Mixed Media Mania

I have been doing a good deal of research into mixed media techniques and ideas. I think this is my new favorite thing! Today I took a piece of canvas paper I had started an abandoned project on and went to work. Now my art budget is EXTREMELY low right now and I only have so many supplies, but I was determined to make what I have work. I used acrylic paints (the Daler Rowney simply acrylic set from Wal-Mart) and oil pastels (Gallery from Hobby Lobby.) I went through some old magazines and ripped some newspaper. Wish I had some Modge-Podge but school glue worked fine for this. I also used some tissue paper that I glued down to make some awesome creases and texture. Now, this project is not done... I am so pleased with the progress that I am going to purchase a few things that I would like to have to finish it.

I also took advantage of this awesome weather we are having in Georgia right now and worked outside. I really like working in natural lighting and today was just the perfect day for it.

Here's the work in progress:

Doodle Therapy

Kept it real simple today and did some doodle therapy. No worries, black and white only. Anything goes. Great for when you have artist's block.

My best friends during this project? My Sharpie Ultra Fine and Fine black markers.

Close up on the flower I was really pleased with.

Art for Tots Project #1: 3D Tissue Paper Collage

Welcome all!

I don't want to waste too much time on introductions, but this blog will be chronicling my personal creative journey as well as fun projects for kids, too! I'm the mother of a 4 year old, and I really believe in instilling a love and appreciation for the arts through hands-on family projects. You will also see posts about art journaling, media experimentation, product reviews, and much more.

Anyway, what better way to start than with an easy and fun project to do with the little ones. This one is great for younger children (3-6) who haven't yet mastered the fine motor skills needed for more complicted projects. My daughter and I did this one today and it was perfect because she was able to participate more in the project, rather than watching me do most of the work. Its also a great way to introduce collage! If your crafting budget is tight this is a great project too because it doesn't require alot of materials and the ones you might need to buy are really dirt cheap. Start saving tissue paper from gifts because this is a great way to reuse it.

3D Tissue Paper Collage

What you will need:

-construction paper (or some surface to collage onto)

-school glue

-tissue paper

-pencil

Step 1: Draw an outline of the subject you wish to create. We did a butterfly at my daughter's request.

Step 2: Pick an area to start and spread a thin layer of glue over that area.

Step 3: Tear small pieces of tissue paper and ball them up (like you are making spit balls, minus the spit please though!)

Step 4: Press the tissue paper ball into the glue

Step 5: Wash rinse repeat... well you get the picture ;-)

We had a blast doing this, hope your little ones do too!