art journal – DIVA Empowerment Studio

19Apr 2021 by Wysdom 3 Comments

Why I Love Technology — Even When It Doesn’t Work

I worked in the information technology field for over 30 years before I retired... It was always a "love-hate" relationship. Loved technology but hated the folks who needed help. They never listen. They call you for assistance and then they go clicking away while you're trying to help them. Or, they asking you why you doing what you doing. I'm doing it because something's not working and you want it fixed! GEEZ!!! Then there's the deadly ones.... You know the type: They call you for help and then instead of letting you help, they try to fix it themselves while you stand there. And they're only working with the knowledge of how to use the program. That's VERY different from how to troubleshoot and repair what's gone wrong. This weekend,…

19Jan 2021 by Wysdom 2 Comments

IC Me – February 6, 2021

Free Offerings, Intentional Creativity

Our next monthly, free, livestream journal jamboree is on February 6, 2021. This month, I will be playing with gouache. I have never used this medium before, so this should be fun! I have no idea what it will do our how it will come out. That's what makes it so fun!! Gouache is basically opaque watercolor paint. Once dry, it will react to any wet mediums (water, gesso, matte medium, etc.) that are layered on top of it. This should make it interesting... Use what you have! I do not encourage you to go out and purchase gouache if you do not already have it in your stash. IC Me is all about having fun in your journal and using what you have! If you purchase it and do…

19Dec 2020 by Wysdom No Comments

Happy Holidays!

Free Offerings

The DIVA Empowerment Studio would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year! I am honored that you have chosen to journey with me in 2020, and it is my hope that you continue to keep our Red Thread connection strong for many years to come. 2020 has been one doozy of a year! Between COVID-19, the mess in the political scene -- including the craziness of the Presidential election, and being on lockdown/semi-lockdown since March, I have to say I am glad to see 2020 go! I usually try not to rush my days along, by WHEW! I will be glad when we can look this year in the rearview mirror and say "Thank you for my blessings and…

16Mar 2020 by Wysdom No Comments

Next Up: Liquitex Acrylic Inks

Monday Mixed Media Magick

I started Monday Mixed Media Magick with four weeks of lessons on using Brusho Crystal Colour. This was because I had just discovered them and was excited to start playing with them in my art journal. So what better way for me to get to play then to dedicate our first lessons together using this medium? This week, we move on to a new medium: Liquitex Acrylic Inks. Acrylic inks are a fabulous medium to use in your art journal. One of the biggest draws is that they are permanent once dry. Using wet mediums on top of dry acrylic inks will not re-activate them and cause them to move. However, while wet you can squish and push them around on the page much like watercolors. They can be diluted…

24Feb 2020 by Wysdom No Comments

Free Art Journaling Class!

Monday Mixed Media Magick

A couple of weeks ago I launched a free art journaling class here on the website called Monday Mixed Media Magick. Each Monday, I add a new lesson to the classroom to help you get past the blank page and start creating inspirational words and images in your art journal. (Actually, the lessons are posted in advance -- there are 4 lessons available now, which take you through March 9th.) Not only are these lessons designed to get you journaling, they also teach you the basics of mixed media. The lessons build upon themselves each week, teaching you a new way to use the medium we're working with. They also build on the mediums we have covered, adding the mediums together on the same page -- this is the essence…

17Feb 2020 by Wysdom No Comments

Tardy to the Party…

Monday Mixed Media Magick, Product Reviews & Suggestions

Someone please come and take my wallet! LOL I've been on a (slight) binge buying new art products to play with in my heARTbook. It started with Arteza EverBlend Art Markers when the instructor of a class I'm in pulled out her alcohol markers. I pulled out my Copics, but they were 10 years old and a bit dry. So when I went to order re-inkers for the 60+ Copics I have, the cost was well over $300! Ummmm... No. That caused me to research some cheaper alcohol markers and Arteza happened to be having a great sale on their 60 count set. Well under $100 for 60 and they came with a great carrying case. So I bought those. Then I realized I needed skin tone colors, so I…

28Jan 2020 by Wysdom No Comments

Move-In Day Fast Approaching!

General News

I can't believe the day is almost here! DIVA Empowerment Studio will be moving into it's physical location on this Saturday, February 1, 2020!! We will be moving into the historic James E. Hooper House in the Old Goucher neighborhood of Baltimore City, just blocks from the Station North Arts District. Located at 100 East 23rd Street, Baltimore MD 21218, we will have a suite which is approximately 200 square feet. Large enough to host 8-12 people for heARTbooking, crochet class, henna services, our twist on paint-n-sips and much, much more. The Hooper House is a building which houses about 12 tenants, all having a creative bent, and boasts the charm and grace of buildings from an era of way back when. The architecture and style of this building is…

08Jan 2020 by Wysdom No Comments

Meditation: Ways to be Successful

Words of Wysdom

I am no medical expert but there are profuse medical experts who tout the benefits of meditation. It relaxes you, calms you, relieves anxiety and stress, and some more stuff. We should all strive to meditate daily. It does a body good... But, what if you're one of those people who are unsuccessful at meditation? What do you do then? Although I'm no medical expert, I am an expert at failing in the "traditional" methods of meditation. Sitting in the lotus position in my sacred space, fingers pinched together with hands on my knees, eyes closed and perfect silence -- yeah, that doesn't work for me... It gives my mind free reign to populate any and everything that comes. Even after acknowledging the thoughts and letting them go on their…