simply me

Find Out Fridays - Birgit Koopsen

Birgit loves to get her hands dirty and experiment with all kinds of media, combining contrasting colors and working with stamps, stencils, inks, acrylic paints and markers.

She began with scrapbooking and later fell in love with mixed media, art journaling, and eventually mono printing and layered collage canvas art. Today she teaches and demonstrates in her home studio as well as in workshops around the world.

She has taught online classes and works as a freelancer for magazines and manufacturers. Birgit has collaborated with and designed for Scrapbook Adhesives by 3LTM, WOW! Embossing Powder, Prima Marketing Inc, and Tattered Angels. Currently she is a designer for the French magazine Histoire de Pages and the UK magazine Craft Stamper. She is a member of the Gelli Arts Creative Team and has a product line with Carabelle Studio.

Birgit is married and a mother of three and lives in a little village in the north of the Netherlands.

Find me on Social Media here:

www.birgitkoopsen.nl

IG: birgitkoopsen

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Birgit.Koopsen

I’m a Creative JumpStart teacher: Bit.ly/CJS17Birgit

Find my stamps on the Carabelle Studio website

 Supplies used:

• Golden Fluid Acrylic – Manganese Blue Hue
• Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bombay Ink – White
• Crafter’s Toolbox - Brayer
• Lyra - Graphite stick
• Paints:
  • Deco Art Media Fluid Acrylics: Prussian Blue Hue, Quinacridone Magenta, Cobalt Turquiose, Vermillion, Primary Yellow, Cadmium Red Hue, Primary Magenta.
  • Liquitex Soft Body Acrylics – Titanium White
  • Liquitex Acrylic Artist Color – Fluorescent Pink
  • Talens Amsterdam Acrylics – Olive Green Light
  • Tissue paper – 65 gr.
  • Liquitex Matte Medium
  • Gelli® Arts – Gelli Plate 8”x10”
• Stamps:
  • Carabelle Studio:
  • Mixed Media Strips by Birgit Koopsen
  • I heart Washi Tape by Birgit Koopsen
  • Circles and Dots by Birgit Koopsen
  • Et ronds et ronds… by Azoline
  • Ecrit a la Plume by Ana Bondu
  • Etiquettes Grunge by Ana Bondu
  • Manuscrit a la Plume by Ana Bondu
  • Une Plume Sur Mon Carnet
  • Texture avec des Chiffres
• Stencils:
  • Carabelle Studio:
  • Des Ronds aves des Ronds
  • Cercles
  • Ronds Quadrillés
• Texture Plates
• Carabelle Studio:
  • Pierres qui Roulent
  • Croquis
  • Pétales
• Aladine iZink – Caviar
• Stazon – Jet Black

Find Out Fridays - Tonja Sell

I love working in a way that allows me to make creative decisions as I go.

I usually have a direction in mind when I begin a piece, but rarely do I have many details or specifics worked out: I may fall in love and respond to the gesture of a pose;  a pattern on some fabric may catch my attention, or perhaps I'm stuck with a feeling of an environment.  I allow myself freedom to explore, and the piece grows from there. I usually start either with an abstract under-painting, or with a loose gestural sketch of a subject. From there,I  add elements as I go. Each added element effects how I respond to the piece; it's a very liberating and fun way to work. It can become anything you want it to be. Experimentation is such a great way to grow creatively. Trying new things and combinations of materials sparks ideas, and leads you to new ways of looking at things and making unexpected discoveries!

I am a wife, mom of four, artist, international art teacher and explorer! I paint, draw, sculpt, do textiles and more.
I LOVE experimenting and making new creative discoveries and sharing them with others!
You are invited to grow with me on my journey on Patreon
Tonja and her husband & business partner Matthew live in rural Northern WI where they built their home/studio near Lake Superior with their four creative kids!

Tonja has been represented by galleries across the country and her work is in multiple private collections internationally.

Tonja is a Jane Davenport Design Team member for American Crafts and Michaels Stores.  

She has been featured in Incite 3 (2015) and Incite 4 (2016) Best of Mixed Media published by Northlight Books.  

Some of her public work includes murals for the Carnegie Foundation, the Minnesota Discovery Center and public sculpture for the City of Duluth. Her work has been featured in the Women Painting Women Show 2016.

She and Matthew also lead International Art Tours where studentsexplore and paint with Tonja.

Please check out my NEW page and online course on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/tonjasell

http://www.doartworx.com

Tonja Sell on instagram

facebook- Tonja Sell - Artist Page

Find Out Fridays - Annie Lockhart

 Hey Y'all...

What a fun & creative project to be part of! I got out of my comfort zone creating with new products, and in the creation of my very first cinematic production! :)
Thanks so much for the invite, Donna!

  
I was raised in Texas, just outside of Houston, and now divide my time between my tiny town in Missouri, and my sweet island home off the coast of Texas! (TexMo!).  I've worn many hats during my creative adventures...interior design, catering weddings, painting, & mixed media of every kind! I had a darling flower shop that grew into a gourmet food biz, that then expanded into a funky antiques store that included an eatery! (Mabel Annie's) It was featured in Romantic Homes and a couple of Country magazines! I've written a book about my assemblages and process, (Objects of Reflection....a soulful journey through assemblage) and, have had articles in Somerset and several of their other publications. It's all been a wild and fun adventure!

I've been painting forever, but in 2011 I jumped in with such passion and soul that I've never looked back! It has completely captivated me forever! I take an intuitive, engaging, soulful, and free-flowing approach in whatever I'm creating. I couldn't do it any other way!  The connections with other creatives has  brought me so much joy! Facilitating and teaching my workshops and retreats across the country has been such a gift! I'm pretty sure it's my favorite part of this creative journey I've been on....the community of artists, and friendships that I've made. Priceless! When I'm not painting or teaching, you can find me traveling about, or junking for that must have 'find', or even lounging about the beach with my family. I love photography, too!

here's a couple of upcoming workshops for 2017 and several in the works TBA!

(Texas & Missouri, for sure!) working on dates for a Pacific Northwest workshop, too!!!! (Seattle, most likely!)

Donna Downey Studios March 31-April 2, 2017

Pink Buddha Retreat in Portugal June 27-July 4, 2017

Check out my website for more information about upcoming workshops....
and, my blog...


I'd also love for you to come follow along with me on Instagram
my facebook Soulful Painting

If you're interested in hosting a workshop in your area, please send me an email or message! I'll be happy to send you the details!
annietintx@gmail.com

Supply List...

Strathmore Mixed Media 140lb Paper 11"x14"
Donna Downey Signature Stencil
irRESITable ink by Imagine Craft
(purple)
Cedar Canyon Stamp ... leaves
Pan Pastel in green shade
Molotow Black Acrylic 2mm fine tip pen
Liquitex Acrylics Soft Body in assorted colors
Golden Fluid Acrylics in assorted colors
Golden High Flow fluorescents in Pink & Orange

Find Out Fridays - Renata Loree

I am originally from Czechoslovakia. I always wanted to be an artist or at least have a creative carrier. But before I could make that decision, I escaped the country when I was only 18. It was not easy surviving on my own in a different country, but to me it seamed at the time as one big adventure. No matter what I ended up doing to support myself, I always found some time to paint. I learned by copping classical paintings, and the ones that included a female figure were my favorite.
I became a mom when I was 31 and I raised my son on my own being a computer aided drafter. At the time it payed well, and at least I could justify my love for mathematics and drawing lines, But about 8 years into that, I had enough and decided to become a yoga teacher. That position took me on a completely different journey of self discovery, and after my son left my house to live with his dad, I finally decide that this is a good opportunity to pick up my brush again in a more serious way and start painting more consistently.  I took any class available that resonated with me, there were so many wonderful classes, and eventually, I was able to find my own voice. I started to realize what I gravitated towards and tried to support it more, and also started to realize that maybe some things I can admire, but they my not be my style. I could also see that some things will just improve in time. I also thought that maybe it is good that I have become an artist later on in life, because I have so much more to thank to for inspiration.

Through my carrier of teaching yoga and seeing my own journey how I learned to paint and continue to learn, I am constantly trying to find ways to help others to do so. It is another completely different experience, and I am feeling very blessed to be able to share it.

Find me on Social Media here:
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/renata.loree
Facebook business page - https://www.facebook.com/Artentive/
Collective where I sell my paintings - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1081400241910524/
Workshops I teach - https://renataloree.com/workshops/
Awakening to your Mystery, workshop on site - https://www.donnadowney.com/collections/studio-events/products/renata-loree-awakening-to-your-mystery-workshop-july-28-30th-2017

In Addition to what I received for supplies, I added

• Journal mixed media page
• tissue paper, soft gel (matte)
• brush, flat brush for applying the medium, and brushes number 4 and 2 for mixed media
• colors, I used Golden acrylics in Open, but any acrylics will do : Cerulian blue, Anthraquinone blue or Ultramarine blue, Paynes Gray, Red, Hansa Yellow, orange yellow, Violet, Viridian green
• Deli Paper or tissue paper, spatula or credit card
• Scisors or press that cuts shapes in circles, butterflies or hearts
• Portrait from a magazine

Find Out Fridays - Denise Alloca

With a passion for art from an early age, I turned my driving interest in art to a career in photography and later art education. Through my diverse exposure to various art forms, I found my way to mixed media art, where I currently can be found showcasing my work on my blog at denisealloca.blogspot.com.   Everyday is an art adventure, and I can’t wait to get my hands full of paint. My creations can be found on my Etsy store, www.etsy.com/shop/MyArtAdventures and you can also follow me on Instagram, @denisealloca. Currently I am a part of the Jessica Sporn Designs Creative Team, continuing my passion for creative play.

I am looking forward to what the creative future has in store as I continue on this journey!

Supply List:

• Find Out Friday Package
• Gelli Plate
• Heavy Weight Laser Paper
• Golden Fluid Acrylics:
• Hamsa Yellow
• Teal
• Green Gold
• Cobalt Blue
• Black
• Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold
• Raw Umber
• White
• Golden Light Molding Paste
• Golden Glazing Medium
• Heavy Body Acrylics:
• Titanium White
• Mars Black
• Cadmium Orange
• Napthol Crimson
• Brilliant Blue
• Cadmium Yellow
• 12x12 ¾” profile Artists Board

Find Out Fridays - Rae Missigman

 

Rae Missigman is a self taught mixed media artist, who loves to create, blog and instruct. She has a passion for re-purposing found items and turning them into something beautiful. Her mission- to integrate up-cycled tidbits of everyday life into her art, has inspired her to approach creating in a whole new light, sending her on scavenger hunts of the largest kind in search of new materials.

Rae has found a real love when it comes to combining paint, textiles, and paper- something that is evident in much of her art. her She has a fondness for both pattern and color, which has led her to create outside the lines, resulting in artwork that is both busy and polychromatic.

Rae enjoys making art in her Florida home based studio where she can balance both family and creating. Her work can be found on her website, at Stencil Girl Products and in boutiques across the Southeast. She has been published in numerous art based publications.

Blog: raemissigman.com
IG: raemissigman
FB: Raemissigman
Twitter: @Raemissigman

Look for my new book on mixed media to be arriving on shelves this year!   xx  Rae

Supplies List:

• Imagine Crafts Pico Embellisher - Lulu Lavender
• Pan Pastel - Ultra Soft - Permanent Green
• Donna Downey Signature Stencil - Changes
• The Paintstik Place Rubbing Plates  - Leaves
• Golden Fluid Acrylics -  Diarylide Yellow
• Golden Fluid Acrylics - Quinacridone Magenta
• Golden Fluid Acrylics - Teal
• Golden Fluid Acrylics - Green Gold
• Dina Wakley Paint - Night
• Apple Barrel Paint - White Gloss
• Sharpie Brand China Markers - Black & White
• Faber Castell Gelato - Coconut
• Liquitex Paint Marker - Titanium White
• Artist Pitt Pen - Medium
• Assorted Paintbrushes
• #2 Pencil
• Makeup Wedges

Find Out Fridays - Jodi Ohl

Download Find Out Fridays Jodi Ohl

Jodi Ohl is a self-taught mixed media artist, originally from Dunkirk, NY, who now resides in Aberdeen, NC. Having recently left her day job to pursue her artistic career full time, she is has built a body of work that is known for its distinctive texture, bold color combinations which are often whimsical or abstract compositions, as well as motivational in nature. Her art appeals to those that seem to be young at heart and who appreciate the positive side of life whether communicated through words, colors, or composition.   Published in over 27 international mixed media magazines such as Cloth Paper Scissors, Somerset Studios, Artful Blogging, Artful Journaling, Somerset Holidays and Celebrations, and Cloth Paper Scissors Studios, Acrylic Artist, as well as a contributor to five mixed media books. For three years in a row, Jodi’s paintings have been featured in the curated books featuring the best of mixed media, “Incite 2,3 and 4”. Recently, Jodi had the distinct honor of being the featured artist in Somerset Studio magazine’s Nov/Dec 2016 issue and will be the guest columnist for Cloth Paper Scissors in 2017. Jodi enjoys writing about her art and sharing the love of healing and motivation through creativity. She is represented by regional galleries in North Carolina and several others along the East Coast. In addition, Jodi is a popular mixed media art teacher online and in person, teaching at both large and small local and national workshops around the US. When not painting, she enjoys time with her two sons, Josh, 16 and Zach, 22, as well as other friends and family.

Look for Jodi’s first book “Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink” out December 2016. Combining her approachable teaching and writing style, Jodi’s first book is much like having a seat next to the artist at one of her popular workshops. Jodi welcomes visitors to her blog Sweet Repeats www.sweetrepeats.blogspot.com where you can find a full listing of classes, weekly musings, and additional artwork for sale.

Visit My Shop on Etsy

www.jodiohl.com

Stop by my blog, Sweet Repeats

Join us for a ReMe Retreat!

supplies

• Find Out Fridays
• 3 PC Blooms
• Extra Supplies Used: Matte Gel, Golden Fluid Acrylics in carbon black, green gold, titan buff, titanium white, paynes gray, Mattise carbon gray, Boss Gloss, Ultra thick embossing enamel, gold paint, black gesso, and 3 4 x 12 wood panels, dark gray embossing powder, Walnut spray ink.
• (SEE BIO for artist description)
• Additional Links and Info:
• Buy Jodi’s book Abstracts in Acrylic and Ink!
• Follow Jodi On:
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Blog
• Newsletter
• Website
• Etsy

Find Out Fridays - Alena Hennessy

Alena is the author of Cultivating Your Creative Life, The Painting Workbook, Intuitive Painting Workshop, and beloved teacher of the art-making process, both online and at select retreats. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and publications, including Dwell, The Washington Post, Somerset Life, Spirituality & Health, ReadyMade, Redbook, Stitch, Victoria, and Natural Health magazine, as well as being featured on Good Morning America and pilot shows for ABC Studios. Her paintings have been exhibited across major cities in the U.S., along with several museum shows. Alena is also a flower essence practitioner, along with being a Reiki master and energy healer. Through grace and intuitive guideposts, she calls the beautiful town of Asheville, NC her home. As a facilitator, her intention is that each participant leave a little more transformed, content, and open to wild possibility.

Learn more and dive deeper into finding your creative voice by taking an online class with Alena such as her popular A Year of Painting. You can choose from more here.

Use code makeart25 during check out to save a good bit!

 

• A favorite substrate: canvas, Aquabord, wood panel, or watercolor paper.
• India and/or Acrylic Ink.
• Your brushes, especially flat and/or foam brushes.
• Acrylic paint.
• Watercolor pencils.
• Water-based paint pens.
• Neo Color II Caran d'ache crayons (water-soluble)

 

Find Out Fridays - Nika Rouss

 

Intuitive Mixed Media Artist from Greece.
Member of Artist Gang 2016.
For art tutorials and inspiration please visit www.nikainwonderland.com

YOUTUBE: https://goo.gl/OGSnIE
FACEBOOK: https://goo.gl/p4t0jf
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nikarouss/

 

LIST OF SUPPLIES

• dylusions journal
• tags (from you)
• stabilo woody 3 in 1
• golden light ultramarine blue
• galeria matte medium
• galeria gesso
• flat brush
• fan brush
• drywall tape
• joint tape
• Sizzix 660220 Thinlits Die Set tag
• Stampers Anonymous Rubber Stamp Set, Classics No.6
• Mash cloth
• Nickel Azo Gold Golden Fluid Acrylics
• Neocolors II
• Zig Clean Real Brush Pen
• Alphabet stickers
• wooden chip from canvas
• white linen dylusions paint
• black marble dylusions paint
• 2x 1 euro cent coin
• ranger glossy accents
• studio R12 diamond stencil
• donna downey loop bloom stamp
• donna downey art & possibility stamp
• back archival ink
  
  

Find Out Fridays - Brian Miller

Winter Brings New Hope

From my bedroom, I remember watching the snow fall and thinking about how everything looks different. Everything has changed. I couldn’t wait to get my winter clothes on and be the first one to walk through the snow. Fresh snow, where I left my mark in the world. When I was older, living in downtown Philadelphia, I remember the same feeling when I watched the snow change the city. It became quieter, kinder and rather pretty.

As I reflect on this piece, I can’t help but think about the mark I am making in this world. Am I leaving good tracks in the snow? Ones that bring peace, joy and kindness to the those around me? Am I using my gifts to encourage others? Am I trying to make the world better?

Ultimately, the snow will melt and it will be muddy and a little cold for a while. But out of that dirt a new world will grow. Filled with colors and a fresh new beauty. My hope is my walk in this world will also add to this beauty.

Making flipbooks with the corners of my notebooks. Art school. Degrees in animation and filmmaking. Graphic design career. Children’s book illustration. Font design. Web design and development. Discovering mixed-media art journaling and the freedom to play with new materials. Teaching art classes online and through in-person workshops. And now a daily painter. Each day I strive to make my creative mark in the world.

I am grateful to be able to make art in Orlando, FL with my wife, Debbie.

www.brianmillerart.com

www.instagram.com/brianmillerart

Materials

• Gesso
• Matte Medium
• Golden Heavy Body Paint
• Light Ultramarine Blue
• Cadmium Red Medium
• Woody Stabilo Pencil
• Donna Downey Loop Bloom Flowers Stamp
• Two-part Manila Tags - Individually numbered
• Catalyst Wedge (or an old credit card)
• Brushes
• Exacto knife and cutting board