About

At this site, you’ll find mixed media art, including art journaling, art collages, mixed media art, fabric art, decor, and – in general – living a creative life.

I’m Aisling D’Art, and this website – Aisling.net – has been online since… well, practically forever.

This site’s history

Back in the digital Stone Age – the 1990s – this site launched at GeoCities’ Soho community.

Soon after that, when Yahoo!Groups formed, I became the founder of the Wild Art Dolls community, as well as a moderator of ArtistsJournals (AJ), founder of ArtistsJournals2 (AJ2), and more.

Then, in the late 1990s, I moved my content to this URL.

Since then, I’ve written hundreds of articles, and shared examples of my quirky, handmade art. Most include how-to ideas.

But even before that, I was sending out streams of free newsletters, zines, artcards, and other kinds of mailart. In addition, I was part of the original Mission: Renaissance team in Los Angeles.

I’ve taught workshops at Art & Soul, Artfest, Dragon Con, and more.

The original 1000 Journals project included me, and – oddly enough – I had that journal when 9/11 happened. So, my art is in that book.

Likewise, I was part of the original Artistamp Mailing List (AML) event, swapping mailart with dozens of other quirky artists.

You may have seen my art, illustrations, and articles in Somerset Studio‘s magazines (including Art Doll Quarterly), in Family Circle, Lady’s Circle, Professional Quilter, and even in Romantic Times magazines.

That list could go on and on…

(Want to know even more about me? Click here to read the deeply personal section.)

Recent changes at this website

Now, juggling various projects, I’m finally updating this websites. That includes my art-related articles, and adding graphics you can actually see, even on a phone.

I’m also integrating articles from ArtistsJournals.com, etc.

I’m also renewing my habit of offering free art to friends. (Digital options make that even easier.)

This website revamp is a BIG project, so – in some cases – I’m organizing content into books, with lots of added tips and ideas. Then you can have it easily within reach, digitally and in print.

In general, this current site is – once again – among my main digital “homes.”

I hope you’ll enjoy it, too.

And now…

Recently, I’ve been taking online courses, revisiting principles and past inspiration.

That’s been refreshing.

That’s why I’m making some of my creative projects very inexpensive, and many will be free.

For example, I’m putting free, creative things into the mail again, starting with artcards (art on postcards).

There will be online freebies, too, including packets of digital freebies at my Substack, and at Patreon. (For updates, follow me at Art and Other Things, at Substack.)

As I’m writing this, I see that a 2010 zine is still at this website, among other freebies you may find scattered here.

In addition, I’m evaluating social media options (to see what’s the best match for me) and what “sparkles,” among my many projects.

If you’d like to join the fun, and receive an occasional freebie in the mail, send your mailing address (postal/snailmail) to artfun@aisling.net (It’s just for freebies – no strings attached, and I won’t share your address with anyone else.)

So… let’s play!

About my name…

I launched this site as “Aisling D’Art” because – in the early days of the Internet -not many women were online. The smart ones didn’t use their real names.

“Aisling” is a family name, and has significance in Irish history. The D’Art surname gave me a sense of privacy.

Later, I realized “Aisling D’Art” suited me, so I adopted it for workshops, etc., too. If you see me in real life and call out, “Hey, Aisling!” I’ll probably answer. I’m that accustomed to the name now.

However, in real life, a lot of people know me as Eileen, or – using the Irish spelling –  Eibhlin. (It’s said different ways in different parts of Ireland, but many will say it like “Eifflin.”)

And, to be honest, I answer to almost anything said in my direction, as long as it’s nice, happy, and fun.