...more Sketchbook Challenge...

Head on over the the Sketchbook Challenge blog and check out my post on "Desert Patterns".  You know me, looking for art and inspiration everywhere!  Las Vegas was no exception with hyper visuals and interesting subject matter in ever square inch of this part of the "desert".   Certainly not as serene as a babbling brook, but interesting travel journal material just the same.  It was fun "seeing" Vegas to inspire my art journaling, enjoy!

*this slot machine "pattern" was my most favorite!

...a FREE e-book from Interweave?....

Wow!!!  Hooray!!  I'm in it.

  Did you get your FREE ebook?  

What a nice surprise to be included in this FREE e-book "LETTERING AND MARK MAKING",  from my friends who bring you Cloth Paper Scissors magazine and Create retreats.  If you missed the May 2011 issue, you can enjoy my "Making Magic with Markers" article that's included in this ebook. 

Just in time for my brand new class, the
 MAGICAL MARKER MYSTERY TOUR!

(DETAILS HERE)

  Want to learn everything you could possible imagine about markers?  

Come here,  this is the class for you.  

There's still time to register, as the first magical lesson starts this Monday, September 24th.  We are having a big old marker party, with piles of pens and and colorful art journaling.  Hope you'll join us!

just thinkin'...

 ...and realized that in exactly 362 days from NOW, this VERY MOMENT, 
i will be making art 
with my adventurous art friends in 
ORVIETO, ITALY!!!!!! 

Can you imagine how wonderful this will be?  

You can sign up now!  

Click on the link for details and registration info.

 This year has flown already, and i know the next will be just as quick.  

But for now, i am busy making plans for many more

TEACHING TRIPS in 2013 

I will be teaching at these locations

(not in order): 

Canada, Long Island, Manhattan, Maryland, Phoenix, Chicago, New Jersey, Kansas City, Irvine, Boston, Stamford, and a few more to confirm.  Looking forward to creating, lettering, painting, journaling, felting, sewing, drawing, doodling, coloring and making new art friends along the way.  

Will post schedule when all the details are finalized.  Life is good!

...THE MAGICAL MARKER MYSTERY TOUR is here!

ENJOY THIS PREVIEW VIDEO!

...It's time to take the MAGICAL MARKER MYSTERY TOUR online class... 

Join Joanne Sharpe and your new art friends as we explore markers galore!

WHAT'S ON THE ONLINE CLASS TOUR?

...Exploring, learning and creating with 12 awesome marker brands...

*20 VIDEOS and 20 PDFS*

(in real time 5 lessons each week)

*COLOR* LETTER*DOODLE*DRAW*JOURNAL*PLAY*
*OODLES OF BRAND NEW ARTFUL INFO*

*FOREVER CLASS ACCESS*

*SELF PACED*

*LIVE NETWORKING GROUP*

SUPPLIES: Start with your personal stash, and learn about new markers for colorful  techniques and creative projects.  We'll also use an 11"x14" Strathmore bristol pad, a Strathmore 9"x12"watercolor paper pad and a marker cardstock paper, waxed bookbinding thread and a light duty awl punch, glue stick and waterbrush.

Class launches LIVE

 Monday, September 24th-October 19, 2012 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
"MAGICAL MARKER MYSTERY TOUR" 
online class
$38

***Within 24 hours of Paypal receipt you'll receive a welcome letter and immediate class access with supply list information. 

...a big ol' marker party!.........

Are you ready for the MAGICAL MARKER MYSTERY TOUR online class? 

Just a little reminder... 

Registration opens here on the blog with a fun video on

 Saturday, September 1, 2012 at midnight EST.  

Get your stash ready, we're getting crazy with all our markers, learning what they do 

and making some fabulous art!  

Class goes live Monday, September 24th...

20 VIDEOS...20 PDFS...forever access...$38

 ...I will be using over 100 markers in this online class to provide you 

the most comprehensive, artful and educational 

MARKER EXPERIENCE, ever!  

True story.  

 Are you joining us?  See you at the virtual registration desk this weekend.

...stretching my creative wings...

Just back from Create Chicago and decompressing from all the artful energy and excitement.  Love the art girls in the midwest, so warm and gracious, you feel like you've known them forever.  To all my new friends and students, thanks for that!

In the midst of teaching my five classes, i treated myself to taking a class and "being the student".  I had an all day workshop, "Mixed Media Needle Felting" with fiber artist Rebekah Meier.  It was magical.  We even got to use the needle felting foot on the Bernina sewing machines, which was right up my alley.  So fun!

 I've always loved needlework, sewing and fabric.  When it was all the rage In the late 80's, i was a mad cross stitcher and haven't done anything like that in years.  Here are my "work in progress" creations, two felted silk pieces started in Rebekah's class.  I'm making the covers for two handmade watercolor art journals.  I'll post the completed journals when they're done.

 I'm still adding hand stitching, words and embellishments to the surfaces.  I absolutely love the "art trance" that envelops me while stitching and arranging felted fibers, fabrics, ribbons, dyes and textures.  Ahhhhh.........................

  For me, trying new things helps me grow and make new art with fresh vision and curiosity.

It always feels so good to stretch your art wings, doesn't it?

...sketch books and journaling...

Lately, I've spent a lot of travel time waiting......waiting for a fight, waiting for the class to start, waiting for an event, etc.  Some good waiting, other times dreadful.  While i'm waiting, i am drawing.  I've been faithfully carrying around my little handbook journal for the past year to capture my moments with sketching, doodling, and a lot of color.

I recently watched my friend Jane LaFazio's fabulous interview (here on Jane's blog) with Danny Gregory, my favorite "drawing artist".  Jane's interview inspired me to take "notes" on Danny's thoughts and creative practices.  He's brilliant.  

Here's my  list of why i draw in my illustrated sketchbook every day, 

and why i think YOU should too!....

.......and it's just FUN!!!

On that note, need more inspiration?  

Have you been toThe Sketchbook Challenge blog?

I'm so thrilled to have just been added as a regular contributor, at the The Sketchbook Challenge blog.   It's an awesome sharing spot.  You can see my first post there on Monday, August 20th.   Stop in for some wonderful inspiration.

Tuesday i'm on my way back to Chicago for Create, and am so excited to share and teach "PASSPORT TO CREATE:TRAVEL JOURNALS".  We'll be drawing around the Wyndham Hotel in  Lisle, IL like we're in the Taj Mahal!.....an art girl can dream!  

It's sure to be an artful feast!

Thanks for stopping in!  

See you over at the The Sketchbook Challenge!