I have a song or… In My Art Journal Today

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“A Bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song” Maya Angelou

Such a beautiful quote! I used my Bird Stamp Set and my initial bird that was the start of my stamp design.

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I created a background using the masks and stencils in the Bird set, and then used the patterned foam stamp and painted inside with brush.

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I played with overpainting areas and revealing them again as well as shadows.

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I really love the outcome .

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It was a good song :)

Here are some of the supplies I used for this art journal spread – some are affiliate links:

SuppliesCJS


Hope you have a gorgeous day!

Comments (2)

  • Joi@RR

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    Yes – I agree with Janet! Thank you Nat for singing your song to us today through your bright and happy pages. You have started my day off with a smile. Xj.

    Reply

  • Janet

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    Love this! Thanks for singing a song this morning!

    Reply

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Say Yes to New Adventures – Michelle Rydell

CS August Say Yes

It’s Tuesday and time for my Creative Squad to share a project with you with this month’s theme: “Say Yes to New Adventures”. Throughout the month of August, the team has been using any of my n*Studio Stamps and Stencils they would like to use to interpret the theme. Here in the northern hemisphere, summer is coming to a close and it’s about time to seize the days and go on a little adventure before hibernation! With this in mind, the team has created something that celebrates the spirit of adventure.

This week we bring you Michelle Rydell and an art journal page all about her adventures with love!

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Michelle August Headshot

As soon as I heard that the theme for this month was “Say Yes to New Adventures,” I knew I wanted to do a colorful, many-layered page, to represent the many adventures I’ve had with my hubby Michael! I also thought it would be a great opportunity to make the creation of the page an adventure in itself, by letting it develop organically, instead of having a set plan before beginning…

Here’s how it went…  I opened to a page in my journal that already had the background painted, and a few random collage elements pasted on. I set up my table with a bunch of Dylusions acrylic paints, and foam tools, and got to work…

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The first stencil I used was the one from the Fashion Dame set, which I applied randomly around the page with turquoise paint…

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And then added some white doodling with a paint pen.

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Next I used the Batik Stencil, with Pomegranate paint for contrast. I applied random bits of it in the “empty” spaces…

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I kept up the same process, adding the stencils from the following foam stamp sets: Bird (in pink), Elephant (in yellow) and then Urban Scribble (in orange), adding doodling here and there along the way…

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At this point, I printed out a 5 x 7” photo from our wedding, and gently set it where I thought I wanted it to go, outlining with a Stabilo all pencil.

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I removed the photo (so as to not get it dirty) and activated the water-soluble pencil with matte medium to make a nice black frame for contrast. After that I realized the page was needing some drippage! Over to the spray station it went, and high flow paint was added along the top edge, spraying with water to increase the dripping effect.

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Looking at the page without the photo gave me an idea – that frame would be a perfect place to put the quote I had in mind! Busting out the stabilo pencil again, I created the journaling lines, and then used a paint pen to create the background and lettering. I stepped back and took a look… I felt like it was complete! No photo needed! Here’s how the final page turned out…

Rydell Adventure 9

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Michelle’s art journal page was an adventure in creation and I love the outcome with all those layers and that quote.

She used the supplies listed below (some are affiliate links):

SuppliesCJS


Maybe you will even play along with us -I would 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“.

See you next Tuesday for another project from the Creative Squad with a brand new theme for September!

Comments (4)

  • Marit

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    That photo is so cute but I too love the page with the quote… just ‘knowing’ that it represents that particular photo makes it complete. Great page Michelle!

    Reply

  • Joi @RR

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    Well, Michelle – I just have to say that I adored your page before you added the drippings. However… I like the end result because it is unique and it makes you happy too! Love how you added the sentiment. FUN and FUNKY!!! j.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Lovely page Michelle.
    Thanks for sharing your techniques.

    Reply

  • Julie Tucker

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    This is gorgeous! LOVING the colors and that quote!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply

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Creative Ice Breaker – Morning Art Journal Play Video #5

In the mornings I play in my art journal to get myself into the creative groove and break the ice – so to speak- and get ready to paint. I recorded and fast forwarded my morning ritual for this video – and hope you enjoy it. Take it as what it is – a morning art journal play- not a tutorial.

Creative Ice Breaker V Aug 27, 2016 from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

Here are the supplies I have used in my Creative Ice Breaker video above – some links are affiliate links.

SuppliesCJS


I hope you enjoyed the little glimpse into my morning warm up play! Have a wonderful and creative day!

Comments (4)

  • kimnstudio

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    Oooo that hand carved stamp is really cool! I want to learn how to make one of those!

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Just adored watching this Nat. So free and fun – just creating to create. And it turned out just SUPER too. Love how you used your gals in such a diffferent way. Thanks bunches for such amazing inspiration. XXXj.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Thank you for sharing this Nat, I tend to think too much about what I’m doing and my “art” suffers for it. I am so controlled at times that I really need to “let go” more. Watching videos like this one are a good reminder for me. Have a terrific week!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Hi Sue, glad to hear the video is a little nudge to let go :) don’t overthink the not overthinking either – just have fun!!!! Wishing you a terrific weekend as well!!!

      Reply

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Halfway There or… In My Art Journal Today

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“Believe you can and you’re halfway there”

I do believe ;) big time …so bring it on- LOL

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This is actually a page I made teaching my art journaling class at Pratt- it was so much fun. Lot’s of stamping, scraping paints and stenciling.

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Here are some of the materials I used – some of the links are affiliate links.

SuppliesCJS


Hope you are halfway there too :) Have a wonderful day

Comments (2)

  • Joi @RR

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    Wow – just SUPER creativity Nat. What a glorious background! Love the sentiment – need to do a bit of that believing myself!!! Have a happy weekend. Xj.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      thank you so much Joi! Hope you have a happy weekend as well :) nat

      Reply

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Inspiration from Around the Globe… August!

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This Tuesday we’re taking a short break from our Creative Squad (they will be back next week with one last “Say Yes to New Adventures” project) to bring you some amazing projects from around the globe. As you know, my stamps and stencil designs are available for purchase online and maybe even in your local craft store, so crafters and mixed media artists and art journalers from around the world are using them. I am always excited to see how YOU use my products in your own projects. I am even more excited to share some of the beautiful and creative examples of these projects with you today. Enjoy this inspiration from around the globe!

Global Kathy Adams South Carolina

First we have a whole flock of feathered friends (yes, that’s my Bird Foam Stamp set in action) from Kathy Adams in South Carolina. Her four mini canvases are inspired by the four seasons and are super fun!

Global Andrea Braun Germany

From Andrea Braun in Germany we have a beautifully textured art journal page using my Urban Scribble Foam Stamp set.  I love how she incorporates the alphabet in low relief in this one.

Vicky Papaioannou from Greece brings us this happy and colorful art journal page featuring my Elephant Foam Stamp set.  Watch how she creates this vibrant spread and how she masters the use of my stamp set too!
Global Tina Walker Pennsylvania

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From Pennsylvania, our newest Creative Squad member Tina Walker demonstrates 2 really cool ways to use my Fashion Dame stamp set. First she casts adorable little resin jackets to use on some really sweet tags and then she puts together a fresh looking art journal page.

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Here are a couple of envelopes by Judi Kauffman in Maryland using my Bird Foam Stamp set.  I just love how she used all the pieces in the set, including the stencil, to create these charming envelopes. Wouldn’t you love to find one of these in your mailbox?

Global Riikka Kovasin Finland

Finally is this nifty printed canvas pencil case from one of my former students, Riikka Kovasin from Finland.  She layered a bunch of designs including my Marks stamp set on this little case and the results are awesome.

Join us again next Tuesday for another great project from one of our Creative Squad members!  And in the meantime, share with me what you’ve been working on with my stamps and stencils.  I would love to feature your project in an upcoming post!

Try some of the above techniques for yourself with these n*Studio supplies:


Comments (2)

  • Joi @RR

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    What fun to see your FAB stamps and stencils in so many creations from around the world. Smiling big! Xj.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love love love the canvas pencil case!!!

    Reply

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Photoshoot at F+W in Cincinnati, Ohio

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This June I went to Cincinnati for the photo shoot for my book. It was such a fun week and I loved learning yet another step on how an art & craft book gets put together.

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Christine is the awesome photographer for F+W and here she is taking photos of some of my artwork for the book. What takes me ages to do took her about 2 seconds per painting.

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The interesting part was how the step-outs for the book are being photographed. There was an insane amount of pre work involved. Basically each step needs to be prepared so it can be photographed without stopping and waiting for paint to dry or layers to be applied. So I had to replicate certain projects about 10 times, just so I could show the different stages of a technique. Which …admittedly while preparing wasn’t my favorite part- but it made the photo shoot a breeze!

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We also did some video shooting for the promo video of the book …yeah baby – hair frizz is my name on a hot and humid day – LOL.

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We filmed some footage on a train track – yes for a different reason when just getting rid of me *Wink

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Aaron below was looking out for me and that there is no train coming …well in this pic he is being shooshed away by me so I can take a picture, but for the rest of the shoot he was either protective or attaching clothes pins secretly onto us.

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Justin filming me doing “weird” stuff

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And Christine taking pictures of Justin filming me doing “weird” stuff

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Oh – and Aaron on hour 3 walking around with the clothes pin that I attached onto him unnoticed. Take that – LOL- I can play the game too ;)

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And for the rest of the week I was Ellie …because …you know certain coffee places like to give you new names – hehehe

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It was a lot of fun and I am so grateful that I get to work with such an awesome team on something that is so dear to my heart. The book is going soon to copy editing, so I have a bit of a breather time before I get it back. Oh man this is really not for the impatient one- hehehehe.

Have a wonderful day my friends .. yours truly

ellie

Comments (10)

  • Maura

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    Ellie….. cuz you are, of course, Nat-ellie! lol…. I feel your pain… uh I mean joy! XOXOX

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Sooooooooooooo excited for you Nat. This was so fun to see! XXj.

    Reply

  • JoAnn Campisi

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    It is so fascinating to go behind the scenes….thank you for sharing. It will be fabulous because you are!

    Reply

  • Lea Fritts

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    Looks like you had a blast, even with all the hard work! Love your fun style, as always. You always brighten my day! Hugs!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe -thank you lea- for brighten my day with your sweet comment!!! hugs

      Reply

  • Rae

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    What a fun post to read. I loved seeing the behind the scenes shots and the train track looked like a super fun photo shoot. You are so adorable. AND you are wearing my favorite sneakers! I live in mine and they look like it haha! Love ya!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      heheeh- Rae- mine are newer ones- the old sneakers fell apart after many years. Sometimes I look at them and think “boy …you like really new” LOL. have a wonderful weekend my friend!

      Reply

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Scenes from the n*Studio & New Class at The Ink Pad, NYC

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A little peek into my studio this month:

top row: Close up of Texture for a project for my book, Filming Rule of 3, Favorite color combination at the moment in my art journal

middle row: Playing with new things to come *wink, Underpainting done for a new piece

bottom row: Remains of a Day- Palette pull-off, RIP my trusted Video Camera


I am super excited to teach

October 8-9, 2016 in NYC at The Ink Pad  in NYC, NY

ArtRulesWorkshopNat

Let’s explore several master artists and get inspired by their artwork and techniques to create wonderful and unique art journal pages. Whether it be the Impressionist’s amazing color combinations or some of the Surrealist’s fun collage techniques, there are many different Master Artists whose skills can serve as a starting point for your own artwork. Find out what you like and what works for you. Learn about opacity and layering, colors, troubleshooting, mixing materials, making your own tools, creating backgrounds and patterns. We will work with acrylic paints, inks, markers, wax bars and other paint media to create dimension and texture. We will make the most of stencils, stamps, mono printing plates and generic tools to make our own mark. Get ready to Rule Your Art Journal!

Registration open now


Hope you enjoyed the peek – wishing you an amazing day!

Comments (2)

  • sherri scott

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    I was the first person to sign for your class at the Ink Pad!

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Say Yes to New Adventures – Marsha Valk

CS August Say Yes

It’s Tuesday and time for my Creative Squad to share a project with you with this month’s theme: “Say Yes to New Adventures”. Throughout the month of August, the team will use any of my n*Studio Stamps and Stencils they would like to use to interpret the theme. Here in the northern hemisphere, summer is coming to a close and it’s about time to seize the days and go on a little adventure before hibernation! With this in mind, the team will create something that celebrates the spirit of adventure.

This week we bring you Marsha Valk and her adventure with a new tool and the gorgeous accordion book that resulted from her journey!

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Marsha August Headshot

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I go on new adventures all the time. I’m on new adventures as we speak. But the problem with new adventures is that it’s not always easy to talk about them. Because they’re new… and I’m only just getting used to the idea… and I don’t yet know how I feel and what I think about it.

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So for this month’s theme I took a simpler approach: I wanted to use something from my stash that I hadn’t used before. I decided to go with the round mini gel printing plate. And I just started printing on a A4 sized sheets of paper: adding paint to the little plate, making marks with my n*Studio Cling Stamps and using some stencils too. The outcome was sometimes unpredictable and messier than I had hoped, but that’s what happens when you go on an adventure!

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Once I had a couple of prints, I thought about what I wanted to do with them. I didn’t know. So I thought about how sometimes things get better when you cut them up and I started to cut each print in half.

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Then I thought: these prints would make nice simple cards. But once I had folded them into cards I thought: or maybe this could be a mini book or mini art journal. So I decided to fold the cards up like accordions and I glued each far left panel behind the far right panel of the previous accordion card.

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I haven’t decided if I want to keep it like this or to glue the backs together to make an actual little book. I figure that it will be easier to work on it in this state, so I decided to just embellish the front a bit more and leave the rest blank (and unglued) for now. It’s small and light, so it’s ideal to just doodle in whilst watching TV or to take with me when I have to go on a long train ride. I’m ready to take it on another new adventure!

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Marsha’s accordion book is stunning.  I love the super fresh color palette she chose and her bold move to cut the prints in half and reimagine the whole thing.  And of course, look at all those stamps!

Marsha used the supplies listed below (some are affiliate links) as well as Toga Alphabet Stickers:

SuppliesCJS

Maybe you will even play along with us -I would 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“.

See you next Tuesday for another project from the Creative Squad!

Comments (2)

  • Joi@RR

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    Your new adventure is sooooo FUN Marsha. Love all the white space, all the wonderful stamps/stencils and the colors. What a great idea to put them together in such a fun way. I hope you will share your doodles when you get them finished. j.

    Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – August 2016

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

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.

 

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I cannot get enough of all the beautiful and different views Jersey City offers from the water front!

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Our neighbor hood bakery not only makes really yummy bread, they also love to use stencils on the bread- and this one: LOVE!!!!

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Look at this stink eye …he is not interested in any strolls through the hood …he rather spends his whole day exactly on that chair sleeping!

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I love the iron work we have downtown in some areas around trees.

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I have walked past this alley way a million times and never noticed it- and when I went through I found this mural.

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The biggest Sunflowers I have ever bought at a farmers market – I had to carry them over my shoulder like a log and my arms were aching- but for 8Bucks they are like having the sun four times in your living room – plus, sunflowers are my favorite flowers .

Hope you liked the little stroll through the hood- until the next time . Have a gorgeous day

Comments (4)

  • Rae

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    I love “visiting” your neighborhood through your strolls. So fun and happy! I would have loved to see you hauling those flowers around! hahahahah! xx Rae

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL- thanks for your visit- and yes the hauling was quite a sight ;)

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    LOVE the stenciled bread! Almost too pretty to eat. I would manage though.
    Sunflowers are one of my favs as well. Those are huge!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL- I inhaled the bread…the last one had Olympic rings :)

      Reply

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