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Relax… Unwind...

… Get in a Flip-Flop state of mind!

I love this quote. So I decided to use it for my one layer card entry for the Hero Arts One Layer Challenge.

Background in Dylusion ink sprays (lemon, teal, green, opaque white) and a stencil.

Focal image drawn from an image from Shutterstock. I inked it with acrylic ink (Posca), added a layer of gloss medium to prevent the Dylusion inks from bleeding through, added a layer of gesso, and finally painted it with Distress Paints and Amsterdam acrylics (skin tone).

"Relax… Unwind… Get in a Flip-Flop State of Mind"

Still Life (or: Miracles Do Happen)

I used to hate still lifes. For some reason, though, I decided to give it another go. And here's how it's turning out :)

In chronological order. Cobra oil paints on canvas with an acrylic background.

Sketch and highlights in oil

Added shading

Started with the tin objects

Perspective is tricky!

Added the bread and cinnamon 

Onto the cloth and lacework

Finished the cloth backdrop (minus the lacework)
and worked on the background

Dutch Montmartre

Last weekend, the culture & art center of Delft organized the Dutch Montmartre. One of the city squares was filled with artists from all disciplines.

So I took my little easel, paints, and canvases, and decided to paint the court of the prince of Orange (Willem van Oranje).

I had a blast! Not only because of the cool reactions from (many, many) passersby, but also because of the inspiration from being together with so many artists.

An impression and view on the court

"The Prince's Court"
Cobra oils on canvas, 30 x 30 cm

Funky Fish and Baby Boys

So I made more cards today. Someone commissioned a baby boy card, so I made two for her to choose from.

The fish card came about after I created that background tag. It reminded me of a colorful ocean scene, so I added a clown fish for extra color and contrast.

The penguin and sock monkey were a special commission.

"Boys Rule"
Blue card stock, gear stencil, Distress ink and blending tool,
robots paper pad, white gel pen, acrylics, watercolor paper

"It's a boy"
Craft card stock, Sew Easy (We Are Memory Keepers), green
string, vellum, Versamark embossing ink, WOW white embossing
powder, white Dylusions spray, Distress Inks and blending
tool, gear stencil

"Birthday Wishes"
Circles stamps set (Simon Says Stamp), tag, Distress Stains,
Distress Paint, acrylics, watercolor paper, blue patterned paper,
white paper, orange card stock, reference image from Shutterstock

Acrylics on watercolor paper on red card stock
Reference images through Google search

I Ought to Use This More!

Card making is one of my guilty pleasures. I'm a fervent believer of learning and taking inspiration from creative fields that you don't normally dabble in. 

So I joined in on the Monday Challenge over at Simon Says Stamp, entitled "I ought to use this more!".

I have so many products, I sometimes forget how cool they all are. So I decided to play with my Ranger Industries/Tim Holtz products again.

Using Distress Stains, Distress Paint, manila tags, Faber Castell dot tool, acrylics, gesso, a splatter tool, I created the tags on these cards. The circles are a 2" punch, covered with Pearlescent acrylic paint.

Purple card: The Thanks die I received in the mail today from Simon Says Stamp (along with other yummy products!). Added purple washi tape and sequins for added interest.

Pink card: The dog I drew with a Micron pen from a photo (Shutterstock). I used the Always border die from Simon Says Stamp with the matching sentiments. The dotted ribbon at the bottom is patterned paper.

Fly Away With Me

Card making is one of my guilty pleasures. I'm a fervent believer of learning and taking inspiration from creative fields that you don't normally dabble in. 

Inspired by the Wednesday Challenge "You gotta have friends" from Simon Says Stamp. I don't have the Art Impression stamps mentioned, but I was inspired by those images to create something myself.

I searched for "Friendship" on Shutterstock and found this adorable photo of two boys in a suitcase. I bought the image and used it to draw my own little 'stamp'.

"Fly away with me"
Kraft card stock, watercolor paper, Lawn Fawn stamp sentiment,
navy blue patterned paper, navy ink from Hero Arts, Lawn Fawn
cloud dies, Ranger silver embossing powder, ink, watercolor.