Mixed Media Artist

Here are some of my favorite methods for creating background papers to use in mixed media art, both physical and digital! I like to update this list from time to time so that you will always have the information right at your fingertips. A handy link to this post will always be available in the sidebar under The Basics . A photographic collage Multi-stamped background papers Freezer paper background papers Frottage background papers Paper towel transfers Mixed paper collage backgrounds Leaf silhouette papers - part one Leaf silhouette papers - part one Leaf silhouette papers - part two Gesso resist papers Textured tissue paper backgrounds - part one Textured tissue paper backgrounds - part two Tissue paper inclusions Making a mixed text background Textured collage papers - part one Textured collage papers - part two Stamping and overstamping Multiply your color options Painted foil backgrounds Watercolor background Salad Spinner backgrounds Making monotype bac

I've been watching a nest of magnificent bald eagles this spring. I don't live anywhere near them, but thanks to the Sutton Avian Research Center of the University of Oklahoma , we can all watch them. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Creating Memory Shadowboxes Mary Emma Allen explores some ways to create shadowboxes with memorabilia to preserve memories and special moments. Gelly Roll Inspiration Visual journal inspiration from artists using Gelly Roll gel pens How to wind yarn with a nostepinne A nostepinne is a stick that you use to wind yarn into a flat ball that is center pull and easily stacked. So, they are a great way to organize your yarn stash! Pretty Pot of Pens for Mom Add a little glam to Mom’s desk with this lovely and handy penholder filled with flower-topped pens. Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Amazing handmade books Miriam Schaer makes books from materials that you would never think to use! Come see how she pushes the boundaries of bookmaking. An Invitation to a Challenge: The Face of Joy Noreen Crone-Findlay is inviting you to share a face of joy that includes something you have done with yarn. You might win a Jane Austen crochet hook, too... Colour Psychology A journal prompt about colour. Spring Eye Candy Are you feeling the warmth of spring yet? Here’s some spring eye candy from Eileen to put you in the mood. Springtime Spool knitted and woven bunny It's spring! Here's a video tutorial by Noreen Crone-Findlay, showing how to weave the body of an adorable bunny on the potholder loom, and make it's ears and paws on the spool knitter. And, it's got the easiest ever cute little puffy tail. The Art of Floral Arranging With the coming of garden season and brilliant blooms, Mary Emma Allen gives some suggestions for artistic floral arrangements. Techn

My friend Eileen has been featuring a different way to decorate eggs and make other Easter crafts each day on her wonderful blog, The Artful Crafter . The link below won't work until Sunday, but it the meantime, click the link above to see all the fun items you can make. Happy Easter and Happy Spring to All Eileen is playing Easter Bunny, so you won't be able to hunt for all of your eggs until Sunday just like in 'real life'. On Sunday (or after), click on the 'Happy Easter' message above and be prepared to sing along with the '12 Days of Easter' song. Have fun! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals

Imprinting a painted surface with lots of different materials is a fun and easy way to let liquids do their thing. As the paper dries, the materials touching your paper surface allow more pigment to pool in certain spots, leaving you with ghostly impressions of those items. You can't control the results perfectly, and that's part of the charm of this technique. Spend a bit of time making background papers, and you'll have hours worth of pieces to draw from when your next project strikes! Materials & Tools: Watercolor paper Textured materials Acrylics, cups, sponges A place the papers can sit undisturbed while they dry 1. Gather up your textured materials that you plan to use to do the imprinting. 2. Mix up the colors that you want to use. I like to mix my heavy-bodied acrylics to the consistency of cream. I use water, not glazing medium for this, because I want them to dry relatively quickly, and glaze extends the drying time. 3. Saturate watercolor paper well with

A Trip to the Zoo A collage journal prompts about animals The 12 Days of Easter What fun at The Artful Crafter! Eileen started a 12 Days of Easter spring craft jamboree and will post an original spring or Easter craft tutorial each day for the next 12 days. Parrots from polyester shirts! About a year ago, I came up with a way to put my collection of vintage polyester shirts to good use. I've been making "Hideous Birds" ever since. Phytochemical what? Phytochemical micrographs...gorgeous pictures taken through a microscope of, what else?, phytochemicals produced by plants! Technorati Tags: mixed media , collage , assemblage , digital art , photography , altered books , art journals