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!

Excerpt from the article

Some of the article in Newsday

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.