Create Abstract Art Panels

Thursday, July 1st, 2010 by Alyice

Have you ever entered an art gallery, saw an abstract painting with three or more coordinating panels and thought, “I wonder if I could do something like that myself?”

Well you can!

It’s so easy. And so much fun!

The hardest part is just letting loose and creating with reckless abandon.

So often we think we have to create art that represents an object, a person, or event in our lives. When in reality we just have to create what speaks to our souls.

Supplies:

1 Sheet of 9″x12″ Watercolor Paper (90# weight)
1 Sheet of Black Felt Paper
White Gesso
Liquitex Acrylic Paints (3 to 5 complimenting colors)
1 Sponge Brush
2 Paint Brushes – 1 small, 1 medium
Gold Opaque Writer by Zig Memory Systems
Black adhesive tabs (referred to as risers in this tutorial)
Glossy Mod Podge®
Frame with 5×7 opening
Scissors or paper cutter
Ruler
Pencil

Instructions:

Cover the watercolor paper with Gesso. Let dry.
Apply acrylic paint to the watercolor paper until the paper is completely covered with paint and you are completely satisfied with the design. Let dry.
It’s important to blend the colors. You can do this by dry brushing a lighter color over the darker colors or by gently rubbing a damp paper towel on the edges of the wet paint.
Use the sponge to apply a single coat of Mod Podge® over your painting. Let dry.
Take the glass out of your frame.
Turn the painting over, place the glass on top of the paper, trace around the glass, and cut out the rectangular shape you just traced.
Use a ruler to create one-inch strips. Cut the strips.
Cut 1/4 inch off the bottom of two strips.
Cut 1/2 inch off the bottom of two different strips.
Cut 3/4 inch off the bottom of the last strip.
Use the Gold pen to paint a thin line around each strip. Let dry. (If you do it right, the pen should also color the edge of the paper.)
Use the sponge to apply a coat of Mod Podge® over each strip, making sure to seal the edges, too. (It’s important that you let the Opaque Writer dry for a minimum of 15 minutes before you apply the Mod Podge®. Otherwise, it will smear and make a mess.)
Turn the felt paper over, place the glass on top of the paper, trace around the glass, and cut out the rectangular shape you just traced.
Position the strips on top of the felt until you are satisfied with the look.
Grab your frame and make sure that none of your strips are hidden by the edge of the frame. If they are, trim them.
Pull the paper off the back of your risers and adhere them to your strips. (I chose to put three risers on each of my strips: top, middle, bottom.)
To make sure you don’t lose your design, lift one strip up at a time, then replace the strip once the riser has been adhered to the back of the strip.
Look at your design and make sure that you still like the look once the risers are in place. If not, reposition your strips.
If you still like your design, lift one strip at a time, remove the backing of the risers, position the strip, and press firmly into the felt paper.
Because felt has a tendency to attract lint, you may need to gently remove any lint with a blower dryer.
Place the clean glass back into the frame, place your abstract art on top of the glass, and replace the back of the frame.

Congratulations! You’ve just created a beautiful piece of abstract art.

And the best part is that if you start right now, you can get a jumpstart on your holiday gift-giving and save a bundle! Just think of this post as your invitation to celebrate “Christmas in July”.

Keep Creating

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Thanks For Being A Good Worker

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 by Alyice

When my son came home from college this summer, he informed me that he wanted a job. He wanted to put away the money he earned so that he had spending money when he returned to college in the fall.

Smart idea, I thought to myself. But secretly I wondered if we prepared him enough for the real world.

I refused to let him get a job in high school because I wanted him to enjoy the whole high school experience and concentrate on getting good grades. Besides, I felt he’d have his whole life to work a job.

That’s not to say he had it easy—though some may argue differently. He was required to help out around the house, to keep his room orderly, to mow the lawn in the summer and shovel the snow in the winter, to keep up his grades (straight As), to choose an extra-curricular activity and stick with it (even if he decided he didn’t like it after the first few weeks), to help taxi and keep a watchful eye on his younger sister, and to be respectful towards others.

Still, I wondered if it would’ve been better to let him have that job he wanted in twelfth grade.

Then it happened. He got a job!

The first two weeks were difficult for him. Though he was happy to have a job, he was used to sleeping in during the summer and staying up late and now he had to give up his summer for what was considered menial, laborious work. And for money he wasn’t even going to be able to spend.

By the third week he had adjusted to the schedule nicely and discovered that there were three types of workers: people who only worked when seen, people who did their jobs but took their sweet time about it, and people who, like his dad, believed in doing an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay.

It’s now the fourth week and he has come to the conclusion that if you are going to have to work for a living, you should do something you love—or at least like immensely.

As for worrying whether I made the right decision to prevent him from working a traditional job during high school. I believe I did.

He’s done beautifully transitioning into the position. He arrives at work on time—actually a few minutes early. He has his father’s work ethics and puts in an honest day’s work, and he’s looking at this experience as a learning opportunity.

As to how I know all this. Well you see, though he got the job on his own merits, he works at the same company as his dad. And his boss has been very impressed, so impressed that the other day my son’s boss pulled my husband aside to let him know that he raised a “good worker”.

So today, as I think about all this, I cannot help but feel extremely grateful for having the foresight to insist that he enjoy his childhood to the fullest.

And I am extremely grateful that my husband had the foresight to insist that while our son was enjoying his childhood, that he also be given responsibilities and not be treated like a “mamma’s boy”.

Give thanks…

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Donate Your Art Supplies

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 by Alyice

A few months back I discovered a wonderful organization dedicated to helping children heal through arts and crafts. It is called “Free Arts For Abused Children” and it’s been around for nearly 30 years. 30 years!

Up until ten years ago I lived in the same state as this organization and I knew absolutely nothing about it. What a shame.

Had we been in the same state today, I surely would’ve volunteered.

First, I love creating arts and crafts with children. They are so uninhibited. Their minds are so free spirited and their imaginations soaring. And creating builds self-confidence, lifts up their self-esteem, and produces positive results.

Second, I grew up in the projects and I saw a lot of abuse first-hand. If a child wasn’t physically abused by a parent, there was a good chance emotional abuse was being experienced. And should a child be lucky enough to have great parents, that child still had to contend with bullies and abuse by certain neighboring adults.

An abused child needs caring, supportive adults to show him what healthy relationships are truly like.

An abused child needs someone to help heal his wounds and nourish his soul in a safe, healthy environment. He needs someone to not just say, “You did nothing wrong. You are a good person. You are wonderful and beautiful and you deserve to be happy and safe and free from harm”, but to show him through actions.

The thing about abuse—whether it’s physical or mental—is that it never fully goes away until the child is able to express his emotions and put some type of closure on the subject.

Art, and the right teacher, can do that.

The organization’s motto is “building connections through the healing power of art to interrupt the cycle of violence, create understanding, build self-esteem, and nurture better lives.”

Isn’t that a great motto?

The first time I donated a box of artsy goodies, I was a bit nervous. I was worried what I had to offer was not going to be good enough—especially since most of what I donated came from my own stash.

Then I was nervous because the package was never acknowledged so I didn’t know if it had even reached its destination, let alone had it been something they could use.

But when I contacted the organization I was informed that what I had delivered was very much appreciated. In fact, they thought it was a fun package! So I got the go ahead to start working on a second package of a similar nature.

What was in that package? Odds and ends really. Some art supplies were used. Some were new. Some were merely leftovers from other projects or scraps that still had plenty of life left in them but I could no longer find a purpose for them or I had simply grown tired of them.

Today, I am on my second box. In fact, it is already half filled with artsy goodness.

There are 12×2 scrapbook papers that I purchased over five years ago and decided I didn’t like.
There are ribbon spools from a period in my life, nearly ten years ago, when I wrapped everything in a bow.
There are tubes of paint that I purchased and decided I didn’t like the color of—even when mixed with other colors.
There are pieces of over two dozen ribbons that are no longer long enough to wrap around packages but would make great accents on cards or collages.
There are stencils and stamps and sequins and things that were leftover from another project.
And then there is a 32 quart baggie filled with hand cut, hand painted triangular shaped mosaic scraps.

For me, the best part about donating art supplies—even if they do come from my own stash—is that I get to be proactive. I get to actually participate in the organization’s efforts even if I cannot physically be there.

And I know, from first-hand experience, that ART HEALS… ART SAVES.

Every time I open up a new drawer in search of something for a current project and discover something that hasn’t been touched in years, I know I can let it go because it’s going to a good home.

Every time I want to try some new artsy tool or product, I no longer feel guilt over the possibility of wasting money if I don’t like it because I can ship it off to a good cause.

Every time I hand paint a paper for an art project, I am one step closer to saving our planet because I can recycle the leftovers. I can take the leftover pieces, cut them up into various shapes and sizes, and place them in a large baggie and ship them off to “Free Arts For Abused Children“—where they can then be used to create beautiful works of art as they heal a child’s soul.

I’d love for you to take up the call.

I challenge you to sort through your art drawers and pack up a box of your own. Or if you’d prefer, you can check out their WISH List and do a little shopping. Just click here.

Pay It Forward…

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AlyiceEdrich.com
I'm a freelance writer, mixed media artist, SMVA, and the owner of The Dabbling Mum.

Copyrights

All material on this blog belongs to Alyice Edrich, unless otherwise noted. No project, artwork, or text may be reproduced or displayed elsewhere without the consent of the creator. That includes making derivative works for resale. Please use project tutorials for personal use and/or gifts only.