Make Mistakes in 2015!

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something."

- Neil Gaiman 

I know I say this every year, but I can't believe how fast the time has gone. To think that a New Year is only 3 sleeps away is as crazy as it is exciting. Crazy because in some ways I'm not ready for it and exciting because in other ways I'm like a giddy school girl impatiently waiting for what's to come.  

The most adventurous journey I'm about to embark on is as an instructor for Life Book 2015. This is honestly a dream come true for me, as I have been a student of the class since it's inception. I've personally experienced the impact it's had on myself and others, and to think that I will now be a part of that beautiful, soulful and artistic inspiration is just too much to describe. Suffice it to say that my eyes are welling up as I write this. . . . 

And I hope that Life Book is just the beginning of more to come. I'm going to pursue more teaching opportunities this year and have gratefully been invited to conduct another workshop in Palm Desert, CA this April (all about big-eyed Mixed Media girls - more to come!). In addition to that, I will - as in, I. Am. Going. To. - begin posting process videos on my newish YouTube channel. It's something I've wanted to do for a long time and I just need to get off my tushy and make it happen. 

So I guess more than anything, I'm going to take the clean slate that is a New Year and write all over it. Write my dreams, my goals and my desires so it's out there for all to see. The older I get the more I understand that in order to get what I want out of life, I'm the one that's going to have to make it happen. I steer the boat and I can take it in any direction I want. We all can. As long as we're willing to make mistakes along the way. . . .

To love, life and dreams come true

Happy New Year with Love,

Kristin xo

Join Life Book 2015 Here 

The Art of Teaching . . .

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." -- Mark Van Doren

Last week I had the opportunity to do something that I hadn't done in nearly 10 years: I got to teach again! 

In my former life as a retail Cosmetic Education Director, I conducted makeup artistry classes on a weekly basis as part of my job. And to be honest, I loved every bit of it. I loved sharing my passion for the products, supplies and techniques as much as I loved seeing the smiling faces of those I was working with. I always attempted to make the classes I taught educational as well as fun. I mean, as adults, if we're going to spend time in a classroom again, I figure it should be an adventure. So while my peers would get down to business in their regions, I was known to have classrooms full of singing students playing with play dough (not kidding - it's a great way to introduce color mixing) and chomping on ring pops. The lessons always came through, they just came by way of antidotes and whimsy. And although it's been a decade since my early career, I've always known that I would get back into teaching - in one form or another - one day. 

So the idea of my one day coming around - and teaching something that I'm completely and utterly in love with - is honestly a dream come true. Not only did I have a class full of lovely ladies eager to play with me and explore the world of Art Journaling, but I personally received so much from their excitement and enthusiasm. Really, the entire experience - 10 years in the making - was pure bliss. . . 

Of course I took process shots along the way so that I could share with you our day of play. Ready? Okay, here we go:

Student "Goodie bags" full of vintage little pretties

And lotsa fun supplies to play with

Here we are prepping with Gesso

And making our own painted papers

And decorative tapes

In bold, poppy colors

Painted by Sweet Hearts

Playing with paint chips and image transfers

And several Art Journal pages in progress

Full of whimsy

Elegance

And FUN!

Thank you friends, for sharing your art and heart with us all!

And thank you, for taking a peek into my exciting adventure in teaching. And the best news?! The venue has asked me to teach again in 2015! So I'll be back in Palm Desert, CA in April conducting a class on Mixed Media girls in all their drippy, sparkly fun. (More on that to come).

Speaking of drippy, sparkly fun, I hope you'll consider joining me and 25 fan-tabulous teachers for the biggest Mixed Media adventure of them all: Life Book 2015! I. Am. So. SO. Excited to be a part of the line up, and am anxious for the whole thing to begin in what is now less than a month away. If you're looking for an amazing gift to give - especially if to yourself - I hope you'll consider it. Having been a part of Life Book since it's inception, I can personally attest to it's powers of community, joy and education. It is honestly one not to miss. 

Join Life Book by popping over here

To love, art and the joy of teaching,
Kristin xo

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