The Quicksilver Workaholic

April's art tip newsletter...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:47:33 GMT

I forgot to post this here...and the art tip itself is on my website, as always, http://cathyjohnson.info.

ANOTHER NEW VIDEO on YOUTUBE

In answer to questions that came up in the class, I made a video on Watercolor Brushes and Waterbrushes that you may enjoy. It's on my YouTube channel, here: http://youtu.be/2uDM19TCPdI

There's lots more on my YouTube Channel, though--check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/user/KateJosTube. You'll find videos old and new--and the Strathmore videos will be there after August 1, too.

I'm still learning a lot about video editing and exploring...it's fun, if a bit challenging at times! Lots more planned for the future.

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SPEAKING OF WATERCOLOR BRUSHES

I did a post on relative sizing of round brushes on our group blog, Artist's Journal Workshop...you can find it here: http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-all-relativebrush-sizes-that-is.html

Notice in the image above, the 12 is just a bit smaller thank the 8 in a different brand...LOTS of revelations in this post!

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READY FOR SOME INSPIRATION??

Alvaro Castagnet's watercolor demos on YouTube are marvelous! This is the one I found first...it's fun and intimate. You feel as if you're right there watching. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgVpJ6lLV0U

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INSPIRATION ON ETSY, TOO!

Did you know that Etsy offers instructions in their How-to Tuesday series? Our friend and fellow Urban Sketcher Veronica Lawlor did one recently--it's still up for your enjoyment!

You can find it here: http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-tuesday-landmark-monoprints/

--and now I'm itching to try a monoprint!

Our friend Marc Taro Holmes offers gorgeous prints on Etsy...his watercolors are stunning. I'm the delighted owner of one of his prints, myself! Check out his fresh, juicy watercolor technique here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/citizensketcher

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AND SPEAKING OF ETSY...

My newish shop got off to a great start, and then I got all busy with the Strathmore class and all the preparations!

So now I'm back working on it, offering original art, prints, demos, sculpture and handmade jewelry. I hope you'll visit me there! Drop by Cathy Johnson Art & More, any time--I'll be adding more goodies soon. And add me to your circles, if you like!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CathyJohnsonArt

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URBAN SKETCHING MIDWEST!

Our new group blog is off to a flying start. If you enjoy the incredible beauty and variety of this part of the country, check out the blog (and if you know someone whose work would fit, please let me know!)

You'll find us here: http://urbansketchers-midwest.blogspot.com/

--the blog is invitation only, but we're always looking for new members.

If you're an urban sketcher and you live in the Midwest, join us on Flickr, here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/urban-sketchers-midwest/ or on our Facebook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/291703234226829/

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NEWS FROM the ARTIST'S JOURNAL WORKSHOP BLOG

Our group journaling blog is active and vital, and full of great ideas from our co-authors! If there's something you'd like to see discussed, please let us know--and don't miss the poll in the sidebar at right! That's a great way to let us know what you want to see

New interviews, new product reviews, new classes, all right here:

http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/

--please join us! Bookmark the site, "follow" the blog, share it with friends, but do be sure to visit to see what the buzz is about!

We also have a very active Facebook group and a Flick group you may want to join, if you're a journal keeper--you'll find it here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/artists-journal-workshop/ another addition to our group Artist's Journal Workshop blog .

I'm astounded at the wonderful work and generous souls we see there...I learn something myself, often!

Please feel free to join us, share your art, ask questions, make comments...

The Quicksilver Workaholic has been hard at it...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:20:39 GMT

And AGAIN it's been a while...

I finished the big month-long class I did for Strathmore Artist Papers, at the end of March...figured I'd take a break, she said, laughing hysterically...

I've been quite busy working on the next mini-class, Quick Sketching in Color, and hope to have it done by the end of May...

Delighted the other mini-classes have been doing so well! We got 17 new students in the past two weeks, and lots of good feedback...thank you SO MUCH, all.

The videos went over so well in the Strathmore class, I'm definitely planning more...I'm no Spielburg, but people seem to feel encouraged by my more laid-back, casual approach. I figure if I don't have fun with them, you won't either!

I've been working on our new Urban Sketchers Midwest blog, http://urbansketchers-midwest.blogspot.com/ and love the response we've gotten. I love it here and I would like others to see what a beautiful area it is...if you're an artist from the Midwest, please join us on our Facebook group or join us on Flickr! We're always looking for new members for the blog.

Artist's Journal Workshop http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/ is busy too, with wonderful artists adding their art, reviews, materials, journal pages...if you haven't visited, please do! I've done a couple of new catalog pages there and on my gallery blog, one for a bookshelf of recommended books that pertain to art and sketching, and one for tools and materials we like!

Or feel free to join our wonderful Facebook group, it's VERY active.

I actually got an art tip done not too long ago, too, but I forgot to announce it here. You can find it here: http://www.cathyjohnson.info/tips.html

An old friend has been here for a couple of weeks, getting ready to paint the trim on the house...he's a pro, so he's REALLY doing it right...I don't know if that's been done since the last time HE did it, 15 years ago or more! It's going to look great.

Between that, computer work, and our sewer backing up, we've had lots of folks around.

I've been updating my eBay offerings and my Etsy store with original art, fine art prints, and handmade jewelry.

And now we're finally back to working on the house we've been rehabbing for years now!

Check out kateslover's journal for some of the pictures from last month! He's been doing a lot of bits and pieces since then...painting doors, rehabbing hinges and hardware, fixing locks, painting more trim. And today I joined him to start pulling the hundreds of staples in the south parlor's floor--there was some truly nasty carpet in there! NO idea how many staples I got up today, but I got good and grotty crawling around on the floor.

So I decided I might as well go ahead and deal with the big new planters I got this morning, and all that compost, mulch, and potting soil, in preparation for a few veggies and flowers over where we actually get some sun. More on that later...right now I'm mud-covered and tired, so off to the shower!

Holy cats, I haven't posted since the winter solstice?!?

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 16:41:48 GMT

I've been really, really busy--could you guess?--with a new online class for Strathmore, which has grown to over 2700 people! I wrote 4 lessons and did 8 videos for the class, and I audit it, now...

Yard work, cooking, sketching, and getting back to eBay sales (trying to simplify life again, ha, and clear out the studio a bit--lots of art supplies flying out the door!, the Artist's Journal Workshop blog--which grew out of my book of the same name, a related Flickr and Facebook group, Urban Sketchers and our new Urban Sketchers Midwest blog plus all the rest...well. That explains it.

Please visit us at any and all!

HI ALL! Waving madly, on St. Patrick's Day!

The Shortest Day...and an early Merry Christmas to all...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:35:12 GMT

and a blessed and joyous Solstice, when the light overcomes darkenss...

The Shortest Day

And so the Shortest Day came and the year died
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.
They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive.
And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, revelling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - listen!
All the long echoes, sing the same delight,
This Shortest Day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, feast, give thanks,
And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And now so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!

-Susan Cooper.

And happy anniversary to my dear friend Ailsa!

...aaaaaand on eBay....

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:38:57 GMT

I just got four more auctions listed on eBay! Of interest to reenactors, costumers, theatre people...or anyone who enjoys dressing up!

All sewn by me, personally...I've been reenacting as a hobby for 25 years, and I've made almost all my own clothes...

A pair of comfortable 100% linen jumps, which are a kind of casual support garment...lightly boned! All outside stitching was done by hand...hey, it would work for RenFaire or Pirate Wench, too...

A cute 18th C. style jacket of reproduction cotton print fabric...

Here's me, wearing it at Colonial Williamsburg...got lots of compliments!

A Victorian era dress, made in a workshop with Saundra Ros Altman of Past Patterns...it's appropriate for 1820-1840...

This at least shows you the neckline...

A pretty, hand-smocked reticule, suitable for 1812-Victorian-Civil War...

Descriptions for all this can be found in my eBay store, HERE...

More perfect gifts for you...CDs, fine art, jewelry and more...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:31:14 GMT

HI, ALL!

If you're looking for last minute gifts, we have them in a wide range of styles and prices, and hope you'll stop by for a visit!

We're no longer on Cafe Press, but we're producing our OWN CDs--much better quality control, now!

Please check out our catalog for books and CDs--there's still time before Christmas to order, with old favorites and best sellers being joined by some NEW offerings! Check 'em out...

This has been one of my most popular new offerings...

We DO have an Etsy store now, too, offering original art, prints, and handmade jewelry...please drop by for a visit, or add me to your circle! We're HERE.

And we are still on eBay, where we've been clearing out some re-enacting goodies, art supplies and more. You can find us HERE.

Discardia, Online Stores and Videos! ETSY, at last...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:55:03 GMT

MY NEW ETSY STORE IS FINALLY UP!

I'm still on my simplifying kick, which seems to have resulted in MORE complexity, but I've been meaning to get my Etsy store up for ages.

Now I'm offering original art, fine art prints, handmade jewelry and more...as fast as I can photograph and list! When my gallery closed last year, it left me with a LOT of stuff that needs new homes...and this is the perfect time of year for it.

Original art and prints...

Polymer jewelry--greenmen canework and jacks in the green

Terra cotta pottery jewelry...mostly pendants:

18th C. style and semi-precious earrings and pendants...

And lots more! I meant to get this taken care of last year, but I've been doing other things...big shock, I know...

Keep watching, I've got more earrings to photograph and list, both period style and modern, plus a LOT more jewelry...

Please check out my Etsy store, Cathy Johnson Art & More, here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CathyJohnsonArt?ref=seller_info

And whew! We've also been working hard on the videos for the new Strathmore class this spring, and Joseph built me a VERY cool table to do the videos on...bigger, more light, etc. I did about 12 small videos this morning, and am editing them for the class...

And HE, bless the man, is getting some of the things we meant to sell ages ago up on my original eBay--we've got jewelry, CDs, art supplies and things of interest to reenactors, right HERE.

Help us give our floor joists a rest and feed the kitties! Bravo for Discardia!

Tip # 119-- Ink & Watercolor Wash is finally up!

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:54:33 GMT

I've been swamped with other projects, so just now got the newsletter done for my latest art tip...my terrific webmistress Sonya at http://morgansites.com got the tip itself up last week! Here's the rough form, and pardon the wonky formatting, I just copied and pasted and all that code came along for the ride! Of course the tip itself is on my webpage, as always...and if you'd like to subscribe to the newsletter, you'll find a form there, too...http://cathyjohnson.info

ART TIP #119 Ink
& Watercolor Wash

Ink and watercolor are very popular used together, these days...it's fun, it's graphic, and if you love to draw it's the perfect approach! This tip offers lots of different ways of approaching this happy
combination...try them out for yourself!

You'll find this latest tip on my website as usual; click the "Art Tips" link at upper left, or go directly to http://www.cathyjohnson.info/tips.html

One of my most popular CDs, shown above, is on that very subject! (And as we've noted here before, we decided to produce these ourselves for complete quality control...you'll find them in my website catalog!)

* If you know someone who might be interested in ALL our offerings, feel free to share signup info for this newsletter or forward this email! The signup form's on my website,
too...address in the sidebar at right.

Remember my "BIG ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT TIME" teaser? It's HERE:

FREE STRATHMORE WORKSHOPS!

I've been asked to do a 4-week workshop as part of Strathmore's free workshop series, and I was delighted to say yes! It will focus on watercolor, but we'll also cover mixed media and journaling. I've been writing lessons and shooting and editing videos for weeks now--part of what's delayed this newsletter (and my next mini-class)!

There will the three workshops in all, mine will be the one starting March 1, 2012. I hope you'll join me!

http://www.strathmoreartist.com/workshop-reg.html

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A COUPLE OF NEW VIDEOS on YOUTUBE

...with more to come. Check 'em out!

One is on making your own watercolor travel kit, with lots of options. I think you'll like it! It's on my YouTube Channel, http://www.youtube.com/user/KateJosTube, along with LOTS more, old and new.

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THINKING OF OUR ARTISTIC ANCESTORS

Wonder what your studio might have been like in primal times? I found this article fascinating!

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/13/1563328/ancient-art-supplies-found-in.html

And while we're considering the lives of our artistic ancestors...there must be something in the air! I found all these within the space of a week!

http://news.discovery.com/history/cave-paintings-artists-111116.html

http://news.discovery.com/history/prehistoric-child-art-caves-photos-111005.html

http://news.discovery.com/history/women-girls-cave-art.html

I've been on a primal/paleo diet lately, you think it's getting to me? :-D

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Sketchbook exhibit 2007

A vast range of styles and types...what an inspiration, including our friend Enrique Flores! (I love Stefano Faravelli's nature sketches on the last page of these images...)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10546641@N00/with/387128479/

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Passage to Egypt-Dakhla

You'll find more of Stefano Faravelli's travel sketches here...it's amazing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3l1-ElYLg&feature=share

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FREE BOOKBINDING TUTORIALS

from Eden Workshops...lots of us enjoy binding our own sketchbooks and journals now, and we've shared a number of resources on the Artist's Journal Workshop blog. If you still want more--and I always do--check out these terrific freebies at

http://www.edenworkshops.com/book_binding_tutorials_-_a_range_of_free_illustrated_manuals.html

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NEWS FROM the ARTIST'S JOURNAL WORKSHOP BLOG

Interview #15 was with my good friend and sketch buddy, Maria Hodkins. We get to sketch together maybe once a year or so, but it is ALWAYS a treat.

You may remember Maria from my YouTube video, where she starred as my stick figure model!

Don't miss Interview #15--just click on the link above.

And hang in there, #16 is right around the corner now--it's with the amazing Sandy Williams!

Read about coming attractions here: http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/2011/11/guess-who-is-interview-16-its-sandy.html

I've added a few new offerings in the sidebar on the right of the journal page...take a peek!

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New interviews, new product reviews, new classes, all right here:

http://artistsjournalworkshop.blogspot.com/

--please join us! Bookmark the site, "follow" the blog, share it with friends, but do be sure to visit to see what the buzz is about!

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We have an open Facebook group in addition to our group Artist's Journal Workshop blog now!

Please feel free to join us, share your art, ask questions, make comments...

And if you want, feel free to join our Flickr group for journal keepers, we'd love to have you...you'll find it here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/artists-journal-workshop/

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SPEAKING OF CLASSES

Our own mini-classes are doing great, and the feedback is gratifying! Feedback is pouring in on the new Watercolor Pencil class...if you're interested, you can find it here, just scroll down the information on the mini-classes: http://www.cathyjohnson.info/online.html

So far, we have Quick Sketching 1 and 2, and Watercolor Pencil; upcoming will be Plein Air, now in the works, Ink and Wash, and Quick Sketching in Color, and .

Sign up for the mini-class announcement list and be among the first to get news of new offerings! (But be patient...I don't generally send out a mailing unless a new class is ready to go.)

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AND AS ALWAYS, FEEDBACK IS WELCOME!

We appreciate your suggestions and feedback--on art tips, on classes, and on this newsletter. If you have ideas for future tips or requests, write me! I'll add them to the list. (Sorry for those who paint in oils--I can't, because of allergies, so I just try to pass along useful links to those who do...)

If you want to see something different in this newsletter, we want to know that too. THANK YOU!

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I hope you're enjoying the holiday season, and finding time for those things that mean the most to you...

Best wishes

from Kate

Looking for the perfect gift? Give a little, get a sketch on Urban Sketchers!

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:58:44 GMT

I'm part of the "URBAN SKETCHERS 2011 HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN: GIVE A LITTLE, GET A SKETCH" over on the Urban Sketchers blog. It's a great deal...a group of us donated images for either downloaded images you print out on your own system, or prints you get direct from the artist, depending on the amount of your donation. It's a GREAT deal...they're hi-res images, and the one I chose printed beautifully, immediately, no waiting on shipping even!

The money raised will help us to put on the international symposium this next year and cover the scholarship program--and encourage people to see and share their OWN part of the world, "one drawing at a time."

Take a peek at the Flickr sets of offerings...here's my montage from San Juan Capistrano, in California--I sketched it on our honeymoon, actually! It's in this set (and so is the one I bought, by the way...lots of tough-but-gorgeous choices!) http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbansketchers/sets/72157627890406827/

If you make a donation of $75 or more, you can choose a print from this set, sent to you directly from the artist!

More on how to donate in this post on the Urban Sketchers blog.

The Citizen Sketcher, Marc Taro Holmes, is taking care of coordinating the donors and prints, and deserves a HUGE thank you, as do all the artists who donated their work! Check out Marc's prints here, by the way!

Pink Jewelry for Breast Cancer Awareness--New Category!

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:39:45 GMT

Hi all...Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over, but for those of us who have been touched by this disease or have family members who have, it is NEVER over. We are always aware, and always ready to support research in any way we can.

So I've made a new category in my eBay store; Donations; Cancer Research--please feel free to browse it any time. If the fancy link doesn't work, here's the whole thing, direct to the Donations Category! http://stores.ebay.com/Kates-Treasures/Donation-Cancer-Research-/_i.html?_fsub=17&_sid=14516396&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Anywhere from 25% to 50% or on occasion even 100% of the purchase price will go directly to breast cancer research at any given time--I hope you'll help AND get some beautiful jewelry for yourself, a family member, or a friend.

Below are some of the things in my store--I'll be adding more, so please bookmark it and check back!

Only a few hours left on pink jewelry auctions for breast cancer awareness!

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:55:53 GMT

If you were waiting to bid, now's the time! 50% will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation, for research.

Gorgeous, delicate, feminine earrings and one pendant...for yourself, for a family member, for a friend--for a good cause!

Take a peek, please!

You can see more here at Kate's Treasures.

More auctions and buy-it-now on eBay...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 18:16:57 GMT

This has been LONG overdue...I'm just getting started clearing out my studio some, adding to and updating my current listings! I'm trying to simplify my life (so how come doing listings feels COMPLEX??)

More to come! I've already got vintage ink pens, more art supplies, gouache, watercolors, more CDs, antiques, jewelry and more...adding them a bit at a time!

A friend of mine and I have been discussing our palette addition...I get them, try them out, consider them, or just LOOK at them, and then...something's GOT to go around here!

So come see me at katestreasures and help me lighten the load a bit!

Pink Jewelry Auctions for Breast Cancer Awareness

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:09:18 GMT

And better late than never! I usually get these up at the first of September, but it's been a busy time for me. Please, check them out at katestreasures on eBay, and be generous! The more you bid, the more I can donate!

These are four of the 6 offerings at http://stores.ebay.com/Kates-Treasures --I'm donating 50% of all proceeds to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure center for breast cancer research. Please check 'em out!

Tweaked the announcement newsletter on mini-classes...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:22:12 GMT

So this is how it reads now...if you see anything that needs clarification, please let me know! (It's easy to imagine you're making sense when you're not!)

THANK YOU FOR
YOUR INTEREST in our NEW

SELF-DIRECTED
MINI-CLASSES!

You'll be able to take these at your convenience, when YOU have the time or the available cash, no waiting for me to have time or energy to
schedule a regular, interactive class. When I get more classes up, hopefully frequently during 2011 and 2012, you'll be able to choose exactly the one you want, when you
want it.

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I took several polls to determine what classes people most wanted to take, and as a result Quick Sketching Techniques 1 was up first--it's been wildly popular! (Please feel free to read some of the feedback, here http://www.cathyjohnson.info/feedback.html

You can also choose Quick Sketching 2, with more advanced techniques, and Watercolor Pencil, at this time.

Watch for Sketching in Nature, Ink and Watercolor, and Quick Sketching in Color, and more...you'll get an email like this one whenever a new class is added.

We may also let you know about possible glitches, changes, additions, or ask you questions about what YOU'D like to see!

You can get more information or sign up for classes
HERE: http://www.cathyjohnson.info/online.html

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In the plans for 2012 and beyond (but not yet available) are:

Drawing People
Journal Keeping
Watercolor Textures
Plein Air Painting
Watercolor Basics
Drawing Birds
Painting Flowers
Creativity Prompts (This will not be a lesson, per se, but quick little idea
starters or inspirations sent every other day. We're up to over 80 ideas
now...)

We'll let you know whenever one of these becomes available, that's what this list is for!

----------------------

FYI:

Here's how all the classes will work:

Each class starts with an FAQ, telling you again how the classes work, and additional information. Feel free to print it out and save it!

Once a week for four weeks, you will receive a fully-illustrated lesson chock full of information, inspirations, tips, demos, exercises,
assignments and videos.

Some of the videos are brand new and will be available only to paid class members, some links will go to my older, public YouTube videos that illustrate a point in the lesson. You'll get a post like this with a direct link to the PDF lesson for that week. (You'll need Adobe Reader to access the PDF; it's a free program available here: http://get.adobe.com/reader/)

You'll get a password to access the PDF in the post, as well; it's for your use only, please don't share.

Links to short video demonstrations will be included in almost every lesson. (Creativity prompts are different, since they are just quick idea
starters, inspirations and challenges.)

There are BONUS PAGES of relevant links, books, and other resources with almost every lesson.

-------------

COST:

Mini-classes are $30 for the four-week sessions; creativity prompts will be different; a PayPal button will be available on my website for each class. You'll find it HERE.

There is no other cost, except for any materials or supplies you choose to purchase. (Regular interactive classes run about $100, give or
take.) I hope you'll join us! And again, thank you for your interest...

Best--

Cathy Johnson

JUST A NOTE:

The lessons will not open in Chrome; it's a glitch on their end. Please try a different browser, like Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari.

NOTE # 2:

At this time there is a delivery problem with Yahoo, Earthlink, and Roadrunner email addresses. If you have one of these, please let us know an alternate address to make sure you receive the lessons!

Remembering 9-11

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:52:06 GMT

In honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their friends and family,
and the brave men and women who dealt with the aftermath.

It is my own personal tradition to remember this day by posting my painting of the event; I owe them that much.

Siiiigh...computer glitches!!!

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 17:29:07 GMT

...making me crazy! I uploaded a batch of stuff to Flickr, it said my upload was complete, and when I went to Flickr there was nothing new there. I've had to do it all over again, and can't find one or the original images easily, now. (Have I mentioned how much I hate having to redo something I've already done?? All those tags, putting them in this or that set, writing about them, then POOF??)

And I can't get to DanielSmith.com because my computer has decided, suddenly, that it's got a dangerous cookie, from something on my alumni list, according to the error message?? HUH? I'm not IN that list...I've tried it all sorts of ways, but no go. Just deleted cookies, we'll see how that works...

And the company that handles my "automatic" delivery of classes is having trouble with Roadrunner, earthlink, and Yahoo addresses! I'm having to deal with it manually...where's that automatic I'm paying for??

(SO if you want to take one of my mini-classes, please use another address, if you have access to one...)

Ah, and then LJ didn't recognize me. It thought I was signed out, then didn't like my password. When I clicked it again, same thing, mind you, it worked fine.

Ah well, dealing with 'em, one by one...that sound you hear is my wheels spinning...)

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:18:31 GMT

Hi all--I've finally got a new class to offer!

After lots of roadblocks and technical problems, rain on the studio roof
(too loud to record videos) and cloudy days (too dark!), not to mention that
cold that just wouldn't go away, I've finally gotten a new class ready to go, at
your request.

You'll find lots of links, videos and extras...I hope you enjoy it!

Here's what you can expect:

LESSON 1

Making Your Mark -
Exploring Watercolor Pencils

Application
Basic
Techniques
How Many
Strokes, and How
Much
Water?
Layering
Color!
Exercises
Bonus
Pages
Videos

LESSON
2

Making Your Mark -
Getting Familiar With the Medium
- Watercolor
  Sticks and Crayons
- Opaque
  Colors
- Color
  Wheels
- Layering/Mixing
- What WC
  Pencils will and won't do.
- Resists
- Demos
- Exercises
- Bonus
  Page
- Videos
LESSON
3

Stepping
Out!
- Putting
  Applications to Work
- Single
  Line/Single Color
- Values
- Solid
  Tones
- Exercises
- Bonus
  Page
- Videos
LESSON
4

Mixed Media and
Putting It All to Work
- Finished
  Paintings
- Mixed
  Media
- Demos
- Exercises
- Take
  Five!
- Bonus
  Page
- Videos
QUIZ
(just to firm up your thinking, there's no grade!)

EXTRAS:
Brushes and
Watercolor Pencils
Testing
Watercolor Pencils

All this for only $30, as are all my
mini-classes!

You can find all the information and enrollment here:

http://www.cathyjohnson.info/online.html

(You may need to refresh or reload the page, I did!)

And of course, you can still find Quick Sketching 1 and 2
there, too.

Upcoming classes will be on ink and watercolor, keeping at artist's
journal, nature sketching and more! Watch for them...and welcome aboard!

Best--

Kate

And this weird formatting is what happens when you pick up text from another site, sorry!)

Well! There WAS a silver lining--CDs are up and ready to go!

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:56:36 GMT

But NOT at CafePress! For years, Joseph's been telling me we could do this in-house, and have complete quality control. No more blank CDs going out, or arriving HERE for our own inventory stock. He'd had to check each and every one to make sure they weren't just a pretty face.

.

I resisted, because I'm not great with change, as long as something is working...or sort of working.

CafePress took that option away when they decided not to offer CDs any more, and we were scrambling like crazy. Joseph jumped in, did some prototypes, it WORKED, and off we go!

The two new CDs are now up on my website catalog, HERE, and we know they'll be right because we made them. When we run out of inventory, we'll make the other ones right here, too.

We're having a giveaway on my gallery blog and on the Artist's Journal Workshop blog...if you'd like one of the prototypes for the new CDs, please throw your hat in the ring! (We've made a few changes to the cover art or organization of files and fixed a couple of typos since then, but the info is all there!)

And as soon as we can, we'll offer downloadable versions too, for those of you who'd rather not pay shipping charges to South Africa or Australia, say...

It's been a wild ride!

Cafe Press is dropping CDs on July 30...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:46:30 GMT

...and since they have been my BIG seller there, I'll be looking for a new home for the on-demand printing function that Cafe Press offered..

(If you know of a dependable option, I'd be delighted to hear about it!)

I discovered this when I was working on the two new slideshow CDs...I finally got everything working together and was able to finish a couple of projects that had been hanging around for a couple of years. As in this afternoon.

I went to Cafe Press to upload the new information--I'd already sent them the art last week--and to get the information sheet you mail with the master CDs.

They hadn't bothered to let any of the shop owners know about this change until I got an email, tonight, after calling them today to ask what was up with their uploading function!

SO. My CDs will still be available on my website...and they'll still be in my CafePress store until July 30th.

This has been one of my most popular new offerings...

And after that time, I believe I'll be closing the store entirely, so if there are any t-shirts, mugs, artist's t-shirts, clocks, greeting cards, post cards, messenger bags, aprons, or whatever that you'd been wanting, now's the time.

Eventually I will have an Etsy shop or a Volusion, or Zazzle, but for now I'm not up for continuing to pay Cafe Press a premium shop fee and their cut on goodies without having my bestselling CDs available.

The address is here: http://www.cafepress.com/cathy_johnson and again, after that time, the CDs will be available on my website, but the cards, t-shirts, aprons and such will not.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have bought CDs there over the past years--it's been a real ride, and you have been MUCH appreciated!

And watch this space for news of where we end up.

Cumulative craziness...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:33:28 GMT

There have been lots of good comments on my last post, both here on Live Journal and on Facebook (and privately!) Thank you, all. I knew I wasn't alone in taking on too much.

The above is the banner I designed for my gallery blog...sometimes I think I just enjoy the excitement of start-up,
and everything that goes with it! Planning, design, etc.

Anyway, as I said, all this IS cumulative, over the past 12 years of dealing with the changes in publishing, and the changes in my personal life.

The death of my first husband changed a lot, for me--not just missing him and all that he did, but being "all on me onesies," as they said in Pirates of the Caribbean! No regular job, no insurance, no retirement, and with his passing, so did his Social Security check. I had some small savings (which I STILL haven't touched since 1997!), and my own talent and chutzpah.

And my willingness to try new things, to ride the wave.

The Internet offers plenty of those "new things," and I've seen a lot change in 14 years. eBay was the THING, once upon a time...now, there are so many sellers! Of course, there was also lots of advice on how to create those multiple streams of income. Time and necessity encouraged me to try a lot of them!

But you know, as in almost everything else, some things fit, some things didn't. Some worked, some didn't. Some I loved, some...not so much...

And it's far easier to start something than it is to keep it up--or to drop it, as I told someone in a comment!

I know I am not alone in grabbing this particular tiger by the tail...or multiple tigers, as it happens! Freelancers have to think on their feet and try new things. Some of these somewhat mangy old tigers I can bid adieu with no qualms, but some offer satisfaction of another sort, or...a feeling of obligation I ALSO have to sort out. It'll take a while, but it feels good heading in that direction. The journal helps!

And hey, maybe it's one of those "if mama ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy" kinds of things!

Going off in all directions...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 16:55:09 GMT

...or maybe just nuts. I know a lot of you have found yourselves in the same position.

If you're a freelancer or self-employed, it may be more difficult to make a living these days...things that used to provide income have dried up, or at least become a ghost of their former selves.

In my case, the publishing industry's been hit hard (by the economy, by the Internet, by all that free information out there--which I contribute to!)

I used to have a regular column in the Artist's Magazine, Watercolor Magic, and Country Living...but all three have cut their editorial pages, it seems, and have many fewer regular columnists or contributing editors, and do a lot of the work in-house or contracted out, now.

Ouch. I'm glad I"m one of the people that gets contracted out TO, in the case of the art magazines!

And of course if you're employed by someone else, things aren't always all that secure, either! Jobs fold, and you try to find ways to take up the slack. "Multiple streams of income," they call it, when you do a bit here, a bit there...

So, for me, in the beginning there was Live Journal--this blog right here. I did almost everything in one place...but in those days LJ didn't like any commercial use of their site. They've changed those rules to be more flexible, and hooray!

I was in several Yahoo groups and "owned" a few more. I even taught there till I found out that might be against their difficult-to-interpret rules, so I moved.

I have several Flickr groups, a couple of which require occasional policing-- Painting Plein Air kept getting images there that didn't fit the concept at ALL--my sweet husband Joseph, otherwise known here as kateslover , helps! The Ink and Watercolor Wash group is HUGE, 900+ members and over 16,000 images, but it practically runs itself (thank goodness!) Lots of wonderful images there.

Some of my groups are closed, some are open, and a couple I'd delete entirely, but you have to remove all the members FIRST...apparently one at a time. Erk...

I sold on eBay--and still do, as Kate's Treasures--and did pretty well with original art as well as collectibles, books, and antiques; then decided I should have a separate store for fine art...Cathy Johnson Arts. (That one, at least, has gone by the wayside. It did well at first, but we got busy and keeping up--and paying for--both stores didn't make much sense. The more versatile Katestreasures gets the traffic there...)

So, I started my own gallery blog, on Blogspot, Cathy Johnson Fine Art --it did VERY well at first, but like eBay, you need to keep it UP. New work, fresh offerings! It still gets an amazing amount of traffic, and I hope to figure out how get back to listing some of the mountain of art I've done over my 35-40 years. (If you're one of those patient people who keep checking back, I really WILL do this...sooooon...)

I've got a lot of stuff that wouldn't fit there, though--jewelry, pottery greenmen and such--so I opened an Etsy account, then later a second one with a more recognizable name to use as a store...and haven't done a thing with either one!

It all takes time. (I plan to close out the original one and keep the store...when I find time in my schedule.)

(Yes, I know...if I didn't have so much going, I might FIND the time. That's what this post is all about!)

I loved the way Blogger/Blogspot worked, and how user-friendly it was, so I've moved my classes there (when I have time and energy to teach them)...and started the blog when I built my little shed studio to encourage others, The Shed of Reality, a play on words...and moved the Starving Artists in the Kitchen stuff from LJ to its own blog (need to add stuff there too, I've got dozens of recipes written up! We love cooking healthful, affordable meals.).

I created the Sketching in Nature group blog because it's something I think is extremely important--and something I love. Stopping to really SEE, to sketch...not only is it good for our own peace of mind and powers of observation, but I believe that what we draw, we will care about, and what we care about, we will protect. In showing it to others--a larger audience--we make MORE people aware of the beauty and fragility of nature. It makes a difference, and I'm very proud of that blog and the artists involved, from all over the world! It had well over 14,000 views last month...

And then of course there's the Artist's Journal Workshop blog, which I'm devoted to. I've been keeping journals for 40 years, have written on the subject in everything from Country Living to Sports Afield to Watercolor Artist and the Artist's Magazine...and ended up teaching it online (on Blogger, of course) and then writing a new book for North Light by the same name...

And did I mention Facebook? I got on it to keep up with my friends and family, but after a while I started the Plein Air Artists group, and the Nature Artists group, both things I care about deeply and wanted to share with other artists...no big deal until Facebook changed how groups work, recently, and now they're VERY active...along with the Artist's Journal Workshop group, which I started so more people could share their work.

So yeah. I AM nuts, why do you ask?? There's a REASON I called this blog The Quicksilver Workaholic all those years ago!

Some of this activity was in response to my bottom line--my accountant shuddered--and I kept trying new things and tweaking old ones. Some came about because I can't do the same things I used to physically. Arthritis and age DO take their toll, as many of us have cause to know!

But I've been using my journal to take a look at what works and what doesn't, what takes too much time for the amount of satisfaction, where I can simplify, what I can let go and why.

Some things I'll keep because they ARE satisfying. They definitely don't pay the electric bill, but I enjoy them--that's important as well. Some things are just time sinks...and deciding which those are is not as easy as it looks.

There have been a lot of conversations lately among artists frustrated with technology or not having enough time for the things that are important to them. Too many iPhones or mini-computers or Facebook browsing, too much time ONLINE and not enough doing the things that feed the soul.

I've been working in my personal journal and that's brought some things to my attention too, not the least of which is my need to focus.. SO...what do YOU find most satisfying? What works for YOU?

* The journal sketch above is part of what helps keep me sane...occasionally getting away JUST to make art in my journal is essential. I started to say relaxing, enjoyable...nope, it's ESSENTIAL.

New orders, new books, new students...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:23:23 GMT

...and not really sure why, all of a sudden, but we've had a real run, here! If you're recommending my books or classes, thank you very much!

This is the book that's suddenly getting a lot of orders--you can click on the image to look inside. It's a beautiful book and I loved doing it--thanks to my editor and designer!

Creating Nature in Watercolor is out of print, and available only as secondhand...or, from me, brand new, because I bought a couple of boxes of them when North Light decided to let it go out of print! Sometimes people like to have their books signed, and I'm happy to do that...I'm graphicart on Amazon. (Mine aren't the least expensive, sorry to say...I had to pay more for them than some people are charging!) You can find it on my website, too, if you're interested...along with the rest of my books!

You can also find it in my bookstore...

...and yes, I do get a wee commission if people buy there...6%, I think, so I thank you and my hungry kitties thank you!

And, for some reason, we've gotten 9 new students in less than a week for the mini-classes. This is wonderful, since I haven't had the time or the energy for the interactive classes for a while.

(For those who have asked, thank you for your patience! Life's been nuts and I don't have a schedule set yet...I need to get 2-3 more mini-classes up, and the new CD on trees that I've been working on...)

Maybe it's the new feedback page my wonderful webmistress Sonya got up for me last week...thank you, Sonya, and thank you all those who have shared your kind words! I'm delighted the classes have been helpful!

This one just came in, I need to edit it and ask Sonya to post it, too...I'm glowing!

"The Quick Sketching 1 class was just the "kick in the pants...whap on the side of the head I needed to get me back into sketching more. Way too much studio painting and too little time with my sketch books and doing "in the trenches" drawing/painting. You have a wonderful way of inspiring and of presenting crystal clear teaching! When I retired from 43 years of elementary teaching 6 years ago, I promised myself to have lots of painting / drawing time. My mother was an oil paint/watercolor artist, so I grew up with a paint brush and a pencil in my hand! After art classes in my teens and then a couple in college, I had only time for a few drawings over the years with teaching and motherhood etc. But, now I know, I should have done much more....poor excuse all those years.

But, 6 years ago, when I started my adventure, you Watercolor book was the first one I bought. While others have joined my shelves of art books, I returned to yours this spring as I really needed to stop, take stock of my skills, and refresh. I took the three classes from Strathmore on journaling and that was good. But, am getting a wonderful experience with your books, your marvelous CD's and the QS course. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Now if I could just find some of those 36-hour days next time they're on sale at Dick Blick, I could almost get everything done...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:36:43 GMT

Hi all...

just wanted to thank you for your patience and let you know what we've been up to. This is the update I just sent out to people waiting on my mini-classes, but I know there are others interested as well...

Some of you know that my husband underwent surgery in April, and I got the world's longest-lasting chest cold, so not a great deal of work got done around here beyond the absolute basics. (I also had a big article to do for Watercolor Artist magazine and an interview I'd promised to give, in addition to our regular orders, so I haven't been a COMPLETE slug!)

He's doing well, and I'm much better, so back to work on new mini-classes and more.*

Hoping to have the Watercolor Pencil Mini up in the next month--watch for it! I'll send an email like this one when it's done, or sign up for my art tip newsletter mailing list, at http://cathyjohnson.info. (For a while there I was so hoarse I couldn't have made a video you could have understood! I have a voice again now, so full speed ahead. )

After that, It may be the watercolor and ink mini so many of you have asked about. (In the meantime, some people are using my CD, Ink & Wash Workshop, a slide-show type workshop that's been very popular. (It also offers PDFs full of information and suggestions, as well as inspiration from a number of wonderful artists who enjoy the mixture of mediums.

You can find out more about it in my CafePress store, here: http://www.cafepress.com/cathy_johnson.61122728

I'm hoping to have a new "Elements of Landscape--Trees" CD available before too long, too, also in the popular slide show format. It was almost done when I got my new computer last year, and the new machine didn't like my Windows MovieMaker projects...so I stalled out for a while.

Anyway, that's where we are right now...I'd best get back to work so I DO have something to offer you patient people!

Best--

Kate

Very, very grateful...

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:33:00 GMT

It's been an eventful month, and much more stressful than we like, but things are finally starting to sort out a bit. So...a long catchup post!

We had an exhausting and stressful trip to California for Joseph's dad's birthday. The high point, for me--as always--was the eternal ocean. kateslover always makes sure I have some quiet downtime, bless the man!

Not enough rest, short nights and long days, too many demands, too much criticism, too many people probably resulted in my getting good and sick the last day. Joseph said that morning, "I'm afraid you're too sick to travel!"

BET ME. I would have CRAWLED home.

For once I didn't get much sketching done on that leg of the trip--I mostly slept in the airport and on the plane. Slept, and coughed. I felt bad for my fellow passengers, but I HAD TO GET HOME.

We'd planned the trip for the week before Joseph's surgery, and it was a mistake. It was just too much. He got sick too, though he insists it wasn't the same thing...we spent most of the week before surgery sleeping, resting, coughing, and very much afraid they wouldn't be able to DO the surgery if he were sick!

He didn't have a fever, though, so on we went...

.

His surgery went well, thank God and Dr. Herrick, ...I sketched for 6 hours in the waiting room! You can see that one here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cathy-johnson/5616727520/in/photostream

As always, sketching helped keep me calm...and we were able to go home the next day. Of course, he wasn't allowed to drive for 10 days, and can't pick up anything over 10 lbs. for a month--and recovery is always rough. I had a few small jobs I had to do, but mostly I took over the things he usually does, and RESTED. (And coughed.)

The support and caring of friends and family has been wonderful. Our thanks for all your prayers and good wishes! Please don't stop, we're not done!. :-D

I am very, very grateful for the new shed/studio...it was a quiet, peaceful place for both of us, away from the cats who didn't understand why they couldn't sit on him or jump or be picked up--Merlin is WELL over that 10 lb. limit, and he's the one who wants a hug and a pick up in the morning. The shed's been a real sanctuary.

The new/old chair we got for him a few months ago is much more comfortable than the couch, and he was able to rest and mend (when I didn't wake him coughing!) The best $40 we've spent in a LONG time!

Watching spring unfold beyond the French doors was healing, as well...we added several new bird feeders and find a great deal to observe in this small natural environment.

I'm VERY grateful I got two of my mini-classes done before all this! I haven't been able to work much (though I'm now well into a big article for Watercolor Artist on watercolor journaling!) We filled orders and mailed things out, but my cold hung on and on, and my brain was on strike.

I'd hoped to get another class up and going this month, but there was no way. So, thanks to my wonderful students, I'm still earning a living from the classes, and hoping to get back up to speed before too long, with more to offer!

We have much to be grateful for, including my sweet husband's recovery; there's still a ways to go, but God willing we'll GET there!

My second mini-class is done, FINALLY

katequicksilvr@livejournal.com — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:57:51 GMT

Finally got this one finished and ready to go--fewer glitches than last time, and that was a huge plus! A few oddities toward the end, but hey, the Internet has to keep us on our toes, right??

So here's the letter I just send to the subscribers of my mini-class update list--you can find the signup form here, if you're interested!

Quick Sketching 2 is now available on my website, here:
http://www.cathyjohnson.info/online.html

It builds on Quick Sketching1, offering some more advanced techniques, but can also stand on its own.

And of course Quick sketching 1 is still available, and will be. That's the cool thing about these mini-classes, they're there when YOU want them, any time it's convenient.

Take a peek! It covers:

creating volume and mass with halftones or grays

sketching people

self portraits

landscapes

buildings

And still offering quick, easy approaches, lots of demos, examples, exercises and videos, as always.

You'll also find a bonus page in each lesson of links to books, websites, articles and more!

Look here for a complete syllabus and more information, plus a place to sign up: http://www.cathyjohnson.info/quicksketch2.html

-------------------

And by the way--

Thank you for all your input on which classes to offer next! As you know if you've been a member of this list for long, I was partly through with Quick Sketching 2 when I asked, so now I know the watercolor pencil mini will be up next--by far, most of you asked for it, and I listen! I'll be working on it again soon.

-------------------

If you haven't seen it, Watercolor Artist has a big new article I wrote on watercolor pencils, in their April issue, featuring the work of Australian artist Alissa Duke. Check it out!

-------------------

I also have a CD on the subject, based on my out of print book, Watercolor Pencil Magic. I added back in a whole lesson that had to be cut from the book--you can find it HERE, if you don't want to wait for the mini-class, which will take about a month, give or take!.

They'll be different, in any case...I have a lot of brand new demos to offer!

--------------------

And finally--

If you'd like to receive my free art tips newsletter, you can sign up on my website, here: http://www.cathyjohnson.info/

Thanks for your interest! And as always, feedback is welcome...