New art to bring joy into your space. My new shop is OPEN!

Hey abundant, creative lovelies!
A li'l miracle was born in the wee hours of the night, on Thursday, at 8:57 pm. I want to officially announce the arrival of my...

ONLINE ART SHOP!

::Cue HALLELUJAH music for the singing baby unicorns!::

Seriously tho, this art shop has been a true labor of love. I've relied on word of mouth for awhile (which has been great) but this feeling of having all my best work in a central place for you, is incomparable.

I love how so many of you have cheered + encouraged me to do this. 

(I've got butterflies in my tummy from being so nervous about this new venture; not knowing how people will respond...but I'm HOPEFUL + believe in miracles!)

The feature collection is called "SHOP MY INSTA".

This collection features high-quality art prints from the 30 day art challenge I hosted in April.

(Fun, behind-the-scenes moment: my favorite part of setting up shop was writing the product descriptions!)
I'd love for you to come by / buy + please let me know what you think of my li'l art shop! (I just LOVE saying that!)

I have another collection in the works! If you would love to see something else from my Instagram feed in the shop, please let me know, via email or leave a comment below.

I am SO grateful that I have an online BFF (like you) to celebrate right along with me!

Your support + encouragement means so much to me. My shop wouldn't be a success without you!

High-fives + confetti toss!

April Art Challenge Days 11-15, Plus a Roundup!

I feel like I can be honest with you - we are art sistas after all, right?

I cried happy tears this past weekend. Sure did. I'll tell you why...

A sweet lady, who is participating in the 30 day challenge, reached out to me to share her experience with the art challenge. She's given me permission to share her words:

"Martice, I can not tell you how much I love your 30 day art challenge! Your prompts are the best ones I've come across and they have given me the motivation to get up and create something. I am thankful to have found a fellow artist who leaves such thoughtful, generous comments on my art. You are a true example of what I aspire to as a professional artist. I have hidden my love for painting for the past 5 years. Yesterday, I decided to show my husband what I painted for the day 5 (spirit animal) prompt. He was shocked at the amount of detail I put into it! He also said that I should have it framed so we could hang it up in our living room!"

AH-MAZING, right?! Watching someone get past their fears to reach their breakthrough is nothing short of a miracle.

Want to join in? It's never too late.

Get all the details for the 30 day art challenge HERE.

Here's the cover of my board book for this 30 day challenge!

Click HERE to see a step out tutorial: How to Layer Jane Davenport Collage Papers.

Take a look at how I've been tackling each prompt...

DAY 11: DEEP IN THE OCEAN

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 11, 2017 at 6:45pm PDT

DAY 12: STREET

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 13, 2017 at 3:25pm PDT

DAY 13: CRYSTALLIZE

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 14, 2017 at 11:12am PDT

DAY 14: VINE

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 14, 2017 at 4:10pm PDT

DAY 15: SOMETHING FUNNY

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 17, 2017 at 7:11pm PDT

  SHARE THE INSPIRATION!  

Here is a roundup from people who are joining in, from all over the wooorld!

Guessing game time!! See if you can you match the artwork with its prompt.  

Curious to see what other artists are creating? While you're visiting Instagram, search for the hashtag #MarticeSmithArtdaily30 or click here:

View photos from #MarticeSmithArtdaily30 on Instagram

Remember: you can start with DAY 1 or skip around to any prompt that speaks to you. Just have FUN!

April Art Challenge Days 1-5, Plus a Roundup!

Hello, fellow art challengers! I hope that this first week of the 30 day challenge was a creative one for y'all. I'm having the best time creating my marks + illustrations in a cute, little children's board book.

The board book only measures about 5 inches by 6 inches. The pages are a fun, random assortment of scrap papers + textured surfaces: phone book paper, canvas + heavy duty watercolor paper (300lbs!).

My favorite thing about the journal itself is that each page has a unique personality - there are wrinkles + some papers are torn. I LOVE it!

What kind of journal are you working in for this challenge?

Take a look at how I've been tackling each prompt...

DAY 1: PATH

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 1, 2017 at 1:44pm PDT

DAY 2: TROPICAL

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 2, 2017 at 9:19am PDT

DAY 3: 3 (333) THREE

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 3, 2017 at 8:01pm PDT

DAY 4: MANDALA

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 4, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT

DAY 5: YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL

A post shared by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Apr 5, 2017 at 1:20pm PDT

Want to join in? It is never too late.

Get all the details for the 30 day art challenge HERE.

SHARE THE INSPIRATION!

Here is a roundup of incredible art works from people who are joining in, from all over the wooorld! 

How cool is this?! You can follow these BRAVE artists on the 'gram + cheer them on!

Guessing game time!! See if you can you match the artwork with its prompt. 

Curious to see what other artists are creating? While you're visiting Instagram, search for the hashtag #MarticeSmithArtdaily30 or click here:

View photos from #MarticeSmithArtdaily30 on Instagram

Remember: you can start with DAY 1 or skip around to any prompt that speaks to you. Just have FUN!

I'm Hosting April Art Challenge

Hey friends!

I'm hosting a 30 day art challenge!* As you know, I'm all about COMMUNITY + encouraging the spirit of creativity in our lifestyles.

This challenge is for anyone who wants to slosh paint around, challenge themselves creatively + surround themselves with other cool artists.

We have all experienced the joy of creating + sharing art with others, so let's spread the inspiration around! I created this challenge, in the hope, that you'll discover new ways to make your BOLD marks on the world while inspiring each other to share our work more often. 

Let's make a beautiful mess of color, together!! I hope you will consider joining me in this stress-free, just have FUN, daily challenge. 

*Right click to save these two images, then share on social media.

Here are the details: 

1. choose a journal you ENJOY working in or...make one!

I am altering a children's board book. (Right now, I'm illustrating the cover. I'll be sure to link you to it once it's finished!)
Sneak peek: It's filled with multiple papers + fun textures: phone book paper, canvas sheets + 300lb. watercolor paper. (YUM! My mouth just watered!)

Think about choosing a journal with more than 30 pages.
I'm known to get carried away with a certain technique + spin off doing way more than intended ;-) I hope to continue this exercise long after the 30 day challenge has ended.
MORE PAGES = MORE FUN, right?!

2. set a TIMER

Choose whatever time works for you. I wish I could art all day, but, ya know...LIFE happens + I need to make sure I feed myself. LOL!

Automatically DOWNLOAD THE LIST OF PROMPTS HERE for yourself + a friend. It's FREE!

3. SHARE the challenge!

Spread the word + get your art homies involved. There's enough inspiration for everybody!
I will be sharing my challenge pages on my Instagram @MarticeSmithArt + blog. 

Use this daily activity to make art that makes YOU happy. Don't worry if you are unable to commit to each day - there is no such thing as falling behind. In fact, there is no wrong way to approach this. Do what you can. ❤You get mega points just for trying.

Got your list of prompts downloaded? Great! Let me know if you are participating by leaving a comment below OR clicking on the "Tweet" button. 

"I just joined the 30 day art challenge with @MarticeSmithArt! #MarticeSmithArtdaily30"

Click to tweet!

I'll see you creative, lovely peeps on Saturday, April 1st (two days before my birthday)!

Happy Creating!

xx Martice

TOP 9 Instagram posts you have loved the most in 2016

Happy New Year! How has January 2017 been for you? It's been a whirlwind of adventure for me. I spent a couple of weeks reflecting back on 2016 - what worked for my biz + things to let go of.

Instagram has changed my life. That place is a treasure trove of inspiration + opportunities...it's OK to indulge on Insta!
Wow!! Seriously? Over 14,000 likes on my photos?!!!

Thank y'all so much for all the love, heart-felt comments + encouragement during 2016.

I'm ready to EXPLODE my biz with more art, establishing life-long friendships, more curly hairstyles, photography + more collaborations with my dream clients!

Here's a look at my TOP 9 Instagram posts you have loved the most in 2016:

A photo posted by mARTice • The Curly Artista (@marticesmithart) on Jan 1, 2017 at 11:32pm PST

Thank you for the 14,232 likes in 2016!

My heart is overflowing with love from everyone who has connected with me. You have inspired me to share my heart, life + funny stories like never before.

Cheers to 2017 being PACKED with creative inspiration at every le!

2017 will be the year of HARVEST!

Share a link to your Instagram, down in the comments, so I can check you out!

Here's my Instagram link, again: www.instagram.com/marticesmithart

See ya there :)

P.S. To create your own top 9 photo collage, click here >> 2016 Best Nine 

xoxo, 

Martice

Jane Davenport Selects Her Design Team Members!

The Byron Bay beauty herself...Jane "Danger" Davenport has chosen me to be on her creative design team! The team is, affectionately, called the "DavenParty". How cute!

:: imagine me cartwheeling all over my living room right now ::

I am incredibly grateful for + humbled by this opportunity to do what I absolutely adore for a living! 

To partner with the lovely Jane Davenport for her very first range of art supplies is mind-blowing, to say the least. 

I'll never forget it...it was two weeks before Christmas. I was snuggled up in my fuzzy panda pajamas, binge watching Season 6 of The Walking Dead on Netflix when I received the news.

As I read her email,
     "Well, I am just so super excited to send you this email!

     We had an avalanche of applicants and it was a rigorous selection process but your work stood out to the American Crafts Social team and I"...

:: cue music: Earth, Wind & Fire's Boogie Wonderland ::
I hollered + jumped around like I was in kindergarten again! LOL!

I'm so happy you're gonna be part of this new adventure with me. 

Here's a quick run-down of what you can expect:

• Fun videos, challenges, downloadable goodies, more art journal flip throughs, along with my own, personal projects
• You can devour close up shots of my artwork via my Instagram feed ( @MarticeSmithArt )
• Jane's new art supplies line will/should be in all Michael's Arts & Crafts stores in the USA + in Canada.

>>> Here is Jane's official, Davenparty announcement!

Jane chooses her DavenParty members! Courtney, Cindy, James, Martice (that's ME!), Tiffany, Ali, and Tonja

What a blessing for me to keep inspiring other creatives {like you} all over the world!

I don't want you to miss out on the FUN, my friends!

Be sure to follow me, Martice the Curly Artista on Instagram.

2017, I'm comin' for ya!

Who else is ready for a wildly creative + soulful year?

A BIG THANK YOU to Jane + her American Crafts team for trusting in my creative vision to represent your brand. 

:: insert all the heart eye emojis ::

Thank you, my friends, for constantly keeping me on my toes!

This accomplishment is for all of US!

xoxo,
Martice