Intro: And I present to you the last of my Valentine themed ATCs (I hope) for this year. I made these 2 specifically to open up for trading. Finally tried my hand at using distress ink on scrapbook paper.
What I created: 2 ATCs that I think are categorized as "mixed media" due to the materials I used. I have been itching to use a stack of scrapbook paper that I purchased from Michaels and finally got to use them for these two cards. I think I got carried away with the distress ink but I think they still look decent. For one heart I carried on that theme of using watercolor painted scraps to put together as a shape. I had a few strips left over for a postcard that I mailed out and so decided to make one last heart out of them. I really like these cards as they show just how many different materials I finally used (some for the first time) and got to experiment with. I tried using washi tape (first time ever touching these) but I don't think I fully understand their function enough to know what exactly I can accomplish with them. I also added some puffy paint to the cards for some dimensional effects. Final thoughts: I feel as if I should always create 3 cards at a time or 4 when trying to experiment... I had more ideas when I was creating these cards but could only do so much as I was only making two. Note to self: only make three or four cards at a time.
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Intro: I recently was involved with multiple MMH (Make Me Happy threads) of ATCsForAll where we had to create postcards. Some of them had themes already decided by the person who they were made for and one had no theme at all. I was also participating in a Valentine Exchange that let me create 2 Valentine postcards. Along with an EAU thread - I got make my first envie and mail it off. There was also an art marathon going on that inspired me to make some heart themed ATCs. What I created: All of the snail mail art that I made used the following materials:
Note: For those that these were surprises for: I am sorry if they still have not arrived and I have already posted them here. It has been over 2 weeks since they were sent off, so I posted these keeping in mind that they have already arrived. The longest time for me was a trade completed in Slovakia and the cards reached their destination within two weeks. Intro: I am sure many people have run across these words online already... ACEO (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals), ATC (Artist Trading Cards), Inchies (1"x1" canvas art), Rinchies (1" round canvas art), and Twinchies (2"x2" canvas art).
What is the difference between ATC and ACEO? I am not going to go into details on them except provide a link to a nice place that I discovered... they have a better description of both and in-depth details as well. ATC for All - difference between ACEO and ATC Altered-Art - all about ATC and what you can do with them Also a breakdown of the other three forms of art: What are inchies? ATCs: This is suppose to be more of an in depth discussion on ATCs... but I am not going to bore anyone with details that they already know. I am simply going to post my thoughts about ATCs and the future of this blog when it comes to artist trading cards. I am going to continue using artist trading cards as they provide a good exercising form for all media. I am going participate in a monthly contest on ATCsForAll once in awhile just to test my creative juices but that's about it. I am going to participate in swaps if they seem inspiring enough. I can see myself selling prints of the cards but not in the near future... as they are for exercise purposes only - for practice. I am going to create ATCs as gifts for friends and family but nothing that I'll be posting online to sell. I am going to focus on creating polymer clay (with some air dry clay) trading cards...perhaps creating a different standard size if the traditional 2.5"x3.5" does not work out. I plan on creating a custom display item for the cards as well...perhaps even a way to store them. I can see myself in the future creating multiple ATCs that are to be used as reference (like swatches that artists create for polymer clay colors). If anyone would like to see details (a tutorial perhaps even a video) on how to create something similar do contact me or comment here. Depending on the demand I might create that if I end up making a YouTube channel. Miniature ATC: So there exists a standard size for all ATC created as it must fit a clear plastic sleeve (penny sleeve). Which means that the card can not be too bulky otherwise it is not going to fit in the sleeve. After some research I ran into miniature ATCs... which are only 1.5"x2.5" or 1.75"x2.5". This again reminds me of small artist tiles... or even collectible cabochons (or even inchies). This is something to really look into especially with polymer clay. I can see a collection of miniature ATCs that look like tile samples... or button designs. Inchies, Twinchies, Rinchies: These are smaller forms of ATCs that serve a similar purpose to some extent. Some collectors do go to the next level of creating something bigger by assembling multiple ATCs (like this folded card). Typically inchies (along with rinchies and twinchies) are traded, collected, sold, gifted, etc just like ATCs. Some artist online share their ideas on making fabric inchies used to assemble quilts and other wearable art. The only reason I bring these up is due to the small canvas size, they are quick to make. Inchies are 1"x1" while twinchies are 2"x2" canvas art. Rinchies are round shaped canvas works that are 1" in diameter (the size of bottle caps) and there are B'Twinchies that have varied dimensions. It is great putting them together like a puzzle to create another work of art. These can be used on other artworks, like on ATCs or greeting cards and albums, etc. I think they would serve as good canvas for exercises... even in clay or other 3D media. Final thoughts: I have determined that if I am going to post my ATCs for sale at any point in the future I'll have to organize things once again...which I do not have the time for right now. In the future perhaps I'll think about adding them to a store online or even setting up a store on this blog, but right now I do not plan on selling my ATCs (only trading upon request). This goes for any inchies, twinchies, or rinchies that I create as well. I'll be posting these creations in the future as I make them on here. I have entered organized swaps already to have themes to work with... and plan on entering some more in the future. I'll also be creating these as parts of challenges and perhaps contests...? If anyone is interested in trading ATCs please do contact me I have an account on ATCs for All, my username is ParadoxSketchbook. Intro: I am sure many of us have heard of Omni Journals...or maybe even have one. I decided that it was time to dedicate a notebook/sketchbook as a personal omni journal.
What is it? If we look at the definition of "omni" we can easily define the journal itself as well. Omni means "all; of all things; in all ways or places" so just use that definition with a journal. Which in summary means that this journal has no limits like this blog. Mixed media journal, scrapbook journal, paint journal, sketchbook, art book, doodle book, diary...etc any and all of those things combined is an omni journal. You can go from doodling to writing down dreams that you have had... events that have taken places or even put pictures you take in the journal and decorate the page as you would do in a scrapbook. That is why I like the idea of omni journaling - there are no limits... no clear definitions. My omni journal: I decided to keep it small in size as I wanted something that I could easily carry around any where I went... from doctor's office to shopping or work or even dinner at a restaurant. The main purpose was to have a surface to place my thoughts and ideas on and have them be readily available in one location. Previously I have had multiple sketchbooks and journals scattered around: some at work, some at home, some are actually sticky notes laying in the car. I wanted to get rid of the imbalance to get some stress off of my shoulders. Too much stress that is created from materials gets in the way of the actual art from being created. i purchased the Strathmore Sketchbook 300 Series that is 3.5" x 5.0" and has 100 sheets. The other psychological way of looking at this is - the size of the journal that I picked. I think artists (or anyone in general) feels more accomplished when they have smaller tasks that they can check off. Compared to one big task getting completed that takes just so much time to complete in the end it looses it's full apperiation from the creator. By having a journal/sketchbook that is small I want to set myself up for achieving personal goals on completing sketchbooks... something I have never done in my life before. I have countless sketchbooks and journals that are unfinished... some close to finishing but deserted. It's always good to have small motivations in life that keep our inner self pleased because in the end if we are happy with ourselves then we are going to feel better about the things we create. In order to appericiate the works I create more than I currently do I want to show myself that I am capable of accomplishing art related goals. By completing these small journals I hope to achieve this goal... as it is going to help in leading to bigger projects (like the Sketchbook Project). Final thoughts: You'll be seeing actual snippets from my journal in the future categorized under it's own keyword Omni Journal. |
Author: RejiI used to be a digital artist but switched back to traditional art as I feel more connected with the art I create this way. Currently, I create art whenever I can for art trades and commissions. I have worked with clay (earth clay to modern forms like Polymer, Sculpey, even Air Dry clay) along with watercolors, acrylics, oil paints, pastels, charcoal, pen and pencil drawings, India ink, Chinese Colors, wires, felt fabric, yarn, weaving, basket making, and the list goes on and on. I am currently working on exploring nail art, make-up, dress making, scrapbooking, and small canvas art. Archives
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