Cinnamon Pink

Young Girl Portrait on Vintage Book Paper

I just finished this vintage book page portrait, of a young girl, using oil pastels and acrylic paint.

The Caran d'ache oil pastels are wonderful to work with due to their creamy texture.

GreenCraft Magazine: Spring 2017 Issue

Practical upcycling and salvaging may be the first words that describe GreenCraft magazine. But once you begin reading the magazine, you are transported instead to page after page of lovely, lifestyle projects.

Rather than recycling, readers are invited to restyle the forgotten items in their home, or treasures found at thrift shops, into exalted objects of beauty.

Devon Warren, Managing Editor, brings readers a variety of pretty projects in the spring 2017 issue of GreenCraft. You’ll be tempted to hunt through your overflowing boxes of ephemera and vintage finds to create delightful accents for your home, yourself or for gifts.

I participated in the Green Tips from the Artists category of this issue. Make sure you check out the latest magazine for guaranteed inspiration.

Leave Room for Magic: Mixed Media Art Painting

I just finished this mixed media art painting. The landscape consists of acrylic paints and hand-stamped tissue paper. 

I created this quote and had it made into a rubber stamp.

Paper Doll Stickers: Kawaii

I couldn't resist these Kawaii Paper Doll Stickers. They are perfect for planners as well as great sketching inspiration.

Faux Encaustic Technique: Home

On this painting I used a faux encaustic technique to achieve a wax appearance. The formula (from the Acrylic Revolution book) consists of gel matte medium and the following Golden Fluid acrylics: Interference Blue, Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Yellow and Iridescent Gold.

I applied three layers of the formula, allowing the painting to dry between coats. I used both brushes and a key card to spread the mixture.

I came upon this old house in a rural area of North Carolina. I do enjoy photographing old, abandoned homes. I believe they have many stories to tell us.

Fifty Ways to Use a Hobonichi Planner from Writing in Notebooks

In case you didn't see this on Tumblr, here are 50 Ways to Use a Hobonichi Planner. The ideas are from Catherine, host of Writing in Notebooks. You could use many of these ideas in your art journal too.

1. Travel diary and postcard collection
2. Foreign language study
3. Parent-child joint diary
4. List of books read to child
5. Gardening: growth diary
6. Scrapbook
7. Sticker book
8. Writing practice
9. Illustrated diary
10. Diet tracker
11. Meal planner
12. Homemade cover
13. Reports about baby
14. Monthly digest
15. School: note-taking
16. TV show episode list
17. Hobby picture gallery
18. Funny kid moments
19. Baseball game tracker
20. Hobby photo gallery
21. Life goal archive
22. Photo diary
23. Work organizer
24. Classroom organizer for teachers
25. Children’s sketchbook
26. Comic strip collection
27. Carrying case
28. Podcast planner
29. Garden layout
30. Home furnishing planner
31. Party planning
32. Budget tracker
33. Favorite music list
34. Study tracker
35. Wedding planner
36. Review diary
37. Calorie counter
38. Comic planner
39. Shared message book
40. Symptom tracker
41. Fashion scrapbook
42. Things I Like scrapbook
43. Goal tracker
44. Running tracker
45. Story-writing planner
46. Wallet
47. Memorable quotes
48. Architecture sketchbook
49. Project planning
50. Convention diary

Check out Writing in Notebooks for more interesting ideas.

Somerset Home Spring 2017 Magazine

Are the cold, gray days of winter sapping your spirit? Then the spring 2017 issue of Somerset Home magazine will brighten your days and put you in a sunny state of mind.

Devon Warren, managing editor, offers readers an array of beautiful DIY projects to help warm your small corner of the world and get ready for the upcoming spring weather.

If you want to add some elegance to your boudoir, check out my article on Romantic French Script Pillowcases. Follow my technique and you'll end up with pillowcases that are department store worthy.  In fact, I plan to make more pillowcases for the other rooms in my home.

Hobonichi Tips

When I spotted the Jane Davenport Journal Jacket in Michaels, I thought that it would make a great cover for my Hobonichi (Cousin). The cover is a bit larger than the Cousin but I'll make it work because I love the quote.

Many people are using their Hobonichi planners as an art journal, incorporating drawings and watercolor/marker paintings. The pages are thin but strong. Here's what I do. First, I draw my image with a Micron pen. Next I brush on a layer of Clear Gesso, let it dry and then add watercolor paints.

You could also use clear Pastel Ground or Watercolor Ground to protect your pages before painting. 

Is there a Concrete Assemblage in Your Future?

Image from Artists Network site

Via Artists Network, I happened upon this interesting post on Assemblage that Rocks! Creative Ideas for Making Art with Concrete written by Tonia Jenny, Senior Editor.

My initial impression upon reading the title was, "I'll never try this technique." But as I read further and viewed the awesome pictures, I was hooked. Check out the post to get the step-by-step details. You could be playing with concrete in the future too.

 

Oil Pastels & Acrylic Paints Portrait on Vintage Book Page

I hadn't planned on doing a series. But here I am painting portraits on vintage book pages again.

For this portrait, I used oil pastels and acrylic paint. I took my inspiration from one of Jane Davenport's girls.

Oil Pastel Portraits Continue

For this art piece, I used more oil pastels compared to my other portraits. I do like how the pastels blend so well just by rubbing them with one's finger.

The hair was done with a watercolor crayon.

New Year's Resolutions from Artists Network

Have you made your artist resolutions yet for 2017? Even if you do not make formal artist resolutions, Lee Hammond's post on New Year’s Resolutions for Artists (on Artists Network) offers you some inspiring ideas for future art projects. Here are a few of Hammond's great suggestions:

• "Commit to learning a new medium. There are endless drawing and painting techniques and always new products to play with. Is there something you think that is interesting, but have never tried? Now is the time. Dive in! I’m going to try modeling paste to add some 3-dimensional qualities to my paintings."

• "Are you using inadequate art supplies? Yes, we all have to start somewhere, and often that means purchasing the bargain brands. While they’re good to start with to get your artistic feet wet, you may not be seeing your full potential. Invest in yourself!....You’ll be amazed at how much better your work can look with the right products and tools. I was amazed when I tried high-grade paper products such as 500-series Bristol. Yes, it is expensive, but it makes my work much more professional and sellable." What a great idea. Quality art supplies do result in better art work.

• "Use your art to document your life and desires. Each week, create a simple drawing that represents the great things you experienced in the last seven days. Make it like a collage of feel good doodles, phrases and drawings of the things you’ve appreciated throughout the week. In a new book I’m writing titled REACH!, I recommend this type of art journaling as a way to keep your mood elevated, and your desires coming your way. You can literally draw what you want into your life."

Read Hammond's complete post for more interesting suggestions.

Exercises to Boost Your Creativity from Inc

Via Inc, I came upon this post on: 32 Easy Exercises to Boost Your Creativity Everyday written by Ayse Birsel. Here are a few of the ideas that caught my interest:

• "Cover your table completely with large easel paper. Draw on it large, free style, stream of consciousness, using a Sharpie (make sure Sharpie doesn't seep through) for 10 minutes or until the whole table is covered. Tape it all together and tack it on your wall."

• "Buy a set of color pencils. Draw parallel lines freehand or with a ruler. Color them in a la Paul Smith." Be sure to check out Smith's Pinterest board."

• "Write something you want to solve in your notebook before you go to sleep. Sleep on your problem and let your subconscious do the work. When you wake up, ideate in your notebook."

Take a few minutes to check out the complete article.

Portrait on Vintage Book Page

Here's another portrait that I did on vintage book paper. The latter is actually a map from a book that was published in 1928.

I'm amazed that book pages from so long ago still remain strong and take media well. I did prepare the page first with Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels before creating the portrait.

Making Wire Loops Using Head Pins for Beaded Jewelry

Today I experimented with making wire loops using head pins for beaded jewelry. I used 3/4" head pins and round nose pliers.

I found that watching a few different YouTube videos on the technique helped me. Just type in the words making wire loops with head pins in Google and you'll get a bunch of instructions and videos.

I also learned that patience is key and practice does make perfect.

Hilary Ellis: Textile Artist

Hilary Ellis, Acacia, 2015, mixed media, 40cm x 40cm

Via Textile Artist, I happened upon an online interview with artist, Hilary Ellis, entitled Frayed edges. 

I found it interesting that she combines drawn lines, stitching and beading to create her art pieces. Rather than fabric, she works with watercolor paper as her substrate.

In the past. I used bead embroidery to create art dolls and I always worked on a fabric base. I'm now interested in experimenting with thread and beads on paper. To learn more of her process, read the complete post.

 

Mixed Media Art Portrait Experimentation Continues

Here's another mixed media art portrait that I completed today on a page of the vintage Edgar Allan Poe book.

Although I started out using oil pastels, I finished the piece with Caran d'Ache Neocolor II Artists' Crayons and Golden Titanium White Fluid Acrylic Paint. I do enjoy working with the Caran d-Ache crayons especially when I'm adding depth (shading) to a portrait. Although it may not be evident, I added many layers of a variety of mediums to the face.

Jane Davenport Art Supplies & Accessories

Yesterday I was in the Virginia Beach Michaels store when I came upon a display of the new Jane Davenport art supplies and accessories. You can also order the items online through Michaels. The product line is quite extensive.

I picked up the Jane Davenport Portrait Paints Kit which consists of four matte acrylic paints, a brush and face stencil. I checked for customer reviews of the new Davenport products but I didn't spot any online.

On another subject, snow may be coming to eastern North Carolina this weekend. If you're on the East coast, you could also see some snowflakes. Stay Warm!

 

Experimenting with Lynne Hoppe's Face Tutorial

A few years ago, Lynne Hoppe generously offered a tutorial, on her blog, on how she paints faces. She really has a unique talent that I admire. I had always meant to try the tutorial. Well today I finally gave it a go.

Lynne paints her faces on old book pages. My husband was about to discard a very old book entitled, Tales of Mystery & Imagination written by Edgar Allan Poe. The book had belonged to his Father and was falling apart. I couldn't even find a copyright date on the book.

I decided to give one of the pages new life by painting the face on it. Make sure you protect old book pages by brushing matte medium (on both sides of the page) before you begin painting.

I enjoyed creating with Lynne's suggested art supplies: watercolors, white gouache and oil pastels. Caran d'Ache neopastels were new to me. I had only worked with water-soluble oil pastels before this tutorial. I plan to create a few more faces in the future.

Lynne's tutorial is still on her blog. Why not try it for yourself?

A Word for the New Year

Do you still choose a special word for the brand new year? If you do, then you may be interested in the post on One Word for the New Year from Shelley Klammer host of Expressive Art Inspirations.

Shelley offers these tips for spontaneously choosing your word:

1. Ask the question, "What word do I want to live into in 2017?"
2. Intuitively choose a magazine.
3. Flip through until you find a word that surprises or delights you, and cut it out.
4. Research and contemplate what your word means to you. 
5. Create a collage to celebrate and illustrate your word.

I haven't chosen my word yet but I plan on following Shelley's tips. Check out her site for more inspiring ideas.

Somerset Life 2017

What began as a gray, dreary day in January soon transformed into a plethora of delights when my Somerset Life magazine (Jan/Feb/Mar 2017) arrived in my mail box.

Yes, the photographs are lovely as always. But even better, Christen Hammons (Editor-in-Chief) offers readers many awe-inspiring projects that are simple to recreate on a cold Winter's day.

I'm happy to report that my Little Heart Tokens appears in this issue.

Grab the latest issue of Somerset Life, an assortment of art supplies, a cup of hot tea - and warm up your creative juices with some art making.

Here's a double-page spread in my small moleskine art journal.

Lots of paper scraps (including tissue paper & brochure fodder) and paint.

Happy New Year 2017

I'm a bit late in posting today. Happy New Year to All! Wishing you much joy in the coming year of 2017.

Here's a page that I just finished in my large art journal. I didn't use the Stabilo pencil on this page because I didn't want the lines to smudge. However, my #2 pencil still left some smudge marks. To avoid further markings on the page, I added a layer of acrylic spray to protect it.

I found the above quote on Pinterest. I like the positivity of the words. In every moment, we all have an opportunity.