A Few Extra Bits

a new class, a sketchbook tutorial and an exciting opportunity

Although I’m planning on sharing my regularly-scheduled, monthly garden post on Saturday, I realized there were a few things I wanted to include that didn’t really fit (and one time-sensitive bit that couldn’t wait!).

I’ve had a flurry of new subscribers, too, so hello and welcome and thank you for subscribing!

I want to keep this short, so I’ll dive right in.

Last month I wrote about how my garden inspires my art and I mentioned I was working on a new class about sketchbooks. That class is finally here:

Loosen Up in Your Sketchbook and Energize Your Creative Practice is focused on playing and experimenting in your sketchbook without any pressure on the outcome. I share techniques and supplies to encourage simplified and even messy sketches and highlight the importance of connecting with your subject and slowing down in the present moment.

You can take my class on Skillshare (if you’re not already a member, you can try Skillshare free for one month).

You can also watch a free bonus lesson over on YouTube:

In it I sketch some roses in my garden using an ink brush. (And if you watch through to the end you’ll get to see the bloopers from my new class, too).

I love to sketch in my garden and am grateful the weather’s allowed me to continue to be outside with my flowers and sketchbooks.

Finally, I need your help to make an art supply dream a reality!

Craftamo invited me to design a set of custom brushes with them. They create cruelty-free, eco-friendly, sustainable art supplies. And partner with artists from around the world to design custom products including brush sets.

If this project goes ahead, I’ll decide how many and what types and sizes of brushes to include in my set. I’ll have complete control over the design, even what color the handles will be! And I’ll create art for the beautiful box, too.

If you’d like to see this project come to life, please let Craftamo know by signing up here (your name and email will remain confidential and only be used to gauge interest for my brush collaboration. There’s no commitment involved when you sign up, either). The campaign only has a few more days left, so now’s the time to weigh in.

Whether or not this project goes ahead, I’m grateful to have been invited.

Edit: the campaign is over. We received just under the required number of sign-ups to make the project a reality. Thank you to everyone who signed up!

I’m grateful to you for your continued support and encouragement.

I wouldn’t be here doing what I do without my blog readers, students and customers. Thank you!

I still feel new to Substack (I only started posting in June), but I’m loving the community of readers and writers. I’m always open to your ideas and would love to know what else you’d like to see here — or in a new class or YouTube video!

I’m curious about your garden and other creative outlets, too. So please share! We can all learn from and inspire one another. It’s what makes these online communities so special.

That’s all for today’s little extra.

Look for more on my enduring dahlias in my post on Saturday.