Nat
Artist Quote of the Week – Jay Defeo
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Cheiron Brandon
Hello from the Creative Squad! Today we have a spooky card from Cheiron Brandon to get you thinking about Halloween :) She uses my Buenos Aires stencil to help her pull together this month’s theme: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Let’s do Mother Earth a favor this month and use what we already have. Maybe we’ll dip into our stash of leftovers from other creative projects or maybe we’ll repurpose something unexpected. This month we’re thinking about how artmaking can impact the environment and we’re trying to make our footprint just a little bit smaller.
Hi there, it’s Cheiron here with my September post. This month we are using the theme Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and I thought it would be fun to challenge myself just to use all the leftover paper bits that were on my desk. The easiest way for me to do this was to make a card.
I took a scrap of book paper and applied some Tangerine paint through the Buenos Aries stencil. I used some black slick paint to fill in the dots. I thought this color combo would be perfect for Halloween, as I have a ton of Halloween bits and pieces on my table right now.
Once the paper was dry, I collaged it to a blank note card. I love using painted and stenciled papers as backgrounds on my cards. I had some parts of paper dolls that I had cut out, so I used this fun witch and added a simple sentiment. I love the handmade, whimsical look of cards like this and its so easy to incorporate all those scraps that we tend to save!
Hope you enjoyed this fun and simple way to recycle your scraps into new creations :)
Thank you Cheiron for showing us a great way to incorporate some leftovers into seasonal cards! In addition to some leftover papers, Cheiron used the following supplies (some are affiliate links):
Play along with us too: I love to see how you interpret our monthly themes. Email me how you used my stencils and stamps with the theme and email me an image – I would love to share your projects in my next “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.
Nat
Comments (2)
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Karen Bearse
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Stephanie
So cool!
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La Boca – Painting
This painting which is also part of my book Artful Adventures in Mixed Media was inspired by the neighborhood of La Boca in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The instant I saw all those colorful houses, I knew I had to paint them some day.
This painting is 9″x12″ and I used acrylic paint, acrylic ink, marker, charcoal, and collage elements on canvas.
I loved Argentina, it was such an inspiring trip – I would love to go back some day and discover a bit more of this huge country.
Wishing you a wonderful and colorful day!
Nat
Comments (4)
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Karen Bearse
Ok so I really love this piece! Love how bright the colors look creatin contrast and movement. Love the charcoal. Especially love the bench! I dont know why but it is perfect!! Great job!!!
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nathalie-kalbach
Thank you so much Karen!
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Denise Spillane
Oh Natalie I live this. Your work is so wonderful. Love your style
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nathalie-kalbach
Awe- thank you so much Denise!
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Workshops in Oregon in December
I will be coming to Salem, Oregon on December 2nd and 3rd to teach 3 workshops at Runaway Art and Craft Studio!
You can sign up for these workshops by calling (503)881-6270 or by e-mail at Christy@Runawayart.com. Hope to see you on the West Coast in December :)
Saturday, December 2nd: 9 am – 12:30 pm
Let’s create a beautiful little wall hanging for your home, office, or beyond! We will begin by creating a colorful, patterned background. Then we’ll take it further by adding scenery using stamps, graphite, paints and other supplies. Finally we will add detail and highlights to pull the landscape together. We will be working on Ampersand Clayboard which offers a special and exciting surface to create your Mixed Media work on.
Saturday, December 2nd: 2pm – 5:30 pm
All Aboard the Master Art Express! Imagine you could take a trip through Europe and at each stop one of the many masters of European art would materialize and invite you to explore their art to implement into your art journal. Let’s take this imaginary trip together and explore different European artists at each station, taking their artwork as an inspiration for mixed media techniques and colors. We will discuss why some things work and why some things don’t work and will solve the little “problems” that sometimes occur while creating art. Work with acrylic paints, acrylic inks, different tools and materials and gain a deeper knowledge about the versatility and possibilities of your art materials. Let the travel itself be part of the journey and take the elements of art in to push your own art journaling style just a notch further.
Sunday, December 3rd: 10am – 5:30 pm
It starts the moment you sit down, an experience that is distinctly art journaling. A quick exhilaration, a sense of control, the art media’s surprising responsiveness as if they were simply an extension of you. There is a word for this creative experience: Artvergnugen! Artvergnugen is what makes your journal a piece of art. Join me and play with different art media and supplies; discover fun layering techniques with stamps, stencils and acrylic paints. Let’s talk about colors, composition, love-it or list-it to truly reveal your own style, and learn techniques, tips and tricks to take your art journaling further and turn it into Artvergnugen.
You can sign up for these workshops by calling (503)881-6270 or by e-mail at Christy@Runawayart.com
Nat
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Artist Quote of the Week – Tracey Emin
Nat
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Tina Walker
Hello my friends! It’s Tuesday and time for a project from my Creative Squad. Today we have a beautiful and clever book created by Tina Walker who reused two old projects and gave them a new life :) Tina used my Batik Pattern 3 foam stamp, my Amsterdam 6×6 and Lily Wallpaper stencils, and my Marks stamp set to help her with this month’s theme: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Let’s do Mother Earth a favor this month and use what we already have. Maybe we’ll dip into our stash of leftovers from other creative projects or maybe we’ll repurpose something unexpected. This month we’re thinking about how artmaking can impact the environment and we’re trying to make our footprint just a little bit smaller.
Hi! Tina Walker here today with a new month and a new theme and…… my last Creative Squad post. :( I have SO enjoyed my time as part of Nat’s Creative Squad family and will truly miss this part of MY monthly creative process. But don’t despair, I will still be around and will see y’all in cyber-land. Thank you again Nat! And thank you to this wonderfully creative community.
September’s theme is Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These three (little) words have such a strong, powerful meaning in today’s world and have a very special meaning for me. I am hosting a year long project called, The Sustainable Souls Project, where a group of like-minded artists are creating awareness about sustainability topics and how we impact the world and the environment. Our very own Nat was a Guest Artist for two months and we thoroughly enjoyed her vision. For today’s project, I expanded the idea of repurposing, to include my art. I will show how I recycled two past, uninspiring projects into one new project that I am happy to share.
Several months ago, I created these two projects, ironically as part of a Creative Squad post. I never shared them and created something else, so how perfect to repurpose them into something new for this month’s theme?
Here’s a peek at my two (previously) created projects.
Using part of both projects, I created a larger mini journal, that can be functionally used or displayed. Let’s take a look.
I deconstructed the book and home décor hanging, removing the embellishments, ribbons, and papers. Using the papers as the base for my new book, I repeated the same Batik Pattern 3 foam stamp for a cohesive look.
Next, I repeated the same Lily Wallpaper stencil for more cohesiveness and added stamps from Nat’s Marks stamp set.
Using one of the paper pages, I created a binding for the entire journal and added it to the inside of the previous mini book covers.
Since the previous mini book was narrow, I wanted my new cover to extend the width of the folded-out pages. I machine-stitched the home décor hanging piece to the new cover. I used the Amsterdam stencil here for the background. I also added a piece of string, a button, and the metal hanging embellishment from the previous projects to my new cover. It went from drab to fab in a quick minute.
Just a few last details and my new book is ready for assembling. Here’s a peek at several of the inside pages.
I am so happy with the ‘new’ result and I am glad for the challenge.
Do you re-purpose old, unwanted projects? Yes? We would love to see them.
I hope you enjoyed my project today. Have a great day!
Thank you Tina for your (re)creation! :) In addition to vintage papers, jewelry findings, buttons, and twine, Tina used the following supplies (some are affiliate links):
Play along with us too: I love to see how you interpret our monthly themes. Email me how you used my stencils and stamps with the theme and email me an image – I would love to share your projects in my next “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.
Nat
Comments (4)
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nathalie-kalbach
This is amazing Tina!
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Karen Bearse
Love how you combined 2 projects to make this hip, funky original arr journal. Very inspiring!
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Michelle Rydell
This is so cool Tina! I love it!
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Sue Clarke
Clever, pretty, green and gorgeous Tina!
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I just want … – Art Journal Spread
I just want to drink coffee, create stuff and sleep – oh yes ;) I loved creating this spread.
I started off with a simple blue background painted with acrylic paint and then added some orange and stamped and stenciled with my Chicago Foam Stamps and Stencil. Then I painted the girl (yes stop your horses, I painted a face- LOL) …and added some of my brand new Caran D’Ache NeoPastel Oil Pastels- OMG – I am in love – the colors are so amazing and they are like buttttahhh!
I seriously had to tell myself to stop adding more and more. I added some marks and scribbles with a white China Marker – I love that General China Markers are made right here in Jersey City.
Here are some of the supplies I used:
Nat
Comments (4)
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Karen Bearse
The colors are really interesting and vibrant. Great job on the face and love the quote cause me too!
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nathalie-kalbach
Thank you so much Karen! Right? Who doesn’t want to drink coffee, sleep and create all day ;)
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Sue Clarke
Love the face and the colors you used!
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nathalie-kalbach
Thank you so much Sue! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
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Wanderlust 2018! Join the Online Workshop
I am excited to announce that I will be teaching again with Wanderlust!
What is Wanderlust?
Wanderlust is a whole year long journey – an online event offering you videos from 24 guest teachers and 2 resident teachers on a weekly basis (each one is full length, high quality and downloadable), access to the Wanderlust Community with a supportive and friendly atmosphere, where all of the classes are gathered. You will also find there various activities that will stimulate your creativity and motivate you to simply enjoy the process of making art. Together with the class you will also get an exclusive whole year discount to leading art and craft retailers. The Wanderlust class is the perfect alternative to in-person classes!
Buy Wanderlust 2018 before December 31st, 2017 and save 20%! Early Bird Price – £79! (regular price £99). And yes, it’s available no matter what your currency is :)
Nat
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A Tourist in NYC
Two weeks ago when I came back from Germany, I brought my 17 year old godson with me and he stayed here for 8 days for his first trip to the States.
I basically did drop all work and decided to show him as much as he wanted and as we could possible do in this short time and it was fun for me to be a tourist in NYC for a change again.
We arrived midday and to beat the jet lag, after feeding him a real American Hamburger, we went for a short stint into the city taking the Path -which only takes 10 minutes to the WTC station. 17 years ago I called from the station from a pay phone while in the States to learn that my godson was born. We visited the 9/11 Memorial and then took the ferry back from Manhattan to Jersey City.
The next day we went to the Whitney Museum
My godson really loved the architecture of the building.
From there we walked a little bit on the High Line – such a cool place and such different view of the city.
Then we visited The Ink Pad since my godson wanted to get some watercolor paints and fine liners he had tried out in the morning in my studio. He is a really good sketcher- proud auntie here. Funny enough we bumped into Seth Apter, who had just also come from the Whitney and The High Line (you see- this is the way to go ;) ) .
And then we had a nice lunch at my favorite NY-Style pizza places – Village Pizza – and yes- he did it right – no fork and knife :)
On the way to the Washington Square Park we stopped at a party supply store…because seriously guys…nothing screams AMERICA more than a place like that ;) We took some pictures in case he would decide to become a famous rockstar …you never know when you need an album cover ;)
We then spent some time in the park watching street performers and people. It was HOT
A little bit more walking on Broadway to see the Flatiron Building
And the Empire State Building.
And of course we couldn’t pass this photo option …oh – I love this so much !!!
And then we waited for my husband at Union Square and watched more people …if you are offended by the sign …sorry not sorry !
We took the subway to go to the Mets Stadium in Queens to watch a Mets vs. Yankees Baseball game. Pretty cool – you see the subway in the background, planes are flying over your head and you are just have a good time. Well – the boys did – they both played baseball when they were younger …I …to be honest…well…let’s put it that way…it is a biiiiiiittttt lonnnnnnnnggggg – but ok , my feet were pretty happy to sit for hours and hours- LOL
The third day was a bit tough as it was raining quite bad and it was really humid. We went to the Guggenheim Museum (more later)
and walked from there all the way though the Central Park – my godson loves walking as much as I do and hey- if you want to see NYC – that is the way to GO
typical street sighs …
Oh well and then …I had to do the REAL touristy thing …the thing I HATE …and which probably most New Yorkers hate …walk through Times Square but ok…you see, I really really love my godson, so I suffered through it since he wanted to see it ;)
We went to the movies for the evening- which was also.
On Saturday after the boys did a kayak tour on the Hudson River …yes …you gotta check it out – my husband does it all the time -it is organized by the Park Rangers at Liberty State Park and if you want to do something really cool that most tourists in NYC don’t even know about – there you go ;)
We then took the ferry to go to Ellis Island – which is especially interesting since my godson and I are from Hamburg, where most immigrants embarked from to go to America.
We went to see Lady Liberty
and after a nice dinner we fell to bed. Sunday we went to the Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson and visited friends in the burbs …something different
Monday we had a really late start and we went to the East Village. We spent a lot of time at Strand Book Store – a heaven for book lovers like my godson and me. We also had the most delicious dessert at Eggloo – I am sorry I have no photo – but boy oh boy…yummmmmieee. Watched the partial eclipse, had a drink at Russ & Daughters and did some shopping …you know things teenager want ..sneakers, hoodies…and more ;)
The last day we went to Bryant Park
and the New York Public Library
and stopped at Barnes and Noble on 5th Avenue to discover my book Artful Adventures in Mixed Media in the shelf- which made me slight geek out – LOL
And we visited MoMA to see Rauschenberg and the Frank Loyd Wright exhibition as well as the permanent collection. My godson told me he loved MoMA most for the art, the Whitney for outside terraces and gallery representation and Guggenheim for its cool inside architecture – a mixture of all three museums would be his “perfect” museum :)
We topped the day off with the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center .
It was so much fun to have him. I think my favorite part of his visit was seeing him taking the city in for the first time – the wonder and the excitement – untamed and raw – it was so cool . It was an energizing visit- …well – my feet still think differently- LOL. Spending so much time with my favorite teenager was pretty pretty cool ;) Hey and L. if you read this …thanks for the good times – love ya! P.S.- hey- those photos of you were approved by you- no whining ;)
Nat
Comments (16)
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Karen Bearse
Really enjoyed reading this!! Makes me want to tourist in NY for sure!! Funny thing I was watching Seth’s Insta Live when he went into the Ink Pad & bumped into you. You sure packed a lot in a few days.
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nathalie-kalbach
That is so funny karen that you watched Seth’s live Insta while we bumped into each other :)
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stephanie
What a great gift to share NYC with him. It looks like you both had a great time!
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nathalie-kalbach
It was so much fun! Thanks Stephanie for visiting with us :)
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Seth
So much fun running into you both!!
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nathalie-kalbach
It was hilarious- Let’s see when I see you again ;)
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Sue Clarke
I love the Flatiron Building. The shot of your godson with wings and the album cover are very cool!
Great pic of Lady Liberty as well. Looks like you had a blast and I bet the memories from this trip will be discussed for a lifetime.
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nathalie-kalbach
Thanks for joining us Sue!
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Crystal
Will you be my Godmother? I’m available. :-)
You showed your godson an amazing time and I am happy for you both–the Flatiron and Ellis Island just do it for me! I still need to visit the New York Public Library, but I have seen photos and heard stories that, as an ex-library operative, left me longing to see it in person. My sister and I used to do New York together and I miss it…
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nathalie-kalbach
LOL- sure why not Crystal ;) Put the New York Public Library on you next visit- it is so beautiful and actually my husband who is a former librarian showed it to me when I was in NYC the very first time- so I guess it is a must visit for any librarian ;)
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Michelle Hernandez
This really makes me miss New York. I love those wings! I’m TOTALLY gonna pose in front of those when I visit comes Christmas time! And look how beautiful the High Line looks-waaaah. :) The only more American thing to do while in a party store in front of the picnic paper plates is eat a hotdog while posing in your American flag jacket.
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nathalie-kalbach
Awe! I forgot to have him eat hot dogs- nooo -I just realized- oh well…next time ;)
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Donna B.
Wow Nathalie! Looks like both of you had a wonderful time!!! Loved seeing the pics and hearing about everything you did!
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nathalie-kalbach
Thanks Donna for joining us on the stroll through the city :)
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Janis Loehr
Yikes! I’m exhausted just reading this!!! Godson is lucky to have a great personal tour by someone who clearly loves NYC. On his next visit he’ll have to experience a different view of America. Very happy for you!
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nathalie-kalbach
LOL- yeah- I am curious myself where a trip to America in the future will lead him :)
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Spooky!! Love the art journal look.
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