Tag: art journal with Jenny

Retelling the tale… a new art journal class

Leave a comment

Retelling the tale – aka Misunderstood women of Greek myth.

After a hiatus of a few months… months of hectic work, festival, training the energetic puppy, and the like… I am back! I realize how much I need my art journal practice, both in a casual format for my self, and my health, and also in a more structured practice, divine gift other inspirations that myths hold. I am energized and excited by the research – and how it inspired and informs my work – both in my journal and in the ceramics studio.

This class I wanted to focus on women. As we (my former students and I) are coming from a year of goddess focused inspiration and devotion; I wanted to turn to our sisters, our peers, from the Classical world. Women whose names we may know from the myths, from history, from the writings of men in the past. Women whose tales are multilayered, whose journeys are myriad. Women who deserve a deeper investigation into their stories, a retelling with a modern lens, reclaiming their herstories with a feminist filter in place.

Pandora. Medusa. Ariadne. Cassandra. Psyche.
Princess, prophetess, priestess, daughter, sister, lover, wife.

If you are new to my online art journal classes here is the structure and format. As well as information on the theme and my teaching style! (If you are a veteran – dates and details below.)

  • 5 lessons – 10 weeks. Lessons are emailed on Mondays, twice a month – and include private video tutorials, and PDF’s of information, images, and inspiration. Your access to these videos does not expire! 
  • There will be 2 Facebook live demos per month – for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. ( Recorded and posted in the FB group if you miss it)
  • Schedule – START DATE January 7th. First lesson Monday January 8th. Ending mid March.
  • Pricing: $65 – (that is only $6.50 a week – about the same as a fancy coffee!) Invoices will be emailed via PayPal, and can be paid via credit card.  
  • Sign ups: Email me at Jen.davies.reazor@gmail.com to join! Let me know whether you prefer an invoice or would like to pay me directly via PP/Venmo. (Or PM me if we are connected on social media) 

Questions:

  • Yes, this course is open to all ages, teen and up. ( There will be some light cursing and tough topics due to the subject matter. ie: assault, rape, war, slavery, torture… it’s all in the myths!)
  • Yes, this course welcomes all experience levels. No, you do NOT need to know how to draw. (See video)
  • Supplies list – whatever you have? More info given at sign up!
  • What if I miss a lesson? Pick up when you can, on current lesson. You can cycle back later on your time frame.
  • Facebook group is OPTIONAL as we all have different social media limits. But I can best support and provide feedback if/when images/pages are shared with me.

My YouTube channel has 2 years worth of weekly art journaling videos if you would like a sampling of my materials, style, etc. These aren’t lessons I am teaching per se, but my own play and explorations on the page.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions! I look forward to getting back to the page – and hope you will join me!

A few of my reference materials! Amidst the holiday decorations…

You hold the key – April’s theme

Leave a comment

Unlock, reveal. Secrecy, privacy, gateways, portals, knowledge. Trust/Hide. Answers, freedom, escape, safety, closure. Initiation. Curiosity. Mystery. Goals, dreaming, yearning.

Keys to me are tangible potential. The magic and mystery of what could be unlocked; the revelations or mysteries contained from unworthy eyes.

In my intro art journaling class ” Sparking Creativity” we used Keys as one of our motifs: unlocking and opening up to the new process of art journaling. Using the art journal as a safe container to work through emotions and challenges.

I wanted to share some of my mythical key inspiration with you this month – as I again use this image to inspire my pages this month.

 Janus: Roman god of doors and gateways. Janus wore two faces – looking in 2 directions and looking backwards and forwards in time. He was a gatekeeper, and a god of beginnings. (January is named after Janus.) He is depicted with keys and a staff. He was said to represent wisdom, could grant success and new opportunities. 

 Lord Ganesh in the Hindu spiritual path is the great elephant god, the mover of obstacles and for this reason very often associated with keys.  Commonly locks or keys can be found with a Ganesh design on it to symbolically representing the unlocking of a path or knowledge.  Ganesh is associated with wisdom and spiritual knowledge, making him not only a prime example of key symbolism but also a deity, like so many others, associated with journeying.

 Hecate is a Greek goddess associated with was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, crossroads. She is often called The Queen of the Witches, and The Keeper of Keys. She holds the keys that allow passage into the spiritual realm.  She is a great protector and is associated with keys, and dogs among other things. Trivia is the Roman equivalent of the Greek Hecate, goddess of the three-way crossroads.

But some of the most fascinating and even gruesome keys are linked with folk tales and modern retelling, constantly morphing and yet connected at heart. The Grimm’s told the tale of the Fitcher’s Bird ( also read the tale here) Charles Perrault used Bluebeard as his nefarious character in his version. To Angela Carter it is the Bloody Chamber. They all have in common: a secret room, off limits. Keys and curiosity! Leading to trouble… sometimes with eggs, often with blood stains. Take a read for yourself – they are amazing tales!

“The wife holds the key” illustration by Walter Crane.

Are you a subscriber on You Tube? I would love to have you… and this theme will unfold during the month of April. My monthly theme inspired my filmed art journal pages. And anyone is welcome to use the theme and journal along !

Please stay tuned on my You Tube channel for these art journal pages as they unfold during the month of April!

Goddess guides – a year long journey

Leave a comment

My newest online art journal class is starting soon!

I am so excited to introduce my new online Art Journaling class! This is a theme near and dear to my heart, and a journey of exploration and inspiration that I have wanted to take for years.

My classes are open to all levels of experience. We will collage, and make marks…. and utilize image transfer techniques. I want to foster a practice of exploration and expression, or play and process! I have included a video with my approach to the theme – take a look below… 

Here are the details! 

  • 12 months – 24 lessons. Lessons are emailed on Mondays, twice a month – and include private video tutorials, and PDF’s of information, images, and inspiration. Your access to these videos does not expire! 
  • There will be 2 Facebook live demos per month – for  a chance to connect, have a Q& A session, see new techniques in progress. 
  • 1 ZOOM call/month. Optional – but a chance to connect, to chat, to build community. These will be on a floating schedule. Planning a year out is near impossible! 
  • Schedule – START DATE March 6th. First lesson Monday March 7th. 
    SPRING: March – May
    SUMMER: June – August
    FALL: Sept – November
    WINTER: Dec – February. 
  • Pricing: $65 per quarter/season – that is 6 lessons a season! Each quarter is priced individually. You are welcome to customize the year to your schedule, and pay as you go. (Invoices will be emailed via PayPal, and can be paid via credit card. )
  • If you prefer to sign up for the entire year, you have 2 payment options: 
    • Option A- a single payment of $240 and a free gift
    • Option B – 2 payments of $120 and a free gift.  
  • Sign ups: Email me at Jen.davies.reazor@gmail.com and I will invoice you. Please select a payment option…. (Or PM me if we are connected on social media) 

As to materials and class supplies – stay tuned! More info to come!

Thank you for your interest! Please don’t hesitate to email or message me with any questions! 
Jenny

Are you new to my Art Journaling classes? Are you interested in “Sparking Creativity” my intro class? No worries! I am preparing it for an online teaching platform – and it should be ready in the Spring. The goddess class is open to all levels – so if it sounds interesting to you, please don’t hesitate! ( If you are receiving this newsletter – you will get notified when SPARK is ready!