Art Tutorials
Art tutorials that provide step by step directions on how to do an art technique or project. These are to help build a foundation of creative techniques that can be used as a mental wellness and self-care exercise. These include techniques such as drawing, gelli printing, embossing, art journal projects, card projects, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, mixed media work and collage work.
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How to Use Distress Embossing Glazes
Today I wanted to share with you how to use Distress Embossing Glazes. The Tim Holtz Distress Embossing Glazes are a new product from Ranger for 2020. When I saw the original demo for this product, I had so many ideas on how I could use this in my own journaling and in my own projects. I have spent the last 2 weeks since I received the Distress Embossing Glazes in the mail testing them to understand how I could apply them. There is something very freeing in taking the time to test something new. It forces me not to put on any constraints on how I think these products…
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Inspiration Over Manipulation Art Journal Project
The idea of inspiration over manipulation has been on my mind this week and I wanted to share this art journal project with you. The concept of inspiration over manipulation is something I learned from the book Start with Why by Simon Sinek which I did a book review on last week. I really like the concept of inspiration over manipulation. It’s about how we can make the choice to live our lives in a way that allows us to inspire others over manipulating others. I think it’s a great reminder to live authentically and in a way that shows respect for others and for their values and beliefs. The…
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3 Ways To Use Tombow Markers
As I was thinking about which art technique I would like to share with you this week as part of my Creative Foundation Series, 3 ways to Tombow markers in an unconventional way came to mind. What are Tombow Dual Brush Pens? If you are unfamiliar with Tombow Dual Brush pens, they are a great tool to use in art and papercrafts. They come in 108 colors and are useful for coloring, illustration, sketching and brush lettering. I often use them for these purposes, but also use them in some more unconventional ways. This week I will be sharing 3 ways that I use these markers in a more…
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How to Paint Watercolor Backgrounds
Have you ever wanted to paint watercolor backgrounds but didn’t know where to start? Do you feel intimidated about trying watercolor painting techniques? In this week’s Creative Foundations video I will be showing you how to effectively paint watercolor backgrounds. Watercolor as a Self-Care Activity Watercolor painting is an excellent self-care activity. It is a great foundational technique to use on cards and in journals. I often start cards and journal pages with a watercolor painting. Watercolor makes a great base layer. Not only is it quick and easy to do, the effect is very pleasing to the eye. Watercolor painting is very relaxing and meditative which helps foster self-care. The…
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Creative Foundations: How to Blend Ink
Building a self-care habit is not that easy, especially a creative one. Taking the time for rest and restoration can be difficult. Our pace of life often doesn’t allow us to be able to take the time to slow down and make time for creativity. Creative Foundations With that in mind, I’m starting a new video series called Creative Foundations. In this series I will be exploring a variety of simple art techniques that are foundational to starting an artistic self-care habit. What is useful about these techniques is that they can build on each other. When used together, they end up being the foundation for creative mixed media art.…
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Art Journal Project “I’m Feeling Blue”
Today is Blue Monday and it is considered one of the most depressing days of the year. Instead of looking at Blue Monday as a depressing day, I believe that there are many reasons to have hope on this day. Yesterday I wrote an article about Blue Monday and the tools and strategies that I use to stay positive when I’m feeling blue. Being Blue As I was thinking about Blue Monday, I had a great idea for an art journal project. Instead of “being blue” as a prompt for depression, why not have it be part of something playful and joyful? I wanted to do an art page that…
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Goal Setting: Creativity as a Prompt
A few weeks have gone by since most of us were setting goals or New Year’s Resolutions for 2020. Has it been a struggle to stay on target with your goal? Or are you still feeling really motivated and passionate about your resolutions? Personally, I’m finding some of my goals and habits easy to manage and others more difficult. I tend to procrastinate so it’s taking extra effort to ensure that I stay on track. So the question I have for you today is how do we keep moving forward to stick to our goals for this year? A Creative Way of Keeping Goals Visible An important part of trying…
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Practicing Self-Care during the Holiday Season
Practicing self-care during the holiday season can be a bit of a challenge. It is a season filled with additional commitments. This can mean finding moments to relax and be mindful can be rare. It made me think of the self-care habits that I have in place over the holiday season that bring rest and restoration. Self-Care through Handmade Holiday Cards One of my self-care practices over the holiday season is making holiday cards. Not only do people love handmade cards, it can be an outlet for slowing things down and finding mindfulness. I find using a loose medium like watercolor is very relaxing. Working with my hands and concentrating…
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Why I Killed my Ego
This week my thoughts have turned to the concept of ego and moving past fear based living to acceptance. Have you had moments where you have said things you didn’t mean and felt instant regret? Have you had moments of wanting to hide something that you’ve done because you were too ashamed to tell the truth? All of us in some point in our lives look at our actions and ask “What in the world was I thinking?” This is why I killed my ego. What is Ego? Ego can be defined as your personal identity or sense of self-worth. In Latin, ego translates as “I.” By nature, our ego is…
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The Art of Self-Discovery: An Art Journaling Project
As part of my weekly rejuvenation time, I pulled out my art journal to do some reflecting. I was thinking back to the article I wrote last week on Self-Discovery and wanted to record some of the things that I want to remember about this season and these moments. Why Art Journaling? My journal not only lets me get my feelings down and helps me to be able to move past them, but also provides an opportunity to remember the important things and the important lessons. As I flip through my journal, each page brings me back to the emotions and the feelings that I had at the time when…
