Art Tip Video 3: Stamped Abstract Backgrounds

I have created a series of art tip videos with Artists Network, all 4 minutes or less, highlighting some techniques that are a large part of my mixed media work. 

In this video, I share my approach to creating layered, stamped backgrounds that add depth, dimension, and design to your mixed media work. Grab your stamps and click on.

How It's Done

I love creating and designing products for the art/craft community. It is always a fun, creative challenge to come up with new ideas and to then turn these ideas into reality. Designing has become a passion of mine and a process that I am fortunate to be able to repeat many times each year.

It is important to me to always be developing as a designer and to never produce a product simply for the sake of making sales. I always want my releases to be inspiring, unique and new. It is with that in mind that I created my newest sets of stamps with PaperArtsy. 

My earlier releases with the company were primarily designed directly from elements within my mixed media artwork. My two newest sets are instead developed from my photography. Each stamp started with an image taken on my travels which I then digitally altered to bring you a more useable design. The trick here is finding images that are both unique, interesting and with a good amount of contrast. Thought it would be interesting to take you behind the scenes and to share a few before, during and afters.

Photograph

Digitally Altered Image

Stamped

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Photograph

Digitally Altered Image

Stamped

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Photograph

Digitally Altered Image

Stamped

These stamps are available to purchase in my online shop. 

Already beginning to think about what I can do that is creative and different for my next release...

Love Rust!

It is always exciting to see how artists use my products to create art and that is definitely the case when the artist is the company boss. Leandra Franich who, along with Mark Franich, runs PaperArtsy has made a wonderfully layered artwork using one of my just-released, PaperArtsy stamp set.

Pretty Rust!

She used many of the 12 new colors of Fresco Chalk Acrylics just released. See more images and read about the details of her work and the entire new release here. 

Phresh New Stamp Release

PHRESH

Thrilled to finally be able to share my newest release from Impression Obsession - four stamp sets to add to your ever growing collection.

JOURNAL JARGON FOUR

Which type of creative soul are you? What words best describe your creative direction? Are you a Traveler, Voyager, Seeker, Wanderer or Explorer always on a creative quest? Or perhaps you are more of an Illusionist, Inventor, Alchemist or Magician, making art magically appear. Maybe you are a Rebel or Revolutionary, using your art to make a change. You could be the Bohemian, Gypsy, Dreamer or Wayfarer, with an ever changing creative voice. Perhaps it is all about personal expression and you are in fact a Storytelller,  or Archivist. But no matter who you are, there is no doubt in my mind that you are an Artist.

JOURNAL JARGON FIVE

We all have a story to tell. And for that we need language. Sometimes a photograph, a paint stroke, or a collage is the perfect vocabulary. But at other times, we need the perfect word. Take a look, as you just might find it here.

PHRESH PHRASES

First things first. Without a doubt, now is the time to think out of the box and to draw outside the lines. It's now or never but take one day at a time and fully live your past, present, (and) future.

GRUNGE GRIDS

There are a lot of words in this new release...but sometimes you just gotta make your mark with something more visual. Time to get your Grunge Grid on and make art!

Have a closer look at these - and my entire stamp collection - here.

New: PaperArtsy Stamp Sets

All your stamp lovers out there...I am excited to share my two newest stamp sets from PaperArtsy. 

The majority of my stamps with PA have been designed around elements that are part of my mixed media artwork. These represent a new direction for me and are all taken from my own photography from my travels.  

Eclectica Seth Apter Set 09 (ESA09)

The images from Set 09 were taken in the United States, the UK and in Australia. Clockwise from the upper-left, these are computer-altered photographs of a vintage game board, a typewriter keypad, a stack of paint cans, and an artist flat file.

This artwork was made using all 4 stamps, each in a different way.

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Eclectica Seth Apter Set 10 (ESA10)

Images in Set 10 were created from photographs taken in the UK and the United States. Plus there is a stamp from a photo of a vintage, latin text -- cause you cannot have enough text stamps of course. Images, clockwise from upper-left are from photographs of a wish-wall of tags, latin text, a gas pump sign, a leafless tree and some 3D letters spelling out a favorite phrase of mixed media artists both near and far.

This artwork uses all but one stamp from set 10.

Click here to see the release post on the PaperArtsy blog, with more details, artwork and pictures.

These stamp sets are available at both online and brick & mortar shops. They can also be found on the shelves of my online shop.

Happy stamping!

Stamp Heaven

I am a sucker for a rubber stamp. Those of you who know me might guess correctly that my favorite type of stamp is one that is abstract, grungy and backgroundy (is that even a word?). In other words, a perfect addition to all things mixed-media. Whether used with ink, paint or embossing powders...stamping can add details, dimension, and depth to your work. Those of you looking for a bit of history about stamps can find it here. Those of you looking to make your mark can look here.

Since 2015 I have designed and produced closed to 50 stamp sets and a whole bunch of single stamps- which translates to several hundred-plus individual stamps. With so many releases, it is easy for older stamp sets to get lost. I hate to play favorites so I thought I would remind you all of my stamps - all of which are available in my online shop. Highlighted today are my designs with Impression Obsession.

Thanks for taking a look see.....

PRIMITIVES

 SPOT LIGHTS

JOURNAL JARGON 3

MARK MAKERS

PATHWAYS

POST OFFICE

STICKS & STONES

JOURNAL JARGON ONE

JOURNAL JARGON TWO

RPMs

EDGES

PLANETARIUM

BILLBOARDS

RINGTONES

SPINNERS

TRIPTYCH

PLANNER BASICS

PLANNER MOMENTS

PASSWORD I

PASSWORD II

PASSWORD III

ALPHABET SCRAMBLE

CONTEXT

JOURNAL COINS

JOURNAL FRAMES

BORDER LINES

EXTRAS

ROUNDABOUTS

CROSS HATCH

SOLAR SYSTEM

FADED FRAGMENTS

LINEUPS

ROTATORS

PATTERN PLAY

INK SPOTS