Inktoberfest

It's October, but for artists, we might know it as Inktober.  A 31 day art challenge where we strive to create new inked art every day for the entire month of October.

I'll be joining the challenge this year.  You can follow along on my Patreon, Facebook event or on Pinterest.  I've been preparing all week for this month long undertaking.  I have papers cut to size and an art journal being prepped for the arting to begin.  Here's a sneak peek onto my art table....

Papers cut to size, and an art journal being gesso'd for arting.

So many, many pens.  They've all been checked and ink is flowing!

Metallic and white gel pens for dark paper.

Let's do this!

Be sure to check out many great artists participating this year!  Facebook ---> #Inktober

Follow Gillian's board Inktober 2015 on Pinterest.

Infusions and Muses

I've had to quit drinking coffee.  It hurts my stomach, like many other things I love to ingest.  But tea helps.  I've been buying different teas almost every week.  I bought blueberry the other week and the tea bags were so pretty.  They would turn this vivid pinkish red color and they smell so good.  So I decided to save a few tea bags and make some Artist Trading Cards that have been colored with tea.  A few blueberry and a peppermint tea, right after I brewed myself a cup I put the bags on the paper.  With unexpected results.  The paper has blue instead of pink.  The tea is red, the bags turn red, the paper turned blue.  The peppermint has a lovely green shade.  I do like how they look together.

Well, I brewed up another blueberry and saturated the paper in very hot water with the tea bags.  It's all waiting to dry.  I took some process shots.  I haven't decided what I'll draw on them yet.  I might collage them a bit.  See if I can salvage the bags themselves to work in contrast with the bgs.  I'll definitely be scanning up the resulting texture before I art them all up to share on my Patreon.

Colors are a bit off due to my lighting, just couldn't get the white balance better.
The bags are red, but the stain is blue and the peppermint is green.

I'm thinking for my Patreon model I'll be doing funded creations as free public access and the Patrons will get bonus rewards of other stuff that didn't need to be funded.

I think I might art them with pretty illustrations.  I recently joined this gothy art group, Between Heaven and Hell (closed group), that shares all sorts of inspiring images.  Pretty girls with a dark aesthetic.  I'll have to decide after they're dry.  Maybe sketch up some ideas.

Art on walls or art on....

Your nails!

A friend of mine is an independent consultant for Jamberry Nails, and I'm super excited to announce that we will be collaborating to bring my art onto your nails.  I have several designs planned already.  But first, my latest painting "She is Made of Stars", which is full of gorgeous purples and a touch of gold.

A little about Jamberry.  It's founded by three sisters who came up with these long lasting, affordable, stylish nail wrap.  Geri has been a consultant for awhile now and can tell you more.  I haven't tried them yet, but I'm eager to see how my nails will look.  Basically, they are heat set nails, a blow dryer can work.  And they can last for weeks and have beautiful designs.

I've seen a lot of people whose nail wraps mix & match coordinates.  This set would go great with golds and black or purple based nails.  Even add trims, like adhesive gems.  What I think would be best, apply the wrap, then dot along or accent the art with their Copper Penny nail lacquer.  Or their Stardust Top Coat could give a glimmery look, like little stars.

For custom art orders, we may need to take a preorder.  Geri will be handling the sales, contact her on her Facebook page for ordering information.

Mother's Day is coming up, it takes 7-10 days to order, but mom's will still love it.  It is Teacher Appreciation Week, what better way to show your teachers they're doing a great job?  Better than an apple!  Perfect gifts for Mom or yourself or your favorite teacher.  There are actually enough wraps to share a sheet.  Mother and daughter matching manicure!

For Teacher Appreciation Week, Teachers Pay Teachers is hosting a site wide sale.  My items will be 20% on May 5th & 6th.  I have a set of digital papers which are excellent for scrapbooking as well as teacher resources.  I've shared that in my homeschool blog, along with a walkthrough of the making of process.  Velveteen Digital Paper Pack.  The homeschool blog is where I primarily post about my TpT merchandise, but the more art related ones I may give a mention here.  This blog will be about everything I do.  I really want to tie everything together for once.  My internet presence is all over the place!  I still have a lot of sprucing up to do here, but I'll be incorporating everything here.  My personal blog is out of date and unkempt.  So, ignore that ;D

Geri White - Jamberry Nail Consultant