Sketchbook blog

If you have been thinking of a way to push your imagination and creativity to new boundaries, then why not enroll in my online abstract art class?  You can enroll for free with this link:   http://skl.sh/1Rqzrgn I’m excited to announce that I’ve just released my first class on Skillshare,  Abstract Art with a Twist:  Personalize a Modern Masterpiece . I want to invite you, my art enthusiast friends, to enroll for free with by   clicking here .  If you have wanted to push your imagination and creativity to new boundaries, then why not enroll in this online abstract art class?   Your enrollment will take one minute, is totally free, and will help my class gain some traction. My goal is to reach 25 students and 5 reviews by next Saturday.  The total video time is less than 30 minutes.  If you don’t have time to watch all the videos right away, I totally understand, but I hope you’ll be take a quick moment to enroll and leave your feedback as soon as you get the chance. Yo

We're almost there!  My Skillshare class called "Abstract Art with a Twist:  Personalize a Modern Masterpiece" will launch on Saturday, October 31.  ( Happy Halloween! ) Watch the intro video , and take a look at the class supply and resource list . If you are interested in learning more about the beautiful work of Kandinsky, or if you have an interest in trying your hand at abstract art, then watch this space.  I'll post links to enroll for the class as soon as we launch.  (Just a couple more days to go!) Skillshare has an excellent platform for sharing projects and communicating with your fellow students (and with the teacher).  For just $10 per month, you can take any number of classes on subjects ranging from how to launch a business to graphic design.  I will even be able to share some links with you so you can try out Skillshare free for a limited time. I can't wait to see my new students' projects!

Artists need other artists to help them stay inspired to create. I've rounded up some spooktacular Halloween-themed projects in addition some gorgeous handmade art for your inspiration.  I hope that reading about these artists helps you get your own creative juices flowing. Fellow Artomat artist Rachel O now sells her "Fabulously Whimsical" jewelry on Amazon Handmade , which just launched.  (Check it out if you missed it.)  You can also buy her beautiful fabric-covered earrings on her Etsy store . photo: Rachel O's Fabulous Whimsy -------------------------------------- Alfred Hitchcock gave us "The Birds," so we'll never look at another blackbird in quite the same way.  If you throwing a Halloween party this month, then you'll need these cookies.  Your guests won't know whether to be creeped out or to give in to deliciousness.  Read the step-by-step instructions at CamilleStyles.com. photo:  Camille Styles --------------------------------------

If you are enrolled in my Skillshare class on Kandinsky, then toward the end of the project, you will contemplate what to add as your personal stamp. This is not a difficult task!  It all comes down to "knowing thyself." (My apologies to Mr. Socrates for paraphrasing his quote.) There is a sure-fire method to figuring out what you are passionate about at this moment.  Take a walk through your sketchbook and you'll see. Let's take a gander at my sketchbook as an example. Some stylized floral designs... with some paisley designs coming from Eastern influences... a little bit of William Morris textiles, with a floral motif... random geometric and Celtic designs... I'm sensing a floral theme... hmmm... geometrically-drawn floral themes... Incan designs that contain both organic (curvy) and straight (geometric) lines... East Indian designs with (shocker) florals... Goodness gracious. OK, I get it. Do you see wh

Recent find (grey canvas handbag) at BohoBlu in High Point, NC. This is the final design I painted on the front of the bag:   Aztec, lotus flower and zentangle influences here. I kept the same color palette (black, white, turquoise, gold) for the back pocket design. Progress shot (back) Beginnings of the front pocket design Original handbag (back) Original handbag (front) Where did my artistic influences come from? Curvy lines:  Perhaps these came from Poirot's mustache (and my Dad's mustache)  and a general love of the Art Deco period. For the scrollwork on the back pocket, I kept thinking of my  Grandmother's (Nannie Sue's) storm door from the 1960s. I found hardware from 1960s storm and screen doors on Ebay. Did everyone's grandma have a door with designs like these? Now that I've completed the scrollwork on this bag, I really want to buy a door like my Nannie's for my house.

Heart-shaped mushroom cap with my new  BohoBlu Box  ring Doodling late at night... Geometric influences at the Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, NC Doodling during meetings... Gorgeous Carolina blue sky against this geometric gem of a building Shameless plug I love fall so much. It's hard to see, but there were so many little birds singing their hearts out while hanging out on these wires.  I loved the clouds and the lines from the powerlines on this windy day (between tropical depressions weather fronts in early October in NC). Elyse Allen, Artist, in Charlotte Contemporary Art Showcase I would love to attend this Fashion + Art event .

Bought a new handbag at BohoBlu this weekend.  So far, I have designed the front pocket.  Original handbag Beginning stages Can't wait to start on the other side and do another design. I love this canvas, grey bag that goes with anything.

Abstract Art Skillshare Class from Nicole Arnold on Vimeo . My class is not live yet, but will be by early November on Skillshare.com .  If you have any interest in learning to paint colorful, adventurous abstract art with a personal twist, then you need this class.  (Click on the above photo to get the Vimeo link to play.) Skillshare is an excellent value:  so many wonderful online classes.  If you have any questions about this upcoming class, please let me know.  You can always reach me at nicolettarnolfini@gmail.com .   I'm looking forward to interacting with students as they post pictures of their progress.  I will feature student art on my Instagram account, and on this blog.  Watch this space for more updates as I finish the final videos. A big, special thanks to Point 200 for wielding their fancy, fantastic magic in shooting and editing this video.

Just a few glimpses from my sketchbook this week.