JO Blog

It is such a rare and special treat for me to get away to create art just for me.  No teaching. No responsibilities. Just the joy of being still. {A piece I created while in Scotland from my sketches of Crovie and a vintage photograph of two women from the villages} I prefer to travel […]

Summer brings with it the promise of sunshine, long, lazy days and a slower, simpler pace we’ve all been craving. But, if you’re a mom or grandma, it might also bring with it two of the most dreaded words in the English language: “I’m Bored.” Enter 2015 Summer Art Camp for KIDS! A brand new […]

Tomorrow is the launch of the 6 week online art course Studying Under The Masters III. This is the final course of the series and I feel like we are closing this extremely successful and loved series with style!  The line up of teachers is truly incredible and I am honored to have such talented […]

Good Morning! Just a reminder that TODAY is the last day to get the early registration price for the new course Pattern Play: Create Your Own Professional Patterns in Photoshop with Ease.  This course is being taught by surface artist Bari J. Here is a peek into the content… Learn how to easily create patterns […]

Do you want to look at art with fresh eyes? Do you want to learn some of the mediums and techniques that have created some of the most interesting art in the world? Do you want to learn how to find your own voice in the world of art and how to make your art […]

(Image from Gillian Lee Smith) I am rushing around this morning trying to get everything in place so I can leave today for Scotland. This time I am not teaching or working at all. My husband has given me the amazing early birthday gift of studying with artist Gillian Lee Smith.  For the next 10 […]

I just finished my videos for my part of Life Book 2015 and I am loving how she turned out. My week launches in May but you can still join and have instant access to three months of art videos that have already been shared. You can join 24 other artists and me for all […]

Do you want to look at art with fresh eyes? Do you want to learn some of the mediums and techniques that have created some of the most interesting art in the world? Do you want to learn how to find your own voice in the world of art and how to make your art […]

Have you always wanted to learn how to create repeat patterns with your own sketching, painting or digital art?  Have you been looking for ways to create your own wallpaper, fabrics or paper designs?  Have you just wanted to understand Photoshop better and see how you can use it in your art work? I am […]

  I never (and I mean I NEVER) had any intention of ever teaching my children in high school.  When we started in kindergarten I was just taking it year by year and to be honest…I am shocked that 10 years later that we are still doing school together. At the end of last school […]

Life is funny and we are often pulled by expectations, dreams, status quo and sometimes even fear. I never planned to homeschool our children and as I look back over our homeschool journey so far I can sometimes be surprised we chose to do this crazy thing that has usually felt comfortable and natural and […]

(These photos have nothing to do with the post but what fun is a post without photos? I thought you would understand.) When you are a stay at home mom, homeschooler and entrepreneur with a home office… your worlds start to collide. There are days that without everything right here at home I know I […]

  I used to think that my interests, gifts and passions were random. To be honest it has taken me many years to realize that my interests, gifts and passions are not an accident at all. Sometimes I have let a day get away from me as I think back to growing up and I […]

For those of you that are new to the blog I want to tell you a little bit about the free series. My creative network offers free videos, new online courses, live “chats” and now interviews with courageous lovelies from around the world. Over the past two years I have had the opportunity to interview […]

One of the questions I get asked the most is regarding how I painted our kitchen cabinets and what do I think of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I have waited until now to share my opinion because I thought we needed to really live with the cabinets to see how they wore with daily use […]

A few years ago when I came up with the concept behind The Living Studio I had hopes of traveling with women, connecting with different cities and creating outside the studio. My heart’s desire was to encourage women to get out of their comfort zone and to implement daily practicing. I wanted us to become […]

I bet you thought I forgot? I almost did:-) The winner of the Studying Under the Masters III giveaway is… michelletempletonart commented: February 23, 2015 at 4:16 pm (Edit) I am inspired by all the artists and makers who are balancing motherhood with their creative practice. I’m already registered for this and really looking forward […]

You girls close to Denver are just about to make your summer WAY more fun! This August I am hosting one of my closest friends and artist extraordinaire for a one day workshop in Denver! Join Danielle Donaldson in one of the most inspiring spaces and learn how to make the cover image of her […]

Good Morning! I am excited to announce the teachers for the next and LAST Studying Under The Masters online course. This next Studying Under The Masters will include not only some of your favorite artists but some of your favorite art forms! Look at this incredible lineup!  Studying Under The Masters III will focus on […]

*** For those of you that are new to the blog I want to tell you a little bit about the free series. My creative network offers free videos, new online courses, live “chats” and now interviews with courageous lovelies from around the world. Over the past two years I have had the opportunity to […]

I am beyond proud to announce that registration has just opened for Learning Well | An Essentials Course To Homeschooling! Few things are as close to my heart and my day to day life as homeschooling. Alicia Hutchinson will be leading you in this one week online course! This one week course is $46. The […]

  I think when it comes to Valentine’s Day we are pretty chill around here. Maybe it is because I don’t like people telling me what to do and when to do it.  I can be annoying like that.  When it comes to LOVE…I am all over that!     We are quirky, may dance […]

You know when you just instantly connect with a person, a style and a brand? That is how I felt the first time I saw the product photos of Bink and Boo. I am a huge lover of vintage fabric and finding new ways to reuse vintage elements in my own products. She is on […]