Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Thanks for visiting

I love Chris Cozen's use of nature in her pieces so I am totally thrilled to have received this wonderful POD stencil set from Artist Cellar. BTW Chris's new book with Julie Pritchard is incredible.
This coming June, Chris will be teaching at Spokane Art Supply and I cannot wait to see how she uses these stencils!


When I get a new stencil I like to see how they look just outlined in black so that is always my first step. Once I saw this I knew I wanted to draw them in pencil in mass. Come back and see this as a full page in my doodling journal later this week.
I use a lot of figures and I make my own templates sometimes  using magazine cutout and them painting them with plain acrylic on both sides then coating them with matte medium and then Micro Glaze. This makes them tough like vinyl and the Micro Glaze keeps them from sticking together. If I end up loving the image I cut out a REAL stencil from acetate.

These two look kind of beat up but they work fine for an outline in pencil. I chose Strathmore Mixed Media board for this project....it takes everything so beautifully.





so I outlined them and started applying this thinned fluid acrylic (Golden)

Here is the finished base color




Building up levels and usingdifferent values of  pencils to add depth
Then I added more color with Copics and sharpie poster paint pens



I like to add highlights with the sharpie poster paint white
Here is the coloring part way through

Thanks so much to Chris and the Artist Cellar for including me in this Blog Hop!
To celebrate the release of Chris' stencils of course we have PRIZES All you need to do is leave a comment on this post, including your email address, to be eligible to win one, four-stencil set . Comment by end of day on May 18th, at which time I will chose the winner randomly.
OH MY.... there is more to win! North Light Books and F+W Media are  providing copies of Chris' new book written with Julie Prichard Acrylic Solutions: Exploring Mixed Media Layer by Layer AND a copy of Chris' workshop DVD Acrylic Painting: Color, Texture and Value. Another LUCKY person will be chosen at random to win both the book and DVD.
AND .......I will be offering to yet another lucky random person a YEAR of the My Newest Secret Blog which begins in June!
Tomorrow on to JANE!

119 comments:

A Magical Whimsy said...

I came here expecting to see a vast amount of comments...Hmmm?
I do like what you have created using Chris' pod stencils. Groovy flower power!!!
Thanks for a chance to win!
Teresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/
tscat@sbcglobal.net

Mariel said...

MaryJo . . .I am SO excited you are going to show us how to make our own stencils at Visual Journaling. I know how lucky we are that you live & teach in this area. Great 'Blog Hop'!!!!!

Gina said...

Again a groovy poster that brought back so many sunny happy memories. Love the way you used the mag pics as a template too :D XXX
georginamorley@blueyonder.co.uk

Kat Lakie said...

The way you have used these stencils makes them look like a growth of foliage and very 3D. I'd love to win these....already I can think of lots of ways to use them.

Silent said...

Absolutely stunning MaryJo. I love the way you used the stencils and all kind of mixed medias to add interests and creating such an amazing well-balanced composition. Thanks for another great inspiration. C~ c.stoehr18(at)googlemail.com

sweetcheeks said...

I love your stencils you make. I often make them from cereal boxes. Works for a short time. I would also like to win that set of stencils too!
sallyvis@yahoo.com

Libby said...

Love what you did, combining your stencils with the pod stencils.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your part in this blog hop. I am going to try making a figurine template today! Joan
joancts@yahoo.com

cjsrq said...

Found your site via the blog hop - I really like the way you use your stencils and how you make your own templates. Great ideas. Thanks for this opportunity to enter the giveaway. cabjuhasz(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

My first blog hop! So many new techniques and ideas. I'm going to have retire to try them all.
art4la@sbcglobal.net

banjobev said...

I'm so amazed at the many ways you guys use these stencils. Incredible imaginations! Would love to win a set!!!!

Hannah at The Lemon Hive said...

I've looked at all the giveaways on the blog hop and the more I see these stencils, the more excited I get about them. They are awesome!

Heartsyl said...

What!?! A class to learn how tocreate our own stencils????
In Tacoma and pouting!

Gill said...

Fabulous! Count me in please!
gillwatson(at)mailbox(dot)co(dot)uk

SewLindaAnn said...

Just this one post taught me a couple of things I need to go get today, the white pen and the glaze so thanks! I'm loving this blog hop and am adding the entire group to my reading list because everyone is so inspiring in their own way. Love your silhouettes.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tips on making stencils to supplement Chris' pods!
renmead@earthlink.net

Linda Kunsman said...

Love al the ispiration in this blog hop! The subtle way you used the stencil behind the silhouettes is wonderful!! Thanks for the chances to win:)

Kelly Z. said...

What a lovely and inspirational post & blog! Thank you for the great giveaway chance!

Unknown said...

Love your use of Chris's stencils! Hope I'm a winner!
Thanks!

Unknown said...

This is such a fun page. I love how you used these stencil and your people are great.

Brigitte aka Scrappassie said...

I absolutely love your piece of art! I make my own stencils out of magazine cutouts too, they are so much fun to use ;-) Thank you for a chance to win, and I agree, the book is fabulous!

elle said...

This is a fantastic giveaway. The stencils are wonderful and I like them done in the black. So versatile. thanks ellendacoop@gmail.com

Linda's Art Quilts said...

Sure appreciate your tip about using Micro Glaze to keep stencils from sticking together. Cutting figures from magazines for figure silhouette stencils is brilliant. Would love to win your stencil set!

debra said...

Love how you used the stencils as the ground cover then put in details!

anja said...

so inspiring how you used the pods stencil. these stencils would sure be my favourite toy. imagine i were to be the lucky one?!
anja.kieboom@orange.fr

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing the steps to create your art. I really like how you used magazines to create your own stencils. I hope I win those cool pod stencils.

TacomaSarah said...

I love it! Soooo want some of those stencils! I love your idea of cutting shapes out from magazines! Gonna have to try that!!
sadie75@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love your idea! Your couple lokks like they are in a lush garden.How creative. I just love blog-give a ways!

estonia said...

Love the way you used the stencils both as background and as a main element. Gonna have to go look at my collection with new eyes...

Judy said...

So original and creative, as you always are!

collinsstudio said...

I love what you're doing with those stencils, and the forms you cut from magazines, etc. Looking forward to seeing the finished piece.
Thanks for your ideas and sharing.
Collins Redman
collinsart@comcast.net

Margriet said...

What a wonderful bloghop this is!!! It's wonderful to see work from artists I otherwise maybe never would have found!!!
Those stencils are beaeutiful, thank you for a chance to win them.

Heidi said...

Wow - thanks for the 'tip' about making people stencils - what a fabulous idea - can't wait to try it! The pod stencils are great. Thank you for the opportunity to win such wonderful prizes.

Lorraine Douglas said...

Hi there...thank you for the blog hopping and intro to your blog...my email address is

ndougl at telus.net

Unknown said...

Your use of these stencils reminds me of the 60's and hippies. Both of your figures are 'flower children at heart!'

Unknown said...

I love how you used the Pod stencils! Really cool looking, kind of retro! Thank you for the chance to win either the stencils, book/DVD. I love you blog too!

Geary grammygeary@gmail.com

Sue Young said...

Love the idea of first using black to see how a stencil looks! Thanks!

Unknown said...

What a great mix of color and
materials. Every blog I visit has used these stencils in such different ways!
sherri_bristol@qwestoffice.net

Kathi said...

Love the stencils and the Batik effect.

Paula said...

Love the people in front the pods! What cool stencils! 3 stencils anda million different looks!! Thanks!

Art Tart on a Farm said...

I love acrylic paint....I NEED that book and DVD really I do or I'll just fade away

nancy y said...

This has a great groovy feel to it. And I never thought to just do a plan ole stencil to see how the stencil looks the first time, great idea. When I get some free time I'm going to give this a try!
Nancine at sbcglobal.net

Kathi said...

You project is gorgeous!

I totally adore stencils and paints.

I never would have thought to make my own from advertisements. I'll have to give that a go.

Thanks for the chance to win.

Kathi -- merkattwo@yahoo.com

Louise said...

I love your silhouettes and cute use of stencils

Leslie said...

Blog hops are so much fun - it's neat to see the same product used over and over again in different ways.

Winston said...

I would never have thought of creating templates using magazine figures. Such a relief that now I can justify this pile of magazines in here!
I miss taking classes so this is a great way for me to see what is new.
Tina Hunt. serenegirl(at)aol.com

Charlene said...

Love all that color! Pods rock!
kim.kinderteach@aol.com

Carol said...

So cool. Thanks for a hence to win.

Lynda said...

MaryJo,
Thanks for having a drawing for a chance to be a part of your secret blog! You are my 'hero' when it comes to artist. Good luck to all the commenters (but I surely hope it is me) :)

Unknown said...

Really interesting pods. gjeneve@gmail.com

Mer Ryan said...

This so rocks!!!!
I am a Pod lvr. :)
Thanks MJ

Unknown said...

Nifty stencils and gook.

Anonymous said...

Incredible.... I wanna try! Shellrm@gmail.com

decor for more said...

love the stencils and the colors of green you used! going to check out your blog now!!

George Wright said...

This is a really great demo- gives me lots of ideas beyond just painting through the stencils. Thanks! nice work. geonrose@pointroberts.net

Rose in PR, WA

Marilyn said...

The combination of color, stencils (making your own!) and the addition of other techniques....way coo!

Great Adventure said...

I love you so much for letting me be me!!! Even when "me" can't decide what "me" wants to do!

Aimeslee Winans said...

I'm here from Facebook. Thank you for the chance to win.

Aimeslee at gmail dot com

Yvonne/ yrd@hotmail.com said...

Hi,

Thanks for the information on making your templates more sturdy. I also cut out figures from magazines. I paint them with gel medium but I like your idea better with adding the glaze.

Also, thanks for the chance to win some great stencils

Anonymous said...

Wow, I would love a love a year on your secret blob, is there anyway to join?

Terri H said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

Lynn said...

Thanks very much for all you share here and for the chance to win one of the prizes!
Lynn


luckie129 at aol dot com

Jane Prater said...

love the use of white ink on the figures. Beautiful piece.

APG Jamie said...

such a super page, am loving these pods


ArtistPoet.Girl @gmail.com

CraftyMom said...

I am loving these pods and the creative ways in how its being used. Thankyou for a chance to win .
Aish S

NanW said...

I love the way you used these stencils. Stunning!
Thanks for a chance to win.
nwilcox95@comcast.net

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing how you make your masks! I love the piece you made with Chris's stencils.

Barbara said...

Now that is really cool .... two peas in a pod!! Or people!!

Terrie said...

Lovely, fun, inspiring art and the coolest pods ever! tpurk@earthlink.net

Claire said...

Another great stencil technique, thank you. I'm learning so much on this blog hop

liniecat said...

Stunning what youve done with the stencils here.
Thanks for the explanation too, Ive learned a lot from that alone, how have I lived without that white Sharpie for instance???? lol
Hope its okay for this Uk blogger to enter the draw please!

Anne O said...

What fun stencils. Love how you used them in the background.

Holly Dean Artist said...

Wow! I LOVE how the pods appear to be 3-dimensional. What a fantastic technique :) studio@hollydean.com

Mary Dean said...

Wow! I'd love to win. Thanks!

Deb Reynolds said...

o m gosh, i love what you did - all of it!

Linda B. said...

What an inspiration! thanks for the opportunity to win!

Renelde Napoli said...

Hi, this is my first time here, thanks bloghop for letting us discover new people ! I really like the artwork you did with the stencils. (ren(at)reneldenapoli(dot)com

Denise Bryant said...

Gorgeous project! Love all the depth and the use of the stencils!
deniseb777ATgmailDOTcom

Linda said...

It's been fun seeing the different ways you have used the stencils. I love your project and idea for using the silhouettes. Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the chance to win!

nelda said...

I like what you did with the stencils! Thanks for the chance to win a set.

Betteem said...

Thanks for a chance to win a set of stencils!

JRoz said...

What a fantastic tutorial in this post - thank you! And the final result with the stencils is just lovely! Great inspiration - thx for sharing.

Anita said...

What a lot of ideas, I love it.

Karin Husty Art said...

Beautiful work. Love your people shapes. Nice

Mary C. Nasser said...

Love the way you've used the pods on the hearts of these figures! Lovely!
Thank you for the chance to win!

Summer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Summer said...

Thanks for the examples of how to use the stencils. I especially like the way you incorporated the stencils into the background. avlval at yahoo

BelleSouth said...

Always loved Chris's pods in her paintings, now in stencils - what a great idea!

Love the way you used them!

Rebecca Cook

Angi in hana said...

Tx for sharing and inspiring! This has been so fun to follow u artists with these awesome stencils! Count me in! Aloha, angi in hana

Melody said...

Really nice background.

melodyj(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara L. said...

I'm so happy to see the stencils used just for outlining first. These pods are wonderful. And the method of making your own stencils is so useful...and moneysaving! thanks.

sharon g said...

Oh my gosh! I love what you did with the stencils. I'm a crafter, not an artist, so maybe that's why I'm so amazed by what you did? WHo knows, but the pods are THE coolest stencils I've ever seen. I really need them. I want to get into mixed media, but I could also use them for my crafts.
sharon dot gullikson at gmail dot com

Jan said...

I love what you have done using these stencils! I'd be honored to win your giveaway, thanks for this opportunity.
jan2bratt at yahoo dot com

The Flying Squirrel said...

A pod lover at heart! These are great! lynnyuhr@gmail.com

Natasha G.P. said...

I have never used my Sharpies on artwork before. Thanks. natasha dot poteraj at gmail dot com

Francesca said...

lovely stencils, very impressed! everycolourinthebox(at)gmail(dot)com

betjunroe said...

I love your use of the pod stencils with your magazine cutouts. Can't wait to try this technique! Bette

stardust said...

The pod stencils will be fun to use. I like the magazine cutouts.

carlanda brown williamson said...

I would love to win a set of these pod stencils! thank you so much! carlanda lollie.lucy@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Be still my heart this looks amazing! Tx for the chance!
Doris
camsmith95athotmaildotcom

Unknown said...

I love the use of the pods as hearts! Hope to hear from you. Chris
Psytoad@aol.com

cHim-prints said...

Love what you did. After I win - hope, hope - I'll be back for ideas.
bgbytwerk@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for this chance you are so great to be a part of this chance....in case the email isnt relayed that I am trusting this to give the other email you can use is tmac1999@gmail.com

Kelley said...

This is my birthday weekend, so I'm feeling lucky! I'm new to you and your work; gonna have a poke around.

Shine on!
Kelley

Deborah said...

These pods are wonderful...and your use of them so clever, MaryJo!

Joyce van der Lely said...

I came to visit through Jeanette, I love waht you did with these stencils ! Original and so lovely and clear. I would love to be in to win :)
Joyce van der Lely http://jetdtsetters.blogspot.com
youngatartdownunder@gmail.com

Roxanne said...

What a fun way to use these stencils.

Carolyn Dube said...

Mary Jo Magic and amazing stencils = artful joy! Thank you for sharing the step by step as you made this fantastic piece!

Rhonda Halushka said...

Love how you used the stencils! And thanks for showing (explaining) how you made the shapes of people outlines... I always wondered how people kept them from falling apart!

Saranne Valentine said...

Stunning! These stencils are so versatile!

jill_su said...

Hi Mary Jo. Love the colors you used. Chris's stencil is a must have ans do is the new book. Thanks for the inspiration. Off to my craft room to get my fingers dirty.
Jill
jill_su@yahoo dot com

Betteem said...

The colors are very eye catching and cheerful!
Thanks for the inspiration and the giveaway!

Tee McNeil Art said...

You made them look 3D.. awesome!!! I have a few idea stewing for the pods stencils. Woohoo.

Tee Thompson
shadohart@gmail.com

Donna Deaver said...

Wow! I love how you used these. Happy to find your blog and discover you are very, very close to me (CDA)!

Unknown said...

I'm in stencil love!!!Thanks for the opportunity to win a set! Sandy Derryberry. sandykay@tvn.net

penelope said...

Fabulous stencils ... love those organic shapes ... pharris@direct.ca

ann said...

pod happy

Suzanne said...

Love the greenery done with the stencils!! ranza6980@gmail.com

Unknown said...

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