In this course, From the Journal to the Wall, join Sarah Gardner as she takes off on this amazing mixed media art adventure: translating the creative techniques of art journaling into stunning wall art.
Inspired by questions from students in Juggling Journals, her first course on Create Arts Online, this course answers the challenge of taking mixed media techniques off the art journal page and onto wood cradle panels.
You will learn how to create two 8x8-inch mixed media panels using layered techniques that blend freedom, experimentation, and artistic intention. You’ll learn to embrace the creative process, let go of perfectionism, and focus on fearlessly layering to build beautiful compositions.
If you’ve taken Juggling Journals, this course introduces a whole new set of techniques not covered in the first course.
What you'll learn with Sarah's step-by-step guidance:
- Creating Your Own Collage Paper: Start by designing custom “Art Paper” for layering—a playful and experimental way to spark your creativity.
- Layering Techniques: Learn how to collage vintage book text, sheet music, and botanical drawings for a textured foundation.
- Adding Color and Detail: Use crayons, pastels, and handmade stamps to infuse your panels with movement, tone-on-tone patterns, and focal imagery.
- Transparent Glazes: Discover how to create depth and dimension with a chalk pastel glaze
- Flowing Acrylic Inks: Add vibrant drips and movement to your artwork, balancing structure with spontaneity.
- Gloss Medium and Glitter: Give your panels a polished finish with a glossy sheen and a touch of sparkle.
- Finishing Touches: Add delicate marks and details that bring your artwork to life, just like in art journaling.
Throughout the course, Sarah shares her personal tips for overcoming creative resistance and embracing the joy of the process. Whether you're a seasoned journaler or new to mixed media, you’ll walk away with not just beautiful art for your walls but also a deeper appreciation for the meditative power of creating.
Sarah has included a detailed materials list with all of her favorite supplies and resources.
Your Instructor
Sarah Gardner is a mom, a practicing lawyer, and a mixed media artist and teacher. She lives with her family in Cardiff by the Sea, California. She’s been creating and teaching mixed media art since 2007. Her creative practice takes place in her art journal and in making a lot of art to share: Postcards, ATCs, Kindness Cards, Paper Mobiles, Mini Journals, and more.
Since launching her art business, Juicy*S Art, in 2019, Sarah has been teaching live art workshops she calls “Art Play Dates,” and teaching online classes. She was a guest host for Everything Art’s Wanderlust, an online art journaling course, in 2020, teaching six lessons that year. She has taught several other online courses, including Fodder School 1 from Willa Workshops, One Badass Art Journal 2023 hosted by Embrace Your Art, and has begun providing her own classes from her online Teachable school, Juicy*S Mixed Media Art School. She was a Creative Team Member for StencilGirl® Products from April 2021 to March 2022, and will soon launch a series of her own stencil designs from StencilGirl®. Her book: “Share Your Joy: Inspired Mixed Media Shareable Art” will be out in print in the Fall of 2023.
“I’m Sarah Gardner, also known as Juicy*S. Juicy*S is my DJ name. I am not a DJ. I would love to be a DJ. I am a recovering perfectionist. I have learned that what gives me joy is the process of creating, not the “perfect” end result. When I’m creating, I’m really focused on the process, enjoying the intuitive way things happen, seeing what different media do, and experimenting and playing around without judging every choice I make. Staying curious and being kind to myself, trusting this process, is a mindfulness practice. I hope to help others explore creativity, ignore that perfectionistic inner critic, and play around with art supplies. It gives me joy and I want to share this way to happiness. This is my wish for you. What’s your DJ name? Let's sling some paint, make some art, and you can tell me all about it!”
Course Curriculum
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StartIntro and personal interview with Sarah and Tami (13:19)
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StartPDF for download. Sarah's favorite supplies, materials, and resources
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StartSarah's Ephemera PDF's for download
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StartCourse overview (2:28)
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StartMaterials tour (5:26)
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StartIntro to ART PAPER & Handmade Stamp Supplies (2:40)
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StartMaking handmade foam stamps (6:38)
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StartArt Paper - Stencil Layers Part 1 (5:46)
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StartArt Paper - Stencil Layers Part 2 (3:27)
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StartArt Paper - Stencil Layers Part 3 (5:44)
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StartArt Paper - Stamped Shapes (8:56)
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StartArt Paper - Watery Media Layer (10:51)
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StartLayer One - Vintage Ephemera Collage Part 1 (23:00)
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StartLayer One - Vintage Ephemera Collage Part 2 (6:46)
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StartLayer Two - Unifying Gesso (6:26)
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StartLayer Three - Marks and Color in a "Valley" (20:16)
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StartLayer Four - ART PAPER Collage (20:13)
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StartLayer Five - Adding Light with Dry Brush (15:31)
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StartLayer Six - Adding Sheer Color with Glaze Part 1 (15:57)
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StartLayer Six - Adding Sheer Color with Glaze Part 2 (12:39)
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StartLayer Seven - Structural Sketchy Lines (4:37)
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StartLayer Eight - Tone-on-Tone Stamping Part 1 (19:47)
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StartLayer Eight - Tone-on-Tone Stamping Part 2 (13:45)
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StartLayer Nine - Adding Movement and Detail (10:15)
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StartLayer Ten - Playing with Acrylic Inks Part 1 (12:42)
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StartLayer Ten - Playing with Acrylic Inks Part 2 (5:13)
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StartLayer Ten - Playing with Acrylic Inks Part 3 (10:25)
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StartLayer Eleven - Adding Gloss and Texture Part 1 (10:59)
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StartLayer Eleven - Adding Gloss and Texture Part 2 (8:04)
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StartLayer Twelve - Finishing Details and Doodles (15:09)
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StartWrap Up and Review! (1:22)