Paint Party Friday: Painting Stamped Images

I've been working on a series of ATC's featuring elements from the periodic table (click on the ATC tag below for details and other examples). This one is Thallium, an extremely toxic substance known as "inheritance powder" because it was commonly used to poison people during the mid-1900's.
I used my twinkling H2O's to color in this stamped image. I've never been very good at using markers to color in stamped images (and refused to go down the copic marker rabbit hole of consumption), but I'm pretty happy with how these work. I think I'm just more comfortable with a paint brush in my hand than a marker.  I also like using radiant pearls, but they take too long to dry. Linking up to paint party Friday and asking does anyone else use any type of paint to color stamped images? 

Double Duty Stamps and Supplies

I got a little creative time last weekend to finish up my ATC's for the "Elements" swap in which I'm participating.  A friend is coordinating a group of a dozen stampers to make ATC's for all the elements in the periodic table (over the course of about a year). I've posted some of my other contributions here and  here (or click on the ATC tag below). I made Rhenium, above, which is used to make jet engine parts and propellers. I was going to use game spinners for the propeller but didn't have enough and the ones I had were too big, so I used a pair of photo turns instead. I thought it was a nice, creative use of an embellishment!

I also completed Technetium, which is a silver grey radioactive transition metal used in X-rays. It's hard to tell in the picture, but this has a piece of plastic (stamped with the number and letters) stapled on top of a shiny silver paper stamped with the skeleton. It's supposed to look a bit like an x-ray. I didn't have an x-ray stamp, so I used a dancing skeleton from my Halloween stamp bin.  It's nice to use my theme stamps in other ways.
{Tomorrow, I'll post Thallium as part of paint party Friday.}
I liked how my stamps and supplies performed "double duty" in these ATC's - makes me feel less bad about having such a large inventory. And I'm always looking for more ideas in this vein. Have you found a creative, non-traditional use for any of your stamps or supplies lately?

Class Review: Shimelle's Pretty Paper Party

ATC's Inspired by Prompt 6 in Shimelle's Pretty Paper Party class: Printables. These are for the element ATC swap and feature element 64 gadolinium, which is used in MRI's and the green phosphorous in color TV's.

I'm having such a hard time trying to review this class. On one hand, I really got a lot out of it (learning some new techniques and revisiting old ones to complete lots of pages), and I found it to be a good value for the money.  On the other hand, I ended up vaguely dissatisfied at the end of it.  Perhaps I would summarize my feelings this way - it was a great class until it wasn't anymore. 

The class was scheduled to run from Oct. 17 until Nov. 25 - with 25 prompts plus some videos and other goodies - all for only $18 U.S.  The problem is that somewhere along the line, the flow of the class fell apart.  Near the end of the class, Shimelle hosted an online party which was open to the class participants, as well as other blog subscribers.  The online party also had a strong Christmas focus as Shimelle was gearing up for her Journal Your Christmas class.  For me, this led to a great deal of confusion about what to do and when the class was actually over.  And then, Shimelle had a bit of a personal issue (finding herself having to move living quarters on short notice) and JYC started up. The upshot of all this was that class participants received the final class prompt yesterday (on Dec. 11).  It contained a bonus pdf booklet of sketches and access to another class (both for free!).  The whole experience ended up being very disjointed, in my opinion.

I loved the first 20 or so prompts. I found them inspirational and informational.  And well worth the price of the class.  If it had ended there, I would have given the class a solid A or A-.   But, as a result of the confusion, I would give it a lower grade. The confusion frustrated me because I like organized, linear classes. I like to start a class, try hard to keep up and then finish it and call it done. 

So, overall, I think I would give the class a B or B-.  But I wonder if I'm being too harsh. I know a lot of you took the class, and I'm interested in what you think? Am I being too harsh? Did you experience it differently? And, for those of you who didn't take the class, I have a different question. When reviewing a class, how much weight should be given to the price of a class? Should a free or inexpensive class be judged differently than a more pricey class? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Elements ATC Swap: Curium

JJ (organizing the elements swap): "Rinda, do you know what other element you want?"
Me:  "Can I have 96 Curium?"
JJ: "Sure. Why?"
Me:  "It's named after Marie Curie, and I have a stamp with her image?"
JJ (shaking her head): "Of course you do."

Element ATC Swap: Beryllium

Henry (while studying chemistry): "Mom, do you know anything about the element Beryllium?"
Me: "Sure. It's element #4 and it's abbreviation is Be. It's the major compound in emeralds."
Henry: "How do you know that?"
Me:  "I'm doing an art swap with friends. 
We're making little cards about each of the elements."
Henry (staring at me; sighs): "Of course you are."

Elements ATC 2 and Last Call for Pass the Book

I'm participating in an ATC swap where we are doing all the elements of the periodic table. We're doing them in several phases, and there are 12 participants. So, we each end up covering about 7 elements each.  I already posted my card for Ruthenium here.  Here's my ATC for element #87 Francium. It's a metal of fleeting nature with a half-life of 22 minutes. There's less than an ounce of it in the earth's crust at a time.  My elements for next round are Curium and Berillium!
Also, I'll be doing the draw for my Pass the Book: "Still Missing" on Saturday. So, go back to this post and let me know if you want a chance to receive it in the mail.

Elements ATC Swap

I used to be involved in a lot of ATC (artist trading card) swaps, but I've avoided them as of late. Until my west coast scrap friends decided to organize one around all the elements on the periodic table! I don't know why it intrigued me so much, but it did, and I joined.  This is my ATC for element #44 Ruthenium, which is a byproduct of platinum and nickel. The name actually comes from the Latin word Ruthia, which means Russia, because the person who discovered Ruthenium is from Russia.  I decided to go with a Babe Ruth theme instead (he's an American baseball player for those who aren't familiar with him).
Do any of you do ATC swaps anymore?

Old September Lessons (part 2)

I just completed this year's version of Shimelle's Learn Something New Everyday Class, but before putting it completely behind me, I wanted to post a few more ATC's from the last time I did the class (in 2007). This batch of ATC's from the second half of September didn't follow the prompts too much, but they did use some interesting new techniques (since I was using the class to learn some new techniques - maybe even one a day).
The first ATC "Blotted Jester" used an inkblot technique from Somerset Studio. The second, very autumnal tag used layered vellum (with some punchies stuck in between).  The third for Sept. 18 was my tribute to "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" (one of my favorite holidays that I all but missed this year). The green tulip ATC used the "glass like resin" technique from Bernie Berlin's book ATC Workshop.  It was inspired by the prompt to learn something from nature. The final ATC "Celebrate" was created using a postcard/flyer I found on the street.  It was advertising a band that played "Mexi-cali Gypsy Pirate Polka."  How cool is that!

Old September Lessons

The last time I took Shimelle's Learn Something New Everyday class, I used it to work on a set of 52 ATC cards I had started in a class taught by Emily Falconbridge. I remember using the Bernie Berlin ATC Workshop book for background. I thought it was last year and that I had followed the prompts.  Well, it turns out I did these in 2007 and very few followed the prompts!  I did, at least, make a card for each day in September. Here's four cards that at least bear some resemblance to some of this year's prompts:
"The Ninth Month" - done on 9/1 to kick off the project
"Captured" - done on 9/5 (learning from old things) - it's a new way to use mica to encapsulate something. I was channeling "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book" (which is a hoot and a half if you've never seen in). I love the way her bum peeks out from underneath.
"No Half Way" - done on 9/15 to mark the halfway project of the project and think about what I'd learned so far (plus included a photo of me underneath).  The stamp quote reads:
"Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."
"The Future" - done on 9/20 and keys off the prompt to learn from the future.
I"ll do another round up of old lessons at month's end.  Anyone else do this class more than once?  How is your project different this year?

Creating in my studio

When playing in my studio the other day, I decided to try to create my own Golden Paint Mixes, along the ones created by Michael DeMeng that I blogged about here.  I am pretty happy with this formulation, which I call "Halloween Night."  It gives the feeling of nighttime but is light enough to be able to create on top of it - a nice alternative to a straight black, I think.  I started with a wash of carbon black on top of a gesso'd ATC (for texture).  I wiped off a lot of the black and then swooshed/pooled on a wash of Hansa Yellow and dried it.  When it was completely dry, I added a wash of transparent iron  oxide.  Do you think I'm on the right track?

And because I'm worried that things are getting too dark & creepy here on the blog, here's a quick art journal page I made in the studio today.  I used the Creative Therapy prompt, "What was your first kiss?" Mine was in first grade with a boy named Michael Tarbox.  I still remember it very strongly (and fondly). Feel like sharing yours?

Speaking of the studio I work in, have I mentioned that we rent it from a woman who makes specialty cheesecakes?  Her creations are true works of art.  Check out this link to see her wedding cake gallery.  A wonderful side-benefit for me is that the studio always smells fantastic! Plus, she will often share "left-overs" with my weekend classes if she has any available!

Underwater Torso Trio

How's that for an odd title?  I was working on two different challenges this morning (Something Completely Different's "of the sea" torso prompt and Studio L3's Compendium of Curiosity chipped enamel prompt), and I came up with this little trio which I like quite a bit!  Each one starts with a Club Scrap stamp in cobalt blue archival ink and then has some other stamps layered on top.  I'm particularly happy with the layering on the pirate version.  The silver images are embossed with Ranger's Liquid Platinum, my all time favorite embossing powder, and the treasure chest is embossed with vintage photo distress powders.  I used the chipped enamel technique on two round tags (with broken china and painted shutters) for the two mermaid tags and on a key (black) for the pirate tag.  I hadn't played with embossing powders in a while, and it was a lot of fun! Kindof  put me in the mood for a margarita. But then most things put me in the mood for a margarita! Yo ho ho!

Playing with Paint

The Something Completely Different Challenge Blog is continuing its "torso" theme this month, and this week's challenge is black and red.  Well, here's my totally awesome Michael DeMeng-inspired entry! I blogged yesterday about DeMeng's cool new app (for ipad or ipod) which gives fabulous recipes for mixing Golden paint washes.  I couldn't resist stealing away to the studio today to play with paint.  Here's some color samples I made:

The colors in the top row are oil slick, ushzz, serial killer red. In the bottom row are fire water, jelly brain and undead red.  The torso ATC above is made on undead red.
I also decided that Michael, former bartender, needed to get plastered (so to speak).  I experimented with fire water on plaster and the result was spectacular (IMHO):

Not sure what I'm going to do with the samples or the big plaster sheet, but I'll be sure to share what I do.  In the meantime, I'm also submitting this to the for the Gingersnap Creations Supply Challenge (Paint). I just read the rules, and you can submit more than one thing, which is great because I was having trouble deciding whether this was better than this flag mini-album I posted earlier.  Anyway, it was so much fun to play today! My wish for you is that you get a chance to enjoy some creative play this weekend.

Torso ATC's

Yes, you read that right! These are ATC's in the shape of a torso (or a bodice or dress form).  That's the theme this month over at Something Completely Different.  The prompt for week 1 was "bling" and the prompt for this week is "memories."  I've got a baby girl theme going so far with my bodice ATC's, and I'm really liking them.  I made these today, and they also respond to the Shimelle Crop Prompt for papercrafting with circles - love the little circles of gold.  If you haven't checked out Shimell'es crop this weekend, you definitely should.  There's tons of prompts & prizes.
Also, "Haiku in Blogland" continues! Read the challenge and check out comments for fabulous responses at this post.  You still have time to enter! 

Art House (Full Bodied Acrylics)

I'm working on finishing up my ATC's for a swap with my mixed media group. The theme is "new home," "new beginnings" or anything to celebrate our new studio.  So, I made these little art houses out of plaster.  I stamped the circles with heavy bodied acrylic paints to get a lot of texture.  Inspired by the "full bodied" prompt for creativity boot camp.

Little Bits of Fun (Ornament & Fly)

I'm really pleased with these little plaster tags I made as gifties for the students in my art journaling class on tomorrow (Sunday).  They are little ornaments that I will put on top of their package of supplies and fit the Creativity Boot Camp Saturday prompt "ornament".  Each one has an inspirational quote about art journaling:
*Trust that small still voice that says "This might work and I'll try it."
*Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." and
*Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working."
I also made another ATC with a home theme.  It is response to the Creative Boot Camp prompt "Fly."

One of the reasons I have been making ATC's with houses is that my mixed media group is doing a "Home" themed ATC swap this month.

Creativity Boot Camp Media, Take 2!

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."  Twyla Tharp


I'm very excited about taking the two week free class, Creativity Boot Camp, which you can learn about here.  Participants are to choose one media to work on during the two weeks, and I have chosen to work in plaster.  It's a media I love and one that I think can really become a signature of my artwork.  Sorry for the odd post yesterday asking about your media (the only content was an "x").  Not sure how that happened, but it was interesting to hear that many of you are still undecided . . . a couple of photographers, an art journaler and a digi-gal round out the list.  Really hoping people decide to do a variety of things.
The creative prompt for day 1 was "ivory," so I made this ivory house out of plaster and put it on an ATC titled "Run away. . ." The idea is based on the Twyla Tharp quote above.

Simple 3-step Collage ATC's

Since I started blogging, I've had a couple of different requests from people for some information on "how to" collage. So, I'm posting this tutorial with a very simple 3-step method for making a collage.  For my "canvas"or size, I chose to make ATC's.  An ATC  is a 2.5x3.5" piece of artwork. You can read more about ATC's in this blog post. You can choose any size of  "canvas" on which to collage.  I've collaged on dominoes, and you can see some of mine in this photo.  Or you can go larger.  I chose to work on two different themes for my collage ATC's - chosen from two of my favorite challenge blogs.  The Scrappy Tree is looking for "steam punk" ATC's.  Steam punk is a style that blends Victorian age images with explorers and marvelous machines.  You can read about their ATC swap here.  The Something Completely Different blog is featuring artwork associated with different letters this month, and this week's challenge, posted here, is to create something based on the letter "B." Once you've decided on your canvas and theme, you can start the three steps.

Step 1:  Background

You can choose almost anything as a background:  patterned paper, paint, cardstock, etc.  I started with these four backgrounds - two patterned paper (map), one spritzed with glimmer mist and one painted background:

Step 2:  Image

Since I was thinking "steam punk" and "the letter B," I chose two stamps that fit these themes: a Victorian Boy and a Victorian Hot Air Balloon.  Both stamps are by Club Scrap:

I then cut the images out and placed them on the backgrounds:

I decided to mat a couple of the backgrounds to give them a little more weight. The boy on the yellow painted background wasn't really working for me, so I decided to mat him:

Better, but it still wasn't working for me.  So, I decided to add more to the background.  Since Steam Punk incorporates a lot of gears and clocks, I grabbed a Tim Holtz gears & clocks mask and masked the background with black ink.  Much better!

Step 3:  Embellishments

Now you'e ready to finish off your collage with a few well-chosen embellishments.  Three is usually a good number to use.  If you look at my finished Steam Punk Boys, you'll see that for the one on the left, I added a spinner to his hat (1), the title "punk" (2), and a pair of photo turns (3).  Even though these are technically more than three embellishments (the title is four letters and there are two photo turns), the eye perceives them as three elements.  For the finished collage on the right, I added a hat (1), a strip of words (2) and a pair of circles (3).  My finished balloon collages are below.  The one on the left has a yellow brad, a spinner and a title.  The one on the right has a strip of tickets, a small Victorian conductor and a title.

There you have it! Three easy steps that can be followed to make a collage. If you go back and look at the photo of my collage dominoes or at any of the ATC's in my old post, you should be able to identify the background, the image and the embellishments. For those attending the house party, these steps can also apply to your house (I'll post more about that later).  I also wanted to let you know that the house party is getting rather loud and noisy.  The neighbors are threatening to call the cops.  So I'm going to cut off sign-ups pretty soon. There's only room for a few more before we blow the doors off this joint!

Alice Art Challenge

Did you hear about the Alice art challenge I'm running?  It has a terrific prize - everything you need to make a couple of altered row houses.  Entries are due by Sunday night, 9:00 p.m. California time. Rules are posted here. Artwork today is a sample of Alice in Wonderland ATCs' I received in a swap I hosted.
Wishing you a creative weekend!

Alice Art and Images

Alice ATC's

I'm running a give-away for those who create some Alice in Wonderland art (theme loosely defined; any art format acceptable). You can find the details and how to enter at this post.  What if you want to enter, but don't have any Alice images?  Here's a few ATC's to help spur your imagination. Some are color copies or prints off the internet.  Some are not specifically Alice-related, but still work. Grab an Easter bunny stamp, a clock image, shout "I'm late!" and you're good to go! Pair a crown with a heart or grab a Queen of Hearts playing card, then yell, "off with her head!"  The possibilities are endless.
For those of you looking for real Alice images to use in art, here are some interesting links:
lovely vintage images 
long necked Alice (this whole site is fabulous!)
Disney images
Tiny pictures (may only be useful for digital stuff?)
Hope you come and play!

Inspiring Words (pt. 2)

     Yesterday, I blogged about Ali Edwards' exercise of choosing an inspiring word for each year.  I featured art I created for my 2008 word "flow" and my 2009 word "accomplish."  I mentioned that I had made a series of ATC's for my 2007 word, "open."  I'm featuring a variety of them today.

     Choosing the word "open" really helped me in 2007 to be open to and try a variety of things without fear of failure.  I turned to my 2009 word "accomplish" many times when I felt like procrastinating instead of finishing something.  I don't think "flow" really worked for me, but two out of three isn't bad!