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.

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!

New Postcards!

Every year I print a new set of postcards featuring some of my favorite images. Two of these (the purple and green ones) came from background pieces I created as part of my collaboration project with the talented Bay-Area artist Liz Kalloch. The other three were from the Marble-itos I made for when I was featured in Uppercase magazine.

The set of 10 postcards (two of each design) comes wrapped in hand-marbled wrapping paper. Postcards measure 4" x 6", are printed on heavy, 15pt cover stock from environmentally sustainable forests, and have a lovely satin matte finish.

One set of 10 postcards is $12. Buy two sets (each set individually wrapped) for $20! Head on over to the shop make your purchase.

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!

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.

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!

And the Winner is....

The winner of last week's Marble-ito giveaway is Cathie!!

Many, many thanks for your kind messages! You guys sure know how to give the love!

Marble-itos are still for sale in the shop. I just framed one of my favorites and couldn't be happier with it.

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'm still giving away a BONUS GIFT with each Marble-ito purchased. Pick yours up in my shop for $15 + FREE SHIPPING + the surprise bonus gift!!

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.

MMoA Exhibit Featuring Marbled Paper!

I am so excited about this! The special exhibition, "Sultans of Deccan India, 1500–1700: Opulence and Fantasy" will be at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC from April 20 through July 26, 2015...and guess what?!! It features several examples of marbled paper!!

The always-fascinating marble historian Jake Benson (the man knows his marbling history like no one else I know!!) shared some information about what is at the exhibit as well as some historical background. The total marbling nerd in me LOVED his write up so, with his permission, I am posting his commentary below.

A few notes to clarify some things if you don't have a marbling background:

• Abri is a Persian word for the art of marbling (Ebru is the Turkish word).
• Jake talks about our own Christopher Weimann who is considered by most American marblers to be very instrumental in bringing a better understanding of the global history as well as the process of marbling to the US.

The exhibition features several examples of marbled paper, including the earliest dated example from the Islamic world, a pair of leaves bearing primitive motifs, probably made in Herat and then given to the Sultan Ghîyâth ad-Dîn Khaljî of Mandu as a gift in 1496. Five marbled drawings will also be on display, several of which were studied and reproduced by the late Christopher Weimann, such as Dervish Seated in Contemplation and two versions of Emaciated Horse and Rider, which Weimann proved were made with positive and negative stencils, likely cut from the same sheet of paper. Two drawings of Deccan noblemen with vivid marbled double-borders are also featured, which were both detached from a Deccani album now preserved in the University of Edinburgh (though a few other leaves are still preserved in Indian collections). This album contains a preface written in eloquent Persian that exclusively praises the master marbler Mîr Muhammad Tâhir in the highest of terms, adding that "…among the refinements of this album are the abrî borders…". This is significant, as the album contains specimens of calligraphy composed by famous masters, but they were not cited by the author of the preface, thereby demonstrating the high regard held for what were then novel forms of abrî. 

Little is known about Mîr Muhammad Tâhir other than he was a Persian émigré to India; although, according to both Persian textual sources as well as surviving physical evidence, he was apparently the first marbler to produce a range of distinctly different patterns made using specific techniques, such as manipulating the floating colors with combs, fashioning rows of tiny curls, as well as different special effects probably made with chemical additives. Proof of his fame is further underscored by two missives written to this master by Safavid artists who worked in the library of the shrine of Shâh Sâfî in Ardabil in Iran who praise his work and beg him to reveal his methods, one of which contains a chronogram dating to 1599-1600. This occurred after the governor of Azarbaijan province, Zû'l Fiqâr Qaramânlû (d.1610), who also held the ceremonial role of guardian of the shrine, was so astonished upon seeing examples of the Mîr's work that he commanded his artists produce similar papers for their manuscripts. Ironically, this same governor also served a stint as an ambassador to the Ottomans, so he may have played a role disseminating some of these then-new techniques to Turkey. 

Incidentally, a 15th-century Persian manuscript of the Mantiq al-Tayr of Farîd ad-Dîn ‘Attâr now kept in the Metropolitan Museum, re-margined with marbled papers that are strikingly similar to the album in Edinburgh. It bears a seal from the shrine of Shâh Sâfî that dates to 1608, roughly during this same time period under discussion, although it is not clear if it is the work of the artists in Ardabil or of the Mîr himself. The quality of the marbling in these works is outstanding, not only for the range of patterns that he made with vivid, highly refined mineral pigments instead of organic colors observed in marbled papers produced earlier in the 16th century, but also for how he successfully styled the colors into fine, delicate lines, and utilized up to 10 separate hues. Unfortunately, while the texts do not indicate where in India the Mîr resided, the evidence points to the Deccan, and one detached leaf now in the National Museum in India that I have identified as also from the album in Edinburgh, bears a fragment of an accession statement to the private wardrobe of Ibrahim ‘Adil Shah of Bijapur.

For those of you who are unable to see the exhibition, it is fortunately accompanied by a catalog, including a brief chapter "The Art of Abri: Marbled Album Leaves, Drawings, and Paintings of the Deccan" written by myself. Unfortunately, the word limit imposed by the editors made it a very challenging essay to write. Nevertheless, among other points, I challenge the exclusive ascription of marbled paper production to Bijapur during the reigns of Ibrahim II and his successor Muhammad in the 17th century, as there is ample evidence for marbled paper production in other parts of India, as well as drawings that likely date afterwards to 18th–century Hyderabad. Since the essay only discusses 5 of the 40 such works that are known, I plan to revisit this topic in a more detailed article reviewing all of the pieces in the near future. 

I will be making the journey to NYC to see the exhibit this summer...and I will bring back what I can in photos to share. If anyone goes to the exhibit, please let me know and share with me what you thought of it!!

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!

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.

The Countdown Begins...

#cloudsonwater

Open Studio!

Yay! It's Open Studio time again! Marblers can join me in my studio on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open Studio, open to former and current students, is great for those who want to continue to practice marbling but who may not have the space to set up their own studio. Or maybe you want to test out a new tank size. I’ll have the large tanks (20″x25″) available as well as medium tanks (11″x14″) and small tanks (5″x7″). While I don’t teach during this time, I am in the studio to answer any questions.

To sign up, email me at Cheers "at" BarbSkoog "dot" com with the date(s), time frame, and tank size you want to work in.

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.

Speaking of Green...

My awesome partner in crime, Jeanie Joe, just dropped off this beauty as we begin another round of clutches, purses, and pouches using my marbled fabrics and her creative sewing skills. This one is called "The Lizzie" and will be available in my shop soon.