Last day for Printmaking Unleashed challenge

Today is the last day for the printmaking unleashed challenged. I've had so much fun discovering new techniques and just practicing on my skills everyday this month. I will continue challenging myself...one never knows what could come next!

Day 30: Relief Print

I never thought packing peanuts looked so good! Well, as a printing tool...It's funny how I've been finding unconventional objects to use in my printmaking. A valuable lesson and my motto: Use what you already have!

And finally...today's last creative prompt: Day 31: hearts + LOVE

variety of hearts and a lovely sentiment for my followers: Thank you with love & gratitude. Media used: cardboard, acrylics, graphite, stamping, stenciling, machine stitching and Tulip Pearl dimensional paints, Eileen Hull ColorBox Blends (Sunshine) on wrinkled, cotton fabric.

You haven't heard the last of me! Be sure to connect via Bloglovin', Facebook, and Flickr!!
(I'll be updating with the prompts that I've missed...)

THANK YOU!! xox

Printmaking Unleashed: Catch up #3!

Hey, hey, heyyyyy! This is the final catch-up post for #printmakingunleashed! Yayyy! I made it all the way through the 31 day challenge. Man, that was kinda intense or what?!

I had a TON of fun, though, so NO complainin' here, my friend. I hope you enjoyed each days' creation.

Please feel free to SHARE to your Pinterest boards, on Facebook, Twitter...whateva social platform you like.

All I ask is that you properly credit me (you'd better know my name, by now! And yes, spelling does count, thank you!) and link back to this blog ( http://www.uneekart.blogspot.com )  
Thank you in advance :)

Day 26: Dimensional paint

I just love how this turned out! It has a strong tribal feel to it: the colors are so alive and the surface explodes with all kinds of texture...

Media: gelli print with acrylics, oil pastels, white China marker, and dimensional paint on phone book and vintage pattern tissue paper. To me, it looks like a dancing flower!

Enjoy the close-ups...

Another one I created for the same prompt (dimensional paint). Bold markings and basic colors...reminds me of the classic style of graphic novels...

Day 27: Feathers
Total time to carve this stamp: 15 minutes...not bad! The more I carve, the better I get!!

"Let's Fly"...My hand-carved feather stamp, gelli print and bookmark.

 Day 28: Painted Face

Here's a cute little girl I named "JOY". I created her in Mindy Lacefield's "Sunday Mornings" online class. It's very different from my regular work; a great reason why I took this particular class!  

I loved working in this style...primitive, intuitive, loosely painted and drawn; mixed media love! (I'm thinking about adding this cutie to my boutique...what do you think?)

Day 29: Hand Lettered

These are details from "30 Illustrations in 30 Days: A Mixed-Media Artist's Soiree", an illustration challenge I created back in Nov. 2011::::(you can still find each illustration in the archives!) ::::

Featured here are: "Majestic Evolution" & "VIVA!"

from left to right: "Seal Your Destiny with FAITH", "...wings of Nostalgia", and some tickets I created for an art buddy

Only two more days left in the #printmakingUnleashed challenge!!!!
Thank you for cheering me on and leaving so many positive comments :)

Know that I appreciate every word, xoxo

Printmaking Unleashed: Catch up #1!

Hello creative visionaries!!

If you've been following me on my Facebook Art page, you've noticed that I posted days 15-21 (with the exception of days 4 & 16) without links to the corresponding blog posts.

Why have I done that?!
Well, the answer is simple: because I thought I was gonna have some time to write a nice, juicy blog post for each prompt...however, I received some GREAT news concerning my art biz and haven't been able to stay on track, as planned. (Details about the exciting news will be shared in another post, so stay tuned, OK?)


So, today, I will give you a synopsis of the creative prompts, along a short description. Nothing in-depth like the previous ones, but still something to keep your interest.

I hope you enjoy what I've created! Let me know what you think, down in the comment box.

***** I've included a complete list of all the Printmaking Unleashed prompts that I've completed, at the end of this post. *****

By the way, there's still time to follow along, if you wish :)

Off we go!

Day 15 of 31: Black & white art

This is an actual print I created during my undergraduate studies as a printmaker.

I absolutely fell in love with this particular printmaking process! It was very therapeutic for me because the process is sooo repetitive and demanded my full attention. The technique used here is called a "hardground intaglio etching". (The word intaglio is pronounced as 'in-tally-oh')

Intaglio hardground etching, titled "Lyrical Dawn"

You probably would have never thought that "Lyrical Dawn" came from a place of mental anguish and pain, within me.

Not too long before I created this, my Grand Mama V had made her transition into Heaven. I have healed from this, only by the grace of God. He truly is a Comforter for those who are comfortless...

To make a long story short, the concept behind this is about being entrapped, with the only means to escape being in journey of forgiveness and trusting in God.

Day 16: Stencil Print 

I created this postcard for a tutorial called "Packing Tape Postcard". The flower stencil is from Artistcellar's new Pocket Stencils. Isn't it pretty?

*side note: this project has been entered in the New Friday Chevron challenge

Day 17: Free Motion Stitch

::"Dreaming":: Breathing new life into a pile of baby wipes I used to wipe up paint. Watercolor, acrylic paint, cardboard and machine stitching.

close up of cloud and thread. You can also see hand-drawn stars (blue marker)

This is what the back looks like! I thought it looked very interesting with its natural earth tone colors. Looks completely different than the front, don't you think?

Day 18: Acrylic Skin

I applied some pink and white acrylic paints onto a plastic sheet and smooshed them together, let dry and peeled them off. I LOVE the marbled look and the unevenness of the texture!

Day 19: Collage  

Using a variety of my handmade stamps, I played around with patterns and complementary color schemes. 

a collage of vintage and notebook  papers, stamped with unique designs. A leaf shape, ornamental shape inspired by Moroccan textiles, arrows, plants and my graffiti script, all combined to create a visual feast of pattern, color and texture!

Day 20: Foam Stamp

a collection of my new foam stamps; fun, fun, fun! Less time consuming to create these compared to carving the rubber block ones.

*** Here's a list of my completed Printmaking Unleashed prompts, as of July 27th ***

Day 1: Found Printing Tools
Day 2: Monoprint
Day 3: Hot Glue Stencil
Day 4: Cardboard Stamp...coming soon!
Day 5: Flower Print
Day 6: Carved Stamp

Day 7: Color Palette
Day 8: Studio Table
Day 9: Art Journal
Day 10: Brayer
Day 11: Pattern

Day 12: Collagraph
Day 13: Doodle
Day 14: Printing Plate...coming soon!

A mixed up, doodled collagraph

I've never made a collagraph print before...from my understanding, a collagraph is kind of like a stamp...if you know more about them, please share some info!

here's the approach I took with the collagraph prompt

For both collagraphs, I used a USPS mailing envelope as the base (printing plate). For the first collagraph, I used Mod Podge® to glue on some cereal box (Captain Crunch!) cardboard shapes. (That bottom piece is from yesterday's prompt.)

some close-ups of the collagraph...

I didn't like the look of the yarn when I printed onto the paper. It looked too fuzzy and unintentional. It looks pretty on the collagraph plate, though!

Here's another collagraph I've started. I used a USPS cardboard mailing envelope and glued some heavy-duty cardboard on top. I also added some yarn, which you can see in the lower, right-hand corner.

Day 13: Doodle 

I pulled a few test prints to see if my collagraph would behave properly. Let me just say, I'm glad I went into this with the mindset "Oh, I'm just gonna play around and experiment". Ha! I now have a *new* pile of paper to scrap and reuse in future projects...

HOWEVER, I did not give up! That's the key, here :) Since my collagraph print didn't come out as expected (it looked a bit unfinished, to me), I decided to give it a new life. I combined days 12 and 13 and "a mixed up, doodle collagraph" was born! 

All I did was embellish my print with acrylics and a few dots of metallic 3-d paint. I like it much better, this way. What do you think?

I can't help but ask: don't those two swirls, on the left side of the page, look like googly eyes?!

I hope you enjoyed days 12 and 13!

Organic patterns

Patterns, patterns, patterns!!! I love all kinds of patterns, especially those that are fluid, organic shapes. So raw and natural in form; not too complex (but can be). I often look at nature for inspiration on patterns that resonate within me.  

Architecture is my other favorite place to find the most exquisite designs...which can, actually, be found in nature, too!

Here are a couple of patterns that I've been drawing and painting, repeatedly, in my sketchbook:

teardrop-shaped circles and a vintage inspired flower and leaf foam stamps

This is a monoprint created with a personal foam stamps. Acrylic paints on paper.

Take a closer look...it's almost hypnotizing! I like following the curvy lines with my eyes.

Art Journal & my two brayers

Today, I'll be sharing days 9 & 10 of Traci Bautista's Printmaking challenge with you! If you're just joining me here - WELCOME! Jump right in if you wanna play :)

All you need to do is upload your photo from any or all of the creative prompts, to your social media platform.

Oh! Don't forget to use hashtag #printmaking unleashed (without the space in between the two words) so everyone who is playing along can see it too!

Here's the chart of creative prompts

Day 9: Art Journal

This particular art journal keeps a collection of my various collages, textures, handwritten letters & notes and gelli printing papers.

 Day 10: Brayer
 Such a simple looking tool but extremely versatile in terms of application techniques. I use two kinds of brayers: a 3.5 inch, hard rubber brayer (pictured below) and a 4 inch, soft rubber Speedball brayer.

I like to use the hard rubber brayer to get uneven textures in my paint, like this:

This is my first experiment with foam stamping...I loved this technique! Simple process: draw onto the foam (with firm pressure), ink the "plate", then stamp.

 The second brayer is used for stamping, applying paint to journals, printing plates, etc. It is very important not to scratch the surface of this brayer. Any impressions will affect your final print.

This brayer is called a "Pop-in"; the soft rubber part can be popped out and cleaned.

Here, I used my Speedball brayer to ink a hand-carved chevron stamp on a phone book page.

Color palette + a peek at my studio table

I absolutely LOVE *anything* that sparkles with bright colors, textures, and interesting patterns! Here's a look at my color palette / "flair tray" some items that are inspiring me, at the moment...
Day 7! The prompt for today is "Color palette"

A few of these items were thrifted or found at estate sales, like the yarn, batik fabric, picture frame, and "Blessed" note cards.

Other things are: 

 • black and gold trimmed peep-toe boot •

• denim fabric (which is actually a paintbrush holder that I designed and made) •

• patterns that reflect my Native American Indian heritage; like chevrons, stylized eagles/water/sun •
• sewing embellishments •

• decorative office supplies/paper/painting palette •

Here's one of my favorite vintage-styled earrings! (The other one isn't pictured)  They were designed to replicate the 1950s era. The set of notecards has a biblical scripture on the cover, that reads: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." ~ Matthew 5:8 ~

Day 8! The prompt for today is "Studio table"

I think it's fun to share art spaces with other artists! I'm glad to have taken this opportunity to show you a tiny glimpse of mine. 

My work area, pretty much, stays organized because I'm working in such a small space. However, while I'm busy creating, I never worry about things being out of place.

This is my work table for creating my mixed-media/traditional works.

(I do have another area in my house where I work with a Wacom tablet and a laptop/desktop computer...but, that's kinda boring compared to this area!)

Here is something that I just created! A large, hand-carved chevron stamp, stamped on a piece of scrap paper. Also, see that white carousel on the left side? That's my new "toy"! I love it because it holds so much stuff + it turns 360 degrees!! Other new stuff includes the Derwent tin of 24 Inktense pencils and glitter and mica flakes set by Stampendous.

These are 3 postcards I recently created, using image transfer techniques with clear package tape. Have you seen the tutorial? It was just published! You can check it out here

Remember, if you want to be among the first to see my new work, I invite you to subscribe to the Uneek Art Letter, my monthly newsletter, right here. OR, just enter your name and email address in the form in the sidebar, to your right (at the very top).

Finally, here's a little sneaky peek at an illustration that I'm currently working on. I can hardly wait to reveal it to you! Some special things are brewing over here at Martice Smith II - Illustration & Design Studio!!!!

Hand-carved Stamps

Day 6: Hand-carved stamps!! Yippee :)
I can see me carving more of these stamps in the future! Maybe even some jumbo-sized ones???

These were so fun to make but really stressful on my neck...does anyone have tips on how to prevent crooks/spasms in the neck while carving? Thanks in advance ;)

These are just a few of my foam and rubber hand-carved stamps!

...I'm lovin' this hypnotizing pattern...

Tip: always clean off your stamps! Don't let paint dry on them...I like to use a baby wipe to get the job done, when I can't run to sink to rinse them off.

Size of large chevron stamp: 8 inches x 3 1/4 inches!!! Size of leaf stamp: 1 1/2 inches x 3 inches

Stay tuned for the tutorial on the chevron stamp!