Somerset Studio magazine just arrived!

Now that there are no new magazines at the bookstore, plus I don't really go to my usual hangouts due to the Corona Virus...I really look forward to receiving my faves in the mail.  I recently received the Aug/Sep/Oct issue of Somerset Studio.  The new format of the magazine makes for a gorgeous issue with tons of interactive pages within.

I did have a few cards featured in this issue, which was a huge surprise to me since I submitted them several years ago!  Hey, it's okay with me, I'm just happy to be there. 

I hope this finds you well, thanks so much for stopping by!  Hugs ~ Renee

Summer issue of Somerset Studio just arrived!

I received a little ray of sunshine today in my mailbox, the latest edition of Somerset Studio Summer 2020 has arrived.  With all the negative news about the Corona Virus that we have every day everywhere it is nice to take a breather and enjoy some beautiful artful imagery.  This is the May 1, 2020 magazine and the colors on the cover and in the magazine are magical!

There are instructions on my blog in 2018 as to how to create these Artist Trading Coins.  These particular ATCoins are very large, 6 inches of surface space to play in.  I like the larger size watercolor paper coins from joggles.com since they provide a solid surface that can take a lot of water and a larger area for stencil play.

Pam Carriker released these face stencils back in 2018 and I've been using them ever since.  I used Tim Holtz's Distress Oxide spray inks for the faces and the backgrounds.  I also used Seth Apter's ATC stencils for the backgrounds.  Any rubber stamp can be used to add a thought or theme and in some cases just a ChitChat sticker will say it all.  StazOn Jet Black ink for me is a must for the stamping and could be embossed with clear embossing powder.  For the shading I used my Stabilo All water soluble pencil with a water brush.

If you enjoy doing a quick piece of art I would encourage you to make some ATCards/Coins.  They're quick to make and can be incorporated into greeting cards or art journals.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!  Stay home and stay healthy, sending you big cyber hugs.
Renee

Stampington & Co.- Finding that Silver envelope in the mailbox!

My heart skips a beat whenever I spot that silver envelope in my mailbox!  It means I've just received my artist comp. magazine from Stampington.  Sometimes I know it's coming other times it catches me by surprise, this one I've been waiting to see for months.

Every issue of Somerset Studio has a challenge for artists, it's found near the back of the magazine.  The challenge that caught my eye was "Rust It Out".  I love a rust effect on paper, wood, etc. and I have found that I can achieve it by using Finnabair's Rust Effect Paste made by Prima.  I've made several of these paintbrushes over the past few months but I made these two especially for this challenge.  I used Red Rust paste along with Patina Effect Paste in a Turquoise Blue on top of all the inks and gesso.  When they are returned to me I believe I will hang them on the wall of my studio!

I have to give my husband, Joe, credit for sharing his hoard of inexpensive wooden paintbrushes with me for this project.  Thank you Joe!

I used the same technique on my "dollar" store box along with Finnabair's Mechanicals and added the same Red Rust and Blue Pastes on top of the metal pieces.  Wouldn't this be lovely filled with sea shells from a trip to the beach?

This issue of Somerset Studio is packed with all sorts of rust projects by artists like Lynne Moncrieff, Vickie Kammerer, Irl Noble, Linda Trenholm, just to name a few!  I personally can't wait to try some of the techniques shared and I'm sure this will be a magazine that I will use as a reference for rust effects on future projects.

I hope you get to take a look at it next time you're at Barnes and Noble bookstore.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  Big hugs on this beautiful, warm spring-like day, I love this weather! ~ Renee

A little artistic relief after Hurricane Irma

After all the Hurricane Irma drama during the past week and a half I needed a little TLC today.  It came in the form of the latest Art Journaling magazine, the fall issue.  Last year I posted some fun portraits I had created using Distress Crayons and stencils.  I ended up binding them together and sent them into Stampington for possible publication.  Well, guess what?  They were published in an article entitled "My Imaginary Friends" and I'm really delighted.  This is what the cover looks like, it  will be available on October 1, 2017.

The artwork of the amazing artist Pam Carriker is featured on the cover

My article is found on page 42.

Thanks for allowing me to share my joy with you even though all of us feel overwhelmed by all the sadness and despair not only in Florida but also Texas and the Caribbean right now.  My thoughts and prayers are with the thousands that have been displaced and suffered loss.

Sending big cyber hugs to you all and thank so many that checked up on me to make sure we were safe and sound here in South Carolina.  I want you to know I appreciated your concern!

xoxoxo - Renee

WooHoo, I've been published!

It's always a thrill to see your craft work in a magazine...any magazine, digital, paper, whatever.  To be published in a Stampington magazine for me is like winning the lottery, I love their magazines so much and admire many of their featured artists from all over the world.  As most of you know, when your work is published you receive a free issue in the mail.  This time I received two different magazines on the same day, now that doesn't happen very often.  I had a card published in The Stampers' Sampler and an article on a journaling technique in Art Journaling magazine.

Susan Pagnucci's interview in the Stampers' Sampler is fabulous.  She carves so many of her own stamps.

Both magazines are loaded with great content and fun ideas for Spring.  If you get a chance to check them out or purchase them you won't be disappointed.  The article in AJ mag. about Dina Wakley is amazing with 10 pages of her work.  I could go on and on about all the artists in the Art Journaling magazine but I don't want to spoil it for you!  I hope you get an opportunity to see both of them.  And I would like to express my gratitude to the two editors Gracy Wilkins and Devon Warren for sharing my work.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!  Hugs ~ Renee

Hurricane Hermine is passing through today, time to Stay Calm and Color On!

Well, this is what our day looks like today.  It seems like Hurricane Hermine has decided to pay us a short visit.  Our pond in the back was getting quite low due to a recent dry spell, not a problem now it is full to the brim!

I did what any mixed media artist would do in a situation like this.  I stayed home, baked bread, made soup and colored.  My friend Ella Wilson who lives in North Carolina told me before we moved down here that she calls hurricane weather "blizzard weather".  Since she is from New England we both knew what that meant.  When the weather is bad up north everyone hunkers down and stays home.  Most residents are prepared for inclement weather and can be self sufficient for days on end.  One time we lost power for 3 days due to a blizzard.  We made our own refrigerator on a teak table outside, brought our camping stove into the kitchen and built a fire in the fireplace that blazed for 3 days straight.  We slept in front of that fire the whole time in reclining chairs.  It seems like the longer you live in NE the more stubborn you get.  The first year that happened we headed for a hotel for almost a week.  Being from Southern California we had no idea how to handle a situation like that but we learned quickly.

I used my Coloring Studio Workbook Vol 1 to pass the time today.  These two pages are by Ruth Dailey and are very abstract drawings.  I used Inktense Watercolor pencils and a water brush to color them in.

So my advice today is "Stay Calm and Color On".  Hugs ~ Renee

A glimpse inside CHA Anaheim 2016 and Stampington

Hi I'm back!  My stay in California not only included several days at CHA but also a month long visit with my 90 year old mother.  I stayed after CHA to take care of her and allow my siblings a well deserved rest.  So my visit was very busy and I didn't have my computer with me hence my long silence.

I wanted to share some photos of what it's like being inside CHA, a couple of the classes taught there and also a quick side trip to Stampington in Laguna Hills.

First I picked up my friend Marjie Kemper at CHA and we drove south to Stampington to visit editor Devon Warren.  Here is a photo of Devon, on the left, and her sister who also works at Stampington.

It was pouring rain that day and we had trouble locating the offices, which is comical since I used to work almost directly across the street about 30 years ago.  Here's the outside of the office.

We couldn't take many photos inside to share since most of it is top secret and hasn't been published yet.  Over the weekend I had the privilege of meeting many more editors and the CEO of Stampington, Kellene Giloff, which quite frankly blew my mind.  I met up with my friend, the highly published Tenia Nelson, and together we visited the Stampington booth at CHA.  It was a terrific experience to hear some of their ideas for next year.

Marjie taught a class sharing a lot of mixed media ideas, it is obvious by the smiling faces that it was a success.  I was fortunate that she had my daughter and me assist her during the class.  We benefited by hearing the class and getting to hang out with Marjie and other great artists.

DecoArt teachers Dianne Bush, Tracy Weinzapfel and Marjie Kemper

The lull before the storm

Students from all around the world attended Marjie's class

I met Tracy Weinzapfel through Marjie and this resulted in being asked to assist her with her class the next day!  Who would say no to that, not me.  Fun, fun, fun!

More about that in the next blog post.  Here are a few of the other artists that are readily available at CHA and teach techniques throughout the day.

Seth is a lovely person, he was doing a demo for Spellbinders.

It was so fun to capture John's expression when he looked up and saw me in the audience.  Surprise!

For an artist CHA is a complete sensory overload experience!  So much to see and so many things to do at this event.  It goes on for days and yet it seems impossible to see everything.  All the new products are being demonstrated every step of the way.  Ranger had all of their Signature Designers there such as:  Tim Holtz, Dyan Reaveley and Dina Wakley.  It is amazing to be able to just watch these designers create and discuss their techniques in such a relaxed atmosphere.

I hope you enjoyed the few photos that I had on my camera to post.  There are many more on my iPhone but I'll spare you from having to look at all of those too.

I will share with you more about Tracy's class in a couple of days.  Thanks so much for stopping by, it is so good to be home, back in my studio and online again.  I missed you all more than you know.  Hugs ~ Renee