Our 2020 Christmas cards

 Here's our card for 2020. 

I scanned and printed our artwork, and then cut each one out individually. 

We stamped a little card and signed it.

I sewed each tag, creating a transparent pocket from wax paper.

And here they are! We made about 40 and mailed them out with love.

A recap of my Tucson, Arizona workshop

 

Here's a short video of my recent workshop in Tucson, Arizona for Madeline School of the Arts.  I'll be teaching there again from January 10-14, 2022. Details are here. 

Masked and socially distanced! we still had lots of fun! 

My online class "Sketching and Watercolor: Journal Style" is open for registration! Class starts January 2021

 

My online beginning class 

"Sketching and Watercolor: Journal Style"

is open for registration! 

The classroom will open on January 10, and the first lesson released on January 15, 2021. 

New Year, New Skill! Click on the link for all the details. And yes, I can teach you to draw! Class cost $125 for 6 weeks, 6 lessons, a combination of videos, images, and handouts. I will comment on every page you post! Join me! 

Volume 7 of my handmade mixed media journals!

 

Here's a short video of Volume 7. Yup, seven filled sketchbooks since March 2020! 

yes, the pages were dyed pink for an added challenge! 

Creative Jumpstart 2021! on sale now! (regular price $89, on sale now $49)

I'm excited to announce that I'll be teaching with Creative JumpStart (CJS) 2021. This year CJS is celebrating its 10th Anniversary and is bigger than ever! If you're not familiar with CJS, it's a one-of-a-kind online workshop hosted by Nathalie Kalbach, designed to kick your creativity into high gear in the New Year. 

Beginning on January 1st, each day a new video lesson will go live in the classroom. As this is the special 10th Anniversary edition, CJS includes 45 different mixed media artists and videos will go up through February 14th. Participants get access to 45 downloadable videos from 45 featured artists.

You'll learn techniques, discover new materials, and connect with other artists and crafters. 

See for yourself:

With Creative JumpStart 2021 you will get 45 videos - over 8 hours worth of video content -  for just $49 USD if you sign up by November 30th, 2020 at 11:59 pm EST.

Afterward, it will be $59 USD through December 4, 2020, and $69 USD until December 31, 2020, before it goes to its normal sale price of $89 USD on January 1, 2021. 

 

So what are you waiting for? Jump with us! Sign up here at: 

SIGN UP HERE

Check out these fabulous artists taking part in Creative JumpStart 2021! 

Volume 6 of my handmade mixed media journals

 A video of Volume 6 of my handmade mixed media journals!

Volume 5 of my handmade mixed media journals

 Here's a VIDEO of Volume 5 of my handmade journals (since March 2020. 

Trying something new!

 

I took a 3-hour online workshop with Sketchbook Skool recently. My kitty, Buddy, helped.

It was taught by August Wren and we worked from old photos. 

Here's my version of the postcard below. 

I bought the postcard in Paris, and then my husband and I reenacted it in Luxembourg Gardens in 2017. It was so fun and a wonderful memory! 

(Notice, I even found a Luxembourg Garden postage stamp for my art journal page.)

And here is an image from a photo of my recently discovered paternal grandfather. My own father never knew him. 

Sometime after arriving in America, he changed his name to Joe Letrich and was married many times.

from my sketchbook: Pomegrantes

 

I've been fascinated by and drawing pomegranates for years and years. One of my go-to subjects. These are from a small ornamental pomegranate bush on my patio. I love drawing all the stages.

Sketchbook Skool online 2-hour workshop with me! Sign up now!

 

watch this video!

Mixed Media Garden

online and live!

$69

I'm excited about this new 2-hour online workshop with Sketchbook Skool and Danny Gregory and me! 

The 3-hour workshop is semi-live. Meaning, I've recorded the instruction and you'll work right along with me. Danny Gregory will break in live, a couple times during the workshop, and Danny and I will answer your questions and talk a bit. 

I'll be teaching you how to

• draw and shade with graphite
• paint with watercolor
• use a water-soluble pen
• how to create a vellum overlay using color pencils
• And then put it together into a handmade sketchbook of your own!
• 
  

Then, you have the option of sending in the work you did during the workshop and I'll critique it on Sunday! Cool, huh? Optional feedback Session: Sunday, August 30, 12pm EDT

This is going to be a joyful exploration of drawing, painting, and mixed media! 

Sign up for the day you want here:

 Thursday, August 27, 6pm EDT

or

Saturday, August 29, 12pm EDT

Both sessions feature Jane LaFazio and Danny Gregory live.

Once you sign up and you can view the recording forever. 

Workshop Topics Include: 

• Drawing & capturing flowers in graphite
• Watercolor & ink, water-soluble ink
• Vellum overlay with colored pencils
• Making a simple sketchbook
   

Basic Supplies You’ll Need: 

• Some fresh flowers
• Watercolor paper, Vellum transparent paper
• Pencil, Watercolors, Colored Pencils
• Tombow pen, Fineliner pen

Sign up for the day you want here:

 Thursday, August 27, 6pm EDT

or

Saturday, August 29, 12pm EDT

Sign up for the day you want here:

 Thursday, August 27, 6pm EDT

or

Saturday, August 29, 12pm EDT

can you tell I'm excited?

Registration closes 8/26/2020 at 5:00pm EDT

Registration is open for my online "Watercolor Sketchbook Designs from Life"

6 weeks/6 lessons

$125 USD

The classroom opens on August 23,  and the first lesson will be released on August 28, 2020. 

Click here to read the class description and FAQ. 

Register Here

A few testimonials for Watercolor Sketchbook Designs from Life

Teri K 

I have to admit I was not sure how an online format and watercolor instruction would go together BUT was so pleased and glad I took the class. The one thing that made the difference was Jane LaFazio. Her calm and nurturing style came through in her videos and comments. This course was an excellent resource for someone like me who needed a way to see the world through a different lens. The bits and pieces of watercolor instruction I had accumulated over the last few months suddenly came together in Jane's class and I am motivated, more than ever, to keep pushing myself and paint as often as possible! Thank you Jane for taking the time to comment on each student's upload. It made a difference.

Andrea G

I am so sad our class is over. Really! It was my reward every night to unwind and rebalance my life.

The projects were just the right size, and there was just the right number. Very manageable.

I really appreciate how the projects built on each other, employing past skills and adding new ones for every lesson.

I learned so much about good teaching from Jane, who structured the class well and gave such regular and supportive feedback.

Jane, you saw the best in each of our works AND you encouraged us to improve with your feedback and tips. By the last lesson, I can say that my drawing skills improved. I was much faster in doing a realistic observational drawing. I also got a sense of my own strengths and where I need to keep developing: my technical skill with watercolor. 
Jane, a great teacher sets up a community where the whole experience is supportive, and you totally did that. I was so uplifted by honest, supportive feedback from my peers in addition to your terrific feedback This was an incredible class and I am so thankful that I got to be part of it. Thanks for EVERYTHING!

 

Jill S.

I very much enjoyed seeing the work of the talented students in this class.  I was, once again, surprised and delighted to feel the personalities of my classmates show through the internet.  I took this class with a view to developing ideas and techniques to use in my quilting.  The class has most certainly surpassed my expectations and I now have a wealth of ideas to work with in the future. Thank you fellow classmates and thank you Jane for a rewarding experience.

Randi W

I really loved this class!  It was a wonderful group, so supportive and insightful.  I wanted to learn more about using my sketchbook as inspiration for my work in cloth and fiber, this class was great for that! Something about having the theme each week really gets me noticing things and working in my watercolor journal. I need to keep that momentum going, I'm going to miss this class!  Thanks, Jane for a wonderful experience!!

See examples of student work here, on pinterest.

Listen to my interview on Quilting Arts podcast!

Listen to the podcast HERE. 

It's just 40 minutes long. Also, you'll want to sign up on the Podcast page to get the FREE 58 page "Just Jane" compilation of the articles and art of mine that have appeared in Quilting Arts Magazine over the years.  

 

A new video of Volume 4 of my handmade art journals ~ Succulents!

I've made FOUR volumes of handmade art journals during this time of the pandemic.

Here's the latest video of Volume Four ~ all about succulents.

a page of my hand-carved stamps, using my drawings as the designs by Jane LaFazio

another journal page by Jane LaFazio

My most recent handmade art journal VIDEO

Here's a video of my most recent handmade art journal. 

From my art journal by Jane LaFazio

From my art journal by Jane LaFazio

starting a new handmade journal

The theme of my newest art journal will be succulents. Let's see if I can stick with it that theme.

Best of Creative JumpStart volume 2 - 2016 for just $9.99

Need a little creative mojo boost? 

Best of Creative JumpStart Vol. 2 is a great collection of Creative JumpStart video lessons from the archives. You will receive links to 12 downloadable video lessons from Creative JumpStart 2016. This collection includes project and technique based lessons from 12 different talented mixed media artists. Download the lessons to your library and enjoy learning at your own pace from a diverse group of Creative JumpStart classics. This collection is just $9.99 USD and available immediately. Get ready to JumpStart YOUR Creativity! Learn more and read a description of the lessons HERE  and sign up! 

And I'm one of the artists!

papier mache teacups

Remember when I showed you this video of the paper mache teacups I created? I did an exchange with some artist friends, and now have theirs, and some of mine installed in my studio. 

Video of my most recent handmade art journal

A video of VOLUME TWO of my #everdaythingsiamgratefulfor handmade art journal

If you missed it, you can see a video of Volume ONE here. 

A few pages from my volume two art journal. 

6 handmade books!

One of 6 handmade books by Jane LaFazio

 

Check out this very short video of the six different books I made for an exchange with San Diego Book Arts members. 

from my sketchbook ~ volume two #everydaythingsiamgratefulfor

BeBop rose from our garden by Jane LaFazio

bloom from a neighborhood tree by Jane LaFazio

Pages from volume two of my stay at home #everydaythingsiamgratefulfor  art journal. I made the journal from Fabriano hot press watercolor paper and painted and collaged the pages. It has been a great source of comfort for me these past few months!

(My online course "Sketching and Watercolor in a Mixed Media Journal" is running again. Registration is open and the class starts May 29.)

Oleander by Jane LaFazio

bought a strawberry plant by Jane LaFazio

succulent and collage by Jane LaFazio  

from my sketchbook ~ bunnies!

from my #everydaythingsiamgratefulfor journal by Jane LaFazio
(We get weekly veggie delivery from Farm Fresh to You. Bunny not included)

Darn bunnies, they keep multiplying! stitched by Jane LaFazio from this online shop