Month: July 2024

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 4

Do you know the feeling of letting go of all inhibitions? Like you trust the process of LIFE and you are happy to just wake up and go? That’s how our marbles felt at the art class I taught at 2Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis (thank you Hannah and Matt @2Towns). We let those wee scamps run wild and our art showed this freedom.

I taught the process of creating art on a large piece of watercolor paper using marbles rolled in intense watercolors, then set free by spraying the lines with water to let them ‘bloom’. When the art was dry, we each created a book by folding and making three cuts (then folding into the book form).

This process is probably my favorite activity of the entire summer. There’s something to it that feels wild and a little reckless; a little ‘outside of the box’. It’s exhilarating and definitely carefree–feelings I’d love to carry with me into the rest of my week/month/year.

Supplies Used:

Heavy watercolor paper (we used 9 x 16″ pieces, any size will do but it’s important to know the folded book will be roughly 1/4 the size of the original piece)

Glass marbles, Bone Folder, Scissors, Spray Bottle for water

Dr. PH Martin watercolors, calligraphy ink

PVA Glue, Cloth Tape, Packaging Tape, Fabric Strips

Iridescent Watercolor Powder, Craftsmart Premium Wax Finish Gold/Silver

Heat Gun to speed drying

Coming Opportunities:

Neurographic Art class at Albany Public Library on August 6 at 5:30pm.

Book a private art party!

Commission a pet portrait!

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 3

Our book making class on Saturday was so much fun (I’m not the only one saying that either). Three times I invited the participants to check in with themselves to find out if that was true for them and each time the answer was emphatically, “Yes!”

First we let marbles, rolled in ink/watercolor, saunter around on watercolor paper, which was a moment for all of us to practice letting go of expectations.

While those pieces of art dried, I taught how to fold a piece of watercolor paper into a palm-sized book and bind it with glue and cloth (or cloth binding tape, if preferred).

From here, artists continued to embellish their books with gold or silver wax paste, or moved back to their sauntering marble paper. With spray bottles filled with water, we attempted to ‘wake up’ the marble path of ink and watched as the color bloomed. At one point there was a little disagreement about the color brown. One artist said, “No, I don’t want to use brown–that’s an ugly color.” Later, another participant added brown to her page simply to give it some love. It ended up being just the right color!

There is still time to sign up for this class, which will be offered again on Wednesday, July 24 at 5:30! Tiny Art Books At 2Towns Cider House 33930 Southeast Eastgate Circle Corvallis, OR 97333

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 2

Last week I journeyed one more time (this summer) to Drift Creek Camp, in the Siuslaw National Forest near Lincoln City, Oregon. It is always a joy to be there; to be with my friends Brenda and Tony and the curated community created by all the camp staff. Being there, it’s easy to feel safe and loved because the whole place is infused with generations of care. . . for one another and for creation. Leaving is always very hard work.

I found myself overwhelmed by the gifts of everyone there–music, leading, humor, warmth, cooking. Of course artistry too. The young camper who created the small, colorful painting above, right said (as he painted), “Oh, this color is the opposite of what I was looking for, but exactly what I needed.” As he painted he told us about his goats and how funny they are. He wasn’t aware of the masterpiece taking shape in front of him.

What’s Next:

Join me in a simple book-making class at 2Towns Cider House on July 20 at 2pm; July 24 at 5:30pm.

Learn about Neurographic Art with me at the Albany Public Library on August 6 at 5:30pm.

Book a private art party!

Commission a pet portrait!

Upcoming Art Classes With Jaqui Eicher

Tiny Art Books At 2Towns Cider House 33930 Southeast Eastgate Circle Corvallis, OR 97333

Saturday July 20, 2pm and/or Wednesday July 24th, 5:30pm

What to Expect: You will have all the freedom and guidance you prefer as you create your one-of-a-kind masterpiece! Jaqui will lead you through the steps she has used in her practice. This process of creating your own book is thoughtful and empowering. Once you learn the basic process, you can take the idea to any level you want (big/small, plain/fancy) and use any supplies you choose.

Take Aways: You will leave with a unique book all your own and resources (including news about future classes). Hopefully you will find inspiration to continue your own art practice and gather inspiration from your peers.

* If have an aesthetic in mind and you would like to bring your own supplies — we will be using multi-media art paper, scissors, stick glue, PVA glue, handmade paper, bone folder, and cloth book tape.

Register on Eventbrite