Whimspirations

…with all my hearts!

2012-02-14T12:32:00.001-05:00

..i love this day….to share my hearts with you!

"Letter Love 101: Art Journals"… NOW OPEN…video previews

2012-02-07T11:49:00.005-05:00

Introducing my first online workshop: "Letter Love 101: Art Journals"

...i'm proud to offer this workshop teaching creative lettering for your art journals,mixed media and scrapbooking.

NOW OPEN, START TODAY!

"LETTER LOVE 101: ART JOURNALS"

with mixed media lettering artist Joanne Sharpe

29 LESSONS: $35

***Classroom access invitation will be sent from Joanne Sharpe
within 24 hours of Paypal registration confirmation***

***Forever open classroom***

We'll be creating THREE playful journals with a focus on artful lettering, illustrated words, doodled quotes and spectacular decorative pages. Brand new, sophisticated art content will grow your confidence in your lettering journal skills. No experience required!

WORKSHOP FORMAT:

29 DAYS of instruction, inspirations and journaling projects
Unlimited access forever! Private blog
Daily lessons format, but enjoy it all at YOUR OWN pace!
20 entertaining technique videos
15 photo tutorials
12 pdfs to print and keep
Teacher feedback and critique
All of the above will feature fun, enjoyable, detailed video demos, journal samples, lettering pages, inspirational quotes booklet, supply resources and class Flickr gallery
An incredible value 29 LESSONS for $35

WONDERING ABOUT THE SUPPLY LIST? WATCH THE VIDEO:

SIGN UP NOW!

<--<--<--<--<--<--<--<

Slide on over to the left, middle column of this blog and hit the BUY NOW PAYPAL BUTTON.You will receive a protected link with immediate access into the classroom.

…NOW OPEN, UNLIMITED ACCESS!

2012-02-01T15:55:00.002-05:00

LETTER LOVE 101: Art Journals

online class

NOW OPEN WITH UNLIMTED ACCESS!

Come as you are, when you can, for 29 artful lessons just $35, forever open.

Energy, enthusiasm, we're sharing the Letter Love!

Join us now or later, class will be open for infinity and beyond!

…everyone's invited!!

2012-01-30T21:44:00.000-05:00

Dear very patient girls,
If you signed up to go lettering Loving, journal crazy with us February 1-29th, all the invites are sent. (Just a few hours past what i anticipated) So woooooot wooooot, let's get this LETTER LOVE SHOW on the road!! Send me an email if you registered and still need the invite. jzsharpe@yahoo.com

the "Letter Love" invite update…...

2012-01-30T18:12:00.003-05:00

Being an enthusiastic optimist, anticipating things would go off without a hitch, i figured that i could get ALL my class email invites sent by 3pm today. Ummmm, not so much. Good thing i planned this 2 days before class actually starts. I have almost everyone in, and other than taking a minute to write this post, am working non-stop to get it all finished. (There seems to be a glitch with my host, that's slowing me up a bit.) I am bound and determined to get everyone in, in the next few hours. And if you are in and having issues and concerns, email me at: jzsharpe@yahoo.com. So sit tight with your pens, markers and composition book, and i'll have you up and Letter Loving in no time! What an adventure.

Thank you for your patience, it's comforting to have such wonderful "Art Friends"!

…my "art school" opens tomorrow!!!

2012-01-29T19:46:00.001-05:00

Yes!!!!!!! Just a teensy bit excited.

Invites will be sent (by 3pm EST) on Monday to all who registered for the grand opening and my debut class "LETTER LOVE 101: ART JOURNALS. The "school" (my online classroom) will be open tomorrow for students to come and look around, check out the supply list and all the other goodies on the site.

STUDENTS, WHEN YOU GET YOUR INVITE EMAIL, GO VISIT AND BOOKMARK the site, so you can come back to "school" (the private blog) when the

first class goes live,

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2012 (at midnite EST).

Share the LETTER LOVE!

Right click on the little pic over on the left side of this blog,

copy link and post wherever you wish.

p.s. Of course there's still time to sign up and join us, and the class will be open to new students forever, so come on!!

…altered doodles #26

2012-01-26T14:24:00.001-05:00

No, this is not a cut out of the state of Tennessee, or any other state.

I'm on doodle day #26 and playing around with altering the drawings. Fun!

….216 hours away!!

2012-01-23T13:50:00.003-05:00

Letter Love 101: Art Journaling goes LIVE in NINE days!!!! (and give or take a few hours on that 216 number) I must say that i am officially "beside myself" with excitement launching my online class next WEEK!!!

I keep adding to all the lessons and think there might just be "too much" in this class? Could there be such a thing? Oh well, just means that there will be more to come after this one. In the meantime, those who have signed up will be treated to a ton of fun and art adventure. So much that they'll have to watch the class over and over again just to catch every morsel of creative wisdom! And they CAN, because this class is open forever.

I've received so many beautiful messages, so excited and inspiring, compounding the fact that i have enormous artful expectations to live up to.

I'm soooo ready.

This is my debut class, i have butterflies, it's like having a first child again!!

Okay, breathe...……………………………… (see!)

Still time to sign up! Register at the link in the top left corner of this blog and see you on launch day, Wednesday, February 1, 2012!

shine doodle...

2012-01-21T14:02:00.000-05:00

Here's doodle 21 of DOODLE 365. I must say that i am rather proud to have made it thus far, knowing that it takes 21 days to make a habit.

Adding one extra doodle for this leap year i have only 345 little doodles to go!

…scoop in my favorite magazines...

2012-01-18T15:38:00.001-05:00

On the news stands at this very moment…..it's my honor and privilege to be published in TWO Stampington magazines this month!

SOMERSET STUDIO January/February 2012

First, here's my Somerset Studio piece "One Page Wonder" in the "Lively Art of Lettering" section. It colorfully shows my painted and hand lettered homemade journal that celebrates yummy color and a variety of my unconventional calligraphy.

I must admit, it took my breath away to see a vibrant close up of my artwork on the WHOLE page!

I'll be teaching this as a mixed media class called "One Page Wonder" at the Create Mixed Media Retreat in Somerset, New Jersey this July. Registration opens soon.

and second…
ART JOURNALING magazine WINTER 2012

Stampington's Art Journaling magazine was, a dream on my "vision board" last year. Here i am again, in this beautiful article they called "A Life of Art"……..pitter patter, dreams come true, breathe….sigh!!!! It never ever gets old seeing your name and art in print.

This article showcases my rich, juicy canvas panel journal that i will be teaching at Create Mixed Media retreats in California in May and New Jersey in July. You can join us in person!!!

My artwork was printed perfectly, accurate color tones and byline, yay!!

***SCOOP ALERT*** Now, in each issue, they ask a few of the featured artists about their process and techniques. It's always brilliant! I was reading the text under my name on four of the topic pages, and thought, "hmmmm, i said that? Doesn't sound like anything I WOULD SAY??!". I was a little freaked out about it. Especially that it said that i had no formal training (and i spent a fortune on my art education degree) AND that "lettering was the bane of my existence"(and i pretty much have based my career on my lettering!)

I contacted my very kind and gracious editor and she acknowledged the printing error. She'll be noting the correction in the next issue.

A few days later, i got an email from Donna Mulholland, the extremely talented, whimsical watercolorist and yoga guru from Canada. She informs me that the responses in the issue under my name are HER RESPONSES!!! Mystery solved! We had a nice chat and a good laugh, and know that "stuff happens". That's how we make new art friends.

So, when you are reading the issue, know that the text in these "Ask the Artist" pages identified as JOANNE SHARPE, really belong to Donna Mulholland. Check out her blog, she has such a wonderful painting and journaling style. She also blogged about this experience today.

…."lettering was once the bane of my existence"…DONNA MULHOLLAND

I'll say it again, it really is an HONOR to be featured in such beautiful publications that celebrate the talent of so many wonderful art souls.

Thank you Stampington, for including me, appreciating my art

and making this journey a great adventure with you!

the Color Cafe...

2012-01-17T12:40:00.000-05:00

I'm a lucky girl (even have a doodle to prove it, below!) to have so many wonderful friends in the "art business". It's rare to find those who freely share, encourage and support others in a very competitive industry. Brenda Pinnick is one of those great people. She's a talented artist who has licensed her art for years on fabric, gifts, flags and crafts products. Brenda loves color as much as i do, perhaps that's why we connected instantly!

Recently Brenda created a blog called "Color Cafe" which celebrates color. Just color! I was invited to share on the blog and am featured today with a few of my most favorite colorful pieces. Go on over! Bookmark and enjoy.

watercolor today...

2012-01-16T12:40:00.001-05:00

…doodling with color...

LETTER LOVE 101: Class Supplies Preview

2012-01-15T20:21:00.000-05:00

Here's a little video elaborating on the supplies we'll be using in the first part of the Letter Love Art Journals class starting February 1st.

Hope this gives you a better understanding as to WHY we'll be using certain items. Students will be introduced to an extensive list of materials during the course. It's my intention that students LEARN about and UNDERSTAND the features and benefits of certain materials before PURCHASING! We all know how easy it is to "COLLECT" art supplies that we NEVER use again?? Am i right?? LOL!

This is going to be great FUN!

TWO things today...

2012-01-13T15:03:00.000-05:00

First, here is DOODLE 13 of DOODLE 365. They say it takes 21 days to make a habit, almost there!

And second, about LETTER LOVE 101…..

There's still time to sign up for my brand new online class before we start Februay 1st!!!

GO AHEAD AND CLICK THE PAY PAL BUTTON IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THIS PAGE

This weekend on my blog, i am posting a video about the FAQs i have been getting from all over the WORLD!!!!! If it weren't for the internet, i would never be able to easily teach these wonderful folks from the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Spain, UK, France, Switzerland, and 48 of our 50 states!! It makes my head spin. I get the nicest notes and emails from my "students" who are so excited about my new class. It really is such an HONOR!!!

So….. come back over the weekend, and i'll SEE you here!

a grateful doodle...

2012-01-12T15:02:00.000-05:00

…thankful for all the dreams come true and

opportunities coming my way...

a do it doodle...

2012-01-11T12:48:00.001-05:00

…taking action to make stuff happen...

shoe.

2012-01-10T13:08:00.002-05:00

Just felt like doodling a shoe!

doodle in color…

2012-01-09T16:46:00.000-05:00

…and a colorful doodle today...

true doodle...

2012-01-08T13:32:00.001-05:00

…now THIS is what i call a DOOOODLE!!

the DOODLE TAB

2012-01-06T14:32:00.001-05:00

I got some nudges.

Thank you for the reminders!! The good new is, i know you are looking for the doodles AND I am staying strong and true to my DISCIPLINE in the New Year. I AM posting a doodle EVERY DAY!! You won't see them in a blog post everyday. Rather than take up my blog page space, i am tucking the little gems on a PAGE in my blog. It's like i have TWO blogs in one place! So if you are seeking my artful treasures, click on the DOODLE 365 tab under the blog banner, to view the art every day.

I just purchased a huge bound journal to house these in, and will share that later. But if you missed them in the meantime, here are doodles 4, 5 and 6!

DAY 4:

DAY 5:

DAY 6:

DOODLE 365-3

2012-01-03T14:13:00.002-05:00

Click on the DOODLE 365 tab above to view all doodle art.

Doodle 365

2012-01-02T13:54:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year! We are off and running with lots of promises, goals and dreams for 2012. Many of us have chosen words to inspire our lifestyle for the new year.

My word is DISCIPLINE.

It's a perfect one for me. As an "artist" it's easy to go with the flow, on my own time, when i please, because that's how one is inspired. But i have various goals, and the only way to achieve them is with a plan, consistency, commitment and DISCIPLINE.

My first attempt at this promise to have more DISCIPLINE is "DOODLE 365". I draw, write, doodle and make art stuff every day, so i thought, why not post that DOODLE everyday here on my blog? How fun will it be 365 days from now to look back on these little mini drawings that i made every day?? I can't wait. These gems will all be no larger than 3" x 3", and may take just minutes or hours each day. I started with my "Happy New Year" doodle on January 1, 2012.

Day #2 DOODLE 365 is about passion….

So come on by and click on the DOODLE 365 tab

(at the top of the blog) every day.

If, by the end of a day, you don't see the daily DOODLE leave me a comment and call me out on keeping my promise! Gulp!!! Make me accountable.

I'm excited. Wishing you joy, wonder and blessings…….

joanne

welcome 2012...

2012-01-01T13:39:00.000-05:00

…we're ready!

goodbye 2011….

2011-12-31T12:15:00.000-05:00

……you were so very good to me…….

…you took me to the most wonderful places….

…with the most wonderful people….

…filled with creativity, and beauty and blessings,

friendship and good fortune...

…with excitement and hope, i can't wait to see

where 2012 will take us...

Happy New Year!

december 25th...

2011-12-25T01:17:00.000-05:00

….have a blessed Christmas

on this day that love was born….

holiday wishes for you...

2011-12-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

…my holiday wishes for you, my friends...

…enjoy this magical time of year….

…filled with everything merry at Christmas and abundant blessings for a Happy New Year...

...artfully yours with love and hugs!

joanne

say it in writing...

2011-12-11T13:35:00.000-05:00

LETTER LOVE 101: ART JOURNALING online workshop.

Thanks for your interest! For my new art friends "in" already, i am so grateful for you.

And for my future art friends….There's still room for YOU!

"Letter Love 101: Art Journals"…come learn and play!

2011-12-07T17:14:00.003-05:00

Introducing my first online workshop: "Letter Love 101: Art Journals"

...i'm proud to offer this workshop teaching creative lettering for your art journals,mixed media and scrapbooking.

NOW OPEN!

"LETTER LOVE 101: ART JOURNALS"

with mixed media lettering artist Joanne Sharpe

29 LESSONS: $35

***Immediate access with registration confirmation***

***Forever open classroom***

WORKSHOP FORMAT:

29 DAYS of instruction, inspirations and journaling projects
Unlimited access forever! Private blog
Daily lessons format, but enjoy it all at YOUR OWN pace!
20 entertaining technique videos
15 photo tutorials
12 pdfs to print and keep
Teacher feedback and critique
All of the above will feature fun, enjoyable, detailed video demos, journal samples, lettering pages, inspirational quotes booklet, supply resources and class Flickr gallery
An incredible value 29 LESSONS for $35

SIGN UP NOW!

<--<--<--<--<--<--<--<

Slide on over to the left, middle column of this blog and hit the BUY NOW PAYPAL BUTTON.You will receive a protected link with immediate access into the classroom.

"artful color play" prompts

2011-12-06T13:33:00.000-05:00

Today's post celebrates "artful color play"! It's a new blog feature that i will be nurturing in 2012 and wanted to take it out for a test spin this month. Every week i will feature an "artful color play prompt" to inspire you explore color in your journaling and mixed media, etc. I'll post an example and then invite you to share the experience by creating a journal page. It's all about color choices and just another way to stretch a bit and make a commitment to try new looks.

I like bright colors, that's a given. But i also like to make pieces with deliberate "color stories", like these cools, blues, purples and greens. We're all drawn to a specific palette, that's what makes our art unique. The color choices we make are just as much the "art" as well as the finished work.

It's very challenging for me to not grab my "same old, same old" colors when i am consciously working with a specific palette! It's fun to look back and see the "artful color play" and process that has made me the artist i am at this very moment in time.

So now i'll grab a cup of cawfee, a journal, some "color makers" (paints, markers, collage, crayons, pastels, etc) and start creating my next brilliant stories.

In January, i'll be starting a small, brand new journal for just this activity, and would love if you did the same! Let's try it out and get started right here. Happy "art play day" to you!

"ARTFUL COLOR PLAY" PROMPT: Make one journal background page just using blues, purples and greens with watercolor or acrylic paint.

Oh, Colorado! Behind the scenes...

2011-12-04T14:55:00.001-05:00

What a great trip to Loveland, Colorado this past week. It was a huge thrill to film my lettering video for Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. My taping session was at 8:00 am Thursday morning. I woke to a fresh fallen snow, that the locals thought was kind of a big deal, 6-8 inches overnight. Coming from Rochester, NY were we have snow from November until April, it was no big whoop, i was right at home!

We filmed at the Interweave studio in downtown Loveland. Even though i was so nervous at the start, it was over so quickly and i wanted to keep filming!

In the studio after my taping was finished, with Jenn Mason, Editor of Cloth, Paper Scissors. What a nice picture!

…But look, what was lurking on the floor behind us???…….

…uh yeah, that would be my pile of art i created and showcased during the filming!!!! It was much easier to demo, create, film, finish, then toss the excess behind me to move on to the next segment quickly! You know, because i always work so neatly!! (not) But hey, it worked and i promise you won't see that in the final editing!

When the video comes out, you will see the fun pin boards and displays we created with our own artwork on our set.

It was an amazing experience and i can't wait until the video comes out in a few months! It's chuck full of my very best playful lettering ideas, journal samples and techniques. That's all for the little sneak peeks and of course i'll keep you all posted about the release date. Thanks for stopping by!

getting ready art

2011-11-28T13:09:00.000-05:00

So excited!!! I'm getting ready to fly out to Denver this week to tape a DVD for Cloth Paper Scissors Workshop. I've been in a flurry creating art and samples for my taping. Artwork and supplies are all over my studio, because as you know, my best masterpieces are made in pure and total creative chaos! I will fill you in on the DVD details when it's released in a few months. But for now, enjoy these Peerless watercolored and Crafters Workshop stenciled demo journals i put together with some tape and lettering. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T12:12:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a blessed NOT stressed Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for the many blessings i have….my sweet family, fabulous friends and my art to share……and for YOU!

Thanks for your support and friendship.

This "sophisticated" image is from my days of designing decorative outdoor flags for Lowes stores. Enjoy!

a little peek…..

2011-11-15T12:43:00.008-05:00

These past few months have been crazy with projects and travel! The kind of busy that your head will explode if you don't remember to savor the moments of each day, rather than always anticipating what's next! I'm off to "One of a Kind" Rubber Stamp and Scrapbook show in Madison, Wisconsin this weekend to demo and teach Peerless Watercolors. Can't wait!

I have been working on my 2012 stamp designs for Art Gone Wild. I have a new direction and idea for the stamp artwork, and i'd like to run this by you…..

What do you think of a 4" x 6" stamp with this type of art to color? This design? I'm seeing beautiful friendship cards made from this image, journal pages, trading cards etc. I'm really excited about it! Leave a comment and let me know what you think. (the red © won't be on the final stamp)

This really is just about my favorite piece and i want to share it in a new way…….

"just be" ©joanne sharpe

...a lot of painted wood scraps!

2011-11-09T13:12:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks i've had the honor to do volunteer art work at the School of the Holy Childhood, here in Rochester. It's a not for profit agency with a school and work programs serving children and adults with special needs and disabilities for over 60 years.

Holy Childhood has a very special place in my heart. When i was a junior in high school, i was a classroom volunteer working with school age kids there! My dad was on their Board of Directors for years. In 1984 when the school grew out of their space, he, along with the director, Sister Seraphine, found empty school building for sale. It's now their current location.

It's such a magical place, with vibrant energy and the kind of joy in the air that you can feel deep in your bones.

I wanted to go back and volunteer to do something artful and unique. They have a huge annual craft show and it was a perfect venue to "make stuff". For the past few weeks i spent several days in the art room coordinating this painting project. We used all the recycled SCRAP wood from the schools Woodworking program and magically created this product! The students, their art teacher and volunteers base painted and decorated the wood, and I then hand lettered each one.

The students shop at this sale the day before it opens seeking gifts and treasures for their families and friends. Every item was just a few dollars so they could afford something really special, inspirational with heartfelt messages. Here are a ton of fun photos, i couldn't pick!

…at the sale...

Each one, truly a masterpiece painted with love.

I was so proud of the success of this project and how well it was received. It was such a hit! We raised several hundred dollars for the school with beautiful recycled SCRAP WOOD!!! There are still some available if you're local. We sent the leftovers to the agency's volunteer retail shop The Generosity Store. Check out the website, their mission is an incredible story of giving back.

We have plans to expand this project concept to benefit the School of the Holy Childhood, so stay tuned!

One Minute Journal Page Video

2011-11-04T17:42:00.000-04:00

While i was at Create Retreat in Costa Mesa, CA this past May, Jenn Mason filmed this for the "Mixed Media in Minutes" series at Cloth Paper Scissors. Jenn is doing some greound breaking projects over at CPS, this being one of them FREE technique videos!

My instruction was to make a journal page in one minute, yes, 60 seconds!! Have you ever had a conversation with me? Am i capable of talking for only ONE minute?? Daunting, i know, but i was up for the challenge. I decided to color up a page spread with some Crafter's Workshop stencils and my spray inks. Many of you know this technique your sleep, but it's a great for newbies. It's basic, effective, colorful and doable in a New York minute!

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO HERE:

One Minute Journal Page for Cloth Paper Scissors

This is one of my favorite journal pages and i have posted it before. These backgrounds were spritzed in minutes. I then had a beautiful surface to fill with journaling with my Signo white pen. Simple, simple, but so lovely. There you have your Mixed Media in Minutes, enjoy!

you get it in writing

2011-11-03T12:25:00.000-04:00

a letter better lesson

2011-11-02T15:03:00.000-04:00

Here's a little "Artful Lettering" picture tutorial on drawing your letters, as shown in my composition play book. I like this cheap paper to practice hand drawn letters, try new pens, make notes and develop ideas.

Erase all the lines and marker color into the page. I use this play journal instead of scratch paper, it's a $1 book of scratch doodles and letter practice. After practicing, i'm confident to go into one of the "big girl journals", LOL!!

Be on the lookout for my "Artful Letter Play" workshops in 2012. I've got some secrets that i can't wait to share and there are lots of new things coming….

a little thank you note….

2011-11-01T22:27:00.000-04:00

Dear you,

Thanks so much for your comments on my "whole journal" post! Thank you for taking the time to share your kind words. Here's my thank you note, your name is written in my comp book journal , each and every one of you who left a comment. Your encouragement inspires me to have more discipline to blog, post and share more often.

….Just know that you matter and you are appreciated!!...

...sending huggs! joanne

a whole journal...

2011-10-24T14:07:00.000-04:00

Finished. Done. No more pages to fill, ready for it's permanent place in history!

Today i wanted to post a bunch of art. My schedule has been so crazy, you are probably wondering where my art has been??!! I absolutely, create every day, mostly in my drawing journals. Here's half a book, enjoy!

I completely filled my little my little green Handbook journal this weekend. The book has 128 toothy pages which means that i illustrated 256 pages! Here are about 70 of those pages. Can you imagine this blog post if i had ALL 256 pages posted! That's a lot of cawfee sipping as you scroll through the pages!

Many of the pages are my brainstorms and ideas for projects, classes and workshops.

Lots of watercolor in this journal. This particular brand of journal, Handbook loves paint and marker!

It's my favorite for bright, vibrant color.

Love the little pocket in the back that you can store your treasures.

The elastic band is great for wrapping it all up! And so, it's a wrap!

…it's on to the next one, "My Little Red Journal". So many fresh blank pages awaiting my artful wisdom...

Mingle winner!!!

2011-10-21T15:17:00.003-04:00

THE WINNER OF MY MINGLE MAGAZINE GIVEAWAY IS:

Heidi Mireles said…

I would love to win a copy of MINGLE. As far as a themed party I hosted a Backwards Inside-out 16th birthday party for my daughter. 16 year old girls have scary creative minds. They were funny and well behaved.

October 19, 2011 9:02 PM

Heidi, email me your address (jzsharpe@yahoo.com) so i can mail the issue out to you.

Good heavens the theme party comments were GREAT!! Glad it was a random drawing, because i could NEVER have picked my favorite, or the "best"!! Thank you all for sharing such fun. Isn't it great to "Mingle"??

a mingling giveaway!…...

2011-10-18T14:33:00.002-04:00

Have you seen this? The new magazine from Stampington called Mingle??? It's fantastic! With a group of other Stampington artists, i was honored to be one of the first to preview this publication…. AND I'M SO EXCITED THEY SENT ME A COPY TO GIVE AWAY TO MY FABULOUS BLOG FRIENDS!! You'll devour the pages. It's a decadent magazine chuck full of ideas for living, celebrating, entertaining and just being fabulous!

There are so many ultra creative, unique yet beautifully simple ideas in this premier issue. It's 145 pages filled with sophisticated, whimsical ideas that make those "take your breath away moments" celebrating life. I want to say this is Martha Stewart meets the Art Girls!!! Mingle has such an rich, sweet ambience that the editor and writers, the "Stampington Art Girls" do so well. You won't want to put it down!

My favorite photo. I want red shoes! Who isn't sassy in red shoes???

You really have to "experience" Mingle…..it's is filled with everything we love……cupcakes, paint, art girls, lace, glitter, ruffles, sweets, kissing, party dresses, cookies, candy, crowns, cotton candy, Barbie, black and white stripes, girlfriends, retreats, junk shops, vintage goodness, playful parties, fun, frolic, style, spunk and simple extravagance and so much more!!!

Win a premier copy of Mingle ! Leave a short comment on the topic below by midnite Friday, October 21:

WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE THEME PARTY YOU EVER HOSTED OR ATTENDED?

***I'll post the winner Saturday, October 22nd, 12noon EST.***

So go! Leave a comment and go Mingle!

peek inside the pages and my studio...

2011-10-02T16:02:00.001-04:00

It has been such a thrill to be published in my favorite art publications. Recently, my work and studio art life was featured in Stampington's SOMERSET APPRENTICE magazine and the Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS publication. What fun it is to go to the store with your work on the shelves. It never gets old!

The Apprentice magazine is a fully illustrated technique book! This has always been one of my "go to" resources for exploring new techniques and finding inspiration from articles with so many new ideas.

They featured my "faux epoxy" technique in my art journal. It's a great way to bling up the pages.

My heart went pitter patter when, on the same rack, i saw the Art Journaling magazine that also features my work.

Cloth Paper Scissors STUDIOS magazine is a delight! Oodles of wonderful ideas for making your perfect creative space.

Here's my article in the "studio vignettes" section. Look at my perfect studio!! Didn't i have an insane cleaning marathon to get it looking all pretty for publication?? You betcha. Now i can barely find anything!!

My son Kevin is the photographer and took these great pictures for the article. He just graduated from college with a degree in Art Education. We are so proud to see his first published byline!

The article was great, i was so pleased!

The "art up that studio" column is such fun!

Nothing out of place…...

…when in actuality, the real studio always entertains a pet of some kind. Teddie, My one year old golden retriever, is very comfy on my wicker couch!

This was my daughter Meghan's room when she lived at home. When she moved out into her own apartment a few years ago, we had the place emptied and repainted in 4 days! Poor Meghan. It was always a dream to have a nice art studio in my house.

The best part is having a place to work at all hours, leave everything where it is and close the door. It's a dream come true after spending so many years creating on the dining room table then having to pick everything up for family meals!

I'm always tucking fun things in the window panes. This view is usually of 9 ft of snow in the 6 months of winter bizzards we have here in Rochester!

Okay, i admit. Pen hoarder? Absolutely!

I love my art room.

Hope you had a nice visit in my creative space in and out of the magazine. I am treasuring these pics right now, as you can imagine what my art working, "lived in" studio really looks like! Here's a hint…."Hurricane Jo" with paper, pens and paint!

catching up!!

2011-10-01T13:52:00.000-04:00

Where, i ask, did September go!!!!! I was in a whirlwind and have 20 blog posts ready for this month to catch you up, all fun artsy goodness. After finishing the Create retreat in Chicago, i returned home to get caught up on some artwork, magazine articles and class proposals. In the midst, i prepared for two trips to both coasts! Many airplane rides in the past few months.

Back tracking, here are some more photos for Create in Chicago 30 days ago. It always seems that i should have taken more pics at these events, but it seems that i am always in the moment savoring the experience. I'll have to get better about that.

How do you like my original Vintage Glitter Bottle Mushroom Head Man?? My art friend Kim Geiser created him, and i just about fell over from laughing so hard when she gifted it to me, hysterical! He's my Create Chicago mascot and i love him.

Just sent in proposals for the 2012 Create retreat in Irvine, CA! Mark your calendars to attend May 30-June 3, 2012. The site still shows the 2011 event, and the staff is still choosing workshops and planning schedules, so stay tuned!

But here are the Chicago girls, totally full from the Color Blast Buffet! The nicest women ever. Good thing we took TWO pictures, as everyone was paying attention in THIS photo!

Messy fingers, painted hands, proof of an good ol' inky artsy fun time!!

After our teaching at Create we ventured out into the next town over, Napierville, IL. A quaint place, buzzing with people and fun shops. We had a blast. I hadn't laughed as hard as we did, in a long time with my art friends Sue Pelletier, Kim Geiser and Mel Kolstad.

This is my soul sister Sue. She's a famous Cloth Paper Scissors super talented painter/ mixed media artist, and one of the funniest people i know. She had to pose and rest on this artsy mosaic fainting couch in the middle of the sidewalk!

Some folks were painting this mural in a busy alley way. Unbelievably breathtaking! Amazing talent.

Create Chicago was a fabulous adventure……the people, the places, the art and friendship. It doesn't get any better than this!

Art at Create! Chicago

2011-08-31T16:02:00.003-04:00

Oh Create! Chicago, you are just a distant memory, and you have filled my heart with artful goodness, lifelong friends. Here is the first installment of my Create! adventure.

I had the best students ever!!

Everyone loves to color in the Copic class! It was such a thrill to see the students practicing blending on their coloring journals with my flower stamps! So sweet!

Artful Lettering with Faber Castell and Sakura pens galore and Pan Pastels! The girls loved the creamy vibrant color and the palettes were a huge hit!

Wait until i show you my new Peerless Watercolors that everyone got to try in class!

What touched me most at this event was my newly acquired "art friends" from all over the country. It's a wonderful way to live a creative life, "Everyone Needs their Art Friends". How lucky are we to have actual art friends??!!! It's the best.

the whole experience full of joy and color………

"how can you not be happy with all this color!"

August in Review

2011-08-29T14:27:00.000-04:00

I can't remember having a busier month with so many creative adventures! This blog has been inexcusably absent due to my high volume of art tasks. It was crazy!!! Crazy good of course, so let's review.

The first three weeks of August found me in my art studio conducting 6 Art Camps for 65 sweet little art girls.

Having been a classroom art teacher for 30 years, I miss teaching kids and summer art camp fills that void. These are "my girls"!

The cutest little artists ever!! I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people, families and kids in my creative life.

In the evenings i had several art journaling and mixed media classes with my adult students. These are my "regulars". Love them!

There was also the deadline for art submissions for Art Journaling magazine which i couldn't miss! I completed 3 journals and sent them off to Stampington.

Just a little tiny tease peek!! They are spectacular inside, i hope they get chosen!

In the midst of the studio and submissions buzz was the preparation for Create in Chicago where i would be teaching 4 classes on Lettering, Journaling and Copics. A bazillion pens, paints, sprays, inks and goodies to organize, kit, pack and ship in time for the event August 23rd.

Everything arrived safe and sound and was organized into the specific workshop. The week was amazing!!!!!!! I cannot adequately express the good feelings returning from this incredible event sponsored by Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine. The people, the classes, the new art friends, the laughter, the joy, the art……….sigh.

I will dedicate an entire post to my Create experience this week.

I first have to unpack my bags that just arrived today (Monday) as they have been in Philly since Saturday, due to my "5 minutes to spare" (literally) connecting flight from Chicago. Yes another adventure getting home to Rochester, NY, from Chicago the day Hurricane Irene decides to visit the east coast!

Hee hee…

I drag these bags from class to class and call them my

"Leopard Suitcase Traveling Art Studio".

So there's a little glimpse into the fleeting month of August in my crazy good art world. Keep checking back for some fun posts i have planned for this coming this week.

Thanks for visiting!

woo hoo…we have some winners!!!

2011-08-05T12:37:00.012-04:00

Dear Blog Candy Giveaway Commenters,

Wow wow wow! I was so overwhelmed by every single one of your sweet, encouraging, kind, creative and supportive comments for my stamp and goodies giveaway with Ellen Hutson this week. Each and every comment touched my heart so deeply. Your enthusiasm inspires me to create more great things for your artful adventures! Stay tuned for many good things to come.

I know, i know, hush up Joanne, and tell us the winners!!!

The winner of the Ellen Hutson gift is:

Congrats to Donna Mikasa!!! who said:
You're stamps are amazing! Thanks for a chance to win!

…..and the winner of the signed "Glorious Day" stamp is……

Congrats to Phoenix Peacock!!! who said:
sdfkjsadjga oh sorry. those were keys clacking trying to comment as soon as possible! :) What amazing and generous giveaways. And plural ones at that! Your stamps are incredible! How much fun to have a coloring stamp. and I would love to try out the different types of markers. I need to find a good art journaling pen and just haven't wanted to splurge on it while Im still unemployed!

Please email your mailing address to me (jzsharpe@yahoo.com) and we'll get the goodies right out to you!!

Thanks for playing everyone!
Have a great weekend, and thanks again for all your kindness. Be artsy!

all my stamps!!!…and TWO giveaways!

2011-08-01T22:11:00.014-04:00

I have neglected my children. Not my real children, my rubber kids, my beautiful fun and creative stamps from Art Gone Wild! Have you tried them yet?? I am so proud of the designs being so interactive and economical. They were specifically created for coloring, because as you know, i am coloring kind of fool!

Here's the art that inspired the "Art Girl" stamp.

...and the Art Girl stamp

This is so exciting!!! I was invited by the very sweet Ellen Hutson to blog about my stamps that she carries in her online store. She had every single one of my new stamps for sale, and they sold out immediately! The stamps were quickly restocked and are available in her web store where you can purchase them right now!!!

Go to Ellen's Classroom blog on Tuesday, August 2nd and learn all the coloring techniques i shared in my guest post. I will be doing more collaborating with Ellen and we are working on some really fun new exclusive products that will launch in September.

So here how the collection works:

You purchase the Artful Cardmaker card front…

..this is the FLOWERS Collection and the sentiments...

…and then the Artful Cardmaker sentiments….

...and you can make hundreds of designs for dozens of occasions with just those two stamp collections!!

the Butterfly Collection and sentiments

The Hearts Collection and senitments

The Ladybug Collection…and sentiments

But had to share this, my darling friend's Susie's "Joanne stamp order"!

Wow, is she going to have a blast coloring and creating!!

Okay, now back to business….

Look at the blog candy we are giving away this week!!!!

Some Faber Castell Marker and Pencil sets, Memento Markers, Ranger goodness, and TWO STAMP SETS!!!

LEAVE A COMMENT FOR BLOG CANDY'S SAKE!!
A winner of these goodies from Ellen Hutson, LLC will be randomly selected from the comments left here at Whimspirations, before midnight CDT, Thursday August 4th and announced Friday August 5^th both here and on the CLASSroom. Good Luck!

…but wait, there's more!!!

...to a SECOND WINNER, I will give away this stamp "Glorious Day" signed by me!

DO I HEAR THOSE KEYS CLACKING BECAUSE YOU'RE COMMENTING RIGHT NOW???

Ellen has everything, go check out her store!

Thanks for visiting, keep smiling!

my artful neighbors

2011-07-28T21:13:00.001-04:00

Hmmm, some random art?

One of the best things about teaching all over the country and sharing artwork in the creative online communities is the amazing friends you meet. Some of my most favorite people on the planet are my "art friends". One of those fabulous new friends is Julie Fei-Fan Balzer, artist extraordinaire and a fellow New Yorker. We taught together at Cloth Paper Scissors Create! in California this past spring, and will be doing the same at Create! Mixed Media Retreat in Chicago at the end of August.

You'll have to visit Julie's blog tomorrow, on Friday, July 29th and see what these little random artworks are all about…. I'm a guest blogger on Julie's blog sharing some ideas for Art Journaling Everyday. See you over there!

"with my Zwirlz"…..

2011-07-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

…"this is how i bring it and play like a girl!"

FROM ZWIRLZ GAME "PLAY LIKE A GIRL"

What the heck is Zwirlz??!!! As a freelance artist, i am involved in a variety of projects for several companies. I'm thrilled to be the artist for a brand new innovative App, a game for tween girls called "Zwirlz" available NOW in the iTunes Store! How cool is that to see my artwork in the iTunes store!!!

I designed the sweet animated main character named "Zoe". It was the first time any of my art was animated. Another huge thrill.

(you can see her dance on the website here: Zwirlz)

DEFINITION OF ZWIRLZ: "Play the wildly fun, clapping, laughing, dancing, jumping, get-up-and-go game for you and your friends! Zwirlz is the girl-power, real action game about everything that matters to YOU, like recess, sleepovers, being a babysitter, birthdays and changing the world!"

VIDEO: Watch Zwirlz in action!

Isn't it adorable and fun?!!
It's only 99 cents in the iTunes Store!

Each game consists of a lively rhyme written by my friend Jen Shanley (the company owner), designed to encourage girl power laughter, fun, movement and social interaction. It's brilliant! Check it out for your favorite tween girls.

There are "girl power" coloring sheets that can be downloaded right off the Zwirlz website for free.

What a i love about this project is that it is a very relevant game for girls in this tech age, that challenges them to get up and move and interact with other human beings! It's not just playing a mind numbing video game, it's teaching girl power, friendship and physical movement through play and dance. It's available for iTouch, iPad and iPhone.

Spread the word! Even if you don't have a little tween girl, share Zwirlz with your friends, neighbors, grandkids, nieces and superstar girls everywhere! Let me know what you think.

And Michelle Obama, if you're listening, this is a perfect girl power game supporting your

"Let's Move" initiative!

hanging out at Luminarte

2011-07-22T13:53:00.000-04:00

Blogging at Luminarte today, featuring my "Color Stories". Go on over and check it out and see what inspirations strike using a few color families and circles in your art and projects. Have a nice weekend!

stampington art journal magazine

2011-07-19T12:50:00.000-04:00

Have you been to Barnes and Noble, Michaels, JoAnn's and seen the Summer 2011 issue of Art Journaling magazine??? My art journal and article are showcased page 6 through 11, woo hoo!!

What a thrill!!! An art dream come true.

I remember taking the Art Journaling Winter issue with me on my Florida vacation in February 2010. I coveted the magazine and had it perched on the coffee table of our cottage where i could get lost in it everyday. It was inspiration.

I looked at the cover and said out loud, "i'm going to be in this magazine someday."

Dreams really do come true.

What an incredible feeling seeing my journal pages on magazine pages!!

Every teeny detail perfectly photographed...

Thank you Amber and Stampington for presenting my work so beautifully, and making my dreams forever present in your publication!

color stories...

2011-07-18T17:06:00.000-04:00

Psssssssttttttttttt!!

Go check out my "Color Stories" blog post on the Luminarte site. Then go play with some Twinks and Radiant Rains….. making some pretty pages….

art every day…july 9-15, 2011

2011-07-17T13:44:00.000-04:00

Long, awesome week, spent teaching and painting. I had an art camp for 4 days with 9 sweet little girls age 8-14, who made some really fun art. At night i had two art journaling classes with my "Art Ladies", a group of my favorite people who come to my studio on a regular basis to share creativity, art exploring and wine!

With my busy teaching schedule this week there wasn't much time for daydreaming and doodling. My "Sweets Art" art this week was all about color, paints and pattern in this watercolor journal using spray inks, stencils, white paint, and stamps.

Each page has a different feel, and i used two smaller sheets of paper to create an inclusion. With three sheets of paper i created a 20 page book with a sewn signature down the middle.

I puttered around in this journal every day, lettering a little….

….painting the inked pages…..

….doodled some writing……how could i go a week without doodling!!

…made a lettering grid on one of the inclusions that is now waiting for my profound writings...

….okay, a little bit of my drawing, i can't help it!...

…some paint...

This is the kind of book that takes me weeks, months to finish. I over think what should go on each page, instead of just doing it! Let that be a lesson to you, just do it!!

…the back page….watercolored stamping, stencils, ink...

Here's a peek into my art journaling class in my teeny studio.

These are my soul sisters, my local "Art Ladies"…

…this is Meg...

…Kim...

…Kelly...

... Jeanne...

and Kitty….

and Linda and her beautiful journal!

…gorgeous pages, amazing journals….

It was a artful week! It's my hope you are inspired to go make something "artfully you"!

art every day…july 1-8, 2011

2011-07-09T12:55:00.004-04:00

I love my art journals like cake and candy! And since i've taken the sweets out of my diet (for real), i had to find a gratifying substitute. Playfully making art pages and filling assorted books with yummy color and sweet inspirations is just the ticket for this "sweets journey"! Making some art instead of making a cake!

To coin a concept from Jenny Doh, i know "Art Saves". Journaling in paint, pens and paper is keeping me focused on some personal goals.

Although i have always made this practice a daily priority, i want to be more accountable and document my progress. To chronicle my "sweets journey", i'll be posting a weeks worth of art pages every Saturday.

Here is my art journaling July 1-8, 2011…..

The fun thing about journaling is that there are so many options for materials and the actual books that to create in. Moleskines, sketch books, watercolor paper, bristol, vellum, etc. I have many different surfaces that i work in. Believe it or not, of the 12 or 13 journals i am working in right now i think there is maybe ONE that is full, every page finished completely! That will be a next goal.

There are a zillion pens and paints to use, along with inks, sprays, mists, crayons, pencils, pastels, etc. Art journaling enables me to become a different artist in very book on every page. If i do a whole series in a book, i can keep it forever.

When i can't get the artful groove going the way i want it to, i will just make several pages of color splashes, layers and misty watercolored ~~memories,~~ i mean backgrounds!

Sometimes i draw on the pages and my work is linear and "doodley", loose but deliberate.

Then at other times, i get completely consumed with crazy color and create beautiful surfaces for lettering, writing and soul spilling later.

All of the art this week is inside these 4 journals. I hope you're a little bit inspired and can go make some "sweet art"! Thanks for visiting…..

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS??? If you are leaving a comment that is a question, please check back to the blog post where you left it , as i will do my best to answer the questions in the section where you left the comment.

Shakey Shakerson's Premier "Art Friends" Video

2011-06-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

Here's a little surprise for you, my art friends, a video!

It's my very first attempt, and

it's a little (alot) rough, so humor me and take a dramamine while you watch it!

I have much to learn and i would really like to put more video and tutorials on this blog. This premier rookie version was shot while i held the camera phone and turned the journal pages. I will "get it", i promise! For now i'll be starting out with just my iphone and a little tripod just to get practice. iMovie is a great tool, but as you can see i certainly have not mastered the smoooooth transitions to the next frames, oy! I pinky swear the next one will be good.

But in the meantime, don't laugh at my A.D.D. artist comments, table shots and off focus tidbits throughout, LOL!! And at the end, i'm sure you will love the ever so meaningful last frame showcasing my glass table top, aquafina and marker bucket! It is what it is, and i will look back at my very first blog video with great affection. I'm just happy that i figured it out, and i did it!

we're free!

2011-06-30T14:07:00.000-04:00

To celebrate Independence Day, July 4th, and our nation's freedom i am offering FREE SHIPPING in my Etsy shop when you order 2 or more prints!! Use coupon code: FREE2JULY4. This offer good June 30. 2011 through July 4, 2011. Have fun shopping and getting "whimspired"!

"Blinging It" Tutorial….

2011-06-24T18:13:00.001-04:00

Go on over to the Luminarte blog where, as guest blogger i have posted a tutorial on making some sparkly shiny embellishments with Twinkling H20s, Glossy Accents, and Stickles.

This is colorful art play! Create your own beautiful hand drawn decorations for your art journals, cards and mixed media pieces. One of a kind embellishments unique to you, are so much more special than manufactured store bought things that everyone else has on their artwork.

Be adventurous, go make your own fabulous embellishments. And if you're worried about the drawing part, just draw over and over again until you like it. And practice too. You will eventually be comfortable with your personal expression and there'll be no creative inhibitions. Enjoy!

artful neighbors...

2011-06-22T00:19:00.001-04:00

There's a lot of blog hopping, cross posting, guest spots and sharing in the "artful neighborhoods" these days! I was so flattered when Jill Foster asked me to appear as a "guest artist" on her blog this week. It's such a fun way to meet new artsy friends who share your same creative passions.

Jill's has a beautiful style and makes these fabulous cards. Evidently we share the same love for color, this orange speaks to me!

Aren't they gorgeous? So simple and sweet. Go check out Jill's blog and see how my art inspired her latest card. I love it! It's refreshing to play together in the same "artful neighborhood" (blog world) learn from each other and and celebrate our artistry.

What fun over at your place Jill, thanks inviting me!

guest blogger at Luminarte

2011-06-15T12:04:00.000-04:00

I'm delighted to be guest blogging on the Luminarte blog this month. They're the ones with those blingy, bold, shimmer paints and sprays that i love!….Twinkling H2Os and Radiant Rains…. After all, you can never have too much sparkle art! Flutter on over and check it out…Luminarte by Creative Imaginations.

to be true….

2011-06-14T14:34:00.000-04:00

On Facebook i have a "fan page" called Whimspirations (go ahead, click on the link and LIKE) where i frequently post my inspirational art. Some people aren't on Facebook, so i will occasionally cross post the art here on my blog.

...oh look! Here's a shot of before i added the first line…..

So, in some "cyber place" one will always be "whimspired" by these artworks...

...be true.

for a beautiful every day...

2011-06-13T13:25:00.000-04:00

Sharing some art…..A colorful visual to inspire your week……….make it a good one!

…my whimspirations…...

the art of the doodle

2011-06-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

Still doodling in the same book! Loving this little square art journal that i have been drawing in all week, playing with lettering projects and exercises with line, color, composition and fonts.

It's a 5.5"x5.5" handbook brand journal.

The pages are very absorbent taking on vibrant watercolor beautifully.

Can you see what's hidden in this wavy whimsical doodle?

Use you name as the art element, designing with large loose lines. Add pattern in the spaces and the shapes that are created. Paint in the negative space with a deliberate color story.

More play with letters, showcasing and highlighting shapes from lines that spilled off the fonts.

Have fun with the "art of the doodle", creating a whimsical journal masterpiece with line, pattern, shape and color. Go try it!

art journaling every day

2011-06-05T14:20:00.003-04:00

Here's a peek into one of my daily art books where i draw, doodle, sketch, letter, paint and color. I make it a habit to art journal every day, even if it's just starting a page, or adding to one, then finishing it later. It's my daily diary of sorts, only filled with art and my creative whims.

Outlines and doodles are drawn in black fine tip pens, then colorized with marker and water.

The pages this week were all colored with Tombow markers. I've used these vibrant markers for years. Tombows are dye based markers, and colors can be manipulated with water. Having a little handful of Tombows is like having a watercolor palette in pen form.

There is a beautiful neutral color palette to create a inky effect.

Creating this look is achieved by marker coloring areas with a darks and lights, then blending and dragging the colors in puddles of water. A waterbrush is great tool for this technique. (there are several brands of waterbrushes: Sakura, Niji, Pentel)

Layering washes when the previous one has dried completely.

Here's something to try. Experiment with some of your doodles and lettering grids in black and white, then watercolor just the negative space. Images pop!

Playing with words, making them little works of art. Maybe they'll get some color later. Or maybe they are perfect just the way they are in this art journal. We'll see what whim hits and sticks.

After all your art journal is for exploring and experimenting. It's a vehicle for meditation, relaxation and play. An art journal is for every day!

"artful business card" tutorial

2011-06-02T13:49:00.003-04:00

Time to get back in the artsy saddle and share some creations!

While i was at Create! a few weeks ago, i realized it didn't bring any business cards for the Vendor Faire on my last day there. I gathered some of my left over watercolor paper scraps from from my journaling class. The best part about making something in your hotel room at a creative event like this is that i had every art supply that i could possibly need! Except for a paper cutter, that would have been a little awkward at the airport.

With my scissors, i cut some strips the to make the cards, 1 1/2" x 3". With my black Pitt pen, I drew my signature heart with wings, and framed the edges with some loosely sketched lines.

For the color background, i used my Koi Watercolor travel set and water brush. That little watercolor set has been all over the country with me this year. When "jetsetting" (LOL!!) it easily fits into my bag along with a small art journal.

After the watercolor was dry, i used my Ranger Heat Tool to dry the cards. Yes, i even had my heat tool along with me for teaching! I lettered my name on the front with my white Signo pen and added some dots for whimsey. My blog address was hand written on the back of the card. (sorry about the photo quality, still getting used to my iphone camera)

But the icing on the art cake was using the Luminarte Radiant Rains to add glimmer, glam, sparkle and shine!! Simple and spectacular, I sprayed the pile with Egyptian Gold and the cards looked like jewels!

So there's a quick little solution for not being prepared in a pinch! Luckily i traveled with my mobile art studio, but you can always find someway to invent a one of a kind treasure when on the road with your "go to" travel supplies. Note to self, in August, have these ready for Create! Chicago. Happy trails!

Create Costa Mesa: "Oh My Word!"

2011-05-25T18:31:00.000-04:00

Oh my word!….the lettering class. Quite the intense workshop, 3 hours spent experimenting with new pens and materials, creating new fonts and illustrating quotes in a handmade journal. I enjoyed all these lovely ladies from my two classes, who were always intently concentrating on the precision of calligraphy, arranging letters aesthetically, and designing word pages. Every page a masterpiece!

"OH MY WORD! ARTFUL LETTERING": Wednesday p.m.

Love the lefties!

Beautiful journal covers and lovely smiles!

Aaaahhhh………the secret "white pen", delicious!

Pure bliss, peaceful zenlike lettering exercise…...

"OH MY WORD! ARTFUL LETTERING": Thursday afternoon:

In these photos, there are a few HUNDRED pens, paints, gelatos from Faber Castell, Copic and Sakura. The perfect materials for perfect lettered journal pages!

(*note: half of the students in this class participated in the "Color Me Copic" class in the morning. So we shared an entire day!!) And i want to know WHO has photos of the Copic class since my camera screen read:"battery exhausted" when i went to take photos, wah wah!!! Will do a whole post on the Copic class in Chicago this summer. But it was amaaaaaazing! We christened some major "COLORING QUEENS" in that class!!

So serious!!!!!!!!! You could hear a pin drop.

The girls were all so focused i had to remind them to lift their heads up and smile for the camera!!

Photographing the class teaching posters, brilliant!!

I was so blessed to be surrounded with such joyful women all day!

Loved having the so sweet and talented Pam Carriker in my class.

joanne and pam

She thought she was coming to TAKE the class, but brought all her Pan Pastels trays to share with the students! Here's Pam giving an impromptu demo on her color palette and how she uses Pan Pastels. It was so serendipitous! We joked that MY color palette was the exact opposite of hers!

The students loved using Pam's extra color trays and illustrating their lettering pages with the buttery goodness of Pan Pastels. Love them!

So intense, beautiful results!

Such fun seeing the beautiful lettered illustrations that came from just a few hours of stretching creatively, experimenting with new materials and creating breathtaking artwork.

Thank you ladies, you made this class a masterpiece!

Celebrating Costa Mesa Create!: "Color Blast Buffet"

2011-05-24T14:01:00.001-04:00

Create! in Costa Mesa, spectacular, now just a memory. An incredible event hosted by the fabulous folks at Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. What a great time!

I was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude and standing up in front of my sold out lettering class i said, "How much fun is this! Doing art and creative things with your new bff art girlfriends all week!" That about sums it up.

We were there to share, learn, create, expereriment, explore and make new friends who share the same creative passions as we do. There were so many challenging and sophisticated class offerings, this is a premier event. Pure art, pure creativity. There are lots of pics in these posts, trying to capture just a little taste of my 4 workshops.

"COLOR BLAST BUFFET" Art Journals Class:

Setting up the "buffet" with dozens and dozens of products to explore...

Love this journal that Evelyn shared from the art inspiration in my Copic article….

Creativity intensified! Concentrating on color creations…...

The thrill of a successful technique attempt!

This class is all about color and trying new things, experimenting with 20 NEW PRODUCTS and making a beautiful 16 page journal in one class.

Sonia, the marketing director from Luminarte/Creative Imaginations even colorized her phone with painted bubble wrap! We were so lucky to have her in class, as she treated us to using a whole table full of Twinkling H2Os, or "Twinks" as we affectionately call them. Thank you Luminarte for your twinkling sparkling offerings on our buffet and the products in the students goodie bags!

Mega TWINKS!!!!!!!!

So many skill levels and these handmade journal embellishments were spectacular! Made with Ranger Glossy Accents, Sakura Koi Watercolors and Twinks……..Thank you Sakura for your colorful contributions to our workshops!

Binding the journals together….

Bright bold colors created with Ranger Color wash, colorful acrylic dabbers and perfect pearls mists. Thank you Tim Holtz and Ranger for supporting our class with your wonderful products to giveaway! Everyone went home with bags of goodies from my product sponsors.

So glad the hotel carpet was covered with construction grade plastic, whew!

A blast of color, beautiful boldness and a journal ready to embellish and letter with their Big Brush pens from Faber Castell…….Thank you Lisa at Faber Castell for the delicious Gelatos and bags of pens the students were able to take home and finish lettering their journals!

Thank you ladies for coming, we sure had a "Color Blast"! Hope our creative paths cross again.

If you LOVE COLOR and if didn't make it to Costa Mesa, you can come to Create Chicago in August, where i will be offering these workshops again. See you there!

NEXT POST ON WHIMSPIRATIONS: "Oh My Word" and "Color Me Copics"...

a "Coloring Arts" show!

2011-05-23T14:53:00.000-04:00

Are you a Copic coloring fan/fanatic? Did you see the FREE ART TO COLOR in my article in the May/June issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine?

I'm hosting a "COLORING ARTS SHOW" right here on my blog.

With YOUR colored art!

Pick up the May/June Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, print out the art on page 70. Color it up with your Copics or whatever you have and let's showcase the beautiful art works.

Email your finished page in a jpeg. format to me at: jzsharpe@yahoo.com

by June 7, 2011.

I will post your art along with your blog if you have one.

On June 15th we'll have THREE random prize drawings for my signed Copic art "PRIZE PRINTS"!

So, go on, get coloring and have fun. I'll be waiting at my mailbox for your masterpiece!

Leave a blog comment about the coloring article

and you'll also be entered in the drawing to win

the "PRIZE PRINTS" on June 15th.

hello, my lonely blog!

2011-05-17T01:58:00.003-04:00

I have been a bad blogger!

Consumed these last four weeks, with lots of excitement, especially with my son Kevin's college graduation! Did i tell you that he earned his degree in Art Education, from my alma mater, Nazareth College? I earned my Art Ed degree exactly 30 years earlier, to the day! We couldn't be prouder with TWO Naz Art Ed grads from the class of 1981 and 2011. AND to add to thar, my 30 year reunion is in 3 weeks at the college.

Then there's been the prep for the Create! retreat in Costa Mesa (i can't believe the ton of supplies i am lugging cross country!) and getting my Etsy shop (so many prints going out to new homes) up and running! Won't bore you with all the details, but will get back in the saddle from Costa Mesa and blog about the four workshops i'll be teaching……..for now, i must get to sleep, flying out this afternoon. Even though i live in New York, looks like i'm already on west coast time, bloggin at 2am!!

Mr. Kevin Sharpe, Aspiring Art Teacher

….and me, i'm flying off to Create! in Costa Mesa…...

whimsical wednesday, thank YOU!

2011-04-28T22:45:00.003-04:00

...thank you for everything…this is for you…

I just want to thank YOU, and can't tell YOU how much YOU

touch my heart.

I wish i could list you by name and thank you for your support, sending me notes and emails and for leaving comments on my blog and Facebook. It encourages me on a daily basis.

…you are my inspiration….it's my hope that my little artworks make you smile, touch your heart and stir your soul. Thank you for letting me know that it moves you.

…this is joy….How lucky i am, blessed to live in the joy of my creativity and to know and accept that my art is my vocation. This lifestyle looks really great and dreamy, but it has it's challenges, like anything else. But, i can't imagine myself being anything other than an artist. I joyfully embrace what i was born to be and hope, in your beautiful life, you can too.

In my life i have such great joy….thankful for YOU and all the opportunities that support my life journey.

Right at this moment, NOW is just enough………creating, painting, lettering, journaling, teaching, inking, writing, researching, learning and sharing. It's so good. Thank you for appreciating what i put out in the universe!

…doing life artfully…. I'll always be making new artsy things with my abundant colorful tools. I hope i can inspire you to even color a little! Paint, ink, get messy and play. Try new things and experiment with new ways of making your art and expressing your creative spirit.

…Love you for making my colorful world joyful and bright. I thank you by your name, so thank you ____(insert your beautiful name here)________, for everything!

A woman who works with her hands is a LABORER; a woman who works with her hands and head, a CRAFTSMAN; but a woman who works

with her hands, her head and her heart is an ARTIST.

St. Francis of Assisi

magazine and marker magic

2011-04-25T13:49:00.001-04:00

It's here, it's here! My first article for Cloth Paper Scissors magazine has arrived to subscribers! (these photos are from my friend Mel) The May/June 2011 issue should be on your news stands any day, if it's not there already.

I'm over the moon excited about this, even made it on the cover! Well, almost. Those are my little hand drawn flowers in the upper right corner of the magazine cover. My 5 page article is titled "Making Magic with Markers". It's about my love for Copic markers in my artwork and teaching.

It features my original, hand drawn art, full color illustrations and some small tutorials on how to use Copic markers and get beautiful blends in your projects. It's my take on an "artful" way to color. After all, coloring is very relaxing and really good for you!

I must say that my favorite part of the article is some FREE ART! I created this black and white illustration for readers to print out and color. It's a special little "whimspiration" that you can practice your coloring and then display.

So pick up the May/June issue, color along with the little lesson and create your own Copic color-full masterpiece!

My original illustration colored for this magazine shoot

Thank you, thank you to my editors Jenn Mason and Barbara Delaney! The article is gorgeous, and you've done it to perfection. So very proud to have my name on it.