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.