Collage and mixed media art – examples and tutorials, including art journaling, torn paper collage, assemblages, art shrines, and more.
You can make a small shrine using a Pringle’s potato chip lid. Here are some general instructions to create the base for the shrine. It was created using very small artwork—some of it original—and a Pringle’s potato chip lid. You know, one of those clear plastic snap-on lids that allows you to reseal the container. […]
The Pringles Lid Superman Shrine – Step by Step Read More »
Let’s say you want to make an art shrine. Perhaps you want a pocket shrine to display on your desk or dashboard, or carry with you in your backpack or computer bag. You could give it to a friend as a gift or make several pocket shrines for an art swap. First, you’ll probably start
Art and Science of Pocket Shrines Read More »
You can never have too many Elvises! I made this shrine from images I scanned from a deck of Elvis playing cards, plus some glittery wrapping paper, a plain matchbook, and a few phrases related to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. (The image above is from around 2001, so the quality isn’t as good
Elvis Matchbook Shrine Read More »
You can create wonderful, pocket-sized art shrines by combining tags with other art elements. I’d already worked with many traditional matchbox shrines. This time, I wanted to deconstruct a matchbox – and add it to a tag – to see what I could do with it. I had in mind a theme that was magical
‘Create’ Pocket Shrine (winged) Read More »
After draping your art shrine or assemblage with plaster and gauze, you can achieve astonishing results by layering paint and polyurethane. These photos show just a few of my experiments with this technique. It’s best to read this entire page before shopping for paint, polyurethane, and related supplies. You may get some great, unique ideas
Layering Paint and Polyurethane for Rich Depth Read More »
Plaster gauze is ideal for embellishing your art shrines and assemblages. Add gold foil, gold leaf, glitter, beads, vintage jewelry, crystals, or other features, and your art can really stand out! Plaster Gauze To learn the basics of using plaster gauze (or plaster plus gauze… generally the same product), see: Shrines – Add Texture with
Embellishments for Mystery & Dazzle Read More »
This is page two of the instructions that started at Art Shrines – Add Texture with Plaster Gauze. Plaster and gauze – the same materials used in medical settings for traditional plaster casts – can add excitement and dimension to your art shrines and assemblages. 5. Dip gauze all the way into the water, and
Art Shrines – Add Texture with Plaster Gauze – Part 2 of 2 Read More »
Plaster gauze can add exciting dimensions to your art shrines, mixed media art, or even your art journaling book covers. The effects are completely unlike a “plaster cast.” Here’s what a finished product can look like. (It started as a cardboard cigar box. You can buy them at Amazon, and some cigar stores sell them
Art Shrines – Add Texture with Plaster Gauze – Part 1 of 2 Read More »
You can create elegant rubbings for your art journaling, mixed media art, or decor. You can use rubbings from almost any textured surface, and featuring almost any theme. However, the textured item should be made of metal or a material that can withstand pressure without damaging it. For example, you might do rubbings using metal
Eerie, Elegant Rubbings with Art Foil (Halloween Project) Read More »
The Asparagus Wand was created for Sukie’s “Fairy Wand Exchange,” in July 2001. I made four of them to add to the wands already being sent by my daughter – who’d adopted the name “Applefaerie” – and me. The Asparagus Wand is shown below. It started in Michael’s Arts & Crafts store, where my daughter
