Paper Metamorphosis: April Art Guide
Transforming Text Into Art
Introduction
This April, we're embarking on a creative journey that combines sustainability with artistic expression. We'll be rescuing those often-overlooked magazine pages—the text-heavy interview pages and article spreads that typically end up in landfills—and transforming them into vibrant, mixed-media artwork inspired by Matisse's revolutionary cutout approach.
What makes this guide special is the beautiful contradiction of turning text-dense, black-and-white pages into colorful, expressive art. By combining both organic and angular shapes, we'll create dynamic compositions that balance structure with flow, precision with spontaneity.
While inspired by Matisse's "painting with scissors" technique, our approach embraces contemporary mixed media elements—stencils, acrylics, and inks—to create something uniquely ours. This isn't about recreating Matisse's work, but about channeling his innovative spirit while making environmentally conscious art.
Our Color Palette
While we'll be using predominantly black-and-white text pages for our cutouts, we'll bring color through our acrylic paints and inks. Focus on these energetic spring hues:
Fresh Green (#90EE90) - The vitality of new growth.
Coral Pink (#FF7F50) - The warm blush of spring blossoms.
Periwinkle (#CCCCFF) - The gentle whisper of morning sky.
Warm Yellow (#FFD700) - The radiance of April sunshine.
Mint (#98FB98) - The cool freshness of spring gardens.
White (#FFFFFF) - For highlights and definition.
For added visual interest and to create earthy foundations, also incorporate:
Deep Green (#006400) - For grounding elements and angular shapes.
Rich Brown (#8B4513) - To add warmth and connection to earth.
Black (#000000) - For dramatic contrast and definition.
The combination of bright spring colors with these earthy, grounding tones creates a dynamic visual relationship—the spring colors feel even more vibrant when anchored by deeper, more solid hues. Consider using the earthy tones primarily for angular geometric shapes, creating interesting contrast with more organic, flowing forms in brighter colors.
Note: Unlike previous months, I've intentionally not included a visual color palette image. By providing color names, hex codes, and the feelings they evoke rather than showing exact swatches, I hope to encourage you to interpret these colors in your own way. This approach aligns with this month's emphasis on creative freedom—use these descriptions as inspiration rather than strict guidelines, and feel free to adjust the palette to suit your artistic vision and available materials.
Materials
Basic Supplies:
Magazines with text-heavy pages (interviews, articles, dense text pages).
Solid-colored papers in deep green, brown, and black.
Scissors (both precision scissors and regular scissors for different cutting approaches).
Glue stick or matte medium.
Mixed media paper or journal (something sturdy that can handle wet media).
Acrylic paints in our spring palette plus deep earthy tones.
Acrylic inks or liquid watercolors.
Stencils with various patterns (geometric, organic, text, etc.).
Foam brushes for stenciling.
Regular brushes (various sizes).
Palette knife (optional for texture).
Additional Supplies:
Spray bottle with water.
Paper towels for blotting and texture.
Black fine liner pens.
White gel pen or white acrylic marker.
Washi tape for borders or accents.
Brayer or old gift card for spreading paint.
The Cutting Approach: Balancing Organic and Angular
Create Visual Contrast: Use organic, flowing shapes for your text cutouts, and contrast them with solid-colored angular shapes in deep green, brown, or black for dramatic effect.
Play With Positive and Negative: Cut both flowing, organic shapes from text pages AND angular, geometric shapes from solid-colored papers to create interesting visual tension.
Text as Texture: Look at the text itself as a texture or pattern. Dense paragraphs create different visual weight than columns or headings.
Let Content Guide: Sometimes the words themselves might inspire the shapes you cut—let random phrases or words that catch your eye influence your cutting.
Cut Directly: Try cutting freehand without drawing outlines first—this creates more spontaneous, authentic shapes.
Consider Material Purpose: Text pages work beautifully for organic, flowing shapes that suggest growth and movement, while solid-colored papers in earthy tones make powerful geometric shapes that anchor your composition.
Embracing the Unpredictable: Background Approaches
One of the most liberating aspects of mixed media art is embracing unexpected elements and happy accidents. Instead of starting with flat, uniform backgrounds, consider these more spontaneous approaches:
Fluid Acrylic Splashes: Drop diluted acrylic paint on your page and tilt it to create flowing, organic patterns. You don't need to cover the entire page—let the white space breathe.
Ink Blooms: Place drops of alcohol ink or liquid watercolor on your surface and spray with water to create blooming effects that spread unpredictably.
Gestural Brush Strokes: Load a wide brush with diluted paint and make a few bold, expressive strokes across your page—don't overthink it!
Splatters and Drips: Flick paint from a brush, create intentional drips, or use a spray bottle to add energetic, random elements.
Partial Coverage: Instead of a full background, consider adding color to just one corner or along one edge, allowing the composition to emerge from a partially colored foundation.
These unpredictable elements create a conversation with your more intentional cutout shapes—the random quality of the background can inspire where you place your carefully cut forms. This dialogue between control and chance often leads to the most interesting artistic discoveries!
A Note on Creative Freedom
This guide is meant to be exactly that—a guide, not a rulebook. Art is a deeply personal expression, and I encourage you to adapt these projects to suit your own artistic voice and available materials. Some ways you might personalize these projects:
Use different color palettes that speak to your aesthetic.
Incorporate additional media you enjoy working with.
Change the subject matter to reflect your interests.
Adjust the timing to fit your creative rhythm.
Skip steps that don't resonate with you, or add steps that do.
Your interpretation of these prompts is what makes our creative community so rich and diverse. I'd love to see how you navigate from these starting points to create something uniquely yours!
Week 1: "Blooming Abstract"
Transforming text into blooms.
Create Spontaneous Background
Start with a playful, unpredictable background.
Prepare and Cut
Gather text-heavy magazine pages for organic shapes.
Cut a variety of flowing shapes.
From solid-colored papers (deep green, brown, or black), cut angular shapes.
Composition & Gluing
Respond to your background by arranging shapes in dialogue with the spontaneous elements.
Use angular solid-colored shapes as structural elements or ground lines.
Texture & Detail Enhancement
Add texture with stencils and paint once paper elements are secure.
Feel free to add as many details as you want.
Week 2: "April Showers"
Text-based weather patterns with stenciled elements.
Shape Preparation
From text pages, cut shapes that remember the weather.
Consider cutting some shapes with text running vertically, others horizontally.
Experiment with tearing some edges for a softer effect.
Base Preparation
If desired, apply a very light wash to your background.
For a quicker approach, use plain paper or pre-prepared backgrounds.
Arrangement & Gluing
Arrange shapes across the surface.
Add angular elements for contrast and energy.
Texture & Color Enhancement
Add texture once your paper elements are secure.
Think of a rainy day in a meadow for inspiration with details and textures.
Week 3: "Coral Reef Dreams"
An underwater exploration through layered shapes and textures.
Create Fluid Underwater Background
Begin with a fluid background suggesting water movement.
Prepare Coral and Sea Life Shapes
From text-heavy magazine pages, cut organic shapes suggesting coral formations, seaweed, and sea creatures.
From solid-colored papers in deep green, black, or brown, cut angular reef structures and rock formations.
Composition & Layering
Create depth through overlapping elements.
Think about movement throughout your underwater scene.
Texture & Detail Enhancement
Add bubble patterns using white paint through a dotted stencil.
Use coral pink or warm yellow to accent and highlight coral formations.
Week 4: "Garden Dreams"
An abstract garden with layered text and stencil work.
Preparing Your Foundation
Apply a very light background wash, you can use diluted mint acrylic.
Let dry completely before proceeding.
Alternatively, work on a pre-prepared background.
Text Shape Cutting & Arrangement
Cut a variety of shapes from text pages: plant-like forms and geometric shapes.
Cut extras to give yourself options during arrangement.
Arrange these across your page, suggesting garden beds.
Once your composition feels balanced, glue down securely.
Texture & Stencil Enhancement
Apply periwinkle through a dotted or small pattern stencil.
Use coral pink and warm yellow to add accents.
Experiment with layering stencils for complex effects.
Sustainability Notes
This month's guide is especially focused on sustainability in art practice:
Rescuing Discarded Materials: By using text pages that would typically be overlooked, we're extending the life of these materials.
Minimal Waste: Try to use even the negative space cutouts in your compositions.
Mixed Media Integration: Adding paint and stencil work to existing printed materials creates less waste than starting from scratch.
Content Transformation: There's something poetically sustainable about transforming words into visual elements—giving them new life and meaning.
Final Thoughts
Throughout April, we're not only exploring the balance between organic and angular forms but also finding beauty in overlooked materials. The text pages—once simply vehicles for information—become textured, meaningful elements in our artistic expression.
Your unique interpretation is what makes this artistic journey so rich. Some days you might feel drawn to more flowing, organic shapes; other days, the precision of geometric forms might call to you. Honor both impulses and enjoy the dynamic interplay they create on your page.
I'd love to see your text-transformed creations! Please, tag me in your posts.
Happy creating!
Next month: May's "Textural Explorations" - discovering the beauty of tactile art through layering, impression, and dimension.
Colors in Bloom: March's Art Guide
"Spring is the time of plans and projects. Just as the earth reawakens with new life, so too can we bloom with fresh purpose and renewed creativity. Let each brushstroke be a celebration of your own awakening." - Claude Monet.
March art Guide brings a peaceful journey through color, line, and playful shapes
March's Color Palette
Let these vibrant spring hues bring joy to your creative practice. The gentle awakening of March comes to life in our palette: Sage Green grounds us in nature's renewal, Soft Yellow brings the tender warmth of returning sunlight, Lavender whispers of the first blooms stretching toward the sky, Blush Pink captures the delicate flush of budding flowers, Sky Blue reflects the clearing winter skies, White provides space for possibilities to unfold, Turquoise flows with the freshness of spring waters, and Orange infuses our creations with the vibrant energy that pulses through all awakening things.
This month, we're exploring the meditative quality of geometric patterns and joyful shapes. Using watercolor, fine liners, and gel pen, we'll create compositions that celebrate spring's return while allowing our minds to settle into the peaceful rhythm of pattern-making. Each 30-minute session invites you to lose yourself in the flow of color and form, finding calm in repetition and joy in the interaction of watercolors with line work.
Basic Materials
Watercolor (or ink) paints in our spring palette.
Fine liner pens.
Gel pen for outlines and highlights.
Acrylic Markers.
Watercolor paper (140lb/300gsm recommended).
Round brushes: one medium, one small.
Water container and paper towels.
Optional: pencil for initial sketching.
You can find these supplies on my Amazon Storefront.
Week 1: Geometric Joy
Finding peace in geometric harmony.
Step 1: Simple Shape Planning
Divide your paper into a loose grid.
If desired, use your pencil to very lightly mark a few guidelines.
Consider the shapes you'll include:
Half circles and arches.
Full circles of various sizes.
Rectangles and strips.
Scalloped edges and wave forms.
Step 2: First Shapes
Choose 3-4 colors to begin with
Paint a few larger shapes first:
A half-circle in one corner.
A few arches toward the center.
A rectangle or two.
Leave white space between each shape.
Step 3: Building Your Composition
Add medium-sized shapes, using new colors:
Circles in empty spaces.
Short rectangular strips.
Scalloped borders along one edge.
As you work, notice the balance of colors across your page.
Keep shapes simple and clean, with space between them.
Step 4: Small Details
Add tiny circles in remaining spaces.
Create small dots in rows.
Include thin lines that connect different areas.
These small elements add rhythm and balance.
Step 5: Final Elements
Step back and observe your composition.
Add a few final shapes where needed for balance.
Consider adding one or two unique elements that stand out.
Trust your intuition on what feels complete.
If wanted, add white gel pen outlines to select shapes once dry.
Week 2: Spring Arcs & Curves
Celebrating the graceful curves of nature's awakening.
Step 1: Creating the Framework
With a very light pencil touch, sketch several large, flowing shapes:
Create curved forms that flow into one another.
Include some half-circles along the edges.
Add a few wave-like forms at the bottom.
Draw some concentric arcs in one area.
Leave small gaps between all shapes for white borders.
Keep your lines gentle and flowing.
Step 2: First Layer of Color
Begin with larger shapes, using turquoise blue for wave-like forms.
Add orange and yellow to curved shapes in another area.
Work one shape at a time, allowing the color to flow within boundaries.
Keep colors bright and vibrant, using enough water for smooth application.
Be mindful of keeping paint within each shape, leaving white borders.
Step 3: Second Color Layer
Continue with medium-sized shapes.
Add green elements to balance the composition.
Incorporate pink or lavander shapes in strategic locations.
Create some shapes that overlap or nest inside previous ones, always keepinf a blank space between each shape.
Notice how different colors interact visually when placed next to each other.
Step 4: Detail Elements
Add small circles within larger shapes.
Create repeated dot patterns in certain areas.
Fill any empty spaces with tiny details.
These small elements will add rhythm and interest.
Step 5: Refining White Spaces
Once all paint is dry, use your white gel pen or fine brush with white gouache.
Strengthen the white borders between shapes if needed.
Add thin white outlines around each colored shape.
Take your time with this step, enjoying the meditative quality of line work.
These white lines create the "stained glass" effect that unifies your piece.
Week 3: Overlapping Circles
Creating centers of energy and expansion.
Step 1: Planning Your Circles
With a light pencil touch, sketch 8-10 large circles of different sizes.
Add 10-15 medium circles overlapping with your larger ones.
Include a few small circles in the remaining spaces.
These will be your guidelines—keep the pencil marks very light.
Notice how the arrangement creates a pleasing, organic flow.
Step 2: First Layer of Circles
Begin with larger circles using pink, lavander, and yellow.
Paint inside your pencil lines, leaving the white paper showing between circles.
These white spaces will create your borders.
Work with one circle at a time, using gentle, mindful strokes.
Where circles overlap, let one color dry before adding the next.
Step 3: Second Layer of Circles
Add medium circles in blue, turquoise, and orange.
Continue maintaining the white space between shapes.
Where circles overlap, observe how the colors create visual interest.
Some circles can be more transparent, others more opaque.
Trust the process as your composition develops.
Step 4: Final Circle Details
Add a few small circles in bright pink or white (you can use an acrylic Marker to arreate these details).
Place these strategically to create balance.
Fill any large empty spaces with tiny circles.
These small elements add energy and completion.
Step 5: Background Fill
Once all circles are completely dry, prepare a sage green wash.
With a steady hand, carefully paint around your circles.
Fill all the remaining white spaces with this green background.
Allow the background to have subtle variations in tone.
Step 6: White Border Enhancement (Opcional)
Once everything is completely dry, use your white gel pen or fine brush with white gouache.
Carefully trace along the edges of each circle, strengthening the white borders.
This step creates the distinctive "stained glass" effect.
Week 4: Pattern Conversations
Combining elements into a spring dialogue.
Step 1: Creating Your Grid
Using a light pencil touch and ruler, divide your paper into a grid of equal squares.
Aim for 4-5 columns and 4-5 rows (16-25 squares total).
Leave a small border around the edge of your paper.
Make your pencil lines very faint.
Step 2: Drawing Flowing Lines
In each square, lightly sketch 2-3 flowing curved lines.
These can be C-shapes, S-curves, or gentle arcs.
Let them divide each square into 3-4 sections.
Keep the lines organic and flowing.
Vary the patterns across different squares for visual interest.
Step 3: First Colors
Choose 2-3 of your colors to begin with.
Starting with any square, carefully paint one section at a time.
Follow your pencil lines, leaving thin white borders between sections.
Work one square and one section at a time.
Step 4: Completing the Palette
Introduce your remaining colors.
Continue filling in sections across your grid.
Create balance by distributing colors throughout.
Avoid clustering too much of one color in one area.
Maintain the white borders between each colored section.
Step 5: Final Touches
Once you've colored all sections, look for any areas that need strengthening.
Deepen some colors for contrast if desired.
Ensure all white borders are clean and visible.
If needed, add white gel pen to reinforce any borders.
Techniques to Explore
Creating Clean White Lines
Ensure watercolor is completely dry before adding white gel pen.
For best results, use a white pen with opaque ink (Sakura Gelly Roll or Posca pens work well).
Hold your pen vertically for thin lines, at an angle for thicker lines.
Practice consistent pressure for even lines.
If white ink skips, roll pen on scrap paper to restore flow.
Watercolor Tips
Let wet sections dry before working adjacent areas for clean edges.
For smooth gradients, work wet-into-wet.
For crisp pattern sections, work wet-onto-dry.
Keep paper towel handy to lift color if needed.
Remember that watercolor dries lighter than it appears when wet.
Pattern Ideas
Dots: varying sizes, spacing, or in clusters.
Lines: parallel, radiating, wavy, or zig-zag.
Scallops: like fish scales or flower petals.
Grid: squares, diamonds, or honeycomb.
Nature-inspired: tiny leaves, flower shapes, or raindrops.
May these March explorations bring you moments of peace, creative joy, and connection to spring's awakening energy. Remember that each mark you make is perfect in its own way, just as each spring blossom unfolds exactly as it should.
Next month: April's "Earth Elements" - exploring texture, natural forms, and environmental connection.
Love & Carnival: February Art Guide
There's something magical about February - a month where love mingles with celebration, where quiet moments of pattern-making meet the joyful spirit of carnival. I invite you to join me on a gentle creative adventure that combines painting, zentangle meditation, and the healing art of paper collage. Each 30-minute project is designed to be a peaceful refuge in your day, a moment to breathe and let your creativity flow.
Color Palette
Our February colors tell a tale of love and celebration, each one carrying its own gentle energy and story in our creative journey:
Purple - Like an amethyst catching the winter light, this nurturing shade brings us the protective, healing energy of February's birthstone. Let it remind you of wisdom gathered and peace found.
Light Blue - Gentle as a February morning sky, this soft powder blue wraps around us like a cozy blanket, inviting peaceful contemplation in our creative moments.
Yellow - Think of winter sunshine dancing through frost, bringing warmth and joy to our days. This golden tone reminds us that light always returns.
Cherry Red and Pink - The tender heart of Valentine's Day speaks through these romantic hues. Cherry red whispers of passionate creativity, while pink embraces us with gentle affection.
Lavender - Delicate as flower petals in a winter garden, this ethereal shade pairs beautifully with black or silver accents, creating spaces for dreams to bloom.
Aquamarine - Fresh as ocean spray and clear as winter ice, this color brings the visionary spirit of Aquarius, inviting us to explore new creative horizons.
Turquoise - Deep as tropical waters and bright as winter sky, this shade carries Aquarius's gift of inspiration, encouraging us to trust our unique creative voice.
Remember: Each of these colors is a doorway to expression - there's no need to use them exactly as they appear. Let them inspire you, blend them, play with them. Your interpretation of these shades is part of your unique artistic journey.
Gathering Your Tools
Beyond our paint colors, we'll be using:
A selection of papers in our palette colors.
Fine black pens for zentangle patterns.
Gel Pen and acrylic markers.
Scissors and glue stick.
Canvas or heavy paper.
Brushes (wide and medium).
Your favorite peaceful space to create.
Week 1: Carnival Rhythms
Where pattern meets celebration.
Start with flowing turquoise strokes across your canvas, creating gentle waves of color, you can also add light blue to create color variation and some yellow touches to make it more fun. As this dries use your fine black pen to add zentangle patterns - think of swirling waves and carnival ribbons. The repetitive patterns become a meditation, each line a peaceful breath.
For the final layer, cut simple shapes - circles like confetti, curved lines like streamers. Arrange these playfully over your patterns, letting some float free while others nestle into the zentangle designs. The combination of painted flow, meditative patterns, and paper elements creates a celebration that's uniquely yours.
Week 2: Love Letters in Color
Whispers of pattern and paper.
Begin with soft washes of deep purple and pink, letting them blend like gentle conversations. While these dry, create small zentangle hearts filling them with patterns that speak of love - flowing lines, interweaving circles, tender dots that pulse like heartbeats.
Cut out red paper hearts and arrange them on your painted background. Add white pen details flowing between the hearts, connecting them like whispered words of affection. Each pattern you draw becomes a love letter, each piece of paper a tender note.
Week 3: Masquerade Dreams
Where mystery meets meditation.
Create a base layer with the blue colors from our palette. Add zentangle patterns drawn in metallic pen - masks, feathers, and swirling designs that speak of mystery. Cut delicate shapes from dark paper to create silhouettes of masks and flowing ribbons. The contrast of shining pattern against dark paper creates a magical dance of revelation and shadow.
Let your patterns flow from paper to paint and back again, each medium supporting the other in a graceful masquerade. Some patterns peek through layers of paper, others appear across the surface, creating depth and intrigue.
Week 4: Heart's Carnival
A celebration of colors and textures.
In this joyful finale, we bring everything together. Start with your favorite color combination, then add zentangle patterns that make your heart sing - perhaps the waves from Week 1, the hearts from Week 2, or the masks from Week 3. Cut and layer paper elements that echo your patterns, creating a conversation between media.
Let each element - paint, pattern, and paper - support the others. Your zentangle designs might flow onto your paper shapes, your paint might embrace your patterns. This is a celebration of everything you've learned, every technique that spoke to your heart.
Zentangle Patterns to Explore
Throughout our month of zentangle patterns, we'll begin our mindful journey with the patterns: waves, interlocking hearts, feather-like swirls and spirals. Let each pattern be a moment of peaceful connection with yourself, allowing your breath to flow as naturally as your pen moves across the page. There's no rush, no need for perfection – just the gentle meditation of line following line, creating a dance of patterns as unique as your own heart's rhythm.
Collage Tips
Your collage journey begins with an exploration of paper's natural beauty. You can start by tearing it slowly to create soft, organic edges that feel like clouds. As you build your composition, experiment with layering transparent papers atop one another, watching how they create mysterious windows of color and light. Sprinkle your work with tiny pieces of paper like joyful confetti at a celebration of creativity, each small fragment adding its own spark of delight. Let your paper shapes flow naturally alongside your zentangle patterns, echoing their graceful movements. Remember that each torn edge, each layered piece, each tiny fragment is part of your unique artistic voice, coming together in perfect harmony to tell your story. Trust the way your hands want to place each element - they know exactly where each piece belongs in your composition.
Mixed Media Magic: A Guide to Layering
Let's explore how different materials can work together on your page. Each medium brings its own gift to your creative journey adding depth and mystery.
First Layer - The Dreamscape (Watercolor + Ink):
Start with water to invite the colors to flow.
Drop in watercolors, letting them blend naturally.
While still damp, add drops of ink.
Tilt your paper gently, allowing the materials to embrace.
Let this layer dry completely.
Second Layer - The Heart (Acrylics):
Add thinned acrylics in gentle patches.
Leave some of your first layer visible, like memories peeking through.
Build slowly - you can always add more.
Let your brush dance lightly.
Allow to dry fully.
Final Layer - The Stories (Pens and Markers):
Begin with lighter gel pens for delicate details.
Add acrylic markers for bold accents.
Finish with fine liners for intricate patterns.
Let each mark be intentional and caring.
Reminders for Mixed Media Play
Each layer needs time to dry - like thoughts settling in meditation.
Test your pens on a scrap piece to ensure they'll flow over paint.
Embrace unexpected interactions between materials.
Keep paper towels handy for gentle clean-up.
Remember that "mistakes" often become beautiful surprises.
Nurturing Tips
Work from light to dark.
From fluid to opaque.
From broad to detailed.
Let each layer guide the next.
Trust the process of building depth.
A Note for Your Creative Heart
As you explore these projects, remember that each element - paint, pattern, and paper - is simply a different way to express your heart's voice. Some days you might spend more time with zentangle patterns, finding peace in their flow. Other days, the play of paper shapes might call to you more strongly. Trust your intuition; it knows exactly what your creative spirit needs.
The beauty of combining these techniques is that each supports the other. If a painted area doesn't feel quite right, a zentangle pattern might make it sing. If a pattern feels too busy, a simple paper shape laid over it creates a peaceful pause. Everything works together, just as every part of you is welcomed in this creative space.
Share your creative journey with me on my social media - let's celebrate each other's expressions of love, carnival joy, and peaceful pattern-making.
Next month, we'll greet spring with new patterns, colors, and paper dreams. Until then, keep drawing, painting, and collaging with joy.
Winter Magic: January Art Guide
As the new year unfolds, we're embracing the quiet beauty of winter in our first month of 2025. Get ready to explore frost patterns, winter botanicals, and starlit skies through mixed media art! Imagine early morning frost sparkling on windows, winter clouds heavy with snow, and the golden light of a winter sun. Our palette and themes captures these magical moments of this month.
Week 1: Frost Morning
Let's create some winter magic! Start by getting your paper all cozy with an ice-blue and silver gray watercolor wash - this is where the fun begins! While it's still wet, sprinkle some salt like you're seasoning a winter wonderland (trust me, it's going to look amazing). Once that's dry and you've brushed away the salt crystals, add some misty silver-gray touches around the edges, if needed - think winter morning vibes.
Now comes the really fun part: grab your stencils and dance some patterns across your winter scene. Layer them like falling snow. While that dries, let's create some paper snowflakes in different sizes - mix up regular paper with some fancy metallic ones for extra sparkle!
For the grand finale, arrange your snowflakes across the piece and sprinkle in some silver gel pen details. A few tiny snowflakes in the empty spaces, and voilà - you've just created your own piece of winter magic! ✨❄️
Week 2: Winter Sunset
Ever noticed how winter branches cast mysterious silhouettes against a twilight sky? Let's capture that magical moment where deep navy meets winter's rose and golden light! Start by sketching graceful branches reaching into your evening sky - keep them bold and flowing. Once you're happy with their dance across the paper, trace them with your fine liner to create strong silhouettes.
Now for the color magic! Begin with a deep navy wash at the top, blend it into soft winter rose tones in the middle, and let pale gold illuminate the horizon. While that dries, fill the spaces between branches with delicate patterns that echo the last shimmer of daylight. Add metallic gold accents where the light catches the branches, and finish with white gel pen details like frost catching the final glow. Remember to leave some open spaces - just like glimpses of the twilight sky peeking through winter branches! 🌅✨
Week 3: Night Sky
Ever dreamed of capturing a starlit night in your own artistic style? Let's create a geometric night sky where moonlight meets mystery! We'll start by mapping out a constellation of shapes - imagine the night sky divided into windows of wonder as you draw your grid pattern. Some spaces large, others tiny, like glimpses of different moments in the night.
Now for the magical part: fill your geometric spaces with layers of soft black watercolor, letting some areas fade into moonlight silver, like clouds dancing with starlight. While that dries, add trails of white dots and lines, creating your own constellations across the canvas. Finally, bring your night sky to life with shimmering silver accents and delicate white details - like stars winking in the darkness. Remember, some of the most beautiful parts of the night sky are the spaces between the stars! 🌙✨
Week 4: Dawn Light
Time to catch winter's softest moment - when dawn whispers awake! Begin by creating gentle flowing shapes across your paper - think of how morning light drifts through winter clouds.
Start with soft washes of winter rose at the bottom, like the first blush of sunrise. Let this gently blend into ice blue in the middle, creating that crisp morning sky feeling. Add touches of champagne where the colors meet, like sunlight breaking through. While these layers dry, create movement with flowing lines and gentle swirls - imagine the morning breeze stirring awake. Finally, add delicate highlights where your colors dance together, creating that sparkling frost-meets-sunrise magic that only winter mornings can bring! ✨🌅
Week 5: Snow Shadows
Ready to explore winter's subtle side? Let's dive into the quiet beauty of snow shadows, where simple patterns create a story of light and texture! Begin by mapping out gentle geometric shapes across your paper - these will be our canvas for shadow play.
Start with a base of pearl gray washes, like fresh snow catching the morning light. Layer arctic blue in your chosen areas, creating those mysterious shadows that winter casts. Add pure white details for where light catches the snow's surface. Now for the fun part: fill your shapes with zentangle patterns - think of ice crystals, snowflakes, and frost patterns. Keep some patterns tight and intricate, others flowing and free. Let each section tell its own story while maintaining that peaceful winter mood. Finally, enhance your shadows with deeper touches of arctic blue, letting your patterns peek through like secrets in the snow! ❄️✨
I've prepared a year-long art guide for 2025! Each month brings new colors, themes, and creative adventures - all wrapped up in easy-to-follow weekly projects. You can expect weekly tutorials and complete supply lists.
Remember: Art is about personal expression - these guides are just starting points for your creative journey. Feel free to adapt techniques, swap materials, or follow your artistic intuition!
Join the Journey:
• Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates.
• Watch tutorials every Wednesday.
• Tag me on social media, I'd love to see you share your creations.
Let's make 2025 our most creative year yet! 🎨
30 Days of Gratitude: Daily Collage Challenge
20 minutes to reflect and create with thankfulness. I've prepared simple prompts to exercise creative freedom and develop the habit of daily practice. Feel free to use it in a way that makes sense to you.
Daily Prompts & Reflection Ideas
Creating With Gratitude Tips:
Before Each Session:
Take 1 minute to reflect on the prompt
Write down 3 specific things you're grateful for related to the theme
Gather materials that represent these elements
Set your timer for 20 minutes
Time Breakdown:
2 minutes: Material selection
15 minutes: Creating
3 minutes: Finishing and photo
When Stuck:
Start with a background
Choose just 3 elements
Focus on composition
Trust your intuition
Success Tips
Prepare Ahead
Sort materials weekly
Set daily alarm
Choose workspace
Stay Consistent
Same time daily
Keep kit ready
Document everything
When Short on Time
Simplify approach
Use fewer elements
Focus on composition
If You Miss a Day
Continue next day
Combine prompts
No guilt - just create
I’ve prepared a list of material, in case you need it and I have some options listed in my Amazon StoreFront, but feel free to use what you already have at home.
Basic Kit (Keep in a Box):
Cutting Tools
Sharp scissors
Craft knife
Self-healing cutting mat
Ruler
Adhesives
Glue stick (2-3 backups)
Double-sided tape
Regular tape
Papers
Background papers (A5 or 6x8")
Magazine pages
Old books
Wrapping paper
Tissue paper
Newspaper
Junk mail
Paper bags
Organization
Folder for paper scraps
Container for tiny pieces
Plastic sleeve for finished work
Journal for notes
Optional Materials:
Washi tape
Paper punch
Decorative scissors
Postcards
Maps
Sheet music
Vintage ephemera
Stamps
Tickets
Memory Keeping:
Date each piece
Add a brief gratitude note on the back
Create a gratitude journal from your collages
Share with loved ones
Make copies to give as thank you cards
Remember: This challenge combines mindfulness, gratitude, and creativity. There's no "wrong" way to express thankfulness in your art. Let your heart guide your hands! Each 20-minute session is a success, regardless of the outcome!
Follow me on Instagram and Youtube to see my creative interpretations of these prompts!
I'll share the second week prompts next Friday, November 8th.
With gratitude,
Rosi.
Transform Your Creativity: The Magic of 20-Minute Collages
Have you ever wondered how just 20 minutes a day could revolutionize your artistic journey? Today, I'm excited to share the transformative power of daily collage practice AND invite you to watch my latest video showcasing this technique in action!
Why 20 Minutes of Collage Will Change Your Creative Life?
🌱 Nurture Your Artistic Growth
Build confidence through consistent practice
Develop your unique visual language
Learn to trust your creative instincts
Watch your style evolve naturally
🧠 Boost Mental Wellness
Create a mindful pause in your busy day
Release stress through artistic expression
Practice present-moment awareness
Build a sustainable creative ritual
⚡ Practical Benefits
Fits easily into your daily routine
Uses minimal supplies
Perfect for using up scraps and found materials
Creates a visual diary of your journey
Ready to Start Your Daily Practice?
Essential Supplies:
Collection of papers/images or pateterned paper
Your creativity!
Quick Tips for Success:
Set a specific time each day
Prepare your materials in advance
Focus on process, not perfection
Document your journey
Keep it simple and enjoyable
Stay Connected:
You can find me in about every social media by @rositonacostudio.
Share Your Journey:
Tag your daily collages with #20MinuteCollage #DailyCreativePractice
With creativity and joy,
Rosi.
From Code to Canvas: My Journey into the World of Art
Six years ago, my life took an unexpected turn. With a Master's and PhD in Artificial Intelligence under my belt, I was working for a major tech company, immersed in the cutting-edge world of computer science…
Six years ago, my life took an unexpected turn. With a Master's and PhD in Artificial Intelligence under my belt, I was working for a major tech company, immersed in the cutting-edge world of computer science. But the high-pressure business environment began to take its toll, and I found myself yearning for a change.
That same year, I faced a personal tragedy with the loss of my father. In my search for solace and a way to process my emotions, I turned to art. What began as a coping mechanism soon blossomed into a passion that would reshape my entire life.
During the challenging times of the pandemic, art became my escape and my anchor. In 2019, I started sharing my creations online, initially as a way to document my artistic journey. Little did I know that this simple act of sharing would transform my hobby into a full-time career.
Over the past few years, I've dedicated myself to studying and experimenting with various artistic styles. My background in AI and computer science has given me a unique perspective, allowing me to blend technical precision with creative expression.
Recently, I've found myself drawn to surrealistic collage. This medium fascinates me because it allows for the perfect fusion of reality and imagination. Through surrealistic collage, I can express the vivid imagery of my mind, creating worlds that exist beyond the boundaries of our everyday experience.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been sharing my passion for art with my audience. It fills me with joy to see my work inspiring other artists to create. As an introvert, I've been amazed by the meaningful connections I've made within the art community. These experiences have helped me open up to the world in ways I never expected, showing me that I needed this artistic path to grow not just as a creator, but as a person.
The sense of community and the relationships I've built have been transformative. They've helped me understand that art is not just a solitary pursuit, but a powerful means of connection and communication. Through my art, I've found a voice and a way to engage with the world that feels authentic and fulfilling.
As I continue to evolve as an artist, I'm grateful for the unexpected path that led me here. My journey from the world of algorithms to the realm of art has taught me that creativity knows no bounds, and that sometimes our greatest passions are discovered in the most unexpected places.
I invite you to join me on this artistic adventure, as I explore the limitless possibilities of surrealistic collage, continue to push the boundaries of my imagination, and foster connections within this vibrant creative community.
