Category Archives: tutorial

art, art journaling, creativity, mixed media, tutorial

Art Journaling stuff.

Day 6. I have been doing some art journaling lately, experimenting with a lot of background techniques, which is fun. It’s an adventure since you don’t know how it will turn out. Art is very forgiving so usually everything turns out okay in the end.

In the two pictures below, I wet my heavy duty journal paper thoroughly with water. Then I used very diluted acrylic paints and dripped them on the water-logged paper. The paints spread in a nice, sometimes subtle way. You can use any craft paints or finer art paints as long as they can be diluted with water. Watercolor paints would work well if you want a more soft and subtle background.

Star angel

This is another version on my freebie art tutorial Star Angel. You can get that video tutorial HERE.

Splatter background detail

In the picture above, you can really see the background variations. Lots of fun. 🙂

Leather effect with tissue paper.

The one above is a faux crinkled leather background. I used medium spread liberally across the paper, and then I glued tissue paper over it. It’s important to crinkle the tissue paper into a ball in your hand, and then spread out the wrinkled paper on the medium. Let dry thoroughly, and paint whatever colors you like. I used some raw umber on my fingertip to brush over the ridges as a last coat to make the creasing more dramatic.

Art journal page with glued paper background.

Fantasy flowers painted on top of decorative paper, which was glued down in my journal.

art journal page

Just for fun!  Grow wild and free. Hell yeah!!!

What are you working on today?

Please share in the comments.

…because Life happens NOW!

xo

Maria

PS. If you’re interested in a fun self-study art journaling ecourse, please check out my e-course site HERE.

art, art journaling, creativity, ecourse, free, intuitive, painting, process, tutorial, video

Ugly is ok! micro workshop

I already posted back in the fall of ’15 about painting ugly. Here are some more thoughts about that.

If you’re like me, art holds certain standards for us. We try so many methods and techniques; we compare ourselves to others. Some styles we like some we don’t. It’s hard to know which style suits you the best.

Have you ever tried just being yourself as you approach art? Forget about the rules and be free, like kids fearlessly showing up at the empty page. Paint outside the box! To reach the true core of who we are involves a lot of unlearning or ignoring what we know. Unlearning is deeply satisfying, yet it can be hard to let go and allow the art to be what it wants to be.

Like you I make a decent painting and art journal spreads, and I’m proud and happy about the results. When it comes to spontaneity however, it can be very frustrating since we’re always striving for results.

My aim for this FREE micro workshop is to give you space to be yourself, to wait and see what will come onto the page without you pushing anything.

What I get from this kind of art is a sense of Self. I can actually recognize my own energy in the art. It has a very intimate feel to it, and I find it addictive to paint in this way. I also receive sudden insights and messages about the state I’m in at the time of painting. This particular spread in the video turned out happy, and it’s a state I’m in a lot, but others that I’ve done are dark and dreary. The tendency is to rip out those kinds of pages, but to honor myself, I also have to honor my darker, more destructive side. Usually, I don’t like showing those pages to people. They are basic and pretty ugly. It’s like trying anything new and unknown, you just have to immerse yourself in it to find out the truth about it.

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in the shadows “Uglee”

I invite you to explore.

I invite you to leave all your knowledge at the door and explore you inner self.

I invite you to paint “ugly,” unfettered like a child.

I invite you to meet your inner self without fear.

I invite you to sit through the discomfort.

I invite you to break through to the “fire.”

Are you willing to take this trip with me?

All you need is an art journal page, or a watercolor sheet, or even a canvas. Whatever you have on hand, and you need some paint, brushes, and markers. That is all. You can even use colored pencils, pencils, ballpoint pens, and oil pastels. There are no rules.

If you want to share your work, please join my Facebook group. HERE.

I need to point out that your art will be completely different from mine! The video will show the process I go through and you’ll get an idea how to go about it.  And then you can make your own art spread. YES!

Access the FREE micro workshop Ugly is Ok! HERE.

I also did an Ugly is Ok! 2 a month later.  To view, click HERE.

Now go and paint something ugly! 🙂

xo

Maria

art, art journaling, ecourse, tutorial, video

Art Tripping!

Art Tripping, what is that?

It does not have anything to do with illegal substances. Tripping can mean many things since English is a tricky language. However, in this case it means to take an actual journey.

I have been wanting in the worst way to go on a trip for a while now, but timing has not been good. That’s my excuse anyway.

So, I decided to do some art journaling around a virtual trip. I chose four locations, the city, the beach, the forest, and the desert. Those parts are all inspiring to me. I decided to make it a bargain e-course so that more people can afford it. The course will last four weeks, and the videos are quick and easy. Personally, I like fast videos since I don’t want to slog through four or five in an online class. The e-course starts on April, 18.

Here is the cityscape and the beach pictures from the class. Your art will look completely different, but that’s the challenge.
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DSCN1998A pretty grungy cityscape and a happy bright beach picture… through the lens of my eyes.

You can check out Art Tripping for yourself. CLICK HERE. 

arttripping5I hope you join me for this virtual journey. It would be nice to have a busload of people!

Happy creating,

xo

Maria

art, art journaling, creativity, ecourse, transformation, tutorial

It’s not too late to join.

Hello lovely reader,

It’s not too late to join my current mixed media / art journaling ecourse titled Art Journaling Journey. We are coming up on week three, but the course will be perennial so you can work at your own pace. I would love to see you there!

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Art journaling is a true of journey of exploration outside and inside. It never gets old, but it can get weird sometimes, but life is weird sometimes too. Here are a couple of recent art journal spreads.

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Here’s to having a fabulous creative week! Click on the link to check out the ecourse, ART JOURNALING JOURNEY.

I wish you a fabulous creative week!

xoxo

Maria

art, creativity, ecourse, intuitive, process, tutorial

Art As Oracle

Happy New Year, busy bees!

I have been busy too this last week with creating Art As Oracle. I had a great inspiration for an e-course that combines art and intuition, a very basic and fun course. You can read all about it below:

Hello lovelies,

I started the new year with a bang! I’m excited about this new e-course I created that combines art and intuition. You can read all about it below:

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If you have trouble letting go of limitations; if you doubt your ability to make art and have a connection with your inner self, this e-course is for you. UNLEASH YOUR ART AND INTUITION NOW using simple techniques.

To me, art is the perfect medium to explore your intuition, though there are many methods. For myself I use a blend of art and writing, but I have discovered that the simpler the method, the better. I guarantee you that ANYONE can learn to get accurate psychic information for themselves, and I would love to get you started!  You don’t have to be an artist to take this e-course! 

Example of an intuitive art expression. (Everyone’s art will be different.) The main message I got was “it’s safe to fly even in stormy weather.”
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What you will gain:

  • New ways of making art.
  • You will learn how to let go and trust the information coming through the art.
  • You will have several ways to access your intuition, something you can use all the time.
  • Deepening your intuition will help you make better choices in your everyday life.
  • The guidance will make you feel more sure of your inner abilities.
  • Get back to the very basics and find that things don’t have to be complicated in life.
  • Get fast and easy answers and solutions to problems.
  • Let loose your art muse!

Why take this course? 

This course is for you if:

  • You wish to explore a childlike way of creating without pressure to perform.
  • You long to learn a new way to get to know your inner self.
  • Make some art to open up your creative flow.
  • Use simple techniques to access your latent intuition.

Other benefits:

  • Unleash your creativity.
  • Challenge inner blocks and move past them.
  • Kick fear to the curb.
  • You will have support as you open up your intuitive sense.
  • You will open up the door to future art expression if you wish to continue.

Pretty much all of my life I have loved making art. I have tried every style imaginable, and I’m always amazed at what comes out of my explorations. I also spent years as a fiction writer, and in the last 20 years I’ve been doing clairvoyant readings for the public. I’m at a point where I’d rather help people develop their own intuition since we all have it! Think of a muscle that has been sitting unused. When you start exercising it, things happen and new experiences come forth, enriching your life in untold ways.

Another EXAMPLE of intuitive art. The main message here was to break the boundaries and allow what makes me happy to burst through.

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This is a four week e-course and a bonus week with a guided meditation.
Over the course of four weeks you will learn four different ways to access your intuition via art.

Week 1: We will play with paints on paper and interpret the forms that come through.

Week 2: We will use a doodle technique.

Week 3: We will work with random words and colors.

Week 4: We will explore using written text and art.

Week 5: BONUS! An audio meditation that will inspire a finished art piece that you can use as guidance and inspiration in 2016. It deals with how to transcend an internal block using meditation and magazine images, plus paints.

You will learn to interpret the messages in the art (with my help if needed.)

You will receive four art videos with voice instruction, available on Mondays, starting on JANUARY 25, 2016.

I will also supply an intro video where I explain about intuition and how to read the messages, plus HOW to ask efficient questions to your inner self.

  • To explore your art results and learn how to read them, there is a dedicated Facebook group where I will personally help you interpret the art and give you other tips on accessing your intuition.

This course is great for beginners and art veterans alike.

It is a $75 value and a bargain at $33 until January 11, and then it will go up to $75.

About me:

I’m a long-time mixed-media artist and writer, and  I have combined my knowledge into various e-courses and YouTube how-to videos. I’m excited to share this e-course with you, and my hope it that it will inspire you to explore your creativity. The adventure does not end as you finish your course, but is the beginning to a new life of exploring creativity and your inner sixth sense.

Reading Testimonials from satisfied customers:

“The spiritual guidance and expertise I’ve received from Maria for the past 15 years has successfully shaped my career and personal life. Her accuracy is undeniable.”
Cheryl, Professional Feng Shui Practitioner.
“I’ve always been a believer in psychic abilities therefore on referrals I saw Maria Greene. I went in with an open mind and hoped for answers regarding my past, present and future. What amazed me Maria did not want any information other than the questions I wanted clarity on. I was blown away how accurate, kind and honest she was…. She didn’t say what she didn’t see. She is very intuitive and a caring reader!! I will definitely go back and recommend her to others.”
Shannon, Canada
“I have been getting readings from Maria for a number of years. She has helped me explore my deepest self, past lives, guides and inner longings as well as helped me when my path has not been clear. She is one of the most gifted readers I have ever encountered.”
Sharon, Florida
“Maria created a safe space for me to explore further with her after her initial reading and provided some amazingly accurate insights into what’s been going on for me. She brought so much truth to the surface, it brought tears to my eyes. If you’re at a cross roads or having trouble focusing or making big decisions, Maria will bring clarity and focus back to your life so you can move forward with certainty”.
Natalie, England

Do you want to be part of learning something new this year? Don’t delay and miss this opportunity! Click here to go to the sign up page! 

Please join me for some fun!
xo
Maria