Nat
Artist Quote of the Week – Will Barnet
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Free For All – Michelle Rydell
Hello from the Creative Squad! Today we have a cool art journal spread from Michelle Rydell that uses my Buenos Aires stencil and this month’s theme: Free for All! It’s time for summer vacation and relaxing so around here the Creative Squad is taking a break from themes this month. They’re just going with the flow and making a project of their choosing. It’s a Free for All!
One of my favorite stencils of Nat’s is the Buenos Aires. I love how the shapes connect in so many different ways – creating different patterns, depending on how you look at it. I’m taking a class that focuses on black and white journaling, so I thought it might be fun to play with the positive and negative shapes…
I started by placing the Stencil down on a spread in my journal that has black paper on one side and white on the other; and tracing all the shapes with a pencil.
Then, I started drawing over the pencil lines with black and white gel pens. Because the gel pens take a minute to dry, I started on the outside shapes and worked inwards, so as to not get my hand in the wet ink.
Here’s how it looked when phase one was done. Do you see where I missed a few shapes?
It was easy to put the stencil back over the drawing and trace in the shapes I missed. Here’s the completed initial phase…
From here, I just started doodling. Whatever I did on the white side of the page, I repeated on the black side. This was so much fun and very meditative. When I felt like the doodling was complete, I added a quote around the border and called it done. Here’s the finished page…
Since it doesn’t require many supplies, or deep thought, this is a great technique to do on the couch, watching your favorite tv program! I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial, and will consider giving the technique a try sometime!
Thanks Michelle! I love how the simple color palette shows off the gorgeous pattern. In addition to white drawing paper, Michelle 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 “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.
Nat
Comments (4)
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Julie Tucker
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Michelle Rydell
thank you so much Julie!
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Melody Willoughby
Michelle, this is such a perfect page for our black and white journals! I love that stencils!!!
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Michelle Rydell
thank you so much Melody! I’m glad that you like it!
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Glowing Empty Page – Art Journal Spread
“I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page and could do anything I wanted”
That is how I feel what happened to me while I was living in Hamburg.
and so I used my Hamburg Stencil and sprayed in black over the colored background. I added some off white in the middle to add my journaling.
I like how the background pops vibrantly up through the stenciled area. I added some white splatters to get an even more vibrant effect.
Here are the supplies I used for this spread – some links are affiliate links:
Wishing you a gorgeous day!
Nat
Comments (1)
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stephanie
What an awesome quote! I love the composition on this page.
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Stroll Through the Hood – July 2017
Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks.
When I had to go to get an MRI after hurting my shoulder playing table tennis (yes…you heard right) – I had to walk underneath the turnpike – ugly ugly- but there was a bit of Norman Kirby Fence Art to make the feel better. The funniest thing – the tongue on the right moved in the wind :)
I love how the color bands come out of the R and the movement in this mural.
This is the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery again – they had an Oddity Market there one weekend and ha- that is a great location for this. I loved seeing the Before I die… Wall there. I thought it was so clever to have it at a cemetery what a fitting place for this public art project. I did a painting a long time ago called “Before I die, I want to become the person that I am ” – but I think it is time to do this again in my art journal and think about it :)
I also found humor in seeing those to guys in sitting in the grass in between the headstones typing on their cellphones ;)
Ok – this one is a bit cheated- as it wasn’t in my walkable hood – but close enough – I went to a U2 concert and our General Admission spot was spot on ;) Well…it pays when you go with friends who are die-hard U2 fans and know the ins and outs of where to stand at the tour- LOL. Love the swirls- the whole concert was a feast for the eyes.
Of course there was 4th July celebration – we had a small party on our deck and saw several fireworks at the same time -here to the left the NYC Macy’s firework on and on the right at the same time the Jersey City firework.
And this one was apparently a “personal” one – in the neighborhood – but I take it-as the next day was my birthday- so basically I get free fireworks for my birthday- not too shabby, right? This reminded me of ink/paint splatters.
And those here are also a bit cheated- but hey- I am the boss of my hood- LOL- and this month Manhattan belonged to it too- I mean…I can basically just spit over the river from my hood. We went to the Freedom Tower with family as part of a family day. What a view. Look at the reflection in the skyscraper – I love that- I want to do something with this in one of my paintings.
And oh man ….amazing. It never ceases to amaze me to look at Manhattan from that perspective – it looks all so unreal and orderly and cool. It made me really itch to continue my big Manhattan painting, I am working on for a while now.
And – just because- Jersey City from the Manhattan side- HA – at Battery Park. I love the juxtaposition between plants and garden and skyscrapers.
And just for fun – I am sure my sister in law at a different idea when she wanted a photo of the girls- but here we are, my niece and I being goofy and my sis in law being her awesome self ;)
Hope you enjoyed this stroll through the hood – until next time!
Nat
Comments (6)
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Jackie P Neal
Great stroll Nathalie!
And happy birthday to you and America! This is your first 4th of July being an actual citizen of the US -right? I hope it was special for you! Congrats!
hugs,Jackie-
nathalie-kalbach
thank you so much jackie!
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Robin S.
I truly enjoy your strolls through the ‘hood. I may have made a comment like this before, but I am a country girl through and through and am amazed by how much beauty there is to be found if a person is willing to look for it with an open mind; you are a constant source of inspiration to me. LOVE that reflection in the skyscraper!! Keep up your creativity, imagination, and free spirit!
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nathalie-kalbach
Awe – thank you so much Robin! Have a wonderful and creative week!
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Sue Clarke
Love the reflection in the side of the building and what a view of the city!
I totally enjoy strolls through your hood especially since they are so different from mine.
I see wildlife and no street art (bummer).
Happy belated birthday and keep that inspiration coming.-
nathalie-kalbach
Thank you sue! Yeah – wildlife is pretty cool too – that is what I am missing here ;)
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Call for NEW Creative Squad Members!
Creative Squad Call!
Are you a Mixed Media Artist, Scrapbooker or Card Maker with a unique style and a passion for creativity?
Do you love to use stamps and stencils in your work and love to try new techniques and media?
Do you love to share your projects on social media and engage with other artists?
If the answer is yes, yes, yes, we are looking to fill some spots on our n*Studio Creative Squad and would love to hear from you! Here is what we need from you:
1. Full name, email address, links to social media sites/blog/website where we can see your work
2. A couple sentence bio or description of your work
3. 4-5 low res images of your work that best represent your style
Email your submission to nat(at)nathaliesstudio.com with “Creative Squad Submission” as the subject.
Enter by August 11, 2017 :)
As a Creative Squad member for Nathalie’s Studio you will serve a 6-month term beginning 10/1/2017. As part of the Creative Squad, you will receive a variety of Nathalie’s Studio products. You will create one project per month, using specified products or groups of products and inspired by a monthly theme. You will be featured once a month on the nStudio blog, Facebook page, and Instagram, and you will be part of an amazing team of artists with a legacy of awesomeness!
Apply today!
Nat
Comments (3)
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Karen Bearse
So tempting! I love your stamps and stencils… would love to be on your team just a bit overwhelmed right now. Hummm what to do…
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Irma
Really? Just 1 entry a month? Is a video or photo tutorial required? – Irma
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nathalie-kalbach
Irma, yes a, photos to go along with your post would be required- doesn’t have to be super long. If you look at the Creative Squad posts so far, you get a good grip for what is asked for :)
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Living with Changes – Art Journal
I truly believe that living in the NYC metropolitan area is a commitment to live with changes! It is energizing and inspiring and sometimes also tiring. But that is what you signed up for – nothing for granted :)
I used this spread to play with the new acrylic paints I made in the Kremer Pigments Hands-On Acrylic class I wrote about yesterday. I really love how they turned out and how vibrant they are. I added some stamping with my Embroidery Stamps and marks with China Markers.
Here is a supply list – – some links are affiliate links:
Wishing you a gorgeous day!
Nat
Comments (4)
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Joi@RR
Ahhh – you are so right – the colors are amazing and of course, I so love your creativity Nat! Xj.
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nathalie-kalbach
Awe thank you so much Joi!
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Jen Crossley
Awesome Nat xx
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nathalie-kalbach
Thank you Jen <3
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Nice to Meet You! with Judi Kauffman
Hello and welcome to another Nice to Meet You! From time to time I learn about some amazing artists out there who are working with my stamps and stencils and are creating some fun and exciting projects. It’s always inspiring to see what others do with my designs. Sometimes they even introduce me to a new way of seeing the pattern or a new technique to try on my own. Today I’d like to introduce to you Judi Kauffman. Judi’s projects are easy to find with a quick online search, but she prefers to stay below the radar and isn’t on any social media at this time. She teaches now and then at The Queen’s Ink in Savage, Maryland, and you can look for her classes in their calendar.
Please introduce yourself to our readers:
I’m a freelance designer and writer, born and raised in Washington, DC, and after moving around the country we’re now living in a close-by suburb. For the last three decades I have worked for manufacturers and publishers within the craft and needlework industry, before that I was a graphic designer and illustrator. I’ve always taught as well, either full- or part-time for almost fifty years, most of it at the college level.
How do you make time to be creative?
Because it’s what I do for pleasure as well as for work, it’s not a matter of making time to be creative. The challenge is making time for laundry and groceries and the rest.
What are some of your favorite n*Studio stamps / stencils?
I hate to play favorites, but the elephants and allover patterns always top the list.
How do you love to use them?
I like to get out the paints and make collage cards, but they’re fun for embroidery as well.
What is your favorite medium to work in?
I always joke that I like to do everything but tatting. It’s hard to choose. I love yarns and fibers and every aspect of paper crafting. Acrylic paints, iridescent watercolors (Twinkling H2Os are always at hand), markers, air dry clay, inks…Whatever I’m using on any given day is my favorite medium.
What inspires you to be creative?
EVERYTHING! Treads on a tire or the sole of a shoe, a stack of salad bowls, shadows cast by a chair, mesh bags from Costco, vintage hankies, Wilson Pickett and Bruce Springsteen, blank sheets of paper, a handful of markers or colored pencils…
Do you have a favorite artist?
That’s even harder than choosing favorite stamps and stencils! If you insist: Will Barnet.
How did you get into art-making?
My parents were both artists. It’s in my genes and always part of my life. My first memories are of being in a stroller at the Corcoran Gallery of Art (where my mother had been a student and where I later taught!). No one ever handed me a ball and said, ‘Go outside and play.’ They covered the walls in my room with big sheets of paper and handed me crayons. I stayed indoors at recess to decorate my teachers’ bulletin boards (anything to avoid going outside to play).
In three words, how does art-making make you feel?
Happy. Fulfilled. Energized.
Thank you Judi for sharing your art and story with us! Stay tuned for more Nice to Meet You! posts to learn about other artists!
Nat
Comments (4)
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Susan
I’ve known Judi for almost 25 years and she’s always been a great inspiration. She’s ahead of her time with mixed media and collage experience. Happy we’re friends?
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Paula Lewis
Love this interview. And the art interspersed. Great answers to great questions.
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nathalie-kalbach
Judi, I love this photo of you so so much ! Thank you for the interview and your beautiful work !!! Loves, nat
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Sue Clarke
What a most delightful interview!
The photo says it all…fun fun fun and with style.
Nice to meet you Judi Kauffman.
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Artist Quote of the Week – Georges Braque
Nat
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Free For All – Marsha Valk
Hello from the Creative Squad! Today we have a cool mixed media piece from Marsha Valk that smartly uses up some of those extra stenciled and stamped papers we all have in our stash. She combined my Buenos Aires Tile and Santa Fe ArtFoamies with a bunch of my rubber stamps and this month’s theme: Free for All! It’s time for summer vacation and relaxing so around here the Creative Squad is taking a break from themes this month. They’re just going with the flow and making a project of their choosing. It’s a Free for All!
I have piles and piles of prints sitting under the desk in my workspace, waiting for a fun project to use them on. So for this month’s theme, I dug out a couple of prints I made previously using Nathalie’s Buenos Aires and Santa Fe ArtFoamies! I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with them, but whilst sorting through the pile of prints, I came across an illustration I did a couple of years ago. I decided to use it for my project.
I scanned the illustration, loaded the image into the Silhouette Studio software on my laptop and traced the image and made it into a cut file.
Then I mounted one of the stamped sheets of paper onto a Silhouette cutting mat, fed it into the machine and let the machine cut out all the little houses. I let the Silhouette cut the same houses from three different sheets of stamped paper. I added more stamped images from the Stroll Through the Hood 1 & 2 sets, the Embroidery set, and the Cardboard set with black ink to two of the sheets before cutting.
With all houses cut three times, I started arranging the little village onto a blank piece of paper, mixing parts from all of the different background papers.
Once I was happy with the arrangement I glued everything down.
I wanted to add black outlines to the cut-outs, but because some of them are super tiny, I was afraid my pen would slip. I didn’t want to mess up the original, so I scanned the collage and doodled on top of a print instead.
Thank you Marsha for such a unique project! In addition to a scanner, Marsha used the following supplies in her project (some are affiliate links):
Play along with us and share 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 “n*Spiration From Around the Globe“.
Nat
Comments (3)
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nathalie-kalbach
this is stunning Marsha- I love the idea and such a great design!!
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Jean Goza
Great project! Love the colors and energy of the piece.
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marshavalk
Thank you Jean!
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These pages are FABULOUS! I love them!!!!!!!!!!
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