New Class
IMMEDIATE ACCESS
$68
All lessons are pre-recorded and have lifetime access.
A list of suggested art supplies and links can be found at the bottom of this page.
The Keeper of Curiosities is more than a sketchbook or art journal; it is an archive of your sacred ideas and inspiration—a true collaboration of your head, heart, and hands. A profoundly personal artist book where you can be curious, experiment, play, and practice without focusing on the outcome.
Imagine the feeling of freedom in finally exploring all the beautiful ideas that are swelling inside you as you set them free onto the pages of your one-of-a-kind artist's book. You will find yourself returning to this book repeatedly to be reminded of the importance of the creativity that flows through you. When you choose to play, practice, and experiment, you release doubts and gain confidence in the art you want to create.
The lessons in this class will prompt you and ignite your heart. Set free your stories, ideas, and truths of who you are as a person and an artist. Feel free to get messy, paint, scribble, draw, collage, and stitch everything you're curious about on every page.
I invite you to join me for this beautiful creative experience where you're the author of your artistic story.
ABOUT THIS COURSE
IMMEDIATE ACCESS
4+ Hours of Content
$68
Instructor: Renee Mueller
Self-paced class with lifetime access
Bonus: A beautiful downloadable workbook
Bonus: ZOOM REPLAY will be added to the classroom)
How To Approach The Lessons
There are a variety of lessons to inspire and free your imagination. Have fun and interpret them to reflect your style and artistic voice. The most important thing to remember is to dive in, make a mess, and throw caution to the wind!
Lesson 1 | Selecting a used book that is right for you.
Follow your inner creative muse when selecting a book that is right for you. Suggestions for resources are included in the art supplies.
I also discuss options for your cover if you don't want to use a hard cover book.
Lesson 2 | Artistic Themes
Discover what makes your heart light up and bring those themes to your artwork. We connect with artmaking on a deeper level when we're mindful of our experiences, thoughts, memories, and the things that inspire us to create. For some, it may be traveling to beautiful places, hiking in the mountains, reading, or baking your grandmother's famous blueberry pie.
You will notice a difference in your artwork when you take inspiration from the themes you're most drawn to, reflect on them, and make them a necessary component of your creative process.
A short workbook will be included in the class to assist you as you make discoveries about yourself and what you want to create as an artist.
Lesson 3 | Ink & Paper
Put on your favorite music, grab a handful of brushes, pens, and mark-making tools to fill pages with rich, velvety, inky strokes. I LOVE how this exercise can set you free. Splash, drip, splatter, and spill to your heart's content. Later, we will use your inky pages to enhance your artist book with stylistic marks and unexpected page layouts.
Lesson 4 | Color Story Collages
Paint, paper, ribbons, textiles, and natural elements are stitched together to create collages that are overflowing with texture, color, and storytelling for your beautiful artist’s book.
Lesson 5 | Flower Love
Flowers are one of my favorite subjects to draw and paint. I'm always working towards free, loose, expressive florals. The two-part lesson will explore different backgrounds to experiment with color and mood. Then we will paint carefree and joyful flowers to add to our book.
Lesson 6 | Mini Landscapes
Take inspiration from places you've traveled, near or far. Create small expressive landscape paintings to tuck inside your book. They will always remind you to pause and capture the beauty right before you.
Lesson 7 | Small Stitched Dress
Our body, heart, and mind are an archive of our experiences. In this lesson, I created a small dress out of washed canvas and added stitches to symbolize and honor all my life experiences. And to be reminded to always look to that archive for a constant stream of inspiration. Feel free to use your imagination in this lesson and choose a symbol that suits you.
Lesson 8 | Putting It All Together
I will walk you through every step of the way. Explaining how I put together my signatures, create a new spine for the book, and used a simple pamphlet stitch to put it all together.
BONUS | Block Printing
Creating a simple block print is fun and can also add a beautiful rhythm to your artwork. Create a stylistic symbol that represents who you are as an artist.
BONUS #2
DOWNLOADABLE WORKBOOK
Art Supply List
MY THOUGHTS ON ART SUPPLIES
It is easy to get swept away with art supplies, especially when you begin a new class. You don't need everything on the list! I suggest that you substitute with what you have on hand. I've made my best discoveries through substitution. I always recommend watching the video first; if there is something new, decide if you want to try it. I have put an asterisk next to my favorites and items you might enjoy using in the class.
Please feel free to substitute any color, brand, or supply for something you already have.
SUPPLIES
Old Book - I look at local thrift shops and on Etsy for great deals on used books. Look for a cover that appeals to your creative sensibilities.
Unprimed Canvas or drop cloth.
An assortment of fabrics, ribbons, and other textiles.
*Arches Oil Paper (9x12) Note: In addition to oil paint, this paper is wonderful for all mediums, my favorite paper! Feel free to substitute with watercolor paper or mixed media paper.
Assorted papers that you may have on hand - I will use vintage paper, tracing paper, old ledger sheets, old music sheets, and vintage book pages.
*Drawing Paper or Sketch Pad - anything you have on hand will work.
Ink
Acrylic Paint
Titanium White, Titan Buff, Black
Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber,
Yellow Ocher, Green Gold, Olive Green, Tanned, Caribbean Pink,
Alizarin Crimson
OPTIONAL
Lefranc & Bourgeois - Flashe Matte Artist's Paint
Colors I will be using:
White
Black -
Mediums:
*Golden's Gloss Glazing Medium- my favorite!
TOOLS & BRUSHES
*Princeton Select 1" Flat - my favorite
Assorted Brushes
Palette Paper or glass palette
Assorted Art Supplies: Colored Pencils, Mechanical Pencils, Artist's Tape
Waxed Thread & Needle to bind your book
Scissors
Embroidery Thread
OPTIONAL
Speedball Block carving starter set
Bookbinding Starter Set
Calligraphy Pen
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some or all of the links in this supply list are affiliate links. We will receive an affiliate commission if you click on the link and purchase the item. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.