Journey Art Supplies Blog
Tips, Tricks, Thoughts, and inspiration from across the art spectrum.
Put Some Spring in Your Art!
The daffodils are popping up here and there and the robins have made their way back home; the first of many signs that Spring has arrived. Another sure sign of the changing of seasons is the Sales at Cheap Joe’s!
Put Some Spring in Your Art!
The daffodils are popping up here and there and the robins have made their way back home; the first of many signs that Spring has arrived. Another sure sign of...
DVD Review: Suzanna Winton's Step by Step Child...
Although I have been painting most of my life, I would say that portrait painting is not one of my strengths. I love to paint landscapes, florals, even animals, more so than people.
DVD Review: Suzanna Winton's Step by Step Child...
Although I have been painting most of my life, I would say that portrait painting is not one of my strengths. I love to paint landscapes, florals, even animals, more...
Lian Quan Zhen's Painting Traditional and Chine...
I recently reviewed a new DVD that I have now come to cherish, Painting Traditional and Chinese Watercolors DVD with Lian Quan Zhen. Chinese art has always been a fascination to me. With simple deliberate strokes, and what seems to be a mish mash of marks covering a delicate rice paper surface in black ink with minimal color.
Lian Quan Zhen's Painting Traditional and Chine...
I recently reviewed a new DVD that I have now come to cherish, Painting Traditional and Chinese Watercolors DVD with Lian Quan Zhen. Chinese art has always been a fascination to...
Give 'em Some Love: Support Your Local Arts
We have a fair share of art galleries and studios in the High Country area. There is always something to do, somewhere to go, and something to see. Whether you choose to walk downtown in Boone on King's Street or to make your way South to Main Street in Blowing Rock, you will hardly run out of art things to do.
Give 'em Some Love: Support Your Local Arts
We have a fair share of art galleries and studios in the High Country area. There is always something to do, somewhere to go, and something to see. Whether you...
Susan Crouch's \Painting in Living Color: Carol...
As a self-taught artist, I have been using instructional material to learn about art for as long as I can remember. From Bob Ross to Walter Foster, many professional artists have entered my home and life through this type of media. My shelves are chocked full of books, magazines, DVDs and VHS videos. In fact, I am always on the lookout for new additions to my art reference library, as I believe these tools will always have a valuable place in my studio. Recently, Cheap Joe’s introduced a new DVD to our large diverse collection of instructional material. “Painting in Living Color – Carolina Morning” by Susan Crouch. The moment I reviewed the DVD, I fell completely in love with Susan’s art. The first thing I noticed about her work was the bright and vivid colors that bring the painting to life. Fresh, clean watercolor pigments that stand out and grab your attention. Also, the subject matter she chooses is a celebration of life and beauty. She frequently paints the birds, animals, and flowers from her own backyard. Susan is a resident of North Carolina and just happens to be our neighbor. She and her husband Clay live just down the mountain in Statesville. I recently had a chance to visit Susan at her home and studio. The day I visited, she had opened her home studio up to the public for her annual Holiday Open House. Susan’s dining room was filled with beautifully framed full sized paintings as well as note cards and smaller framed version of her artwork. Her paintings are enjoyed and collected by admirers all around the U.S. She currently participates in Art Shows and Festivals throughout the Southeast. Susan also designs cards for Hallmark Dayspring division for the retail stationery market. Her paintings, along with her own line of greeting cards, are inspired by God’s Word and His glorious creation. When time allows, Susan offers workshops to the public to share her experience and talent with others. But, in the meantime, her new DVD will offer a unique look into Susan’s world and allow you to sample just one of her beautiful paintings. I noticed while looking around her very practical studio, that Susan, herself, had a wall-sized bookshelf filled to the gills. It seems we share the same love for books and DVDs. Susan explained that there are a lot of professional artists that have influenced her artwork through reading their books, watching DVDs and taking workshops throughout the years, especially, Edgar Whitney, Tony Couch, Jane Hofstetter, Wes Waugh, and Anne Abgott, just to name a few. And she still uses the material frequently for all of her paintings. Susan uses a variety of materials for her unique process, including Cheap Joe’s American Journey Interlocked Synthetic Brushes. In the DVD segment above, Susan gives you a great tip on how to distinguish older worn brushes from new ones with sharp tips! This and other great information is available on Susan’s DVD. Susan’s style is so refreshing, and if you are like me, you will immediately want to ask her, “How do you do that?” Well, on the DVD you will see just how she creates the painting from start to finish. The design is comprised of layers and layers of transparent watercolor washes giving depth and dimension to the watercolor paper surface. She uses a wet into wet technique and also negative painting to create a great deal of the background and then adds just the right amount of detail to the main subject. This 100-minute full-length demonstration will take you through the complete process of painting two beautiful Carolina wrens sitting on a luscious branch of Fall leaves. Susan will let you in on how she begins the painting by collecting her photographs, what materials she uses, design tips on how to create a pleasing composition and much, much more. All in addition to her three-part step by step demo. Susan’s full-sized wren pattern also comes with the DVD so you can follow along with her to reproduce the sample painting yourself. Susan hopes you will use the information as a “springboard” to help you to develop your own individual style and techniques. The following list provides the Chapters included on the DVD. Susan Crouch-Painting in Living Color – Carolina Morning Chapters: 1. Supplies and Materials2. Favorite Tips3. Photographing Birds4. Choosing Colors5. Mixing Greens6. How to Make a Color Journal7. Carolina Morning – Part 18. Carolina Morning – Part 29. Carolina Morning – Part 3/ Layer 110. Carolina Morning – Part 3/Layer 211. Carolina Morning – Part 3/Layer 312. Carolina Morning Review13. About Susan14. Gallery So you see there is an enormous amount of information all wrapped up in this 100 minute DVD. Susan also has several YouTube videos available on Cheap Joe’s YouTube Channel for free viewing 24 hours a day. You can also see more of her artwork on her website www.susancrouch.com. Sign up for her monthly newsletter to keep up with new paintings and where she will be showing her work. Susan also has her own Facebook page, where she posts frequently regarding inspirations for paintings and interesting art news. In my opinion, a person never truly stops learning and thank goodness for that! I want to learn something new every day, no matter what it is. Knowledge is something that cannot be taken away from you. Once you have absorbed it and put it to practice, it is yours, forever. So I say, take every opportunity to learn something new every day. From books and magazines, DVDs and videos, classes and workshops, don’t ever stop learning. Then, when you are comfortable with what you have learned, spread your passion like Susan and teach someone else! Have a Happy “Learn Something New” Day!
Susan Crouch's \Painting in Living Color: Carol...
As a self-taught artist, I have been using instructional material to learn about art for as long as I can remember. From Bob Ross to Walter Foster, many professional artists...
Cheap Joe's HeART Stuff: Postcards for Hurrican...
The effects and damage are still apparent even months after Hurricane Sandy made her way up the Eastern coastline in late October 2012. The super storm displaced thousands of people, many whom lost everything, including family and friends. In times such as these, we struggle to put ourselves in their place, to know what they are feeling.
Cheap Joe's HeART Stuff: Postcards for Hurrican...
The effects and damage are still apparent even months after Hurricane Sandy made her way up the Eastern coastline in late October 2012. The super storm displaced thousands of people,...
The Power of One Word
On New Year's Eve we all wait and watch for the stroke of midnight. Watching the ball drop in Times Square, counting down the seconds, ready to celebrate the New Year. Out with the old, in with the new.
The Power of One Word
On New Year's Eve we all wait and watch for the stroke of midnight. Watching the ball drop in Times Square, counting down the seconds, ready to celebrate the New...
A Cheap Joe's Christmas!
Cheap Joe's Art Stuff would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! In this special You Tube video, "Cheap" Joe Miller is in the house to take you on a special tour around Santa's satellite Art Stuff Workshop in Boone, NC.
A Cheap Joe's Christmas!
Cheap Joe's Art Stuff would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas! In this special You Tube video, "Cheap" Joe Miller is in the house to...
Joe's Having Too Much Fun!
Here is a special holiday post from "Cheap" Joe Miller! I love watercolor, I've been painting in this medium for years. Through these years, I've played with acrylic, oils, gouache and other mediums. Lately, I've painted mostly in acrylics. And, I've changed what I am painting, as well.
Joe's Having Too Much Fun!
Here is a special holiday post from "Cheap" Joe Miller! I love watercolor, I've been painting in this medium for years. Through these years, I've played with acrylic, oils, gouache and other mediums. Lately,...
"Pick Me, Pick Me"
Soon after Thanksgiving Day, begins another holiday tradition. One that is awaited almost as much as Christmas itself. "Black Friday?" you say? Why no! It is actually Christmas Tree Weekend! This begins the time of year when every evergreen is trying to look its best among hundreds of others in the field or on the tree lot. As if to say to the families standing in line, "Pick Me, Pick Me!"
"Pick Me, Pick Me"
Soon after Thanksgiving Day, begins another holiday tradition. One that is awaited almost as much as Christmas itself. "Black Friday?" you say? Why no! It is actually Christmas Tree Weekend!...
Super Size 'em
Trading cards are all the rage, right now. You have probably seen information on Facebook, websites, or in magazines to encourage you to swap. Or perhaps, you have purchased the Strathmore Trading Card products as I have and traded them locally with all of your artists friends.
Super Size 'em
Trading cards are all the rage, right now. You have probably seen information on Facebook, websites, or in magazines to encourage you to swap. Or perhaps, you have purchased the Strathmore...
Workshops are Really Funshops!
Recently, I had the great pleasure of taking my first, 3-day watercolor workshop with a local watercolorist, Wes Waugh. It was held at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) in the nearby town of Blowing Rock, NC. I’ve been working with the workshop community, for years now at Cheap Joe’s, placing orders, and providing promotional material for hundreds of workshops around the country every year.
Workshops are Really Funshops!
Recently, I had the great pleasure of taking my first, 3-day watercolor workshop with a local watercolorist, Wes Waugh. It was held at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum...
