Tuesday, November 19, 2013

The Splendor of Stencils


One of the biggest stories in mixed media in 2013 is the continued resurgence of stencils. New designs and new approaches set today's stencils apart from yesterday's.

Mary Beth Shaw, the brains behind StencilGirl Products, was ahead of the curve back when she decided to write a book focused on innovative uses of stencils. The result of her creative thinking is the book Stencil Girl: Mixed-Media Techniques for Making and Using Stencils, recently released by North Light Books in October.


Mary Beth uses easy-to-understand step-out projects, complete with step-by-step photos, to introduce both traditional and innovative uses of stencils in mixed media art. Just some of the products she combines with stenciling include clayboard, a wood burning tool, scratch paper, felt and fabric. She shows how to use stencils as rubbing plates, to create resists, with encaustics, for hole punching, and to create batik effects. She details how to best use stencils with acrylics, texture medium, spray paints, and even cake frosting, among other materials. Detailed supply lists, sidebar tips, and artwork from contributing artists all add another level of quality to this hugely helpful resource.

I am thrilled to be one of those artists, contributing my piece Silence to her book. Thanks Mary Beth!






11 comments:

froebelsternchen said...

amazing!

oh yes it's awesome what great range of stencils are available now..

but I found out that for me the founded and selfmade stencils work the best...

That's a wonderful artpiece from you published there in her book.. she is such a great artist and teacher too...love her stencil girl line and her special great Mixed Media Art


fab!
thank you for introducing this book to us...

elle said...

I have two books on my list now! I luv stencils and even that I can make some of my own. Sew glad I saved some of that long ago quilt stencil material! ;)

Unknown said...

I can hardly wait to get it, I ordered it already, your piece Seth looks great!

Jo Murray said...

I have come by a few stencils lately and find that they are just wonderful in combination with a Gelli plate. Unbeatable for backgrounds! Congratulations in making it into the book. Love that sentiment.

MB Shaw said...

Seth, you are such a sweetie!! Love your comments and I am so grateful that you are part of the book.

Marjie Kemper said...

Your piece is gorgeous Seth... and what a great book review. I'm happy to have my copy in hand. Love how you did the drips on top and the contrast of the white tree with the colorful letters.

trish quilty said...

.Enjoyed seeing your creation with the stencils. How true the sentiment!
I too love stencil use...love your stencils also.

Parabolic Muse said...

This is so pretty, Seth. You may prefer a different adjective, but don't you think it's pretty?! Of course, always your signature texture, and yumminess.

I was wondering what book to get, and I didn't even know about this book! Thanks for the recommendation. I love Mary Beth's work.

Nan G said...

Her book is on my wish list. Your piece is fantastic! Great colors and love all the stencils you've used.

Hue and Me Art said...

Love your piece Seth...stencil girl rocks too!!!

Micki said...

Hi Seth, thanks so much for your sweet comment on my blog. Lovin' all the stencils and I had pre-ordered Mary Beth's book way before it came out and love it. And it's so easy to "read" and follow along with the projects.
Your piece in the book is one of my favs....... the tree with the title-totally speaks to me! Love it.