The Muscle of the Soul

Hello, Friends!
A couple of days ago I came across this great quote by Vladimir Nabokov:

"Imagination is the muscle of the soul."

My thoughts exactly. :)
And also one of the reasons why I love teaching art classes so much - not only do I teach, but I also learn A LOT from my students.
And it never gets boring - seeing how people express my themes and ideas in their own personal way gives me a lot of inspiration and totally makes my "soul muscle"grow. :)

Today I'd like to show you a couple of samples from my Imagine class.
I love the limited palette we are using and all the layers and small embellishments that create a sort of a fairytale atmosphere...

And one more canvas - I just love playing with light & shadow:

And here are some of my favorite supplies that we use during my Imagine classes:


If you'd like to experience the atmosphere of my classes, here is the list of the upcoming events.
You can read more about them by clicking on each of the pictures.

                                                                                                                       {more info soon}

I hope I'll see you there and we'll create some great art together!
Have a great weekend

Just Imagine...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you let your imagination run free on canvas...?
Well...this is what we do during my Imagine classes. :)
Today I'd like to show you a small canvas that I created during such workshop.
Pure fun & freedom.






I simply played (A LOT!) with my Mechanicals, some chipboards, lace and my favorite colors.
Just Imagine, folks... :)

Domestic Goddess - Industrial Baroque

Hi there friends - today I've got a project to share - all based on 7 Dots Studio - "Domestic Goddess" collection which was designed by me:). It is both bold and feminine - and so is the layout I guess :)

Here are some close-ups and details:

Supplies: Papers: 7 Dots Studio - "Domestic Goddess", color: Luminarte: Primary Elements and Silks, Ranger: Dylussions, Distress Ink by Tim Holtz, gesso, tissue tape - Tim Holtz, chipboard and trinkets: Scrap Matrix, embellishments (flowers, gems, light bulbs, zippers, tape) - Prima Marketing. Others: flea market findings.

You can create a alayout like that attending one of my classes - the range of projects based on dimension, mixed-media and gringy elements in named "Industrial Baroque" - check them out here!
sending hugs !
Finn

Internationally Inspired - Online class!

Hi again my blog readers - there was a teaser, there was a silly video - time to reveal the secret!
I am so happy to announce that I am one of the teachers of Donna Downey's new Internationally Inspired online workshop! I'm in together with some of my favorite designers, awesomely talented and sweet girls: Donna Downey, Nat Kalbach, Birgit Koopsen and Cari Fennel. You can only imagine how proud I am to be the part of this project!
Now I will let Donna explain more about the idea - here is all you need to know and I so hope you'll be as excited about the event as we are! Join us on this amazing online class!

Donna says:

"One of the questions I get asked most often is, “where is the best place that you have travelled to?” My answer is always the same…regardless of where in the world I am, it is the people and the relationships made that make a life long impact on me. That said, I have been blessed enough to travel the globe, meet and build relationships with other creatives like myself, see and experience cultures and be present as the common threads tied so many of these experiences together because no matter the native tongue of each country we all communicate our passion through ART.

Each country I have visited and culture brings a new and intrinsically unique spin on the creative process, impacting on not only design style but the availability of product. In the United States we are often spoiled by the immediacy in which we can acquire creative mediums and products, while other cultures are often, out of necessity, stretching their creativity by finding new inventive ways to use the products that they do have. Because I have been fortunate enough to create with and be introduced to so many amazingly talented people through my 10 years of travel, I wanted to bring these artists and a bit of their culture to a more global venue and I cannot think of anything more global than the internet.

I have asked 4 very talented artists to accompany me in this first workshop in the series. I shipped each artist a big box of my products and asked them to video record their creative process. For some this was their first time in front of the camera, for others it was old hat…their only instruction was that they had to use some part of every product in the box. With no limitations on their creative styles, additional products or finished result, the results were authentically beautifully representing each artist and showcasing their stylistic niches. I watched each artist create absolutely in awe of their creative process and how each artist transformed my products.

I have no doubt that you too will be just as blown away as I was watching them create.

this will be an experience like non other...as the world becomes just that much smaller and the talents from around the globe share with you their unique ideas as they each assemble dynamic mixed-media books step-by-step right in your own home.

each artist's video is approximately 1.5-2 hours in length and details their process from start to finish, allowing you to watch all the way through, create along side her or interpret her ideas in your own style.

registration opens JULY 15, 2012

and will be offered at an incredible price
$65

{5 workshops for the price of 1... incredible right!!!}
I am honored to introduce you to the artists in my new online workshop series Internationally INSPIRED.

anna dabrowska

warsaw, POLAND

cari fennell

new york, USA

nathalie kalbach

hamburg, GERMANY

birgit koopsen (that's me :))

winsum, THE NETHERLANDS

donna downey

north carolina, USA

How amazing is that? I can't wait to see it happen and see you on this class:) I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did! OK... ready for 15 July? It's o close and I'm so crazy excited!
xoxo
Finn