Art Tip Video 3: Stamped Abstract Backgrounds

I have created a series of art tip videos with Artists Network, all 4 minutes or less, highlighting some techniques that are a large part of my mixed media work. 

In this video, I share my approach to creating layered, stamped backgrounds that add depth, dimension, and design to your mixed media work. Grab your stamps and click on.

Art Tip Video 2: Splatter Effects

I have created a series of art tip videos with Artists Network, all 4 minutes or less, highlighting some techniques that are a large part of my mixed media work. 

This video tip focuses on creating splatter effects in a unique way - using paint pens and your lungs. Take a deep breath and click below.

Art Tip Video 1: Painting Dark to Light

I have created a series of art tip videos with Artists Network, all 4 minutes or less, highlighting some techniques that are a large part of my mixed media work. 

The first is based on a question I often hear when I am teaching -- when you start dark...is it possible to go light? And, if so, what is the most effective approach? Click and you will find out.

How It's Done

I love creating and designing products for the art/craft community. It is always a fun, creative challenge to come up with new ideas and to then turn these ideas into reality. Designing has become a passion of mine and a process that I am fortunate to be able to repeat many times each year.

It is important to me to always be developing as a designer and to never produce a product simply for the sake of making sales. I always want my releases to be inspiring, unique and new. It is with that in mind that I created my newest sets of stamps with PaperArtsy. 

My earlier releases with the company were primarily designed directly from elements within my mixed media artwork. My two newest sets are instead developed from my photography. Each stamp started with an image taken on my travels which I then digitally altered to bring you a more useable design. The trick here is finding images that are both unique, interesting and with a good amount of contrast. Thought it would be interesting to take you behind the scenes and to share a few before, during and afters.

Photograph

Digitally Altered Image

Stamped

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Photograph

Digitally Altered Image

Stamped

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Photograph

Digitally Altered Image

Stamped

These stamps are available to purchase in my online shop. 

Already beginning to think about what I can do that is creative and different for my next release...

Baked Texture Skins

There are so many techniques that can be applied to my Baked Texture embossing powders from Emerald Creek and I am learning more and more everyday. Sometimes I find new approaches online, shared by another artist using the powders. Sometimes it is through my own experimentation.

Today, while attempting an idea that was an epic fail, I ended up creating Baked Texture skins. So simple and so cool. Just follow the recipe below.

Start with a non-stick, teflon craft mat. Pretty sure that 99% of you peeps have one (or more). My mat is taped to a moveable glass board. 

Swipe an embossing pad across a section of the pad in the size that you want your skin. If you are using this technique for layering, it works best with a translucent embossing powder. I chose Vintage Beeswax. 

Pour the powder over the sticky section and tap off the excess. Because my mat is taped to the glass board, it is easy for me to tip the whole contraption. Of course you are going to pour the excess back into the jar for next time. Melt the powder with a heat tool and resist the urge to touch the hot, molten skin.

In order to get the skin fully made, repeat these steps two more times. So once cool, swipe the skin again with your embossing pad. Add more Vintage Beeswax and tap off the excess. Heat it and watch the magic happen. Doing this three times gives you a sturdy skin.

Peel off and voila. Notice that there are several holes and a bit of a feathering at the end. I think this makes the skin more natural but you can always add extra powder and melt again if you prefer a smoother surface.

I chose to print out a photo of a book page I recently made and sized it to match the dimensions of the skin.

Laying the skin over the piece adds dimension, texture, shadowing, depth and a bespoke, vintage touch.

I attached the skin to the paper using brads - and sandwiched thin beads in between for added interest. I also stamped the word Ethereal, from my new Impression Obsession Journal Jargon 5 stamp set, and slipped it under the skin for an extra detail. I adhered this to a slice of watercolor paper that was painted and embossed with my Patina Oxide Baked Texture.

Ethereal

(sold. thank you)

Four Stencil Techniques

Today I am guesting on StencilGirl Talk - the blog from StencilGirl Products. Rather than creating artwork, I decided to share four easy techniques to raise the bar on your stenciling:

Check out the post for additional directions and to find 2 helpful tips for each technique. And grab those stencils and pounce!

Emerald Creek: Recap

It has been a great week, highlighting projects from 5 artists using my Emerald Creek Baked Texture embossing powders. It is always a thrill for me to see how other people use my products in their own unique ways. This group served it up and I wanted to share the links once again in case you missed any the first time around. You can see and order all 7 flavors of Baked Texture here.

The bakery is open!

GUEST ARTISTS

Mary Beth Shaw: Mary Beth, the creative mastermind behind StencilGirl Products, has created  a video that shares 8 techniques to use embossing powders with stencils. Yes...I said 8!

Becca Feeken: Hands down, Becca creates the most elegant artwork I have ever seen and her product collections allow you to do the same. She is sharing 3 finished projects and shares her technique for creating "cracked glass" with embossing powders. Hint: it involves a freezer!

Tammy Tutterow: Tammy takes Baked Texture to a place I hadn't even imagined. She uses the "heat, dip, heat, dip, heat" technique to create the most amazing beads to use as flower centers on her handmade flowers. I can see applying this same technique on my found objects for to my mixed pieces.

Debi Adams: Using all 7 flavors of Baked Texture, Debi has created the coolest, mixed media wall hanging ever made. A huge array of techniques were used but my favorite has to be her combination of Chunky Rust and gel medium - half baked!

Gwen Lafleur: Gwen is a master of all-things-embossing and she has created a texture-lovers delight using all 7 Baked Texture flavors. In the process, she used a ton of techniques - my favorite of which is definitely the High Solid Gel Medium. She even included a video of the process.

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It's An Embossing Powder Party

This past January, Baked Texture - my new line of embossing powders for artists - was released by Emerald Creek. Since then, we are doing our very best to get these powders into you creative hands. And it is looking like March will be the month when we are able to get most, if not all, of the outstanding shipments delivered. Thanks to all of you for your passion, enthusiasm, and (especially) patience for this product.

I have begun to see a huge variety of projects online using Baked Texture and have been loving what you have been baking. I have learned many new techniques and uses for the powders thanks to you.

I have invited 5 artists to share projects they have made using Baked Texture. Anything goes with these posts and there will be videos, tutorials, finished artwork and more. Check back here all week for the updated links to the posts that will be appearing daily from today through Friday, March 23rd.

GUEST ARTISTS

Mary Beth Shaw: Mary Beth, the creative mastermind behind StencilGirl Products, has created  a video that shares 8 techniques to use embossing powders with stencils. Yes...I said 8! 

Becca Feeken: Hands down, Becca creates the most elegant artwork I have ever seen and her product collections allow you to do the same. She is sharing 3 finished projects and shares her technique for creating "cracked glass" with embossing powders. Hint: it involves a freezer!

Tammy Tutterow: Tammy takes Baked Texture to a place I hadn't even imagined. She uses the "heat, dip, heat, dip, heat" technique to create the most amazing beads to use as flower centers on her handmade flowers. I can see applying this same technique on my found objects for to my mixed pieces.

Debi Adams: Using all 7 flavors of Baked Texture, Debi has created the coolest, mixed media wall hanging ever made. A huge array of techniques were used but my favorite has to be her combination of Chunky Rust and gel medium - half baked! 

Gwen Lafleur: Gwen is a master of all-things-embossing and she has created a texture-lovers delight using all 7 Baked Texture flavors. In the process, she used a ton of techniques - my favorite of which is definitely the High Solid Gel Medium. She even included a video of the process. 

You can see and order all 7 flavors of Baked Texture here.

SaveSave

Creativation 2018 Videos

Creativation 2018, the annual trade show for the Association for Creative Industries, ended this past week. It was an exciting show for me, with multiple product releases, workshops, booth demos, and social networking.

For the majority of you who did not attend, this post brings a bit of the show to you. What follows are videos sharing both technique demos and product reviews. Thanks to all the videographers (e.g., people with iPhones) for capturing these. 

For those of you who are waiting to receive your orders of Baked Texture, you might want to bookmark this page and the videos are filled with step-by-step instructions on many techniques. 

PaperArtsy Monoprinting Technique from Scrapcosy

Emerald Creek Baked Texture Demo from Keren Tamir

Emerald Creek Baked Texture Review from Kens Kreations

PaperArtsy Mixed Media Demo from Lolly Palooza

Emerald Creek Baked Texture Demo from Holy Lise

Emerald Creek Baked Texture from Facebook Live

PaperArtsy New Product Release Booth Walk Through

Emerald Creek Baked Texture Review from Holy Lise

Deep Sea Baked Texture stenciling from Alice Boll and Scrapbook Wonderland

Heat Embossed Stenciling Video Tutorial

Rocky Road, one of my seven new embossing powders for artists from Emerald Creek, is a textured blend of blacks, taupes, grays, and clear powders. 

When melted, it creates a rough and textured surface with a sheen. The best of both worlds.

This artwork is an example of combining heat embossing with stenciling, using Rocky Road Baked Texture and my Techno Circle stencil from StencilGirl Products.

It is a simple technique that provides a non-traditional way to use both your EPs and your stencils. The look you get is completely different when you use a stencil as a focal image versus when you use it as a background element. Click on the video below to see just how easy the process is. You can get more details on the whole line of Baked Texture here.

Destination

Faux Encaustic Video Tutorial

My new Vintage Beeswax Baked Texture, one of seven embossing powders for artists in my new collection from Emerald Creek, is a unique formulation of powders that allow you to add a vintage flair to your artwork.

And because of it's translucent properties, you can use it to create a faux encaustic look.

The technique to create this look is simple and does not require the equipment, ventilation or expense of actually encaustics.

Check out the full video tutorial below and get more details on the whole line of Baked Texture here.

Complete