Category Archives: YouTube

How 15 Minutes a Week Every Sunday Inspired My Faith and Art

After giving birth to my daughters, I didn’t have a lot of time to create, but that desire was written on my heart. I decided to start with 15 minutes every Sunday creating artwork inspired by my “one takeaway” from mass. This is how I got back into art and how I became a Catholic artist/illustrator. No more waiting for the so-called “perfect moment” (or until retirement) to pursue your passions!

What in your life does God want you to carve out 15 minutes a day for?

It can be a challenge finding the perfect time for those 15 minutes a day. Take a look at your current daily habits and really scrutinize how you spend your day. Do you waste time on Netflix or social media scrolling? You probably have more pockets of time than you think! If you’re most productive in the morning, you can schedule your 15 minutes before you begin to get ready for work. Part of a lunch break can be utilized for pleasure reading or taking a walk.

If you want to work on a bigger passion project, think about how you can tackle it in smaller pieces. What is the easiest first step that you can take? For example, 15 minutes of prepping ingredients for baking the day before can make the task more enjoyable the following day.

If an activity like knitting or journaling is what brings you joy, you can make up a “go-bag” with the supplies you need so they’re all in one place and ready-to-go. A go-bag activity can easily be tackled in between classes on campus, while you’re waiting in the pick-up line at your child’s school, or when you have a scheduled break at work.

Suggested Supplies:

Hand Book Travelogue Drawing Book 5.5×5.5” Square https://amzn.to/3EvrQOS
Reeves Gouache Paint Set https://amzn.to/3IlBGDV
Alvin Draft Matic 0.3mm Pencil https://amzn.to/3ILkCJ8
Trekell Synthetic Watercolor Paintbrush Set https://amzn.to/3TKBYsV
Studio Series Artist Tiles (these were the first things I used because they were what I had on hand) https://amzn.to/3Sk7eP3

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. She is also a participant with Blick Art Materials Affiliate Program.)

Origami Sacred Heart Sacred Heart of Jesus Tutorial

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to fold a simple origami heart step-by-step. We use extra scrap paper and markers to turn it into a Sacred Heart of Jesus. A fun craft for a feast day, Valentine’s Day, or just because you love Jesus.

Supplies needed:

9×9” square piece of red construction paper https://amzn.to/40dxdLG
Scrap piece of yellow construction paper (about 4×6”)
Glue stick https://amzn.to/3WSZh42
Scissors
Sharpie
Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers https://amzn.to/3R5lsRI
Pencil

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

How to Draw St. Josephine Bakhita

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to draw Saint Josephine Bakhita step-by-step. We use simple lines and shapes and you can color her with your favorite art supplies. St. Josephine Bakhita’s feast day is on February 8th.

St. Josephine Bakhita prints are also available in my Etsy shop.

Full-length Interview with Elizabeth Zelasko

Last week, I shared an abridged version of my interview with Catholic artist and iconographer, Elizabeth Zelasko. Today, the full-length interview premieres on my YouTube channel. Feel free to use the YouTube chapters feature to jump ahead to specific questions!

Elizabeth is very knowledgeable and incredibly talented. She learned Russian Orthodox Iconography from the Prosopon School of Iconology and has created original works of art for Catholic publications and institutions. You can see more of her work at elizabethzelasko.com and follow her on Instagram.

Intro to Icons with Elizabeth Zelasko

My friend, Catholic artist and iconographer Elizabeth Zelasko, was generous enough to share her knowledge of iconography for my YouTube channel. I initially envisioned a short 10-15 minute interview geared towards K-12 students, but it ended up being so in-depth it was hard to edit!

I decided to compromise and release TWO videos. Today’s video is a “short and sweet” version of our interview and next week will premiere the full-length interview.

Behind the Scenes: The Holy Family

Every Advent, I like to work on a personal piece of artwork to help me contemplate the season. I decided to work on an image of the Holy Family after the birth of Jesus. I would work on it a little at a time using my iPad and an art app called Procreate.

Today’s video is a behind-the-scenes look at how I go from concept to sketch to final artwork. It’s hours of work condensed into a short sneak peek look at my process.

This image is also available as a print on my website.

Supplies used:

Procreate app https://procreate.com/

Beginner’s Guide to Digital Painting in Procreate https://amzn.to/3gPASgv

iPad Pro 11 inch https://amzn.to/3KV8Fjw

Apple Pencil 2nd Generation https://amzn.to/3BdAm2D

Procreate Watercolor Brushes https://creatoriq.cc/3mrQUAy

How I paint in my Catholic Journaling Bible

In today’s tutorial, I will walk you through how you can use watercolor ground to paint and draw with any kind of pen in your journaling Bible without it bleeding through the pages.

Supplies needed:

Winsor and Newton Watercolors https://amzn.to/3qi5MzK

Master’s Touch Watercolors https://www.hobbylobby.com/Art-Supplies/Painting-Supplies/Watercolor-Painting/Watercolor-Paint—48-Piece-Set/p/80881200

QoR Watercolor Iridescent Gold https://amzn.to/3x1jw5r

Trekell Synthetic Watercolor Paintbrush Set https://amzn.to/3TKBYsV

Daniel Smith Transparent Watercolor Ground https://amzn.to/3VsSTzK

Blessed Is She Catholic Journaling Bible https://amzn.to/3jA9vbP

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible https://amzn.to/3FYMhU9

Water

Gluestick

Bible in a Year Podcast: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/biy-registration

Blessed Is She http://blessedisshe.net

How to Draw St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

In today’s tutorial, I walk you through how to draw Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton step-by-step. We use simple lines and shapes and you can color her with your favorite art supplies.

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers https://amzn.to/3R5lsRI
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip https://amzn.to/3MRMBY0
Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip https://amzn.to/3CJR0rf
Micron Pens https://amzn.to/3EUvjrf
Paper
Pencil

(Note: Amy Heyse Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.)

Word of the Year and Saint Name bracelets

For the last few years, instead of picking a New Year’s resolution, I have liked picking a “word of the year” instead. The idea is to pick a word for a year and see how God is speaking to you through that word.

In the past, some words I have picked have included “be” and “discover.” For 2022 my word of the year was “teach,” which ended up playing out with me teaching Catholic inspired art tutorials on YouTube.

There are different ways to discern your word of the year, but my go to method has been picking a word at random using Jen Fulwiler’s Word of the Year generator. To me, it takes the guess work out of deciding my word or at least gives me a place to start and further discern my word in prayer.

I thought with 2023 right around the corner, it would be fun to do a Word of the Year inspired craft tutorial. I used Jen Fulwiler’s Word of the Year and Saint’s Name generator to randomly select a word and a Saint and I used a bead kit I found at TJ Maxx to create a matching word beaded bracelet.

Supplies needed:

Holiday DIY Bead Kit (I found mine at TJ Maxx) https://jewelrymadebyme.com/ (Here’s a similar type of option on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3hMu3Nz)

Elastic Stretch Cord (mine was part of my kit)

Scissors

Masking Tape

Super Glue https://amzn.to/3HXxXxY OR https://amzn.to/3WhLDrD

Toothpick

How to Draw Baby Jesus

Today is the last of the Nativity drawing series: How to Draw Baby Jesus. All you need is a pencil, paper, and something to color with. I hope you have had fun following along with these Nativity inspired drawing tutorials this Advent.

Supplies needed:

Crayola Washable Super Tips Markers https://amzn.to/3R5lsRI

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Broad Tip https://amzn.to/3MRMBY0

Crayola Colors of the World Markers Fine Tip https://amzn.to/3CJR0rf

Micron Pens https://amzn.to/3EUvjrf

Paper

Pencil