No Excuses with Gina Rossi Armfeld

Do you want to journal more often and more creatively?  Gina Rossi Armfeld, above, has created an easy and fun way to keep up with daily art journaling! Gina helps you create a daily practice, using a calendar as a journal. She provides lots of prompts and inspirations to keep your creativity flowing.

I am honored to have my work included in her new book, coming soon from North Light, No Excuses Art Journaling !  To celebrate the launch of her new site, Gina's holding a blog party!

If you want to know more about the No Excuses Approach, now's  your chance. I'm holding a giveaway of Gina's new DVD: The No Excuses Approach to Drawing and Watercolor! Just post a comment on this blog, telling about your current art journal--what it looks like, how often you work in it, how you use it, etc. A week from now I'll pick a winner at random. So, be sure to check this blog on Wednesday, May 29!

Find out lots more about Gina's fresh approach--check out her new site! To see even more of Gina's work, visit here. The banner itself will knock you out! 

You'll enjoy visiting the whole blog party list.


Blog Party Hosts:

May 20 - Dion Dior
May 22 - Serena Barton
May 23 - Chris Kalina
May 24 - Kelly Kilmer
May 28 - Pam Garrison
May 29 - Jennifer Joanou
May 30 - Tracie Huskamp
May 31 - Leslie Riley

My Book is Real!

I got a special package in the mail today. In my hands is now an advance copy of my book! You can get a free preview of the North Light book at the Create Mixed Media website! They are featuring this in honor of Craft Month. I am thrilled with how the book looks and that my dream has become a reality.

I Hope You Can Tell a Book By It's Cover!

I got a wonderful surprise by email today. You will see below that the final version of the cover for my book is ready! I'm just showing the back cover as you can see the front on my sidebar.The entire book will be out soon. This day seemed so far away when I signed the book contract. I really couldn't imagine what a lovely book North Light would produce. (Well, I guess I helped, but the design was up to them.) Imagine me walking on air and you have it about right.

My Book is Almost Here!

I found out yesterday that my book, Wabi-Sabi Art Workshop, is available for pre-order from Amazon, Create Mixed Media, and Barnes and Noble. Those who pre-order get a 34% discount! I hope you will check it out and help me spread the word.

 
Ah, the glamorous life of an author/artist. I was cleaning a toilet this morning when Fed-Ex dropped off the final galleys from my editor at North Light. Needless to say, I left the toilet to clean itself and dove into the black and white pages. The editor, Kristy Conlin, also sent a CD of the book in color. I am so thrilled. She did a great job of editing. The pictures taken by Christine Polomsky are delicious. The book designer, Julie Barnett, did a wonderful job--it's simple and elegant. I couldn't be happier. 

Authors these days are responsible for marketing their books to a large degree. I'll be giving a blog tour later on and will keep you posted on this and other events. I should be a marketing expert by the time I'm finished. I'll have a few giveaways, too. Stay tuned!

And thank you all, for your support and encouragement! 

North LIght Photo Shoot

I had a wonderful time visiting Cincinnati for a photo shoot of step by step instructions for my upcoming book. The studio for F + W Media, parent company of North Light Publishing, reminded me of a theater backstage. Because of my many years in amateur theater this atmosphere holds special magic for me. 

Editor Kristin Conlin and photographer Christine Polomsky made me so welcome and put me at ease right away. I wasn't sure what this week would be like. It was hard work and lots of fun at the same time. Viewing a few of the photos Christine took and hearing Kristy's ideas for the book made it all real--the book will be on the stands in about a year!

I took a few photos in the work studio and also some of an interesting, wabi-sabi type car near the parking lot. The latter gave me a chance to play with my photo editing filters a bit.

Christine (left) and Kristy (right)--miss you already!

Lots of supplies and North Light books--just leave me here...

Where I worked each day

Would you like to buy this car? Actually, I kinda would...where to put it...

Inspiration for a painting?

A mixed media piece, maybe?

Step Captions Done!

Whew, I just finished writing the captions for each step of each project in my upcoming book from North Light. I ended with describing how to make Wabi-Sabi papers. In March I go to Cincinnati to have each step photographed. This is sure an adventure!

A few wabi-sabi papers

Woo-hoo!

 

Contemplative Chaos

I'm thrilled to announce that I have had a book proposal accepted by North Light Press--I just found out! The book will be on wabi-sabi painting and mixed media techniques with lots of inspirational prompts. What an adventure this will be. Thanks to all of you who encouraged me to go for it!