Well, here I sat, many times in February-March on my little back screened porch, watching nature both on the porch and outside of the screened in porch. 
I sketched the above porch scene from life and during,
it kept me mindful and in the moment of
where I was in appreciation. 

Most of us who are able to enjoy the comforts of home at this Covid-19 fearful time, might be,
like me, becoming even more grateful for the small things.
​More concerned for others, our health and even fearful. 

Before this virus was a threat I began a watercolor journal
documenting my surroundings as an appreciation and a gratitude of my home
and yard. 

And now, it is even more important to appreciate the small things in our life that
we have and that we create right now in each moment with compassion and
concern for all.  

Watching my cat Felix in the garden,
the smell of Lemon Blossoms a month ago was so fragrant
I photographed them and painted them in my watercolor journal.

My watercolor journal is a small spiral sketchbook made of watercolor paper.
​ I call it a journal because 
I add words or little stories to some of the pages.
These watercolors are quick sketches, not fussy,
​just an impression of every day noticing and appreciating! 
Sometimes painted from life, sometimes from my photos.

​Please let me know what you are working on creatively that helps you at this time. Leave a comment below
or email me. 

Stay tuned for a Facebook Live
Art Journal Demo 
April 18th at 1 pm sponsored by the 
Atlantic Center for the Arts. 
My students who I see monthly, I am sorry I will miss the in person session
but at least we can connect online!
Take Care of yourselves.
​Details to come. 

Laura Bohn 

Greetings Friends,
I am now an exhibiting artist at the lovely Arts on Granada gallery
in Ormond Beach Florida.
We are part of the Ormond Beach Gallery walk every first Saturday of the month. I will be there this Saturday 5-7 pm. 
Also, I will be working at the gallery this Sunday, March 8th 11-2 during 
Sip and See where you can come sip Mimosas and see the art!
​Click link below to find out more about gallery including address. 
​artsongranada.com

Greetings Creatives,
I am offering this fun and creative workshop
(no experience necessary)
Saturday, February 29th from 10-2 pm
in DeLand at Casa Montessori School. 
217 North Stone Street # B
Deland, Fl. 32720
Cost: 35$

Minimum 4 students, maximum 10

I will supply boards, paint, glue, scissors. etc. 

You will supply your own imagery, either magazine, or photocopies,
ephemera, memorabilia, interesting pattern papers, quotes, etc.

To reserve your space email Laura at bohnlaura1@gmail.com
To hold your space, total payment of 35 dollars must be made by
Friday February 14th.   
You may pay using PayPal or send check to Laura. 
Inquire at the above email address about ways to pay.
​

You will begin before day of class
by choosing a portrait that speaks to you, public or
personal image and you will slowly transform the image with
personal meaning, metaphors, or however you choose.  
​Any inquiries, email me at bohnlaura1@gmail.com ​



​

Next Art Journaling workshop this Saturday, January 11th, 2020.  Click link for more info on time and place.  The class is technically full through online registration but email me Friday to see if any space opens up.  bohnlaura1@gmail.com
atlanticcenterforthearts.org/event-or-exhibition/expressive-art-journaling-january-11-2020/

We will begin (optional) with a double page spread,
on the left side create art around 
2019 reflections, growth, etc.
 On the right side visions of how you want your days to unfold in 2020.
Any goals, etc.

Another way to approach this double page spread is to
have a one word or phrase that represents 2019
and one word or phrase that represents 2020. 

Also, feel free to bring any collage elements, photocopies,
imagery for your vision of new year and reflections of past year.
You can also reflect on some of your pages from your last Art Journal. 

Check out my newest Art Journal Flip Through video below. 


​

And this page, still serves me!  Who doesn't need balance every year, right?
​

Just in time for the holidays,
I am having a one day sale
at 35 percent off one painting per customer
this Saturday November 23rd. 
Email Laura at bohnlaura1@gmail.com with inquiries. 

​

Greetings Friends,
Here is my second portrait painting created from working on an online class with artist Emma Patitt on Artismagic.com.  She is a hoot and it was fun to be a student in a class instead of the teacher! I took myself on an artist's date folks!
It was so nice to be at the other end of class as the student.

Also,  I love painting skin! I see so many colors in everyone's skin.
Don't you? The challenge for me is to not paint so tightly detailed as I love the looser style of painting. 
I added collage elements of the poem and the Irish eternal love symbol for the love I have for my Irish cousins and the friendly people of Ireland we met over the summer of 2019. 
I also would love to teach a portrait or figurative painting class in 2020 so write me if you are interested.

Lately, I have been teaching private painting lessons (besides my group classes)
and it has been so nice to slow down and focus on one student!

So, last night I took an online painting class myself as a treat, an artist's date!
The painting below is in process and still on the easel but 3/4 of the way done.
What a treat it is for a teaching artist to take a class.  
I do not have time to take a class in person since I am teaching a lot of art and painting classes.  So, the online version is great because I can stop the class and go back when I next have time.  
I needed to loosen up with portraits again (haven't painted one in awhile) and have fun with values, color and of course start with an exciting composition.
The online class was taught by Emma Petitt at www.artistmagic.online

We used photographs of portraits that included hands!  Lots of videos to work from. She is a very good teacher.  She chooses photos as resource and let me tell you,
it is simply for composition and lighting as we change all the features to make the portrait our own.  
My painting looks nothing like Emma's and that was part of the beauty of the class!
​I used my own style but learned some fun techniques.  More to come! 

​We had another lovely Art Journaling workshop last Saturday sponsored by the Atlantic Center for the Arts. I am thinking about several choices for intentions we discussed for working in our Art Journal.

​Here are three Intentions 

1. Working on a specific goal/idea to express on the page in images
​and/or words. For example, to honor a loved one or express an
emotion through your work.


​




​
​

​

​






2.  Working intuitively.  By choosing colors, images, words that speak to you in the moment gives the ability for the page to reveal its meaning
as we find why we are attracted to certain images, phrases, mantras, words to help tell our stories.
In essence, working intuitively begins with play. Playing with mark making, colors, images that speak to you.

How do you set up intentions for your Art Journaling pages?

Next Art Journaling workshop is Second Saturday in November!
 ​https://atlanticcenterforthearts.org/event-or-exhibition/expressive-art-journaling-november-9-2019/
​