Belladonna inspiration and Yummilicious collage papers

Hey hey, lovelies!
I LOVE going for early morning meditation walks. During my walk yesterday, I saw these gorgeous Belladonna lilies and quickly took a photo of them to share with you + I knew they would inspire me to play, once I got back in the studio...

Even though portions of these flowers are wilting, I find beauty in it all.

** Do you see how the centers of the lilies resemble mini suns? 
** Take a closer look: notice the subtle change of bubblegum pink color fading into a warm tan color as the flower wilts away.
** the grass is dead YET these are still blooming!

Perfect example of how WE should find ways to THRIVE in less than ideal circumstances.

Belladonna Lilies; Color palette inspiration from my nature walk

Side note: I just realized these compliment my sizzlin' Summer colors! Hmmm, makes me wonder if I could be looking for these colors, subconsciously...

Back in the studio, I imported my picture into Photoshop. I selected 5 colors directly from the picture (using the eyedropper tool), to create my own color palette. 

My idea was to design a collection of collage papers ONLY using these colors + white. Ha! Not as hard as I thought it would be!

Guess what? There will be an awesome collection of these yummilicous papers, so keep watch!

 (Better yet, you should join my MUSELetter to know when they're released.)

Each collage paper overflows with intricate stamp + stencil detailing, abstract shapes, patterns, doodling, mantras + of course, it wouldn't be me if it didn't have bold COLOR IMPACT!

Take a look at this one on my desk...

Yummilicious Collage Papers by Martice Smith II

For these collage papers, I mixed my own colors, using: DecoArt Media Fluid acrylics:
Pyrrole Orange
Vermilion
Quinacridone Magenta

DecoArt Americana acrylics:
Banana Cream
Dragon Fruit
Yellow Ochre 

other tools: 
8"x10" Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate
Handmade Foam Stamps and Printing Plates (click to see tutorial!)

Enjoy the sunshine + inspire yourself! Happy creating :)

Paintbrush Repair

Hello friends! 

Would you believe me if I told you that the brushes in the picture below are NEW?! Yes, these brushes are STILL NEW! A life cut short in only 2 months and + to make matters worse, they broke while I was painting. ::sigh, puppy dog eyes::

Do you have paintbrushes that look like this? Ok, I'll confess: these are the really inexpensive kind. You know, the ones in the kids' craft section in the art supply store? Yes, I have a few of 'em too!

Here's my solution for paintbrush repair using 

Helmar's Silicone Adhesive Sealant.

*Paintbrush Repair first seen on Helmar Adhesive's blog.

I like to use these as texture + mark-making brushes but NOT for detailed work. Why? Because the bristles are too limp + they have a tendency to fall out. Not cool, is it?

The photos below are easy to understand but I want to share a few pointers + introduce you to Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant if you haven't heard of it before.

Some reasons why the ferrule detaches from the wooden handle:

• If you let your paintbrushes soak in a water jar too long, the wood expands (acts like a sponge) and loosens the glue inside the ferrule.
• naturally happens in humid climates
• tapping the brush too hard during cleaning
• A sign that your paintbrushes may be too cheap. This has been the case for all of my craft brushes that have done this. (I've heard expensive brushes have this problem, as well.) 

Silicone Adhesive Sealant is great because you don't have to worry about it loosening up like regular glue. There's a super tight, waterproof bond + it's permanent! According to the packaging, it is a multi-purpose, industrial-grade sealant that dries clear + flexible.

Can be used on paper, aluminum, powder-coated metals, stainless steel, glass, most woods + plastics, canvas, porcelain, rubber, concrete, cement products, metals like zinc + copper.

Let's recap:

1. Always ensure surfaces are clean, dry + free from dirt or grease. Do not apply a sealant to wet surfaces.

2. When applying sealant, ensure that the sealant bond has good surface contact. (Secure cap immediately otherwise a cured plug will form in the top of the tube making it difficult to use the product again.)

3. Reattach the ferrule with its handle.

Sealant will ooze out of the ferrule. Wipe away the excess. Helmar Silicone Adhesive Sealant sets within 10 minutes, cures in 7 days.

Remember, when purchasing art supplies, you get what you pay for.

You can't always expect cheap products to yield superior performance. 

Invest in a couple of high-quality brushes, when you can.

You deserve the best!

I am lovin' these 4 colors!

Playing with a few sizzlin' summer colors today!

I know you LOVE it when I share my desk cam sneak peeks. (Thank you to everyone who requested to see more!!)

You also know how much I love color, so, today I want to share with you, 4 swoon-worthy colors that are making me super happy right now:

• Yellow Ochre - Americana Acrylic (DecoArt)
• Hansa Yellow Medium - Fluid Acrylic (DecoArt)
• Quinacridone Magenta - Fluid Acrylic (DecoArt)
• White Pearl - Pearlescent ink (Daler-Rowney)

Desk cam! Martice's current color palette: Yellow Ochre, Hansa Yellow Medium, Quin. Magenta and White Pearl (ink)

This week, I've been working on one-of-a-kind, handmade art journals . Every single page is custom-designed with painty goodness, textures, creative hand lettering + personal symbology.

My idea behind these beauties is to have them work as collaborative journals. Simply put: I start them, you finish them. There's so much more to come! Stay tuned :)

What are your favorite colors to use while art journaling?

Digital Quote Collage

Hey BeauTiful SouLS!

Have you ever wanted to merge your ‪‎mixed media‬ creations with ‪‎digital art‬ techniques but feel so intimated by technology? Don't know where to start?

Well, you've got perfect timing...

By popular request, I have put together a FREE tutorial called

Digital Quote Collage

I take the mystery out of creating art in the digital realm, using easy-to-understand terms, so that you can transform your art like never before.

Digital Quote Collage | Tutorial by Martice Smith II

Now is the time to step up your digital art creating game and develop the art you envision!

Oh just think of the possibilities that are waiting for YOU!! 

Leap here for the tutorial >> http://bit.ly/DigitalQuoteCollage <<

**side note: Although this quote isn't word-for-word, the essence remains the same. Thanks for looking!

Monoprinted Scrap Collage

use up those scraps of leftover, monoprinted papers!

This is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink::

- See more at: http://helmarusa.typepad.com/#sthash.P3NZ7gfd.dpuf

use up those scraps of leftover, monoprinted papers!

This is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink::

- See more at: http://helmarusa.typepad.com/#sthash.P3NZ7gfd.dpufThis is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink:: 

Happy Saturday, my friends!

I just can't get rid of these pretty papers! But seriously: can you blame me?!
>> this girl's on the verge of needing an intervention << Hey, I bet you've felt like this, too.
 
If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. Why? Because there's always a future project you could use them for.  Right? Right?? ::wink::

Therefore, I bring to you...

Monoprinted Scrap Collage

Monoprinted Scrap Collage | Tutorial by Martice Smith II

Half of my desk is overflowing in BUNDLES of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate, stencils, stamps - you name it, I've got it! LOL!

...so many colors, patterns, textures...

I'm tempted to just roll around in these piles! 

Monoprinted Scrap Collage | auditioning Gelli printed scraps; adhering them with glue

 

click here for the 

Monoprinted Scrap Collage | TUTORIAL

As always, you're welcome to share! Invite your best friends to play with us.

Send them this link: http://bit.ly/PaperScrapCollage

use up those scraps of leftover, monoprinted papers!

This is a really cool technique to show off the best parts and to play with different patterns and textures in your artwork. 

I have a plethora of scraps, created from my Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate. If you're anything like me, you never want to throw away those precious paper scraps. There's always a future project you could use them for, right? Right?? ::wink::

- See more at: http://helmarusa.typepad.com/#sthash.P3NZ7gfd.dpuf

PUBLISHED in A World of Artist Journal Pages

Somebody pinch me, please :)
I *finally* got my hands on a signed copy of Dawn Sokol's new book, A World of Artist Journal Pages. And guess what...

I'm published!! Hollllla!

 Martice gets PUBLISHED in A World of Artist Journal Pages!

1000+ Artworks
230 Artists
30 Countries

What an honor for me to be included as an artist who inspires so many throughout the art journaling community! 

This book is packed with a plethora of interviews, thought-provoking art, oh, I've also discovered a few techniques that are new to me...gonna have a PlaYdaTe this weekend, that's for sure!

come closer to my journal pages...enjoy :-)

Journal page #1 Titled: "I Am Flourishing without Fear"

Mixed media: image transfers, acrylic, oil pastels, graphite, scrapbook paper + gesso on telephone book pages

Journal page #2 Titled: "Abstracted Flora"

Mixed media: image transfer, watercolor, pressed leaves + flowers, oil pastels, ribbon + gesso on telephone book pages

Wanna be among the first to peek inside my art journals + get access to dozens of mixed media art tutorials, created to help you develop your own style?

If so, hop on over to my MUSEletter + join the SOUL tribe (click image, below)

A BIG OL' THANKS to DAWN SOKOL for curating such a visual feast!

A World of Artist Journal Pages, curated by Dawn DeVries Sokol

Journal on!