ATC's adding texture- Swapbot

I was doing an Artist trading card for a trade for Swapbot and wanted to add some texture to the background of my zentangle design.  I had seen this technique on youtube and thought I would try it.

This is my result:

My photos were not that great, but I think you can get the idea.  I love using textured backgrounds with my artwork.  I liked the way this turned out but next time I will try using more alcohol.  I used a spray bottle because of the small size of this project.  I did the first layer in pink and the second layer in purple, because those were favorite colors of my swap partner.  As you can see I added a couple of my stickers and of course I can't leave the envelope alone.  I don't send out letters or packages without them being decorated anymore.

I also did a mail art swap.  I added a letter, two stickers from my photos and blank note cards again using my photos.  I send according to my swap partners profiles.  This person likes purple, zentangle and realistic frogs.  With these swaps; I send to one person and someone else sends to me.  This is kinda cool as I get to know more artists this way.  I am also learning to use my photos in different ways.  I'm now making stickers, envelopes, and note cards.  I've got a current swap making postcards, so I'll figure out how best to do those.  I have been using my photos for more than printing up and hanging on my walls.  I've discovered more ways to enjoy my photos and to share them with others. 

I hope you have enjoyed seeing what I have been up to and it helps get your creative juices flowing.

Enjoy

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

PS the give away of my stickers is still in progress scroll down to Giveaway #3 for details and good luck.

  



Zentangle Everywhere

This another book I got for my birthday.  Didn't have to ask for it; it was on my Amazon wish list.  Yoga for your Brain is a fun little book with lots of zentangle designs in it.  I do my doodling and zentangle on envelopes instead of my sketchbook, so I can share them.  After I went through this book this is the first envelope I did.                   It was fun to do. Although it was not perfect it was still bright and cheerful to send.  I send out quite a few cards with my photos in them. While the person who received the cards may have enjoyed the photos I decided that doing art on the outside let more people enjoy the cards I sent out. Years ago I would do some art on my envelopes that I sent to the kids and grandkids, but had stopped as I put a lot of effort into the finished picture on the envelope so that I was not sending out as much mail. Now using envelopes instead of my sketchbook; I may not send out my most perfect more elaborate artwork but it is always bright and cheerful and fun for me to do.

This book also pointed out all the zentangle designs all around me.  It gave me a new perspective on some of the photos I was taking and using them in another art form.  Suddenly the close-ups of architectural details that I had been taking were giving me ideas to use in this new (to me) art form.  I think this really came home to me when I saw Kung Fu Panda 2 with the grandchildren.  This movie start out in Zentangle style,  but all through it is ideas in the background for zentangle designs

Look at the windows, columns, floors and ceilings and all kinds of other archetecual details for amazing designs.

I've also found some pretty amazing blogs and websites with zentagle and doodle designs in them.

http://lifeimitatesdoodles.blogspot.com/

Draw, Doodle and Decorate

The Daily Doodle

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/

Terri's Tangles

ENJOY

☺☺☺Johnina☺☺☺

PS to participate in my give away please click here