Studio Tour & Private Lessons
Conveniently located in the middle of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York I am excited to open up my home studio this spring for private and small group lessons. I have select days and times that I am available and can accommodate a group of up to 4 people. Why should you book a private lesson?
If you’re curious what an artist’s home and studio space is like well this is the perfect opportunity to see mine. Your session will be in my studio (one on one) or dining room (small group), surrounded by my art, what inspires me, and the ability for more one-on-one instruction for calligraphy or watercolor painting. This intimate setting allows you to come behind the scenes and connect with me.
MY STUDIO
GROUP LESSONS
Do you have a group of friends, co-workers, family that you’re looking to gather together to do something unique with? I am booking private small groups (up to 4 people) at my home for either calligraphy or watercolor painting sessions. For specific pricing, available dates and times please contact me directly to inquire and book.
AR WORKSHOP WATERCOLOR RECAP
I love the idea of a place where people can drop in, sign up for specialty classes and create in an inspiring setting. When AR Workshop in Patchogue asked me to teach one of my handmade watercolor workshops I said YES! Teaching in my hometown is such an honor, and it makes me so happy to bring my knowledge to the area that shaped so much of my inspiration.
Photo by AR Workshop Patchogue featuring the handmade watercolor paint made during the workshop
Photo by AR Workshop Patchogue featuring my color swatches
Photo by AR Workshop Patchogue featuring our guided paint making session
Thanks to everyone who came out to create. It is always so fun seeing how my designs and paints are used by others. If you’re interested in taking a workshop with me, please check out my Hands on Learning page for updates.
FEATURED IN: NEWSDAY!
Recently featured in Newsday Things to Do for my creative workshops
How fun to see my workshops at Village highlighted in Newsday’s Things to Do section! I’m in good company too, some wonderful local small businesses are featured.
Check out my recaps of the workshops I’ve taught at Village, and don’t forget to sign up for my upcoming workshops.
Art Process: Handmade Kelp Paint
This year I am moving back into the experimental process that I deeply love. Working with kelp is something I plan to do all year. The smell of kelp, clove oil (in my paint binder) was a soothing briny scent that brought me back to summertime as a child swimming in the bay.
I’m working with @lazypointfarms using @montaukseaweedco kelp meal to create non-toxic handmade watercolor paint. Since these paints are plant based I’m working through a series of tests to watch their colors shift and fade. Capturing scans of them immediately after they dry will preserve the original colors and soon I can offer fine art prints of the abstract patterns made with this crop.
PAINTING MADE WITH HANDMADE KELP PAINT
CHRISTIE JONES, WORK STATION MAKING KELP PAINT, LONG ISLAND
Behind the scenes to process:
Grind kelp meal with mortar & pestle
Sift through to get smaller particles (repeat)
Add handmade non-toxic watercolor binder
Mix with palette knife & muller
Make paintings!
KELP COLLECTION, CHRISTIE JONES 2025
I plan to volunteer later this year with Mastic Beach Conservancy as they harvest kelp. Being connected to the growing process, seeing the kelp harvested, and having the ability to lend my own two hands to be part of this monumental movement in New York kelp is something I look forward to. You can learn more about the aquafarms and opportunities to volunteer here.
Village Watercolor Workshop Recap
It takes a village! I’m thrilled to partner with Village in Sayville this wonderful general store that opened in 2024. When Ashley the owner asked me to teach here I instantly knew YES! Surrounded by beautifully curated gifts we hosted our first handmade watercolor workshop of 2025 here. I designed a custom watercolor sheet based on the store, and attendees were able to see the paint making process in person. After an intro everyone had full access to my handmade paints from earth & mineral pigments along with a variety of my designs to create their own paintings.
I can’t wait to teach more workshops like this in 2025. I have some scheduled, so make sure you’re checking the event page for upcoming options.
And don’t worry if you’re not local. I’m working on NEW online classes! Stay tuned.
2024 NATURE CONSERVANCY RECAP
The four artists selected for the 2024 Nature Conservancy grant with Andy Warhol Visual Arts Foundation, from left to right top row: Ria Rajan, Christie Jones bottom row: Michelle Brody, Jasmine Gutbrod
Last autumn I had the absolute honor of being selected as one of the 2024 Nature Conservancy artists to receive a grant from the Andy Warhol Visual Arts Foundation. In October, I led a plein air workshop at the private Andy Warhol Preserve in Montauk, New York. It was a wonderful small group of adventurers. We drove into the preserve, hiked with our materials into this gorgeous opening overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It was something right out of a movie. The weather was perfect, warm with a cool ocean breeze. The sun shone down upon us as we savored the sights, smells, and sounds of this remote location.
This experience solidified my excitement of creating with others en plein air. I have always enjoyed the unpredictability of painting outdoors, but seeing the joy on everyone’s faces made me realize how special it truly is. Gathering to create, being in nature, appreciating the moment these are all important things especially as life twists and turns. Being among others who share these passions is a special thing. I am grateful that the grant provided access to this historic setting, along with the materials that I was able to provide and share with attendees. I hope this is the first of many workshop experiences like this.
FEATURED ON: Frankly
Graphic created by Ashley Alaia
I had the exciting opportunity to be featured on Frankly, one of my favorite substack’s that is part scrapbook, part diary by Ashley Alaia. She is interviewing creatives seasonally through short Q&A sessions called Quick Takes.
1. How do you stay motivated during creative lulls, and how do you balance your creative work with other aspects of life (work, school, or personal time)?
“Over the years, I’ve created a process-focused art practice. This allows me to always be creative in some way regardless of whether my motivation is there or not. Since I make my own paints, if I’m not feeling inspired to create a collection of original work, I still spend time in my studio making colors. Keeping the studio a warm and welcoming place has helped me stay in a creative mindset. Some of my ideas for work came from those quiet times grinding pigments, dreaming about what I want to make.
An hour in there is better than avoiding it altogether, so even with school, teaching, exhibiting my work, and my personal life—I can create these small pockets to breathe life into my studio time. Small moments lead to big breakthroughs.”