Practice Piece

I always start a marbling session with a couple of practice pieces. I'm testing the bath to see what it's doing and how the paints behave on it. But I'm also stretching my marbling muscles ~ like a singer who does vocal warm ups. Marbling is more physically demanding than most people realize and there are certain techniques that require superb hand-eye coordination so I want my body and my mind to be at the same place when I start working on the real stuff.

The thing is...usually these practice pieces end up being something really good. Something that actually makes me pause and go, "Oh, wow! That turned out great!" even though I'm not trying to do something good. I don't even think that hard about what colors I use, just grabbing the four of five closest to me and running with it.

Today's practice piece is no exception. I love it. I love the colors and how the design turned out. I guess I'm more conscious about my practice pieces than I realize...and that perhaps eight years of marbling experience coupled with not having any expectations from these first few pieces really frees up the creative mojo. And that's when magic slips in.

Available in the store.

A Weekend of Color

Loving these bright colors lately. Can't get enough.

Intersections. Squiggles. Ragged edges.

Weaving with color.

TAG: A Pop-up Exhibition in San Rafael, Calif.

Liz Kalloch and I are thrilled and downright GIDDY to be participating in a curated show opening next weekend in San Rafael, Calif. with two pieces from our collaborative project New Ground.

Liminal #1 (and its sister piece) ~ both created during our residency last summer ~ will be on display in TAG: A Pop-Up Exhibition of Contemporary Abstract Painting opening Saturday, February 27.

TAG curator, artist Joyce Conlon, selected Bay Area artists who are pushing the boundaries within their work and then asked those artists to invite or "tag" another artist for inclusion. Liz and I feel honored to have been "tagged" and are excited to have our work included alongside Sydney Cohen, Joyce Conlon, Ellie Fritz, Kimberly Rowe, and Bill Russell.

The exhibition takes place Saturday, February 27 (3 p.m. - 8 p.m.) and Sunday, February 28 (noon - 4 p.m.) at Mark Drive Studios (11 Mark Drive, San Rafael, CA).

And I'll be there! Yep ~ I'll be heading up to the Bay Area to proudly stand side-by-side with my creative partner-in-crime and chat with folks who stop by to check out the show.

Hope to see you there!

Then this Happened

From the studio yesterday.

Tools and Talismans: Experience and Nature

I don't even know how to put into words how much I am in love with artist Liz Kalloch's project called Tools and Talismans ~ her illustrated journey to document the tools used by 100 women ("creators and healers, thinkers and makers, wordsmiths and visionaries") on their own personal journeys to make things. From her webiste:

Whether we make paintings, write books, heal people's bodies or minds, dance on stages, cook amazing and nourishing meals, teach new skills, or inspire others to dream new dreams, I believe we humans are always Making.

In fact, I believe everybody has a super power and it’s Making.

I’m fascinated with how and what we make and just as fascinated with the tools we use to make. I believe that our relationship to the tools that we put our hands to nearly everyday, our attachments to them, plus how we use them to express what we "make" is a profound piece of our who we are, inside these bodies of ours.

I am beyond honored, and incredibly humbled, to have her illustrate my Tools and Talismans ~ as well as thankful for the space she has provided for all of us to share the stories behind them. Head on over to her website to catch up on these incredible vignettes.

If you want snippets of beauty, wisdom, and well-told stories (imbued with Liz's wonderful sense of humor), be sure to follow her blog and Instagram for a daily dose of color and happiness.

Scenes from the Studio

It was a weekend full of private lessons. I love teaching in my studio where the energy and enthusiasm of students fill every nook and cranny and I can feel the vibes long after they are gone.

Studio preparations.

Never gets old ~ the joy of the first marbled piece!

Working the tanks.

Marbled pages from old photobooks where the pages are actual frames/thick mats. We took apart the binding and marbled each frame. They turned out beautiful.

Marbled pages from a very, very old ledger/journal.

Marbled leather strap.

Remnants

Leftovers in the tank.

Sometimes the thing I'm marbling on is smaller than the actual design in the tank, so when I pull the piece off the bath the leftover paint stretches to fill the gap. And you get something magical like this.

Studio Play

Sometimes I just play in the tank. No expectations. Not trying to do anything specifically. Just moved by color and whatever dance my bath wants to do.

Marbling on Photographs

Photograph by the talented Ann Howley.

Marbling on photographs. Yep. Love it. It's ridiculously fun.

I especially love the one above because of the vibrant, warm colors and how the traditional pattern Bouquet mirrors the shapes of the hot air balloons.

And then there is this one:

Another beautiful photograph by the talented Ann Howley.

I wanted to replicate the feel of the arctic cold, sparse landscape, and floating ice in this image so I chose to do an Italian Vein in cool colors over the top of it. I think I pulled it off since I feel a chill every time I look at it!

You can learn how to create traditional patterns such as Bouquet (and 15 other traditional patterns!) in my Clouds on Water: Introduction to Paper Marbling eCourse. And if you're up for a marbling adventure, check out my Clouds on Water: Advanced Marbling Techniques eCourse where, among many things, you'll learn about additives (used to create the Italian Vein pattern) and how to marble on photographs and other non-traditional materials.

For a short time, I am offering an incredible special on these two courses ~ buy the Introduction to Paper Marbling eCourse and get the Advanced Marbling Techniques eCourse for free!! That's a savings of $129!! Head on over to www.CloudsOnWater.com to register and use the discount code EBRULOVE. There are still four weeks of guided sessions by me on our very active private Facebook page and you'll have access to all the videos, website content, and downloadable handouts through the end of July!

Hope to see you in the classroom!

Continuing to Explore

Detail. WIP

I'm still exploring this particular direction in the tank. It's not always working out ~ and it takes forever to create these images so when I screw up, I feel like I just wasted so much time. It's been a lesson in patience and acceptance ~ and remembering that time is never wasted when you stretch and grow and learn something new (even if it's what NOT to do) along the way.

WIP: The Next Version

At the intersection of Holy Buckets Street and I Can't Believe This Technique Is Working Boulevard, you'll find this piece.

I am loving this direction.

WIP: Back in the Studio

Work-in-progress detail.

Now that this session of Clouds on Water: A Journey into the World of Marbling is underway, I can turn my attention (or most of, it at least) back to projects and ideas that were on hold while we put the finishing touches on the new classrooms. So happy to be back at the tank, playing around ~ especially on this concept I'm developing.

Just Now, Come

In the latest issue of Mabel Magazine, my favorite written piece is that by textile artist Amy Meissner where she talks about how living in Alaska influences her creative work. It’s a moving, honest, intimate piece that, even though I’ve never been to Alaska, I connected to instantly. Amy says that Alaskans have a word for newcomers: Cheechako which is derived from the Chinook word “chee,” meaning “just now,” and “chako,” meaning “come.”

Just now, come.

I emailed Amy to let her know how much I enjoyed reading her piece and that Cheekchako, “just now, come” perfectly describes the marbling process. You need to be very present when marbling because it is at the mercy of Mother Nature and slave to randomness. It happens and it happens now. But it is also a very welcoming and forgiving art form. You cannot really fail at it. Show up and it will show up with you.

Just now, come.

This is my new mantra for when I marble. And I will be sharing it with participants in my upcoming Clouds on Water: A Journey into the World of Marbling eCourse.

Early bird registration specials run through December 31:

• $179 for Introduction to Paper Marbling
• $79 for Advanced Marbling Techniques
• $110 for Marbling on Fabric
• $259 for ALL THREE eCourses!

From the Keyboards (and Hearts) of Students...

I am so incredibly humbled by the student feedback from my first eCourse, Clouds on Water: Introduction to Paper Marbling. As I put the finishing touches on the two new marbling eCourses, Advanced Marbling Techniques and Marbling on Fabric, their comments, praise, and support propels me. A big thank you to the inaugural Clouds on Water class! You will always have a special place in my heart.

Here are a few responses from the question, "What did you love most about the course?"

• Having the ability to have the videos running as I was working at the tank. It was almost as good as having Barb in the room. (Joan Merritt)
• I really appreciated Barb's support and timely feedback. (Karen K.)
• The sense of freedom to create! (Karen McMillian)
• Barb's enthusiasm! Also, seeing both Barb's work and Julie's [her marbling assistant] made the process feel more accessible. If I'd only seen Barb's I might have been a little intimidated. (Kelley Walker)
• Barb's engagement with the group, which supported the bringing together of the group as a place of sharing and offering. ~ (Lawrence Sunhorse Maskill)

If you'd like to try a new art form in a supportive, encouraging, perfection-free zone, Clouds on Water: A Journey into the World of Marbling is for you.

Early bird registration specials run through December 31:

• $179 for Introduction to Paper Marbling
• $79 for Advanced Marbling Techniques
• $110 for Marbling on Fabric
• $259 for ALL THREE eCourses!!

I'd love to take you on the marbling journey. Hope to see you in the studio soon!

The Magic Continues: Two New Classrooms Added to Clouds on Water

I am so excited to announce the next generation of classes available through the only online marbling classroom of its kind: Clouds on Water: A Journey into the World of Marbling.

Earlier this year, in beautiful partnership with the talented and inspiring duo at Animyst, my Introduction to Paper Marbling eCourse was launched. And now I'm thrilled to rollout two new classrooms: Advanced Marbling Techniques and Marbling on Fabric.

What Will I Learn?

Introduction to Paper Marbling: Learn the fundamentals of marbling ~ from making the bath and your own tools to troubleshooting tips and creating traditional patterns, this course will walk you through every step of the marbling process and take you on the journey to producing beautiful creations on paper.

Advanced Marbling Techniques: For those with marbling experience, start diving in deeper and go beyond the basics, breaking rules along the way and taking your marbling adventure to the next level. Advanced patterns, using additives, marbling on non-traditional materials and 3D objects are just some of the topics covered.

Marbling on Fabric: Fabric is a stunning medium upon which your marbled creations shine. This course teaches you the special techniques unique to marbling on fabric.

When are the Courses?

Registration is now open for the January 18 - March 6, 2016 session (six-week guided course). All of the content will be available for six months (July 2016).

What are the Fees?

The cost depends on which class you take, however every course includes downloadable handouts, six-weeks of guided instruction, and access to the written and video content for six months.

• The Introduction to Paper Marbling eCourse investment is normally $259 but through December 31, 2015, we are offering an EARLY BIRD special of $179 ~ that's a savings of $80!
• The Advanced Marbling Techniques eCourse investment is normally $129 but through December 31, 2015, we are offering an EARLY BIRD special of $79 ~ that's a savings of $50!
• The Marbling on Fabric eCourse investment is normally $139 but through December 31, 2015, we are offering an EARLY BIRD special of $110 ~ that's a savings of $29!

{ FULL PACKAGE EARLY BIRD SPECIAL }

Through December 31, buy all three courses for $259 and
get access to all material for ONE FULL YEAR!

That’s a savings of $268 and an EXTRA six months of access
to all the videos and other content.