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Learn how to create adorable mixed-media art to send to loved ones, friends, and even strangers via snail mail—then share in the happiness it brings.Author Sarah J. Gardner has made it her mission to help others find their creativity and inspiration through mixed-media art. In
Share Your Joy, she offers her idea for how to
share joy via handmade postcards, note cards, and other items that can be mailed to anyone around the world and put a smile on their face. That’s where Sarah gets her joy, and with the techniques and step-by-step projects in this book, she will help you find it too.
Working on papers you have painted and that can be drawn and painted over (what Sarah calls “art papers”), you will learn to use
collage,
stenciling,
found objects,
watercolor and acrylic paints, and more to create art to share with others.
Included in the book are:
- Step-by-step projects for making shareable art
- Interviews with “art swappers” who’ve sent and received art for years
- Inspirational prompts, quotes, and affirmations to keep your creativity levels up
- Suggestions for how to make inspirational journals and sketchbooks to work inside
Experience the fun and happiness of making shareable, mixed-media art with
Share Your Joy!
List of contents
Introduction
Mixed-Media Toy Box
The Art Paper Obsession
Art Paper #1 - Single Color with Texture
Art Paper #2 - Patterns of Painty “Marks”
Art Paper #3 - High-Contrast Doodles
Art Paper #4 - Tiny Watercolor Marks
Art Paper #5 - Sheer Watery Leaves
Art Paper #6 - Wistful Watercolor
Art Paper #7 - Playing with Inks
Art Paper #8 - Stenciled Layers
The Shareable Projects
Shareable Project #1 - Sewn Collage Postcards
Shareable Project #2 - Painted Layers Postcards
Hanna Andersson and the iHanna - DIY Postcard Swap
Shareable Project #3 - Polka Dot Artist Trading Cards
Shareable Project #4 - Woven Paper Artist Trading Cards
Shareable Project #5 - Watercolor Rainbow Greeting Card
Shareable Project #6 - Abstract Collage Note Card
Real Art Connections: A Conversation about Sharing Joy with Jana Clinard-Harris
Shareable Project #7 - Valentine Paper Mobile
Shareable Project #8 - Intention Journals
Shareable Project #9 - Embellished Envelopes
Ideas for Sharing Your Art (Joy)
Resources
Pullouts
Acknowledgments
About the Author
About the author
Sarah J. Gardner is a mother, practicing lawyer, and self-taught artist in Southern California. She works with mixed media and seeks to help others who want to explore their creativity and play with art supplies. She has taught art since 2007 and hosted art camps for her daughter and their friends, which inspired her to create art “play dates” for adults as well. Her website is juicy-s.net.
Summary
Share Your Joy embraces shareable and mixed-media art through projects, prompts, and stories that invite you to explore your creativity and have fun with art supplies.
