With my mom being a watercolor artist, it was naturally the medium I pursued, and I never considered anything else for painting. Sure I did the macrame, tie-dye and batik that children of the sixties all tried, but as far as painting goes, it was watercolor all the way.
I heard the buyers complain about glass on images and I lugged heavy paintings back and forth to shows…until
One day in the autumn of 2016, I stumbled into an unmarked shop (soon to be Studio 6020) located in a strip mall near my home. The artist (Kathy Taylor) was setting up easels on tables. I was curious, “what’s happening here?”
“I’m opening up a teaching studio!”
I said, “Oh! Maybe I could join in what are you teaching?”
When she replied, “Acrylic painting”, I was initially disappointed, but quickly I realized…perhaps there was room for something new in my life…and so my journey into acrylic painting began!
Acrylic painting was a new undertaking altogether and I found it hard initially to manage the thicker pigments, textured surfaces and so on.
The Rice Paper Collaboration
Before long, I found Joggles Mixed Media Supplies on YouTube and after watching Barb demonstrate in some of her videos, I began to see new potential.
I will never forget receiving my first order from Joggles which came wrapped in some gorgeous butterfly tissue paper, which I have used in multiple mixed media pieces.
In 2021 I began creating content for YouTube featuring my mixed media work and gelli printing and I reached out to Barb at Joggles to let her know how grateful I was! She was very encouraging.
Fast forward to October of 2024, when a dream was realized.
The opportunity of collaborating with my favorite Mixed Media Supply Store, Joggles became a reality with a series of 7 rice papers, featuring birds.
The Stencil and Mask Collaboration
Since last October we have been experimenting for a second collaboration; the design of eight new stencils and masks for mixed media projects and gelli plate printing.
I am delighted to announce they were released for sale on Joggles website on June 11th. They can be purchased as a full collection, or individually.
If you would like to see a demonstration of how I have used some of them, take a look at the YouTube shorts below.
Gel Printing with Repurposed Glass featuring “Numbers Game”
“Layered Gelli Print Floral” featuring “Poseys”
Layered Gelli Printing with Stencils featuring “Birds of a Feather”
The Testing Process
One of the ways I ‘test’ a new stencil design idea is to make it out of tyvek first. The next 2 shorts show the process of using a DIY tyvek tree stencil together with pattern paper. The tree design successfully joined the Joggles collection and is called “Forest Wilderness.”
Gelli Plate Printing Trees – Part 1
Gelli Plate Printing Trees – Part 2
If you decide to give any of them a try, I’m would love to see how you make these designs your own.
You can tag me on social media @chakramandalas on Instagram or HealingChakraMandalas on Facebook. I also have a Facebook Group called Gelli Plate Fun, where you are welcome to join, share pictures and ask questions.
Happy creating!
