A Christmas Greeting

            

I hope your holiday season is full of peace, joy and much happiness.

 

                                 Looking forward to the new year filled with hope, love and creativity!

                                             May Santa bring you everything you have wished for!

                                                  May your home be filled with peace and bliss!

                                                May Jesus shower His abundant blessing on you!

                                   Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a promising  New Year!

Ursula xo

Colors Are The Smiles of Nature

 Join me in creating five fun projects using a variety of mediums.  From watercolors, acrylics to alcohol inks and Yupo Paper.  Walking you through each project, step by step.  All levels are welcome!

Let your creativity flow as we create these projects together.

Early bird pricing is available though October 20.  

Classroom opens November 3rd.

For more details visit:

https://ivynewport.com/bloom-in-color

Life is art.  Live it in Color!

Ursula xo

Creativity

 What does this word mean to you?  

I don't know how many times people have told me they aren't creative.  But, what does the word really mean? 

The dictionary defines it as bringing something into existence.  Or, cause something to happen as a result of one's actions.  

We are all "created" to create, to bring something into existence.  Whether it be raising our children, hitting a ball, cooking a meal,  navigating through a problem,  communication, putting an outfit together, decorating our home, parenting and so on.

We use our creativity even if we aren't aware.  

Stephen Brewster says to "Create something new everyday".  the Bible references creativity 41 times'!

Exodus 35:31-35  God fills us with His Spirit to do creative and artistic things for his glory.  

"He instills in each of us our own unique and distinct creative expression". 

I think many times, we (myself included). are afraid to step out and use the creative gifts God has given us. 

This has hit home with me.  If we step up and out of our comfort zone, and tap into our own creativity, think what we can achieve.  We can achieve so much more if we embrace what the creator has given us.

By using our creative gifts, they reflect who we are and who He is.

Embrace your creativity and open your heart to new experiences.

Until next time...

Ursula xo

Ahh Summer!

 I hope you are well and enjoying some summer fun.  

June has been busy and I find myself craving the outdoors even though it has been extremely hot here in Missouri.  

Reflections of summer have inspired my work this past month.  My studio reflects images of summer outings, birds, flowers and more.  

I was honored to be in a couple of art showings this month where summer and nature were the theme.

Sunflowers and Watermelons will be the theme for my next in person class @ Splatter Art Studio here in Springfield, Mo.  

Sunflowers depict happiness, optimism, strength, adoration and honesty. Who doesn't need more of that in their life?  This flower surpasses all others in terms of its universal power to bring joy to people.

Watermelons and summer are synonymous.  Bringing back sweet memories of eating watermelons on a hot summer day.

Enjoy your summer to the fullest!

Ursula

https://www.splatterartstudio.com/upcoming-events/2022/6/13/celebrate-summer-with-sunflowers-watermelons-and-acrylic-paints

What type of paper do you use with watercolor paints?

 I purchased some student quality watercolor paper from a local shop going out of business.

I thought it would work well for practice and for demos.

I haven't painted watercolor portraits in a while, so got my student grade papers out and began to paint.

I kept losing color and my color washes quickly disappeared almost as soon as I put them down. The struggle was real, the paper defiantly won!  

Most watercolor papers are made from either cotton or wood pulp.  100% cotton is the best!

Student grade is typically not acid free nor archival.  Making a big difference in your paintings.  So often students will tell me they are having trouble with the colors fading and making a hot mess while working wet on wet. 

The above painting is a good example of less vibrancy and adding multiple layers.  As I added a layer of color, the under painting began to fade or disappear.  When this happens, we have a tendency to overwork a piece.  

With cotton fiber papers, one has less harsh lines and can take on multiple layers of color.  Creating a more vibrant painting.

I had a little more control over this painting and but I did have some of the same issues, plus pilling.

Both of these paintings were inspired by Royalty free images, so there is no copyright infringement.

If you are struggling with any of the above issues while painting watercolors, change out the paper and you will see a world of difference!

Happy Painting.

Ursula xo

P.S.  Check out my upcoming acrylic painting class @ Splatter Art Studio, Springfield, MO.

https://www.splatterartstudio.com/upcoming-events/2022/4/22/fun-with-acrylics

Happy Spring!

 Spring adds new life and beauty to all that is......

It was refreshing to see new life springing up when we returned home, after a month's vacation in Florida.  It has taken me a little while to regroup, catch up and return to a somewhat normal schedule once more.

Watercolors are always my go to for warming up after a long absence in my studio.  I pulled out some Yupo paper and inks to play along with the traditional watercolors.  Always fun to see the paint react with the paper and alcohol inks.  Creating fun surprises along the way.

Tulips are named after the Persian word for turban, as they represent a turban in bloom.  They represent new birth and perfect love.  

Today is my 47th wedding anniversary and I thought tulips would be the perfect flower to paint for today and for the first week of spring.  

Sending you warm wishes for a lovely spring.

Until next time.

Ursula. xo

Change is the end result of true learning.

" The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you."  B.B. King

The above watercolor is one of the recent classes I attended. My painting looks somewhat different than the original but that is what makes our work uniquely ours.

 I enjoy watching someone else's brush moving across the paper or canvas.  I can get lost in each brush stroke, even how they hold their brush is mesmerizing!  Learning new color combinations and techniques are valuable in our artistic journey.  

If I were to take this photo and paint from it, I would have approached it in an entirely different manner than the instructor.  We get caught up in our own ideas and ways of doing our paintings.   I learned so much from each of the instructors I studied under.  

At times we instinctively do something without realizing why we did it that way.  Not only is learning a reminder of things we have learned along the way, but it reinforces what we know!

This week is dedicated to drawing.  Something I do not do on a regular basis and is the foundation of our art.  Grabbing my stabilo pencil, charcoal, inks, gesso and Bristol paper can be somewhat intimidating.

I have enjoyed this month of learning and stretching myself as an artist.  Reinforcing what I do know and replacing bad habits with new ideas and techniques.

Learning through art enriches our creativity, confidence and focus.  

Until next time;

Ursula

xo

https://ivynewport.com/creative-teachers-explore/ursula-wollenberg

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river in you, a joy"

 Don't loose a moment, just follow you heart.

Earlier this year, I wrote about my word;   "Reimagined"

So, I have dedicated this month for learning and growing as an artist.  I have thrown myself into various classes, some pushing the boundaries and others just for fun.  

All three of the classes have been in watercolor.  Two were online and one was in person.  I struggled with the concept in the in person class.  Looking around at others that seemed to jump right in and create a lovely painting without fear.  Just enjoying the process and not worrying about the outcome.  Even though I struggled a bit, I did learn and will apply these concepts to my future work.  

We get caught up in our way of doing things and sometimes change is difficult.  

I love this quote from philosopher, Henri Bergson.

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly."

As I embrace this new year, I want to challenge myself as an artist.  Continuing to learn and grow, learn and do what I love.  Creating rivers of joy and to follow my heart along the way.

Allowing myself to adapt and become more flexible.  Open myself up to new ideas, encourage others and to become a better version of myself.

I will continue to take classes from my mentors.  Mentorship enables you to tap into your strengths, encouragement and support for growth.

I have a few more classes coming up and look forward to more inspiration.

Unit next time;

Ursula

xo

p.s.  Check out a few of my classes :

https://ivynewport.com/creative-teachers-explore/ursula-wollenberg

https://www.mysticspringstudios.com/art-walk-alchemy-2022-ursula-wollenberg