Website Redesign--a Work in Progress...

 

I'm redesigning the banners for the class pages, as well as redoing my whole website (erk!)--and I'm trying to use art that was actually IN the class (though I think the backlit self-portrait may have snuck in there--not sure!)

I work in ink and wash a lot and really love it--I've got some pieces that were done long after the class was finished, but I think to be fair I probably ought to stick with mostly what was in the class itself, what do you think? I want to give people an idea of what they're going to learn, and although the technique is the same, the art is different. 

 

This one, for instance, is not in the class, but I loved how it turned out...

 

I've redone the banners for all six existing classes, and the banner for the main page, with no end of simplifying and rewriting and overall housecleaning of the whole site.  My wonderful webmistress Sonya Morgan at Morgansites.com is endlessly patient and creative!

Deleting CDs from the catalog since we can no longer make them ourselves and Cafe Press quit years ago...the ones I have remaining are in my Etsy shop, Cathy Johnson Art,* and when they're gone, they're gone.  We're changing over to downloadable as we have time--and of course some already are!

*Remember there is still a lot of original art there, as well as prints.  I've bogged down listing new things, but I WILL get badk to it.  Please take a peek...

Meanwhile of course, the classes are all still available on my original website! The upgrade is a long way from finished...it will be much cleaner, simpler, and more navigable.

...and of course as always, your opinions are more than welcome.

New Etsy Listings...original art

...and as I said, there WILL be occasional offerings here.

Tidepool, Maine--7 1/2" x 9 1/2", watercolor pencil

Alas, I did one of the completely squirrelly things that seem to happen when I have far too much on my plate...I recently sold one of my pieces of original art in the Etsy store, and then could NOT find it in any of the bins or envelopes that hold that stuff.  Even St. Anthony doesn't seem interested, this time!

Mind you I just SAW it a couple of weeks ago.  But...where?

Babble, babble...

The dear lady is extremely understanding and chose the image above as an alternate (thank you Sandi!), but having torn the studio apart for 3 days I finally offered her her pick of the new listings of similar price range (plus I'm going to send her a print of the lost one!). 

This is the one that was lost--I added the print to my Etsy store, siiigh.

While I was at it I got a few more from the bin scanned, tweaked, and listed...please take a peek in my Etsy shop, Cathy Johnson Art & More,  if you like!

I've made cat prints available, as well

...and forgot to mention that...

"Beloved Cat"
This is one of my favorite paintings of my cats...I can't seem to let the original go, but the prints have been quite popular!

You can find Fuzz, who was one of the sweetest animals I ever shared my home with. He arrived on my front porch in the middle of a blizzard one winter night; he was so lovable I was sure his owners must be devastated. I put ads in the paper to try to find his home, but no one ever responded...he lived with us for 18 years, and I still miss him.

Those big green eyes were so solemn and trusting--he loved everyone, and never met a human he didn't want to cuddle up to. Wouldn't you love to pet that soft fur? I did...

I loved playing with a variety of watercolor techniques to express the intimate relationship with with this sweetie...in my Etsy shop.

My fine art prints come to you backed and covered with protective acetate, ready for you to mat and frame to fit your decor. 

Meet Sophie!  She'll keep your place in your book or magazine...

I'm also having fun making original watercolor and ink bookmarks...ORIGINAL watercolor
on archival paper, they're 1.5 x 7 inches.  This one was using the primaries...lots of fun!

I do a lot of demonstrations of techniques for my classes, books, and articles...many of them are just color swatches testing pigments, demonstrating washes or brush strokes, or showing texturing techniques. I decided to make some of these into bookmarks (ACEOs to come!) and make them available here.

I let the color, shapes, and textures suggest what I want to add to the design...cats (of course!), nature, Celtic crosses...and who knows what's next? The three bookmarks shown here are examples of what I'm inspired by.

I'm feeling frugal AND creative, and it's delightful!

My husband and I love to read, and we often use bookmarks made from my demonstrations or cropped from paintings...the bookmarks are surprising sturdy, as much as we read they really get hard use!

These have been punched to accept a satin ribbon chosen to complement the color; they're signed on the back. I hope you enjoy using them, and reading your favorite books.
I use pH-neutral paper and pigments that will survive the test of time.

(On your screen these bookmarks will look larger than they do in reality.)

Take a peek, if you like, there are lots of other bookmark designs , prints, and original paintings!

New work is available--finally!

I've been going in a lot of directions at once, as you can probably tell...but adding new things to my Etsy shop, Cathy Johnson Art! Take a peek...

This one's a print of a painting I did on the spot...I may add the original to my Etsy store later!

The historic Royal Hotel in Excelsior Springs is slated for renovation; right now the back of the old place is quite picturesque, and I couldn't resist sketching it. This print is from an original plein air ink and watercolor, done on the spot one beautiful fall day.

The print is 5 x 7" which works well in an 8" x 10" frame; I make every effort to match the color as closely as possible and use archival materials, but there is often some variation due to differences in computer monitors.

This one is an original sketch--sale price on Etsy.

I gave a watercolor workshop for Strathmore Papers in the spring of 2012, and this was one of the demos that were the MOST fun to do! I love the fresh, splashy color watercolor offers, and the combination of line was wash.

This original watercolor painting is 7" x 6-1/2" --

Both will come to you securely wrapped and backed, ready to mat and frame. 

...FUN and fast and colorful.  I'll be offering more of my demos as we go along...

If you're interested, just click the link under the sketches!

A CD reminder!

We're no longer on Cafe Press, but we're producing our OWN CDs--much better quality control and personal service, now!

Please check out our catalog for books and CDs--there's still time before Christmas to order, with old favorites and best sellers being joined by some NEW offerings!  Check 'em out...

This has been one of my most popular new offerings...

We DO have an Etsy store now, too, offering original art, prints, and handmade jewelry...please drop by for a visit, or add me to your circle!  We're HERE.