Neutral collage clusters have a quiet way of holding space on a page. They do not ask for attention, yet they draw the eye in—through texture, layering, and subtle contrast. Over time, I found myself creating and collecting many such clusters across my art journals. Some were dense and layered, others sparse and airy. Together, […]
30+ Neutral Collage Cluster Ideas for Art Journals Read More »
As I’m learning to create different mixed media collage papers, one thing I’m particularly enjoying is creating coffee dye papers.
I tried 3 types of dyeing – using coffee, tea and onion skins.
The coffee dye papers are a bit dark brown, tea dye is brownish and onion skin dye is reddish brown. I love all the 3 colors that they create on papers.
I wanted to experiment with acrylics and got some amazing results. It works with all the 3 types of dye, but I find coffee dyeing the easiest process of all – it’s as if I’m making myself a cup of coffee. So I added a little bit of green and blue with the coffee and tea mix and got some brilliant results.
Coffee Dyeing Basics for Mixed Media: 3 Simple Techniques Read More »
These days I’m just getting into the mixed media world and learning so much from the many mixed media artists on youtube. One of the things that I find fascinating is creating collage papers using deli/butter/bakery papers. So here I’m sharing some of my creative play ideas with deli papers.
Drip white paint on butter paper
Doodle with needle tip applicator – white
Doodle with needle tip applicator – black
Doodle on a colored background
Light colored abstract background using 2-3 colors
Dark colored abstract background using 2-3 colors
Stamps on blank / colored deli paper (add tissue paper to create faux rice paper)
Stencils on blank / colored deli paper
Thick white texture paste on deli paper using stencils
Creating mixed media collage papers using deli/butter/bakery papers Read More »
Do you have a growing pile of torn book pages, lace edges, vintage papers, and tissue bits that you can’t throw away—but you’re not sure what to do with them either?
You’re not alone. These fragments—often dismissed as “leftovers”—carry history, texture, and story. And when layered thoughtfully, they become the soulful base for rich, expressive art.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I create MasterSheets from those very fragments—whether for art journaling, clusters, postcards, or collage work. I’ll share the exact methods I use, plus some beautiful combinations you can try yourself.
6 Ways to Create Clusters from Your Fragments Read More »
Tilt & Drip Dynamics
After spraying multiple hues, lift and tilt your paper so the wet paint runs. The flowing pigments blend organically, and varying pigment densities will naturally form speckles and cellular textures as they drip.
Spray Painting with Acrylics Read More »
There are days when art flows like breath.
And then there are days when it’s stuck—heavy, bottled up, or simply uninspired.
That’s when I turn to scribbling. Not the tidy kind. Not the Pinterest-perfect kind. I mean raw, childlike, furious scribbles that release energy from my body, onto paper.
And today, I want to show you how I used that energy to create a stack of grungy, neutral, double-sided collage papers—perfect for tearing up, journaling on, or layering into your next mixed media piece.
Scribble. Spray. Stack. Read More »
What if you could turn an old credit card into your most versatile painting tool? No brushes, no rules—just swipe, blend, and scratch your way to stunning handmade papers.
In this blog, I’ll show you a favorite mixed media technique I keep coming back to—painting credit card papers. It’s fast, freeing, and full of beautiful surprises.
Have you ever been captivated by the spontaneous flow of watercolor—the way colors melt into each other, unpredictable yet soothing? I have. I love the softness and meditation that watercolors bring.
But as someone who has painted with acrylics for over a decade, I’ve developed a special fondness for them. There’s something about acrylics—their versatility, texture, and vibrancy—that keeps drawing me back.
So I asked myself: What if I could play with acrylics in a way that feels like watercolor? That’s how this method was born—a playful, intuitive way to dye papers using diluted acrylic paint.
Acrylic Dyeing on Paper: My Easy, Playful Alternative to Ink Read More »
If you love making tags for your art journal, happy mail, or collage projects, you’re going to love this! In today’s blog, I’m sharing a simple and creative way to make embellished mixed media tags using scraps of fabric, easy hand stitching, and a master sheet of mini abstract paintings.
These tags were cut out from the same master sheet I created in this blog post, where I shared how I painted a large intuitive background and then cut it down into smaller mini abstracts. If you haven’t seen that yet, go check it out first – it’s all part of the free tester workshop, and you can even join the class to learn how to create your own expressive master sheet for free.
Once I had my mini paintings, I realized there was more goodness left on the page – so I used the leftover sections to cut out tags!
Embellishing Mixed Media Tags with Fabric and Stitching Read More »
I have to admit: for the longest time, I shied away from black. It felt heavy, overpowering, and too final. But lately I’ve fallen in love with black, especially when paired with white.
In collage, mixed media projects, or art journaling, black becomes a compelling character—adding depth, contrast, and mystery to every layer. That’s why building a stash of black and white collage papers for mixed media art journaling is essential for any creative arsenal.
In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own black papers—from smooth, velvety sheets to textured, layered wonders. Use these backgrounds or print-and-mark techniques as foundations for your next journal spread, collage panel, or mixed media masterpiece.
Essential Black and White Collage Papers for Mixed Media Art Journaling Read More »