I worked on five new mixed media collages this week. And in this week's studio visit, I'm talking about the details. Here are some practical techniques and tips to infuse your artwork with mesmerizing details and captivating mark making: Layering: I love to layer pattern on texture. Experiment with transparent layers, such as glazes. The fun of layering is that it's a process of discovery. You can keep adding and subtracting elements, playing with composition and balance until you achieve the desired effect. It's like creating a visual symphony, where each layer adds a new note, creating a harmonious whole.... Read more →

As you know, I love Art Parts. They make the process of mixed media collage faster, more enjoyable, and easier. Imagine cooking a gourmet meal with all your ingredients prepped and ready to go. That's exactly what Art Parts is for my artwork. I like to have my backgrounds already painted, my embellishments done, and my collage papers ready to use. It's like having my own personal sous chef in the kitchen, cutting up all the ingredients for me. In this video I show you how I use Art Parts in my creative process. Three takeaways for you: Incorporate Art... Read more →

On Saturday I spent a super fast (time flies when you're having fun) four hours with a lovely group of artists in my Collage Faces class. I would say about a quarter of the class is attending live and the rest are watching the replay. That's the wonderful thing about Zoom. It's so flexible! Plus, I think the message board and ability to share images and ask questions between classes makes it feel like you don't have to watch live. For class number two, we focused on the structure of the basic pleasing face and how to construct it out... Read more →

It's no secret that I loooooove my gull wing drying rack. It's such an efficient way to air-dry my collage papers. It offers great value for the money, folds up flat, and means that I'm not constantly elbow deep in wet papers. I put together a short video all about it. Plus, take a peek through my collage papers and hear my thoughts on them: You'll note that in the video I chat a bit about the kinds of collage papers I like to make. This is something that I'm currently covering extensively in my Collage Faces class. In essentials,... Read more →

This weekend I spent a wonderful four hours with a lovely group of artists in my Collage Faces class. I would say half the class is attending live and half are watching the replay. That's the wonderful thing about Zoom. It's so flexible! As I'm sure you know, the process of creating a painted paper collage begins with the application of paint onto different types of paper, such as tissue paper, handmade paper, or even recycled materials. Once the painted papers have dried, they are cut into shapes and sizes, often using scissors or craft knives, and then carefully arranged... Read more →

Saturday was World Collage Day and I taught a live online class all about how to create a collage from a printable kit. It was tons of fun. Here are a few of the things that students made during class: And here are a few things that people said about class: "Excellent! Great to find someone who knows what it means to teach art vs showing art. And, thanks for your comment clarifying what it means to work “intuitively” – it’s an easy thing to toss out that doesn’t mean a thing. Intuition isn’t magical – it’s cultivated. Love your... Read more →

I use deli paper a lot to make my art. It's strong, comes in big sheets, and is cheap. I often buy thousands of sheets of it at once. I like to go through my desk-side deli paper stash once a month and decide if the paper is ready to be used or if it needs more layers. To decide if a sheet is finished, I ask myself: "Would I cut it up and use it today or does it need more layers?" I look for bold graphics and intense colors with lots of coverage. If the paper doesn't have... Read more →

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to celebrate World Collage Day on May 13th? Join me for a free class on May 13th from 4-5pm EST on Zoom! During the class, I'll be teaching you how to create a beautiful collage using a printable collage kit I made just for this class. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a complete beginner, I'll show you how to make a stunning piece of art using just the kit or by incorporating additional supplies. Best of all, it's completely free! Come join me and let's celebrate World Collage Day together.... Read more →

Check out this video for an exclusive studio visit as I chat through my collage process. I love to combine colorful little bits of paper to create stunning face collages. Here's the face I made in the video: Are you ready to learn how to make your own stunning face collage? Visit this link to take my Collage Face class and start making your own amazing pieces! Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Are you curious about what goes on in my studio? In the video, I'm working on a monotype collage. See the techniques I use, the decisions I make, and the thought process that goes into creating layered artwork. Would you like to watch the full, real-time version of this creative process? Super Learner Members get unlimited access to all of my real-time videos. Sign up now and discover the best tips, tricks and techniques to become a better artist. And now here's a closer look at this monotype collage: It's part of a series of pieces I've been doing that... Read more →