Mixed Media Techniques for Art Journaling with Julie Nutting Stamps from Prima Marketing Inc.

This summer I've been teaching a mixed media class where we focus on technique...we've misted, sprayed, painted, used stencils, used modeling paste, inks, acrylic paints...we've spattered and splashed and layered...

 

And until now we've really focused on creating layered backgrounds...This week we're going to incorporate Julie Nutting Cling Stamps from Prima Marketing Inc.  

The stamps are great and perfect for mixed media techniques...I've stamped a few images to get started.

 



 

On this journal page, I stamped directly on the page and colored over the background...it gives a cool look and you can still somewhat see the background layer through the colored stamp. 

 

 

For next week's class, we're using quotes that are about self affirmation and joy, after all art should be a joyful activity! 

 

 

As you can see our background pages all turned out really cool with lots of layers. 

 

I am looking forward to sharing the techniques with our group...and I am happy to see some of the pages coming together so nicely. 

 

 

 

 We meet once a month, on the second Tuesday, at Mary's Scrapden in Evansville, Indiana...we usually have a full house and have a lot of fun...I always look forward to our Mixed Media for Art Journaling class...it's always awesome!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life's Beauty is Hidden in the Everyday!

 

 

It's something I remind myself of all the time...I just finished a cool project to help me remember it.  This altered metal frame project stands over 13" tall and is really fun to make, in fact, I'll be teaching this class this fall at... 

 

Scrapbook Generation in Springfield Missouri and at Art at the Edge in Newburgh Indiana.  It's loaded with beautiful floral embellishments from Stationer's Desk by Prima Marketing Inc.  

 

 

In the class we'll use Prima's new Color Blooms sprays to create a unique patina finish on the metal frame.

 



 

I love the simple look of this little project...and I can't wait to teach this in class! 

 

I hope to see you in one of those classes this fall!

 

Ken 

 

 

 

 

Art at the Edge Map...Was I Ever Surprised!

Art at the Edge is October 25th, and there's still lots of time to sign up...but I'd been noticing that the sign ups were rolling in daily, so I decided to put everybody on a map, just to see what that looks like...

 

 
at this point, we have people signed up from 11 states, and from as far away as Florida and Minnesota!  I'm really excited to get to share a day of art with everyone who is coming and happy to share my new hometown, Newburgh Indiana...

Our local merchants are planning some awesome deals for out of town visitors and are really excited that we'll have so many guests in Newburgh for the weekend.

There's still time to sign up for Art at the Edge, although there are only a handful of seats left. 

 

You can click on the link here, or on the banner over in the side bar to reserve your seat. 

 

And, if you're going to be in town for the weekend, I've added an additional class, ICE at the Edge! It's a workshop where you'll learn techniques using ICE Resin.  It's a separate workshop and I promise you it will be lots of fun, and you'll create 4 beautiful resin pendants that you can keep for yourself or give as gifts. 

 

 

Our venue for both events is Newburgh's Edgewater Grill...our room has inspiring panoramic water views...

 

 

And their food is amazing...

 

If you haven't signed up yet, I hope you'll consider joining us down by the river for a couple days creating some great art! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prima Marketing Flowers at Art at the Edge SWAG ALERT!

You know if it's from Prima Marketing Inc...it's gotta be good!  That's why I am really excited to let you know...

 

 

That Prima Marketing Inc. is sponsoring an "out of this world" SWAG Bag for attendees at Art at the Edge. 

 

That's why if you haven't signed up...you need to...you are going to love the products their throwing in to make your experience at Art at the Edge like no other! 

 

You can still reserve your seat by clicking on the link here...

 

I'm planning two wonderful Prima classes for everyone at Art at the Edge...and this Swag Bag from Prima just puts it over the top! 

(The products pictured are a representation of the goodies that will be in your swag bag and shown as examples only).  You know if it's Prima, it's going to be good and I know you will be thrilled!

 

 

 

 

I really hope to see you at Art at the Edge...click here for more details!

 

Art at the Edge and the Country Gentleman

Hey, this is really cool...if you're coming to Art at the Edge, you'll enjoy a weekend of extra discounts at Newburgh's Country Gentleman Antiques Shop!

 

 

The Country Gentleman has been a shopping destination in old Newburgh since 1983 and is housed in one of Newburgh's most recognized landmarks at the corner of Jennings and State Streets.  Built in 1841 as the Exchange Hotel.  The place was modeled after architectural plans brought to our town from Germany and has brick walls that are 27" thick. 

 

During it's 173 year life, the building, some locals still call the hotel, has served as a hotel, an armory and hospital during the Civil War, and later was the first department store in the county, selling furniture, clothing, household supplies and dry goods...the place has an amazing history. 

 



The Country Gentleman and shop proprietor, Scott Lauderdale,  has extended a very special discount for everyone attending Art at the Edge...if you spend over $20.00, you'll receive 25% off your total bill...it's a great deal and I am sure you'll find lot's of treasures to take home with you to help you remember the time you've spent in our quaint little town.

 

 

 

The Country Gentleman is always brimming with amazing pieces that you are going to love!

 

 

Whether it's antique dishware, lamps and lighting, primitive furniture, cupboards, or vintage Christmas decorations, the place is a picker's paradise! 

 

 

I've been a customer of Scott's for about 30 years...he always has the best pickin' in town!

 

And since he's just across the street from my new place...I can visit any time I want...I know you are going to love this place too. 

I'll just let pictures tell the rest of the story...

 

The place is amazing!

 

You can actually feel the history of the place!

 

 

What you should know as you prepare for your visit...Scott has a great selection of antique photographs, cabinet cards, antique post cards, stereoscope slides and vintage ephemera...I can spend hours looking through the piles of his incredible collection...mixed media artists...be prepared to spend some time here!

 

And...if you are looking for something that you don't see...ask!  More than likely Scott has it somewhere in the backroom or can get his hands on it. People from all over the Midwest bring their collections to him. He has the reputation for being one of the best, most knowledgeable, dealers in the region. 

 

 

And, when you visit, you'll meet Toby...he is the unofficial greeter at the store...

 

 

 I am so pleased to let you know that The Country Gentleman is a Merchant Partner with Art at the Edge...I know you will enjoy your experience at the shop...it's really like stepping back in time!  If you like the pics you see here...go like The Country Gentlemen's Facebook page and let him know you like what you see and that you're coming for a visit...

Now, I have to go across the street to see Scott...I called him on the phone yesterday and asked him to put a special treasure aside for me...

Thank you for stopping by today and I hope to see you at Art at the Edge in Newburgh in October! 

 

Mixed Media Assemblage Eternal Prosperity and Happiness

This mixed media assemblage piece started as an example for an ICE Resin workshop I was teaching over the weekend at Ephemera Paducah in Paducah, Kentucky.

And as it came together, I realized the symbols I'd used in the piece were powerful Feng Shui symbols of eternal prosperity and happiness. 

 

 

It was really random at first...I used a vintage game piece with the number 88 on it. 

 

 

And I used a Chinese coin, because it was in my stash of demo pieces...I realized later that these two images were powerful symbols for Feng Shui practitioners.  In the Chinese language the sound of 8 is “fatt”, which means prosperity and abundance. The figure 8 represents infinity. Therefore, two eights seen together mean “eternal prosperity.” The 88 symbol is universally to unblock stagnate energy and to bring new energy.  88 also represents double happiness. And the game piece is red...another good symbol for Feng Shui practitioners.   It was quite random that I'd placed these pieces together.  I later realized it was kind of cool.  Chinese money, placed in the wealth center of your home is said to bring money your way...there's coin encased in the resin too.  

 

There are a couple gears, and a wire wrapped silk ribbon to hold the pendant. 

 

This piece, quite by accident, turned out so cool. 

 

To finish the piece, I added a #3 skeleton key.  The key is a symbol of discovering that which is hidden or secret, In this piece the key reminds us that we always have the key or the ability to unlock the secret to happiness, or prosperity... it's within us.  

 

All this is pretty "out there" for me...but when I stepped back and thought about the literary and Feng Shui meanings of the symbols I'd randomly put together...it seemed a very happy coincidence. 

 

Thank you for stopping by today...I hope you'll be inspired to make something beautiful!

 

Ken 

 

 

Local Workshops in Evansville Indiana

 I just wanted to let everybody know, I've got a couple exciting workshops lined up this week...that are local.  I'll be teaching in Evansville on Saturday August 23rd at Mary's Scrapden. 

In the first workshop at 1:00pm we'll create a cool shadowbox, with positive life affirming messages like, Chase Happiness, Life is Beautiful, Stop and Smell the Roses, or Bloom Where You're Planted.

 

You'll have lots of choices with new papers from Prima Marketing's Forever Green collection. 

 

We'll create one shadowbox with 4 compartments for you to decorate.

In the process, we'll use some cool crackle glaze to age and distress the shadow boxes. 

 

 

You'll have a choice of 2 finishes...you can finish your shadow box by painting it white...or you can finish it by painting it black...either way, the distressing techniques I'll teach you will make your shadow box look like an aged little antique treasure.

 

Our shadowbox workshop is from 1:00-3:00pm.  I'll have all the tools, paints and adhesives you'll need to create this great little altered art project. 

 

Then from 4:00-7:00pm I'm teaching Techniques with ICE Resin.  In this workshop, you'll create 4 charms or bezels filled with trinkets, jewelry findings, and bits of paper.  We'll then use ICE Resin to seal your creation in a clear, glasslike setting...these bezels make beautiful pendants or bracelets...you are going to love this workshop.   

 

And, with the holidays soon approaching, any of the pieces you make in this workshop would be a perfect handmade gift for anyone on your list this year.

 

We start at 4:00pm...and I'll have lots of materials to use in the workshop.  You are encouraged to bring copies of vintage photos, scraps of handwritten letters, or any jewelry pieces or bits that you'd like to use inside your bezels. 

 

The pieces are stunning, I've taught this workshop in France, Germany, the U.K. Canada and all over the U.S.

Here's your chance to take the class locally with lots of one on one instruction.  It's going to be really fun. 

To sign up, call 812-474-9099 or follow this link for location and cost... http://goo.gl/UVkfYj Call to save your spot in the workshop as seats are limited. 

I hope to see you there! 

Ken