Ann Bell’s Blog www.annbell.net/blog

Event: Mixed Media Medley: 3 day mixed media workshop for artists and aspiring artists
Houston artist Ann Bell will offer a new 3 day workshop Create Visual Magic with Mixed Media on July 22-24 in her Midtown studio. Beginning artists, as well as experienced artists, are welcome. Participants will explore creativity while learning new techniques in this 3 day art retreat in a working artist’s studio. Bell accepts only 5 people into each workshop, to allow time for personal attention and to preserve the intimate atmosphere.
Bell furnishes all supplies and tools for use in the workshop, including paints, brushes, and a wide variety of textured papers, postage stamps, and ephemera and vintage embellishments.
Each day begins with demonstration and clear explanation of technique. Water based acrylic paint and collage form the foundation. Oil pastels, colored pencils, and other drawing media will be explored. All materials are fast-drying, non-toxic and odor-free. Bell will share her stencils, masks and stamps. She will demonstrate how to make each. Attendees will have opportunity to make their own and to learn new art uses for household & hardware items. Elementary and secondary school art teachers may be able to receive CPE hours for this workshop. The techniques can be incorporated into projects for students at all levels.
Bell believes that the best art comes from creative play. She practices this belief by teaching workshops for artists and aspiring artists in her studio. She demonstrates her techniques frequently to Houston area art groups. Visit website
Date: Thursday, July 22 - Saturday, July 24, 10 A.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Location: Ann Bell’s studio at 2711 Main St. #114, Houston, TX 77002. 281-330-3827 Advance registration necessary. Online registration at http://www.annbell.net/MixedMedia3Day.htm
Houston artist Ann Bell is a painter whose tranquil landscapes encourage a closer connection with nature. Bell has a wealth of tools and techniques available to filter though her own experience and vision, enabling her to create memorably unique paintings. She has been a full-time professional artist for over 30 years, showing and selling her paintings through galleries, juried shows, festivals, and her own studio. Her work can be found in private collections throughout the United States and worldwide. Ann is the author of the forthcoming book 101 Ways to Increase Your Creativity, Reduce Your Stress, & Have More Fun. 

I love painting with mixed media. It feels like there are no limits. Any effect is possible. “Love Soaring High,” one of my newest paintings, uses techniques I teach in my Visual Magic with Mixed Media class

Learn how to make your own textured painting. Attend either the Mixed Media Class or the 3D Texture class. (more…)

Each human being is creative. Young or old, rich or poor, educated or not! Each of us has hidden within us the capacity to be creative, whether (more…)

 
I’m tired of mass produced stuff.

I realize many esthetic and emotional benefits by surrounding myself with handmade items to bring joy, beauty & even functionality into my life.

When I use a handmade object, or view a painting,
I am reminded again of the wonder of human creativity.
You too  will get joy from handmade things, even if you aren’t an artist.

If you want to take the pledge, just click on the pledge banner.
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I listed new paintings in my etsy store.

I hope you have enjoyed the holidays. I certainly did.

And I have been busy planning new classes. Many of my students have asked me for a Composition class. I am working on it now. It will be on Saturday, January 23. I will be adding it, and other classes for January to my class schedule  during the next few days.

Last year in January I taught a Vision Board Class.
I have been working on my own Vision Board for 2010 & beyond.
(Most of my 2009 Vision Board is now reality!
They just seem to work that way.)

I haven’t decided whether to teach the class again.
If you want to take a Vision Board Class from me, please get in touch.

Ann Bell

Creativity is an essential human force. We are all creative and have a desire to express our creativity.

The desire is stronger in some people than in others. Some people have always secretly wished (more…)

Creativity improves your ability to solve problems. Creative thinking and creative play actually forms new neural pathways in your brain, between the right creative brain and the left logical brain. It makes your brain function better as a unified whole brain.

But creative play, (more…)