Creative Squad

Videos from the Creative Squad – Part 4

Here are some of the supplies used in these projects:

My Creative Squad has made some really cool videos for their projects through the years (what a talented bunch indeed) so I did a little 4 part series where I shared some with you. This is the 4th and final so I hope you have enjoyed them as much as I have. Also I encourage you to check out the Creative Squad archive of projects as an excellent resource for serious artistic inspiration.

First we have Squad alum Tania Ahmed sharing a fun card with us that she made using my Stroll Around the Block set of house stamps, my My Home is My Castle stamp, and my What’s the Point stencil. Our theme was: Inside Outside – Inside can be cozy and warm. Outside is about fresh air and freedom. Are you a homebody or do you suffer from cabin fever? We’re creating with these opposites in mind.

Here is the link to her original post and here is the video she shared of her process:

I love the texture Tania creates with my What’s the Point stencil!

Lastly we have alum Nicole Watson and her magical art journal spread using my foam stamps and the theme: Under the Sea – There is something so fascinating about water. We love being in it, floating on it, relaxing next to it, and it remains one of the last frontiers here on the planet. Create something that is an ode to the sea.

Here is the link to her original post and here is the video she shared of part of her process:

This is a great way to make a whole bunch of gorgeous collage papers!

I hope you enjoyed all the Creative Squad videos I have been sharing. Be sure to check out the archive of their projects – they show so many ways to use foam stamps, rubber stamps, stencils and more in their beautiful mixed media creations.

Here are some of the supplies used in these projects:

Nat

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Videos from the Creative Squad – Part 2

My Creative Squad has made some really cool videos for their projects through the years (what a talented bunch indeed) so I thought I’d do a little 4 part series where I share some with you. Also I encourage you to check out the Creative Squad archive of projects as an excellent resource for serious artistic inspiration.

Let’s get started!

First up is Creative Squad alum Marsha Valk, sharing a trio of mini mixed media canvases using my Actually I Can and Fanfare rubber stamp sets and my Central Ave stencil. The theme that she was working with was 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.

Here is the link to her original post and here is the video she shared of her process:

I love the bright color palette she uses and the layered backgrounds she builds up.

Keeping with a bright happy color scheme is this project from alum Nicole Watson who is using my Mini Motifs and Triangle Love stamp sets and the theme: Rise & Shine – Sometimes it is inspiring to think of each new day as an opportunity to do something good – to shine. Create something that will encourage others to do the same and let’s all bring a little more light into this world!

Here is the link to her original post and here is the video she shared of her process:

The combination of saturated color and crisp black stamps just pops. I love them!

If you had fun watching these videos, be sure to tune in next time for a couple more from the archive.

Here are some of the supplies used in these projects:

Nat

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Videos from the Creative Squad – Part 1

My Creative Squad has made some really cool videos for their projects through the years – what a talented bunch :)

I thought I’d do a little 4 part series where I share some with you and then also encourage you to check out the Creative Squad archive of projects for some serious inspiration.

Let’s get started!

First up is Riikka Kovasin and her art journal spread using my Row Houses foam stamp and Art Deco Empire stencil in response to our theme: Good Morning Good Evening – Are you a Morning Person or a Night Owl? Or maybe neither? Create a project inspired by your preferred time of day – when you are in good spirits, doing what you love, and enjoying life.

Here is the link to her original post and here is the video she shared of her process:

I love watching Riikka build up that night sky with paint splatters, drips, and the moon and stars.

Next we have Creative Squad alum Tania Ahmed playing along with my Foam Stamplifier Challenge using my Foam Stamps along with her gelli plate for monoprinting and then she shows a great next step for that monoprint :)

Here is the link to her original post and here is the video she shared of her process:

I love her relaxed pace and seeing how she embraces the white space on the page.

If you had fun watching these videos, be sure to tune in next time for a couple more from the archive.

Here are some of the supplies used in these projects:

Nat

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Podcast – Mixed Media Architecture with Artistically You

I had the opportunity to be a guest on Jana’s podcast, Artistically You the other week and am happy to share that with you today. We chatted about my style of artwork, combining architecture and other mixed media elements, my workshops, artistic inspiration and more.

Here is the link to the podcast and then below you can watch the video recording. Enjoy!

Nat

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ArtCollab – Watch Episode 8 and Register for the Next One

I hope you joined us for the ArtCollab this month as Sarah Matthews and I celebrated Inktober with some printmaking fun in front of the camera. You can watch a recording here and then scroll down for info on registering to attend our next episode.

Here is an overview of what we did:

In this episode of ArtCollab Sarah and I get our ink on! It is Inktober after all so we shared some of our favorite basic printmaking techniques. Sarah showed how she uses Stampbuddies to create gradient prints, and how she loves to partially print over older prints to create a layered abstract look. I showed how to use ArtFoamies with a Gelli Plate and how to reverse images and mix colors while printing. We answered audience questions about foam stamps and Stampbuddies and talked about how to make your own foam stamps. We also announced our next topic and asked the audience for feedback regarding future topic ideas as ArtCollab will be taking a break after the November episode to come back in February.

Upcoming Episode:

Join us for Episode 9: Showing Gratitude – Tuesday, November 2nd at 12noon ET (NYC time)

Sometimes you have people in your life who have been a big part of the journey that you are on today. Maybe they mentored you somewhere near the beginning when your sense of direction wasn’t yet clear. Perhaps they were there along the way, helping you to make important choices and to see the possibilities. Maybe they got you back on track when you swerved and faltered. We want to acknowledge these people in our lives and talk about the incredible impact they have had in making us who we are today. Nobody is on this journey alone and it is time that we spend a little time Showing Gratitude.

Register HERE to Attend

A recording of this ZoomCast will be posted here after the event.

Nat

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Pattern Monday 15 – Video from my Ledger

Happy Monday and welcome to another pattern in my big vintage ledger! This time I’m using stamps from my Floral Tile Large rubber stamp set – the Van Vorst positive and negative stamps. I can imagine this pattern on a much larger surface to really appreciate what is going on. Enjoy the video:

Here is the finished page and what went into it:

Now it’s your turn! Here are the supplies:

Nat

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Spill your heART – Episode 7 and Upcoming

If you didn’t catch our Spill your heART Episode 7, you can watch a recording below. I was joined by some of my Creative Squad members past and present – Emilie Murphy, Nicole Watson, Robin Seiz, and Riikka Kovasin to discuss what it’s like to be on a Design Team:

Here is a little overview: In this episode of Spill your heART I was joined by panelists Robin Seiz, Riikka Kovasin, Nicole Watson, and Emilie Murphy from my Creative Squad to talk about Design Teams. I began by explaining why I started a design team, and we quickly moved on to discuss how the team has since grown and evolved to be so much more for both myself and its members. Joining a design team can be a big commitment, and our panelists spoke about the challenges they faced including technology hurdles, time commitments, meeting assignment criteria, facing possible rejection, and battling self-doubt. The rewards were even greater though and our panelists shared how design teams have helped them grow as artists, tell their stories, create bonds within the community, develop their style, and try products and techniques that they wouldn’t have otherwise. If you are interested in joining a design team, it is important to remember that it should be a fun and joyful experience that you do for yourself, to help you on your own unique artistic journey. Watch the webinar to learn more!

And join us for the next one on September 24th:

Spill your heART Episode 8: Artists in Residence – Where are they now?

2020 was the beginning of unprecedented challenges and changes to daily life around the world. When the pandemic forced us into lockdown, I was inspired to find a new way to connect with my artist friends and I dreamed up an interview series called Artist in Residence. Suddenly all artists were “Artists in Residence” in their own homes and I was curious how they were coping, continuing their craft, adapting to their circumstances, and generally getting on in a very different world. In this I am revisiting Natalya Khorover, Rhian Swierat and Mario Robinson to find out: Where are they now? We will chat about any long term changes, project updates, and future plans. While there are still massive issues to overcome with regards to the pandemic, some aspects of life are returning to what we once knew and it will be interesting to hear some perspective from these artists.

Friday, September 24th at 12noon EDT (NYC time) – Register here to attend

Nat

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Art Journal Flip Through – August 2021

Here’s an Art Journal Flip Through of a journal that I kept pretty much for at least 4-5 years. It had some pages that were published and therefore it stayed at the publisher for a while and then I eventually got it back. I used it a lot to try out new products- like stamps and stencils.

Although I do not like every page in it, some I love a lot and it is interesting to see all the different styles and even some things from several years ago that I had totally forgotten about.

Have a look:

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/578639959
Nat

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ArtCollab -Episode 6 and Upcoming

Did you catch the last episode of ArtCollab with Sarah and I? We were chatting with Rachel Juanita Bellamy about Pass the Brush and it was our first one with a guest! You can watch the recording below and then read on about our next one coming up on September 7th. Registration link is down below.

Here is what we covered:

Episode 6: Pass the Brush – In this episode Sarah and Nat are joined by special guest Rachel Juanita Bellamy! Rachel is the organizer behind 2020’s Pass the Brush event as well as a talented artist and online educator and in this webinar she shares her background, current projects, and the story behind Pass the Brush.

Rachel talks about her time in the US military and her ongoing passion for service. She describes her beginnings as an artist and how it has balanced her interests and skills since childhood. She shares how she shifted her focus to mixed media in response to personal trauma and the desire to create more freely, and how that has evolved into a love for the process of creating, working on multiple pieces at one time, painting on a larger scale, and realizing the dream of creating online classes.

Rachel explains the Pass the Brush event and its origins in Black Lives Matter, George Floyd’s murder, and her own Unmuted program on social media. Unmuted created some of the connections within the mixed media community which helped Pass the Brush – the artist version of “pass the mic” – become a reality.

Rachel talks about her strategy for the event and what some of her goals were. She describes the well-planned preparations leading up to it and those angels behind the scenes who helped make it happen. Finally she talks about the benefits and the steps forward in the industry since Pass the Brush, but stresses the need for a continuing push.

There is another Pass the Brush event planned, so stay tuned!

Upcoming Episode:

Join us for Episode 7: Back to School – Tuesday, September 7th at 12noon EDT (NYC time)

In this episode of ArtCollab, Sarah and Nat are going Back to School. As teachers, they usually find themselves at the front of the class but sometimes stepping back and taking on the role of student can be incredibly beneficial and inspiring. In fact, artists can always learn something new from other artists and engaging in these role reversals is a great way to try a different medium, sharpen skills, approach ideas from a new angle, and maybe even get the inside scoop on tips and tricks from other practicing artists. Taking classes and attending educational events such as artist retreats are also perfect opportunities to forge new friendships and partnerships in creativity. In addition to this discussion, Sarah and Nat will also teach each other a mini lesson in this episode and attendees can enjoy watching and engaging with them as they play both teacher and student.

Register HERE to Attend

Nat

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