Tutorial - Mixed Media and Collage

I am officially migrating over to my very own website... www.FerntreeStudio.com



Today I have a special tutorial for you on a mixed media / collage piece I created. Please hop on over and enjoy! Make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed at the new site so you can continue receiving my blog posts!!! :)

Thanks,

angie

Sweet Sunday Mornings

I awoke this morning to the sound of little feet. Richard, my almost 2 year old, came running in the bedroom and threw his arms up in the air for me to hoist him into bed with me. There we lay for probably most of an hour, safe under the billowing white duvet, tucked in between the flannel sheets, curled up together. Well, me, him, teddy and a sippy cup of milk, but whatever. :)

Even though his eyes were closed, every once and a while I would hear a whisper... 'Mama?' I'd softly reply...'Richard.' He'd smile every time, little eyes still shut tight.

Best. Morning. Ever.

Nosegays - Foerever Flowers for Your Forever Sweetheart

I love creating flowers for weddings, but Valentine's Day offers inspiration for another wonderful paper flower item, Nosegays! They're mini bouquets; 3-4 flowers each.






I've taken them over to the Beehive here in Atlanta as part of my Valentine's Day setup. I think these are fabulous for those of us who aren't fond of fresh flowers for one reason or another. These flowers are forever!

What I love the most are the whimsical touches I was able to add to the ribbon wrapped stems. I wrapped them with satin ribbons in hues of red, olive green, cornflower blue, or black and then I went rummaging through my stash of lace, trims and rikrak I got from my grandmother. Each nosegay has a carefully selected piece of romantic trim, and a few were even lucky enough to be adorned with a whimsical bumble bee, white dove or glittery butterfly. They all turned out just fall-over adorable. Love!

Obsessed with Mixed Media

Okay, so here's yet another new mixed media original. I'm in Christmas present overload. I was able to get some really fantastic new art supplies (read 'toys'!) with money and gift cards for Christmas and I am just having way too much fun! I have been wanting to go a different direction with my artwork (not that I'm abandoning my usual modern cartoony style, hells no!), just to grow and learn and add some texture and layers to what I do. I'm not 100% there yet, but I'll know it when I hit on what feels like 'me'. For now though, I think this ain't half bad!

And Now For Something Totally Different

I've been going through some mixed media magazines, websites, etc this past couple weeks and got inspired to create this piece. A big departure from my usual work. I like it!

Snow Day!

Here in Atlanta we have 5 inches of snow this morning!

On Seeking Out Others Like Me

I've recently started reading Kelly Rae Robert's E-book, Flying Lessons. I believe it's important to study or learn from other people that are a bit ahead of you in the journey you have chosen to take. I know some artists that fear losing their own identity by absorbing and somehow copying another artist just because they wanted to learn from them. I think that's total hogwash. Now I'm not saying there aren't copiers out there, because there are. Like, serious Xerox copiers. But they know who they are, and if you have the conscience enough to be concerned about being one, then you aren't. Everyone struggles to find their own voice or style. Even the master painters studied and learned by 'copying' the masters that came before them. In the end they found their own style and only incorporated the lessons learned from others that spoke to them and helped them to grow. So, that being said, I have a handful of blogs I follow that I read almost every day and just soak soak soak up everything they have to put out into the world. I am a total sponge and love finding inspiration in other creatives that have had success at this whole crazy artist thing.

Here are my favorite blogs...

http://www.kellyraeroberts.blogspot.com/

http://jennihorne.blogspot.com/

http://stephaniefizer.com/

http://www.jessicaswift.com/treasuring/

http://www.timssally.com/journal/

http://www.theblackapple.typepad.com/

Oh, and here's that fantastic E-book I told you about...

http://kellyraeroberts.com/flying-lessons-the-whole-shabang/

Giveaway at Adventures In Love And Happiness

Just a big FYI that Nicole over at Adventures In Love And Happiness is running a giveaway this week for 2 of my inspirational pieces!

Good luck!

New Prints and Valentine's

I've been creating away like a little artist worker bee (don't let me fool you I LOVE it). Here are some new Valentine's related pieces, plus my first ever kid's Valentine's cards! These are the cute little ones you remember giving away to your classmates as a child. Oh, the anticipation of opening up that bedazzled shoebox to see who wanted you to be their Valentine! :)