DancingMermaid » pretty papers

a little late on my project for the day but better late than never.
sorry guys!

so lets make cool collage papers.

i got the idea from an artist friend
of mine who recently shared some of her
beautiful collages with me.

they were so rich and layered
and i loved the texture.

she said that she paints her
own collage papers because it makes
the blank white page less intimidating.

LOVE that.
here is my spin on it…
what you will need:

paper (preferably heavy)
gesso
paints (acrylic and/or watercolor)
stamps (optional)
sponge brushes

first i primed the paper with 2 coats of gesso.

then i just painted layers over layers of color.
i used some foam rubber stamps to make stars and swirls.
(you know the kids kind)

it is really easy to diss a pink foam star but these actually
worked pretty well.

i dipped the tip of a sponge in copper and pink paint to
get that smudgy look.

i was out of gold ink pad, so i used copper acrylic paint instead.
when it was damp but not dry, i took the sponge brush
and added the blues and purples.
i also added some random letters and numbers.
because i like random stuff.

on this one i blended different shades of blue with a sponge
and added the gold flower stamps after.

i think this one looks like mermaid paper.

you could have a lot of fun with these artists!
they feel really freeing to make because
there is no pressure for it to “be” anything.
these are papers we are going to cut up.

other ideas for collage papers:

*get some tempera and fingerpaint.
*press in dried flowers and leaves.
use mod podge to glue and varnish it
*smear oil pastels or watercolor crayons.
*color with crayons and paint over it with watercolor
*press in gold flecks and/or glitter
*mod podge colored tissue paper
*mod podge colored string/yarn/ribbon

hopefully this is enough to get your wheels turning.
remember this is nothing you can do “wrong.”

if you want to take this a step further,
here is a part 2 homework assignment with this project:

finish this sentence-
i am most free when ___________.

write as little or as much as you feel inspired.
don’t worry about spelling or proper grammer.
handwrite in on paper or print it out-your choice.

we are going to cut this up too.

tomorrow i will tell you step 3 of this project
and maybe we can share artwork as you finish them?

enjoy!

**************************

on a siednote, i have a question for you guys.
i am getting so many emails with art questions and how to set up classes, etc.
this inspired the possibility of teaching some online mermaid classes…
kinda like this but more detailed.
anyone interested?
email me at mccabe@dancingmermaid or leave a comment.

thanks!

13 Comments so far

#1. Love the gold slippers
#2. Love all the B.L.U.E.
#3. Love that you are living your dream
#4. Love your raw talent
#5. Love the energy the spills from your blog
#6. Love that you open your soul and let so many into your happiness and allow them to see their DREAMS
Thank you for letting all of us into your MER-LIFE……….L & L ~Angie

Hmmmm….I wonder what nipples would look like if used as stamps on the paper……..

Nell and I are “in” for any classes … we are already having such fun with your ideas, instruction and inspiration! We have made fairy jars! frames! mermaid boxes! and tonight, our own collage papers! keep it coming … we’ll keep coming along!
xo

Beautiful post as usual. Very inspiring as I have never made my own collage paper… nice idea.

I am up to experimenting with an online class…. even tho I’m a hands-on kinda mermaid

have enjoyed your posts and love the art ideas. would be interested in a possible online class.

what gorgeous papers love.

‘freedom’! know that song?

yes! i’m in!

And still so proud of you! xx

(Was thinking… when are you going to start asking a fee for your time… as you are the artist and you need to live as well? Just wondering!)

I would be VERY interested in some online classes. Oh and what is gesso?

Love and Blessings,
~*~

I LOVE it all! You are so amazing…and thank you for allowing us glimpses into your life. I feel very encouraged to do my own thing with no judgement.
xo

Hello there ~
I would be interested
I got a call from a little art store near me today, and my order will arrive at the end of next week. Am quite excited!
I had never thought to make my own patterned papers before ~ it’s a great idea, thank you for sharing the inspiration.
x emily.

Absolutely love love love the idea! The collage paper is beautiful. One question.. now that it’s done what will you use it for?

Oh my goodness, these photos make me swoon. I have been starving creatively for most of this year, just because I felt like I haven’t had the time and other things needed to come first. Seeing all of those yummies spread out on the floor … and those colors!!! I am inspired! I believe that if we take care of our creative wellbeing, everything else will fall gently into place. Yes, absolutely, keep me posted on the online classes, okay?

i came to your site precisely for this reason today — so many of your ideas would work for my clients at the adult senior day program… they are simple and pure, fun and joyful…and most of my seniors are in various stages of memory loss, so it is challenging to me to come up with art projects that aren’t totally frustrating and overwhelming for them…thank you!

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pretty papers

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