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Prep Vintage Book with Gesso for Art Journaling
If you're looking to add a unique touch to your next art journaling project, you may want to consider prepping a vintage book with gesso. Gesso is a type of primer used to prepare canvas or other surfaces for painting. It can also be used on a vintage book to create a smooth and even surface for your art journaling and paint. Here are some simple steps to help you get started: Gather your supplies. You’ll need a vintage book, gesso, a paintbrush, palette knife and a surface t
Heidi Cogdill
May 23, 20231 min read


Mastering the Art of Words: How Copywriting Skills Can Transform Your Art Business
As an artist, you may often find yourself primarily focused on expressing your creativity through visual mediums such as painting, sculpture, or photography. While the visual aspect of your work is undeniably essential, there is another skill that can greatly enhance your art business and help you connect with your audience on a deeper level: copywriting . Photo by J. Kelly Brito on Art has the ability to communicate emotions, stories, and ideas. However, without the right wo
Heidi Cogdill
May 22, 20233 min read


Ways to be creative when you don't feel inspired
It can be difficult to be creative when you don't feel inspired, but there are some helpful tips and tricks you can use to jumpstart your creativity. Here are some ideas to get you started: Photo by Deeana Arts on Take a break. When you're feeling stuck, it can help to step away from the project and come back to it with a fresh perspective. Take a walk, read a book, or listen to some music. Try something new. Experiment with a new medium or technique. Learning something new c
Heidi Cogdill
May 16, 20231 min read


Being around plants can help you concentrate more
Photo by Lum3n on Plants are an incredibly powerful and natural tool to help us concentrate and focus. Studies have shown that having plants in our work and home environments can have a calming and soothing effect on our minds, reducing stress and helping us remain focused on the task at hand. Not only can plants help us remain productive and alert, but they can also provide aesthetic beauty, boosting our overall well being. Having plants in the home or office can provide us
Heidi Cogdill
May 10, 20232 min read


Books Every Artist Should Read
If you're an artist looking for inspiration, there are plenty of books out there that can help. Here are some of the best books every artist should read to help spark creativity and fresh ideas: Photo by cottonbro studio on The War of Art by Steven Pressfield: This book is a must-read for any artist who is looking to stay motivated and break through creative blocks. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon: This book provides advice on how to get inspired and take your art to the
Heidi Cogdill
May 9, 20231 min read


How to Title Artwork
Writing the perfect title for your artwork can be a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect title for your artwork: Think of a phrase or sentence that expresses the essence of your artwork. Take some time to reflect on the themes, colors, and composition of your artwork and think of words that capture the emotion and feeling you are trying to convey. Consider the medium you used to create the artwork. This could be a great w
Heidi Cogdill
May 4, 20231 min read


Vintage Book Binding and Stitching Ephemera Kit
Are you a mixed-media artist looking to add a touch of nostalgia to your artwork? The Vintage Book Binding and Stitching Ephemera Kit is the ultimate treasure trove for mixed media and collage enthusiasts! This kit is made up of a variety of antique book hardback covers, spines, binding materials and stitching, carefully curated to offer a one-of-a-kind collection of unique bits of texture and nostalgic appeal. With this kit, you can elevate your artwork to the next level, ad
Heidi Cogdill
May 3, 20232 min read


Tutorial: Collage Tags
I love finding ways to use all the bits of ephemera I have lying around and in that process, I started cutting out the watercolor florals and finding ways to use them in other creative projects. Then I started making the cutouts specifically to be used in my art journaling and art projects. In this tutorial I'm going to show you how to use watercolor paints to create marks and add sketchy ink lines on top, then how to cut them out and use them in a collage-style tag. Supply L
Heidi Cogdill
May 2, 20232 min read


Handmade Watercolor Cutout Kits - Add a Touch of Creativity to Your Projects
Watercolor cutouts are a great way to add some artistic flair to your projects. They can be used in a variety of ways such as art journaling, junk journals, scrapbooking, and collages. And now, I'm so excited to share that I've added new watercolor cutout kits available in my shop! Each kit includes a selection of handmade watercolor cutouts that have been painted on high-quality watercolor paper using watercolors that have also been handmade by the artist. The cutouts are th
Heidi Cogdill
Apr 27, 20231 min read


Vintage-Inspired DIY: How to Create Tape Transfers from Vintage Magazines and Book Pages
Creating tape transfers from vintage magazine and book pages is a fun and easy way to add unique, vintage-inspired elements to your artwork, scrapbooking, or mixed media projects. Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own tape transfers. Materials you'll need: Vintage magazine or book pages Clear packing tape Bowl of water Towel Scissors Step 1: Choose your Image Flip through your vintage magazines or books and choose an image you want to transfer. Step 2: Cut
Heidi Cogdill
Apr 26, 20232 min read


Get Creative with the New Royal Talens Markers by Pantone
I had the pleasure of getting my hands on the new Talens markers by Pantone, and let me tell you, they did not disappoint! If you're not familiar with Pantone, they are a company that is renowned for their color matching system, which is used by designers and artists around the world. The Talens markers are a part of Pantone's latest collection, which also includes marker inks and art pads, all of which are based on the Pantone Matching System. What sets these markers apart i
Heidi Cogdill
Apr 25, 20232 min read


Unleash Your Creativity with Watercolor Paper Cutouts: A Must-Have for Art Journaling and Mixed Media Projects
I am so thrilled to announce the launch of my latest product, the Watercolor Paper Cutouts! These beautifully hand-painted papers are perfect for adding a touch of color and texture to your art journals, junk journals, and mixed media projects. Here are just a few ways you can use these gorgeous cutouts in your art projects: Create Backgrounds: Use the watercolor paper cutouts as a background for your art journal pages, adding layers of color and texture to your designs. Add
Heidi Cogdill
Mar 15, 20231 min read


DIY Watercolor Paints: Step-by-Step Instructions and Fun Ways to Use Them
Have you ever wanted to try your hand at making your own watercolor paints? It's easier than you might think and can be a fun and rewarding DIY project. Not only is it a great way to exercise your creativity, but it's also a way to control the quality and ingredients of your paint. In this post, I'll guide you through the steps of making your own watercolor paints, and also share some fun ways to use them. Step 1: Gather Your Supplies To make your own watercolor paints, you'l
Heidi Cogdill
Mar 13, 20232 min read


Art Ephemera Mixed Media Kit
Are you a fan of mixed-media art? Do you love creating art from scraps, doodles, and marks? If so, you're going to love my new art ephemera mixed media kits! As an artist, I've always been drawn to the idea of repurposing and reusing materials. I believe that everything has potential, even the scraps and bits that are left over from other projects. That's why I started gathering all of my art ephemera - the bits and pieces of paper, fabric, and other materials that I had accu
Heidi Cogdill
Feb 25, 20232 min read


Collage Style vs. Mixed Media Journaling: What's the Difference?
Collage style and mixed media art journaling are both creative and fun ways to express yourself through art. While the two styles may appear similar, they have some distinct differences. Collage style is a type of art that combines different materials such as paper, fabric, photographs, and other objects to create one cohesive image. It is typically used to create a visually stimulating image, often with a specific meaning or message. Mixed media art journaling is a combinati
Heidi Cogdill
Feb 8, 20232 min read


How I Select Items to Include in Vintage Ephemera Packs
I started creating Vintage Ephemera Packs because I had acquired a large collection over the years, so I thought it would be a good way to downsize my stash. What I didn't expect was how popular these ephemera packs would become and how much fun I would have putting them together. As my personal collection dwindled I had always planned to stop selling them, but I enjoyed this part of my shop so I began visiting antique shops hunting for new items to include. And over the last
Heidi Cogdill
Jan 13, 20232 min read


What is a vision journal and how to create one of your own
Learn how to create your very own vision journal and unlock the full potential of your creativity. This step-by-step guide will show you how to clarify your goals, stay motivated, and track your progress, all while providing a creative outlet. Plus, get helpful tips and tricks specifically for artists. Start creating your vision journal today and bring your dreams to life! Photo by Alina Vilchenko on Creating a vision journal is a powerful way to bring clarity to your life an
Heidi Cogdill
Jan 3, 20233 min read


Ways to use gesso in art journaling
Gesso is an essential product for any mixed media artist, and it's especially useful in art journaling. In case you're not familiar with it, gesso is a white, opaque paint used to prime surfaces for painting, drawing, or mixed media art. It helps to create a smooth, even surface for your artwork, and it also helps to protect your pages from damage caused by paints, markers, and other media. If you're new to art journaling, you might be wondering how to use gesso in your work.
Heidi Cogdill
Jan 2, 20232 min read


Benefits of commonplace books for artists
Photo by John Diez on For artists, commonplace books can be incredibly beneficial tools for inspiring creativity and organizing ideas. Commonplace books are notebooks or journals in which you can record meaningful thoughts, quotes, observations, and other inspirations. By having a single repository for these items, artists can easily refer back to them and use them as a source of inspiration. Commonplace books can also be great for documenting creative processes. Instead of h
Heidi Cogdill
Dec 30, 20221 min read


Favorite Books Currently On My Nightstand
Photo by Pixabay on I get asked all the time about the books I'm reading so I thought I'd share some of my favorites that are currently on my nightstand. I'm an avid reader and I'm always looking for something new to read. Here are a few of my favorite books I'm currently reading: Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen : A beautiful and touching story. This book is as magical and enchanting as all of Sarah's other books. She's a favorite author of mine! She tells a story in such
Heidi Cogdill
Dec 29, 20222 min read
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