The Greatest Joy of All
When I was a child my treasure was a chalkboard. I also had 7 little plastic dwarf figures which were my pupils. When I got home after a shcool day I began to teach my silent dwarfs. I loved school and wanted to become a teacher.
But then, some years later, I heard about computers and that was it. I fell in love. I went to study computer science and my career in IT began. I do have taught IT professionals but nothing beats what I have been able to do lately: teach art!
Teaching is giving and there’s nothing greater than that. I have experienced big moments of happiness when creating art and it is wonferful if I can give even a small amount of that for others.
I created these two flying birds when leading a workshop called “Birds of Happiness”. We created not only birds but also bird themed decorative papers, feathers and bird’s nests.
(The photo by Askartelu Amalia)
All the elements were created by hand, using pens and colour pencils, watercolors and acrylic paints. I had made instructions for various elements but they were guidelines and everybody used their creativity for the end result.
We put the birds together in the end of the day and took pictures. I am so inspired by seeing how people have their own styles and how they express themselves while learning to let go and trust their inner voice. Plenty was done in only four hours.
I hope that in the future I could give you more with this blog, with my newsletter and with my services. The most importantly: bring you back in time when you were a child and wholeheartedly enjoyed creating. Giving that back to you would truly be the greatest joy of all.
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Things Learned From Quilting
My latest collage here is influenced by fabrics and quilting. After being linked from Amy’s Free Motion Quilting Adventures blog I got the idea to blog about my roots in quilting. And even more: what I have learned from quilting.
I used to be a quilter you know. Within years my quilting became more and more complex. I fell in love with hand embroidery and it felt like the needle was my pen. Quite soon after I made this, “The Time of Miracles”, I knew I could not just go on. It took too much time to complete one, even small quilt.
I discovered paper crafting hoping it would be faster. And it was! That time I also combined paper with fabric.
But after taking the first steps in paper crafts I realized that I had learned a lot from quilting.
1. Using ugly colors
Choosing only pretty colors makes them all ugly. Every quilter buys neutrals, blacks, whites, solids and other duller fabrics to make pretty even prettier.
2. Selecting colors that differ in intensity
Hues that have the same intensity look flat and unappealing together. Like in nature and in photos, the hues vary and I think it looks beautiful.
3. Mixing patterns
By bringing new and new fabrics to the quilt it gets more and more appealing once the colour choices work. I love mixing a variety of patterns together!
4. Layering
Applique is the technique where the fabric motifs are sewn on the background. Layering creates depth and makes the end result interesting. I try to maintain clear color contrasts between layers.
5. Attachment
In quilting all the pieces are first attached by sewing. They form a connection within each other even before the final step: the actual quilting. In collages I always try to group elements and give them some kind of border. Pieces that float look like they do not belong anywhere.
I still make quilts now and then. I do not make traditional blocks or plan my quilts. I like sewing intuitively like I would be drawing something unexpected.
Skills can be mixed and styles can evolve from the experience of making a wide range of things. Whatever you create, hopefully this encourages you to combine your skills for the next project!
More design advice applied to crafting: Folk Bag Workbook
Decorated Business Cards
I had run out of business cards, so I made some! I blogged about this idea a few years ago for the first time. This time I made it a bit simpler.
I took a business cards sheet and sketched circles here and there. Then I colored them with watercolors, leaving white background visible in some areas.
Then I used markers to add details. The white is from Copic White Pigment Jar, my newest purchase. If you have not found the perfect white pen yet (Uniball Signo Broad gel pen is my favorite so far), the Copic pigment is a great choice.
Here’s a close-up. Drawing these little doily type flowers with circles was so much fun!
Finally, I tore the business cards out from the sheet. Here’s a finished card.
I feel like I am repeating myself, but again: why buy when you can make it yourself?
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Collage Birds
My new year’s resolution: in 2014 I am going to make an e-book showing my techniques and sources of inspiration. I have begun to create collage birds that I am going to include in the book.
I have always admired birds. I have four budgies as pets, and they have proved me that birds can be smart, skillful and full of compassion. I want to add positive feelings to my collage birds too.
Update in 2017
The e-book about collage birds never came true, but it was a seed for my most popular class Inspirational Drawing.
>> Sign up for Inspirational Drawing 2.0 here!