Blog

Little Wonder – Jennifer Gallagher

Hello there from the Creative Squad! Here we have Jennifer Gallagher with us sharing a great project that combines two things that are fun to make and delightfully small: artist trading cards and bookmarks! She is using my Broadway and Toledo stencils and my Fantastic Small, Small Circle Jumble, and Fanfare rubber stamps and this month’s theme: Little Wonder – We’re thinking small this month and focusing in on a tiny scale, exploring the delicate details, and creating something that is petite and precious.

I just love working small. Not only is it fun, but it’s a great way to be creative when you’re busy, I’m really excited to share with you a great tutorial for turning artist trading cards into bookmarks. They are small enough to use in your paperbacks, but really pack a visual punch.

I began by cutting smooth watercolor paper into four pieces that each measure 2.5 by 3.5 inches. Next, I dry-brushed olive green and aqua green onto my artist trading cards. 

Using a cosmetic sponge I apply quinacridone magenta acrylic paint through two of Nat’s four inch stencils, Broadway and Toledo mini. To keep it interesting, turn your stencils in different directions or only use a portion of it.

To beat back some of the brightness, I dipped a palette knife into white acrylic paint and drug it across the surface of the cards.

Next, using Memento Tuxedo Black ink, I stamped various designs from Nat’s stamps. Keeping with the mini-theme, I used Fantastic small, Fan-fare, and Small Circle Jumble stamps.

To add some additional interest, I doodled on each card using a Sakura Gelly Roll pen in black. Then I added additional mark-making using Posca Pens in black and white.

I felt like they needed some kind of text, so I used my Tim Holtz’s Ideaology clippings stickers. Then, using a hole punch, I placed a hole at the top of each card and added some craft twine.

Working small can be a great way to find time to be creative in the midst of our busy lives. I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and that it will inspire you to pull out your n*Studio stamps and stencils and spend a few minutes being creative. Be sure to share your creations with us.

Thank you Jennifer! Love each one of these and their inviting layers and colors! 

Want to try making some yourself? You can find all my Rubber Stamps and Stencils in my Online Shop and here are some of the other products Jennifer used:

Feel inspired? Working on something yourself that you’d like to share?  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

Leave a comment

NEW Online Workshop Starts TODAY: Artful Adventures with Joan Miro

Are you joining us for an Artful Adventure? Today my newest online workshop Artful Adventures with Joan Miró begins with the first lesson.

TODAY is also the last day for Early Bird pricing – 25% off the regular price of $39, so just $29.25!!! – now through 11:59pm tonight, Monday September 16th – Sign up NOW!

Check out the promo video and sign up HERE:

I hope you come along as we seek inspiration from one of my favorite artists: Joan Miró. Through 6 lessons you’ll learn a variety of unique ways to translate some of his signature artistic moves, to help you add new elements to your work and to enhance its meaning. Join us!

Nat

Leave a comment

Until I Make It – Art Journal

“The place in which I’ll fit will not exist… until I make it” – James Baldwin

I stamped my background with my Solid Square Small and Large rubber stamps, along with the Beacon stamps from the Small Hex and Large Hex sets.

And then I used gesso and Holbein gouache to fade out the stamped areas a bit. On top I stamped my Gnarly and Jazzed foam stamps for some extra marks.

I’m digging the subtle patchwork in the background.

Finally I added my quote with a Fude pen.

Here are some of the supplies I used:

Nat

Comments (1)

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Love the quote and your color choices!!!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Announcing a NEW Online Workshop: Artful Adventures with Joan Miro

Today my newest online workshop Artful Adventures with Joan Miró goes on sale on my website!

Get ready to go on an Artful Adventure with us! Through 6 lessons you’ll learn a variety of unique ways to translate some of Miró’s signature artistic moves, to help you add new elements to your work and to enhance its meaning.

Sign up NOW to enjoy great pricing: Early Bird pricing – 25% off the regular price of $39, so just $29.25!!! – now through Monday September 16th when the workshop officially begins.

Check out the promo video:

Sign up now through Monday, September 16 and get the workshop for just $29.25. Throughout the workshop I show you ways to pull artistic ideas from Miró and how to integrate those elements with your style and make them your own. If you are looking for a creative adventure this fall, this is the perfect workshop for you! Join us!

Nat

Leave a comment

Art Journal Flip Through – 09/2019

I wanted to share a little Flip Through video of my newly finished art journal. 

I keep about 4-5 journals at the same time so they are always filled with an eclectic mix. This one brings back some good memories (from just a few days ago lol) from the Stencilbop Challenge – the place to go if you need inspiration for using those stencils. Looks like there’s also some playing in there from my rubber stamp release this past spring – loved making patterns with those.

Do you keep more than 1 art journal? How quickly do you fill them up?

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Christine Kiehl

    |

    This was FUN! I got to see a peek into your sense of humor! I love your work!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Nat’s Creative Squad – Introducing our NEW Members

Hello my friends – today we have some VERY exciting news. We have been waiting anxiously to spill the beans here and now is the time: We have 2 new Creative Squad members that we are so happy to welcome to the team and introduce today!!!

Welcome to Linda Edkins Wyatt and Nicole Watson! We put the call out last month for new Creative Squad members and Linda and Nicole blew us away with their creativity, unique styles, and engagement with their fans on social media. And now we are super stoked to have them on Nat’s Creative Squad.

Here’s a little more about the newbies, and a reintroduction to the rest of the awesome squad too :)  Don’t forget to tune into the blog on Tuesdays for projects and tutorials from Nat’s Creative Squad. You can also explore squad members current and past on the Creative Squad page.

 

Linda comes to us from New York, NY and you can check her out on her website here. And here is a little bio from her:

Linda Edkins Wyatt has been drawing, painting, sewing, and crafting as long as she can remember. She has spent most of her career in commercial design areas: first working as a textile print stylist in the fashion industry, and later, as a magazine and newspaper layout designer. Over the years, she explored painting, weaving, pottery, sculpture and other art forms and finally, in 2006, discovered mixed media and knew she had found her niche. Linda, who teaches monthly classes at The Ink Pad NYC, never tires of experimenting with new materials and techniques, and loves to incorporate vintage and recycled materials into her artwork.

Nicole is coming from Texas, you can check out her here on her website. Here is her bio:

Hi! I’m Nicole Watson, a Midwest girl who married a Southern boy now living in Austin, Texas. Art has always been part of me … from collecting random bits of paper at a young age, to selling my first painting in high school, then discovering mixed media while studying art and design in college. Other stops along my art journey include scrapbooking, card making, freelance photography, and layout/graphic design. Creating in my studio and sharing my work with others gives me life, purpose, and is healing to my soul.

Jennifer from West Virginia has been with the squad for 2 years and you can learn all about her here on her website. Her bio is:

Jennifer Gallagher is an artist and art instructor currently living in West Virginia with her husband and two sons. She has been involved in the arts her entire life in one way or another. After studying fashion in college, Jennifer found herself drawn to new art forms and techniques. She now enjoys painting, collage, art journaling, and mixed media. Geometric shapes and patterns are her greatest source of inspiration and joy.

Maura from Upstate New York has been with us since January 2018 and you can check her out more here on her website. Here is her bio:

Maura Hibbitts – “I’ve joyously jumped to the right side of my brain to play with color and work in mixed media, sometimes with a steampunk twist, since retiring from teaching science. I’m back to being that kid that sat under the backyard tree and drew for hours. I enjoy life with my family in the Adirondack region of New York, love to travel, read, garden and still find myself fascinated by clouds and rocks from my years of teaching earth science.”

And finally Judi Kauffman – our part time squad member who comes to us from Maryland. Judi likes to fly a little below the radar so you can learn all about her here on my blog post interview with her.

Please check out our Creative Squad posts each Tuesday for fun projects and inspiring techniques – there is always something new from this amazing gang and we are so happy to have them!

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Jackie P Neal

    |

    Huge Congratulations to new team members Linda and Nicole!!
    Can’t wait to see what creations your muses unleash ladies!
    I have been a huge fan of Linda’s since I met her online years ago! I have always loved her mixed media projects as well as her fabric designs and am looking forward to what she will create with you and your team Nathalie!
    Congrats to everyone!
    Jackie xo

    Reply

  • Jill McDowell

    |

    Congratulations Linda and Nicole! Looking forward to seeing your creative takes with Nat’s products. Super exciting news.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Little Wonder – Marsha Valk

Hello from the Creative Squad and today we have another farewell post – this one from the super talented Marsha Valk! Marsha has been a joy to have on the squad and we will miss her but of course we will still be watching what she’s up to online :) Today Marsha brings us a lovely little trio of mixed media canvases and a how-to video. She’s using my Actually I Can and Fanfare rubber stamp sets and my Central Ave stencil. This month’s theme is: Little Wonder – We’re thinking small this month and focusing in on a tiny scale, exploring the delicate details, and creating something that is petite and precious.

 

“Wie wat bewaard, die heeft wat” is a saying in Dutch. It translates into: Someone who saves things has something.

On the lookout for ideas for this month’s prompt, I found a pack of four mini canvases while rummaging in my studio cabinet. I have no recollection of buying them, or why. I’m sure I thought they would come in handy one day. And they did!

Our mission this month is to use a small rubber stamp that we haven’t used before and a stencil.

There is no chance of me not having used a stamp in my n*Studio collection. However, I’ve been dying to do a project with the ladies from the Actually I Can Cling Rubber Stamp Set. And, for this special occasion, they will be joined by the Fashion Dame, an old friend from one of Nat’s earliest stamp releases.

Watch the step-by-step video to see how I combined the Millie Cling Rubber stamp with the tiniest set of stamps in n*Studio collection and one of Nat’s 4”x4” stencils.

Wishing you lots of little wonders!

Marsha.

Thank you Marsha! These little canvases just make us smile :) And what a great way to end your time with us here – it has been so much fun sharing your unique creative vision with our readers!

Want to try some mini canvases like Marsha has here? You can find all my Rubber Stamps and Stencils in my Online Shop and here are some of the other products she used:

Feel inspired? Working on something yourself that you’d like to share?  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

Leave a comment

Nothing But Confusion – Art Journal

“I have nothing to offer… except my own confusion.” Jack Kerouac

I began by inking up the page , then spritzing water drops and taking it off with a rag.

You may have noticed that I messed up the title- made me almost abandon the spread but then I realized apparently I do really have only confusion to offer ;)

Confusion and patterns lol. Here I used the Fan-fare set and also the Topper stamp from the Small Circle Jumble set. On the other side of the spread I used the Topper stamp from the Large Circle Jumble set – pretty cool to use for a pattern.

Here are some of the supplies I used:


And don’t forget – my Help Nat Move Sale ends today at 11:59pm EST so hurry into the Shop to save 25% off all physical products (excluding sale items). Just use the coupon code MOVENAT at checkout.

Nat

Leave a comment

Deep Breath – Art Journal

“She took a deep breath and let it go!”

My patterned background began with my Ornament Wallpaper stencil, then I filled in with the Floral Tile Small set. Next I layered in with my new Solid Hex Small rubber stamp.

And the final touch was layering on top a stamp from my nice little Fanfare set. I used Gouache by Holbein for the stencil- the rest was Moonlight duo ink.

It’s fun to see how the stamps and stencils can work so nicely together.

The final touch was the girl, I drew her using Holbein black ink and their refillable marker. Love the density of their ink and that marker is perfect for all kinds of sketching.

Here are the supplies I used for this page:

Also I am teaching again in Wanderlust 2020! Please check out the promo video and learn all about this awesome program here on the Wanderlust website. Early Bird pricing is for the first 2000 signups and is only $99USD – hurry up and get ready to make 2020 a year of artistic adventures!

Nat

Leave a comment