Enter Summer:
On the art life and annual small works sale
Hello friends,
The month of May is winding down, Memorial Day is behind us, schools are letting out and we are officially entering the sunny days of summer weather.
I’ve got two teaching trips on the summer calendar and I am wildly excited for each one! In just a few short days I’ll be packing the car and hitting the road for Alchemy Cloth in Kansas City. And come August, I’ll be heading to Phoenix to teach three consecutive one-day classes at the Studio Eleven event.
It’s been a really long time since I’ve done this, but this year my annual small works on paper sale will serve as a fundraiser. In the past the sale of my small works have covered booth fees for exciting exhibition opportunities, like the American Craft Expo and SOFA Chicago, and helped me raise the funds needed to dedicate studio time for my fellowship show at the Racine Art Museum. This year, I’ll be using the proceeds from this sale to cover the additional travel expenses for my 2026 on location workshop schedule.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way—somewhat. My art life mantra has always been grounded in the reality of what it takes to get the job done, while somehow not letting my own limitations block me from achieving my goals.
This year has been a mix of accomplishments and necessary steps to rebuild my practice after all that I’ve been through over the past 8 years and I’m proud of what I’ve managed to do to get here. Many of you know exactly what that means and how challenging it has been.
There are days when I feel utterly exhausted from it all and fantasize about throwing in the towel. But I’ve learned all that really means is it’s time to give myself a break. Let go of the task list. Hit the couch or find my way to the waters edge.
It is all a part of the art life. Artists make a way when there is no way. I recently read something that struck me with the truth it spoke—that art is essential work in a world that wants to treat it like a luxury. My wheels are turning on that one. Maybe a post for another day.
Read on for more.
With love and gratitude,
Crystal Marie
Two Days Left! Half Off All Prerecorded Courses Sale!
All prerecorded courses in the shop are half off today through Monday June 1st.
No limits and No code needed—discounts will be reflected at checkout.
Annual Small Works on Paper Sale
As in the past, the annual small works on paper sale is a grab bag style presale. Each is a one-of-a-kind, original work of art crafted in the same abstract collage style, with the same care and selection of materials I use with my larger works.
Check out the listing for full details!
Small Works on Paper Sale: Alchemy Studies
For those who don’t want to wait, or simply love to know what they’re getting — I have a curated selection of small works created as studies for larger compositions on sale alongside the grab bag presale this year.
2026 Workshop Schedule
January 4, 11, 18, 25 and February 1, 2026 — A month of Sundays: 5-week Collage series; Noon-2pm CST, online — details here
April 22-27, 2026 — Visual Alchemy: making your mark in mixed media collage; Red Thread Retreat, hosted by Lesley Riley — details here — SOLD OUT
May 9th, 2026 — World Collage Day: A Collage Workshop—details here—SOLD OUT
June 5-7, 2026 — Alchemy Cloth; Studio Joy, Kansas, City MO hosted by Amanda Jolley — details here
August 6, 2026 — Discovering Your Voice in Collage; Studio 11 by Vivi Magoo; Phoenix, AZ — details here
August 7, 2026 — Collage on Cloth; Studio 11 by Vivi Magoo; Phoenix, AZ — details here
August 8, 2026 — Paper and Layers in Encaustic; Studio 11 by Vivi Magoo; Phoenix, AZ — details here
October 2-4, 2026 — Material Alchemy: Developing Layers of Meaning and Magic in Mixed Media; Bellissima Art Studio, Port Orchard, WA hosted by Kathie Vezzani — details here