I decided to go a tropical route and combine the skills of stenciling, layered die cuts, and adding shine. My recycled element was using the acetate from the packaging as an element in a shaker card. Throughout the cards, the central them was the tropical leaves and flowers.
I started with choosing the supplies - The Altenew Tropical Vibes set. I thought this would work well for both men and women.
I tackled the men's cards first as they are more of a challenge. I think they are more difficult because you need to create something attractive yet not frilly, nice looking yet not girly. I started by stenciling the tropical leaves in a variety of colors. I then stamped leaves and die cut them. When I stamped the leaves I used The Altenew Stamp Wheel tool in order to keep them in the same place, then was able to use my first set of of the die cut negative side to keep the dies lined up for easy cutting of future sets of leaves. That was a nice time saver.
Next I die cut some deep green using the Altenew Leaf Frame Cover Die. This isn't part of the Tropical Vibes set, but I thought it was a nice compliment to the look. It was kind of fun to look thru my stash and mix and match these things. On one card I used the cover die green leaves, and on one card i used the negative pieces. I cut the cover die in white and used it as a guide to place the negative pieces, then peeled up the white so the embossed and inked card based would show thru.
Here are the men's cards. You can see the continuity of the leaves thru the designs. The fist card below has shine added using some black embossing powder - a perfect touch of subtle shine that's not going overboard for a male card. I also intentionally kept the font consistent and no-frill using a stamp from a different set of Altenew Stamps.
Creating the female set of cards was even more fun. I spent a long time using the Altenew Stamp Wheel to die cut tons of flowers, parrots and toucans. I then used my die cut negative to speed up the die cutting process.
Using a variety of ink colors to stencil leaves on card bases, both embossed and flat. I then created my well for the shaker card using Altenew foam tape and the acetate cover from the Tropical Vibes stencil set. What a great way to use recycled things! I also pulled from my huge stash of die cut flowers and leaves to play with the layering.
Here are the female cards. Again I added shine using gold embossing powder. I played with the font a bit, using several fonts and sayings. And lastly, not gonna lie, I went a little crazy with the the flower layering!
Next I turned my attention to the packaging of the set. I found a box that was the right size that I thought would be perfect to upcycle. I gessoed the cover, added some acrylic paint and then stenciled the tropical leaves on it. The box was gorgeous... but after assembling it, I found that it was too gappy in places, and the flaps were sticking to each other and pulling off tiny bits of paint. So unfortunately I had to scrap this idea and start over. A valuable part of what we learn as we go thru these courses - what works and what doesn't.
So I started fresh with a new idea. I used a large piece of wallpaper scrap and fashioned a pouchlike envelope out of it. I added a card base to the front that was embossed and inked. I layered on die cuts from the project and created a tropical yet elegant vibe on the front. I packaged the cards in a bright green tissue paper and they fit perfectly in the topical pouch. This time it worked like a charm!
You can find a short video of the cards on my instagram feed below. Enjoy!
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Creativity can ebb and flow for an artist. Somedays I long for paint to cover my fingers as I hop from canvas to canvas, adding details and texture. Somedays the paintbrush doesn't leave the jar and the paint tubes stay capped. It was during one of these painting lulls that I started playing with paper. I haven't stopped since!
I've been finding loads of joy in crafting elegant cards that brighten the day of those who send, and receive them. Each card is like a little piece of art - full of texture and color. It's mixed media on a different scale - combining inks, glaze, embossing powders and paper.
Technique is such a personal thing in art, and I wanted to learn more and up-level my game. So I applied for, and was accepted into the prestigious Altenew Educators Certification Program. Think of it like continuing ed - for artists! It's 30 classes over three levels where I am learning many new things - from ink blending, to scene making, to layering stencils. Each class requires a finished project (which you can find here on my instagram channel). Each level concludes with a larger project, and eventually leads to teaching online classes yourself to other aspiring artists and paper crafters. I've taught many live classes, but teaching the online ones will be a new frontier.
Meanwhile, I've been busy getting the creations listed on my website. My greatest happiness is seeing them move out into the world and bring a smile to someone's face and a bit of joy and beauty to their day. I hope you enjoy browsing thru this new collection. If you see a design or two that captures your heart, you can use this link to get a discount - 3 for the price of 2! You can also use the code Buy2Get1Free at checkout.
Have a wonderful day! Mary
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Prepare To Live - the second painting in my new series The Beyond Cancer Collection. This painting is a tribute to all cancer survivors, as well as to the surviving family members of those whom we have lost to this disease. When you have cancer, your mind is often filled with thoughts of preparing for death. But many people fight the battle, beat the odds, and go on to live long and wonderful lives filled with passion and purpose. I hope this piece inspires you to prepare to live.
For those who have lost a loved one, it can be hard to imagine life without them. Grief can chip away at our own will to carry on. It's not easy to put the pieces back together after a loss, and learn to thrive once again. I hope this piece inspires you to prepare to live.
Yesterday, an amazing woman I recently me lost her battle with cancer. Her name was Katie. I recently wrote a book, and the publishing company that I worked with often publishes around 10 books at a time. Katie's book launched when mine did. I felt like I knew her before I met her because I had a chance to read her story in the book she left as a legacy in this world. I was blessed to sit with her for 3 days during our launch event. Katie touched my life for a brief time, but will stay with me for years to come. You can see in the painting near the picture of the queen there its a K inside of a heart. That's for you Katie.
I am sharing the link to her book below - The Courage Club - Katie's own courageous journey through cancer. Good words to live by.
Prepare To Live - a bit a beauty in the stark world of a devastating illness. (A special note - 50% of all proceeds from sales of The Beyond Cancer Collection will go to our local cancer center for research.)
Hello friends. I am delighted to share with you my new painting entitled "Hope". Hope is the first in my new series about cancer. Most of you have either had cancer or have loved someone who has had cancer. It's a devastating illness. I wanted to create a bit of beauty to counteract the stark reality that is the disease of cancer... and Hope is my initial canvas to lead the way.
My little sister fought lymphoma twice...and won. My friend fought lung cancer twice...and is winning. I know dozens of people who have beat this horrific illness, many who are entrenched mid-battle, and so many more who didn't survive the fight. This series is dedicated to them - all of them.
Each aspect of this little 4x4 canvas is packed with detail. The sides are elegantly crafted with blacken and white designs. The front is a mixture of collage, micro bead art, a jewel & tulle embellishment, and the inspirational message complete with a little glitter.
My new series is entitled Beyond Cancer. For people who have survived, there is life beyond cancer that when cured or in remission, may still not be simple or easy. Cancer forever changes you and I hope my art helps inspire your journey as you prepare to keep living. For those who are going through treatment, I hope this series is an uplifting message of hope that there is more to you than the fight against cancer, and beyond your illness is a life filled with spots of beauty. To my dear readers who have lost a loved one to cancer, let this evoke a special memory that makes you smile as you move forward.
As a special note, 50% of all sale proceeds from my Beyond Cancer Series will be donated to our local Cancer Center for research.
]]>This week I finished and mailed off this commissioned piece for an 8 year old girl named Tori. Her mom had sent me a color scheme of Tori's newly decorated bedroom and asked me to paint something for her daughter to treasure. She sent me the following quote to incorporate into her painting - "Have only one rule. Be your wild, courageous, brilliant self every single day. No matter what." (Quote credit to Curly Girl Designs)
I asked Tori's mom why that quote resonated with her. She said she wanted to give her daughter a powerful quote inside of something beautiful as she watches her grow. That brings tears to my eyes. Don't we all want our daughters to be their most powerful, brilliant self?
I had them send me a list of things that Tori was into - things she loved. This ended up prompting a great conversation between mother and daughter, and Tori's mom found out something new. Tori loved cheetahs. She loved watching videos of them run, and looking at pictures in books about these fierce, beautiful cats. Tori also loved the movie Frozen. I thought that was so amazing - a love for Frozen right next to a love for cheetahs. And then I realized how perfect the quote actually was for this little girl. After all, what do the movie Frozen and cheetahs have in common? Wild, powerful courage.
I hid this quote underneath the layers of the painting. You can't see it but Tori knows it is there.
When she lies in bed at night and looks at her painting, I imagine her smiling to herself and connecting with her inner cheetah. Go Tori. Be your wild, courageous, brilliant self.
No matter what.
]]>It was the first story in the Jan/Feb/March issue. You can read the article here - Out of the past and into my future. I featured this journal in a former blog post where you can view the pages more closely if you wish. Here are a few fun pictures of it.
Getting published in a Stampington Magazine has been an artistic goal of mine for several years. In the mixed media world, they are the bomb-diggity of magazines. I have spent many hours drooling over the beautiful artwork featured on their pages, learning new techniques from other accomplished artists, and drawing creative inspiration from the varied styles of work. To have work of mine adorn their pages is an honor and a dream come true!
A note to other artists - I was nervous. To even consider submitting my work filled me with anxiety. I felt like it was crazy to even read the submission guidelines, much less send in my work. I somehow felt like if they published it, then I really was an artist. If they didn't, well than I might just be a woman who "dabbles" in art but not truly an artist. I finally got sick of this kind of thinking and decided that regardless of their opinion - I AM and artist. So I gave it a try. After all, the worst thing that could happen was that they said no! But they said yes - and I wouldn't have gotten there without facing my fear of rejection.
To celebrate this exciting news, I am doing my first ever giveaway!
Adult coloring books are all the rage right now, so the prize is this beautiful Big Book Of Mandalas Coloring book. It has more than 200 mandalas for your coloring relaxation pleasure.
Here's the rules:
1. To enter, simply leave a comment on this blog post.
2. Giveaway ends January 31. I will notify a randomly drawn winner then, and ship you the prize.
Easy peasy - and while you are at it, feel free to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest if you don't already!
]]>It's that time of year! Families are making Thanksgiving plans, Christmas lists are being drawn up, Black Friday is approaching, and Santa is getting his sleigh flight ready! Gear up for your holiday season with a print or an original piece of art from Just Mary Designs. Use code HOLIDAYSALE to get 25% off of your entire order now through December 20th.
A big THANK YOU to all of you who attended the Benson Burner show last night! It was good fun, good food, good people and lots of good art! Congrats to D Benson who was the winner of the Holiday Magic print giveaway!
Happy holidays!!!
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Breathe. Inside the whirlwind pace that we live our lives today, it is difficult sometimes to find a place to slow down. To self connect. To breathe. I find that space while doing yoga. I recenter. I take a moment to simply breathe. I hope this new painting transports you to a place of peace.
You can stop by to see this new piece - and several others - at our Fall Benson Burner Art Show! Join us Friday, November 13th from 5-9 pm in downtown Sioux City at 705 Douglas Street. 7 artists will have their studios open for your to enjoy the art, have a glass of wine and some treats. One of the best things about this show is the variety of artistic talent by these artists - from painting to drawing to film making the Benson Burner Art Show has it all!
P.S. If you love this piece, it comes in both the original canvas and 2 sizes of matted prints (5x7 and 8x10). You can buy it here. The canvas is 8x10, and 1/2 inch thick. It does not need to be framed to hang on your wall. It will look wonderful anywhere you want a reminder to slow your pace and just breathe.
As women, we often worry about how we are viewed by judgmental eyes of the world. There are so many pressures to fit in, to be this way or that. But living life in such a limited way will also keep us from exploring a much more exhilarating existence. What might we do, what might we experience, who might we be … if we just broke all the rules and followed our true calling or our hearts desires? After all, “Well behaved women rarely make history” ~Eleanor Roosevelt
This piece is available as a 10x8 canvas, and is 1/2 inch thick. It does not need to be framed to hang on your wall. It is also available in limited edition prints in both 8x10 and 5x7 and comes matted in black. This piece will look wonderful anywhere you need inspiration to go out there and be who you truly wish to be!
Find Well Behaved Women right here!
The words in your own head matter. Be nice.
We all have a voice in our head that tells us the negative things - you are too fat, not smart enough, unattractive, not good with money, irresponsible, a screw up….. this voice can go on and on filling us with self doubt, fear, and self loathing. Most of the time this voice goes unchecked. Most of the time, the sad truth is that we actually believe this voice, and we shape our lives and decisions around it.
It doesn't have to be this way. When you start to pay attention to your own thoughts, you can start to question them. When you start to question that little voice, you create a bit of space for new thoughts to emerge. New thoughts that are kinder…. nicer…. and just as, if not MORE, true.
In my painting above I depicted this by writing down all my negative thoughts about myself in red inside the head. I then overlaid them with the thoughts that are kinder, nicer and much more true. These nicer thoughts are the ones I want to pay attention to. They are the ones I choose to believe. And these nice thoughts are absolutely the ones I will shape my life and decisions around. I hope you do too.
P.S. The original of this has already sold, but if you need a reminder to Be Nice, you can find a print of the piece right here. Enjoy!
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Seize The Day. We have all heard that saying a million times, but what does it really mean in our lives? For some of us it might mean to really be present. For others it may mean reaching higher, running faster, or working harder to make a dream come true. For me, seizing the day is about making each day count while moving closer to my crazy compelling vision of the future. This vision of the future includes relationships filled with love, work that creates a positive impact, creating art that brings beauty to the world, inspiring myself and others, traveling to amazing destinations, laughing 'till it hurts, communing with nature by growing and nurturing plants, conversations that uplift me, developing my spiritual side more, music that moves me, adventures that amaze me, and fully embracing the every day simple moments that create lasting memories. Crazy…. probably. Compelling…. definitely. That's how I plan to Seize The Day. How will you?
P.S. The original 8x10 of this is still available on my website. So are matted prints. Come check them out!
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I'm so excited to unveil our new website at www.justmarydesigns.com! We have been working hard to create a site full of visual interest, explosions of color, and ways to get inspirational art right into your hands. And I'm pleased to announce that it's finally ready! To celebrate I am offering 20% off all orders from now thru August 1st. Just use this code at your checkout - SXO4ETGQAUIM You can even use it on brand new art that has never been see before - like the piece above, Create A Happy Life.
Create A Happy Life was born out of an art journaling experiment. I love working in my journals and often create rings that I think are "canvas worthy"….but they are in the middle of a journal! So I have begun playing with the idea of 3 layers of creation for one color palette. I find the materials I want to use and do an art journal spread in my own journal, a similar one in a journal that I will eventually sell, and a canvas in the same color palette. The result has been fantastic and fun…and has created this beautiful vintage looking piece above.
I hope it inspires you to Create A Happy Life! Come on over to my website and check out the new and featured art, along with your old favorites. Don't forget to use your discount code!!
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The day started out with a long anticipated meet up with the amazing Sydney Stone of Stylaphile, the sponsor of my show. Finally meeting face to face was so fun, and let me tell you - she is even more fabulous in person!
I packed up my art boxes and we headed to the Caelum Gallery in Chelsea to get things set up for the show. It was so fun to walk into the space, scope out the layout, and then begin to arrange the art. Sydney's husband, Carlos, helped hang the art and then arranged the lighting so that each piece was strategically lit beautifully!
By 6:30 we were ready to roll with champagne, white wine and dozens of bite size cupcakes Baked By Melissa - delicious little morsels that are all the rage in the city.
Our first guest happened to see the sign outside the gallery, and to our delight enjoyed the art and visiting for quite some time! As the night progressed we had as steady stream of people peruse the art and enjoy the exhibition. I even was fortunate enough to sell a few pieces!
The most amazing part of it all, however, was not the show itself. It was not the excitement of traveling to the big city and being fortunate enough to share my work in an up and coming gallery. It wasn't even the making of a new friend in Sydney. The most amazing part of the show was the likemindedness of the people who gathered that night. These people were here to celebrate body positivity. To encourage the world to embrace our bodies - curvy & thin alike - just the way we are. One guest commented several times about how delighted he was to see such uplifting and inspiring messages in art, and that positive themes were not what he was used to in the art community. What I walked away with Saturday night was more than just an awesome show on my art resume, I walked away knowing that we had made an impact. That we had brightened a small corner of a big, big city. That we had brought a bit of beauty and positivity into an often jaded and cynical world. For one night, my art lit up a gallery in New York City. And I hope the memory of it shines forever!
(To find these images check out my Body Fab-YOU-lous Collection!)
]]>Strong Women - we all know some. We all love one…. or more. A strong woman can move mountains. She can accomplish things that blow your mind. She can be the CEO of a company, and tuck a little child into bed after scaring away the monsters in the closet. A strong woman can be your best friend, your biggest advocate, and the backbone of your family. She will tell you the truth - in a loving way - even if it hurts. A strong woman knows how to be tough AND tender. She might drive you crazy, she might boss you around, but she will always have your back. We want to raise our daughters to be strong women. We want them to know that anything is possible and everything is achievable. We want our daughters to know when to back down and to know when to take a stand. We want our daughters to command respect, and to respect themselves enough to demand the right treatment from their partners, bosses and friends. This piece was commissioned last year by a dear friend of mine. It was a gift for a strong woman in her life who had made a tremendous difference to her. Just like in the paining, I raise my glass to the strong women out there "Here's to strong women - may we be one and may we know how to raise one!". P.S. - Look for details soon on a solo pop up show in New York City July 11 featuring Just Mary Designs Body Fab-YOU-lous line!!
]]>Last fall I took a class on how to make fabric journals. I was hooked before the first hour was even up! I learned some very interesting tips and tricks along the way that I will share in this post.
First, we chose a color scheme. The instructor of the class was all about vintage looks and color, so I thought I would give that a try. It was actually a challenge for me, as I normally gravitate towards bright splashes of vibrant color. But I soon found that the muted tones of the vintage look were soothing, and began to enjoy playing with the creams, tans, pinks and pale blues.
The beginning of the process is about selecting the fabric or papers for the pages of your book. A useful tip is to vary the size and the type of "page" you are using. I chose felt, canvas, watercolor paper, tissue paper and cloth to make pages. Our instructor cautioned against having me than 5 separate pages (makes 20 half pages) as your book will get quite thick. Being a consummate rule breaker, I had to do a few more…. and later learned that she was right! Once you have chosen the substances for your pages, it is fun to vary the size of them - little pages nestled into bigger pages creates a lovely visual effect.
The next step is to begin building the pages. I gathered my lovely stash of vintage looking ephemera and went to town. The most common building blocks of pages were lace, burlap, ledger papers, music, pretty scraps of paper and ribbons. The fabric journals are so fun, because you can sew much of the design right into the books. There is a trick to this though…. and it is planning your pages. If you sew onto one side of the page, when you flip it the sewing will be on the reverse side. That may be an element that you want to see, or it may be something you wish to hide. If you want to hide it, you can sew your ephemera together, and then glue it down to the page, covering the existing sewing.
I had fun adding some personal touches - like a check that my grandmother had written to me over 20 years ago. I also added in birth announcements and fun little envelope pockets like the one above to store special mementos inside of.
Many of the pages have blank spaces in which to journal. I added these journaling blanks throughout the book so it COULD be used as a journal. I knew this one would be a book that I kept so I felt comfortable adding in my personal memorabilia and will add the journaling that is significant to certain events that happened in my life.
On pages that were made from watercolor paper, I did a soft wash of vintage colors on them. I also stenciled in soft patterns to add to the visual interest of the piece.
See how the smaller page nestles nicely into the larger page? How fun! Look at the white circle on the page above - that is actually a wax seal. I dropped hot white wax onto the book and sealed it with a metal tool. After sewing on, or gluing on my main elements I often added additional 3-d type of embellishments like brads, buttons, and metal ephemera. This gave the book some heft as well as some additional layers of texture to enjoy.
This final page above has a butterfly attached to a bookmark I created to stick right into the paper pocket I had crafted. Below is the back cover of the book. After compiling all of the pages, I cut 3 small holes for a binding and bound it with heavy embroidery thread. I hope you enjoyed learning about how I made this fun and fabulous fabric journal, and that the pictures brought a bit of beauty into your world!
]]>It's kind of fun to play with some new things, and the last two paintings I have done included gears! I like the way they look on a canvas. It makes me think about time passing and the mechanics of things working together. Here is a close up of those lovely gears. Playing with texture has become a hobby of mine. I love it when a painting makes you want to reach out and touch it. If there is enough texture, I think it draws the viewer in… makes you want to just graze the top of it with your fingertips. This next piece also features some gears, and it got me to thinking about how our minds work. How the gears in our minds go round and round. We can gear up for good thoughts and great lives. Or we can gear down for depressing thoughts and loose the joy in life. I certainly prefer the former! And that is what this piece is all about. These are the thoughts I hope that inhabit your mind!
And of course, the close up for you! Makes you want to reach out and touch - right? Both of these pieces are available for sale. Just click the links on the pictures to find them. I wish you a fabulous day and hope that the gears in your life are all turning in the right direction!!
]]>Is your soul yearning to travel? Do you want to take an adventure to paint in the streets of Paris, wander thru the ruins of the Parthenon, or stand at the foot of the pyramids? Let your spirit fly free with this beautiful painting as it transports you to the world that is beckoning. I must admit to having been bitten by the travel bug many years ago. I have gone on long journeys to Australia & New Zealand. I have cruised down the coast of Italy. I have painted in outdoor cafes on the streets of Paris. I even converted a slice of my hotel room in Hawaii into a mini art studio. To me, travel is as essential as breathing. It's an escape, and adventure, an uncovering of what the world has to offer. And…. it's just plain fun!
Me - painting in Paris!
This 8x10 painting is heavily textured, using metals, fibers, papers, fabric and cardboard. You will want to reach out and touch it!
Here are some fun close ups
May your travels take you on many beautiful adventures!
]]>Sisterhood Is Timeless. No matter how old you get, or how far apart your lives take you, a sister is always there in your heart. I have two incredible sisters - one in Chicago and one Boston. Many miles separate us, but the ties of sisterhood run deep and strong. I have learned incredible courage and resilience from my sister who battled cancer and won. I have learned to open my heart to a new level of spirituality and inner growth from my sister who demonstrates living that way in her every day life. And I hope that they have learned something from me. As little girls we played together, fought with each other and grew into our individual selves. As adults we developed our own families, pursued meaningful work, and grew to appreciate each others individuality. As sisters, we will forever be tied together in our hearts. I hope this piece inspires the nostalgia of the older days combined with the vibrant color of today's life. May it remind you and your sisters of the love you carry for each other through the years.
]]>The Surtex Show
A while back I had a crazy idea…. what if my art could be used on different products? Could my paintings look good on a purse, or a tea towel, or a wall hanging? What about a picture frame, or stationery, or a journal cover? Would it ever be possible to have my designs leap off of the canvas and onto something sold in a store? What if….. And then I heard about Surtex. Surtex is one of the largest (if not THE largest) expo for art licensing. Art licensing is the pathway to having your art land on a product manufactured by a company and eventually purchased by someone in a store. As I began to investigate the world of art licensing, Surtex kept popping up over and over and over. So I decided to take a closer look.
My Little Seahorse Icon
Now let me tell you, Surtex is a pretty big deal in the art licensing world. And it is quite expensive to be one of the several hundred artists exhibiting - all vying for the attention of some 7000 buyers who will pass through. I am not someone easily intimidated by a new adventure, but navigating the world of Surtex was quite overwhelming…. not to mention expensive. I began to consider the idea of collaborating with other artists who were like me - interested in testing the Surtex waters. Lo and behold, into my universe popped an incredible group called the Cultivate Art Collective. This collective started with a lot of like minded talented artists who were interested in the art licensing world. And 10 of us took the plunge together and registered to exhibit as a collective at the 2014 Surtex show - May 18-20 in New York City! I found my Surtex tribe - and wowza - these ladies rock! An example of a Surtex Booth[/caption] Amidst the pre show flurry of creating lots of fresh new art for the show, we have been working together to build our brand for the big show. Together, we are doing a fun blog hop today! We chose a“Sea” theme to be interpreted, re-imagined
My Crab Icon
and beautifully designed by each artist to showcase their unique vision and creative talents. Our Blog Hop is a collaboration of these 10 diverse artists from the collective who will be exhibiting together at Surtex May 18- 20, 2014. So after you have checked out my Sea Themed Art please keep the Blog Hop Hopping and scroll down to the bottom of the post to find links to the other 9 fabulous artists! I hope you enjoy swimming through some lovely designs. And wish me luck at my Surtex adventure - I hope my art makes a *SPLASH*!!!
Stunningly Strange by Kaitlin Goodey https://stunninglystrange.com/blog/silly-sea-cultivate-art-collective RiztyDesign http://riztydesign.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/under-the-sea/ Diane Hunt Studio http://www.dianehuntstudio.com/sea---blog-hop.html Margaret Applin Designs www.margaretapplin.com/2014/03/cultivate-art-collectives-sea-art-blog-hop.html Tatyana Starikova http://www.tatyana-starikova.com/1/post/2014/03/cultivate-art-collectives-sea-art-blog-hop.html jami darwin http://jamidarwin.tumblr.com/post/78250924378/under-the-sea Robo Roku http://thiscreativelife.net/2014/03/art-scene-under-the-sea-with-cultivate-art-collective Aileen Tu Design http://aileentu.com/cultivate-art-collective-sea-art-blog-hop Rachelle Panagarry http://www.arteyecandy.com/2014/03/undersea-adventures-cultivate-art.html
]]>November 1st marked a momentous occasion for me - my first Art Show! Here is my story….and the amazing lesson I learned from it! About 6 months ago I took some space in the Benson Building - a fantastic older building in downtown Sioux City. There are 9 artists with studio space there - and each fall and spring they band together to do a group show, the Benson Burner. The Body Fab-YOU-lous Collection[/caption] I spent lots of time getting ready for the show, even recruiting a friend with gallery experience to help me group and hang the work! (Thanks Amy R!) Waiting in the wings to be finished!
The big night finally arrived, and I was ready with some delicious food and lots of good wine! Yum and yum!
I was very excited - over 300 people came thru the studio during the show. What a thrilling experience for someone who first picked up a paintbrush three short years ago. Some of my early work[/caption] I sold 9 paintings during the show. I wish their new owners continued beauty and that they bring you joy! One of my wall groupings
Here is what I learned from this show… anything is possible. I've been a left brained numbers kind of girl for a very, very long time. 3 years ago I listened to the little whispers in my head that would talk to me while looking at art. They whispers said "You could do that….you just don't know how." So I learned how. And I did it. And if I can do it, anyone can. It simply takes a willingness to listen, and a fearlessness to take some action. You all have that in you. I do - and it led me to an amazing art show and the faith that anything - ANYTHING! - is possible! Part of the Travel Collection
]]>Held at the fabulous Indigo Palette, we gathered on a Sunday afternoon and painted while drinking wine - what could be better?!?! Believe In Your Beauty
I took these students step by step thru a mixed media painting. We used this canvas as a guide, and the students all created their own vision using their own special photographs.
Students hard at work
I showed them how to start with an intention in watercolor crayon underneath the first layer of paint. We then experimented with laying paint on with a credit card and with a paint brush....playing with the color and seeing how it reacted to the water color crayon.
Painting away!
The group loved the saran wrap technique that creates fun and crazy texture. Slowly we built up layers of paint and collage elements. Everyone's canvas turned out different - and very beautifully! These three were from a family who just added a new baby to their family! These gals had a blast with their canvases....and look how lovely they came out! I finished one up myself - and left the picture slot open so I can customize it for some lucky person. If you have a photo that would look just perfect on here, click here to see how to set that up! Ready for your own photo!
Wine & Brushes - a great time and super fun creative outlet for a wonderful group of people! A great group!
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