Monday, June 30, 2014

Mixed Media Monthly Challenge for July

I am so excited that the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge Blog is already starting the second challenge! This months challenge is sooo easy! The theme is "Around The House", which means that you are challenged to find and use things... Anything... From around your house. These things can be repurposing items, stamping with kitchen gadgets, or raiding your hubby's toolshed.The design team at The MMMC blog has some great ideas. Here is my project for the month.





I used a wood block as my surface. These are great finds in the trash piles of new home construction sites. My other "house" item was masking tape. I used them to make the coconuts, and stenciled the texture on them with drywall tape...my last house item. I also used some items from our generous sponsor, "Die Cuts With A View". DCWV has new items that include amazing textured papers like corrugate, burlap, canvas, even chalkboard and white board stacks! I used one of their textured burlap pieces to make my tree truck, and another textured design for my beach.  DCWV also has a wonderful selection of stencils, great for mixed media artists. They have supplied this unbelievable prize package for TWO random lucky winners! Package includes 1 12x12 paper pad, 4 textured 6x6 paper pads, and 12 stencils!



To enter the challenge, upload your project to this page by July 31! We can't wait to see all the fabulous entries and creative uses for things "around the house".

Thanks for stopping by!




Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Teaching Others how to Let Go in Art


I have enjoyed teaching my ladies mixed media art class. The title of the class was "Let It Go" and all about being free to create, make mistakes, learn and just "go with it". For the last couple of classes, I wanted them to do a "girl". Something personal, something with a quote that would mean something to them or someone close. For my demo, I did a paper background.


I drew several girls and made copies so they wouldn't be stressed about "drawing" one. This is one of the queens I made and started building paint layers.


She still isn't finishes, but she is getting there. I have yet to add the words.


Then I took a few photos last night of what my ladies were making.










I'm so proud of how they have expressed themselves and their creativity. We have one more class next week. I'm going to miss seeing these beautiful ladies every week.

Thanks for stopping by!




Monday, June 9, 2014

Monday Morn


I look forward to my mixed media art classes on Mondays. We have two more classes and so I am having the ladies create a mixed media "girl". I asked them to think of a quote or something personal to them to put on their girl, which could be representative of themselves if they wanted. It's going to be inspiring to see this process.

Last week I created another mixed media angel. His time I used the card with the initial "w" which I wanted to stand for "wings". 


I wanted to find just the right quote for her to tie in dreams (the moon) and wings.





She is big... The board is 20" long. I used alphabet stamps and rub ons for the quotes. I put her with my other mixed media pieces at one of the galleries at the art crawl and one of my collectors took her home. 

The art gallery crawl was wonderful. We had so much activity on both sides of the river. Here are a few photos.


Some of my paintings at the Ouachita River Art Gallery, Wesr Monroe.


My roommate from long ago came out.


And I had a surprise visit from my cousin.


One of my students was showing her beautiful work a few doors down so I stopped by to take a peek. She worked on the tea cup piece during class and it is gorgeous.

I have a super busy week. I am working on two very special commission pieces. One of them has a critical deadline. What an honor to be a part of something so special. More on that later.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a happy Monday!






Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Art Gallery Crawl This Thursday June 5 2014

I am so excited about this Thursday night's art gallery crawl!!

First of all, I am the featured artist at The River Gallery on Trenton Street, West Monroe. My show is called "Enjoying the Journey". The gallery will be open until 9pm Thursday, June 5 during the gallery crawl!

Here is one of my newest pieces. I call it "Enchanted". It's 24" x 24" and has a coat of resin on the surface.



The shops on Trenton Street AKA Antique Alley, West Monroe, will also be open till 9pm AND will hosts area artists in the shops. And if that isn't enough, the other art galleries will be full of beautiful art and hosted by the wonderful artists! You can find out more on the Downtown Crawl Facebook Page!

And the best part - it's all free!! And the trolley, also free, will make stops all night at all the galleries. What a fun night!

The ladies in my mixed media art workshop are so amazing! We have two classes left and during those classes they are all going to be making a "girl" piece - something inspirational, personal and beautiful. I can't wait. Here is what they worked on last night.





How inspiring their pieces are!!

If you are a mixed media artist, or paper crafter - don't miss out on the new Mixed Media Monthly Challenge Blog!  Every month the design team will give a challenge, and the first one is up now. Just post a link on the blog with your challenge piece and you will be entered for a prize. This month's random winner will win a $25 gift certificate to Inspiration Emporium!  Who doesn't need more supplies to create beautiful things with!?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!


Sunday, June 1, 2014

The First Mixed Media Challenge

Happy June! And today the Mixed Media Monthly Challenge Blog is posting their first challenge!

The challenge this month is  We are so lucky that the amazing online store Inspiration Emporium is sponsoring our challenge this month. They are generously offering a $25 gift card for our Random Winner and a discount code for anyone reading this right now!! Just use the code MMMC for 10% off your entire order!!


















The design team has created several projects for you to get inspiration from - or come up with something else!

In my project, I started with a collage background of patterned papers. I painted, added texture with modeling paste and stencils. Then I used a stencil and Dylusions Spray Inks.



































The surface is a wood block, approx 5.5" x 11".

Check out the blog for more inspiration and ways to be entered for more giveaways!

Happy Creating!