Butterfly Canvas Process Video

Here is my newest YouTube video showing the process of me creating a canvas as well as my own handmade embellishments. There are many techniques shown. I hope you can get something out of it to help you with your own creations!

Golden Gesso Compared to Golden Absorbent Ground

Many people use gesso in their art journals and on canvas to prepare the substrates for paint and ink. However, many people are not aware of the effect of absorbent ground. This product does the opposite of gesso-whatever you put on top absorbs into your substrate. You may not want this effect with your paint but you may want it with your ink sprays which tend to lose their vibrancy over gesso. Here is my tutorial comparing the two products.

More Ways to Jump Start Creativity

Here is my latest video that shows how I get a jump start on my projects. It also includes how I work with Gelatos by Faber-Castell, my new favorite mixed-media supply near the end. Enjoy!

How Do I Get Out of a Creative Rut? (With Photos)

There are times when it is difficult to get the creative juices flowing especially as I approach most projects with little or no ideas and work as I go. I sometimes look to the Internet but that does not always help because I may not have the materials for a particular project I found there. 

Here are some things I do to get moving so I can enjoy my time in my studio:

1. Look at paper! I have a huge stash and sometimes I forget it's there. Look to it for inspiration, color combos, etc.

2. Make embellishments. Sometimes just making embellishments can spark an idea. I have photos that follow of what I created tonight. During this process I also prepped some paper for die-cutting by using a great product by Lifestyle Crafts (Quickutz) called Double-Sided Adhesive Backed Chipboard. I went through my paper stash and got some ready for future projects.

3. Look around you! I look at patterns on people's clothes, fabric, furniture you name it.

4. Ask for project ideas. If you can't think of a project or an idea for a project, ask a friend. 

Hope these tips help. Now go out and create! :-)

                                      

These are from my new dies by Heartfelt Creations-LOVE this company. I'm in the process of creating a mixed-media project with my flowers and leaves. I also tried die-cutting with grunge paper by Ranger (top middle and  right). It worked great!

These are embellishments made using Mod Melts with the Mod Molds by Plaid. I am working with these for the first time and so far I enjoy them. They make for quick embellishments and come in a variety of molds.

Here are the papers I prepared for die-cutting using the Lifestyle Crafts Quickutz Double-Sided Adhesive Backed Chipboard. Love these!

Enjoy!