Make It Artsy: It's Only Natural
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Class Preview
0:30
- In-depth Instruction; over 331 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Patterns in Nature
25:26
Test your powers of observation for patterns in nature. First, host Julie Fei Fan Balzer presents a new stenciling technique using ink pads featuring an image of nature. Then Joe Rotella has foil flowers that are made realistic by the patterns within the petals. Next, Cat Kerr designs a patterned bracelet using modeling material. Finally meet Tori Weyers, our resident artist. She'll be back every other week bringing the outside in as inspiration for your sketchbook. There will be 7 lessons beginning with "look closely." You can find beautiful colors, textures and shapes in objects from nature if you slow down and look closely.
Stones and Rocks
25:26
Explore stones and rocks in many different forms. First is Joe Rotella and a marble pour technique that has fascinating results when you add stones. Then meet Erin Gerlach for interesting patterns and designs on cabinet doors using natural materials. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer finishes with a notebook cover featuring a stone design stencil.
Nature's Elements
25:26
Nature's elements include those that are growing and those that result from being exposed to nature. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer begins with paint blob flowers, a fun and easy way to create flowers with a minimum of drawing. Then Alexandra Stapleton creates a card using a stamped, cut out of a floral image. Seth Apter creates a rust monoprint; the weathered look shows the effects of nature. Finally, Tori Weyers has lesson 2 and left handed flowers. Use your non dominant hand and watercolors to expand your sketchbook.
Nature
25:26
Nature is all encompassing from animals to insects, plants and seasons, and weather and rocks. First host Julie Fei Fan Balzer shows a new way to screen print right at home and make a flying pig stuffed toy. Then Joe Rotella shows how to make a wood honeycomb niche wall shelf. Nature's patterns are reproduced in your home. Finally, it's another lesson with Tori Weyers entitled the color of seasons, and how to create color palettes using the seasons where you live.
Passage of Time
25:26
Seasons, tides, day to night; all of these elements of time are a part of nature. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer has the first project. It is a cut away bag made with cork. Then Dina Wakley makes time for her artful pursuits, and finally it's the passage of time as Lynn Lilly celebrates a birthday party with a hot air balloon theme.
Living Creatures
25:26
Living creatures are all around us in nature. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer begins with paper beetles; a fun and easy project drawing project. Then Cheryl Holz has a dragonfly portrait made with transparent overlays. Next Cat Kerr has a wall hanging made from an embroidery hoop featuring pigs. We finish with a nature inspired doodling meditation from Tori Weyers.
Cycles of Nature
25:26
Nature is a cycle of growth, and change. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer begins with stenciled tiles that have infinite variations. Then Sandra Evertson has a box that mimics the effect of aging with a Verdigris finish. Aging happens to the best of us, so why not celebrate with a reusable birthday banner with Emily Thompson.
Look Outside
25:26
Take a look outside, maybe from the door or a window and observe what's going on. That's exactly what Joe Rotella did and he learned a lot about mason bees, he shares that knowledge and a mason bee house project. Then Dina Wakley observes a moment in time thru a window in a segment filmed earlier. Finally, its sticks and stones with Tori Weyers and mark making and inspiration using natural objects.
Variations of Nature
25:26
It is hard to pin down one definition of nature, so today is all different variations. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer begins with creating your own stencils to make cookies with a nature theme. Then meet Mary Hettmansperger for a 3D wire sculpture featuring salvaged wire that has been naturally treated. Then Joe Rotella continues his love of bees with a honey bee screen print with incredible detail.
Nature Look-alikes
25:26
This season is all about nature and today we feature some nature look-alikes or items that might appear at first glance to be from nature. Host Julie Fei Fan Balzer begins with faux cyanotypes – no sun required! Then Cat Kerr creates a journal cover; look closely as nature peeks thru. Then its more windows but this time its faux stained glass from Karenliz Henderson. Finally, visit the lakes and streams in your sketchbook with Tori Weyers. Blues and greens evoke memories of water and calm.
Weather
25:26
Weather affects our mood, and the only thing constant about it is change! Not only does it change by season but day to day and sometimes multiple times in one day. First, host Julie Fei Fan Balzer celebrates the weather with a bullet journal with a place to remember the weather. Then create dimensional snowflakes with Gail Wild. Finally, Lynn Lilly is back with a weather family photo board to let everyone know just what to expect each day!
Plants
25:26
Plant life is a key element of the world around us and one we bring indoors too. Today's show starts with host Julie Fei Fan Balzer and a short tutorial about shades of green, a featured color of plants. Then, Cat Kerr creates a unique art piece featuring a face that is highlighted by flowers. Next, Lynne Suprock creates a honey comb pot to hold your treasured plants. We finish with a sketchbook lesson with Tori Weyers and seeds and pods; they hold the potential to be new plant life and can be a source of inspiration.
Natural Mementos
25:26
Preserve the elements of nature you find inspiring in mementos especially cards. You'll have them to look at and enjoy long after the event is over. First, host Julie Fei Fan Balzer creates a nature inspired card that you can create multiple times. Then it's pop ups with Joe Rotella. He's known for his engineering of these fun cards and it features his favorite a bee! Finally, enjoy the symmetry of nature with stamps in a beautiful card with Alexandra Stapleton.
Nature is the inspiration this season. Whether testing your powers of observation for patterns, observing bees or other living creatures, or just looking at elements of nature like water, rocks and rust, it’s all about nature.
Julie Fei-Fan Balzer
Julie is a mixed media artist, painter, and avid memory keeper. She loves to create all kinds of artwork and experiment with lots of different supplies and techniques. Julie has been lucky enough to have artwork and articles published in multiple books and magazines.
Bonus materials available after purchase