LIFE BOOK Registration NOW OPEN!

"Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity."

- Bo Bennett

It's here! It's here! Um, can you tell that I'm excited?! (Okay, well if it's not glaringly obvious, then let me tell you, I'm like a kid in a candy store. With an unlimited budget. And no parents around to stop me from eating my face off).  

Why you ask? Because registration for Life Book 2015 is Now. Officially. OPEN. 

As a matter of fact, it's SO OPEN, that I've made a little video to celebrate:

Wanna know more? You've got it! Just click here to read all about it. 

Pretty fan-ta-bulous, right?! (Eeeee, I know). Thank you for considering signing up through me, but either way, I can't wait to see you there!

To Love & Art

Kristin xo

Somerset Life Cover & Life Book Winner!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

- Eleanor Roosevelt

                  

I've always loved this quote. As a matter of fact, in my former life as a cosmetics instructor, I used to plaster all the educational materials I created with it. There it was - on the top of every page I handed out - my tiny sermon on the power of possibility. Truth be told, I don't know why it struck me so, but it's been my "go to" pep talk - if even to myself - ever since. 

So it seems fitting that on this day of exciting dreams come true, that I share my favorite quote with you. (And um, that I share what's so exciting). You see, in addition to being able to giveaway a FREE SPOT on Life Book 2015 today, I also get to express my oh-my-heavens-please-don't-let-me-pee-my-pants-in-public excitement as I just received the newest addition of Somerset Life and uh, I made the cover! Seriously, a cover girl?! Yes, Kristin, dreams really do come true. Thank you Mrs. Roosevelt, you were right all along. . . .

Now, on to more excitement! Who in the world won that FREE SPOT for Life Book 2015 that the lovely Tam from Willowing Arts allowed me to giveaway? Well, the random number generator did it's magic and - after removing all duplicate comments - the winner is (can you hear the drum roll?). . . .

Gemma Maggs

Congratulations Gemma! Please send your email address to Kdvanvalkenburgh@msn.com and I'll get it right off to Tam & Gracie. 

Now, for those who have yet to win a space on next year's Life Book, please keep in mind that there are still chances to win by following the the blog hop. For more on that, just check out my post below. 

Of course, you can always join the old fashioned way by signing up when registration opens on October 6th. Should you decided to do so, I'd be ever so grateful if you'd consider signing up through me. As a Life Book instructor I receive credit when you join under me, which can be done by clicking on the Life Book link on my sidebar. Either way, it's gonna be a fun ride & I look froward to seeing you there!

To love, Art & Dreams Come True, 

Kristin xo

Win A FREE Spot on Life Book 2015!

"In our life there is a single color, as on an artist's palette, which provides the meaning of life and art. It is the color of love."

- Marc Chagall

Hellllooooo & Welcome . . . .  

I can't tell you how happy I am that you're here! And, thanks to the generosity of our lovely host Tam, how excited I am to be able to offer ONE FREE SPOT on Life Book 2015!

What is Life Book? Um, only the most amazing, year-long online course featuring Tamara Laporte & 25 mixed media artists who'll share their tips and tricks with YOU beginning January 1st, 2015. 

Wanna know more? Here's what you'll receive when you win:

◙ 10 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Tam of Willowing Arts

◙ 22 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Spectacular Guest Teachers (see below who the 2015 guest teachers are)

◙ 20 (Smaller) Bonus Activities like: extra PDF prompts & step by steps/ artist interviews/ ATC swaps/ give aways/ audio meditations/ writing prompts etc by Tam & Guest Teachers

Speaking of Spectacular Guest Teachers, check out this line up!

Pretty amazing, right?! (I'm incredibly honored to be among them). For more information about all of the teachers, just pop over here. I think you'll agree that this is one opportunity not to be missed . . . .

NOW, to the business at hand! How do you win that ONE FREE SPOT from here? Well, as the host of The Summer of Color, I thought it would be fun to talk color.

So, here goes: simply leave a comment below & tell us your favorite color combination to play with. That's it! You have until next Saturday, September 27th (10:00 PM Pacific Standard Time) to do so. One winner will be chosen at random and announced here the following day. 

Of course you have many more chances to win by following the blog hop. Here's where we are now:

8th September 2014 – Tamara Laporte -  http://www.willowing.org

9th September 2014 – Jane Davenport – http://janedavenport.com

10th September 2014 – Joanne Sharpe – http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.co.uk

11th September 2014 -  Jenny Lee Wentworth – http://jennyleewentworth.blogspot.co.uk

12th September 2014 -  Violette Clark – http://www.violette.ca

13th September 2014 -  Chris Zydel – http://creativejuicesarts.com

14th September 2014 -  Danielle Donaldson – http://danielledonaldson.com

15th September 2014 -  Effy Wild – http://effywild.com

16th September 2014 -  Flora Bowley – http://braveintuitiveyou.com

17th September 2014 -  Alisa Burke – http://alisaburke.blogspot.co.uk

18th September 2014 -  Rachael Rice – http://rachaelrice.com

19th September 2014 -  Jeanne Oliver – http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com

20th September 2014 -  Andrea Gomoll – http://andrea-gomoll.de

21st September 2014 -  Kristin Van Valkenburgh – http://www.kristinvanvalkenburgh.com

22nd September 2014 -  Jill K. Berry – http://jillberrydesign.com

23rd September 2014 -  Alena Hennessy – http://www.alenahennessy.com

24th September 2014 -  Juliette Crane – http://www.juliettecrane.com

25th September 2014 -  Jenny Doh – http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh

26th September 2014 -  Mati Rose McDonough – http://www.matirose.com

27th September 2014 -  Patti Ballard – http://www.pbsartstudio.com

28th September 2014 -  Lynzee Lynx – http://lynzeelynx.com

29th September 2014 -  Roben Marie Smith – http://www.robenmarie.com

30th September 2014 -  Andrea Schroeder – http://www.creativedreamincubator.com

1st October 2014 -  Lynn Whipple – http://www.lynnwhipple.com

2nd October 2014 -  Donna Downey – http://www.donnadowney.com

Have fun and Good luck! I look forward to playing with you now and in the year to come! 

To Love & Art,

Kristin xo

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Portfolio

Life Book 2015! Blog Hop & Giveaways . . . .

"Contained exhilaration is not nearly as exciting as its release. . . . accept challenge! 

What excitement do you have to share with the world?"

- Lorii Myers

It's here! It's here! The day has finally come when I can share the secret I've been teasing you about for a while now. I'm absolutely over-the-moon, tickled pink, ecstatic to announce my participation in Life Book 2015! That's right, I'm honored to report that I will be among the 25 teachers that will share their mixed media techniques, tips and tricks with YOU in a year-long online course that begins January 1st, 2015.

Not familiar with Life Book? Oh darlin', you want to know about this!

Life Book is themed around around self-development and healing; you'll be creating several loose mixed media art journal pages per month which by the end of the year you will bind into a gorgeous journal (a Life Book!) that you'll be able to keep and treasure the rest of your life.

How do you get the lessons? Via weekly videos, PDF's and engaging bonus activities. As a matter of fact, you'll get new materials every Monday for the entire year when you sign up. It will look something like this:

◙ 10 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by our lovely host Tam of Willowing Arts.
◙ 22 In depth Mixed Media Art Lessons by Spectacular Guest Teachers (see below who the 2015 guest teachers are)
◙ 20 (Smaller) Bonus Activities like: extra PDF prompts & step by steps/ artist interviews/ ATC swaps/ give aways/ audio meditations/ writing prompts etc by Tam & Guest Teachers

Fabulous, right?! And to celebrate the new event & teacher lineup, Tam is offering several (as in 28!) FREE SPACES on the year-long course!

Wanna know more? The blog hop begins today starting with our lovely host Tam. Pop over there
for your chance to win one of 3 spaces she is giving away. Then be sure to follow the blog hop if you want more chances to win a spot as each teacher can give away 1 space on Life Book 2015!

Here is the blog hop schedule. Be sure to play along daily and then come back here on September 21st for your chance to win a FREE SPACE from me! Here we go . . . .

8th September 2014 – Tamara Laporte -  http://www.willowing.org/ 
9th September 2014 – Jane Davenport – http://janedavenport.com/
10th September 2014 – Joanne Sharpe – http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.co.uk/
11th September 2014 -  Jenny Lee Wentworth – http://jennyleewentworth.blogspot.co.uk/
12th September 2014 -  Violette Clark – http://www.violette.ca/
13th September 2014 -  Chris Zydel – http://creativejuicesarts.com/
14th September 2014 -  Danielle Donaldson – http://danielledonaldson.com/
15th September 2014 -  Effy Wild – http://effywild.com/
16th September 2014 -  Flora Bowley – http://braveintuitiveyou.com/
17th September 2014 -  Alisa Burke – http://alisaburke.blogspot.co.uk/
18th September 2014 -  Rachael Rice – http://rachaelrice.com/
19th September 2014 -  Jeanne Oliver – http://www.jeanneoliverdesigns.com/
20th September 2014 -  Andrea Gomoll – http://andrea-gomoll.de/
21st September 2014 -  Kristin van Valkenburgh – http://www.kristinvanvalkenburgh.com/
22nd September 2014 -  Jill K. Berry – http://jillberrydesign.com/
23rd September 2014 -  Alena Hennessy – http://www.alenahennessy.com/
24th September 2014 -  Juliette Crane – http://www.juliettecrane.com/
25th September 2014 -  Jenny Doh – http://blog.crescendoh.com/crescendoh/
26th September 2014 -  Mati Rose McDonough – http://www.matirose.com/
27th September 2014 -  Patti Ballard – http://www.pbsartstudio.com
28th September 2014 -  Lynzee Lynx – http://lynzeelynx.com/
29th September 2014 -  Roben Marie Smith – http://www.robenmarie.com/
30th September 2014 -  Andrea Schroeder – http://www.creativedreamincubator.com/
1st October 2014 -  Lynn Whipple – http://www.lynnwhipple.com/
2nd October 2014 -  Donna Downey – http://www.donnadowney.com/

Have fun hopping and good luck! My fingers and toes are crossed for you! And of course, you can always sign up the old-fashioned way when registration officially opens on October 6th, 2014. 

For further details about the lessons, teachers and what-nots, pop over here.

To Love & Art,

Kristin xo

KristinVanValkenburgh.com

Life Book!

"The Universe Conspires"

9 x 12 LB Journal Page

(Lesson 6)

I know. I Know. It's been forever since I've posted a page from Life Book. Truth is, I've watched every one of the 11 week's worth of art and inspiration, but I haven't made much of a move beyond that. Until today. I started playing catch-up by doing Tam's beautiful lesson on paint overs . . . .

We were first asked to create a 9 x 12 collage using images that speak to us. Our intention was to create a page for our Life Book journal that would celebrate an accomplishment in our lives. My initial layer looked like this:

Collage made with various decorative papers, storybook images and glossy magazines.

"Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen"

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Next LB stop: Tam's "Celebrating the impact you've had on others" (with photo altering) . . . 

Wish me luck,

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday (Week 45)

"you. are. beauty."

8 x 8 chunky canvas

Happy PPF!

I'm on my way out of town for a little weekend with family and friends, but I wanted to share this 8 x 8 gallery-wrapped canvas with you before I scoot out . . . .

As you can see, I'm on a Life Book kick and wanted to try my luck at a brunette version of this journal page that I recently completed on the course. I put her on a chunky canvas (which, btw, is ever-so tricky compared to the watercolor paper ;) and painted the words, "you. are. beauty." to the right. 

This is a gift for my girlfriend who really is stunning, both inside and out. She has an impressive career - globe trotting around the world in the beauty industry - which is how we met over 15 years ago. She's behind the scenes doing makeup for runway shows and at high-end events and weddings rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. And once in a while, she takes me (a former makeup artist myself) along for the ride. This is dedicated to her, my purty, purty friend and host for the evening.

Flocked paper crown

Chunky sides

Stickles glitter & Swarovski crystals give her movement

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment! To see more painterly pieces, you're welcome to check out the Party for yourself . . ..

Kristin xo

Life Book (1)

"My Super Powers"

9 x 12 Watercolor page (with extension)

I (finally) had the opportunity to finish my first lesson with Life Book! I'm thrilled to be a part of the year-long class and so look forward to the education, insights and camaraderie there.  

Our first lesson focused on creating a journal page that will eventually be bound in a book at the end of the year. We were asked to list what we believe are our "Super Powers," or the qualities that make us unique and which bring joy to ourselves and others. 

I really enjoyed making this page and learning how to create a more realistic, 3/4 portrait. It's the first that I've done like it, and I want to thank our teach Tam for sharing her beautiful talents with us.

Here's what I came up with:

Front flap, closed

Vintage text reads, "My Heart"

Full spread

Swarovski crystals on crown & Stickles glitter on lettering

Eeeee . . . . SO looking forward to more . . . .

Thank you for visiting,

Kristin xo