watercolor

Cultivate Simplicity, No. 5

Last week I enjoyed teaching Neurographic art at the Albany Public Library, where the summer theme is, “Catch the Reading Bug”.

Our art reflected some conversations about favorite bugs, what can be technically called a ‘bug’, and the most dangerous bugs we’d ever encountered fist hand.

The 12 participants and two library employees enjoyed the peaceful class in the Garden Room. We had access to books about insects for design inspiration. Each person left with some original art, knowledge about how to maintain a Neurographic habit and some new art friends.

Two mothers of young children took some art time for themselves while their families spent time in the library. Some retired folks participated for the sheer joy of learning something new. It was a lovely mix of generations and experience.

What I love about teaching these art classes is seeing everyone’s approach to abstract art. Participants demonstrate over and over that this form of art will not get old–everyone who tries a hand at it will make something only they can make because it’s directly connected to what’s inside them.

And each time I teach this class, I’m reminded that the process is the most important part (not the product). If I let it, this could help me stay grounded in the present in all areas of my life.

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

Neurographic Art: Using Art to Process Thoughts

 This class is available for private groups

“Fine Words” by Eicher, 2023

According to Neurographic Academy, “Neurographica is a unique art form that uses simple, lines and roundings to create images that can be used to access and release emotional blockages. Neurographica is based on psychology, neuroscience and art.”

Materials: Provided for use in class*

Facilitator/Teacher: Jaqui Pearl Eicher
Cost: $50/per person (class is limited to 15 people)

What to Expect: You will have all the freedom and guidance you prefer as you create your own one-of-a-kind masterpiece! Jaqui will lead you through the steps she herself uses daily to collect her thoughts on paper. Part meditation, part processing, part prayer, part art, part poetry, this process is deeply soulful and empowering. You will amaze yourself with your finished piece!

Take Aways: You will leave with a unique piece of art all your own and resources (including news about future classes). Jaqui’s book, Neurographica (a book of art and poetry) will be available for purchase. Hopefully you will find inspiration to create a grounding practice of your own. This world can be challenging and we need to gather energy and inspiration from each other.

jaqui.eicher@gmail.com

jaqui.eicher@instagram.com