Category: Art… Mostly on Paper

Wow! Not Just a Kiddie Camera…!

When I received this camera – in return for an honest review – I did NOT expect much.

I mean, really… it looks like a toy, and it’s called the KOKODI Kids Camera.

How good could a pink plastic kiddie camera be…?

As usual with many imports, the instruction manual was pretty difficult to understand. That’s partly because this camera takes photos, and makes thermal prints, and can film videos, and includes games and music, and… you get the idea. Lots of instructions in really tiny print.

(It’s advertised as being for kids 3+, but I have NO idea how a toddler could figure all of this out.)

To test the camera, I took it with me when my husband and I went to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. (We’re in Orlando right now, and weekends usually include WDW.)

Train station photo taken at Walt Disney World's Magic KingdomI’d planned to take a photo or two and then put the camera away.

At left is the first photo I took, standing at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom. (That’s the top of the train station at the front of the park.)

I didn’t do anything to this photo. It looks exactly as it does on paper.

Yes, it’s grainy and a little streaked, but it reminds me of 19th-century daguerreotypes.

At that point, it was almost love at first sight.

(I say “almost” because I wasn’t sure if that photo was just a really cool fluke, and the rest would be “meh.”)

Cinderella Castle, Walt Disney World, FloridaWell, here’s the second photo I took.  (Obviously, I hadn’t yet figured out how to change the date on the camera. lol )

That’s the Cinderella Castle at Disney World.

I love this! You can even see the statue of Walt Disney!

And then, for the next five hours (really), I just kept taking photos.

Oh, we still visited a lot of attractions. The morning crowd was ridiculously small.

We walked right onto several rides that – on a normal day – would have at least a 15-minute wait line. And some – like the Haunted Mansion – that typically have 40+ minute waits.

And I kept taking photos—about 40 of them—as I learned how to use this camera. (Admittedly, I’m still early in the learning curve.)

Here’s another one, taken from the monorail station at the Magic Kingdom. That’s a hotel shuttle boat on the left. On the far right, in the distance, you’ll see the Grand Floridian Hotel and, to its left, the Polynesian Resort.

I kind of love the clouds in that one.

My first thought is to enlarge these, print them on watercolor paper, and paint them (with watercolors) for a fun vintage look.

I’ll have to see what else might work. And, of course, I need to figure out the three different photo settings. I’m not sure if these photos are as crisp as they get or if this is the lowest (grainiest) setting.

Either way, if you love to explore quirky art techniques (as I do), I think you’ll love this camera. Click here to see it at Amazon.com, or click here for a similar camera at Amazon.co.uk.

Here’s one more photo – “as is” from the camera – showing WDW’s Spaceship Earth attraction, on the other side of the PeopleMover track.

It’s one of my favorite photos from yesterday.

Spaceship Earth, photo taken with a kiddie camera

NOTE: BIG thanks to artist Eliza Metz for her Facebook post, which inspired me to try this camera myself.

How a Zine Swap Works

smiling flower“Swaps” are where a certain number of people agree to swap… Well, something, usually handmade, and they’re usually multiple, identical (or nearly identical) items.

It’s a fun way of sharing art, usually through the mail, but sometimes in person.

Zine swaps

In this case, a “zine swap” is where you send a certain number of copies of just one issue of your zine, to the person hosting the swap.

You’ll also send the host either postage, money for postage, or a self-addressed, stamped envelope for shipping other participants’ zines to you.

The number of zines you’ll send is usually determined by the number of participants, including the host.

So, if six people, including you and the host, are swapping zines, you’ll send five copies of your zine (plus postage).

Each other participant does the same, and the host adds their own set of five zines to the collection.

Then the host sorts all the zines into piles, so each participant receives one from each of the other participants (including the host).

After that, the host mails the sets to each person in the swap, and keeps one set for themselves.

So, each person in that swap will receive five different zines, one from each of the other participants, including the host.

Visual explanation of how a zine swap works

I think very visually. Even writing that previous section, I was counting on my fingers to be sure I got the numbers right.

If you’re like me, this illustration may help explain how swaps work. Jane is both a participant and a host, so – as a participant – she’ll make five copies of her own zine and add them to the swap.How a zine swap works

I hope that makes sense, and I hope you’ll participate in – or even organize – a zine swap.

More zine information

If you have questions or answers, post a comment below.

Artistamps and Mailart

Artistamps are part of a larger art form called mailart. It’s been popular in different eras, most recently in the 1970s, then in the 1990s, and now – in the 21st century – it’s growing in popularity again.

WHAT IS MAILART?

Mailart (also called “mail art”) is art sent through the mail, and it’s visible on the outside of the postcard, envelope, or (less often) the package. That is, the visible part of what goes through the mail IS the art. There may or may not be art – or anything – inside.

The visible art – seen by those who handle the art (from sender to post office staff to recipient)-  may be decorated with many things, including…

  • Artistamps
  • Artwork (hand-drawn or painted)
  • Collage art elements
  • Rubber stamps (hand-carved or commercial, used creatively)

Sometimes, the art is mass-produced, albeit on a small scale. That is, it’s printed in limited numbers and applied (or turned into) the postcard, envelope, or package.

In some cases, each piece of mailart is signed and numbered. (For example, “5/25” would mean the individual piece is #5 of a total of 25 created and mailed.)

Here are six of my mailart postcards, sent in 2023. Each recipient received a handcrafted postcard decorated with a one-of-a-kind torn paper collage on it.

Mailart postcards by Aisling D'Art, 2023 set 2

 

WHAT ARE ARTISTAMPS?

Artistamps are art, in the form of a postage-type stamp. They’re also called faux postage, among other names that mean “fake postal stamps with art on them.”  (Other terms for these faux stamps include postoids and cinderellas.)

Here’s one of my favorite artistamps. I created it using a photo from one of my visits to Avebury, England, where – unlike Stonehenge – you can actually touch the standing stones.

An artistamp - an artist's stamp - faux postage - Avebury standing stones

Some of us create our own fantasy countries, or perhaps mailing authorities, or both. Mine is Ballynafae, an imaginary island country just west of Ireland.

Some artists create a complete history, geography, and set of personalities related to their fantasy countries. They consider it part of the art.

And some mix fact and whimsy, as I did in my Kilmallock series, issued under my Ballynafae mailing authority.

This group of six stamps celebrates a real location – Kilmallock, Co. Limerick – using vintage photos from the mid-1990s… but I pretended that these were official stamps from Ballynafae.

Artistamps - faux postage stamps created by artists - Six by Aisling D'Art
Here are some of my Disney-themed artistamps.  (NOTE: The original stamps’ images were crisper. These are slightly enlarged from my 2001 website post. I’ll replace the images when I find the original artistamp files.)

The “Tapestry” stamps are from photos I took in 2001 at the final performance of Walt Disney World’s “Tapestry” parade at EPCOT. (See video link at the foot of this post. Also, the lower “Walt Disney World 2001” stamp features family friend Jeremy Pace, when he was part of the parade’s finale.)

Original artistamps with a Disney World theme

Here’s what a single set of artistamps can look like:

Single set of the Artists' Mailing List artistamps, on their 2006 anniversary.

Rainbow colors divider

Rainbow colors divider

A little more info about artistamps…

Starting in the late 1990s, I was a member of the Electronic Collaboration Project (ECP), creating several artistamp series. And, in the Artists’ Mailing List (AML) group my issuing authority was AML-23.

John Held, Jr. has compiled a book, Small Scale Subversion: Mail Art & Artistamps. (I have no idea if my own artstamps, etc., are in it, but that book has earned good reviews.)

Rainbow colors divider

Disney Castle – Quick Sketch

To accurately review Mmarte watercolors, I did a quick sketch (using a fine-point Sharpie pen) and then painted over it using the paints and brushes in the watercolor set.

(I gave the set a five-star review. Except that the set doesn’t include enough shades of purple, these are fun watercolor supplies.)

Here’s the result. (Keep in mind that I did this hastily.)

Watercolor sketch of Disney World castle

What I like best is how cheerful and informal this is. Rushing through this, I couldn’t let perfectionism get in my way.

After all, I was just testing the paints; I didn’t plan to keep this piece.

Now, this watercolor sketch is going up on my wall to brighten my day, and remind me of happy visits to Disney World… past and future!

Art Journaling Ideas – Complex and Detailed (Video)

Looking for some fresh ideas to add depth to your art journaling projects?

This video – by another artist, not me – will inspire you. It includes lots… and lots… and LOTS of art journaling ideas!

Color. Texture. Paper, tapes, ribbons, and more. Wheeee!

Yes, this kind of mixed-media art can seem overwhelming to a beginner.

Even for an experienced artist, this many art journaling ideas can feel like too much.

My advice…?

Don’t try to do everything.

Watch and see what appeals to you the most.

Maybe just one or two things.

And then do that.

Just that. But – of course – with your own creative “voice” and style.

After all, visual journaling is about your creative expression.

Video URL: https://youtu.be/5PlbplSnuoQ

Want more art journaling ideas?

Ask me! I’ll make videos to answer your questions.

Leave a comment. Let me know what kind of materials, journals, topics, etc. interest you.

Art Journaling? Resist! A Sneaky Way to Add Excitement

Are you looking for easy, clever ways to add more excitement to your art journaling?

The answer may be: RESIST!

In art journaling, “resist” is a way to keep paint – and some other products – from sticking to the page. Other terms for this include: mask, masking fluid, and frisket. (You’ll see many different products at Amazon.com.)

Some resist techniques are simple, like using a white crayon on a white page. Watercolors, acrylic paint, most (not all) rubber stamp inks, and so on… they usually won’t stick to any area where the crayon wax is.

One short video showed one way to use white crayon as a resist. (The video was made private, so I can’t link to it. Just know that there maybe more videos about using crayons as paint resist elements.)

Here’s another short video with some good suggestions if you’re using a white crayon as a way to keep part of your page white:

Remember that once the wax crayon has been applied, that area on your artist’s journal page won’t accept water-based media, ever. Even if you try to wipe the crayon lines off… the paint (or rubber stamp ink, etc.) probably won’t stick.

White Glue Mask/Resist

In this video, you’ll see one of Traci Bautista’s products mentioned. It’s a decoupage product, Collage Pauge, that can be uses as a resist. However, as the video explains, you can use white glue for the same purpose.

Alcohol Resist

Other resists aren’t necessarily as waterproof as crayon. Alcohol is an example. Though it can be 100% resistant to water-based pigment, sometimes it isn’t. Also, it can be harder to control than white glue, white crayon, or products designed for use as resists, masks, and friskets.

Embossing Resist (with Heat)

If you have embossing supplies, this is an innovative way to use them in your art journal, as a resist.

Resist with Adhesive Letters or Decorations

This is a fun, kind of reverse-resist approach to art journaling. First, you paint a colorful layer. Then, you add the adhesive-backed letters or shapes. (I’d use inexpensive letters, and don’t push them down too firmly.) Then you paint over the whole thing with white (or a color), and then you peel off the letters/shapes you’d stuck onto the page.

I think these ideas are kind of wonderful. I already knew a few, but – watching these videos – I’m inspired to revisit them, and try the new resist techniques, too.

Art Journaling Inspiration – Vintage Diaries (Video)

Sometimes, we can find inspiration in old, vintage, and antique books.

That’s especially true about old diaries. They may not be art journaling examples, but you’ll see fascinating ways people have documented their daily lives, sometimes just with words, and sometimes with illustrations.

This 25-minute video shows a variety of old-fashioned diaries. Delicious inspiration!

https://youtu.be/iBwmCMbDyjU

Guerilla Art Kit and Other Journaling Ideas – Keri Smith

Keri Smith broke the mold when she first published her “Wreck This Journal” journals.

She’s still a great inspiration, whether you’re a beginner or a long-time fan of art journaling and scrapbooking.

If you’re not familiar with Keri’s art & philosophy, this video may be a good place to start. It’s about 3 minutes long.

https://youtu.be/EQpoDWSHby0

If you like her message, you’ll find more,related videos at YouTube.

Also, even if you don’t speak Spanish, this 3-minute video is fascinating. Multiple artists demonstrate how they “wrecked” a Wreck This Journal (Destroza Este Diario). They’re some intriguing art journaling examples.

https://youtu.be/uQko6xa3whE

Art Journaling – Making the Everyday Different

Would you like to sketch in your art journal or scrapbook, but need art journaling ideas?

This short (under two minutes) video is in German – with subtitles in English. (You’ll understand it, even without the sound on.)

This unique idea may give you a fresh outlook, and ideas of what to draw in an art journal. He also uses visual layering techniques to lend a sense of depth to some of his art journal illustrations.

Mr. Scheinberger talks about sketching with art materials that may be at your elbow, and using them as subject, but changing their size or proportions.

In other words, make the everyday into something different with art journaling.

https://youtu.be/Au9vpEaAjYc