Jenny Manno’s Lessons

Lesson One: Playing in Abstract

In this lesson we will play with color, texture and focus on loosening up. We will use traditional and non traditional tools to create quick studies in abstract play. In this class it's skies the limit because there are no rules!!

Lesson Two: Abstract Portrait

In this lesson we will work in several mediums. Acrylics, charcoal, Neocolor II's and chalk pastel. We will practice creating a portrait without the traditional blending and smoothing of colors and techniques to create a portrait. We will use bright, non traditional colors to create the high and low lights, to bring forward certain features la well as create some room for play! We will use our imagination and create from the heart instead of the head as we work intuitively along side our muse.

Emma Petitt’s Lessons

Lesson One: Finding the Edges

Firstly we will have some fun with colour to create a unconventional underpainting.

Allowing that underpainting to be revealed in the figurative subject matter to create interesting depth and contrast. We will delve into bold composition and filling our substrate space.

Lesson Two: Looking down from Above

Leading on from lesson 1, by using a quirky figurative pose reference we will be using a different perspective. We will use a lying down pose seen from above to discover how to play with orientation, landscape or portrait. We will explore a quick, fun and easy way to represent draping fabric in my style of stripy towels.

Jenny Grant’s Lessons

Lesson One : Start to get inspired

In this lesson we will start creating in a simple and relaxed process even though we do not know what we will create. I will bring you along my unstructured, tactile and a little bit messy process. This class is all about the beauty of process. I will create just for the sake of creating and I will show you how to focus on your journey and your energy rather than the result. Together we will find ways to be brave and to do art just for us and our souls. Our energy will shift and we will be a magnet for ideas, insights and inspiration. The goal with this class is that we will find a way to just start, to dare, to begin, to be inspired and play – and I will with simple prompts help you if you get stuck.

Lesson Two : Express with flow

In this lesson we’ll take a step further and explore the fun of finding faces in the marks. I will build on what we created in "Start to get inspired” and share my love of painting faces. Faces can be a bit intimidating to draw and paint and I know that many of us, me included, feel a bit scared and frustrated when we get to the "ugly stage" in the painting process and everything looks a bit awkward. I will give you some tools and tricks that will help you to enjoy the process, instead of resisting it and to be ok with the imperfections!

Barb Nicholson

Lesson One - Collage Portrait Story

Have you wondered how to better express yourself with portrait art? We will look at some different collage and mixed media techniques to uncover a deeper story.

(creating a portrait story with collage)

Lesson Two: Telling a Portrait Story

I love portraits. Sometimes I want them to tell a story beyond the pretty face. We will give ourselves permission to play with some portrait, collage and mixed media techniques to story tell.

(Will include basic portrait mapping, collage paint over and various painting and mixed media techniques)

Heather Hoeps

Lesson One : Dreamscapes with Collage

Working on a round canvas we will create a beautiful and dreamlike fantasy landscape. I will show you how to layer and combine magazine images, paper napkins and a touch of mixed media to create a unified composition on a round background. Plus, I will take you on a short guided meditation to channel your inner dreamscape and ignite your innate imagination. This is a fun and easy class for any level of experience that will make your creative juices flow.

Lesson Two: Intuitive Wisdom Cards 

Short description: we will continue working with the sacred shape of the circle but this time to create our own little wisdom oracle cards. You will not only learn how to create your own little deck from start to finish but also how to work with collage images intuitively and „read“ your cards like an oracle.

Fonda Clark Haight

Lesson One: Self Sibyl

This is a short workshop on training yourself to seek your inner voice first (before you turn to others) listen to and attempt to follow it's advice. We will be creating oracle cards intuitively.

In being your own Sibyl, you are giving license to yourself to trust "yourself". You are acknowledging your own life experiences as valuable and worth of examination.

When you begin to trust.

Lesson Two: Sibyl Up

Our experiences are unique. No two people share the exact same experiences in life. Your truth and your inner knowing are specific to you. Take time to find out what that truth is...and listen to your inner

Sibyl. Consult yourself and listen at least as well as you would to an "expert". I am not saying that there is not a place for counselors, therapists and the like. What I do want to stress more than anything is that the first person who should be consulted, the oracle most knowledgeable of you is “you.”

In this lesson I will be walking you thru how I use my oracle cards and other's to prompt some inner knowing.

I sit down, get still, and listen. I pull cards and let them prompt my art. This is a wonderful technique when you are feeling stuck or in a lull or just need to talk to your wiser self.

Yvonne Morell

Lesson One: Sketching your kitchen

Let's get inspired and find beauty in common objects from our homes. Sketching with ink pen and layering watercolor. Learning how to draw busy subjects (ex. shelf with a lot of objects). Composing a page with thumbnails to document your lovely home.

Lesson Two: Mixed media fruits and vegetable sketch

Our kitchen is full of treasures! We will sketch vegetables and fruits in a spontaneous and loose way in a mixed media technique that I will demonstrate step by step.

Sketching your EVERYDAY!

Wendy Solganik

Lesson One : Pages of Petals

Painting loose, spontaneous watercolor leaves and florals. Mark making.

Lesson Two : Book of Petals

Converting the paintings that you have created into a stunning, sewn handmade book that you can add your favorite quotes to.

Laura Dame

Lesson One :

In this class we will work on creating unique collage papers using your favorite colors and mark making supplies. We will then turn those collage papers into a couple of quick, fun, and grungy collages.

Lesson Two :

In this lesson we will take the concepts from the first class and build on them. We will create two large abstract collages on wood panels using the collage papers we made, plus some paints, fabric, and ephemera. I'll show you how to make some unique rust dyed fabrics with some awesome patterns that will really add interest to our collages.

Lesson One: Word a Day Journal

In this lesson, I’ll introduce you to my “Word a Day” journal. I started out using this as a quick warm up exercise to do before a day of work in the studio. Now it has become a favorite art journaling prompt that I look forward to every morning! You will find it amazing how the perfect word for that moment will just show up for you. I’ll show you some easy and fun techniques for documenting your word, with minimal supplies.

Lesson Two: Art Journal Jam

In this lesson, we will dive deeper into the art journaling practice. I’ll share some tips and techniques for getting unstuck and finding inspiration when you are faced with the “blank white page.” I’ll show you some of my journals, past and present. Then we will walk through a demo in my large altered book, where I share my thought process as I complete a colorful spread featuring a favorite quote.

Erin DeCoste

Lesson One : Flowing

Watercolor portrait- We will work watercolors using with a limited color palette and layers to build up drama and emotion while also keeping a loose playful approach. We’ll discuss where to add focus and where to abstract.

Lesson 2: Love Through Chaos

Acrylic and collage portrait- We will work with bits of paper, ephemera, lots of color and whatever else calls to us to build up a background in which to create our portrait. We will discuss composition while also diving deep into intuition and following where the layers lead.

Christina Forest

Lesson One: Invite your Creative Soul To Play

Using mixed media tools and techniques, we will create an expressive portrait. Beginning with a playful opening of intuitive flow using watercolor and inks, we will expand our creative journey by using our creative senses to see our portrait emerge. Using acrylic paint, ink, colored pencils, and collage we will create her, our expressive portrait. Inviting our Creative Soul to come out and experience her tell her story.

Lesson Two: Create a Soulful Story with your Creative Self

Using acrylic and collage we will create a expressive portrait. We will begin with a soulful practice of writing our beginning, our intention. Then building upon that story with collage and acrylic paint. As our story emerges, we let our expressive portrait come to life - allowing her to finish the story.

Jodi Ohl

Lesson One: Line Over Matter

Often, I hear students exclaim that they want to explore abstract painting, but they do not know where to begin or how to loosen up and let go. Honestly, it can be difficult to paint without having a reference or knowing where to go, what to add, and when to stop. I’ve found the more you employ several of the techniques I share in the class, the more in tune you will be in the process.

If you are up for the challenge, I would love to show you how I paint abstracts by working on a series of work. Demonstrations will include working on several pieces at once. I will show you how to leave the obstacles behind and bring back the inner child and watch her grow as an artist.

Let’s let go of the anxiety and stress of the painting abstract and grab some acrylic paint, crayons, pencils (and whatever else you want to add),and have some fun.

After all, it’s just “Line over Matter” when you dig down deep

Lesson Two: Line Over Matter-Digging Deeper

Line over Matter: Digging Deeper is a continuation of part one-“Line over Matter”.

In this part we will explore ways to create a cohesive composition and discuss what to look for when you are stuck. There are tons of variations of abstract painting, virtually something for everyone.

My goal for you by the end of this workshop will be: to create routines in your painting practice and explore ways to make a cohesive collection.

Kristen Fagan

Lesson One: Mystic Moon Magic

Awaken the mystic moon goddess within. Invoke the Divine Feminine through painting with sacred lunar energy. Deepen your creative connection & illuminate your essence by using moon symbolism to better understand and honor your own cycles. We will begin with lunar breath and take a closer look at each phase of the Triple Goddess. While painting this ancient symbol we will channel our inner goddess power.

Lesson Two: Wild Flower Essence

Description: Awaken the wild flower goddess within. Invoke the Divine Feminine through painting with sacred flower energy. Deepen your sensual connection & embody your wild essence by using flowers as a portal for enchantment. We will begin with sound healing and invite playful movement into our painting process. While painting expressive flowers we will nourish the goddess that we are.

Maureen Nadeau

Lesson One: THE INNER YOU- Illuminate & Celebrate

What are your deepest needs? What makes you feel emotionally secure?

Connecting to the energy of the full Moon helps not only to remind us of who we are, but of what we need right now.

For this playful yet contemplative creative practice we will begin by journaling and move into a mixed media process. This can be done in an art journal and with supplies you have on hand!

Lesson Two: THE INNER YOU- Discover & Embrace

In Astrology the moon governs the “inner you” and influences your emotions, reactions and responses. In this lesson you will discover what your moon sign is (where the moon was when you were born). We will then use that knowledge to create a beautiful mixed media moon face infused with the essence and energy of that zodiac sign to represent your emotional Self.

Holly McLaughlin

Lesson One: Soulful Symbols

In this lesson, we will explore being receptive and allowing symbols to come to us intuitively. We will invite those symbols into our art to create a visual narrative, while gently seeking to interpret how those symbols resonate with our souls.

Lesson Two: Sacred Conversations

In this lesson, we will show up to the blank page with intention, but without plans for a specific outcome. Through mindfulness and intuition, we will connect to our bodies and heart spaces to lay down some simple, yet meaningful, beginning marks. This will allow us to begin a sacred conversation with our art. As we add layer upon layer, delving deeper into conversation, we will feel our way to a finished painting that honors our creative journey.

Rachel Cronin

Lesson one: Intuitive Watercolour Landscapes

Working with watercolour and mixed media we explore ways we can divide up the picture plane to create inner dreamscapes. We will explore different colour palettes and I will show you how to create luminous skies, how to create striking foregrounds and how to use landscape lines in an interesting way.

Lesson two: Spellcasting Landscapes

Weaving a spell as you create a landscape. We all have a relationship to our roots, our landscapes. This may not necessarily be where you come from, just a place that you feel an affinity with. Where are your soul landscapes? What colours do you think of when you visit this place in your memory? Where does your mind wonder when it is left to explore?

You can also scratch messages, symbols and lines of poetry into your work as you go. I will suggest working on wooden board for this as your surface is going to take quite a lot of punishment in the way of sanding, gouging and scoring through the surface.

Marina Teding van Berkhout

Lesson One: A golden Girl

In this project we will paint a girl in Cold Wax and Oils on a golden acrylic background. You will learn how to apply paint with a palette knife and work with a limited colour palette.

Lesson Two: In the garden of love

In this mixed media class, we will mix our own greens and make a colour chart for all the different greens we can make with the yellows and the blues we have. We will take the green we love most and make a monochrome portrait of a beautiful textured statue.

Kat Hamilton

Lesson One: Art Deco Girl

In this workshop we will be exploring a limited colour palette to create an effective and emotive Art Deco portrait. We will explore different mixed media techniques to enhance and bring to life our limited palette.

Lesson Two: Spring Girl

In this lesson we will explore several mixed media technique to layer our piece to add interest and texture to our final piece. We will be playing with stencils, napkins and acrylics to build up the layers, give depth and enhance your style. You can use these technique not only in figurative artwork, but they can also be used in any abstract styles.

Kristy Kensinger

Lesson One: Gold Forest- Mixed Media Journal

Through this lesson, we will create our own paths in our journals. Thinking deeply about our connection to nature and the direction we want to follow in our own life. Will you allow yourself to follow a path unexpected in both your life and in your art journey? Allowing the marks to guide you into an unknown direction. We will gather materials for inspiration, select our color palettes, and walk down our path through layers of inks, acrylics, soft pastels and gold foil.

Lesson Two: Nature’s Goddess- Mixed Media Portrait

Do you have a planned vision of who you are or who you wish to become? What part of your plan allows for flexibility for the unexpected? How can you embrace your inner goddess and allow your intuition to guide you and the best version of yourself to emerge? Do you create space for new opportunities to come into your life? Through this lesson, we will include patterns from nature to reflect our own patterns in life. We will work on a photo transfer portrait layering elements from nature with mediums that inspire us in the moment. Be truthful with yourself and allow your divine self to come through in this piece.

Karen O’Brien

Lesson One: Creating Character Faces

Creating imaginary faces is my passion. I love drawing faces and sharing fun and easy techniques to make drawing imaginary faces more approachable. In this workshop I will show you how to use simple supplies and techniques that will make drawing faces a relaxing, playful experience. Most importantly, we will focus on ways to make these faces your own.

Lesson Two: Creating Character

How do we breathe personality and movement into the figures who populate our journal pages and art? In this workshop I will show you a quick and easy resist background that will give you the building blocks to make unique characters. I will show you different ways to use your background. Tips to spark ideas for unusual body shapes, adding faces and integrating your characters into your background using simple supplies. You will come away with a multitude of ideas and characters unique to you.

Monica Stadalski

Lesson One: Wings of Watercolor

In this class I’ll teach you how to paint a delicate butterfly in watercolor. I’ll go over a variety of methods to get your sketch onto watercolor paper, show you a few watercolor techniques and then we’ll begin painting our butterfly! You’ll be able to personalize your butterfly by choosing colors that resonate with you and we’ll embellish our butterfly with some sparkly details at the end. I’ll also show you how to finish off your painting so that it can be given as a gift or displayed in your studio, see you there!!

Lesson Two: The Queen of Wings

This mixed media lesson was inspired from an actual tarot card and I knew once I saw it, that I had to paint it! In this class we’ll go over the basic proportions of sketching a face, I’ll show you how to transfer your drawing to watercolor paper (I’ll also provide a sketch you can use), teach you some watercolor techniques and then we’ll be ready to paint the face and add some magical background details with collage!

Lesson One: Morning Shadows

I painted this in the morning when the sun was casting shadows on my table. It was so moody. Hence it’s name. I had to move quickly before the shadows left it’s position on my paper.

With a thick dry brush I quickly but lightly lay down some colour on the page with acrylic inks. I drew my favourite botanicals with a black Stabilo pencil & Derwent Inktense watersoluble pencils. Used Lyra pencil on the border for the watery effect. I will show you step by step how I create this beautiful mixed media piece in your journal, layer by layer. I used my printables printed on clear sticker paper and lay them down too! Bridal notions for interest. Love this! I hope you do too!

Lesson Two: Cascading Blooms

This mixed media piece really excites me. It’s one of my favourite colour palette, corals, pink, shades of magenta! Starting with a background of assorted papers such as book pages takes the first challenge away, the blank page. I fill it with colour, then botanicals and the most exciting part is the molding paste added for texture. Even in this piece you can feel the texture just jumping off the page! It’s such a cheerful piece of art which reminds me of cherry blossoms cascading down in spring... I will work on a watercolour block.

Marieke Blokland

Lesson One: Raw Lettering & Quirky Dolls

I believe that without dark there is no light. So I made it my mission to inspire creative people to bring more rawness and quirkiness in their work. I’m known for my art journal pages with raw lettering and drawings of quirky dolls. In this lesson for Make Create Express I want to introduce to you my easy raw lettering techniques and teach you how to draw quirky dolls and combine both of these techniques into fun art journal pages.

Lesson Two: Raw Quirky Art Journaling

In this lesson we will be taking the ideas explored in lesson one and applying them in a rich and layered art journal spread.

Galia Alena

Lesson One: Colour Fields of Flowers

“My paint brush always gives a tremor of pleasure when I let it paint a flower.” W Nicholson For this lesson I really wanted some beauty and joy so we will be creating beautiful and loose fields of flowers allowing our brushes to do all the work and creating suggestive pieces of flowers.

Lesson Two: Floralscapes

“The flowers are sparks of light, built of and thrown out into the air as rainbows are thrown, in an arc.” Winifred Nicholsoh.In this lesson we will add new ideas to the process explored in Colour Fields of Flowers adding new elements of mixed media to enhance our pieces with interest and bling.

Renata Loree

Jerney Marisha

Lesson One: The muses of Rorscharch

In this lesson you will learn how to prepare a journal that will inspire you on the days you’ll need it the most. This journal will tickle your muses and help you to find interesting characters and stories. I will show you how to bring out one of them using charcoal and pastel.

Lesson Two: Tiny explorations

If you’re experiencing fear of the white canvas, this lesson will help you to deal with that. Working on a small scale and getting rid of all that intimidating white space will make it easier to get started. We will then make random marks in the ink to find some characters.

Robin Sturis

Lesson One: Imaginative Travel - A Sense of Place

It’s been a long time since most of us could travel. I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking of all the exotic places I’ve always wanted to go. In these sessions, we will choose a destination, somewhere we haven’t been, but would love to visit, or maybe an all-time favorite destination we are missing.

In the first lesson , we will do a bit of research to find the visual elements of the place, and then we will create a visual representation of our emotional reaction to the place. What shapes, and textures are this place for you? What colors? We will look at an overall color temperature and scheme to make our journal spread harmonious.

Lesson Two: Imaginative Travel - A Sense of Place Abstracts

In session two, we will take what we discovered in lesson 1 and create 4 small mixed media abstracts from 1 piece of 11x15 or larger paper. You will be amazed at how they represent the feel your chosen place.

Renata Loree

Lesson One: The Wild Child

We will be exploring and studying the portrait of William-Adolphe Bouguereau - learning from a master to explore colors and composition in a journal.

Lesson Two: Marigold

We will create a small painting exploring painting a flower on a canvas or a board, which ever you choose, and also turn the canvas into a little story to explore the meaning of Marigold and historical value.