Making Fodder with Carrie Smith - Fodder School 4

 As one of the teachers on Fodder School 4 we also get to work alongside the lessons and share our take of the teacher for the months lesson.

This month we see Carrie Smith and her delightful embellished circles that will be used for a later 'Use Fodder Project' which I will share in the next post.

For now I have been having fun creating these embellished circles and getting them ready for their next stage.

Here are some of them:

I created a bonus lesson which shows you how to turn your practice or 'wipe off paper' in to lovely circles that you can use in this project.

You can check out Fodder School and Carrie Smiths Art and some of the other designs that I have done on my Instagram - HERE.  Fodder School 5 will be starting in October more information HERE

Before Your Go

Illustrated Foam Stamps Collaboration - ArtFoamies and Fodder School

  

Introducing My ArtFoamies Collection — Creative Companions for Your Art Practice

I’m thrilled to finally share something very special with you, a selection of my hand-drawn illustrations have been transformed into foam stamps in a beautiful collaboration between Fodder School and ArtFoamies.  Click on the images to purchase.

 

Bantu Knots - Set 1

The collection includes three unique sets, each featuring two illustrated figures — six muses in total and I hope you will get to know and use them in your creative activities. I think of them as creative companions, figures who carry presence, power, and story. They are part of a wider lineage of muses I’ve developed, each one rooted in heritage and embodied creativity.  

 

Nkosi - Set 1  

These designs are inspired by the adornment traditions of African women and the vibrant spiritual memory seen in natural and traditional hairstyles across the African continent, the Caribbean, and the global African diaspora. There is something deeply regal and grounded about each of these figures. They hold stillness, beauty, and grace and I hope you enjoy creating with them.  

Uplift - Set 3  

They are designed to be more than just stamps. Use them on paper, fabric, canvas, or journal pages. Print, paint, embellish, stitch and let them join you on your creative adventures.  Explore them and their variations as you create.  

Vessel - Set 3   

The collection is now available at the ArtFoamies Website. You can check them out HERE

Check out Kae Pea from ArtFoamies and her video using the stamps on acetate on YouTube HERE she shared various ways you could use them with magazines.  

Wrapped -  Set 2

Beacon - Set 2  

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the stories behind these muses, how I use them in my own work, and inspiration to help you make them your own.  Our FREE Tier Patrons get early access, so why not come and join us!

Stay blessed and be a blessing 

Happy New Year - Fodder School and Creative Activities

Wishing you an amazing and fruitful New Year!!

Had an amazing time with the Artsy Meetup Marathon where we saw the New Year in with an wonderful array of creative activities and lessons.  In my lesson we worked with alcohol inks and acetates.  I love the way they turned out.  If you would like to see how I use it on laminating pouches you can join me on my Patreon platform HERE

I have now finished the project for December and Fodder School with the artist Sally Hirst and I have made the projects from the Make Fodder part of the lesson.

It was great creating all the different textures to use with our Gelli plates which was so much fun.

Here are some of the papers that I created using my gelli plate

Working with a gelli plate can be quite an addictive activity, and so enjoyable seeing what you can create using additional things like stencils, masks and probably all the things sitting on your shelves or draws that you forgot that you had.  These can create some really lovely textures.

For the main projects we made coasters and Frames from our papers and here are mine.  And of course there are so many other ways in which you can use what you create with all the fodder that I have left over after these projects.

The frames came out really well and I think I will be making more.   I also made my coasters from cardboard instead of wood. It is great to be able to recycle and make use of all the materials we have at our disposal, instead of seeing them go into landfill.

For January in Fodder School we will be working on making more fodder with Liz Constable and there will be an equally exciting project to make with Liz in the 'Use Fodder' lessons that will be available around the middle of the month.  Check out Fodder School HERE

Before You Go

Check out my website

Mixed Media Art Leaves - Fodder Challenge

I am excited to share that Monday 7th October is my day for sharing my lesson on Fodder Challenge. I am working with dried leaves, and I share how you can alter them and create mini pieces of art.

You will see how I paint, stitch, stamp and use a range of different supplies on the leaves.

Here are some of my painted leaves.  I will be sharing on Instagram over the next few days the work that the students create, so be prepared to be inspired.  Join us HERE or check out the #fodderchallenge 

Here are leaves that have been painting and circles cut in them as decoration.

If you are not part of the Fodder challenge, why not do some experimenting on some leaves and see how you get on. I do love slow stitching on the leaves and depending on the kind of leaf you select you will find that some are thicker than others, so they are sturdier and handle better, see what you can find, there is a wide selection to choose from.

You can also check out my new course that is available at the Early Bird price, all about Leaf Arts and what you can do on them. We go into detail about working with them and I share additional techniques for working with them. 

Check out the Leaf Arts Course HERE

Before You Go

Get your FREE Art Papers in the Arts Resource Hub for October

Fodder Challenge Starting Soon!!

Fodder Challenge is Coming

I’m excited to share that for my session in the upcoming Fodder Challenge, I’ll be diving into a project all about creating and embellishing leaves! Using supplies you probably already have in your creative space, 

I’ll show you how to decorate these leaves in fun, unique ways. I’ve had such a great time working with them, and adding stitches and embroidery has made them even more enjoyable. I can’t wait to share these techniques with you!

The Fodder Challenge kicks off on October 1st, and I’ll be participating along with other amazing teachers. I’m looking forward to trying out their projects too and sharing what I create using their lessons. It’s always so rewarding to learn new techniques from fellow artists!

And, as if that wasn’t enough, Fodder School 4 is also just around the corner! In my lesson for the school, I’ll be showing you how to make beautiful fabric fodder. 

We’ll be painting, stamping, stenciling, and experimenting with fabric to create clusters and mini wall hangings. It’s going to be so much fun, and I can’t wait to explore these creative techniques with you.

Ready to join in the fun?
Check out the Fodder Challenge HERE and Fodder School 4 HERE.

Let’s get creative together!

Fodder School 4 - Exciting News!!

 Exciting News - I will be teaching in Fodder School 4!!

What is Fodder School?

Fodder school is a year long online mixed media event. Each month a new teacher provides a project creating collage fodder and using it.

In my Fodder School class, I will be sharing ways you can have fun playing with the supplies you have and show you how to create some unique fabric fodder that expresses your creativity.

I will share ideas and tips for writing, doodling, stamping, stenciling on your fabrics to create amazing, patterned fabric sheets which you can further cut, layer, and stitch together to create even more dynamic fabric fodder clusters.

In Use Fodder I will then show you how to combine the fabric fodder, and clusters you have created with decorative stitching and beading to create small wall hangings.

Fodder Challenge

The year kicks off on 1st October with a month of short projects from each teacher called Fodder School Challenge. I will be sharing with you some exciting ways to embellish dried leaves. Fodder Challenge gives you a taste of each teacher and their work. 

You can sign up for just the Fodder Challenge or take in both and experience a full year of amazing lessons.

You can visit  willawanders.com to find out more and take advantage of the early bird price!  

Podcast News

Wendy recently interviewed me, you can hear it on her podcast “Show up or Shut up”  

We had such a rich conversation about creative practices using art as a therapeutic tool and so much more!  You can find the link to the episode HERE, or listen on your favorite podcast app.

I am so looking forward to sharing my lessons and having you join us!!