Quotes


Quotes are always good for the journal. One of my all time favorites is by artist Chuck Close, and it has become sort of my motto. "Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work."

Too many people think that visual art, or music, or literature, or any art form comes into being as a piece of divine inspiration. As if the heavens opened up and from out of the ether, the idea was formed. Unfortunately, throughout the centuries, artists, musicians, writers, and such have done little to dispel this notion.

It is simple, art is work, but it's easy to work when things are going well. When your in the mood, its easy to pick up the brush, the pen, the guitar. But if you only worked when you were inspired or when conditions were right, you wouldn't work much, and your art would not be very good. So, when you don't feel like working, you work. When you're tired and sick, you work. When there are a million things to do, you work. That is how you become an artist.

Art and Soul: Portland 2017


Dave and I invite you to join us in Portland, OR in April where we'll be teaching at Art and Soul. We're excited to head back to the Pacific Northwest, and Portland is such a great place. We'll be teaching three classes the weekend of April 8th. Check out our schedule below.


April 8-9, 2017 - Art and Soul, Portland, OR
Click on the links for more info and the register.

We hope to see you in Portland!

And if you haven't checked out the promo video for our classes, watch it below.

NAEA Convention - New York City


David and I are excited to be returning to New York City in March for the National Art Education Association's National Convention. Thousands of art educators from all over the world will invade NYC to be part of this annual event, and we'll be offering a variety of workshops and presentations. If you're an art educator, we invite you to join us for in the Big Apple at one of our talks or hands-on workshop.


Wednesday, March 1, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Journal Fodder Junkies of the World Unite! (pre-conference workshop)
We kick off the convention with a full visual journal workshop, and we're taking it back old school with this. This was the very first workshop David and I presented and what eventually lead to our first book. The original workshop was only a two hour offering, pretty much just a tease of a workshop. Come a day early, and spend it with us as we delve into the visual journal. This is a paid workshop, and you will not be able to register on site. Make sure to register now so that you don't miss out.

Thursday March 2, 11:00 AM - 12:50 PM
Tet[R]ad: Draw and Play Here—Collaborative Journal Exchange Workshop (hands-on workshop)
Participants are introduced to the international visual journal exchange project known as tet[R]ad, and invited to get involved and engage in a one-to-one journal exchange with another art educator.

Thursday, March 2, 4:00 PM - 4:50 PM
Sketchbook and Visual Journal Speed Date
Bring your sketchbook or visual journal and participate in our interactive session – a speed date where we’ll share in a series of quick opportunities to learn and meet someone new!

Friday, March 3, 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
Confronting the “One and Done” Mentality
Discover how to shift from “one and done” projects to a student-direct curriculum that honors personal goals, yet infuses the standards into a structure that allows for artistic inquiry.

Saturday, March 4, 1:30 PM - 3:20 PM
Priming the Pump: Creative Kick-Starters (hands-on workshop)
Using simple and fun activities and a few basic materials, this workshop focuses on engaging students in unique ways to generate original solutions to various artistic problems.

Make certain to register online to insure a spot in the hands-on workshops!

We hope to see you in New York!

Struggle


Reflecting on the notion of struggle today. I have often struggled with really putting myself out there, to really shine and call attention to myself. At times, I can be extremely shy and socially backward even though much of what I do is being up in front of groups of people. I sometimes wonder how much I am holding myself back.