Regional Artist Jodi Ohl to provide demos at Cherry Blossom Festival

***The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival and 5K have been cancelled in an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus. Read full press release here.***

Award Winning artist's work known for texture, bold color combinations

Brookhaven, GA, March 5, 2020 --- Daring. Determination. Good old-fashioned spunk. Like a page out of a James Thurber short story (think Walter Mitty), North Carolina artisan Jodi Ohl made the life-changing transition from banking executive to award-winning mixed media artist and author … and she’s never looked back.

Utilizing customer service, training and communication skills acquired over a decade as a bank manager, Ohl decided to pursue a passion for art and teaching that she will be sharing with visitors at this year’s Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, March 28-29, Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road. Ohl is one of two artists who will be giving live art demonstrations at the festival.

“In 2006, I started dabbling with art as a type of therapy for some personal issues and the more I did it, the more I thought this was really something I would like to pursue, not only through painting, but writing about art as well,” Ohl recalled recently. “I started teaching art at about the same time, too. As a bank manager I was familiar with working with my employees to help them improve their skill sets, so teaching art became a natural transition for me. I soon discovered it was something I wanted to do as a career. Although I took a “few art classes in college, many of my skills are largely self-taught.”

Over the past 15 years, Ohl has built a body of work that is known for its distinctive texture, bold color combinations and is motivational in nature. Her whimsical art appeals to the young at heart and those who appreciate the positive side of life whether communicated through words, color or composition. Much of her approach to mixed media art was captured in her 2016 best-selling book, Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink, aimed at beginning artists who are looking to hone their skills in abstract painting and “learn about the different abstract tools and techniques that can be incorporated into their art.”

Ohl usually combines different media in each of her paintings, mixing acrylic paint with pastels, pencils, collage, etc. Her primary style varies between abstract and illustrative art. Year-round, Ohl travels the country teaching two or three-day workshops usually at art shops and galleries. She also offers online workshops to artists around the world and this summer will be teaching abroad in the south of France, near Toulouse. 

“I’ve written for approximately 36 international mixed media magazines over the past several years, mostly instructional ‘how to’ articles,” notes Ohl. “Much of my inspiration comes from what I observe in everyday life, inspired in a humorous way by people I have known and loved. As far as my abstracts, each painting is based on personal experiences as a story unto itself. I love being able to touch people with my art and through the instructions with my students.” Ohl’s articles have appeared in Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studios, Artful Blogging, and Acrylic Artist to name just a few.

 At the Cherry Blossom Festival, she will be demonstrating some of the abstract painting styles that she incorporates into her work. “These will be related to texture, mark making and other interactive techniques that I can share one-on-one,” she says. “Over the weekend, people will be able to see many of the processes I use in my paintings. I am going to bring four different pieces that I can work on over the weekend that will evolve into finished works of art.”

In addition to her live demonstrations, Ohl will have pieces of her art available for sale.