A NEW way to create

Hello creative friends!

It’s a snowy day here and I’m just getting ready to start painting but before I do, I wanted to drop in and say hello and share some art with you.

The students in Between Shadow & Light are making some amazing discoveries and creating such beautiful, soulful portraits! I’m completely thrilled to hear they are learning that their non-dominant hand has much to offer and can open up a NEW way to engage in their creativity.

Here is just a snippet of the beauty coming out of the classroom from these incredible artists…

Artists from top left: Maryse Perdriat, Helle Kristensen, Melanie Rivers, Lynda Fortin King, Karen Johnson, Toni Burt, Lynn Colwell, Christy Harris, Robin Laws, Janet Reid, Karen Stallard Nowviskie

Due to this class’ immense popularity, I’ve removed the class size limit. So come on in and join over 250 students from all over the world. Start creating in a BRAND NEW WAY! If you have been looking for a class to spark your creativity, open your heart and get you out of your rut this is the one…

Here are some of what the students have been saying…

“Tried a sketch using only my non-dominant hand. So much difference … especially with my inner critic! It’s like I don’t expect much from my left hand, so I don’t criticize as much? I am definitely going to use my left hand more.” – Tracy

“I haven’t felt this free and relaxed in a long time while painting. Just let myself go!” – Lynda

“I’m really finding my comfort zone and OCD is put off side without my normal face mapping and creating of facial planes when drawing with my non dominant hand BUT my emotional state centered around the ART is more peaceful and happy.” – Christy

 

 See you in class.

xo,

Poetry & Paint

Hello there and Happy Friday!

Goodness! It’s been so crazy around here! My ArtWorthy retreat is in just under two weeks, I’m in production on my new class , I spruced up the blog (it needed it) and well…I just got back from Mexico! I can’t complain though because – truly it’s all GOOD. Good crazy is just fine…right? I can deal with good crazy. ;)

I will be sharing pics from Mexico soon but I wanted to share some new work that I completed recently. These paintings kinda came of the blue for me…along with the words that followed. It always surprises and astounds me how much of our subconscious can emerge when creating art.

What Remains, 2016 Mixed media on canvas 20″ x 24″

This piece was inspired by the photography of Errikos Andreou. I just loved the pose. It spoke volumes to me. I used a mixture of charcoal, liquid pencil, acrylic paint and gesso to create this.

While trying to name this piece a poem came to me…

I hold the strands of my life.
Ribbons of light, bone, blood.
Memory.
The tide has come in.
Washed it all
away.
I am left with
what remains.

It was both thrilling and a tad alarming to have these words spill from my pen onto the page. I am still slightly  unsure where these emotions came from…

Immediately after that one I created this piece –

Tethered, 2016 Mixed media on canvas 24″ x 24″

Again words accompanied the painting…

Clinging to the shore
a tether to my heart.
At once,
I am engulfed
beneath the waters.
Silent.
Reborn.

A third piece is in the works. I feel like a series has begun here for me – a new and exciting adventure.

Have you had poetry emerge with your art? I would love to hear about your experiences.

Have a beautiful and creative Saturday.

xo,

 

ArtWorthy 2016 – behind the scenes!

Hi there! How are you doing?

I am feeling quite refreshed, since I just got the lovely opportunity to get away for a few days with my dear friend, Trina Lee! We stepped away from our sweet families to work on our program for our sold out, upcoming art and healing retreat –  ArtWorthy 2016!

It was a completely inspiring experience and I got to learn more about what it is to be an art teacher and creative guide! Not only did we wallpaper the  place with post-it notes as we organized our thoughts but we also worked through stubborn, creative and emotional blocks that we each were holding.

Utilizing both Trina’s expertise with EFT and my creative mojo, we managed to not only honestly face our Inner Critic but we also encountered our own creative intuition. By allowing the two to co-exist through the act of creating art, we moved swiftly through the fear and self-doubt and found ourselves happily immersed in the moment.

Trina emerged with beautiful, sweet owls…her spirit animal for sure! (She even got up early one morning and added that baby owl while I was still sleeping!!) This from the girl who says – “I don’t paint!” ;)

Some really fun and interesting art came out of this trip for me too! I got to capture my creepy inner critic…yeah…don’t ask…let’s just say that she’s a royal pain in the a** and she stems from crippling experiences in my childhood. We all have a bit of her in us…even if we don’t want to say so. She sounds like this for me “What are you doing?” “You know you are going to fail right?” “You are not strong enough to do that!” “Wow…you are really stupid!” ugh…yeah…

However, after getting out that icky stuff, these loving spirit horses visited me and I painted them quickly and passionately with a feeling of unconditional self love – something I rarely (if ever) experience. It rocked me to my core! Primitive as they may be, they came from a place deep inside that lovingly accepts every single cell of who I am. Wowsers…what was going on? Meanwhile, Trina was bouncing around painting with joy! Some serious ArtWorthy magic was happening! 

Finally we tackled a quick, expressive and intuitive self-portrait that was aimed to reflect our essence and worthiness over realism. A reflection of ourselves without limiting beliefs! So yeah – I’m looking pretty happy, relaxed and uber confident with my birds and feathers. ;)

Can you tell I only brought 5 paint colors!!? HA! I didn’t think we were actually going to paint!

All in all, I was completely blown away by our experience planning for ArtWorthy. It was work- sure – but it gave back to us two-fold. Now, feeling more prepared and even more inspired, I can’t wait to share the lessons, meditations, EFT sessions and more with our amazing ArtWorthy guests. Feeling so filled with gratitude!

Much love to you all!

xo,

ArtWorthy Giveaway!

Hello my friends!

How’s your week going?

Been super busy around here with lots of excitement about the launch of my new Art Retreat – ArtWorthy! To celebrate, Trina and I wanted to do a fabulous giveaway!!! Packed with artsy goodies and wellness gifts too!

Check out this gorgeous stash…(worth over $150)

Included here: A World of Artist Journal Pages Book, a 24 piece set of Liquitex Acrylic Paints, a lovely smelling travel tin candle by Votivo, A Dylusions Creative Journal, a 10 piece set of beautiful acrylic/watercolor brushes, an adorable Owl mug (Trina’s personal favorite), A lovely tin of Harney & Sons Chamomile tea and Elizabeth Gilbert’s new and fantastic book – Big Magic! 

Pretty sweet right?

To enter to win this lovely bundle of goodies you simply have leave a comment about your dream art retreat AND share about the retreat on one (or more) of your social channels….i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram etc. Let me know how and where you shared and each time you do, I will enter you name again into the drawing! Pretty easy right!?

***Please use the image and link below to share on your social networks:

ArtWorthy Link: http://ivynewport.com/artworthy-retreat/

I will be drawing the winner on Friday January 22nd! So stay tuned to see if you won!! Can’t wait to wrap up this box and ship it out to a lucky creative friend!

***PLUS we are offering $100 off on the retreat as an early bird special! This offer will end on Jan 25th so if you are thinking about joining us don’t miss this deal!

Thank you all for helping us share this event! You guys are the BEST!

xo,

 

FREE Mixed Media Art Journaling Video

Hello my creative friends!

How’s the week treating you so far? I meant to get this to you yesterday but I’m afraid I got a little tied up wrapping the videos for the Paint & Pixels Online Workshop! I’m SO excited for class to begin! Not too much longer now…Sept 14th! If you haven’t checked out the info on this Mixed Media & iPad Art class yet…go here for more info.

So anyways…today is my birthday and in the theme of celebration, I wanted to give you a special treat! I’ve made a lovely FREE  Mixed Media Art Journaling Video for you – documenting my creation of the spread below. It’s full of teaching and tips to get you creating in your art journal too! Plus, my little studio kitten, Leo makes an appearance. He is quite the art admirer. ;)

I’ve been exploring Art journaling recently and it’s been so enjoyable. What a wonderful way to explore, experiment and play all within my beautiful vintage ledger.

 

To go watch to the video go here.

Please do share your creations too! I would love to see what you guys make! Feel free to join my student group on Facebook and start connecting with other creative souls!

Hope you enjoy the video!

xo,

 

Painted hands, happy heart.

Hi lovely people,

The last week of summer is upon us and the Newport household is ramping up for school. I’m ready. Grace is ready. It’s time.

Back to routines, early nights and homework but the calming rhythm of each day helps me be more productive and less scattered. I’m looking forward to that!

I will be launching a new website, complete with those photo lessons that I mentioned in the last post plus much, much more! I’ve truly committed to making Art the focus of my career and it feels really good!

On those rare, beautiful days this summer when I was able to get my hands dirty and create – those were my happiest days! Sharing that with the girls has been so special too.

When Mommy is happy, everyone is happy right? Even though at times I had to push aside the laundry or let those dishes sit in the sink a while longer, I found that when I made Art, it made me feel alive! It gave me energy and a giddiness that was contagious with my family.

My most recent work, began with a flurry of paint, collaged paper and stencils. I have really enjoyed developing these layered backgrounds to begin the piece. I’m also kinda loving the larger canvas! This one is 24″ x 30″. Big for me, as many of you know!

Here are some close ups of the canvas…

Then came the girls. Three sisters was my first idea. Not that I have sisters but I love the concept of the three Graces so that’s where I started from…

As I worked on it one afternoon, Grace strolled in and said, “Oh Mommy! I love it! It’s us!”

I turned, about to correct her when I looked at it again.

As if to explain herself she pointed to each girl. “This is you, at the top because you are the Mommy and you are protecting us. That’s why your eyes are open. The next girl is me because I am the older sister and I have brown hair and the littlest girl is Claire because she has blond hair and she is the youngest.”

I stood back, amazed at her perception and how I had completely missed it!!

She went on to say, “And the flowers that come up from the bottom are about us growing up into women.”

I was completely blown away. My 8 year old little art critic had just analyzed my piece before I had even the inkling of its meaning.

I smiled at her and said, “I think you are absolutely right!”

So the three Graces became me and my girls and I’m perfectly happy with that!  It now hangs in my studio, right next to my desk and serves as a wonderful reminder of my connection to my sweet daughters and how very important my job is as their mother and protector.

So what have you been up to creatively this summer? I would love to hear!

xo,

Ivy