Maker's Blog - Artwork Atrium

The “I’m not creative” myth and 3 ways to be creative

Posted on April 17, 2026 (April 22, 2026)

pencil sketch of artists' hand drawing with pencil

Something I hear often as a teacher in the creative arts, is “I’m not creative”. This feels like an unbreakable wall for those who truly believe this about themselves and believe it means they are not able to participate in any creative venture. Today we’re going to debunk this myth and discover 3 ways to […]

Why is it so hard to be a beginner?

Posted on January 15, 2026 (January 13, 2026)

close up of hands holding a crochet hook over a rug in progress, poised and ready to get to work

Learning a new skill = learning to be a beginner again As adults, we concentrate our time on skills we’re expert in. We become accustomed to this casual expertise, and after a while all the hard work we did to learn the skills fades into the past. Until someone asks a question, the path of […]

Experimenting with Neocolor II pastels and Charcoal Watercolor

Posted on April 24, 2025

color pastel sketch of shrubbery with inset of charcoal watercolor brush doodle

We all have favorite media, but I’ve been wanting to use all the great supplies I have at my disposal. And so at my recent “Art Day” with my regular art group (I have a regular art group!), I brought out my box of Caran d’Ache Neocolor II pastels to work with. A friend had […]

Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Green and me

Posted on February 19, 2025 (August 21, 2025)

Close up photo of 30 year old bottle of Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Green ink and it's box beside it

My bottle of Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Green has been in my art toolkit for a long time. It has finally succumbed to the ravages of time, and I have feelings about it! It all started when… Really, this story began in childhood. I stood in a stationery store, and saw on the shelf a bottle […]

The Rose: Painting with 3 liquid inks

Posted on January 29, 2025

Painting with 3 liquid inks of rose in bouquet, with leaves of myrtle, firs and mini carnations visible

Painting with 3 liquid inks, an adventure in an afternoon. This past December, I received as a gift three fountain pen inks from the New Orleans-based stationer Papier Plume: Garden District Azalea, Moss Green, and Cafe Diabolique. I have other inks from this maker in my collection, but these three colors were new to me. […]

Oil Pastels Revisited

Posted on January 7, 2025

oil pastel drawing on paper of sewing tomato atop a secrets tin with spools of thread nearby

In my artistic life, I have not worked with oil pastels very much. Usually my focus is on painting, printing, lettering and drawing with ink and pencil. This past holiday, I went to see the “Mary Cassatt at Work” exhibit in San Francisco with my family. I knew I would enjoy it, but what I […]

My Pen Show Experience: SF Pen Show 2024

Posted on September 3, 2024

Flat lay image of stationery and fountain pen items bought at SF Pen Show 2024

My pen show experience this year was lovely. I worked at a vendor table on the show floor, taught two classes, and hung out with friends, some of whom I only see once a year at this show. While it is a busy schedule to call a “vacation”, it is my main vacation: the one […]

Brush Comparison: Round vs. Long Round

Posted on August 19, 2024

Round and Long Round paintbrush over a background of a watercolor wash using green pigment, with the labels "Round" and "Long Round" over the brush tips

What is the difference between the Round Brush and Long Round Brush, and why is the Long Round my favorite? That is an excellent question, and I’m glad you’ve asked! In this paintbrush comparison we’ll find out why I love the Long Round so much I provide this brush for my ink painting students. Round […]

Creative Projects of August: Knitting, Ink Painting Class and Pen Show prep

Posted on August 15, 2024 (August 21, 2025)

Here it is another month already! That means it’s time for a Creative Project Progress Report. I’ll update progress on my July projects and talk about what I am working on for August. The Big Finish: Na Craga Cabled Sweater I had one great big finish in July: my “Na Craga” sweater, designed by Alice […]

Creative Projects of July: what are you working on?

Posted on July 12, 2024

creative projects flat lay: cable knit sweater pieces with a bright blue ink painting, paintbrushes, and patchwork sewing and embroidery laid out over it

I’ve got three main creative projects this July: I am working on creating ink painting content during the buildup towards the ink painting class that I teach, and have a plein air art date with friends coming up. It is so enjoyable to get together with friends in a lovely space and make art and […]

Trees across the gulch, a tinted sumi ink painting

Posted on July 20, 2022

tinted sumi ink painting of trees and shrubs on a low ridge.

Tinted Sumi Ink Painting Meant to be a warm-up exercise, this small sketch of trees and shrubs viewed from across the gulch has become a favorite painting. It is an ink painting using tinted sumi ink from pans. When I paint with ink I usually work with liquid ink of various types, so it is […]

Happy the Pencil Sharpener, color chalk drawing

Posted on July 15, 2022

chalk drawing on tan toned paper by artist Julia van der Wyk. Pencil sharpener is atop fence post with leaves in the background and appears to be smiling. Loosely drawn.

Color Chalk Drawing Happy the Pencil Sharpener, a color chalk drawing on tan toned paper. Loose and free, with suggestions of the world around, but the focus of this drawing is the form and substance of a pencil sharpener that lives permanently bolted to the rail around my front porch. And yes, I do use […]

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