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How to make a collage with materials from Blick Art Materials

Collaging is a great way to organize your thoughts and ideas into a single artwork and to prepare for other projects. For example, you may want to collage a piece based on women wearing the color red in a magazine. Once you are done, you can paint the idea you have collaged in acrylic on a canvas, or draw it with pencil in your sketchbook.

The materials I will include in this post come from Blick Art Materials because this company has a wonderful quality supplies. 

You may like collages if you are someone who appreciates organization. On the other hand, if you do not like messes, collaging may not be for you. Your designated art area will most likely become messy with scraps of newspaper and other materials everywhere.

When you are collaging, you must remember to have a theme. Keep in mind, the theme can be random and not necessarily connect the ideas or objects present. Although the text, woman and apple are unrelated at first, I connected them through color and a strong composition in “Green” below.

“Green” by Alyna Taub

A glue stick is one of two recommended supplies to have when collaging. I recommend Elmer’s clear glue stick because it does not leave stains and is easy to apply unlike some of Elmer’s squeeze glue products.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/elmers-washable-repositionable-glue-sticks/#photos

A fun way to embellish your collage is to add colored pencils. Combining this medium with magazine strips adds another layer of depth to the artwork, which is apparent in “Green.” I suggest Blick Studio Artists’ Colored Pencils, the ones I used for my collages. They are not very waxy, consist of vibrant colors and only wear down after many uses.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-studio-artists-colored-pencils/

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How to make a print with materials from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store

Printmaking allows you to create artwork through a process some may consider backwards. Instead of painting an image onto a canvas, artists cut negative space into the linoleum block and then print it onto a surface. Artists often cut nature-related designs into linocuts similar to how poets use haikus to depict nature as well.

I will include materials in this post from Jo-Ann’s Fabric and Craft Store since it has a great selection of printmaking materials. 

You may like printmaking if you have good hand-eye coordination and pay attention to detail. On the other hand, printmaking may not be the art form for you if you prefer instant results.

The traditional method of printmaking is the linocut, in which the artist carves a design in linoleum and translates it onto paper. Artists have been using the linocut for centuries, making this practice more than 100 years old.

In the following linocut, artist Andrea Lauren recently created a traditional linocut print. You can see the linocut mold and brayers next to the final product.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/509962357783704684/

In order to make a traditional linocut, I suggest to purchase an etching tool such as Universal Crafts 5.5” Double Ended Etching Tool and the acrylic paint I discussed in the last post. In addition, purchase an 8x8 canvas from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store for $3.49 on which you will transfer your print.

http://www.joann.com/universal-crafts-5.5-double-ended-etching-tool/14778963.html#q=etching%2Btool&start=1

http://www.joann.com/8x8-artist-canvas/2458602.html

I do encourage innovation in addition to respecting traditional art methods. I created “Nature” from ordinary household items such as doilies and sneakers to show that something beautiful can be created from anything.

“Nature” by Alyna Taub

In this artwork, I painted a mandala from the doily I printed in blue in addition to painting leaves inspired from the pattern produced by the bottom of the shoes.

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How to paint a mandala with materials from The Funkie Junkie Boutique

Mandalas, Buddhist and Hindu symbols which are associated with meditation and the universe’s energy, are often found in many American artworks today because we find them visually pleasing.

The materials I will include in this post come from The Funkie Junkie Boutique, a local Gainesville art store with a phenomenal, low-priced paint supplies section.

I included the following picture of a mandala I created to show that these artworks do not have to be exceedingly lavish to be visually pleasing. This is a mandala I have created with the ‘om’ symbol in the middle and the Buddhist mantra on the bottom.

“Namaste” by Alyna Taub

If you are a perfectionist, this activity is for you. Steady hands, an excitement towards working with color and an eye for precision will yield the best results. On the contrary, you may not enjoy painting mandalas if you get bored of repetition or enjoy working more hands-on. 

I suggest to buy Prima Art Alchemy®’s royal red, gold rush and rich turquoise for only $4.79 each from the Funky Junkie Boutique. Since red, yellow and blue are the primary colors, you can use them to create almost every other color in the rainbow. Even though black and white are not primary colors, I would urge you to buy Prima Art Alchemy®’s white pearl and blackberry because they are the exception to the previous statement.

http://www.thefunkiejunkie.com/Art_Alchemy_Acrylic_Paint_Metallique_Royal_Red_p/prima_963088.htm

Although you can paint almost anywhere with acrylic paint, I suggest painting on a canvas. You will probably be able to find a canvas at your local junkyard which you can paint over with your beautiful mandala.

The key to mandalas, as I mentioned before, are repetition. Start by drawing a symbol or a circle in the middle and branch out from there. I suggest to practice doodling mandalas in a sketchbook or on a loose piece of paper before painting them in order to develop.

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How to make a scrapbook with materials from Michaels

Scrapbooking allows you to add to your memories even after the moments have passed. When putting together a scrapbook, you can eternalize moments of your past while making new ones cutting polka-dotted paper and laughing with friends.

Since Michaels has a wonderful selection of scrapbooking materials, the following materials I will recommend come from Michael’s scrapbooking section.

People who have a naturally strong sense of composition, enjoy working with texture (such as the 3D stickers) and are organized may be more inclined to liking scrapbooking. On the contrary, someone who does not like to spend too much time on one artwork may not enjoy scrapbooking because it can be time-consuming, even though it is rewarding as well.

The keys to scrapbooking are creativity and organization. There is no wrong way to scrapbook; however, your book may become visually overwhelming if you do not organize your pictures well. While overlapping pictures is encouraged, make sure not to do it too much. This is a skill that you will develop overtime.

Choose a theme to make your scrapbook about. It can be as broad as “Family” and as specific as “My Trip to Hawaii in 2016.” Regardless, print out your photos at your local convenience store, buy your scrapbook and some 3D stickers, and grab some scissors from your junk drawer.

Because of its simple cover and patterned pages, the Kraft Vintage Romance Scrapbook by Recollections® for $12.99 from Michaels is perfect for scrapbooking beginners.

https://www.michaels.com/kraft-vintage-romance-scrapbook-by-recollections/10347740.html

You can also find 3D stickers from Paper House® at Michaels such as these. The graduation theme would be a great fit if you wanted to remember this event; however, Michaels also carries many other themes for Paper House®.

http://www.michaels.com/paper-house-3d-stickers-graduation-day/10321423.html

Now that you know the necessary materials to get from Michaels, enjoy scrapbooking!

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Why I am inspired to create art

From the moment I was born, art has been an integral part of my identity as A.R.T.: Alyna Reanna Taub. In college, art is an important part of my life and I plan to double major in Advertising and Visual Arts Studies.

As an artist myself who has experimented in many media, I aim to provide experienced artists who are stepping out of their comfort zones and beginners alike with a guide to growing comfortable in a variety of art forms. After all, in order to excel at what you do, you must start somewhere. I will give you some pointers on why a certain area may or may not be good for you in order to ease your transition into full-on creativity.

Alyna Taub, 15 at the time, doodles on scratch paper with high school art teacher Lori Arbel, 34 at the time. My brother, Justin Taub, took this photo on February 6, 2014 at David Posnack Jewish Day School.

When I first began exploring with different media, I felt overwhelmed at the possibilities of what I could create; this anxiety restrained me from giving my 100% when I began creating art. I wish a blog like this were available so I could read someone’s guide to creating a variety of artworks in different fields.

For the projects I will include in my next few blog posts, I recommend setting aside an area on a desk or in a garage that can get dirty. I have tried all of these projects and will include links to good-quality materials of reasonable prices that fit the project at hand from appropriate art supplies stores such as Michaels. You must respect and take care of these art supplies as you would a $1000 watch.

Everything takes practice, but this is a great guide to starting off! A few tips to remember are to be as neat as you can, clean up as you go, and experiment with the method that I offer for each project to find the method that is most comfortable for you. The end result is often just as beautiful as the process; enjoy the journey that art will take you on!

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Broward Exterior Design’s selection includes only annual plants. “We do not carry seasonal plants because Florida’s climate is hot enough to sustain the plants throughout the whole year,” Lopez said. “The wide selection of plants are perfect for pergolas, landscaping or the inside of a house.” Whether you are a college student in South Florida looking to spice up your landscaping, or a mother of three who is looking for home improvement services, you can get your outdoor services done by Broward Exterior Design this summer.

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In addition to representing their customers’ houses through their services, Broward Exterior Design also seeks to represent its own image well. In order to keep up their pleasant appearance, Broward Exterior Design puts extra work into its landscaping during the summer, which is its busiest season. “From May to August, we trim the grass that our customers walk on three times a week,” Bautista said. On the contrary, winter includes the company’s slowest months financially so the company only trims its grass twice a week.

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This section of the nursery is where all the plants are kept and is located directly across from the home improvement section. Immediately before this photo was taken, a heavy rain poured in; therefore, all passers-by had cleared the area in fear of getting wet. However, on sunny days, this nursery is full of passers-by.

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Fungus is a major concern for landscapers during summer. “When the sun comes out and the humidity increases, fungus grows on the plants, making them unattractive,” Bautista said. Luckily, fungus did not touch the orange-red hibiscus flower pictured above.

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Secretary, Marielena Lopez, 43, explains Broward Exterior Design’s services. “Our work consists of constructing vertical gardens, installing pavers, pergolas, marble and travertine, artificial turf and ivy, wood work, landscaping and hardscaping,” Lopez said. “I started working at Broward Exterior Design recently and I think it’s a good fit for me.”

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A common destination for South Floridians looking to rejuvenate their lawns or add a touch of green to their households is Broward Exterior Design. This nursery and home landscaping service located on 16650 Griffin Road, S.W. Ranches Fla., 33331, moved from Pompano Beach within the last year. The head landscaper of Broward Exterior Design, Eduardo Bautista, 40, poses next to the company’s banner on June 1st, 2017. Photo Illustration: Alyna Taub