I’m holding a huge art sale today at my @layeredfindsshop on Instagram! I’ll be posting original mini wood art and paintings on Italian paper painted by me. I offer great deals and shipping is included in the price. Free gift included with each purchase.
I work with wood panels, wood blocks, paper and canvas.
Original Art by Stephanie Hopkins
Mixed Media Artist/Abstract Painter/Book Maker
Let your heart travel lightly. Because what you bring with you becomes part of the landscape. – Anne Bishop
Original Landscape Painting by Stephanie Hopkins
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
“No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to cheerfully put to good use what they do have.” – Seneca
This miniature painting is available for purchase at my etsy shop!
“A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect.”– Terri Guillemets
I’m thrilled to be sharing with you all this week’s ICAD’s. The abbreviation ICAD means, “Index Card A Day.” This challenge was created a few years ago by artist Tammy and her challenge has really grown over the years. Below, is her IG account where you can find out more about her and her art.
It is absolutely wonderful to see the collection of cards I’ve made thus far. I have them sitting pretty on my bookshelf in a ceramic basket. Where is the picture? I’m going to share it on the last post of this challenge. I can’t wait! Like all the previous weeks, I love this week’s cards!
This week’s cards are days 41-47
Which one is your favorite?
Tammy IG @gypsy999
I look forward to sharing the rest of this week’s challenge and the following week with you next Saturday! My wish is for you to be inspired and encouraged. Have a blessed weekend! -Stephanie Hopkins
Check out my art journey on Instagram and at my Mixed Media Art Gallery here at Layered Pages!
Hello, Crafty Friends!
Today I’m am sharing a new craft organization I’m implementing in my crafting endeavors.
I’ve always made my own ephemera packs with various supplies I have on hand and I put them in gallon size Ziplock bags or large make-up bags. That system is not working for me any longer. I want to simplify to make it easier to manage and carry in a smaller to- go tote. I can honestly say that reducing my craft kits in size to little leaves of goodness, makes all the difference and inspires creativity.
I like to work with a good deal of colors and different styles, so I sort every pile with a little of everything. For instance, some crafters like to-do strictly vintage style whereas I like to blend contemporary, grunge and abstract with vintage. Juxtaposition, if you will. Then I secure them with baker’s twin or ribbon. This method reminds me of how the Victorians secured paper and letters. I’ve decided to store them in a photo box and when I want to close the lid, I layer them flat in the box. This box sits nicely on my craft table or desk. Later on, in another blog post, I will show how I store and tote them when I’m crafting on the go or in another area of the house.
Do you make ephemera packs? What ephemera do you find adding to them the most? Scraps of collage paper, tags, flowers, butterflies and my homemade painted papers are my go-to.
One can create all sorts of things with these mini packs. For example: Embellishments, journal cards, collage, tucks, belly bands, tags and pockets. The ideas are endless!
One other thing before I leave you until next time. I’m also gearing up for the first giveaway in my bookmark swap group at Instagram on starting July 1st! There will be four giveaways between July and September! The first giveaway theme colors are pink and purple.
This giveaway is for the members of the #StephslpBookmarkswap group. DM about the details on how to join. Next bookmark swap is September 15th. We would love to have you!
There are two spots left available for people who live outside the US to join.
You can find me on Instagram @stephsartjourney
My wish is for you to be inspired, and encouraged. Blessings to you and yours.
Check out my art journey on Instagram and at my Mixed Media Art Gallery here at Layered Pages!
Stephanie Hopkins
On days 6,7,8, I wasn’t feeling the prompts and it was showing. So, I decided to go off prompt. I feel more myself when creating this way. No rules, and no pressure. Just letting go and being in the moment and allowing to go where the movement of the paint brush takes me. Creating art intuitively is my jam.
Day 6 – Canoe: This one really frustrated me. I was having a day…That said, I do like the placement.
Day 7 – Garden Shed/One Staple Collage: I do love the challenge of the one staple collage, so I was quite please with the shed I created using that technique. My only beef was the twist marks I used in the landscape and the landscape itself wasn’t my best. As a whole, I felt lazy with this one and wasn’t putting my heart into it.
Day 8- Umbrella: Despite not feeling this prompt on the day I creating the Umbrella. It’s not a total wash. I do like the abstractness of it and the placement of the Umbrella.
Day 9 – Off Prompt/Mountain Air: So happy with this piece. Definitely more my style.
Day 10 – Off Prompt/Sea Bathing: It’s hot and humid in Georgia. One could use a little sea bathing.This was a fun piece to create. I love the different hues of blues and how they work together.
Day 11 – Off Prompt/Butterflies: I have a thing for butterflies and I knew I wanted to create an abstract background as well. Yep, feeling good vibes with this piece.
Day 12 – Off Prompt/Abstract: I had a lot of thoughts going through my mind with this piece. Such as, being authentic, you matter and you have a voice. Cancel culture needs to go. Loving the colors and textures with this abstract.
Stephanie Hopkins
I look forward to sharing the rest of this week’s challenge and the following week with you next Saturday! My wish is for you to be inspired and encouraged. -Stephanie Hopkins
Check out my art journey on Instagram and at my Mixed Media Art Gallery here at Layered Pages!
“It looks like I’m listening to you, but I’m really thinking about the paper I just ordered.” -Funny Quote
I am participating in the 61 Day ICAD 2021 challenge hosted by Tammy @gypsy999 Instagram! Last year, I did a hundred-day challenge independently and this year I was just going to do it on my own again but was encouraged by others to partake in Tammy’s challenge.
This past Tuesday started the annual ICAD Challenge and I usually don’t follow prompts on demand but so far, I have gone with it and have really enjoyed this week’s challenges.
Day One: The prompt for this day was, Contraption. I was delighted with this challenge. I had thought about doing clock gears or something along those lines, but knew that many others would probably do the same. I had this sticker transfer I have been wanting to use and thought the bicycle perfect for this challenge. When bicycles first came about, I can imagine people wondering all sorts of things about the contraption and that it will never take hold or wasn’t ladylike for women to ride them. Ha! Sure enough…
Supplies: Index Card/Ink/Sticker Transfer/Faux Postage Stamp/Dollartree Butterfly/Tim Holtz words/Paper Studio Sticker
Day Two: The prompt for this day was, Snapdragon. The flower is symbolic in a big way and I wrote a poem about it. Alas, I didn’t not share it on Instagram but perhaps I will share it on here at some point. I did have a fellow artist read it, and he really liked it.
I’m an abstract painter so the snapdragons were a bit of a challenge for me to create on a small scale. Though I must say, at least the colors are pretty and the houses give a whimsical feel to the piece. I did doodle paint the sky and doodling is a theme in this challenge. I got a lot of great response with this card.
Supplies: Index Card/paper collage/Acrylic Paint/Ink/Stamps
Day Three: The prompt for this day was, Lyrics.I chose Fall for You – Secondhand Serenade. I was going to go with Fade into You by Mazzy Star when I first read the icad prompt. Her song has such soulful meaning, heart- wrenching depth, and pure raw emotion.
However, after much thought, I decided to go with Fall for You. This song came to my mind while I was painting yesterday afternoon, for various reasons, and it really struck a chord with me for today’s prompt.
Afterthought: I was a teenager when Mazzy’s song came out in the 90s. I’ve always felt her song poetic, her voice other-worldly and everything I mentioned above. Will have to create a special piece in homage of her.
Supplies: Index Card (4″ × 6″)/paper collage/Words/Ink/Stamps
Day Four: The prompt for this day was, Snow Globe.
Blizzard
I have never made a snow globe before and I could have easily just printed out a pattern and paint over it. But I wanted to be authentic and create mine own from scratch. I knew I needed to do a lot of shading on the globe, so it looks like glass and to make it look like you’re seeing through it. I drew a circle and the base separately, then started my painting process. The background of the card is painted grey and I used a stamp for a wallpaper look. I’m thrilled with the outcome and this project has boost my confidence in my craft.
Supplies: Index Card/Snow Globe Sketch on paper/Acrylic Paint/Ink/Stamp
Day Five: The prompt for this day is, Verdigris. I LOVE this challenge. I’ve created using this method and colors before and enjoyed re-visiting the process. Verdigris meaning, “A bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate.”
Supplies: Index Card/Tissue Paper/PVA/
Acrylic Paint -Yellow Ochre, Raw Umber Dark, Teal (Bleu Lagon), and Satin Teal/Distress Ink around the edges
I look forward to sharing the rest of this week’s challenge and the following week with you next Saturday! My wish is for you to be inspired and encouraged. -Stephanie Hopkins
Check out my art journey on Instagram and at my Mixed Media Art Gallery here at Layered Pages!
Impressionism flowers are up there with my favorite art subjects to paint. Its emphasis on movement with small brush strokes fascinate me on several levels. Claude Monet’s art work comes to mind when I think of Impressionism. In short, his use of color, movement and perception of nature is extraordinary.
Since abstraction painting is my main study, I like to infuse abstract with impressionism when creating flowers. I’m always amazed where the journey takes me and the discoveries I make along the way. Each piece I create gives me inspiration beyond anything I thought possible for me. Not only that, but the results give one confidence and assurance that creating art does matter for one’s growth and well-being in life.
These cards represent abstraction, impressionism and realism. – Stephanie Hopkins
Be sure to check out my art journey on Instagram and at my Mixed Media Art gallery here at Layered Pages! My wish is for you to be inspired and encouraged.
Original Artwork by Stephanie Hopkins
(Images are subjected to copyright. All book reviews, interviews, guest posts, art work and promotions are originals. In order to use any text or pictures from Layered Pages, please ask for permission from Stephanie Hopkins.)
“If people did not love one another, I really don’t see what use there would be in having any spring.” – Victor Hugo
Be sure to check out my art journey on Instagram and at my Mixed Media Art gallery here at Layered Pages! My wish is for you to be inspired and encouraged.
Layered Pages 