My little House

I've been working on this one for a few weeks now. I like having a few pieces going on at the same time it gives me new inspiration which can be refreshing. I used a rolled paper technique I learned from a video by Christy Tomlinson to create the roof, window, rainbow and door I love the dimension it adds to my work. My background was created with acyclic paint and different mediums like bubble wrap, dry wall tape, washi tape, paper borders and other household items.  The flowers were from a stamp inked with archival ink and painted in with red acrylic paint. I stamped a rainbow in the rolled paper I had in the upper right corner. I colored it in with fine tip sharpie markers. I highly recommend keeping a sketch journal it's something I go back to time and again to gather inspiration for what I want to do next!  Grab your paints stamps and any other things you have laying around and give it a try!

My latest Canvas!

I love love love how this turned out! It started with some paper that caught my eye. Then came a problem I've never faced before I couldn't figure out what colors looked good with the paper. I remembered I had bought a cheap color wheel a few months back. Boy am I glad I did it really helped! It pointed me towards using the green & yellow with the violet purple. This will be a hard one to let go! I suggest investing in a $2 color wheel for those times when you need a little color help.  I'm contemplating adding some words or a quote but I may just leave it be.....

Art Journal Cover

I finished the cover for my Art Journal and wanted to share it with you. (don't have many "you" but I'm believing that will change!!).  I love owls and they seemed to fit this background. The texture on the bottom is from gauze I got at target during halloween. I used Golden gel medium to adhere it. It's very easy to put down just cut a piece a little larger than the area you want to cover. You need extra material to be able to maximize the texture. When the gauze is coated with the gel medium use your fingers to create your desired look. (Medical gauze would work great if you decide to try something like this.) Once the gauze was dry I used a few shades of green to create the look of grass. I drew a few flowers and did some doodling swirls with fine tip pens. Now for the swirly cloud(ish) looking things I glued kitchen twine down with some pva glue. My sky was made with mixing some blues with white until I had my desired color. I added some white highlights and used a white gel pen on the clouds. I put the owl stickers on and applied a coat of collage podge over them to be sure they would stay in place. My art journal is just a small spiral notebook I got at a secondhand store. I will do a post soon that will show you how to prep the book pages like I do in my journals. The pages can then be written on, painted, embossed, zentagled, stamped, glued on etc etc etc the possibilities are endless! you should try making your own art/visual journal. Merry Christmas!!

Poppies are so fun to paint!

I'm loving how this is turning out. Poppies are so much fun to create I really like the bold red. They aren't hard to make I used some old book text and tore out some roundish (not a word?) shapes. I used a Americana cherry red, golden pyrrole red, golden transparent pyrrole orange, golden quinacridone magenta acrylic paints ob the poppies. For the stems I used an green acrylic pen and glued black beads down for the centers of the flowers with pva glue. To make the background I used various colors on things like dry wall tape, bubble wrap, stencils and I added washi tape sealed with collage podge. Just play around with different materials to create texture and add the colors you like. After I got the background done I put the poppies on & painted the stems. I used a couple different stamps over the background and finished flowers with black archival ink.  One of the final touches was some paper border glued down with craft glue. Now I'm just debating adding text. I'll post again if I decide to add anything else. I challenge you to make some flowers with book text there are endless possibilities!

One of my current projects!

It's not quite done yet but I thought I'd share one of the projects I'm working on.  I've got several things going on at the moment but this is one of my favorites.  I love the rolled paper roof & door. I got the rolled paper idea from artist Christy Tomlinson if you haven't seen her work check out her blog www.christytomlinson.typepad.com she is an amazing artist!  I'm getting a little anxious Christmas is quickly approaching and I don't feel ready. I need to finish a couple pieces I'm working on so I can get my girls wall art done. It will be some late nights for me so they don't see what I'm doing! Tis the season!

Love thrift stores!

I was shopping at a local thrift store & came across this box. If was a little rough but I knew with a few fixes I could make it into something cute and useable. The edges were coming up so I used some matte medium to adhere those back down. I had a couple things cut out for collage so I put them on with matte medium also. They were too white so with a couple oil pastel crayons I grunged them up a bit. I'll probably add some more collage elements to finish it up. Always keep an eye out for hidden treasures that you can change and make your own! It was definitely worth the $2.99 now I have to figure out what I'll put in it!!

Excited about this Christmas present!

I found this book by Suzi Blu it was a splurge so it will get wrapped up & put under the tree until Christmas. I know you shouldn't get yourself Christmas presents but I figure I might as will get things I desire. My girls won't care they'll be happy to wrap something up for mom! One of my goals is to incorporate faces into my art. I'm trying to find my own style and what works for me as an artist. I never had the confidence before to even try but I'm working on the attitude of I can do anything I put my mind too! I'm having a blast growing and changing as an artist. I think that's what art is all about. If your someone who is scared to try new things push past that fear and give it a try there's no risk in that. Get out your sketchbook and play!

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for my loving husband and wonderful children they are all truly a blessing! I'm thankful for the continued hope that my body will keep recovering from my spine surgery. I'm thankful for this creative journey I am on I'm so excited for my future in mixed media art, whatever it may bring!

I now want to go out on a limb and acknowledge my goals for my creative future. I'll list them in no particular order.
-grow a blog following
-being featured & or interviewed on a fellow bloggers blog
-art published/submitted and or write articles for magazines (cloth paper scissors is top on my list)
-sell my art on ETSY
-teach classes (this is coming true in January I'll be teaching a art journal class at my churches womens retreat I'm excited for the opportunity it's a great way to start)

I've obviously got a lot of work to do! Just taking it one step at a time. I will start soon by submitting some pictures of my art to Cloth Paper Scissors. I'll post what I submit & cross my fingers and toes!

Peace

Holiday Bizarre!

I had a chance to put my art in a booth at a local Holiday Bizarre. My bff was kind enough to hang out with our stuff for the day. She told me there were lots of people looking at my canvases but apparently they weren't buying. I'm trying to learn not to take it personal. If you ever get the chance to work public markets, bizarres, art festivals etc you'll to find that sometimes it goes well & sometimes it doesn't. Just go with your gut and have fun with it. Here's a few photos of my little area. On a side note a local consignment market took four of my pieces. We'll see what comes from that crossing my fingers!

My Version of Poppies!

I wish I would have started taking pictures sooner...but I caught it halfway. I watched a Donna Downey inspiration wednesday post and es excited to give it a try in my art journal. I'm thinking now I definitely will be making a canvas with these darling little flowers. I started with tearing flower shapes from old book text. I used my collage podge to adhere theme to my journal page. I used Cherry Red Americana acrylic paint to begin with and then Golden Transparent Pyrrole orange. The stems are from using Bombay black India Ink. I glued black beads in the centers with glossy accents. I can't wait to make a canvas!! Hope you enjoy and it inspires you to create your own piece of art!

Making your own background papers in mixed media collage projects!

I'm still recovering from surgery so I haven't been able to work on posting like I want. I am however able to share this with you because it's quick & easy. I was inspired by some Tim Holtz patterned tissue paper it had butterflies & music notes. I love Ranger products but $17 for a roll of tissue paper just isn't happening right now. After doing this I'm thinking I'd prefer making my own. The music theme got me thinking what if I stamp some sheet music I have? Well I did just that and it turned out fantastic!

Step 1-stamp a piece of sheet music with whatever you prefer.
Step 2-I used TSUKINEKO Walnut Ink spray to give it an aged look.  Simply spray and blot to your preference.
Step 3-optional ball the paper up to help with the aged appearance.

That's it your done. I'm excited because I'll be able to use these in my mixed media projects and I can't wait. Give it a try!

So here's why I've been away...

I had to have back surgery on the 23rd. It's actually a good thing because it's giving me a chance to feel better. I should be able to sit more soon so I can get some posts done! I'm looking forward to less leg & back pain so I can get moving on some art!

Just a quick Hello!

I'm working on a much larger detailed post (delayed due to illness). I'll be talking about basic supplies to start an art journal.  I'm quickly going to share about my weekend because it's a little unusual. I was feeling a little better today so I got to spent a lovely day with my family at a local pumpkin patch. We run 3 pumpkin cannons. Your probably thinking, "what??" yes, I said Pumpkin Cannons. Last year my husband built a pink one her name is Rosie. We have a crew of girls that try to shoot pumpkins together when we can. My husband doesn't mind being a stand in because she shoots the farthest. Here's a pic of my husband and I with Rosie. I'm truly addicted to shooting pumpkins as weird as that sounds. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Where should you begin??

I want to share some of my favorite resources with you. I think this first book is a must have. I can\'t even begin to tell you how much I learned from just this one book. The author does a wonderful job telling you about techniques and products. Please remember you don\'t need all of these things at once it would cost a fortune and it\'s not necessary. The book is, Teach Yourself Visually Collage and Altered art by Roni Johnson. If you want it immediately your local craft store may have it otherwise Amazon is also a great place and you can get a good deal. Another great book I found is, The Journal Junkies Workshop visual ammunition for the art addict (I\'m definitely an art addict!) by Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler. They also give some great product and technique information. So you may ask, "Where do I start?", I believe an Art Journal is a great place to start. My next post I\'ll go into detail on how to make one. If your thinking I don\'t journal that\'s ok I never did either. The cool thing about an art journal is that you don\'t have to write if you don\'t want to. You can paint, draw, write and or many other things. It\'s a great way to unwined and just create. If your having a bad day and you need to vent you can write your feelings down and paint over them. It\'s very liberating! The options are endless.....

How my creative Journey began....

In the fall of 2010 my best friend asked me if I wanted some scrapbooking stuff that her mom was getting rid of (Thanks Dixie!). I jumped at the chance because I was open to finding a hobby. Little did I know that would jump start my artistic side to come out & run. Hence my blog name RC Running Wild. About the same time I discovered Kelly Rae Roberts artwork. When I first saw her paintings I had an instant reaction that pulled at my heart. I remember thinking, "I wish I could do something like that.!" I had never felt that feeling towards art, it was crazy! I began making cards for fun my friends and family were giving me great feedback & complements.  I started going to craft stores and I discovered a love for paper(oh my) & embellishments etc...  I was brave and asked a local store owner if she would sell my cards she agreed. That was so scary walking around and talking to store owners. I loved doing cards but I felt I still needed to grow. I coasted like that for several months.  My friend Kelli happened by a blog Lil Blue Boo the creator Ashley posted about how to make an art journal. In March of 2011 Kelli and I had a journal making pow wow. We had so much fun it was a fantastic couple of days!!  We learned so much! Finding that website was the perfect thing to stumble upon. While researching for the supplies we needed I was intrigued by the art I was seeing.  I also bought a couple books and started watching Youtube videos (I'll post the book names soon!). After that pow wow the feeling of needing to grow was even stronger. Even though the possibilities seemed endless and overwhelming. Through Youtube I found an artist Christy Tomlinson. She has been a huge inspiration (I should thank her)! I decided to jump in and create my own wall art. Kelli gave me great feedback which motivated me to do and try more things. I knew I was on the right path I just needed to let my self create. In July I took my work to a local Public Market. Kelli and I set up a booth and both did well that day.  It was then I started believing that I was an artist and I could call my creations art work. I realized I was selling my art to people I didn't know (one of my favs was going on a plane to Chicago!) they weren't just trying to be nice.  It seemed so foreign to say and feel but so right at the same time.  I still have so much to learn and that's one awesome thing about art is that it's endless. If your new to mixed media or this is the first time you've heard that term don't let all the information out there overwhelm you. Just having a few simple basics will allow you to make some fun things.  I'll start with a list of suggestions, products I like etc... I hope you'll join me! (I'll say sorry now for any grammar & punctuation errors)

What to expect from my blog....

Hope your all enjoying this beautiful fall day! As I'm trying to figure this whole blog thing out please bare with me.  I'll be posting a few pieces of my current work to help get some content on here.  After that I'll be posting at least once a week.  I'm brainstorming about what topics I'll be posting about...watch for tutorials, product reviews, guest artists, my inspirations and I may also chronicle my dread journey a little (Oct. 5th is 1yr of dreading). You may wonder why?? Well they have been a huge part of my transformation over the past year.  My dreads just feel natural and are part of the women I am.  I have discovered my inner hippie...LOL          

Hello Everyone!!

Hello Everyone!! I'm excited to share my upcycled canvases with you. I'm a Mixed Media Artist who's addicted to paint and paper. This is a newer journey for me so I still have a lot to learn but I'm looking forward to sharing what I know with you. Enjoy!!