Now what?

I have been really busy and accomplished a lot these last few months. I created three full size e-courses and had a lot of fun creating them, but now what?

I have learned a lot in life and I felt a need to share my knowledge. It's kind of a mix of things, but I can't help that I have many passions in life. You can check out the offerings HERE. 

There are some freebies to download as well.

It feels a bit like an anti-climax to have gotten this far, and I'm grateful that I had the stamina to push through. I ask myself if the offerings truly are my passion. They have been for sure, for many years. Now that I have shared them, I'm not sure what the next step will be. I'd like to try something else, focus more on my art. Maybe move more deeply into the art expression since there is so much to explore.

Feeling like I'm in limbo at the moment. I like to take action, so not seeing the next move is not something I like. However, I have created some art lately, a tried-and-true polymer mosaic box. Once in a while I get inspired to make one.

I enjoy the process very much as long as I don't have to make them on an assembly line.

I experimented with a muted art journal page. Got a mixed media background going with some decorative papers and stamps. I drew a face with a charcoal pen, and I liked the effect. I usually paint with lots of color so this was something different.

Picture complete with Bailey the cat. He always spreads out on my work table...

I'm going to have to wait and see what kind of inspiration strikes next. Maybe it will strike in a new direction or be calling me to more creative depths.

Hope you're having a great day. Would you share what you're working on?

xo

Maria

P.S. if you'd like some more art news, sign up for my newsletter HERE.

Art journaling and some background techniques

Hello lovelies,

I have been doing some art journaling lately, experimenting with a lot of background techniques, which is fun. It's an adventure since you don't know how it will turn out. Art is very forgiving so usually everything turns out ok in the end.

In the two pictures below, I wet my heavy duty journal paper thoroughly with water. Then I used very diluted acrylic paints and dripped them on the water-logged paper. The paints spread in a nice, sometimes subtle way. You can use any craft paints or finer art paints as long as they can be diluted with water. Watercolor paints would work well if you want a more diluted and subtle background.

This is another version on my freebie art tutorial Star Angel. You can get that tutorial HERE.

In the one above, you can really see the background variations. Lots of fun. :)

The one above is a faux crinkled leather background. I used medium spread liberally across the paper, and then I glued tissue paper over it. It's important to crinkle the tissue paper into a ball in your hand, and then spread out the wrinkled paper on the medium. Let dry thoroughly, and paint whatever colors you like. I used some raw umber on my fingertip to brush over the ridges as a last coat to make the creasing more dramatic.

Fantasy flowers on top of decorative paper, which was glued down in my journal.

Just for fun!  Grow wild and free. Hell yeah!!!

What are you working on today?

Please share in the comments.

...because Life happens NOW!

xo

Maria

PS. If you're interested in an art journaling ecourse, please check out my Visionary Art Journaling with the six senses HERE.

For a free mixed media tutorial, sign up for my newsletter HERE. 

New background technique.

Hi gorgeous,

I have a new background technique for you today. Experimenting is sooo much fun. Making videos is fun, but I'm far from a pro at that. My equipment is not great, but I do the best I can with what I've got. It's better to share new exciting things than to strive for perfection in everything. Art often happens by accident, doesn't it?

I have been on a high when it comes to producing art lately. It seems to go in cycles, and I welcome the wave when it comes to sweep me away! 

My latest technique involves acrylic paints, water, alcohol, and salt. Yes, you read that right. Salt makes cool patterns in the paint.

I made this video using an old painting I painted in 2004 as inspiration, a star angel. She sends out the stars into the night sky.

Click here to access the link to the video.

 

Art journaling has become a real obsession for me. It is so much fun and you can try all kinds of new techniques and ideas without ruining an expensive canvas. Speaking of canvases, I did finish a mixed media piece as well last week. 

 

Broken Dreams 12x12"

Portraits are always a challenge, but fun to paint. Every face has its own expression.

What are you working on lately? I would love to hear about it.

xo

Maria

P.S.  I have a free motivational e-course on how to get unstuck creatively. If you feel stuck, try it. Learn something new and get excited again! CLICK HERE.

You can also sign up for my newsletter HERE.

Mixed media affirmation cards using playing cards.

Hi gorgeous,

I made some mixed media affirmation cards using an old deck of playing cards. It was so much fun. I shot some videos of each, which you can find on my YouTube channel HERE.

They are easy to make and lots of fun. I only used decorative papers, pictures from magazines, Mod-Podge, and permanent markers. 

Check out the pictures: 

 

Oops, a spelling mistake here...

 

 

 

 

You can always try to make some. Make a whole bunch! :)

If you want to share your creations, please join my art Facebook group HERE.

Hope to see you there!!

Enjoy your creativity.

xo

Maria

P.S. My e-course is available (I have a couple up, one is free.) Check out the link and see if anything attracts you. CLICK HERE.

 

Gelli printing, guest post 3, with Jacqueline Williams

It is another gorgeous day in Florida.  We've had some gloomy days, but the sun is back and I love it! 

I will delight you here with another gelli print guest post, with Jacqueline, or Jacques, Williams, from Somerset, England. It always amazes me how much you can do with gelli plates, the variations are almost endless.  Here's my interview with Jacques:

How did you get started with Gelli printing and what kind of art did you use to do before you got into Gelli plates? 

I’m a mixed media artist and studied the art and science of printing in my late teens.  I loved the organic feel of printing and didn’t mind getting my hands black from the various inks and paints, from screen printing, monoprinting and later using the Rotaprint machines in publishing.  I was saddened when everything started to become digitalized. The print factory closed down and I retrained to secure a better future. During the summer (2014), my DH transformed our shed into a printing space for me. It was a dream come true and I loved spending the light evenings out there with my youngest daughter. 

Then one day I went out there to find an unwanted resident mouse had eaten its way through several stacks of prints, so I moved my printing back inside until we could remove the mouse!

I first heard the word Gelli when I joined a creative Facebook forum almost a year ago called ‘Be Creative’.  I researched it, and then invested in a Gelli plate.  I found that my 8 x 8 plate was perfect for printing postcards for swapping within the Be Creative group.  I first played around with just black standard acrylic paint, but found it dried out too quickly. I then opted for tubes of water color and preferred the effect the colors had on the plate and on the card stock I was using. I then discovered the Facebook group, Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts.

Was it hard to learn how to make the prints?  What is a good beginner's guide, if any?

I confess, I didn’t read up on any specific techniques on making prints or how to use the plate.  I made stencils back in the 80s and relied on my printing background.  I still prefer to use watercolor rather than acrylic paints; I’ve invested in some Open Acrylics, but the box is still unopened because I like the flexibility and transparency of watercolors.

How have the prints evolved for you? 

To start with, I just practiced making prints using what I had available from the garden: leaves, petals, flowers, nails, and feathers.  I didn’t embellish them or draw on the tops of the prints. Later I began experimenting with lino on the plate, ghost prints, and then printing on fabrics such as silk and calico.  My favorite prints have included tree silhouettes, exotic birds and the outlines of buildings against a backdrop of textures.

What tools do you use to make a variety of prints? 

I picked up some textured brayers at a boot sale (yard sale) – one is covered with oak leaves.  I’ve also used the bottoms of fizzy soda bottles (petal shapes), various lids, the orange mesh used for holding oranges, pen caps, upturned cups, the corrugated innards from chocolate boxes, cutlery and rusty nails, string, lino cuts, and handmade rubber stamps.

How do you use the prints?  What do you suggest to beginners (as far as using the prints in other media?) 

I’ve used the prints for collage, mini notebooks, making price tags for a craft sale, pictures for frames, greeting cards, and postcards.  I’ve printed straight on fabric, tote bags, and silk ties.  I will be rolling some sheets of my spare stock to create pen pot holders and beads.

Tips and tricks in general.  Anything special to know about Gelli plates?  Anything you wished you had known when you started?

The cost of the plate isn’t cheap.  However, I think that the enjoyment I’ve got out of using it and because it’s so versatile and adaptable to a range of printing surfaces makes it worth the expense.  Before investing in one, I’d recommend that you think about what sizes you like working with best.  One day I would like to buy a large plate, but for now I’m happy creating textured backgrounds for my journal pages, and I can move the smaller plate around on larger surfaces to build up the layers.  Gelli plates pick up so many textures.  Hunt around the house and you’ll find yourself digging in drawers and cupboards to find items with texture. You can also look at objects in DIY stores that you may not have considered before.  Sometimes you can salvage cartons and containers from the trash just to try a different texture.  Also, try cutting an apple in half and putting that down on the Gelli, or a pepper, but bear in mind that fruit adds moisture to the paint or ink you’ll be using!  Most importantly, experiment and have fun!  Having fun is what it is all about.

 Thank you, Jacques, for this lovely post.  Again, I'm amazed at the variety of prints that can be made with gelli plates.  These are so much fun, and I love the Nature inspired motifs.

 

 

 

 

Jacques' clickable links:

www.facebook.com/squarebird.co.uk

https://squarebird.wordpress.com

https://theelevatorpress.wordpress.com

https://uk.pinterest.com/jacquelinehwill/lino-and-gelli-plate-printing/

Gelli printing guest post #2 Juna Biagioni

Hi beautiful readers, 

I'm so excited to treat you to another guest post on gelli printing and it has lots of pictures!  Juna Biagioni makes beautiful art.  Check out her post.

My name is Juna Biagioni, I’m 42 years old, a mixed media artist & explorer, and I live with my husband in the beautiful heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

On my website www.junabiagioni.com you can find my blog about my art journey, and my shop with mixed media originals and prints. I’ve recently started a YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/junabiagioni with my mixed media videos and am currently developing a gelli printing e-course. If you’re interested in any of these topics, you can find more information on my website. 

1. How did you get started with gelli printing and what did you use to do before you got into those?

I first learned about gelli printing (and monoprinting in general) last spring and was immediately hooked when I saw all the beautiful and fun things you can do with this technique. I have always loved being creative: as a little girl I loved to make music, draw and write stories, and in my early twenties I worked as a graphic designer. Later my focus shifted, but a few years ago I rediscovered my creative source and started a new exciting journey into art. First I worked with polymer clay and about a year and a half ago I dove into mixed media. And that’s still what I love doing today, including gelli printing.

2. Was it hard to learn how to make the prints? What is a good beginner's guide, if any?

No, the fun thing with gelli printing is that it isn’t hard at all to make prints! The possibilities are endless. It’s just a matter of trying out all the things that you can do with it, having a lot of fun, and finding out what you like best. I watched lots and lots of videos on YouTube and I can also recommend the book Gelli Plate Printing by Joan Bess.

3. How have your prints evolved?

Color! I am using more and more color in my prints and I love it! I am also lately using the gelli plate to create intricate backgrounds that I then use as a starting point for mixed media paintings.

4. What tools do you use to make a variety of prints?

I try not to pull out too many tools at the time, just to help me focus and not get lost in all the possibilities that the gelli plate offers. I use various stencils and masks (many of which I make myself), a few texture plates, and my favorite stamp that I made out of a plastic placemat. I also use household items such as bubble wrap and packaging materials. I find that the simplest tools and materials often create the most interesting and original effects.

5. How do you use the prints? What do you suggest to beginners, as far as using the prints in other media?

I often add extra layers to my prints, using media such as markers, oil paint and inks. My prints are either artworks on their own, or a background for mixed media paintings. I haven’t yet used my prints to create other products such as journals, but I might explore those possibilities in the future as well. 

6. Tips and tricks in general. Anything special to know about gelli plates? Anything you wished you had known when you started?

An important thing that I’ve learned is that I usually have to make a pile of just ‘nice’, mediocre or even plain ugly prints in order to get one that I really, really like. I first found this frustrating, I thought that each and every print I pulled had to be ‘good’ otherwise it would be a waste of paper and paint, but now I know that this is just the way it works for me. When I start gelli printing I make sure I have lots of work space to lay down all the prints I am making, and at the end of the printing
session I’ll just pick out a few prints that really stand out to me, the ones that I want to use to work on further. And the rest? The rest just forms a growing pile of new… ‘possibilities’! ;-)

7.  What kind of paper do you use for your prints?

I use Bristol paper, 250 gsm. It's a very smooth paper.  It depends on what kind of effect you are looking for. I like the smooth paper because it shows many details. 
But many other artists like watercolor paper too. That usually has some texture of its own, which can be nice for prints as well. Just a matter of preference and trying what works best.

I love Juna's art.  It has a mystical quality and so many layers.  Make sure to check out her website.  http://www.junabiagioni.com/
Thank you, Juna, for taking part in this series.  :)

I sent out a newsletter last week with more links about gelli printing.  There is a YouTube link for making your own very inexpensive gelli plate.  The link to the newsletter is on my Facebook page.   Scroll down to the third post from the top. 
More guest posts coming soon.  Have you tried Gelli printing yet? 

Gelli printing series #1 guest post by Tami Sturm Howse

Hi all, I have been slacking here, but I got this great idea to do a series of guest posts with artists who are great at Gelli printing. This new-ish technique has taken the mixed media art world by storm. If you don't know what gelatin printing is, check out this link.  There are many tutorials on YouTube as well, for beginners and experts.  Gelli plates can be purchased on Amazon and other art supply online shops.  You can also make your own plate.  There are many tutorials on how to make one on YouTube.

Let me introduce mixed media artist Tami Sturm Howse.  I met her on the Gelatin Printing Enthusiasts on Facebook.  I asked her a few questions and this is her guest post.  Also, please check out her blog and etsy shop for more pictures.  Links are at the end of the post.

1. How did you get started with Gelli printing and what did you use to do before you got into those?

“Tami, this looks like a craft store exploded”, said a friend when she saw my craft room.

I started out as a scrapbooker years ago, but realized that nobody in my family ever really looked at my scrapbooks. I then became interested in mixed media. I loved that I could use all of my “stuff”, which was becoming quite plentiful.

Being a true crafter, when I first saw the Gelli Plate, I wanted it, whether I needed it or not. However, I wasn’t willing to spend the money until I knew I’d like it. So, I went online and found a way to make my own. After I played with the homemade one, I decided I didn’t want to have to run to the refrigerator every time I wanted to use it (I wasn’t aware of the “permanent” homemade version yet). So I bought the 8x10 plate.

2.  Was it hard to learn how to make the prints?  What is a good beginner's guide, if any?  It wasn’t hard at all to learn. I watched several YouTube videos (Carolyn Dube was a favorite) and just got started. The cool thing about Gelli printing is that if you don’t like the print, you can just paint over it. For the beginner, I would say that if you make a print that you absolutely love, don’t change it. Also, ALWAYS scan your prints if you have a scanner. That way, you can digitally immortalize them, and you don’t have to be timid about cutting them up and using them.

3.  How have the prints evolved?  Since I’m a mixed media nut, I’ve been incorporating my stencil designs, hand-carved stamp images, embossing, molding paste, and hand-painting. I love that they can be changed up.

4.  What tools do you use to make a variety of prints?  Bottoms of shoes and flip flops. I once saw the bottom of my adult daughter’s shoes and exclaimed, “Don’t throw those out when you’re done with them. I want to use the pattern on the bottom.” She rolled her eyes. I also love to use bubble wrap (of course), stamps, my stencil masks, leaves, the bottoms of fruit trays (don’t blame me if you start eyeing them up in the produce section), and on and on. I’m always seeing texture tools throughout my house.

5.  How do you use the prints?  What do you suggest to beginners (as far as using the prints in other media?)  I love using the prints as a collage base for my mixed media canvases. They’re great to use on journals, candles (see my blog), cards, envelopes, and decoupage (think “funky”). Anywhere you use paper, you can use your Gelli prints. Sometimes I like to use a “theme” of color, depending on the project I’m doing. I’ve been known to decoupage onto furniture, cigar boxes, old cabinet doors as a base for an assemblage piece, and my husband.

Well, I’m joking about the husband, but I think sometimes he’s afraid if he stands still, he’ll be “Gellied”.

6.  Tips and tricks in general.  Anything special to know about Gelli plates?  Anything you wished you had known when you started? Make sure to store your Gelli Plate in a climate controlled environment e.g. NOT in a hot car and NOT in a freezer. Also, don’t use a glossy paper on the plate (like photo paper or glossy magazine pages) Other than that, they’re pretty sturdy little buggers. When looking through magazines, keep your eye out for images that you can cut out to use as masks, which can be really fun. When using texture tools, make sure you’re not using anything sharp, or you’ll have a permanent “texture dent” or “texture rip” on the rest of your prints. Remember that often “mistakes” are just new techniques. At least that’s what I always say.

And, if you’re anything like me, your crafting area is a disaster. All. The. Time. So, when you sit down to do Gelli printing, make sure you’ve cleared enough space for drying prints, or else you will end up having to use all of your bathrooms and your bedroom floor, which I’ve never done.

If you’re interested in some of my original stencil and mask designs, please feel free to visit my Etsy shop at

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Howsewears?ref=hdr_shop_menu

And, if you’d like to see some Gelli techniques as well as my other craft adventures, please visit

www.thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading! Fondly, Tami

 

 

 

 

 

 

I LOVE what she has made with the Gelli prints!  I wish these give you some inspiration to expand your own prints.  There is no end to the versatility of the Gelli printing plate.  Thank you, Tami. :) 

A new free mixed media tutorial for you!

YAY!
Everyone likes a freebie, right?  I thought I'd go over this mixed media piece, since it' was somewhat of a challenge for me.  I had a lot of fun making it. :)  It's a stretched canvas, 12x12".  I started by spilling paint and dribbling and spreading.  I don't have a picture of that part.  It's just to cover the dreaded white space quickly.

I then tried to see some possibilities in the forms that came up, but nothing really struck me.  I painted in a face outline and some flowers.  Looked like crap, so I decided to cover the mess with some pages from a paperback book I once wrote.  Then I spread some thin paint over those to make them blend in better.  I now had a background I could work with, and I kept thinking what now?  I had an old journal page with a face that I liked.  I was not about to cut up my journal though, so I made a regular photocopy on printer paper.  It came out really pale...  We're going to pick up the canvas with some pictures now, but I took a photo of the journal page so that you could see the original:

 

I used colored pencils on this drawing.  I was trying to learn shading by going over the page lightly with various colors.  I was happy with the result. 

 Then I decided to cut up and glue the photocopy to the canvas. Scary, and I was a bit worried about the paper wrinkling with the Mod-Podge that I spread liberally on the back, To my surprise, it didn't wrinkle, but I got some patches from the glue, so when I spread paint on the face, pale spots showed up.

  

 

You can see here how pale the face is to start.  I brought out my Prismacolors and shaded the face some, and then I blended it with the background colors with paints and a baby wipe.  I like to have uniform colors pretty much.

Above you can see the odd spots that I covered with green and yellow just to get rid of them.  I gently added a tiny bit of paint to the eyes, and painted on the hair. Nothing fancy...  I saw some greenery that could stay on the right hand side and outlined them in white.  She was going to read a book, so I painted some yellow book covers at the bottom.

Can't say I liked the "blemishes" on her face, so I blended and smoothed that with some white paint when the green paint had dried.

I outlined the book and stamped on the letters with Staz-on ink.  The bird is decorative paper, which I painted with light blue paint.  The legs are painted on.  I painted a faint outline to the girl's eyes.  I didn't want them to stand out more than the rest, but they looked kind of pale.

I added on more lettering by tearing out paperback pages and stamping them with words.  Reading gave her ideas for her own stories.  And to break up the space in front of the bird, I cut out a piece of paper for bunting and painted that to match.

I enjoyed using the photocopy for the face.  I made sure it was very well glued down, with NO air pockets.  I don't know how well it will hold up in the long run, but I plan to varnish the whole thing with acrylic varnish.  I also found it interesting that the face ended up so different than the original even though they are identical.

Since I'm both an artist and a writer, I'm often torn between the two.  Should I be writing more, or do more art?  It's not easy to have several interests.  I just take it day by day.  I will soon have a new fantasy story out on Amazon, the sequel to Trials of Hallion, Two of Swords.  I actually painted the book cover for it.  When it's complete with graphics, which an artist friend of mine will create, I will put up a picture.  Writing is more of a chore.  Once you start a manuscript you can't just write randomly.  You have to follow a schedule every day to get anywhere.  Writing a book is a massive effort!

With mixed media art or painting, I can flow more, and I like that.  And I like lots of color!  :)
If you would like more tutorials and other news from me, please sign up for my newsletter!  Top right column.  Thank you. 

Art by some of my favorite artists...

Who is your favorite artist, or type of art?

I have a long list of favorite artists, but you would have to spend a week reading this post, so I will keep it short and sweet.  Lately I have been doing a lot of art journaling and mixed media.  Everything seems to go in cycles, so acrylic paintings could be next.  Here are some of my favorite artists:

Iris Fritschi-Cussens lives in London, England.

There is a tutorial on how to make this lovely image on her website.  She also has lots of fabulous how-to videos.  Check out her website HERE.

Another favorite is Christina Colwell in Oregon.  I love her whimsical style and happy colors!  

You can check out her Facebook art page HERE.

Tracy Verdugo is from Australia.  I love it that you can find artists from all over the world via the Internet!  She is teaching a really cool ecourse starting on September 24.

Check out her Facebook art page HERE.

Tamara Laporte has a massive blog hop going.  Check out all the wonderful art.

This picture is by Jane Davenport.  She is part of the blog hop and ecourse:

This looks like a really cool course.  Lots of great teachers involved. 

Check out Tamara's Facebook page HERE.

More about the Life Book course HERE.

Willowing and Friends community page on Facebook, HERE.

Those are just a few of my favorites.  I'm a huge fan of Flora Bowley too. Here's a short 

video of her by Zipporah.  Click HERE.

Who gives you inspiration, or nudges to keep on going with your art?  Please comment 

and share.  :)  Have a great day full of inspiration!