Cinnamon Pink

Art & Soul Retreats: Newly Designed Web Site

 
In case you haven't heard, Art & Soul Retreats has a newly designed Web site.

The site also offers: Art & Soul Radio which "explores all aspects of the creative process. Listeners range from those who dream of becoming an artist to professional artists, crafters and everyone in between who is ready to fully step into their creative potential."

"Guests and topics include artists, authors, art materials and techniques, the business of art, creative blocks, AHA moments and more."

In 2012, the Art & Soul Retreat will be coming to Virginia Beach from March 1 through March 5. Class registration begins on June 1. Check it out!

 

 

Strathmore Online Workshop Series Update

The Strathmore Online Workshop Series came out with their third free offering on May 1. The focus is on Building Your Visual Journal from the Page Up. The workshop is led by Roz Stendahl. Here's the workshop description:

"Find your unique visual style while creating mixed media journal pages from the background up. Learn how to execute colorful and textured backgrounds with paints and inks. Work with collage papers and ephemera to explore composition."

"Master paper handling techniques that expand your page and enhance your journal’s flow. Finally take your journal into the real world to hone your on-site sketching and observation skills. The techniques and strategies presented in this workshop will enable you to discover your own authentic journal voice and unleash your creative energy."

I haven't taken this workshop yet. But the good news is that the classroom will remain open until August 1. And that there will be more workshops in 2012. Here's additional information about the classroom update.

 

 

 

Cake Glass Plate

This image came from a paper napkin. I made a copy of it on my inkjet printer. I let the print cure for 24 hours - and then I coated it with an acrylic spray. I followed the same steps noted in my Typography Glass Plate Tutorial.

Since my image came from a napkin, the top cakes are upside down but I still like how it turned out.

Typography Glass Plate Tutorial

I love anything to do with Typography.  I especially think there is a classic beauty in black and white typography.

I scored this lovely alphabet in a book, called Lettering for Reproduction, at a library book sale. It's an old book that was published in 1969. Check out library sales, flea markets and thrift stores to find books like this one.

The tutorial is easy. I coated the back of an 8", clear glass plate with mod podge. You can also use diluted white glue. Carefully lay the page, face down, over the back of the plate. Then firmly smooth the paper over the plate, eliminating air bubbles.

The book pages were about 8 1/4" wide - and the plate had a slight curve to it - so I had to add thin paper strips on each side of the plate to cover the glass. Cut excess paper off plate. Let glue dry.

Seal back of plate with two coats of acrylic spray. I'm currently researching varathane sprays, as a final coat, in order to create a more complete seal.

Exploring Mohair Teddy Bear Making

So now I'm beginning to explore the world of Mohair Teddy Bear Making. I know....I know - not another art-related interest. But teddy bears belong to the category of mixed-media art, don't they? Well, there's a great deal of information on teddy bear making on the Internet.

Craftbits has a wonderful tutorial for a Baby Pips Teddy Bear. The tutorial includes pictures which makes it easy to follow along. Here's what Baby Pips looks like:

The Teddy Talk  Forum (which is sponsored by Intercal) provides tips, techniques, free patterns, challenges and much much more. You can pick up a lot of solid information here.

Teddy Bear Patterns Tips & More offers free patterns and great tips too.

I'm One of the Artist Spotlights in Somerset Studio Gallery

Great News! I'm one of the Artist Spotlights (Mini Articles) in the Summer 2011 issue of Somerset Studio Galley.

Here are the two pages from my article. I always feel a special thrill when my art work appears in one of the Stampington & Company magazines.

Their publications provide readers with beautiful art, new ideas and timely techniques. You must check out this issue. It's jam-packed with inspiration!

Carte Postale Painted Dresser from A Vintage Affaire

Via The Graphics Fairy, I saw this gorgeous Carte Postale Painted Dresser which was created by Sherrie, host of a Vintage Affaire. Don't you want to create a similar piece?

Sherrie promises readers, of her blog, that she will soon share a transfer technique for painted wood that is fairly foolproof. Now, I feel this desperate need for a plain vintage dresser that I can distress with transfer techniques.

Check out the Learn to... Art Site

I recently came across Miranda Aschenbrenner's site, Learn to Art.

Here's what Miranda says about her site:  "Learn to… Art! is a site about just that, learning to do everything art. From shading,  to painting, to photographing your work, to tutorials on how to draw specific subjects, I will feature regular updates on different topics."

I'm always trying to improve my sketches of eyes so her tutorial on How to Draw Eyes was especially interesting to me. I also liked her article on Seven Common Shading Mistakes & How to Fix Them.

There's lots more to read and learn about. Why not check out Miranda's site?

Silk Flowers & Gesso Possibilities

Today, I was covering some boards with white gesso when I noticed this silk flower on my work table.

I applied two coats of gesso on the flower. I like how it looked when it dried. Big possibilities here. More gesso? Or maybe some pale pastel paint? Of course, the raw edges will have to be trimmed after all the painting is done. I know some artists dip silk flowers in spackle or wallpaper paste.

What did you experiment with today?

Use Your Completed Art to Increase Your Inspiration

To get inspired, many of us purchase mixed-media art magazines and books, read blogs and take courses. I also like to use my completed art pieces to jump-start ideas for new projects. Many times, it is my smaller works of art that help me to design larger art creations.

For example, I used my collaged Alice in Wonderland postcard to create a 9" x 12" mixed-media art & watercolor painting as shown below. Do you practice this habit?

If not, set aside some time to review your past art work. Look at your ATCs, inchies, postcards, greeting cards, paintings, chubby books, assemblage pieces and board books. Ask yourself how you can transform this completed art into different media.

Think bigger, think smaller, bright colors or pale pastels, simple designs or complex. If you already use your completed art to create new works, why not share your discoveries with us.

Two New Cinnamon Pink Girls in My Etsy Shop

I recently added two more Cinnamon Pink Girls to my Etsy Shop. Let me introduce Kaneesa and Mia! Let me know what you think.

See My New Art at PFATT Marketplace

It's the tenth day of the month which means that PFATT Marketplace is bursting with new art works. Here's a sneak peek of my May offerings.

Visit PFATT Marketplace for more details on these pieces - and to see the other artists' beautiful work.

 

Joan Beiriger on: What Can You Learn from Art Licensing Trade Magazines?

image from Joan Beiriger's Art Licensing blog

Joan Beiriger regularly offers artists valuable information on her Art Licensing blog. Her recent article What Can You Learn from Art Licensing Trade Magazines?  features three such magazines.

They include: Total Art Licensing (TAL), Art Buyer (AB) and Art & Design Licensing Source Book (A&D). Check out her article for the details. And take a look around her blog for more informative articles.

I'm Finally Back Online

Woo Hoo! I'm finally back online. My laptop crashed and it took two weeks (plus) to get it back in working order. I'll spare you all the miserable details. So far, it looks like I have all my files/images. I'm still working out the quirks. I'm happy to be back in blog land, Etsy land - and with you, dear readers.

Last week, I attended the Soldering for Virgins - Medaliscious class at the Art and Soul Retreat. I loved the class! Sally Jean Alexander is a dynamic and knowledgeable instructor - and a sweet lady too. She taught us so much in just one day! I highly recommend her class. 

Here's the pendant that I made in class. I still need to add some jump rings. Of course, I need a lot of practice but I'm excited that I created my first soldered art work.

For greater efficiency, I also plan to purchase a Weller soldering iron.