Stamp Making

I'm currently teaching my advanced class how to make stamps.

We are making square designs that can be rotated to create larger designs, but I had a long strip of the speedy cut left over and thought I'd make a pseudo-chevron stamp out of it since the chevron (aka zig-zag) pattern is super popular right now.

It doesn't line up perfectly when repeated in a row like this, but I don't mind. It's not supposed to be a finished piece. Just to be used as pattern and texture in non-focal point areas.

I'm happy with it and it only took about 40 minutes to complete from initial design to what you see here.

Collaged Beach Scene

My sister requested a beach piece for her house in Cali. 

She saw the mixed media love piece and wanted one of her own. 

She said "something beachy and with starfish."

So here's what I came up with! 

Step one: Stamp the word beach. 

Step two: watercolor the sand and water/sky

 Step three: Collage on starfish and boat

Step four: outline with black and add some dots, waves and a horizon line. 

Voila!

Inspired

I read in a book that make-up sponges (you know, the triangle things) are great applicators for ink (stamp pads) and paint.

So I tried it out. 

Pretty quick and easy!

(with no clean up since I just threw them in a bowl for later use!)

5x5" mixed media

Rain Rain Rain

I took my sketchbook along to a show I did a few weeks back and had time to create this little ditty. 

4x7" watercolor, stamp and ink

Lesson Turned Into Art

I was working on a stamping demo with my students the other day and showed them how to use a stamp to create repeated patterns and radial designs. 

In the picture below, the purple radial design in the middle was my stamp example and 

I also showed them water-soluble crayons they could use (it created all the color in the background).

One of the girls pointed out that it looked like tie-dye. 

I didn't even notice till she pointed it out, but I agree!

I used a piece of paper from a book that was laying on the floor in my classroom. 

It had some random paint splotches on it, but I think it adds character.  Then after I stamped and colored it, I added the words in sharpie. It was a quick little piece that took about 15 minutes.

5x7" Mixed Media