Blog: Mixed Media

Raw Canvas Staining

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Lately I am addicted to Raw Canvas Staining and painting. Something about this raw material just draws me in.

You might have noticed – I am not the only one :) You can spot the trend of paint stained material on a lot of clothes and home decor items this season. And some of this- you can just make yourself and have an individuell look – here I made my own pillow cases which fit exactly to our living room style and color wise!

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I love the texture and layers you can archive through layering acrylic inks, soft body acrylic paints and markers and I love the versatility of what you can do with the stained raw canvas later on. You can stretch the canvas yourself on stretcher bars and hang it up, you can sew something, you can work on raw canvas totes, purses, aprons, you can use the stained canvas for your art journal covers, as elements in your mixed media collage, patches …you name it …endless possibilities.

I taught my Raw Canvas Class in March in Toronto and we had heaps of fun – exploring different techniques and possibilities and then having each of the student create a pillow case so that they had something to bring home as a finished project.

I will teach this Raw  Canvas Staining class again this month on May 16 at The InkPad in NYC. The location is the Westbeth Community Center – so we have lots of space!

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I will show you how to apply the medium and how to use it so that it works, I will bring Liquitex Acrylic Inks, Paints, and Markers and more for you to work with. We will play with patterns, mark making, stamping, mono printing and stenciling. I will bring lot’s of extra raw canvas for you to play with and if you want you can bring a pillow case or a canvas tote or bring muslin as a different fabric – to create a finished project at the end of the class and create something with the newly learned skills and knowledge. I promise I throw in some extra thick german accent and some jokes  ;) and ….on a more serious note- loads of extra tips and tricks :)

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You find more infos and details as well as the supply list and sign up info here at  The InkPad. There are still a couple seats open.

I hope to see you there!

 

Nat

Comments (1)

  • stephanie

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    looks like a great class, wish I was closer!

    Reply

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Don’t be a Later …or In My Art Journal Today

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Note to myself: Don’t be a later

Nat Kalbach ;)

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I am such a huge procrastinator sometimes – for fear I might be failing big time. I am telling myself, I can do this later. In some parts of my life I am a huge later. Time to be a NOW ;) I used to be a NOW – LOL- and it lead to all good things ;)

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The lettering for the NOW was done with some wood blocks and acrylic paint. Then I used Liquitex Markers inside to pop it up a bit and outlined the outside of the letters with a fineline applicator which I had filled with Liquitex Soft Body Paint and some drops of Liquitex Ink . Love the fine and dimensional effects you get this way. The woman’s face is a stamp I carved.

Here are the supplies I used for this spread

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Have an amazing day!

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Joi@RR

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    Now is good Nat – it spells WON – backwards!!! At to me… you are always a WINNER at everything you do. I like this pages because of there is lots of white so your incredibly artistic doodles show up so well. The colors are nice – clean – like a new beginning – no build up – open – free – ready for a NEW NOW! j.

    Reply

  • Sabine Schneider

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    Oh, ich bin oft auch ein later…..Tolle Seite!!!!
    Liebe Grüße, Sabine

    Reply

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Photos of my Workshops in Oklahoma City

I had a blast the past weekend teaching at My Heart’s Fancy in Oklahoma City. I taught “Make Your Mark” a mono printing class on friday and “Artvergnugen” – ArtJournaling as well as “Play-Transform Mixed Media Collage” on Sunday as full day classes. I had a super enthusiastic and fun group of students willing to dive full force in all the yummy color mess – thank you girls!!!

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I love spending the weekend with happy and creative people and besides many things I learned about Oklahoma – thank you for taking the class and that some of you drove from so far away and other States in!!! Thank you also to Maura for being such an amazing host and Lisa for being such a big help and sweet spirit! And thank you to Liquitex for providing such an amazing amount of different yummy acrylic paints and media for us !

If you want to take an in-person class with me – I am teaching next an Art Journaling 101 – April 19 – and a Mixed Media Canvas Class – April 26 – at Pratt Institute in NYC at the Manhattan location.

Find the whole Spring catalogue for Pratt CCPS here. You can sign up at Pratt here

I would love to see you :) – Have a super creative day!

 

Nat

Comments (10)

  • Sherri Coutre

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    Could you please send me information on up coming classes throughout the summer and fall? How much is the fee for the class? What do we need to bring? Thank you so much. I have not started yet, but am so excited.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Sherri, I am not sure if you are talking about in -person or online workshops. For In Person workshops you find all information here http://nathaliesstudio.com/in-person-workshops/ – the Summer and Fall classes will be listed soon. You find all online workshops under the Workshop section on top of the website. Thank you.

      Reply

  • Carol Moore

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    I am so grateful for the time spent with you. Learned a lot and it was so much fun. I was thankful to learn about white washing and glazing. I love all your photos. They bring back many happy memories.

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    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Carol, thank you so much for coming! I had a wonderful time with you all!!!

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    LOVED seeing these pictures – thank you so much Nat for sharing. And ladies – wow – it appears you created some FABULOUS artwork. I have just spent more than 30 minutes looking closely at each picture and I’m going back for more!!! Loved the pics with you in them most Nathalie :)
    So fun – great job!!!! j.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Joi for your sweet comment! Yes- those girls rocked it big time in the classes!!

      Reply

  • Delores

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    This was an amazing 3 days and I learned so much! It was fantastic to finally meet you in person! Thank you for all you do for all of us! Thanks to Liquitex for their generosity also. What a great opportunity to learn more about their acrylic products and to use them in our work!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe – thank you Delores for coming all the way!!! You girls were all fantastic!!!!

      Reply

  • Linda on the Prairie

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    We had a blast and learned so much in such a short time. This has given me confidence to work far more successfully with some of the Liquitex gels and varnishes. It also pushed me to take my work in a much less “safe”and infinitely more interesting direction. Nathalie, you are a wonderful teacher! Please come back to Oklahoma again.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you so much for coming Linda- it was wonderful to have you!!!!

      Reply

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2 Tallest – Mixed Media Painting

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New Painting inspired by the view from the Statue of Liberty towards Jersey City and Manhattan.

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On the left there is Jersey City with the tallest building in New Jersey

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on the right Manhattan …with the tallest building there…

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It is funny, when I was the first time in NYC in 2000 I took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and on the way back I took a huge amount of photos of the skyline of both cities (of course back then the skyline looked a bit different) and I really fell in love with this view, but if you would have told me then, that one day I would live right there …I would have told you, you are insane- LOL

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Here is a 15 second video of the canvas progressing

Progress of the Mixed Media Painting 2Tallest from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

I think it is fun to see the different stages, what do you think?

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The size is 18×24 inches – here are the supplies and media I used:

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Wishing you a wonderful weekend – I am off to Oklahoma this weekend to teach workshops at My Heart’s Fancy – there are still a few spots for the friday and sunday class available – so maybe I see some of you there :) .

Nat

Comments (9)

  • Gina Sismilich

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    Fabulous painting – I really admire your ability to portray feelings when painting buildings!

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  • Barb J

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    Outstanding artist work.

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  • Lisa Flaherty

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    Such a cool painting, Nat! Seeing the progression of layers in the video is really inspiring. Funny how life unfolds and finds you in unexpected places. :)

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  • Madeline Rains

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    This is one of my favorites that I’ve ever seen of your work!! I love it.

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  • stephanie

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    great piece!

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    I’m so glad you made the video Nat. I can see the gorgeous background with the letters better. The letters make it soooo New York looking in my imagination. The colors are perfect. It is a beautiful piece. I so love seeing your work. And TOTALLY glad that you came to New Jersey to live and teach and create! :) I KNOW they will love your Oklahoma workshop. I was married in Ok – 43 years ago!!! Have a blessed weekend.XX j.

    Reply

  • Marg Dinn

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    Love this painting Nathalie. You are really good. I enjoy the feelings I get when I look at all your paintings. to bad you are not close enough so I could view them close up amd in person. Maybe one day when do an exhibit I will be able to com. Keep up the fantastic work. As long as you are having fun I guess it is not work.

    Reply

  • Angie

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    Very excited to have you come to OKC!!! See you tomorrow! :-)

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Funny how we sometimes end up in a place that we never imagined.
    After 12 years of being at home with my son I recently returned to work as a lunch lady since it suits my schedule. I never would have guessed that 15 years ago (I was a social worker in the mental health field).
    Life is full of surprises!

    Reply

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Playing with Gesso and Acrylic Ink

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I love colors and I love texture …and I love adding both of it into my art journals, which is pretty easy :) Here is a fast forward video on how I create texture with Gesso and then add the super vibrant and pigmented Liquitex Inks to emphasize the texture even more.

Playing With Gesso and Acrylic Ink from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

Hope you liked this little playful video :)

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Please note: I am an official Brand Ambassador for Liquitex, but all my ideas are my own and the opinions, comments and my love for their products are genuine!

Have a wonderful day

Nat

Comments (14)

  • Sabine Schneider

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    Liebe Nat,
    Wow! Gerade zur rechten Zeit ein kleiner Schubser von Dir!!!! Gleich ausprobiert und ich bin super Happy mit dem Ergebnis! Danke Dir für die immer guten Tips!
    Liebe Grüße, Sabine

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      woot woot, freue mich, dass Du es gleich ausprobiert hast :) Danke, Sabine!

      Reply

  • Michelle LaPoint Rydell

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    Hi Nat! Love your journal page! The video was awesome! So inspiring! I think it’s time to bust out my gesso and inks! Thank you!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Michelle- so good to see you – and happy you bust out your gesso and inks !

      Reply

  • Tracy

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    Wicked awesome! Love the colors and watching you do the lettering!

    Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    Just could watch you create forever Nat. This is SUPER FINE FUN in every way. I don’t have the acrylic inks yet but ohhhh how I want them! One day soon. Loved this…. love you too!!! j.

    Reply

  • rebeccavt

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    Just what I needed to watch this morning! Love your technique, the colors, the interesting tools, AND the music. Nice! Thanks!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      thank you Rebecca :) glad you liked the music too – always hard to choose :)

      Reply

  • Kathy P

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    Totally, totally awesome, Nat. The things you did to texturize your paints were fantastic…going to try this today! Thanks for the ongoing inspiration!

    Reply

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Photos of the Workshops in Toronto, Canada

It was so much fun to be back for the fourth time at Bizzy B’s in Toronto. I taught an Altered Book Class and as full day classes “Acrylics Demystified” and “Raw Canvas Staining” – it was messy colorful fun!

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Thank you for an amazing weekend ! It was very inspirational to spend a whole weekend with those talented and wonderful students and my super hosts!

If you want to take an in-person class with me- I am teaching at My Heart’s Fancy in Oklahoma City on March 27-29 serval classes, and at The Ink Pad in New York City on May 16 I will teach the Raw Canvas Staining Class (mega fun!) . I hope you will join in!

Have a wonderful day!

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Joi@RR

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    Our precious grandchildren were here this week and we only see them once a year due to expense etc so I am behind leaving my comment this week! Having too much fun playing in a different way! Although two of them did do a journal page – woooo whoooo!!! BUT… just a note to tell you Nat that I just LOVED seeing all these pics from your workshops in Canada. WOW – it looks like everyone did some wonderful work and were having so much fun. Lots of smiling going on. You are so sweet to include so many pictures. I just looked and looked at them. So many different creations and colors and combinations. I know they all just loved having you there. Thank you so much for bringing it home to us! j.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Joi- I am glad you enjoyed the photos! How fun to do something creative with your grandchildren- such a precious time!

      Reply

  • Peggy Oliver

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    Looks like so much fun!! wish I were there!

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  • Stampendous Stamps

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    This looks like it was soooo much fun, Nathalie! Thanks so much for sharing it with everyone!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you :) It was loads of fun and we used loads of your stamps :)

      Reply

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De Craforij Retreat 2015 in The Netherlands in June

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So stoked that I will be rounding up my European Tour in June  with an Artfusion Weekend teaching with my dear friend Birgit Koopsen at the De Craftorij Retreat 2015 in The Netherlands.  The retreat will take place in a gorgeous hotel in Ede on June 13 -14, 2015. You can read all details about the event, workshops, hotel etc.  in Dutch and English here.

Sign up is open now, you can book single days or a whole weekend .  I hope I will see some of my European friends there!

Have a wonderful day

 

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Marie-Anne Raeman

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    Hey Nathalie, I’m so excited to do the craftorij weekend and see the both of you again. It is so long ago :-)
    Just can’t wait

    Reply

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Matka Luovuuteen – Creative Retreat in Finland in June

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This is going to be so much fun! My friend Birgit Koopsen and I are teaching at a Creative Retreat in Turku, June 6-7, 2015 , which will be held on a Museums Cruise Ship. You can read all details here.

Here are the workshops that I will be teaching -the first workshop is one that I will co-teach with Birgit – we should have called it Double Trouble I guess ;) woot woot :)

Lauantai 6.6. – Saturday June 6

Lauantaina Nathalie ja Birgit vetävät yhdessä koko päivän kestävän kurssin:
On Saturday Nathalie and Birgit teach together in a one day long class:

Sunnuntai 7.6. – Sunday June 7

Artvergnugen – Art Journal Class with Nathalie Kalbach

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 Nathalie for a half-day workshop and play with different art media and supplies. Learn techniques, tips and tricks to take your art journaling further and turn it into Artvergnugen.

 

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International students are welcome- Birgit and I will hold these classes in English…I am not sure I will ever manage to learn finish :)

You can sign up here – if you are on the fence, decide soon, I was just told, the event is almost fully booked.

 

Nat

Comments (2)

  • ansku

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    Thanks, we have amazing weekend.

    Reply

  • Pirjo salmela

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    Hi,
    just can´t wait for your Double Trouble week-end. Is it a show with cancan dance and paints, a performance with gesso or a mystery story with two lost adhesive tubes?
    Welcome!
    See you both in Finland- Turku in Matka Luovuuteen
    Best regards

    Pirjo S.

    Reply

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Workshops in Oklahoma City, OK in March

I am looking forward teaching 3 Workshops at My Hearts Fancy in Oklahoma City, March 27 -29, 2015.

MAKE YOUR MARK Monoprinting- Friday, MARCH 27- 4 PM to 8 PM
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In this monoprinting class we will explore the possibilities of making your own personal mark in your artwork by creating wonderful prints with different tools, stamps, stencils and techniques. Learn how to create your own patterned paper, which can be later used in art journals, collages, mixed media canvas and all other kinds of paper art.

ARTVERGNUGEN- Art Journaling -SATURDAY, MARCH 28 – 10 AM to 5:30
(with lunch break)
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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 it 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 Nathalie for a one-day workshop and play with different art media and supplies.  Learn techniques, tips and tricks to take your art journaling further and turn it into Artvergnugen!
PLAY-TRANSFORM – Mixed Media Collage – SUNDAY, MARCH 29 – 10 AM to 5:30 PM
(with lunch break)
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In this one-day workshop, Nathalie will share her favorite techniques to create background papers using paints, stencils and stamps.    Layered up, it will turn into a fun Mixed Media Collage.  Create a whimsical or abstract focal point, depending on your taste.
Nat will share her fun and easy peasy collage techniques, talk a bit about composition and make a sticky business turn into a creative new passion for you.
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More information and sign up – here at My Heart’s Fancy
I hope to see you!
Nat

Comments (3)

  • Dara Lynn

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    Super excited for these classes!!!! Ready to welcome you to Oklahoma :)

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  • jo-murray-art

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    These look AMAZING! Pity I’m on the other side of the world.

    Reply

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