Quick and Easy a Journal

Debbie Davis is a mixed media artist who finds creating art to be a wonderful stress reliever. She plays a lot in the paint and other mixed media mediums whenever a chance comes her way. She also like painted backgrounds which she loves to keep in her journal books her favorite being a vintage ledger binder that she picked up from an antique store.

That said, she is always raring to go. However, while on a vacation, she did not get a chance to do much and on getting back she thought hard on what she could do at home and work that would look more of a journal.

With a blank mind, she chose to use a previously created background randomly made by scraping pink, yellow and blue/green paints. Within the paints there had been a loose mixture of some white fluid acrylic paint onto the ledger journal page using an old store card.

With a photo that she had always wanted to use in a journal, she copied and pasted it into a Word document and resized it so that it would fit on the journal page. The whole thing was looking so calm. She then collaged the photo with cabanas that she had gotten from a scrap paper.

Then using a Stabilo pencil she outlined the photo and cabanasand lightly went over the pencil with a wet brush.

Writing of words was next which she did with the Stabilo pencil. The words made the whole artwork stand out.

Making your Own Mixed Media Décor Pillow

Our homes require a personal touch when it comes to décor. This is the simple reason that Melanie Statnick smiles back at herself whenever she visits home décor and craft stores on seeing an abundance of decor items. Some of them include Decor boxes, wall art, candle holders, garden and décor pillows.

With all the collections she would find, Melanie attempted to make a Décor pillow using a sewing machine, even though she had undertaken Home Studiesmany moons ago. However, instruction books and DVD’s that come with most machines today would give some relieve to her work.

Depending on the fabric you’ll want to play with, you will require 2 sheets of burlap and canvas squares each. The art will be on the canvas side though.

You can choose to use a stencil which you lay out on the section you want then use ink spray to give it the effect you want.

It is not necessary that you use the fine mist around the design if you don’t like it. It could probably look messy at some point. In this case cover your edges with scrap paper. To fame the design, a boarder of lace ribbon would do using fabric glue in addition to glued buttons on the corners.

To ascertain that your work is ready, allow it to dry for 24 hours before adding the stuffing and if you don’t want it to run off its ink, spray with a fabric sealer.

Focal Points and Mixed Media Art

Did you know you can tell a story with mixed media art? Yes you can but how you place your focal points is of importance. Madeline Faiella chose to explain this concept by using 3 feet tall and 2 feet widecourt room board but on a smaller surface and to which she added a base of white paint and gesso.

The feeling of being able to re-use something is awesome. She used paper, painted with acrylic to make a face and attached it the base of the board using gesso. Then using light, graduated layers, she applied molding paste across the base surface.

At this point ensure the edges are up to standard with the background and you can choose to use lighter layers. In the event you chose to use many layers, give your work some good time to dry. You can only achieve proper drying if you leave your work overnight between each layering.

Careful planning and having enough spontaneity are of essence. Keep the colors in mind and have a thorough check of your work after each layer.

Madeline who has written continuing columns for the art and creative community says that you can achieve anything through trying new things and being creative. She has a tone of tools for her work which she uses for her varied work.

Working on a Mandala Design

Shari Welch has been creating art for as long as she can remember after having studies graphic design in Portland and thereafter putting all her focus on mixed media art. She gets creative with any simple design that comes her way.

This time round, she intends to put her creativity on a simple Mandala design. Mandalas are useful devices for concentrating with yourself and getting in touch with your own inner reality. The secret of connecting with your spiritual core is by use of color on a Mandala.

But how do you create a Mandala? You can use lines, dots, circles, and a few diamond shapes:

• Create a circle on a 4×4 canvas and using a lid as a template.
• Paint around the outside of the circle black and use the end of a paintbrush to create dots to fill your circle. Make sure you get the right size of the dot.
• You can use different shades of the same color family, complementary colors or otherwise. Though it is up to you, you can choose to add small dots around larger ones to define them.
• Be creative and experiment with dashes, diamonds, curved and straight lines and only stop when you are contented with your piece of work.

Since creation of Mandalas could be very detailed works of art, all you need to do is exercise some creativity and you can create one in an hour or less.

Making Recycled ATC Card Holder

Anjuli Johnson is so passionate about working with cards. In an effort to explore her passion, she decides to make for her younger sister an ATC card holder, with 25 separate slots for 25 scripture cards.

It has to be well-made and easy to work with. The cards should be held in place so that nothing falls out or gets lost. This is how she went about it:

• Use of thick paper would do from which she would cut strips of 9” by 4 ½”and scored them at 3” and 6”. Folded and glued each envelope was 3” by 4 ½”

A cereal box cardboard would be ideal for a cover which doesn’t have to be thick for easy use and which would be painted black with additions of paper and tissue tape for a cool but clean and simple look.

• The modified cover measurements ended up being 14” long and 3 ¼” wide, with scored lines at 2”, 4” 8 ¾”, 10 ¾”. 
• Envelopes were then glued one at a time starting at the back of the cover and then one on top of the other.
• The latch for the cover was made using metal findings to create a knob for a loop of elastic. A bit of metal glue would give a great closure which would ensure that the cards are all intact.

Anjuli is always raring to go,to discover and also develop her talents while meeting new people from whom she strives to learn.

Ideas when Making Tag Books

Anything made from tags present good beauty. Melanie Statnick who uses scrapbook paper and Kraft paper with collaged images knows this too well. You can either gather pre-made tags or cut them into shapes that you so prefer. For the pages, any type of paper would serve.

• Fold the tag into half, then cut and fold blank pages to size and staple to the inside
• Cut assorted images and words and glue them onto your pages to create a story or note book.It does not matter much whether you use the front or back side or both; either option will post good results. 
• You can choose to decorate the covers. It’s an easy and quick task from which you can make dozens of them. 

As Melanie who is a published artist would put it, artwork is all about creativity. It is from this mentality that she is able to create art daily from her private studio.

Besides, as an artist you ought to know how to go out of your way with experimentation. The end result should not be such a bother at first because it is through experiments that you get to learn. Get up and become creative!

Using Radiant Neon Amplify

In this article we will tell you about Martice Smith II who is a well-known and established freelance Illustrator and graphic designer. She basically specializes in mixed-media illustrations with her love of art being felt across the state of Missouri.

She has a special take for the use of intense color in mixed-media creations. After receiving eight beautifully vibrant colors from Imagine® Crafts Product; Electric Yellow, Electric Coral, Electric Orange, Electric Blue, Electric Purple, Electric Green, Black, and White, she was over the moon.

They are versatile and easy to use and will make any artist to go an extra mile hence the desire for Martice to share a few techniques where no skill level is required.

This is what she did to the new Radiant Neon Amplify:

· 8×10 Gelli Arts – Gel Printing Plate will work just well

· Draw simple shapes, straight from the paint bottle

The inks are easy to work with because they are water-based pigment.

· To add a textured border along the edge of a page, use a stencil + a foam pouncer.

· Then you can add dimensional texture as you may so wish.

The following are some of the key elements that you should give great consideration when dealing with Radiant Neon Amplify.

· Have the dimensionality on point and ensure the texture is worth a touch.

· Strong and a combination of both dark and light colors are preferred.

· Maintenance and storage of Radiant Neon Amplify is of importance.

Get encouraged and start creating.

Handmade Greeting Cards

When Michelle G. Brown is not creating on her Facebook page, she is somewhere thinking hard about her creation. Her passion of being a mixed media artist comes from sharing her knowledge and techniques with other people. This alone comforts her in knowing that courtesy of her, other people can easily express their own creativity.

So what is she up to this time round? Creation of handmade greeting cards for Mother’s Day! These are the simple supplies that she played around with to get that magnificent card:

· Stencil and a range of pastels

· Matching color cards

· A range of soft sponges

· 2-sided tape

· Bristol Paper

· Versamark ink

Here are the instructions:

· From the pad, get out the sheet of Mixed media or Bristol paper

· Stamp large stamp image around paper using Versamark ink

· Using a masking tape, make sure to secure the stamped card

· Use a light circular motion with a sponge to add a colour of your choice. The stamped patterns will appear

· Keep adding the different colors that you have alongside blending the edges between the colors to fade out any sharp lines

· You can remove the stencil and spray with workable fixative

· Now cut the colors background to fit onto the card of your choice

This world is full of creation and according to Michelle; everyone has room to explore since the amazing world of mixed media art is accessible to everyone.

Having Fun with Mixed Media Canvas

Kim Kelley who is extremely obsessed with her crafting and art is constantly having projects to a point that sometimes she forgets what they were meant for. She has a thing with being imaginative and is always exploring anything that comes to her mind.

Her love of wanting to learn new techniques is evident. This month she decided to go for canvas project that is a little larger than what she does normally. So what did she require for this?

• Chipboard from Dusty Attic
• Spray mist by Lindy’s Shabby Tuxbine Teal
• 8” x 24” canvas
• Heavy Gel by Golden
• White gesso
• Glue gun
• Miscellaneous charms, flowers, metal pieces, wooden pieces, and jewelry pieces

Kim doesn’t have a particular of doing this but she will explore on any idea she comes about using theme, colors and style.

She advises that it is best to use the already primed canvas although you can still add your own gesso. Once the gesso dries up, start laying out your pieces, turning them this way and that way until you can finally smile at what you are seeing.

You will use the hot glue gun to attach smaller pieces while the bigger ones you will use Heavy Gel. Don’t be in a hurry to spray. Wait until all is dried up.

Creation is all about going beyond your comfort zone. Imagination comes in handy which lead to finding your own inner creative artist.

Is Scrapbooking Dead?

Ann Strecko Koeman believes in making things work with whatever comes her way hence she is always collecting things. Being a Mixed Media Artist, she finds use for every of her collections.

While a majority of people seem to be in total agreement with the selling of scrapbooking supplies having reached its peak and probably declining, she feels otherwise.

According to her, there is still some hope. After all the concept of collecting and cataloguing memories in paper form has been around since the invention of paper.

“The tools we have invested in, in our line of duty and creation should not go to waste,” Ann said. “Keep them and use them whenever necessary since it could be the wave to future creativity”. She continued.

Over the years Ann has collected a variety of skills and thus a vast collection of tools including an overpriced collection of intended for scrapbooking tools.

As a Mixed Media Artist, any tool to her is useful at some time in her artistic career. Just because a tool or supply is marketed to be sold in one market does not mean it cannot be used in another.

She has a lot to look up to including old trimmers, punches, plastic page layout guides, stickers and embellishments

Her parting shot is Scrapbooking may be a dying fad but Mixed media art making is very much alive.

Mixed Media Journal

Terri Sproul who is a renowned Mixed Media Artist and she believes that there is no mistake in creativity since it is all about creation. Hence in many cases you are free to run your journals to your liking so long as you are having utmost fun from what you are doing.

What you need to do is to have an experience of playing with different mediums but this can only happen when you decide to step out of the box.

You can run your experiments on Color and Texture to complete a fun experience. Here is a list of the materials you may require:

• Stencil and stamps 
• Silk Acrylic Glaze from ColourArte
• FineLine Applicator
• Golden
• Faber-Castell – Pitt Pens Black
• Paint Brushes, Baby Wipes
• Gesso
• India Ink

Terri has always been passionate about being creative. She says that sitting down to create just from her own thoughts gives her excitement.

With the support from her husband she is destined for bigger things in Mixed Media. Into her way of growing within her creativity, you will find her hosting a live show about Art Journals every Tuesday Night. She has a blog - terrisproul.blogspot.com from where you will get more of her work.

Making your Own Canvas Fabric Bag

Tamara Dinius loves creating things from her own accord which she comfortably does from her studio. Out of her own imagination, she attempted to create a functional mixed media tote bag using canvas fabric and Tattered Angels High Impact paints.

This is how she did it after gathering her items which included spray bottle, Tattered Angels High Impact Paints, stencils, brushes, and permanent markers:

• On the left and right sides, Spray your canvas fabric with water and then apply your yellow paint in a haphazard motion.
• At the bottom left, and while it is still damp, apply your orange paint using a stencil and stencil brush.
• At the bottom right, add water and your yellow paint using a stencil of your choosing. 
• On either side, you can add the writings of your desire using a stencil. 

At the finishing stage, use a contrasting thread to topstitch the seams you want. At this point you are allowed to add some freestyle quilting to the bag using different colored threads.

You will then add long handles to the bag using the same red canvas fabric that you used at the middle portion.

With any form of creativity and imagination, this project can turn out to be really fun. For example, Tamara used permanent markers of varying colors to add various writings on the bag. According to her, creativity is a way of life in which you can experiment so many styles.

Kraft Paper and Journal Pages

You must have either met or heard of this Artist Melanie Statnick who writes and creates from her private studio. When she discovered kraft paper artwork on blogs and from other artists, she couldn’t wait any longer to start playing around with them.

There are 1000 of great projects that one can use Kraft paper for. From papers, banners, cards, table clothes to paper flowers, all these give such a crafty feeling.

She decided to create a mini project on canvas that seemed to take all her favorite stencils while outlining it using white gel pen. Though a bold move at first, it can be very nervous because of the permanence of the pen.

The stencil has two pieces outer edge and inner piece of the pod. Thus it is so versatile. You are spoilt for choice of how you want to use it; either on one side or both. Using a Pitt Pen in bold black, Melanie layered her piece of art with the inner stencil while painting it with acrylic paint and adding words that came with the stencil.

This was a delightful yet easy project. According to her, it is important that we learn to go out of our full filled day’s families and unexpected issues and put our creativity to task.

Getting Creative with Mixed Media Art

Mixed Media Artists need not to spend hours creating unique components to use in their creative projects.This is because Mixed media is all about experimentation with combined materials, mediums and techniques.

Gail Green who is a crafty book author says that the use of colour, texture, images dimensions and our own interpretation will always give us unique results.

That said, she has discovered awesome products and product lines which make us feel mojo or do the tiring and time consuming parts. All this allows us to get creative.

Gail loves all projects that come her way. She will try anything and everything. She was fortunate enough to find a perfect line of canvas products at CHA show where she came across Linnie Blooms booth. She kept running into the Owner and Founder of Linnie Blooms, Linda Barutha.

Linnie Blooms products include canvas shapes and canvas items. In addition to this you will find other range of products, the likes of interesting stencils. Apparently, Linda includes “knock outs” in her stencils and artists can use both the negative space stencils.

Linda also has fun stamps and phrases that can be used on the canvas pieces as well as on traditional cardstock for card making.

According to Gail, Linnie Blooms Canvas Bracelet is a perfect show of how Mixed Media projects can be satisfying.

Using ColourArte Products

The amazing paint products, such as Radiant Gels, Radiant Rains, Primary Elements Artist Pigments™, Silks Acrylic Glaze, and Twinkling H20s are manufactured by ColourArte. That said, Barbara who is a mixed media artist and loves to teach and learn new techniques while sharing her knowledge with other artists is now up to the task of sharing some examples of diversity, as well as observations, using these products.

How does she do this? She has prepared a white tag for each product description to explain to you the diversity of each ColourArte product.

She starts with Radiant Gels Dimensional Paint is the newest product in the ColourArte line. It is a thick, shimmery paint that can be used for many different mixed media applications. It not only can be used as paint and brushed out to a beautiful, transparent color.

Next, there are Radiant Rains in two different bottles. The Color Concentrates come in dauber bottles, while the Shimmering Mists come in mister bottles. There are 21 Color Concentrates and 26 Shimmering Mists.

Then there are the well-known Twinkling H20s Shimmering Watercolors. These are cakes of intense shimmering watercolor that you activate with water. The colors are so concentrated that a little goes a very long way.

Last, but not least, are the gorgeous Silks Acrylic Glazes. These are the most luscious, shimmery paints.

Barbara is a contributing artist in a book and from what she writes; you will easily notice her passion for creativity and learning new things.

Linnie Blooms and Linda Barutha

Michelle G. Brown understands that we all have an inner need to create, and bylearning a few basic techniques, the amazing world of mixed media art would be accessible to everyone.

When she came across the Linnie Blooms booth at CHA Winter Show 2015, she literally wondered why we don’t think about something new in crafting that leaves us completely impressed and mesmerized.

The range of alterable, mixed media items, made from canvas and recycled ephemera, with stitching on them was remarkable. That is how she got introduced to Lindy Barutha and her company Linnie Blooms whose range includes both substrate items – 12×12 panels, stitched journals and mini folios. This is in addition to canvas embellishments in the shapes of flowers, butterflies and many other designs.

When it comes to decoration, Linnie Bloom uses its current art supplies. They don’t need any special fabric supplies. Linda who has been building Linnie Blooms since mid-2013 says that she has always been creative and loves to create her own designs.

Linda is also working with two major online retailers to provide stitched kits. However, she has had to move from sewing all of the pieces herself, to having a few sewing assistants. The next few months are exciting for Linda and Linnie Blooms as she looks forward to featuring an online workshop. Watch out for this and much more.

Using your Positive Thoughts

“There is power in positive thoughts once you begin your day in them”. This is according to Shari Welch who has been creating art for as long as she can remember. All her focus was shifted to Mixed Media Art after her graphic design studies in Portland.

As a way of starting her morning and with her positive thoughts, she decided to create a pretty little art block. Here is what she did:

Materials used:

• Wooden block
• Drawer pull
• American multipurpose ink
• Distress ink
• Fibrous String
• Embellishments
• Diamond mesh ribbon
• DecorArt

This is how to go about it:

• Find images that will fit into your artwork and you can make use of online companies that sell images
• Cut your images to size and make the edges rounded using corner punches while you define them with distress ink.
• Paint the art block and the feet probably with a different color for each. To speed up the dry time, you can choose to use hairdryer then using E6000, glue the feet on the block.
• Using tacky glue, glue the images on the block and accentuate them around when all dry using glamour dust. You can make use of your creativity as much.
• You can now tie your embellishment on the fibrous ribbon before moving on to the drawer pull.

With her passion of Mixed Media Art, she emphasizes that creativity in all this is of essence.

Acrylic Backgrounds with Water

Anjuli Johnson is a self-taught artist who has done a lot of experimentation with paint and having begun her career as a scrapbooker, she is now Mixed Media Artist. She has been undergoing an evolutionary process all along.

With watercolor, oil and gouache Anjuli will always prefer acrylic because of the different reactions of their brands. For one it dries very fast and reacts really well in water. She uses water and paint to create acrylic backgrounds for her mixed media paintings.

She has three paintings to show and as follows:

Magnetism – You will use dry canvas and the colors you chose. For her it was red and orange paint. Ensure you get rid of any brushstrokes on your canvas.

True North – In this case, she misted the canvas before working on it. There were certain areas where she concentrated the paint. The brushstrokes all disappeared.

Pacific Reef – Here, a brush was not used. Instead, in the dry canvas, thick spots of paint were added in random places. Fingers are used to flatten and spread the paint as one sprays along. The entire canvas should be all wet.

According to Anjuli and with her imagination and creativity, there are so many ways one can use water with acrylic paint and get very exciting backgrounds. She loves Mixed Media art and it is she constantly tries to push her fears away so as to build on her creativity and discover her talents.

Handwriting on Adventure

Martice Smith II is an established freelancer illustrator and graphic designer. She has established a niche for herself within the Mixed Media Art since she does more specializations on the mixed media illustrations.

That said, she has a thing for graffiti – style which she considers a fun mixture of bold and expressive calligraphy. It makes her handwriting become more unique and easy to recognize. With her spirits more often than not transcending into artistry, there are times she will prefer to look imperfect and scribbly.

She describes the world around you as your oyster hence advises that “You take an adventure” as she takes you through a quick adventure on finding your voice within your handwriting. And what are the sources of her inspirations:

• Food packaging
• Billboards
• Kids’ writing
• Murals on trains
• Expanding the powers of observation
• Looking out for brand packaging

Having gained the inspiration, here are the supplies that you shall need:

• Assortment of markers and fine point pens
• Skewer or toothpick
• Speedball’s Super Black India ink.

Here is what you now need to do:

• Writer large letterforms with your chise – tip marker and work randomly across the page
• Try writing a phrase is a circular shape using a pen with a smaller point. For smoother writing, you may have to rotate the page and allow the words to look like a series of marks
• Exaggerate the letterforms and lines as you make your own way
• Finally draw scribbly flourishes with a toothpick dipped in India ink.

It’s all about what makes you happy.

Making Altered Daily Journal Cover

It is from her private studio that Melanie Statnick who is an accomplished artist will do her art creation besides writing. And with her love of writing she has been on a mission to get a journal big enough to accommodate reflections on a daily basis since she did not want to spend even a single coin on buying one.

As such the thought of upcycling build up in her mind due to the fact that it would give her room to exercise her imagination. She took black gesso which she would use to cover the front of the journal. Black gesso is of more preference because it leaves with a primed black surface which is easy to use with white gel pens.

Over the gesso surface, Melanie painted a wide rectangle of turquoise and added a weekly stencil which is an Artistcellar product. She then used various stencils for quick and easy creation of a stenciled background. She wanted to be experimental.

To add flavor to the journal, she first added the year before outlining days of the week using a PITT pen. She then added some detail to the cover with start while making good use of a white gel pen.

Finally she was happy with what she had created

Mixed Media Story Telling

“Mixed media is a great way of telling a story; hence every time you are creating your Mixed Media Art, ask yourself is for sure you are telling the story like you would have wished to. It can be deep or intense with a color theme beautifully put together. Besides, you can out elements of fun and whimsical or a just a simple work of colors”.

This is according to Madeline Faiella who is a traditional artist since she uses both traditional and digital methods in Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. A lot of her work has been features on home décor, electronic devices, stationary as well as fabrics among other areas.

Madeline insists regardless of the type of story that you are telling, you ought to remember three things which are:

• Have the story you want to tell
• Ensure that you have a fabulous color theme
• Instill in yourself creation fun

As a result of her passion to tell stories using Mixed Media Art, she has a piece that uses to tell a story and which has been named “A Hero’s Return”. The color theme and the layered texture are both very strong on this piece so as to pass the message clearly while keeping the reflection clear

Madeline is one of the licensed artists who have been drawing, sewing and making since her early childhood days.

Hand Painting Wine Glasses

Shari Welch who is a mixed media artist is known for using reuse and recycles materials in her artwork. In her quest and passion for more mixed media, she tries to explore easier or hard it could be to work on a hand painted glass.

Apparently, hand painting on glass is as easy as you would think of it. It is even funnier to use DecoArt Americana® multi-surface paints. They will easily bring your project to life since they come in a range of colors.

The best thing Shari does when invited into a friend’s house is to take along a handmade hostess gift something she really likes doing. Here are the supplies:

• Beads
• Paint brushes
• Rubbing alcohol
• Wine glass
• Charm
• Wire bending and cutting tools
• Americana® Multi-surface acrylic paintsCotton makeup pad
• 20gaue wire

Wash the glass in mild soap, rinse it out really well, and dry it. Saturate cotton make-up pad with rubbing alcohol and clean the areas that you will be painting.

Get an image probably online that will fit enough inside the glass and ensure it is centered.

Paint the shape of the shamrock and after that layer is dry paint the shamrock according to the version you want. Then make the charm for the neck of the glass.

Measure out 5” of 20 gauge wire and cut. You could add beads and a charm. Consider shaping the wire into a circle so as to put on the glass.

The paint should air cure for 7days. Happy creating!

Tips when Using Sharpie Markers

Kim Kelley loves to learn and explore new techniques and hopes that any art she creates leads someone to find their inner creative artist. On discovering Sharpie Markers on a Pinterest, she decided to click on the actual site of Sharpie to try it out. The following are the materials she used:

• Sharpie Markers
• White embossing powder
• 4 2x2 tiles
• Heat gun
• Rubbing alcohol
• Teal and Yellow paint
• Stampin’ Up scripture stamp: Romans 12:12 and Philippians 4:13

And how does one go about it:

• · Start out with 4 marble tiles which are meant to be used as magnets for the fridge and are only about 2” x 2”.
• Start coloring by using a few Sharpie Pens.
• Using an eye dropper, drop the alcohol in spots and then cringe. This is one of the most fun bits. 
• Leave it to try for a few days then ink up the stamp and add the powder
• After it dries, add a finishing spray by Krylon let that dry a day and re-stamp them but make sure you add powder using the heat fun. 
• In the event the edges look too messy, you can choose a teal and a yellow orange color to paint the edges.
• You can add another layer of finishing spray if after painting the edges they still look dull.

It is said that this technique gives out creative and wonderful work.

Encouraging Children in whatever they do

Ann Strecko Koeman who is a Mixed Media Artist has this fundamental philosophy that she holds steadfast of having to encourage children in whatever they want to do so long as there is no harm caused. Many adults get these irrational concerns when a child is said to be pursuing anything creative but Ann responds to them with delight.

This is unlike what response that is expected from me, the likes of ‘Oh no don’t let any child grow up to be one of those starving artsy types’. The conversation however sometimes takes a negative turn when an adult tends to think that the child is being foolish or irresponsible.

There is plenty of time for the youngster to explore many interests right from the preschool age. So when your child declares that they want to become an artist when they grow up, do you take time to understand what may have caused them to say this? Do you ask them questions? Is it something they are interested in pursuing?

Ann encourages everyone to find their own creativity and see how it can enhance their lives. You do not have to become a major artist represented in the finest galleries and earning massive amounts of cash to be declared successful. You can declare yourself successful.

Besides, support all persons with creative interests. Get for them the right supplies on their areas of interests. This is one way of encouraging that future budding artist.

Have you tried doing this to your Clock?

She is an artist and she started with yarn, fabric and papier before branching out into collage and other paper arts about ten years ago. This is Katja Blum’s latest obsession which includes making soft stuffies and art dolls.

Her husband is a Jewish but he received a Jesus clock gift for his birthday. However, his Jewish faith was insignificant at this point. After taking a deep breath or six; she was able to see past the weirdly glowing disciples and realized that this was a working clock that didn’t have to stay the way it was. He gave it to Katja.

She did not know what to do with it in as much as she wanted to give it a personal meaning and regardless of its garish decoration and the original subject which apparently had more meaning to other people.

The clock reminded Kayja of her favorite piece of memento mori art. With this she wanted to create a clock that would remind her to use some of the hours on it to make more time for the most important thing in her life apart from her family – writing. And what did she do?

She took the clock apart in pieces while being careful and gave it a coat each of black spray paint and white gesso to lay the groundwork. The frame was painted with a mixture of chocolate brown and copper before covering the face with the image of an old typewriter.

The gold metal hands were colored with copper alcohol ink and got a thin coat of spray varnish before reassembling the clockwork. This was one artwork that left her happy. Try it out.

Have you Tried Using Handmade Foam stamps and Printing Plates?

Martice Smith II has established a niche for herself as a freelance Illustrator and graphic designer. Besides, she loves fashion, typography and wildlife while specializing in mixed media illustrations all which can be seen on the traditional and digital art techniques.

From the passion of her creativity she sets out to create handmade from stamps and printing plates. Here are the supplies she gathered:

• heavy-bodied acrylics
• craft foam (with adhesive backing)
• cardstock or cardboard
• foam brush
• dried baby wipes or paper towel
• scissors
• glazing medium (DecoArt)

And here are the steps: 

• Start by cutting shapes out of the foam then peel off the paper backing and adhere them to a piece of cardboard. This will help you make a printing plate.
• Using a form brush, add paint to the printing plate then stamp onto dry baby wipe. Rotate the printing plate so as to repeat the design and using a bayer to create a crisp impression onto the surface and allow it to dry for one minute.
• Apply glaze over the paint by mixing one part glazing medium to one part of the heavy-bodied acrylic color of your choice. Glazing medium allows you to work with the acrylic paint longer and creates layers that are slightly translucent.
• Using a foam brush, apply a mixture of one part glazing medium and another color of paint.
• Mix up a new color with more glaze, apply the mixture with a foam brush.

Finally, continue layering the background with over stamping to get a look you like.

Using Recycled Materials in your Mixed Media Canvas

According to Kim Kelley, life is short and she advises that there is need to do something creative every day. With her obsession for crafting and art, it is certain that she loves mixed media something she explains that it gives her the free will to go beyond her comfort zone.

She is able to explore and use her imagination. While using this, she decides to try something different using canvas instead of using products that were all the same color and style. Here is the list of her products:

• Chipboard from Dusty Attic
• 8 X 10 canvas
• Glue gun
• Spray mist by 13 arts Pearl Brown Light
• White gesso
• Spray mist by Smooch Vanilla Shimmer
• Spray mist by Lindy’s Shabby Turbine Teal, Mad Hatter Mint, Dark Chocolate Truffle, Opal Sea Oats
• Miscellaneous charms and flowers from stash

The following are the procedures Kim Kelley used: 

• Glue all onto the canvas with glue gun and use gesso to cover all the pieces. However don’t cover the canvas completely.
• After drying, pick the mist colors starting with a few shades of brown. Dry off the wet parts while you add more gesso. Once all is dry, start using the sprays since you want to have a color palette that will complement any home décor.
• You can add embellishments at this point and print out any kind if words you want to add.
• Finally, spray a finishing spray over the canvas in its entirety to give it some shine.

That’s it. Happy creating!

Inspiration from Creating

Kim Kelley has such a strong obsession on art which she describes as the best thing since you are free to go beyond your comfort zone. This means you can be able to express your imagination and also be able to explore on anything that comes to mind. According to her life is too short hence the need to get creative every day.

She loves scrapbooking and she tries to exhibit some of her favorite projects which include her daughter’s prom picture. It is a 5×7 frame made from texture medium, flowers, rhinestones, and brick chipboard pieces. The second is 10×8 and she uses the same stuff and added netting and lace.

Besides she also has fram-age pieces a combination of framed piece of art and a scrapbook page which will create a scrapbooking layout. The frame is a 12x12 wall hanging pretty simple with just a minimal amount of stenciled on texture paste. For different projects, she will use different materials such as red flowers for a pop of color rather than any spray or paint, sheet of canvas resist paper, lots of spray mist and maybe stenciling with a heavy gel.

Kim will get art inspirations from everything around her. It is natural in her to learn and explore new techniques and hopes that any art she creates leads someone to find their inner creative artist. It’s her prayer that everyone finds joy and happiness on creating.

Using Mixed Media Canvas

Shari Welch studied graphic design and put all her focus on Mixed Media Art. She is very passionate about mixed Media art as well as helping others discover the creativity in them. Shari has been creating for the longest time that she can remember. She is always trying out new things and this time round she decides to make a try of some of the new line of mixed media products from DecoArt. 

Her specific target is the use of canvas. On it she will use products like crackle paste, black regular mister and shimmer mister in turquoise. A bee hive stencil will be used alongside the crackle paste. She believes that the addition of color using distress inks plus some butterfly and bee ephemera will give her work an awesome finish.

Shari believes in giving back and for this she teaches in workshops as well as art camps. And apart from being an article writer for mixed media art, she is also in the Creative Paperclay Design team.

Her success to mixed media is attributed to this tip that she gives to all artist. “Make sure you clean your ink sprays after each use”. What more would someone ask for with such information that will help you create?

Incorporating Symbols in your Art Work

Symbols are all around us. You will find so many of them on our cars, on our language, on banners etc. They are tangible things that represent abstract ideas. They are indispensable because they are teaching tools especially in artistic expressions. They are best for sharing ideas when they are easily recognizable.

There are so many ways to incorporate a symbolic meaning into your piece of art. For example you can use texture, visual signs, and text or even color all which can share important themes. The same way a word reveals some truth and knowledge to its readers a symbol will also have some truth.

However according to Anjuli Johnson who began her career as a scrapbooker you have to plan things carefully. Take time to ensure that the vision matches what you have created. If you have to deliberately find ways of incorporating symbolic meaning into your art then you have to go out of your way. Anjuli believes that art is so important such that it can help an artist stretch to a greater level since they can use them to teach indirectly.

Look out to experiment as well as expanding your thinking. You will end up with a creation that feels more of yourself.

Understanding Intuitive Painting

Melanie Statnick is a Published Writer/Artist who’s with more success in written publication of articles in Interactive Artists Magazine. She loves Intuitive painting which besides being a free style that uses your creative instincts to guide you through your painting with minimal instructions it allows you to make happy mistakes. However there is always room for an error in every project.

With intuitive painting, it requires to:

• Start with a light paint colors first and apply a generous amount of paint directly to your 11x 14 canvas.
• Then using your flat brush create bottom to top motion to spread the paint to your vertical surface. Application of the other light colored paints should follow the same motion.
• Rinse brush between colors and dry using your heat tool between layers then turn your canvas horizontal. Apply a pea size amount of Teal directly to your canvas.
• Using your Brayer roller, roll over the paint in a side to side motion and the paint will spread in an uneven and grungy look.
• While the canvas is at a horizontal position apply neon blue directly onto it. 
• Repeat this step with the dark color and don’t forget to dry in between layers.
• Place canvas in vertical posing and using your flat brush and some of your lighter paint colors apply them to the spots on your canvas that are unpainted dry. Take your time here to relax and become familiar with your piece.

Once all is done, your canvas will look so pleasant and well created.

Mixed Media Art and Biography Writing as a Therapeutic Tool

One of the struggles that are faced by the dying and their careers is in finding meaning in the inevitability of death. However, while quite often we overlook the day to day course of our lives as we get on with the business of living it, we miss out on the fact that a meaningful death can be achieved only through the appreciation of a meaningful life.

The use of Palliative Biography Writing would go a long way in helping the dying person to find order in the recollections of their life. There are so many ways to achieve this. You can do voice recording which could be documented and written in such a way that the voice of the person whose life story is being told remains their own. Small remembrances like birthday cards and little notes, often long-forgotten can be recalled and brought to light as the story-telling process unlocks the door to memories long stored away.

Many more families choose to put Memory Boxes together as their loved one draws nearer the end. Some choose to recount the important aspects of their lives in a sequence of poems and verse. Others arrange the telling as a family history, firming up their place in the family tree.

Assembling a mixed media expression of meaning is (and should always be) a pleasurable activity. It does not have to be a commercial work of art because it is foremost a spiritual work of art.

Experimenting with Pan Pastels

If you are true artist, you must have heard about the over the 80 colors of the Artists color pastels. According to Terri Sproul who is a Mixed Media Artist with her own line of stamps and own paint line with Sakura Hobby Crafts, you can easily mix, blend, use with stencils, stamps and much more including the same way you use paint.

The latest colors which include six pearlescent colors will give you a new adventure since you will not be able to put these Pans down, from Canvas and Art journals. In several videos, Terri has showcased the various features attached to these pan pastel colors and the techniques she uses can be applied to many different mixed media projects. From panpastels.com you can get more inspirations and more videos from which you can get more learning materials. She also recommends CreatingMixedMediaArt Facebook page to every artist to like, comment and possibly leave a message.

As a result of her creativity, Terri hosts a live Art Journal Show on Tuesday nights where she teaches online on her YouTube channel. In addition she has a blog page with terrisproul.blogspot.com from where you can get to see more of her work and creativity. Creating is fun and it give so much satisfaction. Try it out!

Put your self – doubt and Anxiety aside and Start Creating

The crippling plague of self-doubt and anxiety is something we all experience. While it’s so easy to run away from what threatens us at times we must push ourselves forward and beyond this low-level of self-criticism of “What if I mess up” or “How can I do that when I can’t even do this?!”

Low-level of self-criticism does not serve our higher purpose of becoming the artist we envision ourselves to be. Martice Smith II an established freelance Illustrator and graphic designer has the following tips that can help you in times where that nasty inner critic pops up and tries to flip every positive thing upside down:

Allow for positive thinking and effective affirmations

Elevate your thinking by saying, “I can do anything I put my mind to…watch me!” instead of “I’ll never be that good”.

Give yourself time to develop

Every time you draw something, know that you will get better. It takes time to learn and experiment with new techniques. Look out for creative exploration at least for 15minutes every day. Show your enthusiasm and others will catch on and celebrate with you.

Ask for help

Be brave and write down a list of people you admire and reach out to, at least, one of them. You are not on this great art journey all by yourself. Participate in online art groups and connect with many individuals who are more than happy to give advice and share resources with you.



Set your intention, empower your thinking and express your thoughts into SPOKEN words. Yes, go ahead and say them out loud, so that you can hear them yourself. Listen to the way you speak to YOU.

The Fear of saying No

To gracefully say No is about managing our feelings and asking yourself some questions before you answer. However learning to say No for some of us is foreign and uncomfortable but it can be achieved with practice. Sometimes we have the feeling of doubt which can stem from fear again of “Do I really want to turn this down? Will this opportunity present if self again if I do say no?”

 
Success can be based on the reflex habit of saying yes to every opportunity that is presented to us. Remember that you are worthy of every exciting opportunity that comes your way and don’t let this create a fear of saying Yes! In the event you are an artist, consider the following if you are faced with an opportunity for your artwork or craft experience:

• Do you have enough knowledge on the subject?
• Can you afford an art retreat?
• Do you mind not being paid?
• Do you have the time for this project?
• Will learn anything from this opportunity?

Let’s think about this fear of losing an opportunity. This is an everyday challenge for most of us. Perhaps it has become stressful to find the time or the inspiration to continue, you guilt yourself into thinking “Well I committed so I have to see this through”. Perhaps it comes with a financial burden and you can’t afford to keep going. That is when yes becomes stress.
Never the less your time and talent is valuable. Opportunities can bring about friendships and furthering your skills and those are joys in life.

Simple Mixed Media Tunnel Book

Katja Blum who is a writer and translator was introduced to bookmaking by his son Sam who makes lots of books. Besides, she has branched into collage and other paper arts.She also likes to find creative solutions for ugly or broken things around the house. Sam’s books can be anything he wants – he can cut, glue, draw, paint, glitter and write. Katja loves the tunnel book which consists of several pages with cutouts of decreasing size.

Tunnel books are fun to play with and add to. Sam likes books about animals.Making a tunnel book is simple because you design the cutouts of your pages according to the picture or story you want to create.Each cut out should be smaller than the one before it. However elaborate figures or landscapes in your cutouts can always be added later. The strips should be folded into an “M” shape. Folding is easy but only if you score the fold lines using a ruler and a bone folder. Flexible connection enables the pages to consist of many different materials from thick watercolor paper to cardboard.

Design, decorate and cut out your book pages and attach the accordion hinges. You can always add more decorations and elements later, as the pages remain pretty accessible.

Making Art journal Jumps

Vicki Ross is focused on sharing her journey to art and how life events can shape us through creativity. With her creative arts, she decides to showcase artists who have a stash of untouched journals of all sizes how to make a journal jump commonly referred to as an altered composition book. 

First gather your supplies as follows:

1. Stencils
2. Composition book
3. Gloss varnish
4. Gesso
5. Stamps and stamp pads
6. Glue stick
7. Acrylic paint for tinting the gesso
8. Washi tape
9. Modeling paste
10. Found objects

The process involves:

1. On you blank composition book, open it to the center and make sure it is stitched, not glued. Glued bindings will not hold up to the stress.
2. Tear with straight edge, and glue the facing pages.Group several together to hold up to embellishments, cardboard, collage, etc. Place something heavy on top of book and let dry overnight.
3. Mix up gesso with an acrylic color that closely match the inside pages of the datebook, and with a 2″ sponge brush, paint every page. Let it dry overnight.
4. For the distressed pages, use a Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad, Walnut.
5. For the pages looking weak (in the binding area) after all the gesso and glue, use deli paper, wash tape, or print masking tape (Scotch brand) and glue in the crease.
6. Decorate using the found objects and Deli paper prints cut in strips does great for edge trim.Glue die-cut paper scraps to some edges. As long as you stay in the theme colors.

Once you place all the materials in place, you will some very perfect art. Happy creating!

Using Neon Pico Embellisher for your Projects

Besides being a published Artist and Writer, Melanie Statnick is also a host of her own program through a video known as The Brush & Pen. More often, she is writing and creating from her private studio.

She likes painting on different types of surfaces. And as a result of her exploration, she has discovered the irresistible Neon Pico Embellisher from Imagine Craft. She has tried her hand on some wood feather which she has painted with black gesso with her intent being to use acrylic painting.

She has this believe that Pico embellisher gives great textures hence it would be amazing to use the 3D and the neon on black. Clear Pico embellisher would be great to use for the boarders on your feather but you may have to use water colors. Either way you can make use of thicker and thinner lines. To outline and add dots, the Pico tip would give you excellent results. This is what Melanie does on her canvas project from which she can confirm to have had excellent results.

Exploring to create can be all fun. Hence you can follow Melanie’s work on Meaniestatnickart.com. There is a lot to learn and discover. After all who would not want to try something new?

Learn about Viva Décor Paper-Soft-Color

Barbara Rankin is a mixed media artist who loves to learn new techniques and to share her knowledge with other artists. If you have or have not heard of Viva Décor Paper-Soft-Color, Barbara explores how it differs from other products of the same nature.

This product is well applied with a sponge brush. Please note that dense sponge works best. Paper-Soft-Color is perfect for making soft, gradated colored backgrounds. They blend extremely well and are super simple to use. Those who are familiar with distress inks will confirm this. Besides, the colors are very soft and quite transparent. You will be required to use very little paint, thereby making it excellent for stenciling with very little to no bleeding. In addition, the use of different colors gives you a graduated soft effect, to make a beautiful background. The coloring of the background begins with the lighter colors.

You can also use the stencil technique where you blend the stenciled areas right into the background. You can also apply the paint through a stencil with a spatula for a dimensional look then add glitter to the paint while still wet for added sparkle.

Because of her intelligence and creativity with mixed media Rankin has been published in several paper and online magazines. Besides, she is a contributing artist in a book: Make it in Minutes. She celebrates when everyone seems to enjoy their creative gift within them.

The “101 Mixed Media Techniques” Book Review

“There are no rules”. This is the most important thing that you need to remember when it comes to Mixed Media and according to Barbara Rankin who happens to be a fine tuned mixed media artist. “There are no mistakes in art”. This has clearly been spelt out in the book 101 Mixed Media Techniques which is a compilation of a myriad of mixed media techniques by several artists.

It is well known that every artist has their own style and this book has helped many artists evolve around in their own creative manner. Each chapter in this book addresses various techniques besides giving a list of supplies.

Barbara says that you will not only seek inspiration from this book but you can also refer to it from time to time either for specific techniques or to refresh your memory. This is the book to use at that point when you realize you are stuck for ideas. You might just come up with one of the most amazing techniques.

Mixed media is more of experimenting while looking out for the right combination of products. This said, it doesn’t matter whether you are skilled mixed media artist or a novice artist but there will be no harm in adding this book to your artist’s library.

Do you have a passion for Bookmarks?

Cecilia Sanchez has always liked photography, drawing, collage and making photo Albums. This is besides the love of learning and discovering new techniques and materials. For a very long time, she has been a contributor in various blogs and digital magazines.

It is in 2006 when she discovered both digital and traditional scrapbooking. She is so fascinated with the Art Journal and Mixed Media, and she cannot imagine scrapbooking without getting her hands dirty. She describes art journal as a real diary for her as she gets inspiration from everyday feelings and to express these feelings she uses colors and shapes. She loves more of the 30x30pages mini albums.

She generally loves art and more so with bookmarking. Here are some of the supplies she used to make her bookmarks for valentine’s day which she considered were full of love since valentine is the day that many people express love:

1. Acrylic painting
2. Gesso
3. Watercolors
4. Gel medium
5. Acrylic
6. Glitter
7. Embossing Paint
8. Inks and markers
9. Cutters and brushes
10. Cardboard and stencil
11. Pastel

Cecilia is also involved in scrapbooking workshops in Malaga and you can get more of her information on ceciscrap.blogpost.com.es. Art can be fun just like Cecilia has discovered. It is flexible in a way that she is able to look after her twins and still enjoying her passion.

Hand Painted Bubbly Gift Bag

Shari Welch is a mixed media artist and one who is passionate about mixed media art. Her greatest motivation is while she is helping others discover their creativity. Besides her volunteer work for SCRAP where she teaches workshops, art camps, and performing art demos she is also a blogger for DecoArt. Her passion for creating drives her into making hand painted bubbly gift bags a project she describes to take a few hours so long as you have your supplies ready as follows:

1. Plain fabric 
2. Assorted sizes of round sponge pouncers
3. DecoArt media fluid acrylics paint
4. Decorative beads and robin’s nest dew drops
5. DecoArt Glamour dust ultra-fine glitter paint
6. Aleenes tacky glue
7. DecoArt Americana acrylic paint
8. Detail brush
9. Decorative ribbon

This is the process you will follow:

• Cut a piece of card stock or scrap paper the same size as your bag and insert this into the bag.
• Put small amounts of your paint on a paper plate far enough apart to be able to blend together later on. Load paint sparingly on the largest pouncer. Dab off excess on a clean paper plate. Do this same process with the other colors and sizes of pouncers. Let dry several hours or use a hair dryer on low setting.
• Fill the inside of a large bead with glue and stuff the end of each ribbon in the hole. Let dry
• Add your favorite bubbly in the bag, wrap the ribbon around, tie a bow.

Now you have finished your project...

Having Faith …

Kim Kelley is a lover of learning and exploring new techniques. She believes that any art she creates leads someone into finding their inner creative artist. Instead of using products that were all the same color and style, she goes out to try on a new project using canvas. Anything she came across made her smile. This is what she collected:

• Chipboard from Dusty Attic
• 8 X 10 canvas
• Glue gun
• White gesso
• Spray mist by 13 arts Pearl Brown Light
• Spray mist by Smooch Vanilla Shimmer
• Miscellaneous charms and flowers from stash
• Spray mist by Lindy’s Shabby Turbine Teal, Mad Hatter Mint, Dark Chocolate Truffle, Opal Sea Oats
• Finishing spray by Krylon

Here are the steps

• Glue all the collected compounds onto the canvas using the glue gun while using gesso to cover them over the entire canvas.
• After drying, use the mist colors to make the spray puddles to what you want. Make sure you have added enough of color.
• If you have to, you can add more embellishments. 
• Finally do the spraying on the entire canvas. This will give the canvas a shine and will also protect the creation. 

According to Kim, life is too short and you cannot afford to waste it. This can be confirmed with her obsession for crafting and the fact that she loves mixed media which allows her go beyond her comfort zone.

Making Framed Gifts fromGelli prints

According to Michelle G. Brown, being able to learn a few basic techniques in the world of mixed media art should be accessible to everyone. Besides creating, Karate training and being on Facebook, Michelle is passionate about mixed media art and enjoys sharing her knowledge and techniques with anyone to allow them express their own creativity. She understands too well that many of us have an inner need to create.

One of her favorite mixed media art techniques for creating backgrounds is Mono-printing with GelliArts Gelli Plates. The following are some of the materials she uses:

· glue; PVA or Gel Medium

· Photo frame; here I used a 5” x 7” frame

· Black Marker

· Background papers or Gelli prints

· Piece of cardboard to fit frame.

· Washi tape

Steps to follow

· First have your materials together with a few pieces of background paper in colors.

· Take the back off your photo frame and use it to cut a piece of cardboard to size so it will fit into the frame.

· Use the cardboard to cut a piece of background paper to size.

· A piece of scotch brite or sandpaper should be able t to rough up the cereal box cardboard. Stick the background paper to the cardboard then flatten out any wrinkles.

· Cut two contrasting background papers into strips and thin triangles. Stick these to the background piece and leave to dry then trim the ends to size.

· Add a strip of Washi tape and write in your inspiring quote with the black marker. Seal with Gel medium or varnish. Leave to dry.



Creating gives a lot of satisfaction. Enjoy.