Mandala Magic

Mandala Magic at Lively Mind Art Studio

I’m happy to announce a new offering at Lively Mind Art Studio this Saturday, September 17th – Mandala Magic. Create and explore the magical art of mandalas in a fun and nurturing environment.

In this workshop, you will create beautiful layered backgrounds with acrylic paint on canvas and add your own expressive mandala art. We will explore how to draw a freestyle mandala and create a collaborative design on paper before taking it to the canvas.

Even if you do not have a creative bone in your body, you can do this!

What is a mandala?

A mandala is a circular form with all kinds of shapes and symbols emerging from the center. Mandala art has been used throughout the world for self-expression, spiritual transformation, and personal growth. Mandalas are one of my favorite ways to get lost in process of creating.

Circles are very powerful symbols throughout nature, art and the world around us. They symbolize “wholeness, continuity, connection, unity, harmony and the cycle of life.”

Mandala Magic Class Details:

DATE CHANGE/RESCHEDULED

October 15, 2016
Lively Mind Art Studio
3232 N 16th St.
Phoenix, Arizona
6:30 pm – 9 pm
$45/person

Click Here to Register

Please register in advance.

No experience needed.
All supplies included.
Bring your favorite beverage (BYOB).
Light snacks provided.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.

*** Limited to 10 creative souls.***

Below are a few mandala paintings from past classes.

Want to attend a painting workshop and be notified of future dates? Click here sign up for email. If you would like to host a private painting party, email me at kristenjfagan@gmail.com to discuss your event. I look forward to painting with you!

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Painting Workshops 15 Sep 2016 / 0 comments

Studio Tour

Artists that inspire me at my desk: Clohn Art, April Howland, Kirk O’Hara, Tara Dawn. Affirmation banner, lotus and mandala paintings by me.

This summer my boys got their own bedrooms and I moved my home studio to a new spot in our house. It was a slow process. We downsized toys from the loft/playroom to make room for my studio and office. Lots of furniture re-arranging and space planning. We had to reorganize a bunch of closets too. I am officially setup in the loft instead of the spare bedroom and my sons are loving the extra spaces that are all their own. I’m excited to be in a much bigger space to spread out and create in! Two weeks ago, I popped in live on my Kristen Fagan Art and Design facebook page to give a quick studio tour.

Here is the Studio Tour video if you missed it:

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Soul Musings 14 Sep 2016 / 0 comments

Tutorial Tuesday: Boho Stone Necklace

I love chunky gemstones and had been eyeing a short strand of Lapis gemstone beads. I finally bought them for myself and am so happy I did! Soft Flex Company carries a wide range of short strand beads which allowed me to grab some really high quality beads at an affordable price. They are usually one-of-a-kind so, be sure to grab them when you see them! The shorter strand also forced me to dream up a design using less beads. Since chunky gemstones can get heavy, using less beads kept the design nice and lightweight. This long bohemian necklace is light and airy and with the fun pops of color, it’s perfect for hot summer days. I made a second necklace using cherry quartz beads for the tutorial below.

Materials

Soft Flex Pro Econoflex Gold Color – 7″

12 mm Cherry Quartz Beads – 12 beads

4mm Turquoise Heishi – 25 beads

4mm Gold-Plated Twist Heishi Spacer – 11

4mm Gold Finish Curb Chain – 32″

Gold Plated Head Pins – 5 pins

Gold Plated Jump Rings – 2 rings

2x2mm Gold Filled Crimp Tubes – 2

Tools

Instructions

1. String five turquoise heishi beads onto a gold head pin. Using a pair of chain nose pliers, create a right angle above the last bead leaving 2mm of space between the top of the bead and the bend in the wire. Using a pair of round nose pliers, bend the wire into a loop. Cut off excess wire. Repeat 4 times so, you have 5 dangles.

2. Cut 7″ of beading wire.Add a bead stopper on one end. String one cherry quartz beads and one spacer bead. Repeat 10 times. String one more cherry quartz bead. The length of beads is about 4″.

3. String one 2x2mm crimp tube on the wire end without the bead stopper. Loop your wire back through the crimp tube forming a small loop and crimp. Cut off excess wire. Repeat on the other side after removing the bead stopper. For step by step instructions on how to crimp with the magical crimping pliers, click here.

4. Cut one 2″ length of chain. Count the links and find the middle. My chain piece had 19 links so, I attached the middle dangle first onto link 10. Next, attach 2 dangles to the right and 2 dangles to the left of your middle dangle, skipping one link in between them. So in my 19 link chain length example, you have dangles attached to links 6, 8, 10, 12, 14.

5. Cut a long length of chain (24″-30″) depending on how long you would like your necklace to be.

6. Using chain nose pliers, open each jump ring and attach one to each end of the long chain segment. Next, slide the looped ends of the gemstone strand to each of the jump rings and lastly, add the small chain segment with the dangles to each of the jump rings and twist the jump rings closed.

The long length allows you to omit the clasp and place the necklace over your head.

Have fun making it in all sorts of color and gemstone shape combinations!

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Tutorial Tuesday 30 Aug 2016 / 0 comments

Honoring the Trees at Woods Canyon Lake

Last month, after our visit to the Grand Canyon we headed home along the scenic Beeline highway. It was the first time I traveled from Flagstaff down through Payson on that road. Our first stop was a quick one at Lake Mary to admire the HUGE dandelions and make some wishes.

Next we drove through Happy Jack, Strawberry and Pine. The tall trees and cooler temps were delightful. We wanted to stop and have a picnic before getting to Payson, but didn’t realize how tough it would be to find a sub shop. In hindsight, I should have packed a cooler before we left Flagstaff. We ate lunch at a cafe in Payson instead. Lunch was great, but I was pretty disappointed we didn’t end up having a picnic in the trees. I was so looking forward to that. After lunch we decided to take a side trip to one of favorite spots to decompress, Woods Canyon Lake on the Mogollon Rim. We all enjoyed being outside in the cool air surrounded by trees and water.

I was so happy we stopped that I was inspired to honor the trees with tree pose. I just learned to do full tree pose and it’s my new favorite. I have practiced yoga for a long time and could never get my leg up in the full position, instead I always placed my foot between my ankle and knee. During my morning practice one day, I decided to give it a try yet again and low and behold I did it and have been able to hold the full position ever since. Good reminder that even if you have tried and tried before, always try again.

To get to Woods Canyon Lake from Phoenix, take loop 202 east to Arizona 87 (Beeline Highway) and go north to Payson. From there, Arizona 260 about 29 miles east to Forest Road 300. Turn left (north) and go 4 miles to Forest Road 105. Turn north and continue for 1 mile to the lake.

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Exploring 14 Aug 2016 / 0 comments

Finding Light within Darkness

Light within Darkness. 20×16. Acrylic on Canvas. 2016

July was rough. Intense and hard. Filled with stress and feelings of lack. It was the toughest month I’ve had in awhile.

When I’m out of sorts, I contract and withdraw. I have confronted this kind of lack and stress before and made it through the darkness back to the light countless times. So I know this dark time it’s fleeting, but then, that may be why I was so frustrated. Because I’ve been here before and I didn’t want to be here ever again. But I will be here again. We all will. It’s how life rolls. Control is an illusion (Thank you, Mr Robot for that tidbit, I found comfort in repeating it when I felt out of control.)

There were valid reasons for being so angry, upset and frustrated. However, I was often angry when compassion was what was really needed. I had to ask myself is this anger helping? and if not, let it go.

Thankfully, after many cries and allowing myself the space to process my feelings, I was ready to live in the truth instead of fighting it. I was ready to accept that we are human. I was ready to open my heart again. I did the deep feeling. I didn’t brush past it or stuff it down (well I tried to stuff it down with food, but that back fired leaving me feeling worse). I ate a bunch of chocolate. I wrote. I meditated. I collaged. I spent time in my yard, enjoying the hammock, tending to my succulent garden and planting seeds. I once heard to plant a garden is to believe in or have hope for tomorrow. I felt that saying come to me as I planted flower seeds and allowed it to uplift me.

Most importantly for me, I painted. I gave the canvas all of my feels as I shared in this blog post. I love re-learning how to heal through creative practices, With creativity, I reclaim ownership of my life. Abundance comes from within. I remember that I can create something from nothing and that is empowering. Love and support and inspiration is always available. In this remembering, I find the light within the the darkness, just as the moon shines in the night sky and the lotus rises from the dark, muddy waters.

Art / Soul Musings 13 Aug 2016 / 0 comments

Free spirit MASHUP

July’s “Free Spirit MASHUP” soul painting workshop at Lively Mind Art Studio.

The creative joy that filled the Lively Mind Art Studio last month in the Free Spirit MASHUP was epic! It went from bustling chatter to so silent you could hear a pin drop. Holding space and giving permission for you to tap into your creative spirit inspires pure magic. ✨

I was nervous about how the collaboration aspect would go over and it turns out that everyone loved it – it was super fun! My intention to shake things up, help you let go even further and practice non-attachment made for some really interesting paintings and experiences during this class. It felt like the best one yet and I think the mashup is a keeper for future Free Spirit workshops.

Creative adventure in process:

In my Free Spirit workshops I talk a about how the art we make together is less about how it looks, and more about how the soul painting process allows you to express your feelings, connect with your intuition, and experience creative flow. I see the process as providing a sacred space to allow your authentic self to show up. Art nurtures our need to express.

My intention in my soul painting workshops isn’t to teach how to make a technically perfect painting. There are other workshops that do that beautifully. I want people to discover for themselves how the process can empower, uplift, and heal themselves. I use simple supplies and prompts to break down the “I’m not creative” barrier and instill confidence that we each have a unique voice and creative muse inside. When I receive a phone call while someone ho took my class is shopping for their own art supplies, that they have always held a block on the fact that they can be creative or paint and that they are no longer stuck in that mindset or they’ve share a photo of artwork they created with their kids using the simple techniques in my classes, that’s why I share my process. That’s where the magic is.

Want to attend a painting workshop and be notified of future dates? Click here sign up for email. If you would like to host a private painting party, email me at kristenjfagan@gmail.com to discuss your event. I look forward to painting with you!

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Painting Workshops 31 Jul 2016 / 0 comments

Give the Canvas All Your Feels

Today I woke up sad. Really sad. Like couldn’t stop crying sad. Huge tears flowed from my eyes that I couldn’t control. I meditated before bed and that’s actually when the tears started. I let go of expectations, disappointments and pain (or so I thought) and I fell asleep peacefully. Obviously, I must not have been done processing it all because within a few minutes of waking up I was crying again. I tried to stuff it down with a cinnamon bun for breakfast which, delicious as it was, didn’t stop the tears from falling. How many times do I need to learn that lesson? But I digress, my art work is vibrant and joyful and I haven’t been feeling that so, my paints and brushes and stacks of canvas have been waiting patiently for me to return. No need to explain why I’m sad. That’s not the point. We all get sad. Sometimes it’s fleeting and sometimes it lingers. Today, I said enough and took my sadness to the canvas. I put on a “sad songs” playlist, really listened to the lyrics and painted. I used my fingers, I scrapped, I sprayed, I stenciled, I moved blue and black paint around and I felt lighter. I gave the canvas all my feels.

There is beauty in expressing it all. Letting the creative process heal all the things that are welled up inside and spilling over. After a few minutes I felt a shift, the tears stopped, and by the time I was ready to stop, I felt peaceful and at ease. The power of expression. It gets me every time.

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Soul Musings / Work in Process 28 Jul 2016 / 1 comments

In Awe at the Grand Canyon

This is my second trip to the Grand Canyon, first with the kids. Bert and I went for our anniversary a few years ago and ever since I have wanted to bring the boys.

We drove in through the desert view entrance along the south rim to see the watchtower. We stopped at viewpoints and the visitor center along the way before spending a couple hours exploring grand canyon village.

They were so excited to finally see it in person. You really cannot imagine the sheer vastness of the canyon, beautifully carved by the Colorado River, until you see it with your own eyes. It’s huge and enchanting. It doesn’t feel real. We were in complete awe being in the presence of something so vast that it transcends your understanding of the world. I could just sit and stare at the view all day.

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Exploring 28 Jul 2016 / 1 comments

Tutorial Tuesday: Desert Vibe Wire Wrap Earrings

Tutorial Tuesday is a blog series where I share a do-it-yourself jewelry tutorial.

It’s been awhile (a whole year in fact!) since, I’ve shared a Tutorial Tuesday design with you. I was inspired to create these desert vibe beauties by the “Tempting treasures wire frame earrings” designed by Bonnie Riconda in the August 2016 issue of Bead&Button Magazine.

Materials

Soft Flex 18G Craft Wire Vintage Bronze – 10″

Soft Flex 20G Craft Wire Vintage Bronze – 4″

Soft Flex 26G Craft Wire Vintage Bronze – 72″

4mm Shell Heishi – approx 20 beads

4mm Turquoise Heishi – approx 14 beads

4mm Citrine Rondelles – approx 16 beads

Large Bail Making Wubbers Pliers

Bur Cup

Tutorial

1. Flush cut 5″ of 18 gauge wire, straighten and smooth the wire with nylon jaw pliers.

2. Using round nose pliers, make a look on each end, with the loops facing each other.

3. Bend the strand of the wire softly up from the middle and line up the two loops at the top. Form wire into a teardrop shape.

4. Place the wire form on a block and lightly hammer it with a nylon hammer to work harden the wire. Do not hammer the loops when they are overlapped. Separate the loops, hammer and squeeze the loops back together they are overlapped again.

5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the second wire form.

6. Cut 36″ of 26 gauge wire and wrap it three or four times around the top left of the wire form.

7. String the number of beads needed to reach the other side of the form and secure by making several wraps. Repeat this step with your desired beads, adjusting the number of wraps needed based on the size of your beads. I strung: 3 shell heishi, 3 citrine rondelles, 7 shell heishi, 7 turquoise heishi, 5 citrine rondelles.

8. Trim and tuck the wire tail, pressing it close to your form.

9. Repeat steps 6-8 for the second earring.

10. Cut 2” of 20 gauge wire strands and using Wubbers make your ear wires. Watch the video DIY Episode 7: How to make Ear Wires using Soft Flex® Craft Wire and Wubbers Pliers on our YouTube channel.

11. Open the loop of an ear wire, attach it to the two loops on the earring form and close the loop.

12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 to complete the second earring.

Tutorial Tuesday 26 Jul 2016 / 0 comments

iKat Inspired Painting

Embrace your wild side with a funky ikat inspired painting. This bold pattern really makes a statement when added to your gallery wall. The ancient iKat dying and weaving process was my muse resulting in a cool tribal-inspired painting.

Shop original paintings in my Etsy shop.

Shop for prints and printed products in my RedBubble shop.

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Art 23 Jul 2016 / 0 comments

Index Card a Day – Week 6

Arrows turned into feathers! I have been seeing a couple feathers recently too so, I looked up the symbolic meaning. Feathers deal with ascension and spiritual evolution to a higher plane. Feathers were worn by Native American Chiefs to symbolize their communication with Spirit, and to express their celestial wisdom. I have specifically been seeing gray and white feathers which symbolize hope.

“It’s not enough to have the feathers. You must dare to fly!” ~ Cass van Krah

Index-Card-a-Day is an annual creative challenge facilitated by Daisy Yellow Art, you can read all the details on her website here.

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Creative Challenges 22 Jul 2016 / 0 comments

Soul Painting Workshop: Free Spirit Mashup

Soulful painters at the June “Free Spirit” soul painting workshop. The creative joy that filled the Lively Mind Art Studio last month was electric. Holding space and giving permission for you to tap into your creative soul inspires pure magic.

Let go. Explore. Play.

Create a multi-layered work of art

Wanna feel like you’re filled with creative FREEDOM and have an unforgettable experience? Then now is the time to tap into your inner artist and inspiration!

Join me for the “Free Spirit Mashup” Soul Painting workshop at Lively Mind Art Studio. This “Mashup” will have an extra element of surprise and collaboration.

Soul Painting is accessible to anyone!
What I love most about soul painting is that it highlights your intuitive, artistic spirit. All you need is an open mind, a willingness to enjoy the process as your creativity simply unfolds. Experience an inspiring and judgement-free space where creativity flows.

Soul Painting Workshop “Free Spirit Mashup”

Saturday, July 16th 6:30pm to 9pm
Lively Mind Art Studio & Gallery Boutique
3232 N 16th St, Phoenix, AZ
$45

Yes! Sign me up for a soul painting experience.

***Seats are limited to 8 free spirits.***

No experience needed.
All supplies included.
Bring your favorite beverage (BYOB).
Light snacks provided.
Wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on.

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Painting Workshops 12 Jul 2016 / 0 comments

kristenjfagan

Mandala Magic

Mandala Magic at Lively Mind Art Studio

Studio Tour

Tutorial Tuesday: Boho Stone Necklace

Honoring the Trees at Woods Canyon Lake

Finding Light within Darkness

Free spirit MASHUP

Give the Canvas All Your Feels

In Awe at the Grand Canyon

Tutorial Tuesday: Desert Vibe Wire Wrap Earrings

iKat Inspired Painting

Index Card a Day – Week 6

Soul Painting Workshop: Free Spirit Mashup

Let go. Explore. Play.

Create a multi-layered work of art

Join me for the “Free Spirit Mashup” Soul Painting workshop at Lively Mind Art Studio. This “Mashup” will have an extra element of surprise and collaboration.

Soul Painting Workshop “Free Spirit Mashup”

Let’s Chat

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