Feelin' Crafty

In need of a few party favors and hostess gifts, I got to crafting these 

hand-painted kitchen size match boxes.

They'll be great for lighting holiday fires and candles.  

It's really easy to do . . . 

First, lightly sand the shine off the box.

Next, paint on a light coat of gesso to prime the surface.

After the gesso dries, paint solid backgrounds in a variety of colors.

(I found that the inexpensive $1-2 acrylic craft paint worked way better than expensive paints.)

Using a 1 inch foam brush for the gesso and background steps made the job quick and easy.

I used small brushes and the nicer Golden fluid acrylics to paint 

Native American inspired pots, adobes and people on my first batch.

Detail was added with Sharpie acrylic paint pens and a bit of holiday sparkle (glitter).

I also did a big botanical batch for my YaYa's and a few mandalas too. 

Even did some tattoo inspired designs for the men on my list.

Cigar anyone?

Wrap it all with a pretty bow and bam you're done!

Hope you'll find some time to craft some holiday gifts too . . . it really got me in the Christmas spirit!

If you are, I'd love to hear what you're up to - do share with a link or description!

Inspiration Finds Me

Inspiration eventually finds me.

I've come to KNOW and TRUST that when it's right, it'll come my way.

Today I found inspiration in the pages of a West Elm catalog.

I turned a page and the color, the texture and the ethnic pattern 

made my heart go thumpity thump thump.

That's when I know it's real and I have to do something 

with it NOW or else it leaves as quickly as it came!

I'd LONG been wanting to paint a canvas bag I had - 

one which I'd long ago grown tired of the print.

I ADORE the grommets, rough canvas texture and dark handles - 

a mixture of canvas and leather - but the rest was "meh".

Seemed like just the "right" canvas for this new inspiration.

As Inspiration goes when it comes on this swiftly, I failed to take a before pic.

But I'll share with you the after.

The white is pure gesso.

The rest is umber and black mixed with a bit of white

to soften the color a bit.

Wish I could tell you that I took the time to stuff the 

insides with cardboard or tissue before painting - but I didn't.

Wish I could tell you that I let the gesso dry first 

before adding the other color, but I didn't do that either.

The only thing I was careful about was NOT getting it on the handles, strap or grommets.

I'm kind of shocked that I didn't, 

but I used a smaller brush around those areas and "breathed" slowly through it.

I figure if I "messed" up, it'd work with the messy drippy look I was going for anyway.

I've painted quite a few canvas bags over the years 

(usually those gift with purchase tote bag give aways).

Even with heavy wear, the paint never seems to fade.

So I don't "fix" it with anything.

I can always paint over it again, right?

What the heck . . . a girl's gotta go for it every once in a while.

Day 16 - Art Every Day Month: This n That

I was a bit low energy today, so spent some time dilly dallying with this and that.



I added pen marks and splatters to the post cards and book marks I did yesterday.
If you missed yesterday's post, go here to see the tutorial - it's a super easy and fun project!









Also did a super thick background spread for the art journal



and added some outline & shadowing to the flower background spread I'd done earlier in the week - this stuff just gets done layer by layer ya know.



Spent some time daydreaming about the upcoming online class I'll be teaching at next year's 21 Secrets.
I know I know . . . it's so far away, right? But it'll be here before ya know it and I gots to be prepared!
More details coming soon....



Oh and today's Fashion Feature is a little shot of the Studio Shoes. You can't tell it from this photo, but these are actually "ELVIS" shoes. He is the King!



By the way, not sure how much I'll post until Sunday - got some fun plans for the next few days. That may only allow time for me to sketch now and then. I'll be sure and share what I've done when I'm back from my little break. Toodles!

Go here for other AEDMonther's this and that's.

Day 15- AEDM: Scrappy Bookmarks

If you're like me, you have a stash of scrap papers, fabrics and other bits and pieces, right?
Here's a fun way to use 'em up.



Throw those scraps down on pieces of large paper you have - I'm using cut open grocery sacks here.
Glue with plain old white glue.
Don't even think about making pretty or coordinating your colors.



Then, using whatever acrylic paints you have - even kid's paint will do, swish some color here and there.



Throw on some glitter . . .



fabric flowers . . . puff paint squiggles . . . ink drips, bubble wrap imprints, stamps, anything and everything you have!





Up close it'll look like a big colorful mess - no worries!





Let all that dry, then glue the large pieces back to back - so that the paint & collage shows on both sides.



After all of that is really dry, it's time to cut the collaged paper into bookmark sized strips.
I've got a paper cutter, but it's easily done with scissors.






While you're at it, cut some to use as post cards or to bind into your art journal!



You could even go a step or two further with pen marks, oil pastels, etc. Go wild!





See what those other wild AEDMonthers are up to here!



Sidenote(s):

Like my cool graffiti painted apron in the first photo? I learned to do it from a tutorial by Alisa Burke in Somerset's Workshop Magazine waaaaaay back when.

I'm also sporting a "Fear No Art" pin by artist and personal hero Andre Miripolsky. I've had it for something like 20 years. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year and see that he still sells those pins - I got the poster to match!

Making his debut to the right of the same photo, is my Mom's dog and studio mate, "Burrito Don Julio Lotto Bell". Big name, little dog.

Day 12- Art Every Day Month- Sac Complète!

This morning, I completed the tote bag makeover I showed you yesterday.



Smeary black "shadows" were added around the flowers.



Spatters and a bit of spray paint here and there.



A Sharpie pen came in handy to outline the petals and add a few scribbles.



Do you likey? I do! It's all grey and sprinkly outside - this "graffiti floral" warms me up!



Go see what other AEDMonthers are up to here!

Day 11 - Art Every Day Month: Painted Tote

Today, wanting a break from the usual canvas or paper, I grabbed one of my "art bags" - this one is a canvas tote bag I'd gotten as one of those "gift with purchases" at Victoria Secret.



I'd painted the bag a long time ago with a really bright palette - it was now time for a new look.



I figured the best way to change the look would be to begin with black and white....so I haphazardly slapped on inexpensive acrylic paints with a sponge brush. It easily covered the old design. I didn't clean the brush or let dry in between the black and the white, so grey became the third base color.



After letting that dry a while, I began painting a "loose" floral design in a range of colors and shapes. You can still see some of the "old look" in the corners and edges - I like the imperfection of this project!









I added in splotches of green "leaves" and a scribble or two. Tomorrow, when this baby is completely dry, I'll likely add spatter, drip and/or pen marks, ala graffiti style. Spray paint anyone? I'll snap a pic when it's done and share with you later....



Last, but not least, I used up the paint left on the palette - into the art journal it went - a bouquet just for you!



See what other AEDMonthers are up too here.