Mixed Media Art with Antique Postcards

Want to learn how to do this?
Art Class Scheduled on: September 14th, 2013    2:00 - 4:00 pm
30.00 per person (materials included)
Choice of 6 different postcards to choose from.
Where:  Frou Frou Galore 26420 Preston Ave, Old Town Spring, TX
Call today to reserve your spot (limited space)  281-459-0711
Artist/Teacher: Tamyra Crossley

The Sweet Life

Pearls of my Heart

No. 6031 Lady

No. 27 Lady

Mermaid

Gypsy Queen

Gypsy Girl

Farm Girl

Evette

Bird Watcher

Ballet Toes

Enchanted Wood

My newest Mixed Media works start with a vintage postcard (some I own and digital downloads can be found in my etsy shop; Ivory Coast www.etsy.com/people/ivorycoast,  others I have digitally downloaded from favorite etsy shops; French Kissed; www.etsy.com/people/FrenchKissed  , MDR Grafix Postcards; www.etsy.com/shop/MDRGrafixPostcards , just to name a few.  I use canvas, scrapbook paper, paint, stamps, ephemera and pens.  I start with a blank canvas (handboard canvas is easier to work with but you then have to frame it or glue on a ribbon and backing piece).  I mix 2-3 coordinating colors together and paint (acrylic) the entire canvas.  While it's drying, I will take my vintage postcard and start collecting coordinating scrapbook papers, stamps, bits of paper ephemera, etc. to add to the canvas.  I used just plain old Elmer's glue, clear, but you can also use a Gel Medium to adhere each layer.  After I glue the back of the sheet I use a plastic putty knife to work out any air bubbles.  I like to start with the largest piece of paper first then slowly build layers.  The last layers are the small ephemera or stamps and then I will either use a stamp and ink pad or hand write areas with a sharpie.  A fun project and great way to preserve some vintage postcards.  Originals for sale at; Frou Frou Galore, in Old Town Spring, TX http://www.froufrougalore.com/
Prints can be purchased at; Etsy, Shop Studio Quest, www.etsy.com/people/studioquest , or Fine Art America, artist: Tamyra Crossley , www.fineartamerica.com , or tamyra-crossley.artistwebsites.com

Two Birds Postcard

Two Birds

Two Birds Postcard

This sweet watercolor was perfect for some mixed media work. Once the postcard is printed on cardstock paper then the edges rounded it is ready to ship.

The American Chicken and the French Chicken

The American Chicken

My husband Brian has always loved chicken paintings.  He really is not sure why but thinks they are great.  This is surprizing if you know Brian, who almost always wears blue jeans and black t-shirts with work boots.  His favorite color is gray and I never see him wear anything that is not black, brown or gray.  So when he told me he liked chicken paintings I was a bit shocked, all those bright colors just didn't seem to fit.  He did not grow up on a farm, was not around chickens as far as I know so who knows.  It just goes to show that there is a bit of flashy color that appeals to us all.

The French Chicken

Both originals are available on my Studio Quest Etsy Site.

Angel's Voices

Angels Voices

Found these wonderful song sheets in a cute little shop.  Thought they would be great for my mixed media projects.  I had intended to use bits and pieces but loved the title of this particular song and decided to draw directly on the music.  Again, I found myself drawn to blues and greens and the celebration of women.  I used watercolor, pen and ink, paper ephemera and colored pencils.  The sheet measures 9 1/2 x 12" and the original is available on my Studio Quest Etsy site.

Mini Mixed Media Jewelry

She was different

Decided to put some jewelry pieces in Woodlands Art League Gallery this month.  I have added some Scrimshaw (see previous post) and these little mini works of art.  I love using vintage ephemera in my mixed media work and words cut out of novels to convey a message. 

New Beginnings



Meditate and find your inner peace

On some of the pieces I included original drawings or tiny watercolor paintings.  All have paper ephemera, stamping and words that fit the image.  The canvas I used is hard plastic dominos with soldered backs and edges.  Chaining was hand picked to compliment the piece.  Some have hand dyed silk ribbon and others have complimentary beads.


Authurian Fantasy



All the pieces are at Woodland Art League Gallery this month but I plan to create some new pieces and put them on my Trace Fragments Etsy site soon.





Mermaid Dreams

Mermaid Dreams

Blues and Greens.....I seem to be drawn to these colors.  Perhaps it is my love for the sea and all things near the ocean.  I see these colors pop up time and again in my work and love them together.  My latest collage is made with vintage photo ephemera, acrylic paint, stamps, paper, ink and watercolors.  It is adhered to a stiff canvas board.  The quote reads:  she lived in the deep under the sea where the seahorses swim and the seaweed flows...... Makes me think of my times snorkling in the deep.

Bird, Egg, Nest, Feather

Bird, Egg, Nest, Feather 

As promised, I finished my 1x1 mini watercolor collage and had so much fun I am sure I will do this again.  The nice thing about creating such small pieces is that you don't have to commit to hours on a piece.  A bit here and a bit there and before you know it you have enough to put it together like a quilt.  My grandmother would be proud, as she made many handmade quilts out of the smallest bits of fabric, wanting nothing to go to waste.   Birds seem to be the theme this week and I have already been working on the next bird watercolor.  Try your hand at these little works, they really free you up to just play. 

I dreamed of a girl.....

I dreamed of a girl

It is quiet this morning so I started to sketch.  Pretty soon the watercolors came out, then the ink and next thing I know paper scraps, stamps and glue.  As I added a bit of this, then a bit of that the woman became a bit clearer in my minds eye.  It isn't everyday I paint a woman with blue hair but I think it works.  I looked through my word cut outs and found "I dreamed of a girl", perfect!  Overall, I am happy with the result.  Hope you like it too.

Latest activites in Tamyra's Art Room

Wine a bit

Dragonfly flight (Mini)

Macq (Mini)

My poor art room looks like a bit of an explosion has happened as I have been busy painting, creating and experiementing with all my fun art supplies.  There is something about this time of year that makes me want to make  personal gifts for those I love.  My girls and I have been busy creatng ATC's (Artist Trading Cards) to give to family and experiement with new techniques.  I have also had to create three minitures for the Woodlands Art Leaque in Texas that I am a part of, plus a Christmas themed work of art and display two originals in the gallery.  On top of all this ......like that is not enough, I did an art show and have been busy putting new works on my Etsy site (Studio Quest). Here is the link www.etsy.com/people/studioquest for those of you who want to check it out.  My newest endeavor is making some of my work available for digital download so that those other creative minds out there can use a piece of my work to create something of their own and hopefully share with me!  That way I can be a part of what they do.  Fun!