Mixed Media

If Halloween is a reason for yummie candy…BRING IT ON

Halloween is still not a big deal here in Germany…but it seems to come in fashion more and more. So in celebration of Halloween-not-so-celebrated-here:  here is my Halloween Layout which was published in the Fall Issue of the new ScrapArtZine

 

I used Derwent Arbars to alter the wonderful danyeela and fontwork papers – both papers I hoarded in my Supply Stash FOREVER – I kid you not. I loved those two papers so much I simply couldn’t bring it over my heart to use them…but there is time for everything, right?

 

 

So spill the beans…which items do you hort for ever and haven’t used them so far because you want to safe them for the best possible project?

 

Have a gorgeous day and a happy funny halloween filled with candy ;)

hugs

nat

 

 

Comments (4)

  • Lisa Flaherty

    |

    For me it is all about the paper, too. I recently took something from my stash that I loved so much and decided to try the mindset “it’s just paper–don’t be afraid to cut it up!” And then I felt like I’d ruined it, made a huge mistake, etc. Then Julie’s voice came into my head, “Keep pushing.” That totally helped! I was able to turn my paper into something I totally love! Happy belated Halloween!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Yeah- exactly- the things we tend to dislike the most and then keep going are like hard-work best loved items later :) hugs Nat

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I continue to hoard the paper pack that you sent me of your designs. I have used a few of them but the rest are waiting for a special LO. LOL
    I really have to start to use supplies that have been waiting for 3 years.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Ahhh Sue ….I hope you will share if you use them :)

      Reply

Leave a comment

Second Floor Challenge #10: White Cardstock

Are you ready to take the second floor this time? If you have no clue what I am talking about- read all about it here :) The Second Floor Challenge

So today is our 10th Second Floor Challenge: White Cardstock

Click here to see what Julie did

Whatever that means to you or however it inspires you.  The prompt is simply meant to get you started.  The level of challenge you aim for is entirely internal and up to you

White Cardstock – something I use a lot as a base for my backgrounds. Usually you do not see later anymore that something started with white Cardstock. Which was a good start taking it to the 2nd Floor…how about having the white Cardstock show itself and speak for itself for once ;)

I picked a 12×12 smooth piece of white cardstock and then a white cardstock with linnen texture from which I hand cut circles.

And then the weird blank page syndrom started….LOL. Yep – I was like …what they hay…and I let it lay there….for a day ….and came back and then just wrote down the feelings that came up when I was looking at this new blank page that offered so many possibilities…

I added a postcard  I had printed from one of my paper designs several years ago. This paper didn’t make it into the emotions paper line back then but it is still one of my favorite pieces.

What I learned from this challenge:

I love the chances that white cardstock offers -there is just so much freedom that attached to this supply.

I love to create layouts/projects with a deeper meaning- where the supplies itself have a meaning too.

I wish sometimes I could be a blank white cardstock again …I was so much more open and free in my work and I didn’t care about other’s and rejection.

My urge to add paint was calmed down once I had added this postcard with my painty artwork…I guess this paint obsession is not to overcome- LOL.

If you’d like to leave a link showing off what you did in response to this challenge, here’s the linky list:

hugs

Nat

Comments (7)

  • Bellaidea

    |

    very cool look!

    Reply

  • Jessica

    |

    I love your page. The white circles are like speech bubbles and the contrast with the postcard of your design makes your artwork just pop. I also really like the new design of your website!

    Reply

  • Carolyn Dube

    |

    This is the scariest 2nd floor challenge you have done yet! White cardstock?! I love where you took it- the circles with the words is magnificent! Your painting just pops with the white!

    Reply

  • Janet

    |

    Love it! I need to get busy! Thanks!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

    |

    What a fun challenge!! Love what you did!

    Reply

  • Julie Short

    |

    Reading again I applaud your comment regarding rejection – tis a cold and lonely place out there at times in the blogosphere and the magazine mayhem if you aren’t the same as all the other cookies from the cookie cutter system! It seems it has to be the latest , the most expensive etc etc which is so not necessary!
    Oh and more cheers there’s not a leering pumkin or a ghoul in sight!
    Please keep encouraging your inner spirit and take your time to experiment for without it the world would be a duller place.

    Reply

  • Julie Short

    |

    Hallellujah! Singing loud and strong.- choosing to have supplies with meaning and relevance to you, the artist seems to have been forgotten. So good on you for stating that as part of your practise Nat!
    You refresh my spirit and remind me that I am not alone in the search for authenticity!

    Reply

Leave a comment

In Memory of a Friend

You will be missed…

but memories of fun hours creating, chatting and laughing will remain. Yearly visits – airline stories – jokes – and loud music! Thanks for all the encouragement! You always supported – you always pushed. Craft Mafia :)- still makes me smile. You will be missed!

It was a short while of our lifespans that we walked together, but you made a mark – a wonderful creative and uplifting mark! Thank you!

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I like how the stencil bursts out in a warm circle just like memories of your friend will for years to come.

    Reply

Leave a comment

#iahappycab or Tribute Present to the Cab Ride of our Life

Some of my readers might remember the post in 2010 when I went to Warsaw. My husband was attending and speaking at a conference there with some friends and I joined them. Well..it was a pretty eventful journey, which ended with being stuck in Warsaw because of the ash cloud. And so….I can say …I took once a taxi cab from Warsaw, Poland back to Hamburg, Germany. LOL.

We took some fun photos and tweeted along the ride with the hashtag #iahappycab and my friend Andrea who was part of this journey always wanted a canvas as a memory from that trip.

And so there it is – by this time I should have handed it to him in Rome, Italy :)

What is your funniest travel experience?

Huge hugs

Nat

Comments (5)

  • mjmarmo

    |

    Wow – what a story. I will have to think if I have any. LOVE the canvas.

    Reply

  • Riikka

    |

    The background work is something out of this world <3

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

    |

    Love the background, the whole thing is lovely.

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

    |

    Love the texture and colors in that canvas, Nat, and the story! I just started following your blog this January, so hadn’t read the post about your epic journey! Memorable, indeed!! Sometimes, well, OFTEN, it is the hiccups and kinks in travel plans that make the trips that much more memorable.

    My 3 besties from High School and I try to get together for a girls weekend once a year, and the silliness that ensues makes every trip a fun adventure!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I remember this story and what a great LO for it.
    My first plane ride from MA to NM was fun and a bit scary.
    The other folks on the plane must have thought I was nuts as I stared out the window looking over the clouds.
    Not the best adventure story but the one that comes to mind right now (on a dreary Sunday a.m.).

    Reply

Leave a comment

My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 4. Stamps

There is rarely a Mixed Media Project where I do not include stamping. By no means I am a stamping expert…but let me tell you about what I do and what I know and how I use them.

If you missed the other posts in this series – you can catch up here 

Stamping on Mixed Media Project is just one of my favorite techniques:

What I love about Stamps is:

  • I love that there is different sorts of stamps out there
  • they can be used with many different mediums: ink pads, acrylic inks, acrylic paints, resist mediums, gesso, tar gel, spray paints, pan pastels, water soluable wax bars and so much more.
  • they can be used for adding images or just adding visual imperfect interest
  • they can be used to lighten or darken a background
  • they can be used to add texture
  • they can be used to connect design elements
  • they can be used to unify a look
  • some of them can be used FOREVER…my wooden letter stamp set in the picture was the first stamp set I bought in 2003. I used it still A LOT! Worth every single cent!

Here are some examples:

using a bottle bottom for stamping

unifying the background

using a hand carved stamp to lighten background and adding visual interest

stamping with and into beeswax

adding visual texture with stamps

using foam stamps with spray paints and Derwent Artbars

using different stamps for layering in an artjournal

using stamps to create resist effects

using rubber text stamp to create overlay

My favorite Stamps:

As always in this series- the answer to this question is based on my preferences, my style and my experiences

  • one preference for me are rubber stamps that have writing – I love to include letters and text to my background. I have so many different ones from Stamper’s AnonymousDarkroom Door etc. to name just a few companies that do awesome Text Stamps in my opinion.
  • I love foam stamps– they are cheap and versatile and you can do an awful lot with them. That is why I offer an Online Class called Über*Media Foam Stamplifier – I find it simply amazing how many different ways you can use a Foam stamp :) My favorite foam stamps are made by Prima, but you can also make your own foam stamps.
  • constantly using bubble wrap, lids, corrugated cardboard and toilet paper tubes for stamping. Can’t get any cheaper and more handy. If you travel you will always find ways to stamp if you look for stuff like this instead of hauling lot’s of stamps with you for some traveling art.
  • letter stamps – my to go for titles and often a great way to add journaling on difficult surfaces.
  • hand carved stamps…getting there more and more. If you are interested in those, I highly highly recommend my friend’s Julie Fei-Fan Balzers Online Class on Stamp Carving. She rocks the house and is an amazing teacher!

nSupplies

huge hugs

Nat

——————————————————————————–

If you want to learn more about foam stamps – check out my class: Über*Media Foam Stamplifier for just 9.99 USD

Comments (4)

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I made a LO with bubble wrap and paint last night and love using it. I got the idea from you a few years back. Thanks for the MUST HAVES series Nat.

    Reply

  • Jessica

    |

    thank you for this post — full of great info and links. xo

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

    |

    You have done some things with stamps that I have not tried. I should try them.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Second Floor Challenge #9: Embossing Powder

Are you ready to take the second floor this time? If you have no clue what I am talking about- read all about it here :) The Second Floor Challenge

So today is our 8th Second Floor Challenge: Embossing Powder

Click here to see what Julie did

Whatever that means to you or however it inspires you.  The prompt is simply meant to get you started.  The level of challenge you aim for is entirely internal and up to you

Embossing Powder- cool – I love Embossing Powder. I use it in many different ways and I love to try out all kinds of different media as embossing agents. If you have ever been at one of my life workshops you know that ;) You have used all kinds of stuff for it…Acrylic Paints was one of them. So started like this on a small tiny canvas

I spread black gesso over since I know I wanted different colored embossing powders on top of it and I hoped the black gesso would make the colors pop more.

It was like cooking …BAM! some more spicy embossing powder right into the kisser wet gesso.

Next was heating, and I had a suspicion already that this mixture would be a bit dangerous in case of the fumes…and boy was I right…yikes. I bet this is highly unhealthy and recommend almost a mask and a well ventilated area. But still I was pleased with the result.

Time to take it to the second floor – I sprayed it with water based spray paints

and BAM! sprinkled some golden embossing powder over it here and there – off heating again

Loved the results….and then used it right away for a present for a special girl

here is a close up of the Gesso-Embossing

What I learned from this challenge:

  1. I love the texture and patina aged look the embossing powder with the black gesso created. Actually to tell you the truth it makes me giddy :)
  2. this is NOT healthy! not something I would teach in a workshop. Black Gesso by Golden already has on their lable that it contains chemicals that are known to cause cancer…and embossing powder is essentially plastic, so melting it together like crazy is obviously a crazy nut case’s idea! I will wear a mask next if I do it again!
  3. I love that through the combination of those two media the heat resulted extra dimension stayed once it was dried. Pretty pretty cool.
  4. If you reheat colored gesso again and put the heat too long on it, it can loose its color at parts and gets white spots. Which in this case was cool! But something to keep in mind.
  5. I liked working on a smaller surface for this technique – first it was out of economic reasons as to not waste a huge amount of embossing powder if that technique would not work, but then it also was fun to incorporate this in a bigger project using different techniques then again.

If you’d like to leave a link showing off what you did in response to this challenge, here’s the linky list:


hugs

Nat

Comments (24)

  • scrappegal

    |

    AWESOME!!!!! :)

    Reply

  • msmathey

    |

    WOW – you are amazing – this project is awesome!

    Reply

  • marjiekemper

    |

    Thanks for experimenting and sharing… I think I’ll pass on heating up my cancer agent, lmao…. but I do appreciate seeing your beautiful results!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      hi jessica, love your post. i already visited. sorry for the linkz mistake, we changed it to the right date.

      Reply

  • Carrie

    |

    WOW! That really looks fabulous. What a shame that it’s so toxic… Well, we could just be like Michelle Ward and not worry about it. She uses all kinds of toxic stuff! Is that black gesso super thick? It looks really dimensional, which just makes the project even cooler :)

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      HI Carrie, yes the black Gesso is really thick….it is like melted marshmellows- LOL .Have a wonderful day ! Nat

      Reply

  • Riikka

    |

    Oh my gosh how gorgeous is that! <3

    Reply

  • osmancm@comcast.net

    |

    I would not of thought to use black gesso. thanks for sharing your process….I really liked the results.

    Reply

  • Geles

    |

    Oh Nath, I like this work, and Cuchy is a special woman!!. Thank you for the explain it….. I don’t know if I write well. Kisses

    Reply

  • ruby t

    |

    I love these experiments and the spirit with which you and Julie do them.
    Perhaps put black gesso down, let dry and put on the clear embossing ink so the fumes will not get too bad.
    Can you also tell us about the background of the finished piece-the blue lettering and the misting technique? I know that was not part of the project but curious about the stamping of the lettering look.
    thanks

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

    |

    Really lovely!

    Reply

  • lizmaynz

    |

    I’m sorry but I just read the part where Nat tells us Black Gesso by Golden already has on their label that it contains chemicals that are known to cause cancer!
    I mean should we be worried especially those of us that use our fingers to paint with? I already get cancer in the bladder every so often and have to get that taken out each time with out endangering myself with using a product that could essentially put me at risk again. Sorry but my health is under so much stress as it is with out this added worry.

    Reply

  • Mag&scrap

    |

    Wonderful Work with these embossing powder !

    Reply

  • Cuchy

    |

    ohhhh it’s me, it’s me!!!! and you even took a risk with the fumes!! ;)
    Thank you sweetie. You made my day! Can’t wait to touch it.
    Loves

    Reply

  • SusanJane

    |

    Because of the dust and fumes I have always worked in small areas only. I guess you could tackle larger pieces by standing back and doing the same with breaks between each section. With good lighting you can tell if the powder has hardened and not have your face in it.

    Reply

  • peg

    |

    wow, that looks so cool, gonna have to give it a go.
    Thanks for the inspo :-*

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Please don’t inhale too many fumes while creating Nat.
    Good to see that Julie posted the same day as you did;-O
    I love the texture that you got.

    Reply

  • Mary M.

    |

    Love this technique Nat! Gotta get some black gesso and try this!

    Reply

  • Maggie M

    |

    AWESOME Nat! I’m going to definitely give this a try:)

    Reply

  • Andrene

    |

    Gorgeous!! The colors definitely pop with the black gesso and the background is divine too!!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

    |

    How cool is that. I do not have any black gesso. I do have some embossing powders though…….MIght have to try something like this!

    Reply

  • Alicia

    |

    Muy bonito Nat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Besos

    Reply

Leave a comment

My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 3. Markers & Pens

I wouldn’t necessarily say that Pens and Markers come at third place- but I would say that this is what I get the most questions about “What kind of marker/pen do you use on your projects with x? And so I will talk about my favorite ones now :)

If you missed the other posts in this series – you can catch up here 

I would say these are my top seven- always go to pens and markers.

What I always keep in mind when I use pens and markers is:

  • There is a right pen or marker for every surface
  • Make sure your paint media- all media on your surface is completely dry before you start writing on it…otherwise you ruin your pen.
  • Avoid the “fat” areas – meaning those areas – that you treated with oily and waxy paint media when you use felt markers or acrylic markers in general.
  • Be careful when you use an oil based marker or pen over water-soluble surfaces. Oftentimes the medium underneath reacts and the oil based marker bleeds into it. If that is what you want…you are good to go ;)

Which pens and markers I use:

This pen is awesome – that is why I have it…well…kidding aside – LOL. This permanent marker can be used on all kinds of surfaces including glass and acrylic and CD’s. I write with it on paper, as long as it is smooth paper, otherwise it tends to bleed. I use it because I love how it writes. When I write something on a transparency– I use it- it is the best on transparencies. I use it on smooth acrylic surfaces – it works like a charm. Not so good to use on textured surfaces- you ruin your pen…and believe me…hehehehe- I tried ;)  It comes with different tip sizes and it has an eraser in the back for the slick surfaces.

This is an ink pencil and when you write with it or make marks, they are pretty prominent as the pencil itself is highly pigmented and firm. You can also use water on it and then wash the pigments out. Once it is dried…it is permanent! YES…you heard right. As I lack the impressive Julie-Fei-Fan-Balzer-handpainted-brush-title-ing – I use this pencil to highly fake this ;) I write with the pencil in a what I think artsyfartsy way my title and then use water and a small brush and just go over it so it looks more like a brush painted title. Of course…as the description has given it away already, you should not use wet media on top of it without intention…you will activate and smear your writing otherwise.

A classic white gel pen. I love how fluidly the ink comes out. It is for me the best white pen I have tried. It covers black perfectly – which means it covers all colors and it is amazing with most surfaces – unless it is the super scratchy one. Gets ruined very quick if you use it on “fat” surfaces or not “dry” surfaces. I used to be able to find refills at my local office supply store which was actually making this a bargain and made me happy for eco-friendly reasons. I need to check out where I can find them now.

This is a soft  water soluble graphite stick and I love this for sketching or mostly making marks into painted dried and wet surfaces. Well- if the surface is wet you make texture and need to clean the tip of the stick right away with a dry towel. It is paper wrapped and you can take the wrapper off as you use it.

These are my secret weapons…LOL. You could say…the Dumbledores under the Markers ;) . The Posca water based paint marker has in the size of 0.9-1.3 mm a bullet shape tip and I tend to love this as I find myself writing easily with this. I love how the paint comes flowing out and I can use it – as well as the Molotow marker on tricky surfaces…well set aside super waxy or oily surfaces of course. On acrylic paint it looks shiny – I love it! I am not a fan though of the white Posca Marker – it doesn’t cover the way I would like it.

The Molotow Marker is a bit pricier, but it can be also refilled and I would say it can be used on even trickier surfaces than the Posca Marker…you can write on the most uneven stoney surfaces with it, without ruining the tip right away and you can use it for outdoor projects too. Ahem..if you think of Molotow Graffiti Spray Paints you might get why this marker is so good with struggling surfaces ;) . The white Molotow Marker is better than the white Posca Marker.

Both markers are awesome as you can use them also on fabric and wood and they do not bleed. The colors are intense and highly pigmented, they don’t fade too quick….I love love love them. I have markers of both companies for YEARS and they are still good to go and not dried out.  If you ever want to make me happy with a present… DEAR FAMILY ….just give me a package of one of those :)

This marker is fun- I don’t have it that long but it makes me smile and I love to use it on large-scale projects to write my own title or for bigger marks. It has this very wide angled tip which makes it easy to use it for calligraphy like writing in a graffiti style ;) And hey…who can resist a marker that says: “waterproof on almost every material. recap after use and be on the run!” and is manufactured by a company called ON THE RUN.

nSupplies

I hope you liked this post- let me know what you think. Next up is ….mmh surprise ;)

huge hugs

Nat

Comments (9)

  • Graciela Oyarzu

    |

    I love Posca! I don’t know if I could get Molotov in my country (Argentina). The white one. Thank you so much for all the information. Its very useful for me.

    Reply

  • kim t

    |

    I’m always struggling with what to use as I am so new at this, very helpful and informative! Thanks for this post!

    Reply

  • scrappegal

    |

    LOVE this post!!! Have writyten down my favourites! :D

    Reply

  • marjiekemper

    |

    Thanks for this… very helpful to have so many pens reviewed in one place.

    Reply

  • M. Carmen - Cuchy

    |

    Helpful and very interesting. That huge calligraffity ..mmmmmmm

    Reply

  • Louise

    |

    This is cool thank you so very much for sharen this :)

    Reply

  • Deborah Pierro

    |

    Hi Nat–Thanks for all of the very helpful information on the pens and marking items you like. You gave very thorough explanations of how they work, like the great art teacher you are. Writing and marking tools are very important to mixed media artists. I really like the Sharpie markers and use them a lot.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    My Signo white pen is my friend. Julie got me hooked on those years ago!
    Never heard of the Posca or Molotow but will have to give a look for them around here. Of course, Amazon does deliver to NH.

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

    |

    Great info!

    Reply

Leave a comment

My Favorite Mixed Media Essentials: 2. Gesso

Yesterday I talked about Acrylic Paint as my favorite Essential but that is followed very close by Gesso – I looooveee Gesso!

Gesso is like a magic bullet. Seriously. Gesso should be in your craft room….there is no doubt about it! If my Mixed Media Essentials were characters of Harry Potter…Gesso would be Dumbledore …and come one…who doesn’t want Dumbledore in their studio helping with some spells of Love ;)

What I love about Gesso is:

  • It can be applied to many surfaces like canvas, fabric, wood etc. and creates a surface that can be painted on.
  • It gives  tooth. So you can paint also surfaces where usually paint would not grab on- for example Metal.
  • There is thicker Gesso and thinner Gesso. You can find white, black and clear Gesso – there are even other colored Gessos but I would say these are the most used ones. You can always change the color with Acrylic Paint yourself.
  • It is an amazing medium to add texture with tools and household items, embedding supplies or by using it with stencils etc.
  • It is the cure whenever something went totally wrong…just paint over with gesso ….it is the magic bullet ;)
  • White Gesso is the cheapest white paint ;)
  • It is amazing to tone down or change colors of your backgrounds or scrapbooking papers
  • there is a huge amount of techniques including resist techniques with gesso that you can do -ahhh- happy mixed media land :)

Here are some examples:

White gesso for textured background and on flowers used

treated background with stencils, embedded elements and then spray painted

creating texture with Gesso before using paint media

primed a frame with clear gesso and then used here and there translucent and opaque paint media

Black gesso for texture, torn open to reveal background again

Gesso to create handmade textured embellishments

Clear and white gesso used to create this moody textured background

Embedded chipboard elements in gesso

Just pulling those projects together makes me wanna go into my room and play with Gesso again!

Which Gesso I use:

As always in this series- the answer to this question is based on my preferences, my style and my experiences

  • I do use white, clear and black gesso.
  • Lately I use Liquitex Gessos a lot- I love the consistency, coverage as they are highly pigmented and their consistence. I have only seen the clear gesso by Liquitex btw. For the black Gesso I used mostly Golden.
  • I tend to like the thicker gesso more- I don’t like the liquid stuff- makes sense, because I love texture and you can water gesso down…so why waste money on the thin stuff?
  • I used to buy big buckets of Gesso – which makes sense if you use them up in a workshop right away with lot’s of students, but now I buy smaller jars, even with my crazy usage of gesso, I had it dry out after a while and then it was a waste of money.
  • When you start out and you just want to get a feel for Gesso – the Liquitex Basics Gesso is a good start :)

nSupplies

I hope you had fun with this…next up is…Markers and Pens

huge hugs

Nat

——————————————————————————–

If you want to learn more about gesso- check out my Über*Media Gesso Online Workshop

Comments (11)

  • Cassandra

    |

    What fabulous ideas!! I never thought of gesso as being quite a star before. Will have to keep an eye out for the black and clear varieties too!

    Reply

  • jerseytjej

    |

    You can add color to it and use it as a dimensional element, and I wait until it is almost dry, then run it though my bigshot in a embossed folder… :o !

    Reply

  • Vicki Chrisman

    |

    Well.. wasnt that just a GORGEOUS post! WOW!

    Reply

  • Jenny Palmer

    |

    Nat
    fantastic art and so right about gesso
    having so much fun in your gesso class
    this class is awesome

    Reply

  • PyssligaSara

    |

    Thanks for sharing this great article serie! :)

    I love gesso as well! That is so true what you say about covering up a mistake – that is great. I go by the device: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – There is always more gesso!” :)

    Reply

  • Laurie

    |

    I love gesso, too and I loved using it in your class at Bizzy B. Just yesterday I bought the Liquitex Basics gesso….it was before today’s post on the better gesso, LOL. A few days ago I went to buy 2 things: a small fabric remnant, and gesso. $66 later, I came home with the remnant and a ton of stuff I hadn’t planned to buy – and no gesso, which I had forgotten. So yesterday I went back and returned most of the impulse buys, and got the gesso. Now to find the time to use it! I’m going to be busier than I’d like to be for the next couple of days.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I remember that frame with the Simple:beautiful on it…simply beautiful!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

    |

    Just bought my first jar of Gesso and am anxious to use it!

    Reply

  • scrappegal

    |

    Lovely blg post! I took your gesso-classin ûbermedia, and loved it!
    And I just LOVE your inspiration projects!! :) :) :) Thanks for inspiring us sooo much!

    Reply

  • Michelle McCosh

    |

    Gesso is one of my favs too. Love it over or under anything! Great Blog Post!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Before I die I want to….

That would be my sentence if you would ask me to fill out the gaps. I was inspired by Candy Chang’s Before I die… Project.

I watched this TED speech below by Candy Chang in the evening, after a stupid paperwork load day, a day month of emails that let me question my choice of a profession as an artist, a day week that left me so uninspired that I asked myself “Who are you to think, you inspire others?”, a day that lead to an evening watching a tears-guaranteed chick flick movie and a bucket of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream on my lap (yeah hubs, that is what I do when you are gone ;) – all your fault- LOL) . Yep- I have whiny days …lot’s of them lately…and it sucks and leads to more ice cream…as if that helps ;) . So cuddled in bed (with a tummy aching from the ice cream) I watched this:

[ted id=1553]

And when I woke up the next morning I had this “WHATEVER” happy feeling, cranked up the music and created this canvas inspired by Candy Chang, just for me without any goal …. just trying to be the person I already am. It felt good…it still does…

 

Before I die I want to become the person that I AM.

Meaning stop thriving to be a different person, stop being a people pleaser, stop sacrificing my goals and my dreams to fulfill other’s goals and dreams, stop whining (might still eat ice cream….), stop doubting myself, stop to wish I had a different childhood, start telling people into their face that they suck instead of smiling the smile of pleasantries because I want to be a better person, start allowing myself to be edgy as I am instead of only allowing it others and being jealous of that they are so true to themselves, start to be happy with all the amazing things that I am blessed with in my life and accept everything that wasn’t roses as part of what makes me ME. Just become the person that I am!

What would you fill in the gaps of: Before I die I want to….?

 

Nat

Comments (19)

  • Riikka

    |

    You’re such an inspiration! This video and your canvas really touched me as well as your text. <3

    Reply

  • Lisa Flaherty

    |

    What a great message, Nat. Thank you for sharing so much of yourself and for invoking thoughtful contemplation about who I am, what I want, and how to express my true self. Hugs!

    Reply

  • Miranda

    |

    Hi Nathalie, just discovered your blog and was touched by your openness and authentic message. Also I’ve enjoyed looking at this video, that kind of people really make the world more beautiful and add some essential! I think we must embrace ourselves in all facets of our being and I know also that’s sometimes not easy at all….in fact I am struggling every day with life and myself but then when I read these kind of messages I know there are so many people who do, so let me me embrace life, thanks again for your inspiration! greet from the heart, Miranda

    Reply

  • rains

    |

    I love your honesty. I have a very similar sentence – to find authenticity. I too want to be brave enough to say it like it is and to accept that the “bad” is all part of what make it all worthwhile, in the end – i want to stop judging anything as good or bad and just let it all be. I am looking forward to watching the video.

    Reply

  • Toñy Hernandez Ramos

    |

    Decirte Nat que muchas gracias de nuevo, porque tu arte me hace reflexionar dia a dia. Un abrazo

    Reply

  • Dara Lynn

    |

    Oceans away….today I am touched….deeply…as I sit in the quiet craft room. Before I die, I want to make a difference in someone’s life. That profound difference that makes them a better person.

    Reply

  • scrappegal

    |

    Fantastic canvas you made!! So you inspire more than you think! :)

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Nat, it is important to vent and don’t you just love movies and ice cream? OK, ice cream and anything;-)
    I don’t know where you find all these awesome videos, but keep sharing them as they are life changing!
    Candy Chang is such a clear and genuine speaker that I am blessed to have watched this today.
    Before I die I want to come to terms with my shape and size and be healthy.
    Before I die I want to prepare my son to be a happy adult.
    What a great prompt for an art journal or LO.
    Sending you love and {hugs}!
    Sue

    Reply

  • sylvia

    |

    stay as special and edgy as you are – nobody wants another you!! i want to remember to stop whining but still have icecream in buckets – thats a good philosophy!!! hugs to you!!

    Reply

  • mjmarmo

    |

    I also wonder where you find these videos! Wow – what an amazing video! Very inspiring. You are inspiring us too! Love what you created!

    Reply

  • Milagros

    |

    Si ahí días asi pero se han de remontar, cada día es un regalo y hay que aceptarlo tal y como viene pero siempre pensando en positivo, gracias por inspirarme y darme un nuevo punto de vista sobre el arte y los colores. Te dejo este enlace tomate 5 minutos de tu tiempo y admiraras a esa mujer.Alice
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOzWzrpQAE8

    Reply

  • Jenny Palmer

    |

    Nat
    I am really sorry you are having some bad days but i can honestly say that YOU and Julie Fei Fan Balzer have inspired me so much that my deppression is so much better. Your style of teaching is so easy to understand I have done the excersise in the gesso classes twice the one where you glue the face into a book and gesso over them and then make them your own twice and both times i and my hubby have been so proud of them and in Julis class the same insiration.
    Please dont doubt yourself Iam 51 and have dealt with 3 austistic children [only 1 child normal whatever that is ]and a disabled husband and i have been a mum for 31yrs and I am only just beliving in myself now
    Last year we left the Jehovahs Witnesses they are a cult after years of being one I suffered badly at their hands but your insiration and style of teaching and art has litterly saved me helping me see colours again
    I cannot thank you enough
    Even though we dont know each other or ever meet I am truly grateful you have helped me more than you will ever know
    i am sorry if this is to personal

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Thank you so much for your comment and opening up yourself! I am so glad that you found art! I am a big believer that art is a way of therapy. I am sending you a huge hug!!!

      Reply

    • Sue Clarke

      |

      Jenny, how brave of you to share this here. Nat’s questions and videos that she posts often inspire me and art has helped to bring me out of depressions in the past as well. My thoughts are with you as you come back to the world of being alive. Peace,
      Sue

      Reply

      • Jenny Palmer

        |

        Sue Clarke
        Thankyou for your message I was worried about posting as I normaly dont post and it was personel but I just felt that Nat needed to know she is brave and to remember we all are. Our circumstances might be different but the feelings and emotions are the same
        I am glad you feel better your message meant a lot to me

        Reply

        • Sue Clarke

          |

          It has been my experience that sharing our stories makes each of us stronger.
          You are welcome:-)

          Reply

  • Stephanie

    |

    I love so much this new one! And it’s so true!

    Reply

  • france papillon

    |

    You are my inspiration.

    i don’t know how you find these videos, but please, keep sharing.
    bereknuffel!

    ps: love the piece it inspired you!

    Reply

  • Kelly Belton

    |

    Nathalie – as an artist a teacher and a person you inspire people every day – how cool is that? Never be afraid to release your alter ego the “angry German” ’cause that’s part of what makes you awesome!

    Reply

Leave a comment