Mixed Media Art Projects - Recycled Phone Case

Recycled Phone Case Art Journal

I love using recycled materials and had gone to my charity store and picked up a phone case.  It was slightly too big for my phone so I thought I would make use of it and create a mini art journal.

I talk about the journal in the video below, and I have included some close up images of the pages as well.

On the front of the art journal I used some of my favorite handmade paper infused with gold, looks lovely doesn't it, one of my favorite colors which I use a lot when painting too.  

One of the motivations for the journal was to use the elements that I had been holding on to for what we call 'best' or 'one day' but that day never comes.  It is important to use your supplies rather than holding onto them for that one special day.  Allow yourself to be included in the special day and use it on yourself.

The journal is made up of handmade paper and I have included making use of space where I can add additional elements If I were travelling with the journal - a water brush and some water colors always travel well and have minimum cleanup.

I added sentiments that are reminders 'You are beautiful - Shine your Light' reminds us that we all have something to offer and that we need to not only shine our light for ourselves, but for others who you are impacting and helping them to be brave or step out and shine their own light.

How many times have you been self conscious about what you are doing, not because you can't do it, but you are listening to the negative talk of others.  Sometimes it is that throw away statement that can do the most damage - but you have to 'Dance like no one is watching' again, your being who you want to be will encourage others to keep going.

Each page has either an encouraging word or scripture, and also space for adding doodles or mark making.

Every page is a constant reminder to dream big, follow your heart and do the things that bring you closer to your goals.

Some of the sentiments I use especially when working on a challenge and I am working on two at the same time, the 100 Days of Handmade Foam and the Ultimate Blog challenge.  There are some days that I have not felt like posting, and sometimes you don't, and you find a way of dealing with it and then getting back on course.  I take the necessary breaks that I need, all the time reminding myself of my overall goal.

Explore, Imagine, Dream is the title of this page.  I recommitted myself to share as part of the blog challenge, to not only encourage myself but others as well - I am sharing what I love, creativity and the process.

This pages sentiments - You are unique, a miracle, don't ever compare yourself with anyone else.  Take a look back, you have come a long way, this is not your destination.

I hope you find the things that motivate and encourage you and that you take one step in front of the other to reach the goals you desire.

Blessings!

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100 Days of Handmade Foam Stamps

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

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I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

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Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

Art in Barbados, Experimenting with Art

Cover by Lilian Sten-Nicholson

APRIL 2022 issue of the BARBADOS VISUAL ARTS MAGAZINE 

Free Online magazine

Every month Artist and Publisher Corrie Scott produces a online publication of all the art and creative events taking place in Barbados. It is packed with information about current Visual Art events happening around Barbados and by Barbadian artists further around the globe.  It normally comes out on the 1st of the month.

I have always found it a valuable resource to have and keeps you abreast of what is going on in the island.  Check it out HERE

Click on the link or the image to take you to the listings, so you can see all the amazing events that have been organized this month, with some of the events happening online. 

Experimenting Styles

I have continued to experiment in the studio in my art journal with the Neurographic Art, allowing myself to continue to be inspired.  Every image I create whether it is a portrait or an abstract scene, seems to call out for the essence of Neurographica.  I am continuing to be guided to see how it impacts on my style or adds to the stories being told.

Foam Stamps Art

This week I also shared my painting for the week from the foam stamps that I had created last week, I love this stage of their development where, you can see the video of the page creation below. 

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

You can check out the supplies used to create the paintings and foam stamps HERE

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I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

Day 17

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Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

Mixed Media Art Collaborations, Textile Love and Courses Offers!

 

I am taking part in a monthly art collaboration and will be painting this image.  The video goes live tomorrow, and you can set a reminder - if you do join I will be in the chat answering any questions that may pop up as we see how the painting takes shape.

  

The monthly collaboration is a great way to get together virtually with other artists and share the love we have for creativity.  In this collaboration we do not have any prompts you just create what you are inspired to do.  One of the things that I would like to share over time is my love for creating sculptural art and working with recycled materials.  

As a mixed media artist I love creating full stop, and I always have a million and one ideas of things I want to work on, or experiment with - and I give myself the time each and every day.  I schedule the time for myself and show up even if I don't have a particular project in mind.

I also do a lot of work with fabric - painting my fabric, creating sculptural elements in the art and the stitching of these pieces are very therapeutic.

The arts (across the board) have a very positive effect on health and wellbeing and it is important that you try and do something every day.  The arts have been used in may medical environments - hospital waiting rooms, recovery rooms, corridors, my dentist has a nature scene on his ceiling which has a relaxing affect as you try and drown out the sound of the drill.

What ever you do I hope you are able to take the time to do something creative this week, and I would love to know what creative activities you find the time to do.

Stay blessed and be a blessing

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

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 I am taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the previous posts HERE

********************************************

Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2

Stamps, Challenges and Hops

 Handmade Foam Stamps

This Week was Week 8 of my Handmade Foam Stamps and each week I end it with a painting of all the stamps for that week.

Going through the stamps means that I get to organize what I have an make new ones.  I have been enjoying the process especially as I now have a heat tool which makes creating the designs even easier and you get some great details on the foam.

You can check out this week video below

Artsy Second Sunday

Every second Sunday of the month I take part in a video hop with a group of other artists on YouTube and we work by a monthly theme.  This week was 'Ladybugs and Rainbows'  I went for Ladybug and played with my supplies on the page.  

It was funny as part way though I forgot exactly how a ladybug looks, so the video is just an interpretation of one.

They actually look quite different and I have been privy to some unusual ones in the garden.  There are over 6000 species world wide and I think that we have about 4 different varieties in the garden, helping to keep down pests such as aphids that can attack some plants. 

Here 3 of the 4 that we have the forth one is brown with pink spots or the other way round, I couldn't find the photo that I took of that one.

Anyway, you can check out the video of the Ladybug that I painting for this blog hop below.  I will have to paint it again to do it justice in the style that I would normally paint in.

I hope you enjoy and would love you to join us on the challenges, you will be inspired by the work of the artists who share.

If you would like to see the stamps daily you can check out my Instagram HERE

You can check out the supplies used to create the paintings and foam stamps HERE

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I am also taking part in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and you can check out the posts HERE

********************************************

Mixed Media Art Courses to Check out

SALE - Enjoy $10 OFF all courses until 30th April Click on the image to see the course.

Use the Code at the checkout - create2