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Are you looking for some inspiration or new ideas to help keep you motivated with your art projects?  This month we’re going to be talking about daily practice projects! We’ll cover everything from week-long activities, to monthly challenges and all the way up to a daily year-long practice.

Topic: Daily Practice Projects
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

Meeting Details:

We’ll begin by talking about the different challenges available, ways to participate and how it can help you build structure, find inspiration, stay accountable and build community. We’ll also spend some time considering our own work and how joining one of these challenges could possibly benefit our practice. Then we’re going to spend time working in our art journals. We will also have time to share work that we have created in a prior challenge, something made in the meeting or share plans for an upcoming challenge so that we can cheer each other on.

Supplies to bring:

Something for notetaking

A book to work in (sketchbook, art journal, junk journal, etc…)

Your favorite supplies

Work you created in an art challenge that you’d like to share

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we cannot guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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Signups for the March meeting are now open!

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Signups for the March meeting are now open!

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This event has filled. Thanks! Please add your name to the waitlist to be contacted when a spot opens up.
Free Please RSVP. Space is Limited

IN PERSON

The MN Visual Journal Collective meets 12 times a year on the third Monday of the month, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wet Paint. Meetings are free and open to any adult who is interested in keeping visual journals. All skill levels are encouraged from beginner to life-long journal keepers.

A little bit about the group: We are an eclectic, curious, and welcoming adult group interested in sketching and observing our lives. Come and join in the fun! You may also wish to join the MN Visual Journal Collective Google Group to stay informed of upcoming meetings and/or any last minute changes due to weather.

This month's Topic: Making Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) using mindful drawing/painting techniques and swap sign up. Artist Trading Cards are tiny pieces of art that are created and trading among artists around the world.

Volunteer Coordinators for 2023: Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com and Molly of TheFoundArtWalk.com Volunteer Coordinators for 2017, 2018, and 2019 were Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com and TJ of StudioMailbox.com Previous Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Hughes Original Creator of the Visual Journal Collective - Roz Stendahl Many Thanks to TJ, Suzanne, and Roz for their years of dedication to this group

Masks are optional for shopping and classes at Wet Paint. Thanks!

Wet Paint Artists' Materials and Framing is located at 1684 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Public Transportation to Wet Paint:
The #63 bus in St. Paul stops at Wet Paint and connects with the Green Line Light Rail in downtown St. Paul and at Westgate Station on University Ave. The A line stops only 2 blocks away at Grand and Snelling.

Parking once you get here: We have a small number of parking spots the lot behind the store. Street parking - there are some 2-hour restrictions on Grand Avenue near the shops but no restrictions on Cambridge Street and Lincoln Avenue -a block from the store. The Hidden River Middle School lot directly across from the store is usually available on evenings, as long as no school events are happening

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MN Visual Journal Collective Meet Up - Wet Paint

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This event has filled. Thanks! Please add your name to the waitlist to be contacted when a spot opens up. IN PERSON The MN Visual Journal Collective meets 12 times [...]

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Includes classes for Wet Paint, Artistry, Heart Space and Hopkins Center for the Arts

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Join me for an upcoming class live or online!

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Signups for the March postcard swap are now open! This form will close after our meeting on March 16th and then I'll send the list out to participants.

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MN VJC - March 2026 postcard swap sign-up

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Thank you for signing up for the March postcard swap! If you have any questions, please refer to the Postcard Swap Info doc in the Padlet. Sign-ups will be open until March 16, 2026. Molly will email out the list as soon as it is ready. Please fill in all the address lines with complete information and DOUBLE CHECK YOUR ENTRY BEFORE SUBMITTING. This information will directly fill the spreadsheet that is sent out to the group. This swap is only open to members of the Minnesota Visual Journal Collective and is not to be shared with the general public.

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January cards are in the mail.

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Finally catching up....December cards going out this weekend, November cards went out 10 days ago...forgot to take picture... message from cards below.

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Topic: Start with Art: Living with Passion (special presentation with guest speaker Susan Schuster)
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

Meeting Details:

We are so excited to begin the new year with a special presentation from guest speaker and fellow MN VJC member Susan Schuster! Susan will be guiding us through her program titled Start with Art: Living with Passion, during which we’ll kickoff the year by considering our artistic practice, where we give and receive, how we weave art into our days, and how we flourish through the act of sharing our art.

You’ll create your own small work of art with the supplies you bring and another small work of art to share with someone on Valentines Day.

Come prepared to tell a story about how you share your art during celebrations and the heart-filled times of life.

Supplies to bring:

Bring a journal to write in, reflect in, and create in.

Also bring supplies to create with such as

Collage paper

Cards

Paints

Embroidery floss and needles for slow stitch

Markers/pens

3-D ephemera

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we cannot guarantee there will be room.

Happy New Year & see you soon!

Molly & Briana

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Mark your calendars for TC Zine Fest 2026! 

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Mark your calendars for TC Zine Fest 2026! 

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July postcards went out last weeks - I am catching up!

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Monday, January 19, 2026 – Start with Art: Living with Passion (special presentation)

Monday, February 16, 2026 – Journal Exchange

Monday, March 16, 2026 – Daily Practice Projects

Monday, April 20, 2026 – Ink Marks & Accordion Books

Monday, May 18, 2026 – Using Photos in Your Journal

Monday, June 15, 2026 – Supply swap (location TBD)

Monday, July 20, 2026 – Mini Books (using paint & ink in tiny books)

Monday, August 17, 2026 – Wet Paint Demo

Monday, September 21, 2026 – Kneaded Eraser Prints with an Ink Pad

Monday, October 19, 2026 – Fodder & Ephemera Exchange

Monday, November 16, 2026 – Round Robin (group project)

Monday, December 7, 2026 – Mandalas (PLEASE NOTE – this date is TWO weeks earlier than our usual monthly meetings)

*Topics subject to change depending on availability of teachers and/or supplies or weather. Meetings with a different time, date, and/or location have been indicated.

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MN Visual Journal Collective-December 8, 2025 Meeting Announcement

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MN Visual Journal Collective-December 8, 2025 Meeting Announcement

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We look forward to seeing you on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Remember to RSVP

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Some people had expressed an interest in attending Kathy's service so I wanted to share that her obituary has been posted and a celebration of life service is planned for Saturday, January 10th from 1:00-4:00 pm (details are in the link above).

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Kathryn Ann (Bewitz) Wackman Obituary November 2, 2025 - Bradshaw Funeral

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View Kathryn Ann (Bewitz) Wackman’s obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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Collect all your scraps, cardboard and throw-away papers because this month we’re making junk journals!

Topic: Junk Journals
Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

Meeting Details:

We’ll start off by looking at a couple of different book structures and I’ll demo a pamphlet stitch and how to make a cardboard accordion book. You can choose to make either of these or both, it’s up to you, just make sure to bring enough supplies for the structure(s) you’d like to make. Then we’ll spend time working in our books and gather at the end of the meeting to share what we made or you can share any other junk journals you’ve made on your own.

Supplies to bring:

For the Pamphlet Stitch Book:

Something for the cover (I recommend a Kraft Amazon mailing envelope or empty food box)

Papers to fold and use for the inside signature

Awl

Binder clips

Waxed thread or other thread to bind your book

A needle to stitch (I recommend a large eye tapestry needle because it’s thick enough for waxed thread and has a blunt end)

Scissors

Anything you’d like to use to work inside your book

For the Cardboard Accordion Book:

At least 4 (or more) pieces of cardboard from a mailing box all cut to the same size

Awl

Waxed thread or other thread to bind your book

A needle to stitch (I recommend a large eye tapestry needle because it’s thick enough for waxed thread and has a blunt end)

Scissors

Anything you’d like to use to work inside your book

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we cannot guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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In loving memory of our dear friend Kathy Wackman

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In loving memory of our dear friend Kathy Wackman

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It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend Kathy Wackman. Kathy had been a member of the MN Visual Journal Collective for many years and was always such an enthusiastic and supportive member of our group. She was also a very beloved patron of Wet Paint and lovingly referred to it as “her home away from home.” Kathy took many classes through Wet Paint, including nearly every class I taught. She always sat right next to me, was so excited to learn whatever topic I was teaching, engaged and connected with others in the class and was incredibly supportive, passionate and loving. Her loss leaves a huge hole in my heart and an empty seat next to me, but I will also never forget the inspiration, support and encouragement she gave me. She truly believed in the healing properties of art, how it could be used to create community and that some of life’s best moments were spent among our art supplies. She will be dearly missed.

In her honor, I encourage you to pull out your favorite supplies and make a mess today, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Cherish those simple moments and how they support and replenish us.

Thank you for everything Kathy, your spirit will live on in every mark I make.

Love,

Molly

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Let's explore resist techniques with watercolor. Bring what you'd like from the suggested supplies and examples of other resist technique work you've done. See you Monday!

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Share your ideas for the 2026 schedule! 

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Share your ideas for the 2026 schedule! 

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It's time to start planning for the 2026 MN VJC schedule and we want to hear your input! Fill out the form above and let us know what you'd like to see on the schedule for next year.

This form will remain open until October 31, 2025.

Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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MN Visual Journal Collective - 2025 Meeting Topic Ideas

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It’s time to start planning for our 2026 meeting schedule and we want to hear your ideas! Are there topics you’d love to try, but need some help getting started? Is there a favorite meeting topic you want to make sure absolutely stays on the schedule again next year? Let us know! Please fill out the survey below by EOD October 31, 2025. For reference, here are the topics we covered in 2025: Slow drawing & watercolors
Grid journaling
Prompt night (group project)
Gel plates with ink pads & stencils
Working small – tiny books & Index Card A Day (ICAD)
Supply swap Wet Paint ink demo
Accordion books & low-pressure lettering
Paper swap & Stacked collages – handmade/hand-cut papers
Watercolors & resists
Make your own junk journal
Round Robin – group project

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For everyone who was wondering about FLOW magazine reffed to at the September meeting

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For everyone who was wondering about FLOW magazine reffed to at the September meeting

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Here is a link to information about it.

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About Products Videos Celebrating Life’s Little Pleasures “The best things happen when you dare to follow your heart. And that’s exactly what we did when we hatched this idea for a new magazine in …

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Had fun using maps we collected on our unexpected trip and adding fun transportation images and quotes about travel. Also used up some old washi tape. August cards in the mail today.

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September Meeting Announcement **Please read all the details!

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September Meeting Announcement **Please read all the details!

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This month we’re doing a Fodder Swap with handmade papers and then talking about how to use all these bits in our art journals!

Topic: Handmade Paper Fodder Swap & using fodder in our art journals
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

How this meeting will work:

This month’s meeting will be broken down into two parts. Details for each of those parts are listed below.

Part 1: Handmade paper fodder swap

Part 2: How to use collage fodder in our art journals. We’ll talk about stacked collages, adhesives, making things moveable and so much more!

Handmade Paper Swap Details:

For this meeting, you must bring a selection of handmade fodder to swap with everyone in attendance. Please note – these pieces MUST be completed at home, we will NOT have time to work on them in the meeting. We suggest preparing 30 baggies just to make sure we have enough for everyone. But don’t let that number overwhelm you! We recommend putting between 1-5 items in each bag and these aren’t finished pieces of work that you need to create, these are little bits of fodder that will be used for collage in our art journals. Here are some ideas for ways to make collage bits:

Watercolor circles

Stamp images onto a sheet of paper (color them in if you choose) and then cut them out

Using watercolors or acrylics, fill a full sheet of paper then cut out shapes (maybe Matisse-inspired shapes or something else you love, such as seashells)

Fill a page with doodles then cut them out (if you follow Amy Maricle and do her weekly slow drawing sessions, these would be great to use!)

Cut out images from a magazine, book or collage book such as Collage Soup or another collage paper book.

You will take between 1-5 of whatever you choose to make (you can do one thing or a mix; it’s up to you) then put them in a small baggie to swap. It might be easiest to keep your baggies in a box or some other container. In the meeting, we’ll walk around the room and take one baggie from each person’s container. You may also want to bring something to put your baggies in to make them easier to collect.

Part II: How to use all those handmade goodies!

After we collect our baggies, we’ll come back to our seats, sort through our stash and then learn some fun and simple ways to use these supplies. We’ll discuss collage styles, such as stacked collages, and different adhesives to use to secure these pieces to our pages including glue, staples, brads and thread.

Supplies to bring:

An art journal, sketchbook or junk journal

Glue stick or another adhesive

Scissors (optional)

Awl for poking holes (optional)

Stapler, brads and needle/thread if you want to try any of those styles

Markers, pens, etc in case you want to add color or doodle on your pages/around your fodder.

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we cannot guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "6-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "6-2025"

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"6-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "4-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "4-2025"

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"4-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "3-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "3-2025"

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"3-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? "Thank you for your patience! "2-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? "Thank you for your patience! "2-2025"

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"2-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "1-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "1-2025"

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"1-2025"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "12-2024"

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I had a bunch of half finished batches of postcards and I finally caught up! Better late than never? Thank you for your patience! "12-2024"

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August 18, 2025-Accordion Book and Low-Pressure Lettering

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August 18, 2025-Accordion Book and Low-Pressure Lettering

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Join us for our upcoming MN Visual Journal Collective meeting! Please register to reserve your spot! Call Wet Paint if you are unable to attend, so someone on the waitlist can join us instead! Thank you

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Found these cards in Grand Marais and had fun with crayons and watercolor. July 2025 cards.

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And page two, which includes the author’s name and more resources.

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Here is the 1st page of the instructions for making reed or bamboo dip pens that I brought to the July meeting.

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April postcards went out this week!

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June 2025 postcards leaf prints with acrylic paint.

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Our July meeting is next Monday, July 21st, and this month is all about inks! Wet Paint will do a demo to teach us all about all the ink options they carry including drawing inks, fountain pen inks and acrylic inks. We’ll learn about their composition and whether they’re permanent or not. We’ll also touch on which tools are used for each (such as fountain pens and dip pens), but that will not be the main focus. After the demo, we’ll have time for shopping and time to work in our journals and sketchbooks.

Topic: Ink demo from Wet Paint
Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

Supplies to bring:

Art journal or sketchbook

Your favorite ink & tools to use it

Any artwork you’d like to share that was made with your favorite ink

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. The meeting is currently full, but please be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we can not guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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And May is in the mail too, I’m almost caught up! 

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And May is in the mail too, I’m almost caught up! 

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February postcards are finally in the mail!

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Meeting Announcement for Monday, June 16, 2025-Supply Swap-Note New Location-NO RSVP Required

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Meeting Announcement for Monday, June 16, 2025-Supply Swap-Note New Location-NO RSVP Required

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MN Visual Journal Collective-June 2025 Meeting Announcement

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Join Briana online for Art Play Dates and Writing Practice Wednesdays!

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Here is the information for the ICAD challenge that we talked about in the meeting last night. It runs June 1 - July 31st.

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This challenge has the power to alter your creative trajectory and have a little fun even when the world is falling apart. Index cards are invaluable, yet not precious.

Great for playing, experimenting, inventing, discovering, figuring things out, brightening your day, establishing a consistent creative practice, and just letting loose and following your "what-if???" thoughts.
All of the details: https://daisyyellowart.com/icad-base

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Hi everyone! On my long, long things-to-do list I've had MAKE ICAD MOVIE for over a year. And this week, I crossed this off the list. Seriously. I never cross things off my list, because I am always doing something but not the things on my list. So this is a goodie!

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February postcards in the mail (finally)!

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This month we’re stepping into the world of small art by exploring tiny books and the Index Card A Day (ICAD) project!

Topic: Working Small: Tiny Books & ICAD
Date: Monday, May 19, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

Working small can be intimidating, but there are some really great benefits to embracing a smaller substrate. To get started, we’ll look at some examples of tiny books and I’ll share some simple ways to make your own itty bitty art journals. We’ll also talk about the best supplies to use in these mini books. Then we’ll talk about Index Card A Day (ICAD), the benefits of trying a challenge like this one, how to store your cards, and how you can participate.

Supplies to bring:

A tiny art journal and/or some small sheets of paper or index cards to work on (if you want to try binding a tiny book, you can use a binder ring and hole punch, a stapler, or a needle and thread to make your book. You’ll just need paper for your signature and something to use as a cover).

Your favorite supplies to use on the pages, such as:

Drawing pens/markers

Tiny collage scraps and a glue stick

Paint pens, gel pens

Watercolors

Washi tape

Please bring any tiny books or past ICAD challenges you have to share!

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we can not guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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The book I mentioned at the April meeting

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The book I mentioned at the April meeting

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This is the book that I mentioned in our recent meeting - very interesting - a memoir told in short essays about Beth Kephart's interests in paper making, book binding, mixed media, and ephemera.

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My Life in Paper: Adventures in Ephemera - Magers & Quinn Booksellers

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Gel Printing with Ink Pads using Stencils, Texture Plates, and Stamps

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MN Visual Journal Collective April 21, 2025 Meeting Announcement

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Textile Center Garage sale coming up again

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March postcards went out...time to make some waves!!

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Here is the full list of prompts I made for the meeting Monday night. I recommend printing them, cutting them out then putting them in a bowl so you can randomly select one at a time.

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Molly Anthony_Art journaling prompt list_MN VJC March 2025

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December postcards sent out. Sorry, I didn't realize I was so far behind! January and February coming soon! I have been loving the ones that I am receiving!

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November postcards sent out

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January postcards are finally in the mail! I’m encouraging everyone to use the quote on the front of their card as a prompt and to create something in response to it.

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Hello Friends!

This month we’re going to have a Prompt Night for our meeting! So, gather your supplies and your art journal and prepare to play and have fun!

Topic: Prompt Night
Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul
Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

How it works:

I will have a stack of prompts for us to choose from and we’ll keep pulling cards until our spreads are full. The prompts will be something simple that we can complete in a short amount of time and the supplies will be open-ended so that you can use whatever you brought. For example, maybe one prompt might say “add a pop of red to your page,” so you could use a paint pen, watercolors or even a piece of washi tape. It will be so much fun to see what everyone creates because even though we’re all using the same prompts, our pages will be very different!

Suggested supplies to bring:

·       Sketchbook or art journal

·       Drawing pen(s)

·       Markers and/or paint pens

·       Gel pens

·       Watercolors

·       Colored pencils

·       Collage materials

·       Scissors & a glue stick

·       Rubber stamps

·       Washi tape

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we cannot guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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FEBRUARY cards going out, all about spots....

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February 17, 2025 Meeting at Wet Paint -6pm-8pm-RSVP Required

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February 17, 2025 Meeting at Wet Paint -6pm-8pm-RSVP Required

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Grid journaling in two styles will be the topic of our meeting. Be sure to RSVP via the Wet Paint link or call the store: 651-698-6431

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Our very own Jenny Maroney has a NEW set of Art Foamies and they're now available! You can also get her previous stamps through the Art Foamies website too! (click the link above)

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Jenny Maroney | Daily Girls | Foam Stamps - Set of 6

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This listing is for six limited-edition ArtFoamies stamps designed by Jenny Maroney! ArtFoamies Foam Stamps can be used with acrylic paint, fabric paint or inks. Easy clean-up. Decorate fabric, smooth walls, floors, furniture, curtains, tablecloths, scrapbook papers, gift wrap, mixed media and much more. A revolution

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Love is messy...so are my postcards happy valentines day.

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Happy 2025! We’re excited to gather together and welcome in the new year with an activity that invites calm, quiet and curiosity into our lives and art practice.

Topic: Slow drawing & Watercolors
Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Location: Wet Paint in St. Paul

Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

In this lesson we’ll begin by examining items from nature such as shells, pinecones, rocks, dried plants and more to search for shapes or patterns and recording our observations in our sketchbooks. Then we’ll search through those ideas for a shape or shapes we can use to create a pattern that we’ll practice drawing and painting slowly and mindfully as a way to be intentional with our drawing and also to bring calm to our bodies and minds. We’ll also discuss how to search for hidden meaning in the objects we’re examining.

Supplies to bring:

A natural object (shell, rock, dried plant, etc.) Some will be available for use, but please try to bring your own.

Sketchbook

Waterproof pen

Watercolors & a brush

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited. If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And if you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot. If you come without registering or without a call from Virginia notifying you that a waiting list spot is available, we can not guarantee there will be room.

See you soon!

Molly & Briana

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Here's a link to the video I mentioned at the meeting last night about Jane Fonda on CBS Saturday Morning talking about the importance of building community through art classes.

Thank you to all of you for being a part of this art community and for making it such a special, inspiring, supportive and loving place to be! I'm so thankful for all of you!

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A Yale study showed that older people with more positive beliefs about aging lived an average of 7.5 longer than people who equated aging with disease and decline. Actress and activist Jane Fonda and anti-ageism advocate Ashton Applewhite present “Sunday Morning” viewers with a key to living a longer life, by maintaining a better outlook.

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Cats we know and love -  September postcards. Slowly catching up now that I cleared off my workspace!

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Thanks ..November cards went out

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January 20, 2025 – Slow drawing & watercolors

February 17, 2025 – Grid journaling

March 17, 2025 – Prompt night (group project)

April 21, 2025 – Gel plates with ink pads and stencils

May 19, 2025 – Working small (tiny books & ICAD)

June 16, 2025 – Supply swap (location TBD)

July 21, 2025 – Wet Paint ink demo

August 18, 2025 – Accordion books & low-pressure lettering

September 15, 2025 – Paper swap & Stacked collages – die cuts, handmade/hand cut papers

October 20, 2025 – Watercolors & resists

November 17, 2025 – Make your own junk journal

December 8, 2025 – Round Robin (group project) – meeting date moved up one week to accommodate for Wet Paint’s holiday inventory

*Topics are subject to change

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We are excited to welcome our guest facilitator for the Monday, December 9th MN Visual Journal Collective meeting.

Here's what you need to know:

Monday, Dec. 9 at Wet Paint,

6pm-8pm

Guest workshop facilitator: Susan Schuster, a cross-sector social impact leader; well-being and organizational leadership pracademic (practitioner and academic); and fan of art as a way to connect, develop, reflect, and lead.

As we wrap up 2024, it's a great time to reflect on our lives and the stories we are living.

In advance of our class, consider reflecting on your life: what story you are living, what story you are telling yourself, and what story others see in you.

Suggested supplies:

Bring either a journal you'd liked to create in or another item or piece of paper or fabric you can collage on.

Bring gluable ephemera (2D or 3D) from your life that is meaningful to you. Inspiring or thought provoking words or items that you can use to make a personal statement about what matters to you, who you are, whatever strikes you are perfect.

Bring paper or fabric in colors you like.

Bring a pen or other item to write with.

Bring scissors, glue, and other art supplies that you like to have handy.

Please reserve your spot on the Wet Paint site:

https://info.wetpaintart.com/event/mn-visual-journal-collective-meet-up-24/

If you sign up, and then cannot attend, please call Wet Paint, so they may call the next person on the waitlist.

Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

We look forward to seeing you!

With Gratitude,

Briana and Molly

Volunteer Co-facilitators for the MN Visual Journal Collective

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Monday, November 18, 2024

Wet Paint-6pm-8pm

Topic: Favorite Things

Get ready to make your holiday wish list because this month we’re talking about our favorite things! This topic includes:

·       Supplies

·       Techniques

·       Artists

·       Books

·       Classes (in-person or online)

Make a list of a few of your favorites (this is a topic we could talk about for hours, so we need to trim down our lists to just a few so we have time for everyone). And if you have anything you can bring to show us, please include that as well. This could be the supply itself, a copy of a book, artwork you made using a technique, supply or from a class, etc.

We will go around the room and everyone will have a chance to share their list. Molly will record everyone’s favorites and compile a master list that will be posted to Padlet and sent out in the Google group so that we can all have a copy.

Suggestions of things to bring:

A notebook to take any notes you want to record on your own

Samples of your favorite things

Supplies

A book

Links to share to social media or a website so we can find the information

A sample of an artist’s work

A sample of work you made using a technique or in class

Just a reminder that these meetings are free, but you must register on the Wet Paint website because space is limited.

If the meeting is full, be sure to add your name to the waitlist. And ff you register, but then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot.

Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

Thank you!

Molly & Briana

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The Making Zen Retreat is coming back this November!

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The Making Zen Retreat is coming back this November!

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New Alisa Burke Class - Creative Correspondence

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New Alisa Burke Class - Creative Correspondence

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I LOVE Alisa's classes and this one looks fantastic. It made me think of our postcard swaps!

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NEW! creative correspondence- BEGINS NOVEMBER 11th

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CLASS BEGINS NOVEMBER 11th With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to create and send heartfelt letters! In Creative Correspondence, you’ll embark on 30 days of inspiration to craft unique envelopes, cards, labels and more. Each day, you’ll explore fast and simple mixed media techniques and a variety

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MN Visual Journal Collective

October 21, 2024

Wet Paint

6pm-8pm

Meeting Topic: Transparent Art and Layers for Journaling

Greetings, Everyone,

Our October MN Visual Journal Collective meeting at Wet Paint will focus on transparent art layers.

There are many approaches to working with transparent layers.

Here are some suggested supplies to bring:

Your journal

Clear packaging tape

Any scrapbooking items that are clear, such as Tim Holtz transparent things, Dina Wakley printed transparencies, printed vellum, rub-on transfers

Photos or imagery printed on transparency film

Scissors

Glue stick and/or gel medium and/or permanent tape runner and/or a mini stapler

Awl and mini brads

Clear plastic bags (such as those found on handmade cards)

Mailing envelope windows

Transparent tapes

Clear sticker labels

StazOn black ink

A few favorite rubber stamps

Gel printed deli papers

Acrylic paint pens

Sharpie markers

Gel pens

Miscellaneous paper and fabric scraps

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Wet Paint!

You must RSVP to reserve your spot. If you register, and then are unable to attend, please call the store.

651.698.6431

RSVP

https://info.wetpaintart.com/event/mn-visual-journal-collective-meet-up-22/

Thank you!

-Briana and Molly

Volunteer Co-Facilitators of the MN Visual Journal Collective

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These hit the mailbox a day or two ago! I will be missing the October, November and December meetings - teaching on Monday nights, but I will be back in January!

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Sent out my September cards but one came back with the address label missing. Did anyone not get their card ? Let me know and i can resend..... made from a punch I got at the swap and lots of different security envelopes.

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And August postcards are in the mail too!

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July postcards are finally in the mail!

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Monday, September 16, 2024

Wet Paint-6pm-8pm

Topic: Round Robin Project

This is one of our favorite meetings of the year! Here’s how it works: bring a book that you are willing to let other people work in. Open it to a clean spread and then we’ll begin to pass our books around the room (be advised - if your book is small and the spread fills up, we may need to turn the page and use the next spread also). You will each work in every book that is passed around the room (we’ll set a timer, but we’ll only have a few minutes to work so we need to work fast). When you get your book back, the spread will be filled with artwork from everyone in the room!

A few tips:

Plan ahead – it’s best to have an idea of what you’d like to do before you come so you don’t spend your time trying to decide what to do and then don’t have time to work.

Make it simple! You’ll only have a small space to work in and a very short amount of time so don’t use an idea that’s complicated or requires a lot of materials.

Do something that dries quickly – we’ll be passing the books every few minutes and you don’t want your work to get smeared so be sure to plan for something that won’t take too long to dry.

Suggestions of supplies to bring:

A journal or sketchbook to pass around the room (mandatory)

Collage paper

Scissors

Glue stick

Pens/paint pens/markers/colored pencils

Stamps

Stickers

Please register on the Wet Paint website.

If you register, and then are unable to attend, please call Wet Paint so the next person on the waitlist can take your spot.

Wet Paint: 651-698-6431

See you Monday!

Molly & Briana

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Here's a close up of one of the cards...will be interesting how they make it through the mailing system.

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Last meeting inspired August postcards which are almost ready to be mailed....

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The Textile Center’s next garage sale is coming up! 

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The Textile Center’s next garage sale is coming up! 

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Textile Center Garage Sale: September 13 – 15, 2024

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(updated 8/20/24)

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Briana’s March 2024 postcards-Sent August 13, 2024

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Sending out March 2024 postcards in August 2024!

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Sending out March 2024 postcards in August 2024!

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Better late than never, right??!!

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All caught up!

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And June's postcards - again those watercolour pencils that I got in the swap - I am getting lots of use out of them, thank you!

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My May postcards that went out (a few weeks ago?). Fun with watercolours and white crayons!

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Join us Monday, August 19th as we explore using cloth books as art journals!

Sometimes we need the soft feel of fabric on our fingers and the slow process of stitching to express the emotions and visualizations in our hearts and minds. We’ll begin by looking at several different structures to use as a framework for our own cloth books. Then we’ll play with different ways to fill the pages using fabric, paper, thread and yarn. We won’t focus on perfectly constructing our books, but instead will allow space for wild creativity to have free reign on our messy and unique pages.

Supplies to bring:

A selection of fabric to use for the inside pages of your book (you may want to bring a larger piece of fabric and then cut it down once you decide on a size for your book). You'll also want some scraps for collages.

You will also need something to use as a cover (a heavier fabric, such as canvas, or if you prefer a sturdier cover, you can use an old book cover with the pages removed)

Fabric scissors

Needles

Embroidery floss or Sashiko thread

*Please note: some extra fabric, needles, embroidery floss, and fabric scissors will be available for use in the meeting, and you are free to bring some to share with others as well. If you don’t want to work in a fabric book, you can bring a separate project to work on.

Details for the meeting:

We will meet from 6:00-8:00 pm at Wet Paint in St. Paul. The meeting is free, but you must register on the Wet Paint Website. If the meeting is full, please call the store at 651-698-6431 to get on the waiting list. If you sign-up, but are unable to attend, please let Wet Paint know so that Virginia can give your spot to the next person on the list.

We are excited to see everyone!

Molly & Briana

Volunteer Co-Facilitators for the MN Visual Journal Collective

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I’m getting caught up! June postcards are now in the mail too! 🥳

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May postcards are in the mail! And it doesn’t show up in the picture but most of these have shimmer paint! 🥰

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May postcards are in the mail! And it doesn’t show up in the picture but most of these have shimmer paint! 🥰

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My April postcards are in the mail! These were really fun - inspired by a book I bought from the library as I left on Oxacan woodcarvers - and I used the watercolor pencils I got in the swap. Now working on May!

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April postcards are finally in the mail!

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Monday, July 15, 2024-Supply Swap at Merriam Park Library, St. Paul, MN

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Monday, July 15, 2024-Supply Swap at Merriam Park Library, St. Paul, MN

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Hello Everyone,

Our next MN Visual Journal Collective meeting is the Supply Swap.

We are NOT meeting at Wet Paint on Monday, July 15.

Here's the info:

When: Monday, July 15, 2024 5:00pm-7:45pm (we must be out of the room by 7:45pm)

We'll start the swap right at 6pm, so come early to set up, if you can.

Where: Merriam Park Library Meeting Rooms A+B

(in the basement of the library; there is an elevator)

1831 Marshall Ave

St. Paul, MN 55104

Parking: Parking lot between Dewey and Fairview, off Marshall Ave., or street parking in front of library

What: Bring art supplies (paper, paint, markers, stamps, stencils, fabric, yarn, etc.) and art related books/magazines that you no longer need taking up room in your home. Be prepared to haul your things from your parking spot, to the basement of the library. There is an elevator.

Anything that does not get swooped up by others, you are responsible for taking with you.

TIP: Bring empty bags or boxes to take your new treasures home in.

This will be so fun!

You do not need to register. There is room for 50 people, so our space is still limited, but bigger than the Wet Paint meeting space.

We look forward to seeing you at Merriam Park Library on Monday, July 15, 2024 sometime after 5pm. Swap starts promptly at 6pm.

With Gratitude,

Briana and Molly

MN Visual Journal Collective

Volunteer Co-facilitators

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Doodle fun postcards going out soon.

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July Meeting - supply swap (full details will be posted later)

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July Meeting - supply swap (full details will be posted later)

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Start cleaning out your art rooms because our annual supply swap will be Monday, July 15th! But instead of meeting at Wet Paint we'll be using the meeting rooms at Merriam Park Library in St. Paul.

Mark your calendars, full details coming soon.

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Main entrance is double doored. The handicap access button will open one door of each set simultaneously.

Two accessible restrooms on main level.

Elevator will access lower level where the meeting rooms are located. There is another restroom on the lower level. Restroom doors on lower level are not equipped with an accessible entrance button.

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The weather is iffy for tonight so I've prepared prompts for both an indoor and outdoor sketch out.

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June 2024 Meeting Announcement & RSVP link 

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June 2024 Meeting Announcement & RSVP link 

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MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting

Monday, June 17, 2024

6:00 - 8:00 pm at Wet Paint

Topic: Sketch Out

Join us for a sketch out at Wet Paint next Monday! We'll meet inside the classroom and then venture outside to collect ideas and observations from around the neighborhood.

And don't worry, if the title "sketch out" sounds intimidating and your first thought is "but I can't draw!" -- I will have prompts available to spark your curiosity and help you find inspiring ways take visual notes and gather ideas to use in your artwork later.

If you don't want to go outside, you are welcome to stay in the Wet Paint classroom and work in your art journal.

Once we gather our ideas, we can come back inside to work and then we'll have time at the end of the meeting to share what discoveries we made during our adventures!

Things to bring:

Sketchbook

Something to write/draw with

a travel color kit (watercolors, colored pencils, markers -- anything that is easy to use on the go and light to carry)

Water brush

Hat/sunglasses/sunscreen

Optional - travel stool

If it rains, we'll stay inside and have indoor activities available.

Please use the link above to RSVP. If the meeting is full, please contact Virginia or call the store at 651-698-6431 to get on the waiting list. If you sign up and are unable to make it, please call the store so they can give your spot to the next person on the list.

Thanks and we'll see you Monday!

Molly & Briana (volunteer co-facilitators)

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IN PERSON

The MN Visual Journal Collective meets 12 times a year on the third Monday of the month, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wet Paint. Meetings are free and open to any adult who is interested in keeping visual journals. All skill levels are encouraged from beginner to life-long journal keepers.

This month's Topic: Sketch Out! at Wet Paint

A little bit about the group: We are an eclectic, curious, and welcoming adult group interested in sketching and observing our lives. Come and join in the fun! You may also wish to join the MN Visual Journal Collective Google Group or join the group on Padlet to stay informed of upcoming meetings and/or any last minute changes due to weather.

Volunteer Coordinators for 2023: Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com and Molly of TheFoundArtWalk.com. Volunteer Coordinators for 2017, 2018, and 2019 were Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com and TJ of StudioMailbox.com. Previous Volunteer Coordinator Suzanne Hughes. Original Creator of the Visual Journal Collective - Roz Stendahl. Many Thanks to TJ, Suzanne, and Roz for their years of dedication to this group

Wet Paint Artists' Materials and Framing is located at 1684 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Public Transportation to Wet Paint:
The #63 bus in St. Paul stops at Wet Paint and connects with the Green Line Light Rail in downtown St. Paul and at Westgate Station on University Ave. The A line stops only 2 blocks away at Grand and Snelling.

Parking once you get here: We have a small number of parking spots the lot behind the store. Street parking - there are some 2-hour restrictions on Grand Avenue near the shops but no restrictions on Cambridge Street and Lincoln Avenue -a block from the store. The Hidden River Middle School lot directly across from the store is usually available on evenings, as long as no school events are happening.

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M N Visual Journal Collective Meet Up - Wet Paint

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Free IN PERSON The MN Visual Journal Collective meets 12 times a year on the third Monday of the month, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wet Paint. Meetings are free and [...]

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January, February and March postcards are finally in the mail!!!

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January, February and March postcards are finally in the mail!!!

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Art Foamies Pop Up Shop - featuring Jenny Maroney! 

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Art Foamies Pop Up Shop - featuring Jenny Maroney! 

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The ArtFoamies Blue Moonie Pop-Up A Note from Kae Pea: This Pop-Up has been in the works for quite some time. It is very dear to my heART because each of these artists are my Patrons, and I have been working with many of them (some for over a year) on how to design an ArtFoamies stamp! What started as a “fun perk” for

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Bring a few clear, rubber, and ArtFoamies or foam stamps to our May 20 meeting. Let's get stampin'!

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May 2024 MN Visual Journal Collective Meeting Announcement

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My March postcards went out last week - I used a "master sheet" mixed media process - layers of different techniques onto larger sheets of paper that I then tore down afterwards. Fun!

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My first larger piece of art. Made of paper flowers collaged onto the painted background of sky and grasses with some paper grasses added.  Papers from an old Bible, maps, books and reports etc.  It was fun to create.

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Nest Fest - a free online art festival focused on Art Mediums! 

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Nest Fest - a free online art festival focused on Art Mediums! 

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April postcards going out.... A stamp made at last MN VJC meeting added to painted recycled cards.

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February postcards in the mail - I am slowly catching up! These were done after attending an on-line class on Paul Klee's watercolor landscapes offered by London Drawing Group. It was so inspiring, I did not want to stop playing! I have enjoyed a number of fascinating classes through this organization - check them out, if you are unfamiliar with their offerings:

https://www.londondrawinggroup.com/