NEW E-Book Intricate Paper Stencils, PART 1

Hello lovely friends and WELCOME to the newbies, who have just joined us!! Thank you for connecting with me, via my blog, Facebook and other places you've found me. I appreciate YOU ;)


Some of you may have already heard...
I'm so excited to announce that my second article will be published on the Create Mixed Media website, very soon!!

As a special gift to my newsletter subscribers, I want share my brand new, *free* e-book: Intricate Paper Stencils, PART 1

Inside, I will show you a creative exploration of:
• 10 designs to help you create your own collection of beautifully crafted stencils
• how to use phone book paper + a variety of other papers (gelatin prints / pre-designed papers)
• creating fluid, organic shapes and bold, geometric lines  


If you're like me, it's hard to throw away small paper bits and pieces! I like to save and tuck them away in a storage container so that I can use them in a future collage or some background textures for my illustrations.

Grab your copy! Subscribe here and remember that the e-book will be available as soon as my article + tutorial publishes on the Create Mixed Media Art website.

>> SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, May 4th! <<

Thanks again!

Talk soon,

Spring and Culture Inspiration

Hello my friends of creative genius!

Lately, I've been spending a couple of my afternoons preparing for my next article + tutorial for the Mixed Media Art website.

With Spring finally here, I've been mesmerized by the simple beauty of:

new flower blossoms...
the soft, creamy pastel colors from a magnolia bloom...

the florescent bursts of sunshine yellow daffodils...
waking up every morning to the hypnotic chirping of a mama cardinal (her nest is right outside my window)...

peeling paint and stained glass windows on historic architecture...

the gentle blow of a wind current, making the hem of my skirt dance...
sudden and unexpected rain storms...rain splashing against my face; my eyelashes collecting small droplets...
Oh! How could I ever forget the sky?! *sigh* words can not serve justice to this sight...

* * So much beauty to behold! I count it a blessing to be able to witness the absolute magnificence of Jesus. * *

As you can imagine, all of these things and more, have given me a load of inspiration to unleash in my upcoming projects.

For my next article + tutorial, I'll be showing you how to create these super easy Intricate Paper Stencils using, guess what? Phone book paper! Yes, that's right, my friend! Super easy AND super cheap ;)

When this article + tutorial gets published, I will provide a free, downloadable guide for 10+ patterns, just to help get you started.

Don't want to miss this tutorial? Well, go ahead and subscribe to this blog via my Bloglovin' badge  OR 'Like' my Facebook art page. (Both can be found in the column, to the right)

You won't believe just how simple it is to create these patterns!

Look for this article + tutorial "Intricate Paper Stencils: PART 1" to be published on: 

Sunday, May 4th, 2014

Where are some places you like to visit and explore to find interesting shapes, colors, patterns, or textures? Leave a comment below!

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,

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!