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!

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.

New Clouds on Water Offering

The six-week guided portion of my Clouds on Water eCourse just wrapped up and I cannot even begin to express what an amazing experience it was for me and for participants. They wowed me with their tenacity, creativity, and enthusiasm and I was blown away by how quickly they embraced the art form 100% ~ in all its challenges and glory!

While the guided group portion of Clouds on Water is over, the classroom itself is still open! This introduction to paper marbling eCourse was designed to be taken at your own pace so you can jump in and get started marbling at any time.

Two New Offers

And now I'm offering two new options for Clouds on Water: on-your-own or with mentoring!

$199 Investment – Full Course
You’ll have access to all the videos, written content, and website through December and lifetime access to the private Facebook page (where lots and lots of great troubleshooting conversations are happening and inspiring pictures of people’s work are being posted).

$259 Investment – Full Course plus Mentoring
All of the above PLUS you will have access to me for four weeks (2x/week) of personal one-on-one mentoring via email (or 20-minute Google chats (2x/week), where and when possible, if agreeable arrangements can be made). Send Barb as many questions as you’d like, as many images as you like, as many comments and thoughts and ideas…and you’ll have your own private lessons as you work your way through the course.

The fee includes downloadable handouts and access to the written and video content through December, 31 2015, and unlimited access to our private group Facebook page.

What will I learn?

You will learn the Turkish form of marbling called Ebru. Translated, Ebru means “cloud.” And that is exactly what paint on the water bath looks like: clouds on water! You will be guided through every step of the paper marbling process to help you create a successful experience at home, from building your confidence with marbling techniques to learning how to deal with hiccups along the way.

Topics include:

• Setting up your marbling space.
• Making special marbling tools.
• Preparing the water bath and mordant.
• Floating paint on water.
• Creating foundation patterns.
• Exploring traditional patterns and variations on those patterns.
• Troubleshooting tips.

For more about the Clouds on Water eCourse, head on over to the website: www.CloudsOnWater.com.

Storytelling

In Ebru, this is a traditional pattern called Zebra. It could almost pass as another traditional pattern called Antique. The difference between the two is the size of the Stones thrown on top of the Gelgit. Larger stones make it Zebra. Smaller stones make it Antique.

I teach the history and variations of traditional patterns to my students because I feel when on knows the past ~ when one understands how something got to where it is ~ only then can one bring the story to life.

I'd love to story tell with you. New in-studio classes have just been announced and registration is still open for the Clouds on Water eCourse.

It's Happening! Clouds on Water Classroom Opens!

The statistics are pretty impressive, if I do say so myself.

Clouds on Water officially starts today. The classroom is robust and a visual stunner...and I couldn't be happier with the way everything came together. My goal was to provide a learning environment rich with content delivered in a variety of ways to meet everyone's learning styles ~ just as I do when I'm teaching students in my studio. eCourses can be tricky. I've seen some bad ones. And I've seen really good ones. The difference is huge. When Jen and Michelle of Animyst first planted the seed about a marbling eCourse, I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical. Marbling is not a stagnant art form. There are so many moving parts. Most people aren't even aware of the art form let alone have the basic tools to get started. Where would I begin?

At the beginning.

Clouds on Water truly is a journey into the world of marbling. Step by step, we make our way through this stunning art form that is as mesmerizing to look at as it is to create. And I am honored to walk alongside the brave, beautiful people (from around the world!) who are taking the course right now. Their enthusiasm even before the classroom opened buoyed me as I worked on the final touches.

Clouds on Water is for them. And for others who dare to venture into new creative territory that will profoundly change them.

Once again, I welcome you to the magic.

Gratitude Giveaway Winners!

Thank you to all who entered the Clouds on Water Gratitude Giveaway! I am thrilled to announce the winners: Jenny Jean M., Tina T., Amelia Wiggins and her friend Hayley, B. Buckles and her hubby, and Leslie Couture. I am so excited to have you all along for the marbling journey.

(B. Buckles and Leslie, please email me so I can send you registration information).

Class begins on Monday and there's still time to register ~ I would be honored to adventure with you into the magical world of marbling.

Visit www.CloudsOnWater.com for details.

Overmarble Love

It was an Overmarble kind of day last week!

The Overmarble is one of my favorite marbling techniques. I can't wait for participants in my intro-to-marbling eCourse Clouds on Water to dive in and try it. We'd love to have you join us too! Class starts June 8. Visit www.CloudsOnWater.com for details.

Gratitude Giveaway: Win a Spot in Clouds on Water eCourse!

Marbling’s beginning centuries ago was rooted in secrecy. Initially, its practice was limited to royalty and religious figureheads in Japan. As it became a trade in the Middle East and Europe, master marblers were reluctant to share techniques and formulas in order to protect their source of income.

Fast forward to today, when the cloak of secrecy surrounding the art form could not be more transparent. Today’s marblers are incredibly generous with their knowledge. And I mean incredibly generous. I am very lucky to humbly stand in a circle of artists who have peeled back the layers of marbling, who have taken the hits and the challenges and worked through them, whose curiosity and willingness to explore have raised the art form’s bar…and then shared with me all that they know. This is especially true of three very important teachers on my marbling path ~ Tom Leech, Pat K. Thomas, and Elin Noble ~ as well as the extraordinary talent found in the Yahoo Marbling Group. Had it not been for all of them, I may have given up on marbling altogether when my first paint didn’t float. But I didn’t. And marbling changed my life.

In honor of these wonderful folks, I am giving away 5 spots in my Clouds on Water intro-to-marbling eCourse which starts on June 8.

To enter, simply leave a comment below letting me know who you are and why you would love to learn how to marble. Feel free to also nominate someone who has had a significant impact on your life, who has been as generous with their wisdom and sage advice as my community has ~ a teacher, mentor, friend, advisor, family member, neighbor ~ and they will be eligible to win too!

I will announce the winners on June 4.

Epic Fail, Epic Beauty

This weekend, I was messing around with different rake and comb sizes in the production of traditional patterns. I'm making handouts for my Clouds on Water eCourse and I want students to see how different a pattern can look just by changing up the size of the tool (even the strokes are exactly the same).

I'm having a blast doing this and learning a lot along the way, as one usually does when one looks at something from a different perspective. For example, I discovered you CANNOT push the boundaries of the Scallop pattern too far before it becomes completely unrecognizable. It's a pattern that wants to be ~ needs to be ~ tight. In the piece above I went loose. Technically, one would call this piece a failed attempt at Scallop. And yet, I keep getting lost in its beauty, movement, and details and can't help but call it a success.

Marbling is all about not being too quick to judge, not being too quick to dismiss, not being too rigid with expectations. It's about flipping the switch and being open to the possibilities. 

Truth

Leveling tanks for another private lesson tomorrow. Which means another marbler is born. Because once you marble, you can never go back to being just a regular person. ‪

I'm just sayin'...

May Day through Mother’s Day Special!

Two great days of celebration deserve two great offers for the Clouds on Water intro-to-marbling eCourse!

1) Register with a friend and get full access to the class for $159 each! That’s $100 off the regular price ($259) when two or more people sign up together.

Just go to the registration page, sign yourself up using the promo code MAYLOVE (don't forget to hit "apply"), and let us know the name of the person (or names!) you’re signing up with. Then have your friend(s) register and do the same!

2) Early Bird registration is extended as well ~ $179 when signing up on your own. That’s an $80 savings!

Clouds on Water is a great gift to give yourself (yes, you deserve it!) and someone special (gift certificates available!).

Or buddy up with someone and go on the marbling journey together! Clouds on Water is a six-week guided introduction-to-marbling-on-paper eCourse with six-months access to all videos and written content, lots of downloadable handouts, and a lifetime of endless possibilities and fun!

These specials end May 10!

Go to www.CloudsOnWater.com for more information and to register.

Purpose, not Perfection

In my Introduction to Paper Marbling eCourse, I emphasize purpose over perfection because, well, perfection is not possible in marbling. And when you let go of expectations, that’s when the good stuff happens.

So yeah, sometimes we miss the mark. Or the color is off. Or we’re still learning a new technique. When it comes to marbling, even those so called boo-boos are stunning. But they can also take on another life. And it’s found in something called the “overmarble.”

I teach the overmarble technique in my class because it opens up endless possibilities to add texture, movement, and depth to a piece…and it also can cover up the boo-boos that no one else sees but is driving us up the wall.

Yeah, I get it. I’ve been there.

So let’s strive for purpose together while at the same time have fun playing with our boo-boos. Early bird registration for Clouds on Water ends soon. Register by Thursday, April 30 and save $80.

Welcome to the Magic: Clouds on Water

In beautiful partnership with the talented and inspiring duo at Animyst, I am beyond excited to announce my latest offering: an online, introduction to marbling eCourse called Clouds on Water: A Journey into the World of Marbling!

So many of you have asked for this ~ learning to marble from the comfort of your own home, at your own pace, and in your own space. No travel, no schedule...just you, the tank, and the MAGIC of marbling.

What will I learn?

Clouds on Water is a robust online classroom with video, written content, and downloadable handouts where you will learn the Turkish form of marbling called Ebru. Translated, Ebru means “cloud.” And that is exactly what paint on the water bath looks like: clouds on water! You will be guided through every step of the marbling process to help you create a successful experience at home, from building your confidence with marbling techniques to learning how to deal with hiccups along the way. Topics include:

• Setting up your marbling space.
• Making special marbling tools.
• Preparing the water bath and mordant.
• Floating paint on water.
• Creating foundation patterns.
• Exploring traditional patterns and variations on those patterns.
• Troubleshooting tips.

And I will be with you for the first six weeks of the course, leading conversations and answering all of your questions via a private Facebook group. I'll also post additional Studio Session videos as needed by student discussions.

When is the course?

Registration is now open for the June 8 – July 17, 2015 session (six-week guided course). All of the content will be available to you for six months (December 2015).

What is the fee?

The regular fee is $259 but for those who sign up by April 30, you will get the early bird price of $179! That's an $80 savings! The price includes downloadable handouts and 6-months of access to all the written and video content.

Learn more about the class on the Clouds on Water information and registration page.