In honor of my mother in law.

My mother-in-law, who is 93 and in a nursing home gave me an old scroll with several scriptures on it that she had hanging in her kitchen for many, many years.  She lived in this same home for over 60 years and I wanted to do something special with the scroll. So, I  decided I would separate each text out and incorporate them into some new and smaller Crosses of Hope. I'm going to make a series of these paintings in honor of her.

Marketing office organization

It's a rainy day today! Time to clean out that marketing office!

Here's a little look into my art office. This is a different room far from my art studio where I can work online, dream, and promote my art. If you haven't considered this for yourself as an artist, well, you can start today. :)
I get the best ideas for art making and marketing when I clean. I haven't quite understood the connection of cleaning and inspiration, but at this point, I don't really care! I listen to some great music, listen to some interesting websites, (see my other blog today for that really cool link!), get rid of stuff that has cluttered my office-and my mind-and just take the day to prepare for something new! Have a great day today!


Morning Visions.

I love chipmunks. And squirrels. All kinds of animals. This little guy has taken over the birdfeeder just outside my studio window. I see him eating his breakfast every morning while I am painting. I am having to replenish the bird feeder every 2-3 days! He's such a spastic, hungry little thing.

What should I name him?

Deb Magelssen Studio: "The End of Summer"The end of summer is bittersw...

Deb Magelssen Studio: "The End of Summer"

The end of summer is bittersw...: "The End of Summer" The end of summer is bittersweet for me. The busy, crazy, hot days of summer are full of activities which ...

The end of summer.

"The End of Summer"

The end of summer is bittersweet for me. The busy, crazy, hot days of summer are full of activities which keeps me motivated and actually a bit nuts and then things settle down to a routine with the return of fall helping me get back on track with goals and plans that I have left undone during the summer months.

This photo is from our stay at Superior Shores on Lake Superior. It's my hubby and me sitting on shore enjoying the amazing view. Yep, I do not paint 24/7. Sometimes it is just fine to sit and think and dream with your best friend. 

How to do end your summer? Do you have a specific event that takes place? A special time you set aside for yourself? Or does summer just merge into fall and you go with the flow?

I would love to hear from you!  If you are interested in Superior Shores or have a story to tell from your own stay there, post it! Here's the link. http://www.superiorshores.com/  
It's just north on Hwy 61 past Duluth.

A quick jaunt for a very cool get away!

Reuse old watercolor pan paint trays.

How to reuse pan paint trays!
Hello everyone!

Here's a little tip from my studio: My students already know this, but I thought I would pass it along to any art teachers out there.  I use cheap pan paints for my kids classes and then when the trays are almost empty, I take the trays and add student grade watercolor paints from a tube and add the paint in the empty pans. I keep the colors almost the same such a light green pan would be filled with a light green paint from a tube.

After all the colors are added, I let the trays dry completely and then close the lids. I keep at least 15 or more trays on hand for my beginner adult and kids classes. This saves me from have to waste paints and my students love the colors. I offer beginning watercolor classes with all material supplied by me so students have everything they need for class.

I hope you can use this idea, too! It's a great way to keep watercolors in a neat little compact tray you can provide for your students when you teach.  Here's a link to find watercolor paints from Jerry's Art A Rama.

  Oh, I always throw out the awful brush that is included in those trays. I find students cannot paint with them. I provide professional watercolor brushes for my students when they take classes from me. Good materials equals good painting results! If you have some tips, let me know! I would love to hear from you. All for now, Happy Painting!

My furry friend is gone...

Taffy Cinnamon Magelssen- RIP 2000-2013.   It's been a tough two weeks! My ever present furry companion, Taffy, has gone to doggie heaven. I really miss her and it just isn't the same in my studio, and my life!, without her. We enjoyed 13 years with her and her spirit is ever present.  She was always next to me, underfoot, or sitting by my side nuzzling my arm and bugging me to take her for a walk.   On cold days, she would lay on  top of my feet and keep me warm.  Having to put her down after she got very, very sick was one of the most heart-wrenching things I ever had to do. I know she is in heaven and I will see her again. Knowing this gives me hope and happiness. Animals are such a blessing to us! Thanks for listening. If you have a story of a favorite pet who passed away, please let me know. I would love to hear about it.          

Hugs to all of you-

MagelssenArtStore at Zazzle

Browse other gifts from Zazzle.

Cat in the studio...and other stuff.

Hello,  It has been awhile since I have blogged. I guess I am more of an artist than a writer. I have been doing classes on my porch this past summer and it has been a blast.                                                           Of all the things to do, taking art classes will decrease your stress levels, create a playful mindset and just help you relax. I can take up to 6 students and if you want to do a fun night out or a lazy afternoon of just painting fun, get in touch with me.  I do need clue you in that there is a ever present cat in the studio...

My art marketer, Snugs, (shown here) is always checking things out in the classroom. Luckily, students are getting used to him. He cannot jump on the tables and I let him up somedays just so he can "feel young again".

He loves my brushes, (I hardly paint with brushes these days anyways.) so I let him play with them.
What ever you have been doing lately, I hope it is creating art. Check out this awesome artsy website- Wine and Canvas

Keep in touch. I would love to hear from you!

Glorious Hope Womens Retreat 2011

This past October I was honored to show 6 of my "Crosses of Hope" acrylic paintings and my testimonies at a beautiful women's retreat. During the worship times I was also honored to be able to paint my 7th Cross of Hope titled,
"MyAnchor."

(Which will be released soon in the future).

Here I am at the North Heights Glorious Hope Womens retreat in southern Minnesota. The 7'x5' canvas banner in the background is an enlargement of my acrylic painting of Cross of Hope - "Infinite Light".   Here is a link if you are interested in viewing all of them:
http://www.debmagelssen.com/crosses_of_hope
I was and am so blessed!  Thank you NH core ladies!

Deb Magelssen Studio: My new Art Marketer and Promoter

Deb Magelssen Studio: My new Art Marketer and Promoter: Hello again. I finally found an art marketer and promoter for my art business. Since I barely get enough time to market my own art these day...

My new Art Marketer and Promoter

Hello again. I finally found an art marketer and promoter for my art business. Since I barely get enough time to market my own art these days, I had to take matters in my own hand. I hired a new guy to help.

He is very wise and smart, always curious, never angry-a bit jumpy at times-full of opinions and is quite the character. Just what I am looking for. When I am in my studio, he is there no matter the time of day or night, watching my every move. I can't quite figure out why he watches me all the time. Maybe to evaluate me and my work. I don't know. I just know I can trust him. He seems to know exactly what I need at any given time and is very useful for idea's and tips to market my art. He sits on my art table and takes his paw and pushed a tube of paint towards me. What is amazing is that he picks the best color for what I need! He meows to keep me going even though I am tired and need a break. He's a great coach, too. He speaks and I listen. I do everything he says.

I would like to introduce him to you-

His name is Snugs-short for Snuggles-and he has been with me for over 16 years. We'll see how this all turns out with our art business relationship. I gave him the cat title-for now-Snugs-King of the Studio.  

I'll keep you posted.  

Deb Magelssen Studio: MagelssenArt Final Completion of Divine Espresso 2...

Deb Magelssen Studio: MagelssenArt Final Completion of Divine Espresso 2...

Wednesday, July 6, 2011DMS Summer Newsletter Available now!

Hello! It's summer and I am loving the warm sunshine, lazy days, (well, busy, lazy days if there is such a thing), and painting on the porch and in my messy and crammed studio. Hey, believe it or not, in all of that mess, I get stuff done!



The new DMS Summer Newsletter is now available!
Click on the link below for the lastest issue.

http://debmagelssen.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/DMS_Summer_Newsletter_2011.181205823.pdf

If you are interested in receiving my newsletter-issued four times per year-go to my website and sign up! No purchase necessary-just fun artsy news on what's happening in my studio and much, much more!


P.S. You'll love my tidbit about Leonardo di Vinci in my newsletter! I welcome your comments and questions! I hope to hear from you.

MagelssenArt Mocha Dream Completed

MagelssenArt Final Completion of Divine Espresso 2011

Ampersand Aquaboard! My new fave canvas

Wow! I know these boards has been around for a while but after trying
them, I am hooked.

You know how sometimes you get stuck in a rut and keep doing the same things?
Well, that can be said for my using the same art supplies over and over as well.
I have been working on this board in acrylics and I am really enjoying the ease and professional quality that it offers.

And, the very best part?
Is that it has beautiful wood sides that you can paint or stain so you do not
have to frame your finished painting! That is FAB! I tape and save my sides
(just because I am so messy) and then when I am ready to frame it
I just paint or stain the sides when I finish the painting and

add a protective seal to the sides with 4 coats of Golden brand Gloss UV varnish! Voila!

Check out the various brands and sizes and have a blast! 

 Try it out and let me know what you think. 

You also know that I love to paint on black canvas.

Well, here is a link to Ampersands black clayboard
for you to try out.
My newest paintings are mostly started with a coat
of black gesso and then I start from dark to light.
It is a challenge for me to paint this way and I am
learning much about light by painting with my
darkest dark-black.

Keep painting and creating! Email me with your
comments and let me know what new
art supplies and art tips and ideas you
are doing.
Deb

Deb Magelssen Studio: Pull Away to See Better!

Deb Magelssen Studio: Pull Away to See Better!

Pull Away to See Better!

Someone once said, "You need to always pull away from your painting so you can see better". I know this is true. I do it all the time. It's easy to pull away when you have a smaller piece but when I paint on the floor with my larger pieces, I always get up off my knees and pull away to take a good look at what I've done. You may already know that I love to paint this way, but I want to blog about why and what I see while painting this way. Here is a fun link to a great book-200 Projects to Strengthen Your Art Skills: For Aspiring Art Students (Aspire)

For one thing, it is not my design. My design has already been established before I add any paint. You should have a strong design as well. Don't assume you can just paint a decent painting without some design layout. It doesn't have to be elaborate, just a simple design so you know where your eye will be traveling within the work. Start with a foundation- which is a design!

I look at my values and where my lightest lights and darkest darks are.
It is important to establish that space in your painting right away so you can build from there. That is were I my focal point-although I usually do not have a focal point- I like to have a more prominent space, and then smaller points where your eye travels around the painting. Whether it is black or white, the darker next to lighter values is where your eye automatically rests. This keeps the viewer engaged in your painting.


I also look for color and where my colors relate to each other. What colored shapes are and where they need to be changed. Once color enters the picture, you have a brand new ball game to deal with. Color is where it is at and for some, color is where they get into trouble. Start with no more than 3 colors when you are a beginner and you will be able to add more when you get more comfortable. Play with color!


Detail. I usually do not create too much detail in my work. Just a bit in the focal area's to create more drama. If I have detail all over the place, where will my eyes rest? It gets too confusing and annoying. Create detail to add a bit of excitement to your piece. And remember, your intentions!


These are just a few tips that I offer when I teach classes and workshops. There is so much more for us-including me- to learn. You can start to paint at any age, play with paint and don't worry about the finished product. Plus, painting helps us relieve the stress in our lives.


Degas is one of my favorite painters because of his ballet work. If you look at his paintings, you will see all the elements and principles of design in his work. Check this out:
Degas: The Man and His Art (Abrams Discoveries)




So, pull away and take a look at your work. Keep pulling away often to see what's happening and you will be able to enjoy the process of painting.

New video added this week. Part 3 of #1 Coffee Cups in acrylic.

Good morning! I have had a great week working on paintings and video taping. My video's are very raw and uncut. I know some of you could fall asleep watching artists paint and there are those who will watch the whole thing. Bless you all for watching at all!
The coffee cup series is going well-slow, but well-and I am excited because I think for once I will actually have them completed by Spring time. I am working on various other paintings as well so that is why there are patches of time where you will not see any video's. I would like to make it a goal of mine to release a video each week, but I will have to see how each week goes.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the video's. I would love to hear from you regarding how I can make things better or ways to improve. I know I say the word, "UM" alot because I am thinking, painting and planning my next move. Ha! I'll be working on that.
By the way, here's a wonderful book-The Encyclopedia of Acrylic Techniques:A Unique A-Z Directory-from Amazon I would recommend for you acrylic painters out there who are just starting to paint. Get the techniques down and then use your heart to paint what you  love!
Have a great day today!
Deb