2014 Year in Review

2014 - what an incredible year of synchronicity + serendipity! So many blessings (glory to GOD!) and just being in the company of supportive people helps conquer any challenge...

2014 was such a wonderful and spiritual year, full of deep connection with my personal identity, developing my trust and claiming the peace of decision-making...

Not only will you see my artworks but you will also see how much I LOVE being around people and interacting with the community via collaborative events.

Thank you for stopping by and it is my pleasure to share these moments with you.

I have never been on a 'top 10' list before...that all changed, yesterday, when I saw one of my articles as the '#1 most popular article for 2014' on the Creating Mixed MediaArt website. Holla!!

Intricate Paper Stencils, Part 1 • #1 most popular article for 2014

::Celebrated my third year in business::

::Offered a plethora of mixed media art tutorials for EVERY level of artist::

::Participated in fun challenges to push my creative edge while encouraging others to do the same::

::Accepted my first online teaching opportunity and decided to offer my own creative art courses::

sneak peek 1 

sneak peek 2

::"Rubbing elbows" with celebrities and mentoring young artists::

::Made so many connections, both online & offline, at numerous art shows and community events::

WOOOOW! So hard to believe I've been this busy in 2014!

...So grateful for all my wonderful students, amazingly generous clients, followers/supporters and special artists with whom I have connected on a deep level with my heart. THANK YOU ALL!


last but not least...
Look for me in this book, April 2015

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

I just received the announcement that my work will be published in another book, 'Incite 3: The Best of Mixed Media: The Art of Storytelling'! (ironic because my word for 2014 was 'storytelling'...Crazy cool, right?!)

Incite 3 The Best of Mixed Media: The Art of Storytelling

May you find peace and joy in 2015 and continue to let your beautiful light shine. Walk in AUTHORITY!

Did you do a year in review? Leave a link with your comment so I can visit you, too!

 

To hold you over until Incite 3 is published in Fall 2015 - See more at: http://www.createmixedmedia.com/editors-picks/incite-3-the-art-of-storytelling-winners#sthash.ovpBXexS.dpuf

To hold you over until Incite 3 is published in Fall 2015 - See more at: http://www.createmixedmedia.com/editors-picks/incite-3-the-art-of-storytelling-winners#sthash.ovpBXexS.dpuf

::TUTORIAL:: Brilliant Paper Clips

Hi friends! Isn't it amazing what you can create with the simplest, "plain Jane" office supplies?! I took a bunch of my giant paper clips and turned them into a collection of unique clips with brilliant colors and soft, dainty textures. Last but not least, a colorful ribbon bow was added to finish the look.

See the step-by-step tutorial right here on the RubberMoon Arts blog

Collection of decorated paper clips by Martice Smith II

I love using my stash of monoprinted papers for these smaller projects!

Here are the beautifully designed stamps used in my tutorial:

RubberMoon stamps: (top to bottom) RubberMoon Alphabet, Bamboo, Large Fern, Dogwood Blossoms, Panda

I encourage you to take another look at your office supplies and turn them into something that puts a smile on your face, every time you use them. Happy creating!


*I'm also sharing this project with The Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #7 - Tic Tac Toe
~Bow, Glitter, Ribbon~ 

Happy Holidays to you and yours

I wish you many great memories and joy on this special day. 

You - my close friends- readers and followers, mean so much to me and keep me striving to bring you the best creations I can imagine.

I appreciate the time you take commenting on my posts and visiting my website and blog, giving me encouraging words, and accepting my friendship. 

No matter where you are in the world, please know that my love reaches that far and beyond! Thank you all for supporting me and my art with purchases, encouraging words and messages throughout the year. 

I'm truly grateful and blessed to have YOU in my life. I LOVE expressing my appreciation every chance I get!

mixed media + digital illustration of Isaiah 9:6 by Martice Smith II
• you are welcome to PIN this image •

Sooo thankful for the abundant LOVE and mercy of Christ! I pray that you all have a great holiday season and remember that His sacrifice payed the way for us to live boldly in greatness! Thank you for looking Much love from my heart to yours, Martice Smith II - Illustration

>>>> Merry Christmas! <<<<

May peace, love, health & prosperity be in your favor. 

As my gift, please accept a complimentary copy of my popular e-Book, Intricate Paper Stencils, Part 1.
(Everyone who joins my newsletter gets this! Be sure to grab yours before it's replaced with another cool gift item!)

• SUBSCRIBERS: look in your inbox for my newsletter: 'Happy Holidays to you and yours'
download e-Book from there.

Personalized Gift Tags - On the Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate

Two weeks away! Christmas holiday will be here before we know it!

To me, a gift isn't complete without the finishing touches. By finishing touches, I mean, the addition of your charm to make it special. How about some personalized gift tags?!

I have a very cool way to make mines using a gelatin plate as my starting place. Find out how to create them, HERE.

Personalized Gift Tags - On the Gelli ® Plate

• Personalized Gift Tags - On the Gelli® Plate •

 DecoArt has some great stencils! For this project, I used the Tags & Labels stencil.

Tags & Labels stencil (DecoArt)

Kraft paper gift tags with doodles, acrylic paints, stamped images, and a dimensional, flower sticker. Tutorial HERE

Have fun creating magical moments!

Creating Washi Tape with Masking Tape

Washi tape seems to be one of those "must-have" art supplies among us mixed-media + collage artists.

I bet you have seen many varieties of this delicate, transparent tape - decorated in just everything you can imagine. You can find washi tape in varying widths + decorated with glitter, butterflies, mustaches (ha haa), text, numbers, faces, inspirational words, scriptures (my fave!)...the list goes on.

I finally decided to try my hand at making my very own - you know - so I don't spend a fortune on buying them. This girl likes to buy in bulk! So, my experiment begins... 

Creating Washi Tape with Masking Tape

I already had two rolls of semi-transparent masking tape on hand, so I used them. (You can purchase them from the Dollar Store, too!)

Next, I had to find a surface where I could lay the tape down + reposition, if needed, without tearing it.

I create hand-made stencils and templates with transparencies so I had a lot of them in stock. I decided to use a clean transparency as my base to keep the tape stationery while I stamped.
...worked like a charm!

STEP 1 // Cover the entire surface of the transparency with strips of masking tape. 

STEP 2 // Select a variety of stamps + inks you want to use

 

RubberMoon Alphabet stamp + my own, hand-carved numbers stamp

STEP 3 // Ink the stamps

I really like the coverage of VersaFine inks (by Imagine Crafts / Tsukineko). They are archival, instant dry pigment inks and the colors stay bold and vibrant - perfect!

For this project, I used Onyx Black and simply applied the ink by dabbing a generous amount on top of the stamp I was working on.

Oh, look at these cute pandas! I LOVE me some pandas! 

STEP 4 // Drying time + Varnishing

Now, the only complaint I have about working on masking tape is that it takes forever for the ink to dry. I did use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process but once the ink was dry, it still smeared just a bit.

I'd recommend letting them dry overnight and spraying them with a matte finish varnish to protect them.

Other stamps used: Script and border flourish stamps from Stampendous Stack Art Kit; Butterfly (A Stamp in the Hand Co.)

*Note: this project has been submitted to: Mixed Media Monthly Challenge #6  - STAMPS!*

 Overall, I'm super happy with the results!

Have you ever made your own washi tape? If so, add a link in the comment section...I'd love to see it!


Happy creating, xoxo

Origami Gift Boxes

It's about that time, friends!
The holidays are right around the corner and people are getting ready for gift-giving.

I've always loved a beautifully hand-made gift...who doesn't?!
Especially when the gift comes from someone who cherishes YOU just as much as the gift they are giving.

Today, I'm sharing what's on my desk: 

 Origami Gift Boxes

These are super easy ("last-minute-gifts") to make and I love making them because I can embellish them however I want. 

No two will ever be the same and as a bonus to me, folding paper can be a great stress reliever...especially around this time of year!

RubberMoon Stamp: 
ge2747 - snowmen w/scarve

Black gesso paper sprayed with texture and glitter sprays (Tsukineko/Imagine Crafts)

 Come on over to the RubberMoon Arts blog to see the whole project...

 Happy Holidays!

Sneak peek number 2...And the WINNER is...

Hey friends! As promised, here's sneak peek #2!

These are monoprints, pulled directly off my Gelli Arts^® - Gel Printing Plate.
I played with neon fluorescent paints by DecoArt and, of course, incorporated some bold mark making and graffiti.
 
I *LOVE* the grungy textures and build up of color I get with each print. I've already learned sooo much from this intuitive painting process...I'll be teaching you in my lesson in the 'My Color is Beautiful Art' 2015 workshop.
By the way, did YOU win? (The winner of my giveaway is at the bottom of this post...)

Registration is now open, so if you didn't win, don't worry - you can still join us! The ENTIRE workshop is $49USD. You totally deserve this unique experience from some of the most talented mixed media artists out there. (my bad, I'm a tad bit biased, lol!)

In my class, I can and will meet you at your level - beginner or more advanced. We're gonna have a blast!

....Enjoy the peeks...

Sampling of monoprints/Gelli® prints created for my upcoming workshop, 'My Color is Beautiful Art'

Did you miss the first sneak peek? Click HERE to learn more about my fun, 3-part lesson.

Click the orange button, below, to register for the workshop.

You'll be redirected to Tiare Smith's website (she's the coordinator of this whole shebang)...

At the bottom of her post, you'll find the registration info. Check out from there and you're good to go!

Got questions? No problemo! Leave a comment or email me HERE and I'll help you ASAP.

***The winner is....Sue Chesley***CONGRATULATIONS!

Thank you all for helping me spread the word and entering my giveaway. I appreciate YOU! xoxo

Later!

My Color is Beautiful Art Workshop 2015 - OPEN for Registration!

Today is YOUR day!

Registration has opened up for the exciting, brand new art workshop experience of:

My Color is Beautiful Art 2015!

Come immerse yourself in a visual feast of yummy color, gelli plate textured prints, and soulful imagination from 8 super talented ladies. There's something for everyone, in this new offering You DESERVE to treat yourself to this! JOIN US, here!

It's sparkly and beautiful and filled with an INCREDIBLE line up of teachers! :) Wow! It's so rewarding to do this for so many people. I'm just overjoyed with how many people's lives this project is enriching!

---->> The entire workshop is $49 Yes! Super deal for all the great offerings you'll get. <<----

Later on today, I'll have another post for you with another peek into what I'll be teaching (I shared my first sneak peek right HERE).

I'll also announce the WINNER of my giveaway for a free seat in the entire workshop...stay tuned :)

Peace & Love!