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

Creating UNITY with Repetition

Hi! Today I'm talking about how to create unity in your art journal pages by repeating your favorite elements. If you follow The Documented Life Project, you'll know that our May challenge is all about my fave techniques...Touchy Feely (Texture) using modeling paste. Let's pLaY!!


Here's my supply list overview:
Gelli Arts® - Gel Printing Plate
Art journal
Modeling paste
  
Yummy colors to play with: 
Media Fluid Acrylics from DecoArt Media:

• Pyrrole Orange
• Quinacridone Red
• Cobalt Teal Hue
• Banana Cream (this one is by Americana)

+ small dot of Titanium White
+ small dot of Dark Grey Value 3

Stencils to hoard (oops! I mean to 'use'):
Alphabet Spaghetti
Snake skin
Deconstructed Floral Bouquet

Creating UNITY with Repetition

Repetition, one of the Principles of Design, is helpful when you're layering. Repeating elements (shapes, lines, colors, textures, etc.) creates unity within a work of art + helps you keep control as you build up layers.

Here are 3 tips on how to make this work:

TIP #1// Limit yourself to 3 or 4 stencils + colors, repeating them all over your page/canvas.

TIP #2// Play with a variety of sizes.

TIP #3// Overlap elements. (Use deli or tracing paper add extra dimension.)

Remember, once you master the rules, you can break them mugs like a #BOSS!

My process: 

• First, I decoupaged a yellow + orange monoprinted scrap onto my journal page.

• Then stamped with the Alphabet stencil; outlined certain areas with pencil.

• Glued a piece of deli paper tagged with my graffiti writing - making sure to overlap some of the Alphabet stencil + pencil marks.

• Add handmade washi tape.

• Finally, I applied paint with my fingers into the Deconstructed Floral Bouquet stencil. Wipe away some paint with baby wipe.

Creating UNITY with Repetition | collage by Martice Smith II

Oh look, there's more!

Here, I spread a very thin layer of modeling paste through my snake skin stencil. I played around with the ratio of modeling paste + water vs. modeling paste + glazing medium.  
My goal was to experiment to produce a translucent effect.

Ooooh weee!
I like the mixture of glazing medium the best. (The texture of the modeling paste softens up compared to the mixture of modeling paste + water, which produced teeny tiny air bubbles with no raised areas.)

See how the magenta peeks through the gray? That's because I used a glazing medium!
I know you just wanna reach into the screen + touch it, don'tcha?

...and of course, more hand-lettering ;-)...

Notice that I incorporated 3 variations of my hand-lettering:

variation #1: I wrote directly on the surface of the page with a black ink pen.

variation #2: Using the handle end of my paintbrush, I scribbled into the acrylic paint while it was still wet (gray area).

variation #3: I used a black Sharpie to write chunky letterforms onto a scrap piece of deli paper.

Great way to repeat the same element, in different ways. We're creating UNITY!

 

What kind of things do you intentionally repeat in your mixed-media collage works?

(If you're not sure, take another look at a few of your journal pages to find them, then come back to share a link in the comments so we can check 'em out, too!)

No Compromise, illustration and the Courage to Start Art

Hello friends!
I hope you are off to a great start for 2015.
I have been super busy, filming my very first online art class! Yiipppeee! I had a tremendous amount of fun during the entire process...well, maybe not those late nights editing the footage, but hey, I try to look for the positive aspects in anything!

We start the 'My COLOR is Beautiful Art' workshop in 10 days!! (it's not too late to REGISTER...)

'The Courage To Start Art'

This fashion lady is my 1st face of 2015.
She encourages you to keep pushing your creative edge, make bold decisions to claim happiness in your life and to embrace your "uneek" journey.

We’ve all been there! You have a huge desire to create and share your passions, but our greatest hindrance can sometimes be ourselves- not taking action to grab hold of what we want. In my recent article, I share 3 tips on how to empower and heal yourself with positivity & self-love.

"No Compromise" mixed media illustration by Martice Smith II

One of the phases of my lesson is about mark-making and doodling your personal symbols. This illustration demonstrates a few techniques I share in my lesson, 'Cultivate Your Symbology'.

**Feel free to PIN these images for your inspiration!**

Learn my 3 tips on how I banish the negative, inner critic and change the way I think about myself as an artist.  

READ MORE: 'The Courage To Start Art'

Peace and blessings!

Whimsical mixed-media and collage Bookmarks

I cannot stand to fold the pages of a book! I simply can't bring myself to "dog ear" or fold down the corner of a page to keep my place while reading. You know what I'm saying, right?!

Ahh, come on. Don't gimme that look!

*Sigh* just thinking about it makes me cringe, lol!

I'm always looking for something to keep my place when I finish reading. Most of the time, I'm grabbing for a piece of scrap paper, a pencil or paper clip.

...so that's why I've finally decided to create my own:

WHIMSICAL BOOKMARKS

Whimsical, mixed-media bookmarks by Martice Smith II

If you've never heard of RubberMoon stamps - my friend, you are REALLY missing out! Please take a look at what's to offer on the website, when you have time. There is something for everyone!

All stamps are designed by artists for artists.

Here are the 5 stamps I used in my project:

(from left to right): 
Frida

RubberMoon Alphabet Stamp
Large Fern
Save the Date stamp
Kae Pea-New Moon-Art Stamp

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

See how I created these mixed-media collage bookmarks, right here on the RubberMoon Arts blog!

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!

Day 30/30 + Giveaway winner announced!

30 Illustrations in 30 Days challenge is OVER!

 Can you believe it?!! We've come this far by faith... ;)

THANK YOU to all NEW subscribers and to the participants who entered my second giveaway!

During WEEK 4, days 24-30 were COMBINED INTO ONE PROJECT!
Take a look at the creation and grab some freebies, too! (Look for link to download your freebies at the end of this post.)

Last time you heard from me, I told you that you'd see me create illustrations that would be embedded in my writings- most likely in the form of doodling. Well, I've kept my word! Here's a special message just for you:

Day 30/30....eeekkk! Oh my goodness, can it be the **LAST DAY** already?! Yep, you sho' right ;)

To make this unique project, I doodled in my sketchbook for 3 days until I created the perfect set of collage sheets to use as backgrounds.

 

Here are a few close-ups of the collage sheets. I just love deckled edges. It gives a nice, organic feel to the page.  

Look at all that writing! I wrote inspirational lyrics, phrases, scriptures and bits of love for you on these collage sheets.

The pics above show me using a tool called an 'awl'. It's traditionally used for bookmaking. I pierced small holes for the eyelets to fit in. Of course I had to add a little bit of bling bling, too! Tiny rhinestones did the trick. 

Finally, the finished banner in all its glory:

Now...

IT'S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY!

Congratulations,

You've won a complimentary artwork from Martice Smith II - Illustration!

Please email me your shipping info as soon as you can, to claim your prize.

To grab your freebies, please click here (It will download as a PDF. Please remember to credit me, the artist, when using them for personal use. Enjoy ;)

These freebies won't last for long...link will expire in 30 days so you better get them while you still can!

Love to all my new friends and fans,

Day 17/30: Brazil

Day 17/30

Today's mini-excursion will be in BRAZIL!! I'm so excited because I've been studying Brazilian Portuguese for nearly 2 years now and I really wish to practice with a native speaker. I have met another artist who has been helping me along the way. Maybe, just maybe, I'll be taking an actual trip there, in the future!

I've always been in awe of Brazil's eclectic mix of culture and friendly personality.  Oh, I would love to witness the annual, 5 day Rio de Janeiro Carnival ('Carnaval' in Portuguese) that will be held next year on February 28th, watch the 2014 Olympic games, walk the Ipanema beach, visit the 'Christ the Redeemer' statue- which is considered the world's largest Art Deco statue IN THE WORLD, standing at a tremendous height of 130 feet!! The list could, easily, go on and on...

So, let's move on to today's project. Today, I was intuitively working- painting, tearing paper left and right, gluing and stitching images together, when a message started to emerge and manifest its reason for being. I will tell you what it was, but see if you can figure it out first.

Title: "Be alive, prosper!"

Media: decorative scrapbook papers, fabric scraps, colored tissue paper, embroidery floss, thread, stencils, hand-written text, rhinestones, modeling paste, acrylic paints and tracing paper on wood panel. 

Size: 5 inches by 4 1/2 inches

© 2013 by Martice Smith II. 

Ahhhh....paper ephemera heaven...LOVE IT! This is my stash of decorative and scrapbook paper. Gotta find the 'right' papers to express the exuberance of Brazil!  

 New color combinations, patterns, and imagery all mixed up in unexpected ways to create sparks of imagination on my wood panel. I like to be messy at time, like with this project. I believe in following my impulse...it has never led me wrong!

Instead of trying to fit each inch of paper on the rectangular shape of wooden panel, I just let them spill over freely and carefully ran a sharp craft knife to trim each side edge.

See how nice the edges turned out?! Trimming makes a very neat edge that brings contrast to the free-form collage. This pic shows you a step where I used sandpaper to round off the corners...to have more control over the sandpaper, I created my own hand-held sandpaper tool by gluing a piece to a spray can top! Clever, clever, yeah I know!

Here's a close up- there are many layers on this panel. Cut-outs, stencils, hand-torn papers, tissue and acrylic paints.

It wasn't until after I finished this project that a message revealed itself to me. It read 'Be alive, PROSPER'. Wow, such profound words for me, right now!!
It will serve as a reminder to keep looking forward, be totally in the moment of creating and boldly make artwork that's authentic to me.


I hope you enjoyed inspiration from Brazil in all its rich, luscious colors and magical culture!

Até amanhã (ah-TAY a-MUN-yah),

"See you tomorrow",

Days 13 & 14/30

Days 13 & 14/30

Today, I had to play a little catch-up for DAY 13 and I also had to finish today's piece (DAY 14) as well. I decided to keep them both simple. Go on and take a peek! 

Title: "Purple Passion"
Media: spray paints, gesso, red and black ink pens, star sticker, organza fabric and machine stitching on phone book pages.
Size: 6 1/2 inches by 7 inches, 
© 2013 by Martice Smith II.

Title: "Tropical Breeze"
Media: gesso, black ink pen, graphite, acrylic paint, hand-cut stencils on phone book pages.
Size: 7 inches by 9 inches© 2013 by Martice Smith II.


I MADE ANOTHER ONE! For today's illustration, I couldn't stop at creating just one! So, I kept going and made an extra- just a li'l somethin' to pay you back for being late with DAY 13 :)

Title: "Light to my Soul"
Media: gesso, black and red ink pens, graphite, acrylic paint, white out, sewing pattern tissue paper, hand-cut stencils, vintage sewing pin, thread and embroidery floss on phone book pages.
Size: 6 1/2 inches by 7 inches
© 2013 by Martice Smith II.

There you go: DAYS 13 and 14/30 are now complete...and so is WEEK 2!!

I hope you've enjoyed the pieces I've created this week!