Tag: writer

We’re a chatty society. We favor T-shirts with funny sayings and wall art with inspirational messages written on them. It’s only natural to want to add a similar touch to your fused glass art. But creating text that’s attractive and legible in glass is difficult because the medium is bulky.

I’ve been including words in my art for years. It takes extra effort, but I’m willing to put in the time when  the inclusion of a written message will strengthen the impact of my artwork. The techniques outlined here are fun, fast, and easy. They’re great compliments for seasonal pieces, personalized gifts, and stylized art.

Let’s get started.

Great Fall is a super fun project! The step-by-step tutorial and full size pattern are now available in the Fall 2023 issue of Glass Patterns Quarterly. I included it here because it’s a terrific example of combining different methods in the same piece of art.

Great Fall

I wanted the word Great to be compact and graceful. I painted it on the glass with black Glassline outlining medium. After the paint dries, I go back and touch up the lettering to make the line width uniform. I use the point of a wooden toothpick or a razor knife to scrape the unwanted paint away.

When it came time to render the word Fall, I had a few ideas in mind. I could simply cut thin strips of glass or use noodles to write the word. Then it occurred to me that using colorful stringers would give me visual texture and look like sticks. This was the first time I tried that method and I’m really pleased with the results.

Welcome Fall

Welcome Fall is a new video course that will be released soon. Premium Video Members can look forward to having access to this fun project with their membership.

Batty

Batty utilizes the cut glass method to include text. The balloon style lettering is easy to cut out of glass and the oversized word adds an additional splash of color to the simple design. This bouncy lettering style is well suited for short impactful words. The Batty pattern is in my eBook Fireworks.

Love

Love also uses the cut glass method to achieve lettering. Here the lettering is the design and so, bold bright colors are key to delivering the lively message. These straight letters are fast and easy to cut. They’re a great choice for writing names. The Love how-to video and pattern eBook is available through my Premium Video Membership.   

Cookies for Santa

Cookies for Santa is a wonderful example of using frit to write intricate messages on your fused glass designs. Simply sift powder frit over the glass then write your words in the frit with a small paint brush or the eraser end of a pencil. For the best results, use high contrast colors and apply a thick layer of frit. Have fun with it! The Cookies for Santa pattern is in my eBook Fireworks.

Wish

Wish features delicate, whimsical lettering. The word is made by sifting powder frit, over a stencil. This easy technique is great for quick projects that call for intimate details. Hint, use more than one color frit to get a paintbrush stroke quality to the lettering. Also, use high contrast colors to ensure good readability. 

Wedding Heart

Wedding Heart is a little more complicated than the other techniques shown here. The advantage of using this method is it’s extremely effective and the results are graceful and elegant. Here the lettering is handwritten in liquid platinum with a needle type applicator pen. These items are available from your art glass supplier. The liquid platinum is fired onto the glass in the kiln for a permanent finish. The lettering is fired face down, in contact with a primed ceramic kiln shelf. Tip, the lettering does not adhere well if fired on fiber paper. It comes out dull and blotchy instead of uniform and shiny.

The lettering on the front of the heart is written with a silver sharpie marker. It’s not permanent and will wash off if the glass gets wet. We used these hearts for seating markers at my daughter’s wedding. They were memorable keepsakes and the guests loved them!

Including words in your projects is a fun way to ramp up the visual intricacy of your art.

Whether you keep it simple or combine multiple techniques you’re sure to enjoy the process and the outcome. I hope you found this spotlight on easy ways to include lettering in your fused glass designs helpful. Now get writing!    

Watch the How to Include Words in Your Designs with Lisa Vogt video here.

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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Fall in Florida is like spring up north in the sense that we’re coming off of months spent inside due to extreme temperatures outside. In Florida we were inside to avoid the heat, up north it’s to avoid the cold. Aa a result, Autumn’s crisp air and colorful foliage inspires renewed creativity and a longing to spend time in my glass studio.

Autumn also marks the upcoming holiday season. It means it’s time to start thinking about making fun seasonal themed fused glass projects to decorate my home and give as gifts. In recent years, I’ve really enjoyed displaying sparkling fused glass lanterns in my home, office, and yard. Lanterns are an easy way to include art glass in my decor to bring a special brightness and cheerful joy to these personal spaces.   

Especially around the holidays, I enjoy having soft accent lights around my home. So, I created a collection of lanterns I could switch out seasonally to add a festive atmosphere to my rooms all year long. And best of all, having a variety of design themes keeps the construction fresh and fun.

In my video Lumin-Essence I show how to make 8 shimmering lanterns. The lanterns range in complexity, but anyone with a flair for fusing can easily make them all. I will tell you though, they will challenge your fabrication skills. But in a good, try something new way that you’ll love. 

Fall Leaf is a quick and easy design to get you fired up and bring a seasonal touch to your home. It’s organic shape and bright, cheery colors make it the perfect complement to your fall decorations. Plus, the compact size makes it the perfect accent in small spaces or in dark areas where a little light would warm up your space.   

Brilliant gift ideas just in time for the holidays.

The first lantern I designed was inspired by relaxing summer vacations spent on a serene lake. A sailboat glides over calm waters with a picturesque view of mountains and pine trees behind. The custom made glass base provides a lift and an attractive pedestal to showcase the scenic setting. The front panel of the lantern bows out. The back panel bows in the opposite creating the perfect space for a candle or LED lights.

Weave is an especially fun lantern to make. It looks complicated and fragile, when in reality it’s easy and sturdy once assembled. Plus, it’s a terrific size for adding a touch of light to small or confined spaces. The assembly is simple. You cut a bunch of strips, lay them out in 4 alternating layers and then tack the pieces together in your kiln. The 4 sides are then glued together around a clear glass base. I like to add dichroic glass strips to mine for that super shine that lights up the room. The best part is Weave looks amazingly beautiful when lit. The open construction and rich colors cast a rainbow of colors on the table and surrounding walls.

Winter Wonderland is my favorite lantern. The clear glass backdrop is the perfect complement to the white and dichroic snowflakes. This dazzling lantern requires extra steps as the snowflakes are tacked together and then tacked on the clear front and back panels. Let me tell you, this one is worth your time. Winter Wonderland is a spectacular, glistening addition to any room.

Dogwood reminds me of flower gardening and the rebirth of nature in the spring. I selected a crisp, clean, simple color palate for this lantern. I used clear glass for the lattice because I wanted this lantern to have structure, but also a light, airy feel. The flowers are fun to make. They’re tacked together and then slumped in small bowl molds to give them form. Dogwood is assembled it multiple easy steps. The lantern sides are glued around a clear base. After the glue is dry the flowers are glued on one side at a time. When lit, Dogwood makes a dazzling centerpiece.  

Blue Mountains was inspired by the cool gradient colors of the Great Smoky Mountains. We all enjoy a refreshing trip to the mountains where stunning views and peaceful moments linger in our hearts. With this lantern you can relive those tranquil times every day. This lantern is super easy to make. You just layer several shades of blue. The beauty of Blue Mountains is in its simplicity of design and construction. You’ll love making this restful lantern.    

Red Heart is a darling combination of vivid color and lacy pattern. The great thing about this lantern is the small, fused glass design combined with a ready-made candle shelter, make it quick and easy to construct. You’ll definitely want one of these around come February. This dainty lantern is a perfect personalized gift to show family and friends they hold a special place in your heart.

Purple Heart may be dainty, but it lights up the room with an impressive glow. It’s another quick and easy project that makes a great gift. Just fuse glass strips and then glue them on a ready-made candle shelter. It doesn’t get easier.   

I hope this illuminating collection inspires you to be creative and celebrate family, friends, and all that we have to be thankful for. 

All of my multi-project videos come with a printable full size pattern eBook.

If you enjoy reading my blog, I have a feature on my website you’ll like. From the home page click on any page. On the right hand side bar you can read my Top 10 Blog Posts. The list updates every 48 hours so check back often.

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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Think Like an Artist, A Live 1 -Hour Lecture with Lisa

September 21, 2023

How to Think Like an Artist 

Essential Design and Color Theory for Every Artist 

Exceptional art is no accident. It is the product of a strategic plan that employs thoughtful design and color decisions, made by a skilled artist. Outstanding art is the result of informed choices applied to a work of art from its conception and then carried out through to its completion. 

In this comprehensive lecture, I’ll show you how to lay out your design to establish impactful compositions. I’ll explain how and why you should use color to create a light source, add visual depth, and create a sense of mood. You’ll learn how to use high-contrast colors to influence the viewers engagement with your art. You’ll see the importance of including recognizable subject matter and a focal point. 

No matter where you are in your journey, your artistic approach will benefit significantly from the easy-to-develop practices outlined in this in-depth presentation.  

Don’t miss this fast-track opportunity to learn the age-old, hidden secrets employed by the great masters. Enjoy renewed artistic freedom with an understanding of the proven methods they used to create unforgettable original works of art. 

Join me for this intimate, conversational live event to ignite your dormant creativity and experience a renewed awakening of your personal artistic strengths. 

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Brilliant gift ideas just in time for the holidays.

Where do you get your design ideas? I’m asked that question all the time. I honestly don’t know. When it comes time to put a new webinar project together, I simply open myself up to inspiration. Suddenly, I see new design concepts in random places like in drifting clouds or in the organized repetition of sheet glass stacked on shelves in my studio. In time, the assortment of fresh ideas jell into a cohesive whole and boom, a new webinar theme is born.   

When the concept of making fused glass lanterns came to mind, I was thrilled. It’s really exciting to develop fused glass art that goes beyond being purely ornamental. This series of lanterns is so much more than decorative. These 3-D creations are brilliant models of functional art that can be used anywhere, anytime to create a comforting glow and festive atmosphere all year long. Another terrific aspect of these colorful free-standing pieces is they give us passionate artists another way to incorporate art glass into our everyday lives. If that’s not enough incentive to spark your imagination, you’ll be delighted to know that my step-by-step assembly instructions make these trendy lights even more enticing as they’re actually fun and easy to make. And displaying these colorful beauties is even easier.

Before you get fired up, here’s a friendly note:

Here’s the honest truth. These lanterns are not made with your standard or basic construction methods. They will challenge your artistic skills and test your self-discipline to follow through and complete them. At times they’ll frustrate you and maybe even bore you to tears. I’m here to tell you, don’t quit or give up. Applying these multiple advanced techniques in combination is a valuable learning experience that’ll elevate your working knowledge and build your confidence. These lustrous lanterns are spectacular when finished. They’re well worth every minute it takes to produce the intricate details that make them so special.

I believe in you and your dedication to being a lifelong learner. You embrace growth even when it means hard work to achieve your goals. Tricky or not, you can make these lanterns. Trust me, you’ll be glowing as brightly as your luminous glass lantern when you light one in a place of honor or give it as a thoughtful, personal gift.

You’re invited to join me.

Thursday September 7, 2023 I’m presenting my webinar, Lustrous Lanterns. In this comprehensive event I show step-by-step how to make 6 shimmering fused glass lanterns. The event is live which means we get to hang out together and talk about our favorite topic, glass fusing. What makes a live event different and beneficial? You benefit from the guided in-person instruction, and you’re able to ask your specific questions and I answer them for you right away. Plus, you’re among other enthusiastic glass artists from around the world who make up our generous and colorful community. In addition, you’ll have exciting new holiday season gift ideas for family and friends. And we all know hand-made, personalized gifts shine brightest as their the most memorable and loved gifts of all.  

Let’s get together and fuse glass!

I hope to see YOU in my webinar, Lustrous Lanterns on Thursday September 7, 2023. 

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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You’re Invited to Join Me for these Upcoming Webinars!

Lustrous Lanterns Webinar

September 7, 2023

Light up with me! Create colorful luminaries to brighten your home, office, porch, or anywhere else you’d enjoy the comforting glow of a dazzling accent light.

In this comprehensive live event, I’ll show you how to make 6 sparkling fused glass lanterns. You’ll learn how easily you can construct and build stunning 3-D lamps. I’ll guide you step-by-step through the many stages of construction, including pattern preparation, glass cutting, project assembly, fusing, slumping, and how to “cold fuse” the lanterns together.

You’ll also be shown how to finish the lanterns with custom, professional quality glass display bases. In addition, I’ll share how to utilize ready-made clear glass candle shelters to make fast and easy pick-me-ups. I also show several quick and simple methods for lighting your beautiful new creations. Along with detailed instruction, you’ll receive 6 full-size lantern patterns, my project-specific firing guides, and supply list.

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced glass fusers alike will love the wide variety of unique shapes and elegant new patterns,  custom designed to enrich any decor. Join me to rekindle your creative spark with lustrous lanterns designed to set your artistic imagination aglow.   

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Think Like an Artist, A Lecture with Lisa

September 21, 2023

How to Think Like an Artist 

Essential Design and Color Theory for Every Artist 

Exceptional art is no accident. It is the product of a strategic plan that employs thoughtful design and color decisions, made by a skilled artist. Outstanding art is the result of informed choices applied to a work of art from its conception and then carried out through to its completion. 

In this comprehensive lecture, I’ll show you how to lay out your design to establish impactful compositions. I’ll explain how and why you should use color to create a light source, add visual depth, and create a sense of mood. You’ll learn how to use high-contrast colors to influence the viewers engagement with your art. You’ll see the importance of including recognizable subject matter and a focal point. 

No matter where you are in your journey, your artistic approach will benefit significantly from the easy-to-develop practices outlined in this in-depth presentation.  

Don’t miss this fast-track opportunity to learn the age-old, hidden secrets employed by the great masters. Enjoy renewed artistic freedom with an understanding of the proven methods they used to create unforgettable original works of art. 

Join me for this intimate, conversational live event to ignite your dormant creativity and experience a renewed awakening of your personal artistic strengths. 

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Fall is right around the corner and that means it’s creative season! Creating lifts your spirit and makes you happy.

Life is busy. It can be difficult to grant yourself permission to set aside time to experience the joy of creating when there are so many demands on your time and energy. I’m here to tell you it’s okay to lose yourself in your work and have fun doing it. Here are some tips to spark your artistic flame.  

The creative zone is a wonderful place where new ideas are conceived, advanced techniques are tested, and innovative pieces of art are brought to life. In the creative zone time doesn’t exist. It’s a beautiful realm full of wonder and surprise. It’s a place of magic we all want to visit. So, how do you produce the right environment to get to this artist’s heaven on-demand? Here are some tricks to fast-track you to the zone.  

1 Find your sweet spot.

Identify when you feel most productive creatively. Don’t fight it. Not everyone is meant for a 9:00 to 5:00 workday. For me, my most fruitful hours are between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm. And I like to work even later if I’ve gained momentum that’s getting projects in the kiln. My day starts a lot earlier than 11:00, but I like to work-out and clean house a little before I get serious about glass work. Then, I can focus on artsy tasks without distractions.

2 Free-play without a critic.

Play with your glass colors without a rigid plan. Allow your spontaneous artistic mind to wander and explore new ways to combine glass colors to make interesting blends. I pull scrap glass out and arrange it on the table in random color schemes. Then I mix them up to get even more unique design palates. This exercise is a process. Once you’ve exhausted the routine combinations, it’s amazing how new fresh ideas reveal themselves.

3 Take a break.

Look outside for inspiration. Exciting original art is the product of artists who actively seek out stimuli to generate new ideas. Take a walk, go to the beach, the mountains, the zoo, or the park. Exercise and fresh air nurtures your creative spirit and promotes action.

4 Sketch design ideas on paper.

You don’t have to be good at drawing for this exercise to work. The process of doodling frees your mind and hushes the internal sensor that holds you back. Forge ahead. Be bold. The idea is to let the drawings come naturally. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how much this simple act empowers your artistic style. Try it!

5 Dedicate time to developing your art and your talent.

Commit to branching out and trying new techniques and methods that challenge your skills. In this uncharted territory you’ll find renewed energy that’ll quickly translates into exciting new pieces of art.  

Excelling in your craft is the dream of every dedicated artist. The creative zone is where we find and fine tune our own personal style. It’s where we identify with ourselves and that’s what makes you the incredible artist you are.

Remember, you have an amazing talent. Nurture and be kind to yourself. Keep trying. Always, push ahead! No matter where you are on your artistic journey, you’re doing great!

See What’s New in The Studio: Watch the New Wall of Flame Studio Time with Lisa Vlog Video Here

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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You’re Invited to Join Me for these Upcoming Webinars!

Lustrous Lanterns Webinar

September 7, 2023

Light up with me! Create colorful luminaries to brighten your home, office, porch, or anywhere else you’d enjoy the comforting glow of a dazzling accent light.

In this comprehensive live event, I’ll show you how to make 6 sparkling fused glass lanterns. You’ll learn how easily you can construct and build stunning 3-D lamps. I’ll guide you step-by-step through the many stages of construction, including pattern preparation, glass cutting, project assembly, fusing, slumping, and how to “cold fuse” the lanterns together.

You’ll also be shown how to finish the lanterns with custom, professional quality glass display bases. In addition, I’ll share how to utilize ready-made clear glass candle shelters to make fast and easy pick-me-ups. I also show several quick and simple methods for lighting your beautiful new creations. Along with detailed instruction, you’ll receive 6 full-size lantern patterns, my project-specific firing guides, and supply list.

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced glass fusers alike will love the wide variety of unique shapes and elegant new patterns,  custom designed to enrich any decor. Join me to rekindle your creative spark with lustrous lanterns designed to set your artistic imagination aglow.   

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Think Like an Artist, A Lecture with Lisa

September 21, 2023

How to Think Like an Artist 

Essential Design and Color Theory for Every Artist 

Exceptional art is no accident. It is the product of a strategic plan that employs thoughtful design and color decisions, made by a skilled artist. Outstanding art is the result of informed choices applied to a work of art from its conception and then carried out through to its completion. 

In this comprehensive lecture, I’ll show you how to lay out your design to establish impactful compositions. I’ll explain how and why you should use color to create a light source, add visual depth, and create a sense of mood. You’ll learn how to use high-contrast colors to influence the viewers engagement with your art. You’ll see the importance of including recognizable subject matter and a focal point. 

No matter where you are in your journey, your artistic approach will benefit significantly from the easy-to-develop practices outlined in this in-depth presentation.  

Don’t miss this fast-track opportunity to learn the age-old, hidden secrets employed by the great masters. Enjoy renewed artistic freedom with an understanding of the proven methods they used to create unforgettable original works of art. 

Join me for this intimate, conversational live event to ignite your dormant creativity and experience a renewed awakening of your personal artistic strengths. 

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Recently I shared a video showing how to draw a hummingbird design on the computer using the Glass Eye 2000 program by Dragonfly Software. As a follow up, I thought you’d enjoy knowing the benefits of designing electronically.

One of my favorite things about glass fusing is how easily I can jump right into construction with little or no planning. If the mood strikes, I can design spontaneously looking only to the materials for inspiration and come away with a striking new project. This artistic freedom usually produces loose, freestyle patterns I love. But sometimes, I want more intricate images or designs that develop slowly from concept to construction. When that’s the case, I draw my designs on the computer.  

Initially, it’s time consuming to draw on the computer. But there are several advantages and reasons you might like to give it a try.

Why design on the computer?

1 Drawing on the computer greatly expands the range of your design complexity. It’s easy to draw unique compositions you might otherwise be afraid to try. You can import a photograph of a herd of horses for example. You can .draw over the picture including as much or as little detail as you want. Say you like one horse more than the others. It’s easy to copy and paste that one horse several times customizing the design to meet your vision.

Once you’ve put in the effort to draw the first horse, you can repurpose the drawing for any number of uses. Maybe you want to make a piece with only a horse head. The computer drawing is quickly edited and resized for a totally new project.

2. It’s easy to test unusual color combinations on a computer-generated pattern without any waste. I’m much more likely to use a wild color palate if I can see it in advance of cutting any glass. This feature alone, has awakened an all new level of artistic expression for me.

Create a library of images.

3. As a commission artist I’m frequently asked to make the same or similar designs. Often the design is driven by regional themes. Tropical herons, dolphins, coral reef and beach scenes are popular subjects with my local clients. My commission work is one-of-a-kind. I don’t make the exact same design twice. But I do borrow elements from previously drawn designs for new patterns. I take a heron from here, a fish from there, sea oats from another design. The elements are resized and regrouped to make a new original design.

Having an inventory of designs is a great way to accumulate popular images you can recycle over and over to make fresh, new compositions. 

Clean, clear deigns are a powerful sales tool.

4. Clients have trouble imagining what a design will look like based solely on a verbal description. It’s easier to ensure customer satisfaction with a color rendering. I email the designs to my clients for review and approval. And if they want to make changes, they can be done quickly on the computer before I’ve invested labor or materials into building the job.

Small and big.

5. I use the Glass Eye program from Dragonfly Software. It’s known for its use for drawing stained glass patterns, but it works equally as well for fused glass patterns. I draw small simple projects as well as huge, complex commissions with the program. For the small pieces, I print a full-size pattern and build directly on that. For large scale works, I print a scale version of the design to use as a reference. Then I draw the full-size pattern by hand with a pencil on paper.  

You don’t have to be a professional glass artist to benefit from expanding your design approach. Whatever your skill level, beginner to advanced artists you’ll find the time spent learning how to develop designs electronically is valuable. It’s an investment in yourself that will excite and elevate your artistic style.

Watch the How I Use the Glass Eye 2000 Video Here

Watch the How to Make a Hummingbird Video Here

Follow my blog for weekly inspiration sent to your inbox! 

Happy Fusing!

Lisa

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You’re Invited to Join Me for these Upcoming Webinars!

Lustrous Lanterns Webinar

September 7, 2023

Light up with me! Create colorful luminaries to brighten your home, office, porch, or anywhere else you’d enjoy the comforting glow of a dazzling accent light.

In this comprehensive live event, I’ll show you how to make 6 sparkling fused glass lanterns. You’ll learn how easily you can construct and build stunning 3-D lamps. I’ll guide you step-by-step through the many stages of construction, including pattern preparation, glass cutting, project assembly, fusing, slumping, and how to “cold fuse” the lanterns together.

You’ll also be shown how to finish the lanterns with custom, professional quality glass display bases. In addition, I’ll share how to utilize ready-made clear glass candle shelters to make fast and easy pick-me-ups. I also show several quick and simple methods for lighting your beautiful new creations. Along with detailed instruction, you’ll receive 6 full-size lantern patterns, my project-specific firing guides, and supply list.

Beginner, intermediate, and advanced glass fusers alike will love the wide variety of unique shapes and elegant new patterns,  custom designed to enrich any decor. Join me to rekindle your creative spark with lustrous lanterns designed to set your artistic imagination aglow.   

---

Think Like an Artist, A Lecture with Lisa

September 21, 2023

How to Think Like an Artist 

Essential Design and Color Theory for Every Artist 

Exceptional art is no accident. It is the product of a strategic plan that employs thoughtful design and color decisions, made by a skilled artist. Outstanding art is the result of informed choices applied to a work of art from its conception and then carried out through to its completion. 

In this comprehensive lecture, I’ll show you how to lay out your design to establish impactful compositions. I’ll explain how and why you should use color to create a light source, add visual depth, and create a sense of mood. You’ll learn how to use high-contrast colors to influence the viewers engagement with your art. You’ll see the importance of including recognizable subject matter and a focal point. 

No matter where you are in your journey, your artistic approach will benefit significantly from the easy-to-develop practices outlined in this in-depth presentation.  

Don’t miss this fast-track opportunity to learn the age-old, hidden secrets employed by the great masters. Enjoy renewed artistic freedom with an understanding of the proven methods they used to create unforgettable original works of art. 

Join me for this intimate, conversational live event to ignite your dormant creativity and experience a renewed awakening of your personal artistic strengths. 

---

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