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This article is written by Melanie Statnick

One of the things I like most about creating mixed media art is the numerous amount of different surfaces you can use to paint or alter. I thought the embroidery hoop was a fantastic idea and it steps away from the average square shape of the canvas.

Using a loose sheet of canvas fabric that can be found in most craft stores, I found this in with the scrapbook paper. Trace the inside hoop using a pencil. Gesso the inside of the circle and dry well. Paint shapes with acrylic paint, here I used Distress paint dabber, and I stamped images with Stazon ink pad.

Pick your favorite stencil and stencil in images and/or write words. Because your surface is primed with gesso you can accomplish the same effects as you would on a regular square canvas.

Dry well and spray with a matt finish. Flip your artwork over to the back side match the gesso circle you made. Push smaller hoop through the inside. Cut remaining fabric off.

You can see more about this Julie Fei-Fan Balzer’s Weekly Circles stencil here

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Melanie Statnick is a published artist/writer out of North Carolina. Melanie creates art daily from her private studio. Her style is illustrative and whimsy. Melanie’s artwork can be found in art galleries and shops extensively in NC with international private collections. Learn more about Melanie view her website at: www.melaniestatnickart.com

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