New Work: Summer Series

I am so, so happy about these new pieces fresh from the studio!

These are the story of my summers ~ this summer and the many before. The colors are inspired by Minnesota greens and Push-up orange (the frozen treat!). Light and airy, these pieces conjure up the sound of loons, the taste of fried sunnies, and the smell of approaching thunderstorms.

I have been working a lot on wood panel lately and even though I find it more challenging and limiting than paper, I'm enjoying the exploration. I've also been playing with incorporating other artistic mediums and materials into my pieces ~ in this case, adding paint, wax and glaze.

These one-of-a-kind, original pieces are for sale in my shop. Head on over to check them all out.

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!

In the Studio

Revisiting projects. Seeing things differently. Seeing things the same. Open to possibilities. Eager to continue. Willing to let it unfold. Committed to results.

Beginning

This is the exciting part. To put an idea in motion. To leap. To trust the process. To trust one's self. That blank slate is waiting to receive. It welcomes you.

Trippy

You should really see this in person...

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.

Open Studio and New Class Schedule!

Now that my eCourse, Clouds on Water, has launched and is underway (I absolutely LOVE the people in the course...spirited, adventuresome, fearless...perfect qualities for marbling!), I'm able to turn my attention to my in-studio classes. And my blog subscribers get first notice!

I would love to adventure with you into the world of marbling. Hope to see you in the studio!

Open Studio

Open to former and current students only (or those with previous marbling experience), open studio provides the time and space to practice your marbling skills and explore the craft deeper at your own pace and with your own goals in mind. All materials are provided except for paper (bring your own or purchase a paper pack from me). No formal instruction is provided but I’ll be there to offer encouragement, make suggestions, and answer questions.

When: Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28
Cost: Four-hour block is $40 for use of the 11x14 tank and $55 for use of the 20x25 tank. Each additional hour is $10. Paper costs extra or bring your own.
More info: Open Studio
How to sign up: email me with the date, time, and tank size.

Beginning Marbling (5 hours)

Experience the joys of marbling in this class that allows you to explore colors, learn basic techniques and patterns, experiment with your own designs ~ and gives you the confidence to start marbling on your own at home! Everything is provided. Just show up and have fun!

When: Saturday, July 18, 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (includes 1/2-hour byob lunch)
Cost: $189 includes everything
Maximum students: 5
More info: Beginning Marbling
How to sign up: email me

Marbling on Fabric (Potential Class!)

If there is enough interest, I will do a fabric marbling class. This would be one day of instruction with a second OPTIONAL day of continued learning. Open to beginning and experienced marblers alike! Students would marble in their own 20x25 tanks but I would bust out the extra-large tank (shared) for those who want to marble scarves or larger pieces of fabric. There is some fabric prep work students would have to do prior to class (or, for an additional fee, I would do it for you) including washing, alumming, and ironing (on some fabrics).

When: Saturday, August 1 and an optional Sunday, August 2 (only available to those who attend the first day)
Maximum students: 4
Cost: TBD

If interested, please email me. You do not have to commit to signing up for the class at this time. I will contact interested folks with more information and pricing if the class is a go.

Sigh...I Could Look at this all Day Long

Some days call for a Reverse Bouquet. In your favorite Yellows and a dash of Sap Green.

One of the many traditional patterns you'll learn in the Clouds on Water intro-to-marbling eCourse. I'd love to show you how it's done!

Perfect Marbling Day in LA

The weather in LA these past two days has been PERFECT for marbling. It doesn't get any better than this. Seriously. And it happens so rarely where I don't have to fight the elements of Mother Nature (mainly heat and low humidity levels). I'm teaching private lessons in the morning this week but as soon as those are over, I'm gonna have some hard-core FUN in the tank!

WIP: Marbling on Backgrounds

Fresh off the bath.

Current studio project: marbling over painted backgrounds. Waaaaaaaaay harder than you'd think. At least for me!

Uppercase Magazine

I am THRILLED beyond thrilled to announce that I will be in the next issue of Uppercase Magazine coming out in April!

The most recent issue of Uppercase is about textile and fiber arts ~ contemporary weavers, quilters, fabric designers, and more!

Uppercase Magazine has been one of my favorites since it launched in 2009. Gorgeously printed, beautifully laid out, with well-written features, the quarterly magazine is "for the creative and curious." It is eye and soul candy for inspiration! Whenever an issue arrives, I always, always, always pour a glass of wine and sit in my favorite comfy chair and indulge in every page.

A peek inside the current issue of Uppercase Magazine.

The theme of the April issue is printmaking. And since marbling is a type of printmaking called monoprint ~ or aqueous monoprint, as it is sometimes referred to ~ I submitted some samples of my work and a write up about marbling and my process to the editor of Uppercase. I didn't have high hopes of being included in the issue ~ after all, it is an international magazine with a subscription base of 4,000  AND there are so many great printmakers out there! So when the editor contacted me and said I would be included in the issue, I was overjoyed and so honored.

The pringmaking issue (Spring #25) will be out in April. You can get a $15 discount off subscriptions with the code "imaprintmaker." Sales for individual copies will be available after the issue comes out.

Happy Mistake

Believe it or not, these started out as a horrible mistake in the tank ~ wrong colors for an overmarble AND I needed more transparent paint otherwise it looked liked a blooby mess. But this is what I love about marbling: it's so forgiving. A last-minute tweak (tossed in the turquoise) and capturing the image on plain, creamy paper and suddenly I've gone from wrong to oh-so-right!

Today in the Studio

Today was spent marbling backgrounds for overmarbles for a special project I can't wait to tell you about!

Fun with Clay Flower Pots

I do enjoy the craft side of marbling. Especially at the end of a long, busy week when all you want to do is chill out and make something pretty without the pressure to produce something for your portfolio or to impress a curator or persuade an editor to feature you. Sometimes, a girl just wants to have fun.