Maggie’s Mixed Media Piece – Bird in Hand

Maggie used pages from a book and torn music sheets for her background. She then made her own stencils from images found online, cut out her images from paper, and sponged over them with acrylic paint. She sprayed a light spray of ink over the top. Beautiful effect!

Sharon’s Mixed Media Piece – Hearts from the Great Mother

Sharon meticulously cut out the hearts and hands and made her own stencil. She used a map of Brazil and embroidery pattern sheets for her background. Over the top she placed a lovely swirl stencil with sponged paint. You can’t really see it, but there is a bit of glitter pen along the purple hearts to add a pinch of magic. Such an evocative image!

Deb’s Mixed Media Piece – Turtle’s Journey

Deb loves her turtles! She used a painted background with a circle stencil and sponged paint. That that she added the turtles cut from kimono paper she brought along with her. She wanted the words about exploration and journeying in her piece to give it a sense of adventure. Over the top she used a rubber stamp of turtles to give it the effect of a whole school of turtles swimming together. This photo turned out great, and brought out the rich browns and subtle tones Deb used.

Nitza’s Mixed Media Piece – The Lovers

Nitza had a wedding and lovers in mind when she created this magical dance of dragonflies, the spirits of lovers and the script paper with gold ginko leaves. Her background is music with words about love and being together forever. What a sweet and tender expression of loving spirits!

CollagePlay! In the Flow of Creativity

Above image is Marie’s mixed media piece “Tell Me Your Dream”
Time stood still in the CollagePlay mixed media class yesterday; we were definitely in the flow of creativity. We created together, shared ideas, laughed a lot, and the day just flew by. We didn’t want to break for lunch, but knew we needed nourishment to keep going—that’s the only reason we stopped at all!
I was so delighted with everyone’s finished piece, and, more importantly, so were they. I shared several techniques—ways to start, backgrounds, making your own stencils from chosen images, sponge painting, along with some basic tips on design and composition. Honestly, beyond all that, I think what made the time extraordinary was the supportive and encouraging environment that the group created together.
The collective energy of creative spirit was with us yesterday. At one point we made a rule (actually the ONLY rule we had all day!) that we would have an apology-free day; no apologies necessary! You know that automatic response “Oh, I’m sorry…” to any small thing we did or mistake we might have made? Well, it was verboten yesterday!
The creative flow we experienced may also have something to do with making art on a rainy spring day. Spring season is the direction of the East on the medicine wheel, where the sun rises. The medicine of the East is inspiration, birth and new beginnings. Here’s to new beginnings in art and creativity.
My good friend Maggie said as she got in her car to go home, “You’re the best damned art doula I know!” One of the highest compliments I’ve ever received.
Do you feel spring stirring within you? If so, how does the inspiration of the East speak to you?