a palette from gina armfield on Vimeo.

And here are my color charts of the paints that I use.  Colors are listed but not brands.  So you will have to do a wee bit of research ; however, I can tell you that these are the brands I use - Daniel Smith, Holbein, and American Journey by Cheap Joe's.

You can download the charts and print them out as I did above and put them in your No Excuses Journal as a handy dandy reference.  For the large version click on view this photo to download.


View this photo




View this photo




 

For more on setting up your palette check out these posts! 

New No Excuses Moleskine

I have been putting together a new No Excuses Journal for 2013-2014 using a Moleskine.  Doesn't it look yummy with all the colorful Washi Tape along the side?

 

Check out this video to see a few tricks for tipping in your envelopes and watercolor paper.

 

 

ne moleskine from gina armfield on Vimeo.

 

TGIF

Because it's Friday and because I am looking forward to the weekend as many of you are no doubt  .... 

I am offering a BUY 1 GET 1 FREE special on all of my online classes for today only!

 
Just enter the code: TGIF in the message to seller's box upon checkout (if you can't find it then just email me directly at [email protected] with the code)  Once your transaction is complete you will be refunded the amount of the Free class of equal or lesser value.

 

 

ALL OF MY WORKSHOPS ARE EVERGREEN!

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

You can start and revisit them whenever you like - no time limits!

Please be sure to keep your log in info however so that you can access them as often as you care too.  I do ask that you do not share this with others.  

The purchase of the class is for single use only.

 

My online workshops provide clear step by step instructions as well as how to videos so that you feel as though you are taking a live class from me. All of my workshops can be purchased and started at any time. You can take as long as you need to finish the class and return as often as you like. In this way you can work at your own pace. I only ask that you do not share the password with others but use the workshop that you purchase for your own personal use.

Click on any of the TITLES below for DETAILS AND TO REGISTER!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE DAILY SKETCHBOOK

UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF KILMT

SONG OF THE SEA

BE STILL MY HEART

LOS ARBOLES

ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES

 

Finding Inspiration

Where do you look for inspiration?  I most often am drawn to something because of its color.  A rich orange or golden yellow that catches my eye.  Other times it is the subject and several recurring themes show up in my work - owls, ravens, horses, and hawks just to name a few.  I love looking at and taking photographs of images that stir me and keep a store pile to draw from both literally and figuratively.

 

This caught my eye today ...

 

 

 

as well as this quote ...

 

 

 

and then of course I have been influenced just a wee bit by reading this late into the night

 

 

So today I had some time to myself.   That would be on a Sunday with the boys away.  Just me and the pup.

 

 

 

 

So as a suggestion from the lovely Ms. Susan Branch I put Miss Potter on my ipad and sat down for a relaxing few hours of Beatrix and Watercolors.

 

 

Here is the result of my day well spent.

 

Awkward Teenager Phase

All paintings go through the awkward teenager phase.  I don't care how trained, accomplished, or fabulous you are; there is is always a point in the evolution of a piece where it looks awkward.  You will want to toss it and start a new all the while doubting your abilities to even put brush to paint.  Thoughts that may arise  - I don't know who I am kidding, I'm not an artist ... I really am wasting my time ... who do I think I am ... really? seriously?  to mention just a few.  But hold tight!  This is normal and even necessary!  Stick with it!  It is the process of the painting.  So I am showing you the evolution of my work to see that I really do practice what I preach.

I find it helpful to work on two paintings at once so when you are totally frustrated with one you can set it down and grab the other.  It is amazing with some time away how the spirit is refreshed!

 

 

 

sketch

 

 

 

 

laying in background

 

 

 

 

 

Layering (awkward teenager)

 

 

 

 

Starting to mature

 

So stay tuned .....

Let me know!

I hope you have enjoyed the FREE Tips and Tricks Workshop!  If you did please let me know by leaving a comment here or emailing me at [email protected].  






I have been busy working on a new site that I just can't wait to  show you and would love to inlude your comments.  That goes for any class that you have taken from me as well!  I would love to hear from you. 

Free Tips and Tricks Workshop

If you missed my FREE 

TIPS AND TRICKS WORKSHOP

 

you can access it here

username: tips

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Progression with Paint and Horses

I often work on quick studies in my journal in preparation for the finished pieces - often just working on line and color as above ......

Here is the progression of my watercolor painting of a horse so far.  I often start something and leave it for months and just stare at it before I actually start work on it again.  So after doing some quick studies last night I woke up to feeling it was time to begin on this guy.  Stay tuned ....

No Excuses Guest Artist ~ Mary Love Soeldner

 

This is what I love about the No More Excuses Method of Art Journaling - you find people like Mary who use it to drive them, to take away their excuse of not doing art, and who take what they like and make it their own!  It has always been my goal that this program is for absolute beginners as well as trained artists like Mary.

 

Mary Love Soeldner

 

I am a mixed-media artist (although my first love is Watercolour and experimenting with it).  I am currently living in Geneva, Switzerland with my husband Rob who works here.  Since being married (26 years), we have lived in 5 Countries and 8 States - some through Rob's Army Career and the rest through his new adventures; the longest being Ashburnham, Massachusetts for Five years, where I went back to school full-time, after 17 years of being a stay-at-home Mom (and the usual other Hats this entails) for my two boys and earned an Associates degree in Art (Professional Track) studying with the most generous Artists/Professors/Mentors one could ever hope for, at Mount Wachusett Community College.

 

One of the best things about being an artist in Europe is that I get to travel and visit the most incredible places that one can ever dream of!  The colours, the textures, the smells, tastes and sounds are great motivators to create and learn in.  I've met several really creative people whilst over here in Geneva.  All of them artists in their own rights, and generous in their enthusiasm for my experiments on paper.  However, none of them create daily, which is why I was searching for something to motivate me and push me to the limits.  That is when I found an interview on YouTube with Gina Rossi Armfield regarding her program "No More Excuses". Sometimes in life, you meet the right people on the right day!  After researching "No More Excuses" I contacted Gina, and now I feel like I have a new mentor and with Gina's method, comes a creative community that not only are generous by sharing of their work, but inspire me and motivate me to push on.  DAILY without any excuses!