Jeepers...Another One to Sigh Over

It's amazing how a simple traditional pattern like Gelgit can be so elegantly beautiful. This is perhaps the easiest of patterns to make yet one can come back to it again and again, never tiring of making it or exhaust its endless variations. This piece would have a totally different feel if the space between Gelgits were closer together or farther apart, if I made it with a rake instead of a stylus, if I added movement to my strokes...not to mention changing up the order in which I threw the paints or changing the paint colors themselves. And this is the appeal of marbling: there is no wrong way to do something...just another way.

Today is the last day to take advantage of the Early Bird ($179) and Buddy Specials ($159/each when you sign up with a friend) for my Intro-to-Marbling eCourse Clouds on Water. Visit the registration page for more info or to sign up.

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.

Let's Celebrate with a Marble-itos Giveaway!!

Yay! My copy of Uppercase magazine arrived this weekend and I immediately dove in to check out all the wonderful printmakers featured...including yours truly!

The issue is, once again, a feast for the eyes and the creative soul. Uppercase publisher/editor Janine Vangool does an amazing job on design and I'm always impressed with the quality of the writing. It was an honor to be included amongst the magazine's pages.

This issue also included an insert from one of the printmakers featured ~ including moi.I originally committed to doing 25 inserts but then I had so much fun making them, I didn't stop! One hundred lucky subscribers got one of my original, hand-marbled pieces seen below!

My hubby nicknamed these 4"x6" pieces "Marbel-itos," which I find completely endearing. They've been a hit with those who received one in their issue; I've gotten enthusiastic thank-you emails and several very kind Instagram nods.

I knew I wasn't the only one who had a mad crush on these little gems.

So, I figured what better way to celebrate being in Uppercase than to create more Marble-itos!

Marbled on hand-torn (deckled edges), thick and dreamy creamy, 100% cotton rag paper, Marble-itos measure approximately 4"x6". Each one is signed and numbered (1/1) on the back. I have them for sale in my shop for $15 + FREE SHIPPING + a surprise bonus gift!!

And a celebration wouldn't be a celebration without a giveaway! Leave a comment on this post (or just say hi!) by midnight tomorrow (April 21) for your chance to win your own Marble-ito and surprise bonus gift!

Weekend Fun

My studio altar.

The conditions for marbling this weekend were horrible ~ temps in the 90s and humidity levels barely in the double digits. So I needed to work quickly in the tank. That meant working small and working simple (no complex patterns with lots of strokes).

I started out by creating simple backgrounds with vibrant colors and high-contrast colors.

But small and simple can be beautiful too!

Overmarbling the simple backgrounds with dense, bold colors or the same pattern but in a different direction takes them to the next level.

Marbling can be such a finicky art form. I learned long ago not to fight the tank and instead adjust my expectations as well as my actions. And you know what? Some of my best work has come from these times. Work that may never have happened had I not been willing to make lemonade out of lemons.

Dreamy Green

Another background piece for the collaboration New Ground that I created last week when Liz and I were working in the studio together. I really do love the Overmarble and how effective it is in creating dimension. This is a simple Waved Vertical Gel Git on top of another Waved Vertical Gel Git. I simply LOVE that green which I will never see again as I mixed it up on the fly using leftover paints. I only have a vague idea of what's in it. Size is 13" x 20". Paper is Arches.