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.