Beginning Marbling Class

UPDATE: There was such a great response that I will be running a Beginning Marbling class on Sunday, March 26 AND Saturday, April 1. There are a few spots left if both classes. Email me if you would like to attend!

I've had a lot of requests lately for a beginning marbling class so I'm pulling together one for either March or April. This is one of my favorite classes to teach ~ it's fast paced and packed full of the information you need to get set up and marbling at home in no time.

Please note, the class will run one the following dates, depending on which one has the most interest: March 25, March 26, April 1, or April 2. This will be the only beginning group class I'll teach in the first half of the year ~ I likely won't teach another one until late summer/early fall. (But my online eCourse, Clouds on Water, is available throughout the year!)

I need at least four people to run the class (and won’t take more than six). If you are interested, please email me and let me know which day you would prefer (or if you can do any of them) and we’ll run with the day the most people can attend.

Beginning Marbling

Dates: Sunday, March 26 and Saturday, April 1
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (includes BYO lunch/break)
Class fee: $195 (includes everything!)
Location: my private studio in South Pasadena (details will be emailed to you once you sign up)
Minimum of 4 students, maximum of 6

In this hands-on class, we work primarily in an 11x14-size tank with access to a shared 20x25-size tank. We will walk through the marbling set-up step-by-step from making the bath and mordant to mixing paints and preparing paper. We then will learn the five foundation patterns and venture into advanced patterns as time permits. By the end of class, you will have the knowledge and confidence to start marbling at home…not to mention many beautiful marbled papers as well!

The class fee includes EVERYTHING (paper, carrageenan bath, alum, distilled water, paints, use of tank and tools, and handouts) ~ just show up and have fun!

If you are interested in attending, please email me with the dates you can make it. Once I have enough people signed up for a date, I will email confirmation and details to you.

Hope to show you the joys of marbling and play in the tank with you soon!

Last Call: Beginning Marbling Class in June

There are a few spots left in June's Beginning Marbling class. This is one of my favorite classes to teach ~ it's fast paced and packed full of the information you need to get set up and marbling at home in no time.

~ Registration closes this Friday. ~
To sign up, email me at Cheers "at" BarbSkoog "dot" com.

Beginning Marbling

Date: Saturday, June 4
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (includes ½-hour BYO lunch/break)
Class fee: $200 (includes everything!)
Location: my private studio in South Pasadena

Minimum of 4 students, maximum of 6

In this hands-on class, we work primarily in an 11x14-size tank with access to a shared 20x25-size tank. We will walk through the marbling set-up step-by-step ~ from making the bath and mordant to mixing paints and preparing paper. We then will learn the five foundation patterns and venture into advanced patterns as time permits. By the end of class, you will have the knowledge and confidence to start marbling at home…not to mention many beautiful marbled papers as well!

The class fee includes EVERYTHING (paper, carrageenan bath, alum, distilled water, paints, use of tank and tools, and handouts) ~ just show up and have fun!

Hope to show you the joys of marbling and play in the tank with you soon!

Beginning Marbling Class in June

I've had a lot of requests lately for a beginning marbling class so I'm pulling together one for June. This is one of my favorite classes to teach ~ it's fast paced and packed full of the information you need to get set up and marbling at home in no time.

Please note, the class will run EITHER June 4 or June 5 ~ whichever date fills up first. This will be the only beginning group class I'll teach for now ~ if I do another one this summer, it won't be until after August.  (But my online eCourse will run again in July!)

I need at least four people to run the class (and won’t take more than six). If you are interested, please contact me and let me know which day you would prefer (or if you can do both) and we’ll run with the day the most people can attend.

Beginning Marbling (5 hours)

Date Options: Saturday, June 4 OR Sunday, June 5
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (includes ½-hour BYO lunch/break)
Class fee: $200
Location: my private studio in South Pasadena

Minimum of 4 students, maximum of 6

In this hands-on class, we work primarily in an 11x14-size tank with access to a shared 20x25-size tank. We will walk through the marbling set-up step-by-step ~ from making the bath and mordant to mixing paints and preparing paper. We then will learn the five foundation patterns and venture into advanced patterns as time permits. By the end of class, you will have the knowledge and confidence to start marbling at home…not to mention many beautiful marbled papers as well!

The class fee includes EVERYTHING (paper, carrageenan bath, alum, distilled water, paints, use of tank and tools, and handouts) ~ just show up and have fun!

Hope to show you the joys of marbling and play in the tank with you soon!

Marbling Class at BookArtsLA

I'm so excited to be teaching again at BookArtsLA next weekend (March 5-6). The facility is such a lovely place with lots of room and natural light to work in. And I have had such fun students in these classes ~ full of energy and enthusiasm with a fearless attitude toward playing in the marbling tank! I don't know how I keep getting so lucky!

I'll once again be teaching the popular 2-day Introduction to Marbling class. In this marbling immersion class, students will learn the nuts and bolts of the art form, dive into traditional pattern making (foundation and advanced patterns) using the large marbling tank, and have time for creative exploration. You'll leave with a robust understanding of the art form, dozens of marbled papers, and the confidence to start marbling at home.

Everything is provided. Just show up and have fun! To register, head on over to BookArtsLA's website.

Introduction to Marbling
Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
BookArtsLA
11720 Washington Place, Los Angeles

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.

Catch-up Post: Making my own Pigments in Virginia

This is a long overdue post about one of the funnest classes I've taken in a long time. And yes, it was a class that involved marbling but it was more than that too. It was also about history and science and beginnings and discovering a whole new set of tools with which to create.

A few weeks ago I had the distinct honor and pleasure of taking a two-day class with Dan and Regina St. John ~ two very talented, long-time marblers who are incredibly generous with their marbling knowledge (and ridiculously fun to boot!). The class was called, "Historical Marbled Paper Patterns and Pigment Grinding" and as the name implies, we learned how to make our own marbling paints (from grinding pigments to making our own binder!) and how to use them (along with additives) to create historical patterns such as Shell, Stormont, and Tiger's Eye.

The class was so insightful on many levels ~ not only did I learn new techniques and peel back another layer of the art form, but being around Dan and Regina and seeing how they work as marblers was incredible. It's one thing to see the results of a marbler's work...it's another to see them in-the-moment, actually creating that work. Some things must be observed to be learned.

I just finished placing a very large order for new tools and materials and the goodies should be here by the end of the week: pigments, burnisher, glass muller and mulling surface, potash, olive oil soap, a new scale, and much, much more. (I think I'm gonna need a larger studio!)

I am so excited to start making my own marbling paints ~ though it will be for special projects only! There is just as much a time commitment to making one's own paints as there is to setting up the marbling studio (lots and lots of prep involved)...it is not for the faint of heart. But once you see the color difference between the homemade paints and the commercially made ones, you'll know the time investment you made was well, well, well worth the effort.

It's Called Pivoting

Today, I was supposed to leave for Bangladesh to embark on a truly beautiful project called "Miracle of Materials." (If don't already know about it, you can read about it here and here.)

Sadly, due to recent violence against foreigners and security alerts throughout the country, our Bangladeshi hosts have urged us not to come at this time. And after consulting with several expats (whom my Miracle of Materials partner Annika knows) as well as the US Embassy, we feel this is the best decision for now.

To say that Annika and are disappointed doesn't even begin to paint the picture. I was in full-steam-ahead mode when I got the call on Tuesday about the situation and it was another 24-hours before I could fully wrap my brain around what had just happened. But as my friend, Liz, likes to point out, the game isn't over...it's just time to pivot! Annika and I (and the rest of the group) are working hard to reschedule the trip before the end of the year and will keep you updated as things unfold.

If anything, this situation just underscores the purpose of our trip and our mission. A group of self-reliant, empowered people is the best foundation upon which a community can be built. A solid community foundation fuels a stronger, brighter future ~ and one that is equally accessible to all.

If you would like to read more about the recent happenings in Bangladesh here are a few links:

BBC Sept 28, 2015
Italian aid worker killed in Bangladesh 'by IS'

The Guardian Oct 1, 2015
Second foreigner killed in Bangladesh as ISIS claims responsibility

NY Times Oct 4, 2015
Bangladesh skeptical that ISIS was behind shootings of foreigners

US Embassy, Dhaka
https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=18298

Thank you!

Nothing makes me happier than a REAL paper map, a guide book, and an electrical adapter for a country I've never been to before!

I can't even begin to express my sincere gratitude for everyone's enthusiasm and support for the Bangladesh adventure I'm about to embark upon. Even though I'll be with an amazing group of people (Annika of Di Milo Design and Bobby and Mycah of Redmond Digital Media), there are so many unknowns and variables involved in this trip for MY part of the program that it's making my head spin and my stomach fill with butterflies. I know everything will be fine and once I get there all my concerns will melt away ~ but right now I'm wrapping myself up in your kind words and earnest encouragement as I make my way through the process of figuring out how to make it all work out!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.”
~ Helen Keller

Bangladesh, Here I Come!

This is going to be a game changer. And I would be honored to have you be a part of the experience.

In less than a month, I will be boarding a plane bound for Bangladesh where I will have the privilege and honor of working with fair-trade paper artisans on developing new marbling techniques. But this won't be your typical marbling class. And the participants won't be your typical students. This adventure will be all about increasing women's self-determination in a country that makes it difficult, at best, to do so and helping them create more opportunities to provide for their families and villages. In other words, helping women help themselves.

Let me start at the beginning.

A few months ago, my friend Annika Buxman of De Milo Design, approached me with an idea. Her line of eco-friendly and fair-trade papers called Sustain & Heal comes from a co-op in Bangladesh which provides employment for women in rural areas who otherwise would have no other source of income. The artisans make handmade papers from locally grown jute fiber. Then they add elegant designs to the paper by marbling on them.

An artisan creates marbled designs for the Sustain & Heal line of eco-friendly and fair-trade papers.

Annika has been working with the co-op for seven years and would like to see them expand their line of paper offerings. However, the artisans are limited by their current marbling capabilities ~ but not limited by their eagerness to learn new techniques! So she asked me if I would be interested in going to Bangladesh to help them develop new marbling skills.

Would I? Of course!

We will be gathering together women from several rural communities for a three-day workshop. Our goal is to build upon their existing talents while exposing them to new tools, materials, and techniques that they can then build upon. This will give them the ability and confidence to extend their range of papers ~ and then take their new skills with them back home to their villages and share what they learned with even more artisans ~ thereby creating ripples of more opportunity.

A group of women gather at an artisan workshop in Bangladesh.

De Milo Design will be investing in this training by funding 25% of costs and we hope you will help us raise the rest of the funds needed. Your contribution will help change the lives of these women by making a business opportunity a reality. While their individual stories reflect hardship and tragedy, they've come together in these workshops and have created a sustainable, empowered community able to provide for their families.

To learn more about this incredible opportunity and see a short video about the group of amazing women artisans, visit our fundraising page. (And check out the many beautiful thank-you gifts we're offering to show our appreciation for your support!)

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.

Remembering, recalling, reliving...

Post-class studio. There's often a little bit of bath leftover in the tanks after a class. I used to just toss it out and get straight to the business of cleaning out the tanks. But now, I'll marble on that well-used bath, taking in the raw energy of the first-time marbler, grateful for the opportunity to share this beautiful art form with them. Grateful also for the chance to look at marbling through the eyes of a beginner again, that sense of wonder and awe as the paints spread across the surface of the bath, the magical joy of watching designs and patterns emerge, the pure delight when an image is transferred to paper and the piece complete. It never gets old. It always fills me up.

Summer Marbling Classes

I'd love to have you join me in experiencing the beauty and joy of marbling on paper. I have two upcoming learning opportunities.

This Saturday, July 18: Beginning Marbling

Time: 5 hours
Location: South Pasadena
Cost: $189
Materials fee: included
Quick description: In this 5-hour class, you'll be exposed to basic marbling techniques, learn foundation patterns, and have time to play and create your own designs. You'll leave with the information and confidence necessary to start marbling on your own at home! Everything is provided. Just show up and have fun!
More information: Beginning Marbling class details

To register for this class, please contact me at Cheers@BarbSkoog.com.

August 8 and 9: Introduction to Marbling

Time: 2 days
Location: Book Arts LA (11720 Washington Place, Los Angeles)
Cost: $250
Materials fee: $85
Quick description: In this two-day marbling immersion class, you’ll learn the nuts and bolts of the art form, dive into traditional pattern making (foundation and advanced patterns), and have time for creative exploration. You'll leave with a robust understanding of the art form, dozens of marbled papers, and the confidence to start marbling at home. Everything is provided. Just show up and have fun!
More information: Visit Book Arts LA website.

To register for this class, contact Book Arts LA.

Hope to see you in the marbling studio!

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.