Balzer Designs

Kandinsky Inspired Art --- Learning Tool

I recently included a Kandinsky quote and painting in my weekly email newsletter (the newsletter goes out every Friday). It sent me down a bit of a Kandinsky rabbit hole. I stumbled onto a German website that I believe is for elementary school teachers. They had a fascinating lesson suggestion that I had to try for myself. STEP ONE - Laminate a design of colored tissue paper and black construction paper pieces. No need to fill the whole lamination pouch. Think about design. I used black tar paper for some of these, but it was too dimensional, so I ended... Read more →

Painted Wood Block Wall Art

Did you know that "Painted Wood Block Wall Art" is a thing? I stumbled across this etsy listing... link ...and it sent me down a rabbit hole. Here are a few other listings I found when searching "painted wood block wall art": link link link link If you're thinking what I'm thinking, then here are the supplies you need to make your own: Wood Canvases -- You can get a pack of eight 10x10 wood canvases for about $25 on Amazon. Your favorite paint or collage materials. If you're going to sell them: varnish. Personally, I have been known to... Read more →

From My Composition Class: Grids Deep Dive

I hosted a wonderful live online workshop a few weekends ago. It's part of a series of "Composition Classes" that I'm offering. This one was about "The Grid" and these are the three demo pieces I created during class: I looooove them! I think they're some of the best pieces that I've done in this series -- and that's not something I usually say about demo pieces. But I think there are a few reasons that they're good and they're things I want to remember: Limited palette. I've said if before. I'll say it again. I even taught a class... Read more →

#30Grids: Days 27-30

I have finally wrapped up my #30Grids project. I went big on the last three and I'm so glad! It was a challenge and they took about five times as long to complete, but I really feel like I stretched myself and learned some things. So there's one regular sized one (8.5x11) and then three larger ones (19x24). Take a peek: One of the things that Matisse wrote in "Notes of a Painter" (part of the book, Matisse on Art) really resonated with me when I was sizing up my mixed media collages. He wrote: "Composition, the aim of which... Read more →

#30Grids: Days 18-26

I've taken a slight turn in my 30-day abstract mixed media collages experiment! As you know, I constructed all of these pieces using a grid design, and following my "Art Parts" theory of construction. I have also gone all in on pattern-on-pattern-on pattern. But I have started to change the way I construct these and it has made all the difference. Check it out: I really feel excited about these pieces and I'm hoping to size up for my last few entries into this series. These are all 8.5x11, but I think it would be awesome to do some bigger... Read more →

#30Grids: Days 11-17

I've got seven more abstract mixed media collages for you! I constructed all of these pieces using a grid design, and following my "Art Parts" theory of construction. I'm in the middle of this series and I can feel that I'm entering into a more experimental -- and slightly more uncomfortable -- phase of creating. It's a good (and scary) feeling. Do you have a favorite among these mixed media collages? I have a few, for different reasons. :) Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

#30Grids: Days 3-10

As I mentioned last week, I recently issued a personal challenge to myself to create 30 mixed media collages based on "the grid" design. Here are eight of them: Do you have a favorite? I am amazed how one simple design idea can take so many disparate forms. It's rather exciting, isn't it? I think I could probably create piles and piles of artwork over many years using this one simple design! If you'd like to learn more about how to use "the grid" design, sign up for my live online class on August 14. Thanks for stopping by! Read more →

Four Mixed Media Collages from Art Parts

These four mixed media collages began as demo pieces for my Art Parts class. I finished them up over the weekend and I'm quite pleased with the group! I'm often called prolific and one of the main reasons for that is because I work smarter, not harder. Here are four tips for you to do the same: KNOW THYSELF. You can't shortcut this one. Make lots and lots of work and think about what you like and what you don't. Look at the work of people you admire and think about what you like and what you don't. The better... Read more →

Super Simple 4th of July Garland Banner

It's almost the Fourth of July! It's a holiday that basically demands red, white, and blue decorations for a backyard barbecue. As a crafty gal, I love to decorate for the holidays. However, I'm in a season of life in which my DIY decorations need to be quick and easy or they won't get done. I'm sure that as my son gets older, I'll be able to return to more elaborate DIYs, but I'm keeping it simple for this year's 4th of July festivities. As I'm sure you realize, simple can be outstandingly gorgeous. I cut my shapes out of... Read more →

A Redo & Three Lessons

On Friday, I constructed this mixed media collage as a demo for my live online Art Parts class: The more that I stared at it over the weekend, the more that I felt like I wanted to make some changes. So, I did. And here are the two side-by-side: It's possible that you like one more than the other. (Think about why that is and you'll learn something about your personal style!) For me, the one on the right is more subtle, has more clarity, and feels more fully resolved than the one on the left. Three lessons to take... Read more →