Dialogue with an Artist

We wanted to ask some questions…



I love to teach! It has been an honor to be invited to teach for Art Centers and Studios across North America as well as having been chosen as a faculty member for several International Calligraphy Conferences. Seeing the joy in students’ faces when they create something that pleases them brings me joy. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given to inspire others in their creative journey.

Mixed media, acrylic paints, calligraphy, bookbinding, and fiber arts – I have loved them all since I first discovered each medium. I have a degree in graphic design and worked for many years as a publication, marketing, and advertising designer. But my passion has always been with color and paint, no matter what the surface. 

​Personal artistic development has been a lifeline as I work my way through the challenges life has brought. My mixed media, book art, calligraphic and acrylic work has been shown in galleries and top juried art fairs nationwide. I believe that asking “What if?” and keeping a spirit of adventure and discovery is important as I follow my creative path and attempt to create something original. I love experimenting with texture, layers, marks, paint, and dyes.


Previously, my Golden go-to products were fluid acrylics mixed with Super Matte Medium for painting my layered Calligraphic pieces. But now Golden has a new product – SoFlat Acrylics, which are good for this technique. Either of these allow for writing over the paint with a metal pen. It really does make a pretty great writing surface. For writing I like Golden High Flow. It is great that you can color coordinate with the paints in your painting. I especially like the Teal and Indigo and Carbon black. This is great for my layered works. I have recently switched away from Golden for white acrylic writing fluid. I am now using Holbein Super White Acrylic Gouache. There are 2 whites, so you want to be sure to get the Super White. I simply love the opacity. 

https://goldenartistcolors.com/products/golden-artist-acrylics


I guess my current favorite art form is books. I love creating books because it involves all of the media that I do – painting, lettering, and the composition of each page changes as you turn the page – especially if you cut pages and punch holes in pages. I use acrylics in my books, also paste papers with Elmers Paper Mache Paste. I use Posca Markers and Signo Uniball pens, tissue paper collage and, well, just whatever suits the moment! Also doing lots of work these days in sketch books. 

https://www.jacquelinesullivan.com