Want to learn to paint your own sugar skull art? I'll show you how to create this edgy, bohemian piece in six easy steps.
These are so rad and so easy. I'll show you how to DIY with or without a light-box.
1. Download the pattern I made for you, it should fit nicely on an A4 size paper. If you want to try and draw your own sugar skull outline go for it!
2. Tape the outline to the surface of your light-box or simply a glass window with painters tape. I usually tape mine on an angle because that’s how I learned to draw and write (with the paper on a 45 degree angle to the table).
3. Take an old magazine or dictionary page and carefully position it over the outline, taking care to line it up using the paragraph columns as a guide. With small pieces of painters tape, position your page over the outline.
Tip: I usually use tiny bits of tape on this page because the magazine paper I work with is over 100 years old and tears easily.
Note: Where can you get old books or magazines? At any op shop or antique store or perhaps a friend or relative. You can get creative with the dictionary pages and paint images that match the words on a page or use your favourite book or poem! Creates another layer of sentiment to your piece.
4. Trace the outline with a pencil so you can carefully erase if need be. This is the most important step so make sure to trace the foundation exactly where you will paint it.
5. Tape the magazine page to cardboard or a surface that you can manoeuvre and aren’t worried about getting paint drips on.
6. Get ready to paint! I use (student quality) acrylic black paint mixed with a few drops of water, I find this makes the paint a lot easier to control.
Tip: I usually try and do the skull outline first, because it’s the most intimidating part due to the long lines. Take them in small parts. I had a drawing teacher once who gave the best advice “Keep your eyes locked on where the brush or pen is going,” I feel like this applies to many things in life! Focus on where you want to go.
Once the outline is in place, I like to work from the inside out or from right to left- which ever way will decrease my odds of smudging the lines (this may vary depending on which is your dominant hand).
The great thing about acrylic is that it dries quickly so if you want to do it in sections you can totally do that too.
Don’t worry about perfect lines- I like how these skulls look with varying degrees of thickness. It gives them a hand-painted quality.
Framing Tip: These book paintings look great in black frames. If you don’t have black you can paint your own!
Have you tried this? How did it go?
So now that the Bupa Blog Awards are done and dusted I should have massive amount of free brain space right?
No. No my friends there is not. #nospace #overload
After the awards ceremony I went to the bathroom, took a selfie and got psyched up for my next project. Good to have eggs in other baskets.
Why am I talking about baskets and eggs and selfies, well to the point---> I’m doing my first art show!!!!!!
This is an absolute dream come true/ life goal and it’s just a few weeks away. I started chattering about it on my social media pages but here it is officially on the blog. So that makes it real.
Hell yeah!
RAW, the Independent Arts Organisation contacted me through Etsy, which was seriously flattering, at first it seemed too good to be true. The more research I did on the organisation the more I wanted IN so I locked. it. down.
RAW Melbourne Presents: Verve
October 14th, Melbourne Pavilion @ 7:00PM
I LOVE that RAW was created by artists for artists and they’ve done a fantastic job of making it affordable for those of us who are just getting started. No booking fees and they don't take commission on anything I sell on the night, I just have to sell 20 tickets or essentially help bring 20 friends through the door.
I’ve been working behind the scenes for quite a few weeks now but I wanted to focus firstly on the blog awards and designing the layout of my new site (which is still in progress). Hope you likey!! (Feedback welcome.)
Free on the evening of October 14th? In Melbourne? You should COME! You can purchase tix here.
Much excite! Very art! OMG yay!
Have you ever done a show or market? Any advice?
Offer: If you can’t make it but want to sponsor me with a ticket purchase, I’ll give you $10.00 off anything in my Etsy store- let me know with a comment, message or email: dawnrieniets@gmail.com and I will send you a discount code. (Anything that does not sell on the show will be posted in the store shortly thereafter.)
What have I been up to this month? So much.
I'm preparing for my first ever Art exhibition! Raw Melbourne presents: Verve
Friday October 14 @ 7:00PM
Melbourne Pavilion
Wanna come? Buy Tix Here.
Nothing helps with art production like a deadline ----> well at least in my world. #procrastinator
My Etsy store has not seen much new action but anything and everything in there will be coming along to the exhibition along with some other smaller pieces I've been working on. A theme is developing around nostalgia, technology and a simpler time. Does that mean I'm old? Perhaps. But I'm cool with that. Sort of.
I can't wait to see what my fellow Etsyians have been up to while I've been hoarding my newest creations.
What's your experience been with markets or shows? Any hot tips?
Let's get this link party started. Click on the blue button below!
[inlinkz_linkup id=664408 mode=1]
If you haven’t been privy to me shouting about the Bupa Blog Awards from the hilltops all you have to do is scroll down and read your eyes out.
It’s conservative to say that I’ve been a little bit excited about being a finalist. I found myself in the company of some incredible bloggers, women who I already followed and looked up to. When I found out about the nomination my brain shouted at me “IMPOSTER” and then a funny thing happened. That foghorn of a voice slowly faded and confidence sprouted in it’s place.
Confidence is an issue I’ve had for years, I’m sure I’m not alone in this. When you meet me I am outgoing, loud and friendly but deep down I could never shake the feeling of ‘not good enough.’
Some of the big-deal judges of this competition noticed me. They acknowledged my most genuine body of work to date. I’m not great, or even very good but I freakin’ love what I do and it’s me.
What happened next was magic.
Pushing though the self-doubt I wanted to get my ‘house in order’ so to speak so I started pouring hours into learning about the back end of blog world. The technical things. These are not my strengths but I started learning a few things I had been scared to try.
I had to look over every single (cringe-worthy) old post (part of the tech stuff I was doing) and I can see how much my writing and photography has improved since I started. Neither of these skills are where I would like them to be (and nowhere near as good as the people I admire) but goshdarnit! I improved! I improved while relishing the work I was doing. I’d call that a win.
I started wondering more, thinking more, writing more. I slowed down on the compulsive editing. Suddenly there was a flow. No writers block in sight (let’s keep it that way).
When awards night came I was under no illusion that I would win but I told myself it was okay to be disappointed. I mean, I’m human. When the (well-deserved) winner of my category was announced I heard that voice again, “You don’t deserve to be here,” but you know what? I snapped back this time, “but I AM here.”
No, I am not the best, and that’s okay. Gives me lots of room to improve.
When I listened to the winners speeches I could not help but feel even more inspired. These women were so grateful, excited and proud of their audiences. They were articulate, passionate and considerate. In the room there was an air of support, recognition and women fist-pumping for one another. Not a (sad) tear in the whole joint. Nothing but support. I am honoured to be among them.
I said it before and I’ll say it again, this time with feeling, I’ve already won.
Check out the list of fabulous winners here.
Why do I blog?
It’s complicated.
Years ago I tried to be a journalist but I didn’t have the discipline for freelance work and the reporters in my hometown were growing into their chairs.
When I decided to move to Australia I had a pow-wow with my editor-turned-mentor and we discussed blogging. He told me to set it up like a business. To connect it to Facebook account, twitter, youtube, (this was over 7 years ago!) He was and still is very clever.
I had a snappy name for my ‘ex-pat’ blog, 'Kangaroo Spotting.' It would detail the accounts of an American who moved to Australia for love. All my social media accounts were-a-go (I didn’t even know what a tweet was back then). One thing Tim, my editor, mentioned was that I had to be prepared to do it for at least a year before I worried too much about monetising.
“Do it for one year,” he wisely told me, “then see if you can turn it into a business.”
I was psyched. I had a plan. I told lots of people about it. I was ready to be validated and acknowledged. Ha. Ha. Ha.
Ha.
That was seven years ago. I never advertise the fact that I started blogging in 2010- especially when I see bloggers who smash my stats after a year or two in the game. There were a lot of crickets those first years. I didn't write regularly and I was not confident in my voice. (Please don’t go through my archives, I realise just saying that will make you want to go through my archives, consider yourself warned).
Adjusting to life in Australia was hard. I felt vulnerable, homesick, and it was far from the romantic experience I envisioned sharing with readers.
Fast forward to the birth of my daughter in 2013. When she came through me it tore down the shoddy walls I built to contain my creativity (and fragile ego). Time was of the essence and my options were now more limited. Reality check- No one was going to hand me a dream job.
I started writing again. I needed to be a person my daughter could look up to, someone who felt fear and followed her passion anyway. I wrote through postnatal depression and I wrote to heal. I wrote to help others and to learn how to help myself. I wrote my way to a creative life and a full heart.
It’s coming up to three years since I started writing in my blog regularly, two since getting serious and one since deciding to put off baby number two for 12 months to see what I could do. In January I set the intention to write a book (and continue blogging) but 2016 had other plans for me.
Instead this year...(I'm about to toot my own horn so feel free to skip over this section and grab a coffee or something).
So I guess the point is not how long I've been blogging but what I've achieved by digging deep. After throwing myself at my blog, I even learned how to reel it back and create some healthy boundaries. You would have thought I would be good at boundaries by now after all those jerk ex-boyfriends! #slowlearner
Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy. – Stephen King
Today I felt proud.
I hung some of my artwork in the elevator lobbies of The Sinclair building in downtown Buffalo.
My Stepdad was one of the developers of the project, turning an old millinery into modern apartments, and my Mom is the interior designer. I definitely had my 'in,' for which I'm grateful.
I painted these pieces during my visit from Australia last Summer (I'm a Buffalo native). Hours were spent in a makeshift studio in Mom's basement while I happily painted-away Sunny afternoons. I produced these works and others- often creating duplicates because My Mom would fall in love with one, or two, or three, and hang them in her house. She was the client after all.
Twenty-five years since my first art lesson, this was my first big commission. Selling these paintings (even if the client was my own Mother) gave me the confidence boost I needed to start my own business when I got back home to Australia.
It's been an incredible year and I've actually started earning an income and more importantly I've started feeling fulfilled because I'm following my dream.
I loved what I produced last Summer and I still do (a big deal because as a young artist I hated everything I touched). Now, with frames, these paintings actually look professional enough to hang in such a gorgeous building. #stoked #happydance
Want a sneak peek? I'm going to be teaching an abstract art workshop (or two) in this building on June 23rd, and if that fills up, another one on July 1st. If you are interested click here for event details.
My daughter likes to make birthday cakes out of bubbles in the bathtub. She sings Happy Birthday and makes me blow out the 'candles.'
Watching my daughter use her imagination amazes me. I didn't teach her how to do it, she just KNOWS.
Essential to development, creativity helps fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and cognitive thinking.
For these reasons creative pursuits are encouraged early in life but then dismissed later when adults stop hanging up our finger-paintings and start telling us to 'get a real job.'
Are these not all skills you need in any CEO?
Careers today come with enormous pressure. In my parent’s generation a job was a means to an end, not an identity-entangled manifestation with which to define one’s whole life by.
It goes without saying we want to spare our children pain, failure, criticism, and a living on canned tuna. Now that I’m a mother, I understand why my parents couldn’t see the romance in my becoming a starving artist.
My interest in too many things, love of art and writing lends itself well to a career in blogging- but it wasn't even invented yet when I graduated Uni.
If there is one thing I learned from my experience it’s that I will be conscious of supporting my children in their passions even if I don’t necessarily ‘get it.’
My husband asked me if I think our daughter genuinely shares our interests or if she is simply imitating us. I don’t know, but if I had to guess, I would say it’s a combination of both. We can only introduce her to the things we love, let her be witness to our passions and encourage her in her own discoveries.
No matter what she gravitates toward in her life I’m excited for her to find it....mistakes and all along the way. I'm positive that I will occasionally have to remind myself to stand back and let her to figure it out for herself.
This post originally appeared on the Hello Mamas blog and has been modified.
Sponsored by Spotlight
Know how kids tend to make things for fun and then destroy them? Think sandcastles or if you grew up in a place like me, snow angels. Making stuff can be just as much fun as wrecking it for no other reason than it rocks our socks.
So why shouldn't adults have a crack at it? Even if our 'castle' ends up in the garbage can.
When we overthink things we tend to take less risks. We stop trying to make stuff. Joy gets dusty along with our creativity. I for one am guilty of worrying too much about the end result. Can we just collectively turn-off our brains and let our hands guide us for a while? Just for this month?
Did you know that April is National Craft Month here in Australia? I was recently invited to a launch party sponsored by Spotlight Craft Stores (American readers, think JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels). The afternoon was full of fabulous demos, creative peeps and plenty of inspiration.
It's April! Like you needed an excuse to get some craft on! Or maybe you do...
Is something holding you back?
I know fear is a big reason many of us 'adults' keep the glue and sparkles close to our chest. Maybe we are afraid of judgement or even our own ability. But seriously guys! We don't want to show our kids this sort of negative thinking do we?
Kids don't sit in front of a blank canvas and say, "Hmm...I'm not sure I'm feeling this today because- pressure," OR "I'm not good enough," OR "Everyone is going to laugh at me." They just grab for the crayons and go nuts. You can too!
How about we make a deal? Try some of these little crafts with your kids and then...maybe take on a project you've always wanted to. So what if it ends up in the rubbish? Do it in the name of joy.
"Whats worth doing even if I fail?" Brene Brown
Here, I'll even hold your hand: Let's get messy. These are just a few little ideas off the top of my head. Google will have a million more should you like some more.
 |
| I'm sorry I always want pasta |
1. Pom-poms
Have you seen this website? It features apologies with Pom Poms. Think Post Secret but with colourful, fluffy balls instead of post cards and apologies instead of confessions (though sometimes the apologies are confessional too "I'm sorry I cheated on you." Juicy. I met the lovely redhead behind this clever campaign at the National Craft Month launch party. Here is a simple Pom Pom tutorial- try it! Kids can easily get in on the action too...Obviously G rated apologies only in their case! "Sorry I spilled my milk."
2. Photography Series
No fancy equipment required- all you need is a smart phone. There are tons of apps that can send daily photo prompts (with different themes, colours or ideas) to get the creative juices flowing. This article has the top 100 apps- I've personally used the 'Little Moments' by Fat Mum Slim app. This article talks specifically about iPhone photography and this article is a 30 day photography challenge that you can easily follow along with your iPhone or digital camera. Get the kids involved as subjects or photographers!
 |
| Only fingers and a fun attitude |
3. Finger Painting
No brushes needed! Squish it, smear it, feel it. Just let your hands and digits guide you. It's actually a mental health tool being used by professionals to help adults release repressed emotions. Finger painting is pretty self explanatory but just in case you need a refresher- this article is an 8 step guide to finger painting. Prep is king to avoid a mess when you're getting into the zone. Pro tip: Make sure you get washable (water based) paints if you have real little tykes.
4. Colouring Books
Don't knock em till you try em. I mean, I definitely did. Adult colouring books? Pshaw, whatever! I despise staying within the lines. HOWEVER. I have to say that I 'accidentally' grabbed one my Mother left behind at our house to colour with Lavinia...and I'm not gonna lie- it was kinda relaxing. Colour me surprised!
Bonus: It's a great distraction for the kids on long afternoons when they are begging for TV.
Now get out into your life and make something! If the results aren't Pinterest-worthy at least you'll be crafting confidence in your kiddies. Besides, it's fun.
Don't forget to check out the FREE crafty party happening in all Spotlight Stores on 23 April. Click here for more information. Hope to see you there!
Hi, my name is Dawn and I’ve a recovering creative.
link
I've been off the radar for a few weeks not really by choice. Post surgery was not the staycation I expected.
Aside from not being able to paint, write or exercise, I couldn't even tie-up my own hair. It's unsettling being so dependent. Don't get me wrong, the surgery was a choice and my inability is temporary. Still...I felt unsettled. Frustrated. Cranky.
I might sound really negative right now but I don't feel it. I'm pleased to be blowing off these cobwebs and actually putting down a few thoughts. I'm not a one-handed robot after all! Moving, using brain juices and speaking to someone helps when I'm feeling flat. I'll be calling my shrink as soon as I get home to make an appointment.
You know how doing things with children takes twice as long as they normally would? Well, that was me and then some after surgery. For a quick-moving lady, this was torture. I had so many things I wanted to do but could not.
One example is the commissioned artwork I have to finish for a dear friend in Buffalo. It's been hand-stretched, primed and has its first layer of paint. It's like an airplane that's been sitting on the runway for three weeks. I worry about momentum, I worry there is no one left in the cockpit.
Overthinking it I'm sure, but still. Anxiety- it likes to pay me a visit.
Finding time to paint in real life is hard enough as it is. People often ask me how I do it- and I'll tell you- it's not a magic formula. It involves $cash money$ for childcare. So on days where motivation is lacking, the pressure is on financially and emotionally.
So yeah, the last few weeks with visiting helpers, surgery, and recovery I felt my momentum sputter and fail.
If you don't feel bad for me already what I'm going to say next might make you want to punch me in the face. (Just let me complain a little bit, we're friends right?)
I'm writing a blog post for the first time in several weeks from an empty beach on my iPhone. Not the easiest thing to do without a keyboard and with a bum hand but it feels good. And did I mention I'm on a beach? #firstworldproblems
Get this though- despite the practically empty shore, there are these two sets of parents who are literally talking over me. They both have sons named Nate and they both get really pissed off when people ask if it's short for Nathaniel. It's just Nate- ok everyone?? Deal with it. People have turned a nickname into a full name. Besides, Dad no.1 really thinks it sounds sportier that way.
I know, I know, I'm on the beach. My daughter is occupied. I'm WRITING for the first time in weeks. I should be so lucky but I feel like these people are interrupting my mojo. Like when you're in the bedroom with hubby and the baby starts crying. Quit messing with my flow 'Nate's' parents!
 |
| Moments after Nate's parents left. Go talk over a seagull next time! |
To prove my new, more positive state, I'll tell you something positive. While down here on the Penninsula I came across an awesome (and reasonably priced) Arts and Crafts Market called Flock of Seagulls in Rye. It's such a lovely place to treasure-hunt or have a coffee. We went there at least once every day.
Anyway- they rent out space to local artists and vendors (I bought two dresses, a weaving, and a pillow cover) a woman who works there took my business card. I left the market and later received a message from her saying that she took a look at my site, loves my work and would make room for me any time. What a massive compliment! What a mood boost!
So even though I'm coming out of a funk now I feel happy. I know that painting and telling stories are part of my stress relief, part of who I am. Knowing this gives me back a little of my power (and hopefully some jet fuel).
