Drawing from nature brings grounding and joy.
Let’s marvel at nature’s abundant beauty.
Learn to draw and paint the natural objects you love in a way you never thought possible before.
Let’s get closer to nature!
17 Guided Video Lessons
Join me in nature as we draw and paint in our journals together
A 22-page PDF Guide
Full of written instruction and extra resources to support you throughout this class
Nature Based Inspiration
15 lessons to fill your nature journal
Looking deeply at the shapes, colors, and twists and turns of the forms helps me to slow down inside, and also to render nature’s beauty more accurately.
Learn to render our natural treasures in gorgeous detail. Add color and life and take your drawings from wonky to WHOA!
Drawing Adventures:
– Portable Art Kits and Prep
– Respectfully Gather Natural Objects
– Let Me Take You on My Nature Drawing Adventure
– Choosing Objects to Draw
Contour Drawing
– Warm-Up: Scribble Drawing
– Blind Contour Drawing or “Wonky Drawing”
– Semi-Blind Contour Drawing
Watercolor Painting Techniques
– Watercolor Basics
– Color Mixing
– Adding Watercolor to Drawings
– Extended Co-Painting Time
Botanical Drawing and Watercolor
– Contour Drawing Flowers and Greenery
– Watercolor Painting Botanicals
Watercolor Bleeds and Contour Drawings
– Creating Watercolor Bleeds
-Contour Drawing Feathers
Adding Lettering and Text
Nature Journaling Inspiration Gallery
Books to Inspire Your Practice
Thanks again for asking for my impressions of the delightful Drawing Closer to Nature. It’s beefy and yummy as you said, filled to the brim with inspiring content. As I watched and read, here’s what came to me:
-an opportunity to enjoy your lush photography; there are tons of examples of your work for inspiration
-loved being able to join you on an outdoor adventure!
-you have joyful and boundless enthusiasm for the natural world
-every video offers clear guidance and instruction
-your classes are endlessly watchable, always exercise in mindfulness, and always offered with humor and self-deprecation
-learning with you is like having a wise friend in my studio space
-you offer a gentle flexible structure and containment, that’s always invitational
-you teach us how to truly see
-yes-tons of content, with follow-along videos and myriad of tips along the way to ensure success
-we get to watch contour drawings come to life through expert watercolor instruction, offered with a playful, easy touch
It was a little hard for me to keep reviewing in a timely manner
without stopping to actually do the lessons. Watercolor calling!
You enjoy getting out in nature (or looking at photos)
You want to keep a nature journal, but don’t know how
You love nature, but can’t seem to draw it.
You want in depth guidance about watercolor techniques
Mindful Art Studio was created with you in mind. It’s my way to stop your inner critic from getting in the way of your creativity.
All my courses and resources are inspired by the connections between nature and art, and invite you to explore patterns, materials, ideas, and often the simplest things as the basis to a thriving art practice that fits into your everyday.
I’m a trained art therapist, which means every course incorporates mindfulness practices and techniques for getting the inner critic out of the way.
Absolutely! Whether you’ve never drawn before, or you are an experienced artist, this class is structured to provide you the space to learn to see in new ways, and opportunities to translate those new visions onto your journal pages.
For an experienced artist, I would recommend this class if you are trying to get out of a creative rut by approaching art mindfully and with fresh eyes. But you might resonate more with a class like BIG ART.
This class is not art therapy. However, I am a registered art therapist, and I use my understanding of psychology, mindfulness, and the artistic process to help students tune joyfully into the moment and engage in their art practice in deeper ways. We will not use this class to address your mental health concerns, but engaging in a mindful art practice, like any mindfulness or art practice, may have positive benefits for your overall sense of well-being.
Yes, this class is accessible on a page hosted on my website. The videos are all shot in HD and require a broadband connection for viewing the class.
Your PDF is available for download and you’ll have access to the class as long as I have a website, you have access to your class. Videos can be viewed on my site at your convenience.
Supplies are not included in the cost of the class. The price for the basic starting supplies are about $20 – $30. You’ll need a watercolor journal, drawing pen, watercolor paint and brush.
This is a self-paced class with videos and a PDF. You can access them on the site whenever you want.
Because this is an immediate, lifetime access class, no refunds will be granted, regardless of circumstances. Registration is non-transferrable.
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You deserve a space in which to make your art. A space that is sacred, and just for you, your creativity, and to nurture yourself. Carving out and maintaining that space can be tricky when there are so many things and people demanding time and space in our lives. I want to help you make a space that stokes your creativity and invites you to create with joy.
Examining Your Assumptions, and Making a Plan
This is one of the unique parts of this class. I help you to slow down, and get in touch with what you really want out of your art practice, and therefore your space, before we touch a thing.
+ Examine your assumptions about your art studio.
+ Visualize what might be possible and dream big.
+ Accept your space limitations and then do more than you thought possible within them.
Paring Down
For most of us, clutter gets in the way of making art.
If you don’t have open table space, or you can’t find your materials, you can’t create.
A huge part of what I’ll teach you is how to decide what stays and what goes.
I will guide you step by step – working through categories of items that typically clutter artists’ studios and get in the way of creating. I’ll even help you identify where to donate your unwanted items.
Studio Inspiration
The Studio Inspiration section is one of my favorite parts of the class.
+ Peek into 12 different artists’ studios.
+ See a variety of spaces: from bedroom to barn.
+ Steal other artists tips and ideas.
+ We ALL deserve time and space to create, I want to show you how.
Room for Inspiration
Your space can be organized, functional, and inspiring. I’ll show you how to fold in little bits of magic into your studio.
I want you to walk into your space and feel welcomed, invited, and tempted to create.
I converted my dining room to an art space, but have struggled to make it functional. But what I’ve learned from your class has resulted in a huge mind shift, it’s like a switch has finally been turned off from the mentality of “I might use this one day” to really understanding that clearing space equals freeing up energy to create. But, it’s even more than that. Just the way you speak about spaces of any type/size as studios offers that extra oomph of validation I was missing.
Thank you, Amy, for your kind, gentle, and fun inspiration and encouragement. I am a happier and healthier person for learning from you.
Studio Space has helped me narrow down, pass on the supplies I don’t need, and organize what I work with.
I’m feeling very good about what’s happening in my studio space. I feel motivation to create that has been missing. I think it was lost in the mess.
Studio Lighting and Furniture
We will look at different options for drawers, shelving, tables, and lighting.
I’ll offer lots of ideas from my own studio.
You’ll get ideas for repurposing furniture and sourcing it free or inexpensively.
See creative ways to occupy part of a common space, such as a living room or dining room.
Studio Organization
Learn how to:
Divide, categorize, and contain.
Create distinct creation stations,
Open up table space so you can create.
Make a structure in the studio that makes organization easy ongoing.
Use Your Checklist to Organize Your Approach
Clear outs, organizing supplies, and moving things around in your space all take time and thought. It’s important to take it at your own pace and in your way. Your chunky 60 page PDF has tons of helpful information, links, and resources, and also a fabulous checklist to keep you on task.
I’ve tried to think of everything to help you have success in creating the studio of your dreams in the space you have.
As of right now, we do not offer this. We hope to in the future!
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Welcome to Pop-Up Book: The Little Book of Wonder!
Gather your drawings and paintings because we are about to take art journal collage to the next level!
Pop-Up Books: The Little Book of Wonder is your special place to gather your slow drawings and slow paintings in a unique little book with pop-ups, doors, windows, and flaps. Remember pop up books when you were a kid? They were fun and interactive. We can make our art journals full of surprises too. I want to show you how.
CLASS CONTENT:
15 VIDEO LESSONS with techniques for drawing, painting, collaging, and making elements that move, conceal and reveal on your pages.
Full-color PDF with 23 pages of photo inspiration and instructions for constructing doors, flaps,etc. and insights into Amy’s creative approach to making a cohesive Little Book of Wonder.
Welcome, Supplies
Lessons 1 + 2: Watercolor Play and Patterns + Watercolor Pattern: Feather
Lesson 3: Drawing: Slow Drawing Classes: Ring, Straight, & Secret
Lesson 4: Drawing: Playing With Lines and Shapes
Lesson 5: Playing with Collage Elements
Lesson 6: Creating a Flap
Lesson 7: Creating a Lift
Lesson 8: Creating Doors
Lesson 9: Creating Envelopes
Lesson 10: Creating a Pop-Up
Lesson 11: Simple Collage Techniques
Lesson 12: Spilling Patterns Onto the Page
Bonus Content: Watching My Journal Evolve
Your 23 page full color PDF:
Full of color inspiration photos and tips to make your pages pop.
As of right now, there is no way to do this. We hope to be able to offer this in the future!
No, making a coptic bound book is a separate learning journey, which I teach in Coptic Bound Journal. I know not everyone will make their own though, so I sugguest you use a watercolor journal such as a Moleskine, Handbound or Strathmore brand if you don’t wish to make your own.
The difference between The Book of Wonder and The Nature Spells journal is that Nature spells is focused on wandering in nature, mark making on tracing paper, gathering photos and writings about nature, and putting it all together in a journal. there’s an emphasis too on sewing bits of tracing paper as a collage element. The only sewing in this class is an option to hand sew a tracing paper envelope. I don’t teach the tracing paper layering techniques in this class.
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If you’re anything like me, then you feel like you’re constantly rushing (in life and your art practice).
That means you drop things – literally and metaphorically – because you’re trying to move too fast.
But rushing things makes you miss out on moments, magic, and revelations.
Slow drawing and simple, mindful art hold the key to living every moment (in your art and in life).
And the more you slow down, the faster you progress.
Skill comes because there is practice.
Practice comes because there is joy.
And then you MUST create.
With this self-paced class, you explore one basic question:
What’s the simplest thing I could do in my art journal right now?
Get instant access to simple ideas that force you to get creative in how you approach each prompt.
It’s easy to show up for the simplest thing, and so much fun to experiment with.
This is a class you will actually take, enjoy, and complete, and then do it all over again because the discoveries are so rich.
8 Guided Video Lessons
Watch me explore some popular simple things as the start of your very own art journey
Idea Generation Worksheet
Full of powerful prompts to spark your own simple ideas and advance your art practice one step at a time
Painting & Drawing Prompts Worksheets
With 30+ simple prompts to see you being creative in the simplest way
A 16-page PDF Guide
Full of inspiration and extra resources to support you throughout this class
Doubt creeps into our art practice too easily. Like Molly, I think you’ll appreciate “the reminder that there is so much beauty to be found in simplicity.”
Mindful Art Studio was created with you in mind. It’s my way to stop your inner critic from getting in the way of your creativity.
All my courses and resources are inspired by the connections between nature and art, and invite you to explore patterns, materials, ideas, and often the simplest things as the basis to a thriving art practice that fits into your everyday.
I’m a trained art therapist, which means every course incorporates mindfulness practices and techniques for getting the inner critic out of the way.
You let perfectionism get in the way of your art
You want fresh, simple ideas to spark bigger things
You have an art supply cupboard that collects dust
You are art curious but don’t know where to start
Absolutely! I will lead you through step by step in all of the 8 lessons, and also provide you with tons of prompts for drawing, painting, and writing in the PDF.
For an experienced artist, I would recommend this class if you are trying to get out of a creative rut by approaching art mindfully and with fresh eyes. But you might resonate more with a class like BIG ART.
This class is not art therapy. However, I am a registered art therapist, and I use my understanding of psychology, mindfulness, and the artistic process to help students tune joyfully into the moment and engage in their art practice in deeper ways. We will not use this class to address your mental health concerns, but engaging in a mindful art practice, like any mindfulness or art practice, may have positive benefits for your overall sense of well-being.
Yes, this class is accessible on a page hosted on my website. The videos are all shot in HD and require a broadband connection for viewing the class.
Your PDF is available for download and you’ll have access to the class as long as I have a website, you have access to your class. Videos can be viewed on my site at your convenience.
Supplies are not included in the cost of the class. The price for the basic starting supplies are about $20 – $30. You’ll need a watercolor journal, drawing pen, watercolor paint and brush.
This is a self-paced class with videos and a PDF. You can access them on the site whenever you want.
Because this is an immediate, lifetime access class, no refunds will be granted, regardless of circumstances. Registration is non-transferrable.
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]]>This is a video based class (34 minutes) with a supporting PDF. It's self-paced with lifetime access.
The post Handmade Accordion Journal appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.
]]>$19.00
These little accordion journals are my favorite. They are so simple, and the watercolor paper is perfect for drawing, painting, and collage. I will show you how to make the journal folds and a beautiful cover. It’s the pleasure of taking your time, and making something useful and beautiful with our hands.
This is a video based class (34 minutes) with a supporting PDF. It’s self-paced with lifetime access.
I love making accordion journals. They are simple and beautiful, and the small size means you can carry them in your bag and create on the go. (This is one of my secrets to my creative success.) I don't like measuring and exactness, but of course when you make a book, it requires a certain amount of that. I take a lot of pleasure in taking out all the difficulty and guess work for you so that making these journals is simple and pleasurable.
I'm excited for you to get started!
MATERIALS:
+ Watercolor paper
+ Exacto knife
+ Ruler
+ Cardboard or chip board for covers
+ PVA or other adhesive
+ Decorative papers for covers
+ Embroidery thread and needle for sewing on cover
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I’m Amy Maricle, an art therapist turned art facilitator who adores helping artists make more meaningful, joy-filled art. Working small, focusing on process and play has been a powerful driver in my creative life. I love seeing the way these techniques super charge my students’ creative lives as well.
Make beautiful watercolor and patterns, stoke your creative fire.
With Paint, Pattern, Repeat, you’ll get:
No. There is a Facebook community, however, if you would like to share your work and discoveries there. You can share your work on Instagram with #mindfulartstudio
You do need basic computer knowledge to access this class.
Yes! As long as I have a website, you have a class!
No prior art experience is needed.
All you need to begin is watercolor paper or journal, drawing pen, and watercolor paints. If you had nothing at all, supplies could cost you less than $40.
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-Here’s what you’ll get in your class PDF:
+ Step-by-step instructions on each step of making the coptic bound journal.
+ Lots of photos to illustrate each step of the process.
+ Materials list with links
+ Beautiful photos for inspiration.
+ Answers to those commonly asked questions and problem areas.
I just finished my first Coptic Bound Journal. The instructions were clear, and Amy provided both written printouts and video lessons, so whatever your learning style, it’s a fun workshop! I was so happy with my final product! I highly recommend this class!
I’m Amy Maricle, an art therapist turned art facilitator who adores helping artists make more meaningful, joy-filled art. We are going to explore, experiment, and play with these high flow paints and help you make them a part of your beautiful art practice.
I’ve designed this class so that any and everyone can make their own beautiful hand sewn journal.
You will need:
Bone folder – for neatly folding paper for book signatures, 6 inches pointed at one end
Awl – for piercing holes in covers and signatures
Scissors – for cutting thread and paper for covers
Pencil – for marking holes
Binder clips – for holding covers and signatures together when marking
Bookbinding Needle – Size 20
Linen waxed thread
Chip board for covers
Watercolor paper – for signatures of book
Paper or cloth – for covers
PVA glue
Parchment or wax paper – for putting between
your covers and some heavy books for drying
Paper cutter (Or you can use a ruler and an
Xacto knife) – for cutting all papers to size
Ruler – I have a small 6 inch ruler that I find handy for the small books
Optional: Decorative Paper or cloth for inside
covers, or your art (or use same as cover)
Optional: I also use a quilting ruler simply because I am not the most exact person, and I find the clear grid very helpful for being more precise.
Because of the nature of digital products, I cannot offer refunds, regardless of the circumstances. Please look over the classes carefully and reach out if you still have questions – I’m happy to help!
You can access your class materials via your Dashboard on my site. Your class consists of a nearly hour-long instructional video, and downloadable PDF guide. Both take you step-by-step through the process. My classes with videos and PDFs are all “lifetime access.” As long as I have a website, you have access to the class. YAY!
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]]>Art journaling has always been my playful path to self-discovery and healing.
An art journal is a place where anything goes: paint, collage, writing, or scribbling. I focus on the process, the way it makes me feel, and soon I notice my breathing slows down, and I feel calmer.
When the pressure is off to be perfect or make good art, I make more art and better art. I’ve helped hundreds of students along the same journey, and I’d love to help you too.
Sound great? Let’s get you started now!
When you join the Mindful Art Studio community, you’ll get a weekly email about art journaling ideas, challenges, and free workshops. I’ll also let you know about art journaling classes I’m offering.
The Creative Self-Care Assessment
Gather Your Art Supplies!
How I Art Journal & 5 Minutes Is All You Need
How to Make an Art Studio at Home
Art Journaling for Healing & 5 Minute Art
My Story & A Special Gift
I want to help you on your creative journey. Take my free class and you will:
Assess your current creative and self-care habits
Use 5 minute art exercises to create more art more often
Learn how focusing on mindful process can bring more joy to your art practice.
Set up an art studio in your home, even if you think you have no space
Learn how art journaling has pulled me through the hardest of times.
Grab a special gift I’ve made just for you.
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]]>The post Art Journaling 101 appeared first on Mindful Art Studio®.
]]>“Art Journaling 101 opened up a channel for creation without judgment.”
– Caroline Etheridge
As an art therapist, I’ll lead you through exercises that will free you from your inner critic so you can create and play in a no-judgment zone.
* Create a stress-free, intutive art journaling practice.
* Fearlessly conquer the blank page.
* Gain insight into the deeper meaning of your art.
* Uncover YOUR unique style of intuitive art journaling.
Art Journaling 101 offers new art journalists a system for using your art journal as a tool for healing, not just a space for decoration.
“I’m so thankful for the journaling course! It’s helping me with my art & so much more. “
– Mandee Sheeler
Does any of this sound familiar?
“My art stinks, why bother?”
“This is a waste of paper.”
“You should be doing the laundry, not wasting time.”
“This is okay, but it doesn’t compare to Jen’s.”
Let’s recognize the voice of the inner critic and unlock your creaitve potential.
Weave short bursts of art making into your day
A no pressure, layered approach
Multiple watercolor and drawing techniques
Layering watercolor, drawing & collage
Dig into the meaning of your art
Art Recipes to jumpstart your art sessions
Amy – I so love your classes and how much i have been able to rediscover creativity and joy – I recommend you to everyone!
This is where your perfectionism stops getting in the way, and you start feeling free to be yourself, and to know that is good enough.
Nope! I will lead you through very simple step by step instructions in video tutorials. You can pause and try things out, or watch it all the way through and then give it a try. The class is completely self-paced, and you have full access.
An experienced artist who has hit a creative block, is struggling with the inner critic, or would is having a hard time figuring out how to establish a consistent art journaling practice that focuses on personal healing would be good candidates for this class. You will likely be familiar with my background techniques and potentially the unique image techniques, but if you are looking for help approaching art in an open way again, without expectations, learning to let the image lead and recapture that sense of discovery you had a child, I think this class may have a lot to offer you. If you aren’t sure, feel free to contact me and we can chat it out!
Supplies:
Watercolor journal, such as the Handbook Watercolor Journal
Minimum of 2 colors watercolor paint – I like this travel set
Round #10 brush – Princeton, Utrecht etc.
One 01 Waterproof pen such as a Micron or fountain pen with waterproof ink
Tracing paper (optional)
Yes Paste or UHU glue stick or other adhesive
I suggest a watercolor journal since we are doing a lot of watercolor. I would suggest that you get something student grade – Handbook has a wonderful watercolor journal. I would recommend you stay away from anything from the Dollar Store as the quality is very poor and will likely lead to frustration.
This is a great question! Many students have told me that what they really appreciate about my teaching style is that it feels very encouraging and teaches them to approach their art in a much more judgement free way, which in turn helps them produce better work. I have used my training to help inform my no-judgment approach to art making, but it’s important to be clear that this class is NOT art therapy. Art therapy happens when a trained art therapist uses art within a counseling relationship to help a client meet their mental health goals. As with talk therapy, there is a signed agreement for treatment and a treatment plan.
Unfortunately we do not have gift cards at this time.
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