Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Imagine Crafts Artists in Residence Project for 2013

The exciting news that I mentioned yesterday is that starting today I am a part of Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko's AIRs Team.  "AIR" stands for Artists in Residence.  I was invited, along with 11 others, to join this team recently.  It involves producing 3 projects each month beginning February 1st using products and themes provided to me by Imagine Crafts.  My faves at this point in time are Memento inks, Fireworks, Staz-on and so many others.  I am excited to see what types of things they introduce me to.  The first of these projects will be shown on my blog beginning on Feb. 1, 2013 and on the first of every month following that for the rest of the year.  This opportunity helps me to challenge myself by forcing me to break down my work using tutorials and listing all the products I use.  No more flying by the seat of my pants and forgetting how I get certain effects.  I believe this will work together with my OLW:  "balance".  By staying balanced I'm motivated to slow down a little and be present while I'm creating things.  There are times when I'm asked to teach a class on a project and it has taken days to figure out exactly how I did it so that I can write directions down for others to produce something similar.  I hope you will be open to trying new products and new techniques using those products along with me.
Imagine Crafts has also invited me to make samples for CHA in Anaheim this month which was a big first for me.  I can't share those with you yet but I will later this month.  I will also be attending CHA,  a really big first, and doing some demos there.  If you happen to be there please stop by and say hello.  I LOVE meeting people IRL that I have only known in Blogland.  My family lives near the Convention Center so I'll be spending some time after CHA visiting family and old friends.  January is going to be a busy month.

Lately I've been drawn to making miniature Art Journal pages to see what types of things I want to put in my Art Journal.  Yes, I have been writing the directions down on the back of each card so it can be replicated.  It is a fun project, small (4" x 6") and cute.  It isn't in a book and doesn't require a lot of time and commitment so it is not at all intimidating.  This is a sample of one of those cards.  They can be joined together with a metal binder ring and kept close by for ideas for later projects.

This one was made using Strathmore watercolor paper (140 lb), gesso, Reeves Deep Yellow Acrylic paint, a tad of Cobalt Blue paint around the edges wiped off with a baby wipe (my new best friend).  Then I sprayed a little spritz of Fireworks Dandelion and Tangelo spray ink on it and blended it with a paper towel.  The clip art is by Hidden Vintage Studios and the stencil is by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.  Instead of paint I applied some Dreamweaver's Pearlescent Embossing Paste, forcing it through the stencil with an old credit card and wiped off the excess.  A few black lines with acrylic paint and circles using a lid.  The stamps are by Autumn Leaves.  The white dots and circles are drawn with a wonderful white Signo pen that one of my students, Sandy, gifted me.  I love that pen!


You can buy the pre-cut post cards or simply cut your own to whatever measurements you prefer.  It is a fun way to keep track of new ideas and colors that you might want to repeat later.  Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great day, it is sunny here but not very warm, lots of snow.  Take care, I'll talk to you soon!   




6 comments:

  1. Renee.. that is SO excting you have joined their team. They know how good you are. Congratulations... and going to CHA.. that's exciting. Can't wait to hear about it.

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    1. Thanks so much for the kind words! I will take photos at CHA and post them. I'm so excited to see it for the first time!!

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  2. Congrats again on your new DT! Love the idea of the mini Art Journal with directions for new techs and ideas! Can't wait to see more!

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  3. Congratulations, Renee! 2013 is going to be your year. So many exciting projects ahead, including designing for their booths? FAB!!!

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  4. Congratulations Renee! That is awesome. Can't wait to see what you come up with. I'm sure it will be great.
    DianeD
    Mansfield,MA

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