...and this town is chock-a-block full of people that tickle my art fancy. I was invited this week to play with
Lynne Mizera, whose fully-equipped studio is just down the road from where I'm currently living.
While I neglected to take any photos (or even to take my camera) during the afternoon, I brought home a raft of Mad Scientist Experiments created with Distress Oxides and, eventually, a wee bit of embossing. Given that I'd played with neither before (how did that happen????), it was a blast.
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| Distress Oxide over embossing on cardstock |
Due to the soft weave of the watercolour paper, I was less enamoured of the quiet look. I'm definitely not the understated type, am I?
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| Distress Oxide on watercolour paper |
I was more enthusiastic about the cardstock pieces, though.
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| Distress Oxide on cardstock |
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| Distress Oxide on cardstock |
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| Distress Oxide on cardstock |
It was interesting to note that the Yupo paper did not set the Oxides at all, until Lynne got really creative and mixed Oxides with about the same amount of water, left the
slop mix to dry for an hour or so, and then tested it again. The water diluted the Oxide enough so that it set that time. I was not so patient, and found that I could finger blend the piece I did (Is there an advantage there? Maybe!).
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| Distress Oxide on Yupo paper |
I was all exciterpated about the Oxides used on photograph paper. They dried very dull, but when wiped off with baby wipes, came over all glossy and showed some unexpected colours. I was
practically foaming at the mouth with the results.
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| Distress Oxides on photo paper |
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| Distress Oxides on photo paper |
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| Distress Oxides on photo paper |
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| Distress Oxides on photo paper |
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| Distress Oxides over embossing on cardstock |
All in all, it couldn't have been a better afternoon. I hope you've had some artistic adventures this week - catch me up in the comments below, please!
Wow, you have some great pieces here Win. Why have I never heard of Lynne? There are so many artists here in the valley - again wow!
ReplyDeleteYou can see some of Lynne's fabulous work at Fly in the Fibre, where she teaches occasionally as well. A delightful addition to our community!
DeleteMy dear I used to think I was an artist but when I read all the different techniques that you use to get your gorgeous backgrounds, I fear the art world has left me far behind. Everyone of your pictures is inspirational and make my mouth water and my finger twitch...just awesome.
ReplyDeleteAs for me and my adventures in art, this week I have been decoratively arranging compost in my many garden areas. My dear husband went and picked up enough compost to scatter from here to B.C. so I feel I best get busy before Autumn leaves start to fall again.
Have a great week my friend.
I'm such a little colour pig when it comes to supplies and experimenting, Deann, that I was delighted to try all of Lynne's goodies. We had a fabulous time, and I suspect I'll be after some new goodies. After all, I did downsize for a reason, right? (Maybe not THAT reason, but....)
DeleteI roaring with laughter over your compost delivery...you can follow the trail when you create it and come to play with me! :D And a super week right back at you, as you gloriously digitize the world of art, my friend!
Fabulous results. I love the Oxides, the bright colours also come out when you use the Distress Glaze (I think it is called) over the top.
ReplyDeleteI can see you had fun and that is the most important thing !
Corrie xx
Thanks for the mini tutorial - didn't know they make a glaze for the Oxides as well. Regardless, they are way fun!
DeleteThose are fantastic experiments - I am in awe of the vibrancy.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Susi
Pretty awesome, right Susi? That colour just pops! Have a great weekend on your side of the world!! xo
DeleteOh Win, I cannot believe that this is the first time you have worked with Oxides! I am totally in love with them and hardly use any other inks now. As you know I produce lots of Masterboards and these inks spread so easily on paper and card and react wonderfully with water the only disadvantage with this is that it really needs to be sealed but that can be done with the Tim Holtz Distress Micro Glaze or an artists spray sealant. Then of course there are the reinkers but that's more fun for another time. Have a great creative week and big hugs, Angela xxx
ReplyDeleteThat's the disadvantage of living in a small town in the middle of nowhere, Angela! I had great fun with them when Lynne got me going, though, and I can see an order coming up! ;-) Your Masterboards are lovely and so varied that it boggles the mind. And given the three cans of fixative in my cupboard, it's unlikely to be a problem when it comes to sealing them. :D Have a great weekend, my Masterboard friend! xo
DeleteGreat experiments, Win - I love distress oxides and you've given me some ideas! You and Lynne are so lucky to live in such close vicinity of each other!
DeleteWe are lucky indeed, Zsuzsa, especially given that we can share our ideas and supplies - it's like an artful feeding frenzy here in Creston! :D
DeleteAll your pieces express the fun you had Win!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Deann, sometimes digi-art seams such a solitary pleasure...
Loud applause from my heart for your artwork and also for your impulse my dear!
It was a blast, Sim! There is just something about playing with another artist that stimulates those creative brain cells, perhaps because art-making is normally such a solitary pursuit. However, I am in awe of your (Deann's too, of course) ability to create such beautiful paintings digitally, so there are tradeoffs everywhere. Happy weekend, my friend! xo
DeleteFirst of all what are Disress Oxides? How do they come, as sprays? In a multitude of colours.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound as though you had too fun experimenting. Who would have thought to burnish then with any wipes? Mad scientist indeed!
You’ll the downsizing was so you can begin collecting al over again. Good times!
Distress oxides (https://rangerink.com/?product=tim-holtz-distress-oxide-ink-pads) are a combination of dye & ink; I'm not sure who originally thought of the photo paper/baby wipe technique, but a YouTube video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_rSt8IoKE. The oxides are most interesting for their pastel look on most papers, but the transformation on photo paper with the wipes is magic! And you're quite correct about the supply collection: I can see it will grow and grow and grow! ;-) xo
DeleteLoving those embossed flowers, Win. Simple and effective.
ReplyDeleteWith all your art adventures I can't believe you've never used embossing powder before. It's so much fun watching it all melt together, isn't it? You must try the ultra-thick embossing powder that you build up in layers and then stamp into - so much fun!
It's a crazy thing, right Tracy? Put it down to living in a small town, with little opportunity to get into a large art supply store. I'll watch for those thick powders, you can bet - thanks for the tip! xo
DeleteHi, Win. As I am new in card making, I recently bought Distress inks (not Oxides) and I love them. Your post inspires me and maybe I will buy Oxides too. I love that you experiment. Kisses, my friend.
ReplyDeleteWe played a bit with the distress inks as well, Mia; they were fun to do use well. And the experimental part of creativity is what's the most fun for me, even more than the actually finishing of anything (hence the piles of in-progress works on my work tables!). :D
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