Before I begin, I just wanted to say a big thank you to all my fans and followers for a great 2022. While the year had a few bumps in the road as I look back, so many of the high points and good things had to do with my students and my followers.

We accomplished a lot over the year, not the least of which was my flagship workshop, “Abstract Interactive” which was released right around this time last year. Over the 10-12 weeks of that workshop, I had the privilege to witness a huge amount of growth and fantastic work from over 150 students! To be with you, side by side on that journey was a huge blessing and I’m very proud of the work that was completed together.

Abstract Interactive Self Study

Are you looking to dive deeper into the world of Abstract Painting? Or perhaps color and composition are areas you'd like to explore? If you are an artist that has a hard time going from background to composition, this premier course is the workshop for you! Abstract Interactive originally opened in January 2022 but is now available as a self-paced workshop. Going through the program takes approximately 10 weeks.
Learn more or register by going HERE.

I hope to do a new version of Abstract Interactive later in 2023 or early 2024. Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, if you didn’t get a chance to join the class when it was live, you can still jump into the self-study version of this robust workshop.

Now’s a good time to do it as there are just a few more days left in the 20% off sale (which I’ve extended to January 6th).

Learn more by going HERE.

On to the final part of my list of favorite things in 2022!

This list is primarily a list of techie items that I have used over the year or last couple of years and have found to be good finds for the price.

So if you are interested in filming your work to put up on YouTube or any of the social media networks, you may find some of these items helpful as well.

My Favorite Things Part 3

*Please note, some of the links that are provided today are part of my affiliate programs. Purchases made from visiting the links can result in a small commission to me at no charge to you. This helps me maintain this website and my art business.

K&F Concepts Overhead Tripod with Quick Release Mount

Since I first bought my tripod, they have added a quick-release mount to the package which is a great deal. I bought my quick release separately. This tool allows you to mount your mobile device easily to the ball head.

Another reason why I like this tripod is that it is versatile. You can use it as a normal tripod and you can configure it to be used for overhead shots with the arm included (you do have to take it apart a put the legs in place for an overhead shot). If you like taking macro shots, this tripod can also be configured to go very low to the ground. I’ve bought a lot of tripods in my day and this is definitely one of my favorites.

Read more about this tripod by going HERE.

I have 3 or 4 cameras I use regularly to film my classes and for photographing my work. The first of which is my cell phone. The ease of use of our cell phones these days makes it so easy to just pull out your phone and film your work on the spot. If you are in the market to buy a new phone, really pay attention to the video and camera capabilities of your phone and buy the best that you can for your money.

I wouldn’t necessarily rely on your phone for all of your audio work, but for filming on the go…yes for sure!!

Next on my list is my webcam. I do have an external camera I use on my laptop for filming things like zoom classes or intros to my classes because it’s easy to see exactly what’s in the camera frame and I can also move it to use on a tripod if necessary. When I started off with my external cameras, I bought one priced in the middle of the road. The problem with that was the autofocus often tripped up on me and I’d have to wait for the lens to focus when doing a demonstration. It also wasn’t very good in certain lighting situations.

I’m currently using a Webcam-Logitech Brio Ultra 4k Pro

Lighting is no longer a huge issue with this upgrade as it easily adjusts to correct the lighting while the autofocus isn’t as apparent as less expensive webcams seem to be. I also like the software Logitech offers with its webcams. It’s easy to set up and make adjustments to your framing, field of view, lighting, and even the angle of the camera with a few clicks on the software.

To read more abou this camea, go HERE.

While you can attach the webcam to your computer, or reconfigure it to fit on a tripod, you might also consider using a Gooseneck Atand to film at a lower angle than your computer offers.

This one is surprisingly stable due to its heavy weight. Learn more by going here.

Way Art Yonder is BACK in 2023

I’m super excited to be heading back to Jamul, California (just outside of San Diego) to the beautiful Way Art Yonder Studio to teach my Exploring Cold Wax and Oil Workshop. WAY had an extended break during covid but Jan is now ready to reopen the studio and I couldn’t be more excited!!
We just released the 2023 dates for my class. If you are available in October or want to learn more, be sure to go *HERE* for additional information.

I learned the hard way over the years that an artist should ALWAYS have the best photos of their work that they can before a piece goes out into the world at a gallery or sells to a client. I’ve lost opportunities to be published because of poor photos and there is also the lost income opportunity of selling prints of your work if you don’t have proper photos of your pieces.

While I do have a DSLR camera, in 2022 I opted to downsize my camera. Not necessarily downsize in the aspect of quality, but in the size of the camera itself.

Now I’m using: Sony ZV-1F VLOG Camera for Creators

It takes amazing shots and also does a great job at filming videos as it’s made for ‘creators’. It’s truly versatile. The only thing I don’t love is the fact the viewfinder goes out to the side rather than on the top of the camera. The solution to that is to do a vertical shot and you will have the viewfinder on top.

This is one robust package! Be sure to check it out by going here. This investment is worth it!

If you are serious about filming your work for any reason, such as for YouTube demonstrations or conducting online classes, you are going to want to have an external microphone of some sort.

Almost all cameras and video cameras come with a built-in microphone but they aren’t always the greatest. I’ve tried to adjust the quality in post-production editing but that takes a long time.

Admittedly, there are higher-priced microphone options, but the ones I’m featuring do a great job for the low to mid-range price point.

Blue Yeti Microphone Bundle

I’ve purchased all but the headphones separately and this is a huge deal getting it all as a bundle, however, you don’t need to buy all of these items if you just want a microphone. This bundle contains some key extras that are nice to have for flexibility and for sound correction.

If you decide to just get the microphone, I would also pick up the microphone windscreen/pop filter such as this one that I have as well:

Blue Yeti Foam and Furry Wind Screen. Learn more Here.

I would recommend a video camera in this list as well, but mine is about 4 years old so I’m in the market for a new one in 2023. Stay tuned to see what I find next year!

That’s a wrap, my friends, I hope you enjoyed this series of articles featuring my favorite things of 2022. I hope you find the information helpful and that you have an amazing, creative, productive, and prosperous 2023! Happy New Year!

Sticks And Stones

Begins on January 25th, 2023! I’d love for you to join me and many others from around the world for this fresh new online workshop!
Pre-register today or jump in at any time after 1/25/2023. Hope to see you there!

Learn more