Alease Michelle Studio2229 Blog

Inspired by Photographer- Tim Mantoani

Photography by Tim Mantoani

To be honest- I'm not really sure what words I could use to describe what has drawn me into Tim Mantoani's work. But there is something about the way he captures the essence of a person in his photos.

This is the process I try to convey in my artwork. Although many times the images I use in my mixed media art are of people I don't know- I still try to pull outthe essence of the person.

What did they do for a living?, What were their hopes and dreams? What would friends and family say about this person? What were their fears and beliefs?

More Mixed Media Collage Books Must Buys

 A year ago I wrote a post on the 10 Books Every Collage and Mixed Media Artist Must Buy and now its time to add a few more to that list.  It is always good to add new resouces to your library. The following 4 books are defintliy a must have for any mixed media /collage artist.

 

Masters: Collage: Major Works by Leading Artists (Masters: Major Works by Leading Artists)

Collage Lab: Experiments, Investigations, and Exploratory Projects (Lab Series)

Digital Expressions: Creating Digital Art with Adobe Photoshop Elements

 

Print & Stamp Lab: 52 Ideas for Handmade, Upcycled Print Tools (Lab Series)

Inspired by...

Last week a student in my class was wearing the cutest, coolest, right sexy earrings I've seen this year. I told her that they were really cute and could I see them. I observed them very closely and I was instantly inspired to create a pair of my own.

So Thursday, I went to the craft store, purchased a few supplies and off to my studio I went. There were a lot of trail and errors, especially with the components for making the earrings actual earrings. I was able to complete two pair. A pair for myself and a pair for my girlfriend Tara.

The picture below shows the pair I gave her.

Of course- Tara went off in a rampange with "we have to sell these". How many more can you make and on and on. I also showed them to a few other girlfriends and they too said they loved them and I should sell them. "This could be your CASH COW!" said Debbie. Funny right.

Well I am thinking about making a few more and maybe selling them. We will see...

By the way - I plan are to give the other pair (the pair I made for myself) to the student who inspired me to create these earrings.

**** What do you think of them?

Peace & More Love,

Our Creative Souls

There‘s an art to living a good life. Life itself is a work of art, and those who have learned to live it well do so creatively and artfully. Artists are naturally creative, but living a creative life goes beyond the paint, clay, drawing pencils, thread and fabric. Susan Taylor, former editor of Essence Magazine states “Creativity is basic and a more deeply personal experience". We are heirs of people who have used their create powers very well – go to the stories in the bible, Read Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill or just watch a few positive talk shows of those who have overcame many obstacles. This creativity at its highest- Creativity is everywhere.

I too have faced a few challenges. In the spring of 2005 I was asked to step down from a position that I loved and lived for, because academic credentials. But when this challenge was presented to me, I took it hard, until one day a voice said to me (God’s voice) don’t be stupid- this is a blessing. This is your time to do what you want to do without pressure and guilt.

For a long time, I did what I thought I had to do, that I forgot that I was doing it all to do the things I wanted to do. Now I am doing what I want to do, and when opportunities present themselves to me, I now evaluate them base on what is the personal and professional benefits will I receive from it. This new feeling is for sure a creative, insightful experience. And I advise that more of us should take on this mindset.

The key is to learn to slow down and listen to the subconscious voices from within. When we are relaxed and at peace, the wise voice is heard clearly and distinctly. I know this now, but life had me tied up with job titles and power of the position. I’ve learned to respect and use God’s great gift of creative intelligence in my everyday artist life.

If you too, would like to learn how to live a more creative life – then visit my other blog :

To Read: 9 Strategies to Living a Creative Thought Provoking Life
To See: Video Series of my Personal Experiences with Living Creativity


Every day, work at strengthening your faith. Find your mantra or use the one below (I don’t mind) – Say it with passion and conviction. You will start to train the subconscious mind to be open and optimistic, positive and poised to receive the fruits of your labor.

I feel powerful and fabulous after saying these truths aloud: I’m like water, not stone, flexible and limber in my living and giving. I am healthy, happy, love, and fabulous. I learn things easily and whatever I need to create my dreams is there when I need it.

Peace and More Love,

In the Studio Working My Butt Off

Inspired by...

I've been completely inspired by street art lately and have been steady thinking about how to incorporate it into my work. The simplicity of this art just amazes me. I've come to believe that it's the mix of texture, color, and environment is what inspires me the most.

 
1. Untitled, 2. Street art: face masks, 3. C215 In Bushwick, 4. Yarps, 5. Ender, 6. PITR, 7. Dolk in Williamsburg, 8. Indeed, who is this man?, 9. stencil

In the Studio...

So since- I was so inspired- I decided to work on a few mixed media collages that are directly influenced by this simply beautiful artwork.

In the below images - I was able to create a stencil effect by manipulated a few of my vintage photos in Photoshop. I then printed the images onto tissue paper- with the hopes of creating a more transparent look against the dark background. For adding texture I used a white pencil to inscribe a few words and foam stamps to create the large letters (image 2). The circles were created with a leftover bingo punch card.

I am happy with how these two images turned out. But I still was looking for something more simple and striking.

Not Done Yet...

So I turn to my computer and started working on a few images in Photoshop. I added color to the images in in the most simple way. I was able to complete a series of 23 digitalized art images.

Here are just a few...

 Let me know what you think. I not really sure how I plan to use them. But I'm excited about these also.

 

Creativity Through the Eyes of a Child

I've been very fortune to be working in my studio with an young talented emerging artist this weekend. Jordan and I have been steady working in my studio on a few projects. One day we worked on collaging a few letters to place on a picture frame. We then worked on a mixed media collage and later we played around with a fashion designing template kit.

 _{Collage Letters for Picture Frame}

 

_{Jordan's Mixed Media Collage}

 _{Jordan Fashion Sketch}

My Fashion Sketch
 It has been very enlightening for me to work with a young talent. I was able to see her comfort with colors, texture and shape. No fear what so ever. Boy I toally missed that. But she encouraged me to experiment more and to bring out old things I hadn't played with in a long time. I had a great time revisiting my markers. And guess what I noticed.. that I only had one pencil in the house. Got to go out and purchase pencils. My advice is to play with a child- You too will expereince the joy.

March Inspirations

Spring is a time for rebirth and the fulfillment of new life."Byron Pulsifer

The first day of spring is March 20th and I am totally looking forward to it. I have cabin fever that is beyond help. The only thing that's going to bring me out of it ,is warm and sunny days. I love spring and I thrive on summer. So ,I put together a series of images from Z Gallerie's art section that I felt inspired me. 

My plans are to incorporate a few of these inspirational techniques into March mixed media collage(s).  

What I'm loving...

The moss green color, the scratchy surfaces, the bold use of red in key areas, the abstract nature of a implied sense of florals, and the overlapping of shapes, colors and found objects. With all of this in mind, I should have tons of fun working on my next few mixed media collages.

Will be sharing soon... Peace and More Love, Alease Michelle
 

Donate $5 to Help the People of Haiti

Read more on how you can help the People of Haiti here  

 

Inspired by All Things Black

Just Amazing by Alease Michelle featuring Plane bags

 

Keep me Up at Night by Alease Michelle on Polyvore.com

I Have a Dream by Alease Michelle featuring Betsey Johnson jewelry

Vintage Valentine Inspirations

Currently thinking about creating a Valentine collages for a set of greeting cards to sell in my Zazzle Shop. I wanted to start with a few inspirational ideas before going into my studio to work on them.

I did a little searching online and was able to locate some really good inspirational starting points.

  Not sure if this is the actual direction I might take. But I thought I would just get a few ideas and see what happens later. My goal is to have a set of 3 designs completed by Jan. 18th. I believe that is enough time to post the images and do a some marketing.