Finding Inspiration

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This article is written by Debbie Davis

When I’m at work and on the phone, I usually doodle on a sticky note pad.  Sometimes I bring home my doodles to use as ideas for artwork, or in my artwork.  Recently I was writing on a pretty blue sticky note pad using a red pen.  I realized how much I really liked the blue and red colors together and decided my next project had to be created using these colors.

Molding paste and collage in mixed media painting

Using a claybord, I glued on some pretty blue scrapbook paper along with some text out of a vintage book.  I randomly brushed on some acrylic paint in a blue color that was a little darker than the blue on the paper and also blended the book paper edges into the collage using a bit of gesso.

I love doing quick image transfers on my projects.  The music notes were added by spreading a medium layer of soft gel on the panel where I wanted the image to be.  Next I put some torn out papers with music notes (printed from my inkjet printer) face down into the medium, burnished it onto the collage and then lifted off the paper.  This technique is quick, fun and so simple.

I had never used molding paste before and was excited to try it out using a new flower stencil I just purchased.   I love the molding paste!  It added some great texture.  Once it dried, I painted the petals red and added some of the book text to the center.

I was working on the collage on my kitchen counter and spotted a red mesh bag of potatoes.  The bag was such a pretty red and just matched the red in my flower, so I cut out a few pieces and glued them onto the collage.  I think my hubby thought I was just a little weird.  Ha!

To finish it off, I randomly stamped on some white paint using a piece of cardboard and splattered on a bit of the red paint.

This piece reminded me of a hot summer day.  I decided to create another using the same color scheme with a little sailboat.

Molding paste and collage in mixed media painting

 

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My name is Debbie and I live in Morton, Illinois (USA). I’m happily married and have a wonderful family that includes a daughter, son, son-in-law and 2 of the sweetest grandchildren ever!

What I love most about mixed media art is that you don’t have to be an expert at anything to create beautiful art. It is a great way to recycle found objects. Art is such a wonderful stress reliever. I just wish I had more time to play!

I have a shop on Etsy called Artful Explorations where I place some of the art I have created for sale. I just recently started a In Art Therapy blog having been inspired by others who are willing to share their techniques and ideas.

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Mixed Media Art Journal Class by Laura Thykeson

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Are you longing for an art journaling class that nurtures and helps you develop your own unique style instead of everyone ending up making the same style art? Laura Thykeson, who has featured on Mixed Media Art with her “Reading between the lines with Altered books” article is conducting classes on her “Art from your Heart” ning group.

mixed media art journal

The first class, which is free for all to participate, is based on L.K. Ludwig’s True Vision – Authentic Art Journalling. “I think it will make for an enjoyable class and I also think you may find that my approach is a bit different than some of the other classes you may have seen”, says Laura. While this class started 15 March 2012, there is still time to sign in and play along.

mixed media art journal by Laura Thykeson

The second class is called “ Letting Your Heart Sing”and it is actually a good class for any level artist that wants to nurture, celebrate and develop their own unique style of art journaling and creating altered  books. The cost for this class is $20.00 per person,  and will teach you how to discover your inner poet and writer, and add that special “something” to your art journals and other artwork! Original poetry and prose can add so much to a piece of art-you just need to learn to “Let Your Heart Sing”! The class will start on 1 April 2012.

You can join up by going to the “Art from your Heart” ning site, signing up to the community (which includes is a whole community of mixed media artists, not just lessons). Then you can sign up for either the free class or the $20.00 class. Or both.

Laura Thykeson

There is a “Donate” tab at the top of the page where you can go to pay the $20.00 if you want the paid class, and when Paypal lets Laura know you have paid, she will admit you to the class. Then you will get access to the class and start creating.

The classes will be at least 6 weeks, maybe even longer if anyone wants to continue on a week or two. But at least 6 weeks for sure, one new lesson per week, plus lots of emails and chat from Laure as she is on the computer a lot. There is a material list up in the free class you can already access. It is just normal favorite journaling materials (Laura made a list of several things suggested) and a journal or loose heavy paper to work on.

For further information, please contact Laura at LThykeson@yahoo.com or visit Art from the Heart.

laura Thykeson

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The Holy Trinity

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This article is written by Gloria Malouf-Marsh

Original Painting by Andrei Rublev (1370-1430)

This painting I took from an Icon called “The Holy Trinity”.  Andrei Rublev painted it around the 14th century. He is a famous medieval artist of Orthodox icons. This icon is a masterpiece of Russian traditional iconography. There are many depictions of this Icon, portraying different colorings.  It represents the Trinity in the form of three angels.  The icon describes three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre. The angels are a representation of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Father and the Holy Spirit are both inclined toward the Son, which is the central figure. The faces’ gaze is circular.  The symbolism portrayed is that the Father leads us to the Son, who leads us to the Holy Spirit; in turn the Holy Spirit leads us back to Christ and Christ leads us back to the Father. There are three figures sitting around a table. The finger pointing is very important in iconography – pointing to the chalice, the eyes gazing to God the Father, which is the first figure. God the Son is the central figure and the figure on the right is the Holy Spirit.   Its purpose is to transport us into a transfigured world. Meditating on and symbolism of the icon is a very important factor during the painting.

The house above the first figure (God the Father) is that of Abraham and Sarah from the Old Testament. The subject of the icon is based on the story of Abraham, who is camping by the Oak of Mamre when he received three visitors.  As he converses with the three angels and serves them a meal, it is revealed he is actually talking directly to God. The Mamre oak tree above the middle figure (God the son) may represent the Cross, and the mountain above the third figure represents places where people often encountered God -places where heaven and earth seem to touch. Another name for this icon is called “The Hospitality of Abraham” icon.

mixed media painting

To appreciate the subject, I thought to elaborate on the background of the Icon first. I started painting the canvas with gesso. I sketched 3 figures and 3 haloes and wings in the center of the canvas. I worked around, above and below the 3 figures. Firstly, I used burnt umber (dark brown) above and below the figures.  I then used the deer brush to dab the rich gold, over the burnt umber and left spaces between. I then applied yellow oxide on top of that with the deer brush, and finally used Naples yellow hue, one at a time to build the texture and effect. This gave a three-dimensional effect to the picture. This is an effective tip to pass on. I loved the color scheme that I chose.  The painting was very detailed; drawing the figures had to be reasonably in proportion. I then sketched the wings and the painting  was taking form. A clergy told me that I depicted the feminine side in the three figures of this picture. I thought that was significant, as one would imagine that the male dominant force was strong in the medieval times. This was significant for me because I learned that we all have a feminine and masculine side to us. One goes on a very personal journey with the artist and the subject. Creating and painting folds of material sweeping and draping of the arm garments and the knee positions all assisted with the overall effect. I chose to create my personal style in this composition and it meant a lot to me. This took me over three months to finish.  I was also caring for our very sick dog named Cassie, during this time.  So my time was divided, and I was feeling very sad at the time.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I gave this painting.

I do encourage all artists to try all mediums and a diversity of choices when being creative.  Create with abandon; nothing is right or wrong with using the brush.  Acrylic Medium is very forgiving. So be daring with swirls and freeing up of the hand, the brush and the mind, and you’d be surprised where creativity takes you. This does unleash the artist within.

I also encourage regular practice with the brush. Mix with likeminded people.  We all teach each other so much and most of all have lots of fun and enjoyment! This keeps us connected to our creative spirit.

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My name is Gloria Malouf-Marsh. I live in Brisbane, Australia, in a very leafy suburb called Indooroopilly. I live with my husband Greg and my daughter Salwa.

Emails are welcome to gloria@radiantpathways.com.au

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Decluttering for the New Year; Where to keep everything?

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With our decluttering process, we have reviewed our achievements, decided which crafts to focus on and sorted out our craft supplies.

Now we have only things we will use in our crafting area, we can consider where to put them. As we put items into new places, make sure you label the drawers and containers; this may seem a little over-the-top at first but will help you keep your area tidy in the long run. Labelling will also reduce the “open every drawer until I find it” problem.

clearnig our craft clutter

We want to consider how often we use our different groups of supplies. We want to keep the items we use most often close at hand. This may be on the desk in containers or in boxes that can be moved closer when being used and stacked away when not needed.

For supply storage, once the smaller areas have been sorted we will have created some space. Then we can take a step back and consider combining items that are similar or will now fit into a new area [reference materials storage articles]. Boxes with lids that can be stacked are great if you don’t have a lot of space (or have completely filled it!). The boxes can be labelled on the side you can see so you don’t need to go through each one when looking for one item.

Sorting colours into boxes

There are all sort of ways to store your crafting supplies materials and tools. Be brave and try a few different ides to see which ones work for you.

For further reading, try these links:

Happy decluttering! (Then the creativity can begin!)

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