Craftside

Art Prompt: Draw letters in their shape from the book Creative Illustration and Beyond

Kick off your Monday with a fun art prompt from the book Creative Illustration & Beyond: Inspiring tips, techniques, and ideas for transforming doodled designs into whimsical artistic illustrations and mixed media projects. Try drawing the letters of the word in the shape of what the word is such as "guitar" in the shape of a guitar.

 

More about the Walter Foster book:

Creative Illustration & Beyond: Inspiring tips, techniques, and ideas for transforming doodled designs into whimsical artistic illustrations and mixed media projects

by Stephanie Corfee

You learned the fine art of doodling with Walter Foster’s bestselling Creative Doodling & Beyond. Now take your doodled designs to the next level with the entertaining, engaging, and creative ideas and activities in Creative Illustration & Beyond. From illustrating characters from basic shapes and stylizing everyday objects to creating dynamic illustrative layouts and intricately rendered word art, professional artist Stephanie Corfee captivates and charms doodle enthusiasts and aspiring illustrators from the very first page of this colorful and interactive illustration journal. After a brief introduction to illustration tools and materials, Stephanie dives right in with imaginative warm-up exercises, followed by motivating prompts to get the creative juices flowing. Next, an assortment of step-by-step projects guides readers through the creative process for transforming doodles and designs into inviting and colorful illustrations that can be used for a variety of purpose, including postcards, stationery, scrapbook pages, wall art, room décor, jewelry, and much more! Throughout the book, artists are invited to practice their techniques, sketch concepts, make notes, and brainstorm creative illustration ideas right inside the beautifully designated spaces. The perfect follow-up to Creative Doodling & Beyond, Creative Illustration & Beyond is as approachable to the beginner as it is appealing to lifelong doodlers and illustrators of all skill levels. Packed with inspiration, tips, and stunning illustrations designed to encourage and educate, this engaging and colorful book is sure to delight the doodler at heart.

Stephanie Corfee is a full-time freelance artist and designer living in Malvern, PA. She has worked in advertising and marketing and previously owned her own wedding gown design studio. Today, Stephanie enjoys the creative freedom that comes from owning her own business while doing what she love. She has a colorful, bohemian personal aesthetic and loves creating fun, whimsical art for children. Visit www.stephaniecorfee.com.

How to write Sanskrit sayings from the book Henna Sourcebook

As you may or may not have noticed, I am a quote/saying junkie and a font junkie so today, I get to combine the two with sayings written in sanskrit which is an amazing looking font featured in the book Henna Sourcebook: Over 1,000 traditional designs and modern interpretations for body decorating.

Click on this page from Henna Sourcebook: Over 1,000 traditional designs and modern interpretations for body decorating to enlarge and try your hand at writing these sayings in Sanskrit.

I tried the first saying and boy was it a challenge. I definitely will be working on this as it is so pretty!

More about the Race Point book:

Henna Sourcebook: Over 1,000 traditional designs and modern interpretations for body decorating

by Mary Packard and Eleanor Kwei

No one knows for sure when henna was first used for skin decorating, but traces of henna have  been found on mummies in Egypt and on cave painting in India dating back thousands of years. While this tradition is still widely used in India, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it is now gaining popularity throughout the Western world as well. Rooted in the belief that those whose skin is adorned with henna are blessed with good fortune, henna is often associated with rights of passage—coming of age, marriage, and childbirth. Holidays and festivals are times when women and girls decorate their hands and feet, and henna patterns are sometimes unique to these occasions. In some cultures, a bridegroom may be decorated the night before a wedding as well. It is increasingly common for henna parties to be held in the United States, sometimes at weddings, birthday parties, and baby showers—and sometimes just for fun. Henna patterns are seen adorning pop icons like Madonna, Demi Moore, and Prince, and henna artists are becoming an increasingly common sight at street fairs and shops as a temporary and painless alternative to tattoos. Design motifs are included from many different cultures, with background information provided about the symbolism of the designs and motifs.

Eleanor Kwei (Lower Hudson Valley, NY) is a graphic designer and illustrator specializing in pen and ink.  Her work appears in over 30 published books for children and adults.  Raised by diplomat parents Kwei has lived on four continents. In Henna Sourcebook, she combines her background of extensive travel with her artistic passion, pursuing her long-time interest in researching the world's cultures through their art.

Mary Packard (Northport, N.Y.) has written over 250 books for children and adults. Her earliest memories include sitting beside her grandmother who regaled her with exploits of gods and goddesses, tales that had been passed down to her when she was a child living in Greece. As an adult Packard continues to find creative inspiration in the stories and customs of other cultures - from the dreams of the Ojibway and the tales of great Pueblo storytellers to the imaginative expression of all those who practice the timeless tradition of henna art around the world.

    

Artstream announces ARC -Art {retreat} Camp!

I am tickled to share with you info about what is sure to be an amazing Art {retreat} Camp hosted by Susan Schwake author of Art Lab for Kids: 52 Creative Adventures in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Paper, and Mixed Media-For Budding Artists of All Ages and the new book

Art Lab for Little Kids: 52 Playful Projects for Preschoolers.

  

And speaking of the new book  Art Lab for Little Kids I have a free project from the book to share with you.

   

 

 

   

I never would have thought of drawing on sandpaper but wow! What a cool idea! And not only drawing on sandpaper but then you can use that drawing to make a t-shirt transfer.

Click on these pages to enlarge and read all about how to draw on sandpaper and then how to use it to create an iron on t-shirt transfer.

And now onto the info about this amazing Art {retreat} Camp hosted by Susan Schwake, Mati McDonough, and Lisa Solomon.

The News:

  

Artstream announces ARC Art {retreat} Camp August 14-18 Mayhew Island, Newfound Lake, Bristol, NH.

Imagine going to summer camp as an adult, on a forested island in a pristine freshwater lake. Imagine creating in this special place alongside a small nurturing community of seasoned instructors and others like yourself.

 ARC a place to play, a quiet place to learn, a setting to be refreshed in and a time to reconnect to yourself. Whether you are a seasoned arts person or have never picked up a paintbrush, your creative self will blossom here! 

artstream's belief that we are born creative drives our interest in hosting this island retreat designed to open up and nurture the creative side of you..  The daily schedule has a diverse offering of creative workshops taught by top-notch teachers: Rachel Blumberg, Mati McDonough, Lisa Solomon, Mimi Kirchner, Jess Greene, Monica Pasquale and director Susan Schwake. They will be your guides for the stay. Evenings will bring a variety of programming and there are times during the day to relax, hike, swim or canoe around the island too.

Questions? Call 603-330-0333 or email at [email protected]

The full details can be found here:

http://www.arc.artstreamstudios.com

  

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More about the new Quarry Lab Series book:

  

   

Art Lab for Little Kids:

52 Playful Projects for Preschoolers

Developed for the younger set (4-6 year olds) and targeting one of the most critical developmental periods for children, Art Lab for Little Kids is the perfect book for both parents and teachers who are seeking enriching and unique experiences to offer this age group.

As in Susan Schwake’s first book, Art Lab for Kids (Quarry Books, 2012), the Labs can be used as singular projects, or used to build up to a year of hands-on fine art experiences. Each Lab also features the work of a prominent artist for inspiration. The book begins with an introduction on materials and setting up a space for making art. The lessons that follow are open-ended to be explored over and over – with different results each time. They are geared for children being taught or guided by adults and are successful on all levels of experience and age. They do not result in “cookie cutter” end products, but are a method of learning something new each time they are used.

This motivational book stands out as a unique reference for creating fine art with children through finding the student’s own voice, marks and style and with playful lessons that result in significant skill building. Gorgeous photography shows different results from different people using the same lesson, exemplifying the way the lesson brings out each artist’s personal style. Art Lab for Little Kids is a fresh source of creative activities for families and community groups or will work as lesson plans for both experienced and new art teachers in home school, preschool, and kindergarten environments.

Susan Schwake is an art instructor in her own art school, where she has created her own curriculum. Her vision to teach and share art on her own terms has grown into artstream studios (http://www.artstreamstudios.com), which includes a contemporary gallery, an adjunct teaching staff of three, workshops and retreats most every day of the year, and their own full media design firm. She lives in Rochester, NH. Visit her online at http://www.susanschwake.com.

 

Six prompts for painting from the book Brave Intuitive Painting by Flora S. Bowley

Are you a fan of the "prompt" to spark your creativity? Try these 6 prompts from Flora S. Bowley's book
Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold! Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style. I bet I can guarantee you will be happy with what you create. At the very least, you'll have some fun and enjoy the time you spent being creative. I believe that that is just as important as the end result!

Click on this page from Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold! Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style to enlarge and read the 6 prompts Flora calls The Be Brave Challenge: Variation-The Spice of Life

More about the Quarry book:

Brave Intuitive Painting-Let Go, Be Bold, Unfold!
Techniques for Uncovering Your Own Unique Painting Style

by

Flora S. Bowley

Adopt a spontaneous, bold, and fearless approach to painting as a process of discovery—one that results in lush and colorful finished works that will beg to be displayed. This inspiring and encouraging book for both novice and experienced painters shows how to create colorful, exciting, and expressive paintings through a variety of techniques, combining basic, practical painting principles with innovative personal self-expression.

Flora S. Bowley takes a fun and forgiving approach to painting, based on the notion that “You don't begin with a preconceived painting in mind; you allow the painting to unfold.” Illustrating how to work in layers, Flora gives you the freedom to cover up, re-start, wipe away, and change courses many times along the way. Unexpected and unique compositions, color combinations, and subject matter appear as you allow your paintings to emerge in an organic, unplanned way while working from a place of curiosity and letting go of fear. She lives and works full-time as a painter in Portland, Oregon, where she is inspired by magical forests, abundant gardens and a vibrant community of fellow artists. Visit her online at www.florasbowley.com.

    

Author of 1000 Artists' Books Peter Thomas at ARLIS and how to make a clothespin book

This past weekend I attended the Art Librarian Conference and boy what a room filled with eye-candy! I had the pleasure of meeting Peter Thomas co-author of one of my all time favorite books 1,000 Artists' Books: Exploring the Book as Art.

So in honor of getting to meet Peter and his wife (she came along later) I thought I'd share an inside peek into 1,000 Artists' Books: Exploring the Book as Art and a tutorial on how to make a clothespin book that I whipped up inspired by this tutorial that is featured in the book.

Here is how I made my clothespin book.

All you need is a clothespin, bit of paper, string and a button.

Start by cutting a strip of paper wide enough to fit in the clothespin opening.

Fold one end of the strip of paper into the slot and then wrap it around the clothespin.

To secure the paper to the clothespin, tie a small length of string to a button and the wrap the other end around the backside of the button.

And want to see their adventures traveling around the country making books? Pop on over to Peter and Donna' s blog Adventures of the Wandering Book Artists.

If you are like me and love, love, love books on artists (and unique books made out of all sorts of things), run (or click) to your favorite place to get yourself a copy of:

1,000 Artists' Books: Exploring the Book as Art

by

Sandra Salamony

and

Peter and Donna Thomas

The book is a timeless art form, one that is as alive today as ever before, and artists continue to explore and explode the boundaries of what a book is and can be. In this beautiful collection, you will experience close-up various aspects of hand-crafted books: covers, bindings, scrolls, folded and origami structures and books made from found objects. You will find richly illustrated and calligraphed pages as well as books created from a variety of printed processes. Ingenuity and creativity abounds in this carefully curated collection of both historically important and modern works.

Sandra Salamony is a professional book designer. She has authored, coauthored, and curated several books on artisan topics. She lives in Traverse City, Michigan. Visit her online at http://www.sandrasalamony.com.

Peter and Donna Thomas are book artists and coauthors of More Making Books by Hand. They live in Santa Cruz, California.