Inspiring supplies and creative ideas!
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Art Supplies:

Canvas Panels:
Dick Blick Canvas Panels
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Art Panel:
Studio Artist Panels 

Paint:
Golden Fluid Acrylics

Gel Medium:
Golden Acrylic Gel Medium Gloss

Craft Papers, Rubber Stamps, Die Cutters:
Michaels

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Turn your art into gifts:
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Vistaprint is a great resource for turning your art into greeting or holiday cards, magnets, t-shirts.
Here's a few tips when creating with Vistaprint:

• Think outside of the box-your artwork is a great resource. You can certainly use your entire piece for your products or...consider using portions of your art work. Is there an interesting portion of the canvas that you can crop and use all on its own? 
• ALWAYS double check spelling, grammar, alignment.
• Pay attention to any alerts (little yellow flag icons) that pop up. These flags will alert you when your image file size is too small (which makes your image blurry), or when part of your image is cropped off.
• If possible, use a laptop or PC rather than an iPad or phone. The bigger screen size will be very helpful in seeing your product and navigation buttons more clearly.
• Look for Vistaprint promo codes for discounts. The Vistaprint links on this bulletin board offers a great discount.

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Mixed Media Resources:

For great clip art and vintage images, visit The Graphics Fairy. If you're signed up for their newsletter, each Friday a few free images are available for download.

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Surprising Household Items Toolbox:
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Here's some things to consider saving for your next mixed media creative session. You might want to have a storage container dedicated to your collection so you can take it with you to your art space or class. 

• greeting cards
• wrapping paper
• tissue paper (including old sewing patterns
• magazines
• store flyers (i.e. lawn & garden)
• vintage books, maps, ledgers, sheet music
• tea bag, snapple bottle or fortune cookie words of wisdom
• single earrings, beads, buttons
• fabric trims-lace, rick rack, upholstery trim
• plastic forks
• used gift cards
• jar lids
• wine corks
• cedar shingles
• wood scraps

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Getting Started-the blank canvas
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The creative process can begin long before you take out paints and canvas. As you go through your day, begin to notice the environment around you:

• colors you gravitate toward
• interaction between colors - are there certain colors that appeal to you when they're side by side? 
• shapes
• movement
• critters, and other living things that are appealing

​If your cell phone is close by, take a picture to refer back to once you're in front of the canvas.

Consider what would it feel like to create just for the sake of creating. View the creative session as an experiment and let go of what the final product will look like. Start by simply choosing a color-either straight out of the bottle, or after a little experimenting with a combination of colors. Let the process unfold with the simplicity of paint on canvas. 

Painting alongside others offers unique benefits. Along with the guidance of a teacher, you have the opportunity to share the creative process with a group of like minded people...painting, chatting (or not!), and sharing ideas and inspirations. It is my hope that you will find creating art an opportunity to let go of daily struggles, notice, learn and connect with yourself.

I'd love to hear from you-do you have feedback about classes you've attended? Have questions about products, techniques, or upcoming classes or workshops? You can contact me right HERE.  Embrace the creative journey!