Mixed Media Arts

Apr 28, 2008

My Own Artist Date: Trip

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Visiting home improvement centers ranks high on my list of artist date locations for a number of reasons. This is where I took myself on my latest date.

This past Saturday, I took myself on an artist date to the home improvement center. It wasn’t a planned trip alone, but it was still a creative one nonetheless. I was able to accomplish what needed to be done there, as well as have a bit of an adventure in various areas of the store:

The paint chip department
The gardening department
The kitchen design department

I love all the catalogs, brochures, idea pamphlets, flyers, and samples available at home improvement center. This was a new one, so it seemed to be bursting at the seams in comparison to others we typically frequent. Treasure hunting ensued and, before I knew it, I was finding many “things” to use in art projects.

In addition to that, I found a very plain and ugly (and very inexpensive) planter to alter and introduce to my garden with a tire and some stones. Intrigued? Stay tuned for that how-to project!

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Apr 28, 2008

Do You Work With Fibers?

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I’ve wanted to experiment with fibers for quite some time. I’ve used them for various projects, but nothing out of my comfort zone.

Do you work with fibers? I used to watch a community of mail artists where they would post projects where “funky fibers” are incorporated into projects. In the past, I’ve worked with fibers in:

Art journal page spreads
Altered book page spreads
Altered book and journal covers
Light ATC work
Altered objects

I haven’t really dived into mixed media projects where fibers were the primary medium used, though. I’ve seen a lot of really cool projects, though, and would really like to learn these techniques. I’m not really sure what is stopping the learning process, though.

It could be that fear of stepping out my comfort zone, but I’m not really sure. It could be my fear of learning new things (and messing up on them completely), but I’m not really sure. It could be a combination of BOTH. That sounds more like that case!

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Apr 25, 2008

Discount Store Finds!

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I used to walk through discount stores blindly, only searching for the items on my list. Not anymore! There are art treasures waiting to be found!

Do you shop discount stores or dollar stores? Do you find yourself in the clearance section at the end of every season or after each holiday? I’m right there with you! Previously, I was on a mission to find decorations for the following year, clothes for next year’s season, or other items that I could save money on in the household.

Like I mentioned with the tag sale finds in my last blog entry, there are a treasure trove of opportunities at discount stores. The last time I went to a big box super center, I was able to find two or three bags full of Easter items to incorporate into art projects or alter . . . all of which cost under $10.00 total. Now that’s a deal! I have enough in these bags to complete about thirty projects. That is treasure hunting at its best.

I do this in the dollar section of our local craft store, as well. There are bins over filled with a wide variety of items. Rather than looking at was is there, I look for opportunities to create things from things. Yes, this takes time. It is worth it in the end, though, when I have more than enough items to be creative with without breaking the bank!

Do you treasure hunt through discount stores? What are your experiences? What is the best deal you have found so far? (Mine was finding 8x10 pieces of stretched canvas for $1.00 each!)

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Apr 25, 2008

Tag Sale Treasures

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Now that the warm weather is here, yard sales, tag sales, and garage sales are popping up everyone on the weekends. It’s time to treasure hunt!

Finding unique items to alter, to use in mixed media art projects, or to teach my children about art projects are found in troves when I hunt through tag sales. I am constantly amazed at what people have and they do not realize. Or, on the other hand, they know what they have and are no longer interested in using. I often find:

Ephemera (for altered books, greeting cards, altered objects, and art journal work)
Objects to alter: cutting boards, damaged framed art, serving trays, etc.
Books to alter or take pages from for various projects (this is a given)
Magazines to cut up
Old greeting cards
Game pieces
Buttons and charms
Unique pieces of fabric or old curtains

This is just the tip of the iceberg. There are days when I find so much that I have to walk away with only a few items, otherwise I would run out of room in my studio! I look at these sales as an opportunity to gather new materials, new ideas, and new opportunities to teach my children.

Do you treasure hunt for artistic opportunities at these kinds of sales?

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Are You Afraid of Making Mistakes?

Apr 22, 2008

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Even though mixed media artists tend to be freer and less perfect with their work, there still seems to be a fear of making mistakes. Does this happen to you?

I admit, even though mixed media work has been a lot less strict than my other experiences with artwork, I still feel as though I’m going to make a mistake. This type of perfectionism follows me throughout other areas of my life, as well, but I have found it to be different when it comes to art.

In this case, I feel like I can’t really create unless it’s going to turn out exactly the way I envision. I council people all the time about letting the medium of choice guide them and not to worry about what’s going to happen. Why can’t I follow my own advice?

Don’t get me wrong. There are days when I’m able to get anything down on the surface – a doodle in my text journal, a small collage in my art journal, some basic ATCs – but it seems to be a different story when it’s on a canvas or a canvas-like material. Could it be because working in books is more private, whereas larger surfaces are generally for an audience?

What are your thoughts about this? I would love to hear from you through email or in the discussion area. Do you struggle with this, as well?

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Spring Cleaning Studio: Earth Day

Apr 18, 2008

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In celebration of Earth Day today, I’m getting started on my spring-cleaning rituals. There is quite a bit around here that really does not need to stick around.

I’m a huge advocate of keeping things to make mixed media art out of. Anyone who has been following this blog or the articles within this topic for any period of time is well aware of that. So, why am I writing about spring-cleaning? Seems a bit contradictory to write about getting rid of things, right? I agree.

However, there are things that have been in my studio for quite a bit of time (we’ll just say . . . since 2003’ish) that really does not need to be in here anymore. I keep moving these things each time my space is moved from one home to another, thinking it would eventually be used.

Well, it hasn’t been used at all . . . or touched, for that matter, unless it was being packed into a box to move somewhere else. That’s a telltale sign of “get rid of it now” because I have to face facts: it’s just taking up space that could be used for something that is usable. Spring-cleaning is tough for me, as you can see.

To celebrate Earth Day, though, I will be working on getting things out of this studio and into the hands of creative individuals that can use these things. What can be recycled will be, what can be sold in a yard sale will be, and what can be donated will be. See, I have a plan in place! Now to set this plan into motion!

Are you gearing up for spring-cleaning? How are you celebrating Earth Day?

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Is the Art Trash or Treasure?

Apr 17, 2008

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When I ask this question, it of course does not pertain to work you plan to sell, put into a portfolio, or display somewhere in the future. It’s all the rest.

What do you do with all the unplanned work, or disliked work, in your studio or art space? Do you keep these pieces of art, or do you throw them away?

It was not until recently that I discovered the hidden potential in what I previously tagged as trash. Whenever I had work I was not happy with or completely hated (and, to be honest, this happens quite a bit), these pieces of art were destined for the trash. Rarely did I ever consider them art, also . . . they were labeled in another way in my mind.

I have come to realize, though, that there is not a lot of difficulty in painting out or altering artwork in order to create something different. I have touched on this topic a few times:

So, this has not been a new concept I need to embrace. However, it is one I really should embrace. What do you do? Do you look at your trash as treasure? Do you turn what you feel is a disappointment into something new? Let’s discuss it here!

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My Artist Date In the Woods

Apr 16, 2008

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It is not until I actually go outside and experience my yard that I remember just how many artistic beauties there are to behold.

Armed with my camera, my art journal, and my colored pencils, I went on an adventure yesterday in the midst of mind numbing tax preparation. I had to take a break and bring myself on an artist date. Because I had so much to do, I did not have time to leave my property for a proper artist date.

Taking time for myself is important, though, and always proves to be a fruitful experience one way or another. So, on this day, I decided to head out into the Maine woods in my own backyard. We have a lot of tree growth on our property, so it is always a great opportunity and a bounty of discoveries.

I walked for a few minutes and, it was not long before I discovered things from nature I wanted to draw and bark I wanted to gather rubbings from. My art journal was quickly becoming an experiment book. I took pictures of how the branches brushed against the sky, how the boulders were hidden in the ground, and how miscellaneous bits of everything were creating a beautiful bit of scenery.

Before I knew it, I had to return to my office. I made note in my journal about what I wanted to do during my next backyard excursion. It looks like I will be able to have several artist dates back there.

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Mid-Month Mixed Media Check-in

Apr 15, 2008

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I have posted a large number of projects, art journal prompts, and artist ideas. Have you been working through them or making plans to do so?

I am always interested in hearing from readers and I have thoroughly enjoyed the communications I have been receiving lately about the various articles and blog posts I have been making. So, this blog entry is dedicated to you!

How are you doing with the art journal prompts? There will be more, so stay tuned if you do not see anything you are interested in trying yet.
Have you gone on any artist dates? I am in the process of trying to get a category designation for these. I know a large number of you have been requesting them, and it will be easier to navigate this way.
Are you trying any of the projects listed? On-going work to build up a large selection will continue as 2008 unfolds. So, like the art journals category, stay tuned if you do not see something you like right now.

Feel free to drop me a line through email or in the discussion forum. Like I mentioned above, I’m very interested in making sure my readers are happy! In the meantime, you can expect more artist date ideas, art card projects, altered projects, and kid’s craft ideas!

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