In this issue...

• Bring Back that Lovin' Feelin'
• Upcoming Workshops
• Ongoing Events
• Purple Crayon Shirts

I’ve been teaching for over 30 years, so, not surprisingly, I’ve learned a few tricks over time. For example, always assume the technology will fail, and have a backup plan; Xerox is your friend! Also, don’t pretend to know the answer to a question when you don’t; students will see through your bluff, and you’ll lose credibility. And, most importantly, love—or, at least, appreciate—what you’re teaching; if you’re not passionate about your subject, students won’t be either.

This last point was weighing on me last month when I was preparing for my Polymer Clay Pens workshop. For some reason, I had started losing interest in the medium, and it had gotten worse the closer I got to the event. Although I had been very excited about making canes since discovering them several months ago, I just wasn’t feeling it.

As a I ate my breakfast the morning of the class, I had hoped my enthusiasm would magically reappear as I reviewed my agenda, but, alas, it was still MIA by the time I finished. At that point, I figured I would just have to “fake it ‘till I make it.”

Before I left the table, I decided to clarify the answers to a couple of lingering questions I had about the medium, so I watched some videos from one of my favorite polymer clay instructors. Before I knew it, POOF! My passion had returned!

Apparently, just watching another polymer clay enthusiast had rekindled my interest, just as it had kindled it initially. I breathed a huge sigh of relief and headed to the studio, excited to share my newfound interest with my students.

As I drove to Purple Crayon, it occurred to me that, a few months ago, I had had a conversation with a studio member about a similar experience she had had. She had started exploring her medium a couple of years ago, after taking a weekend class at another studio. She had really enjoyed the workshop and had begun practicing her skills regularly. Over time, however, she noticed her enthusiasm waning the more time elapsed.

Then, one day, she found an Instagram group dedicated to her art. She started following the group, and, lo and behold, her passion returned as well!

Initially, neither of us actually interacted with the communities we had tapped into; we simply read and watched videos and posts. Apparently, just experiencing other artists learning, doing, and sharing what we were interested in did the trick.

Honestly, I’m not sure why observing other artists enjoying a craft can makes that craft more enticing, but, obviously, it can. Maybe it’s validating to know that others are interested in what you’re interested in: if someone else likes to collage, for example, you think it must be a worthwhile pursuit. Maybe the more you learn about something, the more you want—and have the ability—to learn: you have to know what you don’t know about, say, mixed media to continue wanting to build your skills. Maybe it’s the human need to form identities: if I’m interested in watching someone paint, for instance, you surmise you must be a painter.  

Whatever the reason, I think it’s a real drive—and why I’ll continue to watch videos on my current art interests.

If your enthusiasm for your current medium is waning, or if you’re looking for a new medium to get excited about, I hope you’ll take time to find others who are into the same craft. As I found, you don’t necessarily have to interact with your fellow artists, but you do have to stay connected, even if it’s just through observation, to benefit.

I think most of our students would agree that, at Purple Crayon, all of our workshop instructors genuinely enjoy what they do, and it shows. If you’d like to “feel the love,” I hope you’ll join us for one of our upcoming classes:

• Art Journaling (1/8)
• Introduction to Textile Collage (1/22) —NEW!
• Alcohol Ink Silk Scarf (3/5)
• Watercolor for Absolute Beginners (3/7, 3/14, 3/21 & 3/28)
• Wire Wrapped Rings (3/19)

Happy New Year! 

​—​​​​​​Pam Robbins, Owner

Upcoming Workshops

Ongoing Events

Purple Crayon Shirts

If you've found inspiration at Purple Crayon, now you can inspire others—and support the studio—by wearing a Purple Crayon shirt! You can pick from several styles (classic tee, slim fit tee, V-neck tee, long sleeve tee, pullover hoodie, and sweatshirt). The slim fit and V-neck tee come in a medium purple, and the rest of the shirts come in a dark purple (pictured below). Your shirt(s) will ship directly to your home. Order yours today!