SALE! GET THIS AWARD-WINNING ART BOOK (NEW! Never used!) FOR CHEAP ON ETSY!

HOW-TO FOR BOTH ADULTS AND KIDS!

HUNDREDS OF FULL-COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS TO INSPIRE YOUR CREATIVITY.

Use the many techniques and ideas in your own mixed media art, journaling, even for scrapbooking.

My Etsy shop is called guhinp, and here's the link to the book:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/833131187/how-to-art-book-new-creating-decorative?ref=shop_home_active_1 

 

Make Your Own Animal Print Sneakers (& More!)

ACRYLIC PAINT and INEXPENSIVE WHITE TENNIES = EASY COW-PRINT SHOES

 I'm seeing a lot of cool athletic shoes, dressier ones too, with zebra, leopard, and other prints. So this idea came to me to embellish plain white canvas shoes with black acrylic paint. 

I used a ratty, stiff old brush to create the effect of animal hairs.

 
 Four years ago I posted several other, similar ideas. See below. 

Splat!

I used a sponge dauber, of course.

Thanks for viewing this craftsy post. Please check in again for a step-by-step tutorial on an assemblage!

USE YOUR ORIGINAL DECORATIVE PAPER TO MAKE ENVELOPES

MAKE YOUR OWN CLASSY ENVELOPES!

I love experimenting with techniques, and of course I keep all the examples that I like. Those painted papers are great for original, unique envelopes.


Supplies include a bone folder and glue.

You'll find a pattern in the book, Creating Decorative Paper. A cutting mat is handy in addition to the tools and materials pictured above.

A good set of dimensions might be 4" x 5.5" finished. So you'll need a decorative sheet of paper about 10" x 13". The pattern includes four flaps surrounding the smaller rectangle. You could use an old envelope as your pattern.

Score the paper using the bone folder. Run it along the ruler edge where the flaps will fold. If your paper is too dark to write on later, glue in a white or light-colored insert where the message will go.


Scoring to create clean folds.

 If the other side of the envelope (where you address it) is dark, paint the return address area and the address area with white gesso or light-colored paint.
When you're ready to mail the envelope, glue on a small
rectangle of painted paper to seal, or use a store-bought
sticker.

White areas for addresses.

A back side, ready to go!



CHICER-SNEAKERS. PART II

I had so much fun with a previous project (in which I enhanced an inexpensive pair of white tennies) that I chose to do it again, but differently!
This time, I used a spare pair I had purchased on sale in an exact same grey/taupe color I already had!
I used acrylic paint, as before, but this time I stamped on polka dots using a cheap sponge dauber/stamper tool with a wooden handle. Wheee!

Fast, easy, and trendy!

Fun art project for anyone!

For you collagists and mixed-media artists, sorry this isn't your purview, but do see the previous few posts! Thanks!



CHIC-ER SNEAKERS - COLORFUL & TRENDY!

THIS POST IS A DEPARTURE,

BUT ONE MIGHT CALL IT ALTERED ART.

 

I bought a plain, white, very inexpensive pair of tennis, and didn't even wash them first.

Should have, I suppose, but too excited to DO this!

I used fluid acrylic inks and paints, which are of course permanent when dry.

I did not use the mossy green at all.

Then I gathered my small paint brushes and--oh joy, what a blast painting the random shapes!

I used primary colors.

Yes, I will actually wear these!

 





 

EASY PAPIER MACHE SPIDER FOR HALLOWEEN

YEP. THIS SPIDER PROJECT IS FOR KIDS.

(OR ADULTS WITH WAY TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS!)

 

I won't go into all the specifics about newspaper strips dipped in wallpaper paste. You've known the how-to since you were a child. But I will recommend two balloons for the armature, although they are slippery and two balls of newspaper are easier to handle. You can also tape the latter together before you even begin with the pasty strips.

 

(Balloons are smoother, of course, but who wants to wait until the two pasty spheres dry before you join them together?)

 

When ready to attach the bent wire legs, push them way into the dry body and tape them well.  Finish with a fine layer of small pieces of paper toweling, covering the taped legs as well. When that's dry (the next day), paint and add eyes.

Paint markings on the spider's back if you want to!

See more holiday postings at these links: Creepy Sunnies, and Day of the Dead.

 

  

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!



LET YOUR CREATIVE SPIRIT FLY WITH THIS PROJECT

HARVEST THIS HALLOWEEN

 OR FALL IDEA!

The October issue of Arts & Activities Magazine (a resource every visual arts teacher should have) has one of these Mexican-inspired, mixed media paper creations on the cover (my complete article is featured in the magazine, which you can access online).

The figure, from an old anatomy book, was enhanced with acrylics.





The "wings" here are also from an unwanted medical book.

Washes of thin acrylics were used to enhance the anatomy images,
but inks could be used instead. Dia de los Muertos,
or Day of the Dead,is all about new birth,
re-birth, and transformation.



http://www.artsandactivities.com/





Between Fine Art and Pop Culture: A Visual Arts Educator's Rants and Ravings

Call me a curmudgeon, criticize this post if you will, but I'm driven to speak my mind. And by doing so, I'm wide open to attacks, I know. Yet, art is extremely subjective and everyone has an opinion, to which they are entitled.

As an art teacher, I know that some (or many) people may dislike my creations. I'm aware that much art is made to stir controversy and discussion. That's not what this post is about.  

I am sick and tired of "whimsy" and cute little fairy wings, dunce hats, and big eyes on poorly drawn faces. I'm also disgusted with so-called "art" that relies on words and sentences to fill the page.

The latter is fine with me if you call it journaling or call it a poster...it's writing, not art! It's either personal or commercial, but fine art? No.

My plea is that so-called art magazines (for grownups)  stop publishing artworks with faces and figures so lacking in proportion that they seem malformed. (And yes, I'm aware of primitive art and all the other art movements that promote such malformation. Again, that's not what this is.) If an artist is just learning, more power to him or her, and I wish them luck in their pursuits. But there are standards that should be met, dammit!

To continue to promote clichés is equally offensive to me.

I believe most of us would agree that honing our skills, and then moving on, trying new things, experimenting, exploring, attempting to better ourselves is the right thing to do.

Thanks for hearing me out. I feel better now.

 

IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!

Yep, those darn wings are everywhere!

Shown here, both sides of an ornament done on a store-bought cardboard heart. Collaged papers & acrylics.

Next up, an ornament that can double as a wind chime! 

First, you need decorative tins, sooo cheap at thrift

shops. 

Brightly colored tin containers.

You also need tin snips, glass beads, findings, ribbon, needle-nose 
pliers, & a small file.

Materials & tools for creating a Christmas hanging.

You can even collage the back if you like!

TIP: Be sure to file the sharp edges and burrs to a smooth finish.

Finally, here's a link to a Christmas collage that is so easy to do! 
And I love the stained-glass effect:  Madonna

Have a blessed holiday and thanks for following my blog!

CONTEST TO WIN THESE PAINT PRODUCTS!

ONLY MY FOLLOWERS CAN QUALIFY FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 

THIS BLOG CANDY!

As many of you already know, I appreciate those faithful blog followers who stick with me, so I'm always looking for ways to thank them. This contest is meant for YOU!

(This contest is now closed.)

Just in time for making Christmas ornaments, holiday cards, or 
fun, glitzy artwork, this giveaway is for all 6 DecoArt 
products shown below: A Glamour Dust, three 
Twinkle Writers, and two glass stains!

These art materials are brand new, never opened!

RULES: Be a follower of this blog, and leave a comment below this post. 
In one week, one name will be selected in a fair and random drawing. I will attempt to contact the winner personally to obtain a mailing address, which will not be used for any other purpose than to send the package of the 6 art materials.

Contest ends midnight CST Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. 

Winner announced in my next post, Sat. Nov. 16.

THIRD POST IN THE ALTERED BOOK SERIES

The cover of a book you alter must, of course, be striking. The one below is dimensional, with the leafy design sculpted of paper pulp. You could duplicate the idea by using Sculpey or other products. Press them into a mold if you don't want to form them yourself by hand.

The background is fabric.

I added shading around the paper sculpture (above) to incorporate it into the design of the cloth cover.

Here's another cover, below, done with a board book I altered. Each "page" was carved into a different curvy shape. The eye (on the inside facing page) shows through  a cut-out hole in the cover.

Imagine, by P. Guhin

Remember to design an interesting spine and edges, too! 

Beaded trim adds a decorative touch.

MAKE JEWELRY WITH THRIFT SHOP FINDS, TINY TOYS, EVEN OUTDOOR FAUCETS!

Create unique jewelry with recycled and upcycled materials. It's easy and fun!

Find inexpensive costume bits and pieces to assemble into a new necklace! Alter old-fashioned screw-type earring backs by snipping off the screw and rolling what's left into a loop. The backs of clip-on earrings often pull right off with pliers.

Start your design at the center of a chain with the largest elements. Work outward on each side with smaller parts.

This neck candy was made with junk pins and ear bobs.

I like to use all silver-tone or all gold-tone pieces together,
but you can mix and match.

Necklace above done with deconstructed brooches and earrings on a spare chain.

The two pieces seen directly below utilize a common piece of 

hardware: faucet handles! Other materials include vintage 

earrings or buttons, chains, clasps, findings (including jump 

rings &/or jewelry wire), and a few beads. Tools needed

 are pliers and wire cutters. I also added a touch of metallic 

acrylic paint to the "flower" shapes.

Old faucet handles as elements in a bracelet and a necklace. 

String some beads & add a few novelties!

This necklace is a mix of high and low: 

glass beads left over from other projects, 

and plastic key chain dangles. Achieve 

a similar Pop-art effect with small 

novelty pencil sharpeners.

(Be sure to see some tips on jewelry-making, at my last post.)

MAKE JEWELRY FROM FOUND MATERIALS

Call it altered art if you want! Use pottery shards, 

safety pins, rubber tubing, aluminum soda cans, 

and so much more to create unique jewelry. 

Make it from recycled materials and save money!

Glass beads strung on a diaper pin!

If you have jewelry findings and a few beads, you can assemble a brooch with a large, simple pin. See above.

It's easy to make a lovely cuff from safety pins.

Here's how to assemble a bracelet with safety pins, 

tiny e-beads, and elastic cord: String a pin with beads, close it, and use needle nose pliers to crimp the head to keep it closed permanently.  

Make at least fifty pins this way for a bracelet, & 

string them on beading elastic.

Cut metal, punch hole, add earring findings.

Aluminum soda pop cans are colorful 

and easy to cut. And talk about light-weight! 

File down edges so the earrings don't scratch.

I used a leather cord with this necklace.

Pendant made of a piece of a broken china plate. 

Here's my instruction:
Find a pretty plate (in porcelain, stoneware, or earthenware ceramic) for pennies at a thrift shop. Cover with a thick towel and tap with a hammer. Select a piece you like and dress the sharp, raw edges by smoothing them with a handheld ceramic tile file. Finish the edges with a permanent marker in metallic gold or silver. Glue a jewelry finding to the back.

A charming vial necklace.

A minute bottle with seashells corked inside serves as a pendant, above. Try a tiny, perfect feather sealed in a vial or a stoppered bottle, too.

Tips:

• Spread a large piece of velvet, velveteen, or felt on your work space to keep small parts from rolling off.
• Collect old jewelry chains (inexpensive at thrift shops) so you'll have them when inspiration strikes!