Mixed Media Arts

Jul 25, 2008

Unusual Inspiration

Posted by

Inspiration tends to come from places many would consider obvious. Do you look in unusual places to find inspiration for your artwork?

There have been times when I have looked in “regular” places in search for inspiration. For example, looking out my window or sitting on my deck allows me to be inspired by nature or animals I might see. Or, if I’m out and about, the environment I happen to be in at the time inspires me.

What about unusual inspiration, though? Do you seek out unusual places, events, or circumstances for inspiration? When you look for inspiration, do others think what you’re doing or where you’re going is unusual?

For example, I had a friend once who gathered a lot of her inspiration from gravesites. The ornate carvings, the stories of the people’s lives, and the flowers by each stone would inspire her. She felt it was a normal, or usual place to gather inspiration. Others, however, thought differently.

What is your experience with this?

Permalink

Jul 24, 2008

Artist Date This Weekend

Posted by

This weekend, I’m taking some time to myself, and scheduling an artists date.

I honestly cannot remember the last artists date I have taken myself on. That tells me that is has been way too long. The best way I can keep connected to my creative side is through incorporation of these dates in my regular routine. So, this also tells me that I have not been connected to my creative side in too long.

My plan is to pack a tote bag with:

My art journal
My text-only journal
A disposable camera
Pencils, colored and graphite
Small containers
Sandwich bags

I’m not really sure where I’m going to go yet, but I do know it’s going to be somewhere outside (weather permitting). If that isn’t possible, I’m going to head to a café, a bookstore, or a library where I can write, collect, and create. My journey will also lead me to an art gallery. There are several about a half hour from here, and there is also a beautiful park. I think I know what my plans are now.

When was the last time you have taken yourself on an artists date?

Permalink

Jul 23, 2008

Visiting Galleries

Posted by

It feels like years since I have been to an art gallery. Why do I wait so long between visits?

I love walking into an art gallery where all the various artists’ works are displayed, each with their own story or with no story at all. There have been a few times when I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the artists whose work was being shown. I really miss those days.

The question I have for myself is: why don’t I indulge in these visits more often? There are art galleries all over Maine, so it isn’t like I don’t have the opportunity or the means to do so. Is it because this could easily go beyond that of just an artists date? Could it be that I might actually meet some other like-minded individuals and discuss art?

That could very well be. Like many artists, I tend to keep to myself and the chance of running into other artists in galleries is very likely. I need to break out of the comfort zone and enjoy these works once again.

When was the last time you visited an art gallery? Which art gallery did you visit? Which art gallery would you like to visit?

Permalink

Breaking Back Into Mixed Media Art

Jul 10, 2008

Posted by

So much time has passed since I’ve created any mixed media art that it felt like the first time again!

During 4th of July weekend, I created to mixed media paintings using:

Acrylic paint
Stickers
Pressed leaves
Paint chip samples
Pennies
Decoupage medium
Buttons

I have to say, it was one of the most gratifying experiences I’ve had in a very long time. Not only did I absolutely love how they came out, but also I decided to use them as art in my living room. I’ve never placed any pieces of my art in public view before, so this was a break-through of sorts.

I have plans to create more of these paintings; so how-to articles covering the steps will be posted in the next week or so. Daily art journal prompts, as well as artist date ideas will be also forthcoming. I’m very excited to be getting my hands dirty again and hope you’ll join me in the creation of these projects!

Permalink

Jul 8, 2008

Stay Tuned!

Posted by

I've been working on summer projects and can't wait to share these how-to's with you!

New posts are on their way - I'm sorry for being MIA for so long! If ther's omething specific you would like to see in this blog, feel free to post questions, comments, suggestions, and so on in the coment area.

I've been creating pieces of mixed media art to hang in my living room, hallways, and in the kitchen. It's been an exciting time and I can't wait to break it all down and show you all what I've been doing. These how-to's will be coming soon. In the meantime, pick up some acrylic paint, gloss medium, stretched pieces of canvas, and pressed leaves!

I'm looking forward to working with you all again!

Permalink

May 9, 2008

Where Has Jenn Been?

Posted by

It has been a long time since I have posted anything in the way of blogs and articles. Time to get myself back on the creative track!

Where has Jenn been? That’s been a question ringing in my ears (*well, in my email inbox) for a couple of weeks. My goal was to present daily content in the way of blogs and articles in this Suite101.com topic. I had a good run, until . . .

It was crunch time and I had to finish my book! The Complete Guide to Building Your Own Home and Saving Thousands on Your New House, by yours truly, will be out this summer! What does that have to do with mixed media arts? Well, not much really.

I have been working on projects, though. The kids and I have been creating Mother’s Day gifts, as well as preparing for our summer learning programs (There are lots and lots of mixed media art projects for school-aged children are on the horizon, folks!).

Daily content is resuming, though, because I miss writing about ART!

Permalink

Apr 28, 2008

My Own Artist Date: Trip

Posted by

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!

Permalink

Apr 28, 2008

Do You Work With Fibers?

Posted by

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!

Permalink

Apr 25, 2008

Discount Store Finds!

Posted by

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!)

Permalink