Suzzanna Frank Studio & Gallery

Books to Nourish Your Creativity...January Reading Recommendations...

1/28/2020

Long before man was able to write, he communicated by drawing images in the dirt, on cave walls, in temples and great graves. He left behind his history…story of his existance. It is through our stories that we connect to each other. As artist we continue to pass on our stories. We choose what we share and how it is shared. Our stories are important and we need to share them.

Every collage has a tale to tell.

Tell your story in paper, fabric, and objects collected from your world. Storytelling With Collage will inspire you to capture your poetic thoughts, fond memories and passionate daydreams in a soft and simple style. Using simple tools and supplies that delight you, you'll learn to work with a variety of prompts and will discover how each element you select--from small shells collected on your last trip to the pretty paper you unwrapped from a recent gift--has its own part of a complete narrative. Nine collage prompts will walk you step-by-step through a collage creation as you work with textured papers, fabric, stitching, found objects, images, natural materials, color, wax and metal.

In addition, inside you will find:

   • Numerous Tasks--ideas for combing your world for collage fodder
   • Beautiful photos to inspire you to customize your own worktable
   • Perspective on finding inspiration outside your window through the seasons
   • Extra inspiration in each chapter from the Collage Stories and works by 25 contributing artists
Capture the textures and colors of your moments today through your own Storytelling With Collage!

Storytelling Art Studio is the guide that will show you how to create mixed media art that tells impactful stories. It's a creative guide for mining your own life to manifest imaginary worlds, emotional narratives and clever characters. Each chapter presents a new subject--you may paint a tree, collage a landscape or use sgraffito to create a scene. You will begin with inspirational warm-up exercises, then learn how to do it with a step-by-step demonstration and even get to see alternate versions of the piece that explore the magic and impact of different choices.

Perfect for you no matter what your skill level or style, this guide does not have to be read in order. Simply choose what you would like to do and go for it! You might:

   • Paint and collage trees and landscapes
   • Create a romantic scene with sgraffito
   • Add color to black and white photographs
   • Alter a book page
   • Create a family tree with ephemera
   • And much, much more!
10 projects and 10 inspiration exercises!

The author of Storytelling with Collage, Roxanne Evans Stout, presents a vibrant compilation of rich photographs, unique mixed-media art and prose that not only tell her story but will lovingly empower you to tell yours, as well.As this stunning and visually-poetic book unfolds, you’ll be inspired in many ways:- Uplifted by your original connection to art- Encouraged to see the beauty in your own world - Reminded to honor your unique creative processPrompts and evocative questions sprinkled throughout, invite you to reflect and contemplate your own story. These pages call you to add to them—to write, draw or even collage—and in the process, you will embark on a journey of true self discovery.

“I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your tears and your blood and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.”
– Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Thank You for joining me this month. I hope you will find this months favorite reads both inspiring and helpful. I am looking forward to all the creative fun and experiences already on the calendar for February.

Suzzanna Frank Fine Art
Suzzanna Frank
Studio & Gallery 606
1310 Pendleton Street
Cincinnati,Ohio 45202
www.suzzannafrank.com

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Botanical Abstracts...

8/26/2019

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Lots of new things going on this week in the studio. This past month a visitor to the studio was looking for a larger journal and plan book. She liked the idea of having an original painting as the cover for the journal. After thinking about her suggestion, I decided to try painting on a new hard bound journal with lots of pages to be used either is a sketchbook, a journal, or even a daily planner. The first sample is below.

The goal was to create a class that would be easy and fun where you could create your own hand painted, hard bound journal.
So far this week I have been working on samples of different types of covers and making sure the process is simple and fun. Below are a few Sample images that I have come up with. They are part of a new Botanical Abstract series.

As of now it appears the class will run about 2 hours. I would supply everything you would need ( including the hard bound journal) Hopefully the cost would be around $30. I would love to hear from you. Is this something you might be interested in doing. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. I’ll post more sample journals next week.

Thank You for visiting with me today.
I hope you will check back often.
Suzzanna

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August 26th, 2019

8/26/2019

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August Reading Recommendations...Books to Nourish Your Creativity

8/7/2019

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Morning Warmup

I have included in this month's reading recommendations two books covering Paint Pouring. This is the newest technique that appears to be taking the art world by storm. Let me know if you would like for me to include some additional books on this topic for next month. Sue

Create beautiful abstract works of art with simple drops and washes of color with the projects from Paint Pouring by Nicky James Burch! Take part in the popular trend of paint pouring as you use acrylic paint and a variety of masterful techniques to pour beautiful painted canvases and other projects such as the Calypso Coasters, Focal Point Frames, Celestial Clock, Princess Bow Holder, and Leisurely Letters.

Enjoy the helpful hints and finishing tips as you create these projects that are designed to be relaxing and easy to follow, even if you are a complete novice! Work with techniques that will make you a Michelangelo of paint pouring, like the swirl pour, puddle pour, the flip and drag, and more! This book is sure to strike everyone's fancy, no matter how experienced you are at this colorful and bewitching painting craft.

Beauty does not linger, it only visits.
Yet beauty's visitation affects us and invites us into its rhythm,
it calls us to feel, think, and act beautifully in the world:
to create and live a life that awakens the Beautiful.

Beauty is a gentle but urgent call to awaken. Bestselling author John O'Donohue opens our eyes, hearts, and minds to the wonder of our own relationship with beauty by exposing the infinity and mystery of its breadth. His words return us to the dignity of silence, profundity of stillness, power of thought and perception, and the eternal grace and generosity of beauty's presence. In this masterful and revelatory work, O'Donohue encourages our greater intimacy with beauty and celebrates it for what it really is: a homecoming of the human spirit.As he focuses on the classical, medieval, and Celtic traditions of art, music, literature, nature, and language, O'Donohue reveals how beauty's invisible embrace invites us toward new heights of passion and creativity even in these uncertain times of global conflict and crisis.

Do you ever feel like the life you're living isn't real? Like the person you present to the world is just a little bit fake? Are you longing to unleash the sassy, spiritual self you know is in there? In this creative and heartfelt playbook, inspirational author and artful hypnotherapist Denise Braun takes you on a revealing journey toward living your Real. Through fun, eye-opening exercises packed with spiritual insights and aha moments--and sugar-coated with the occasional f-bomb-The Fraud Fable helps you identify the outdated stories you made up long ago to survive, unleash your subconscious mind to help you heal through artful play, claim the sassy spirituality that unlocks your true magic. After diving into The Fraud Fable, you'll have no problem telling fake to F-off and will start using your intuition to live life on your terms--with intention and truth.

Paint Pouring is a form of abstract art that uses acrylic paints with a runny (fluid) consistency. The acrylic paints react with each other when combined to make interesting and visually organic motifs. Fluid acrylics can be used on many types of substrates through various techniques such as pouring, dripping, swirling, glazing, dipping, and more to create dazzling and masterful effects.

This book provides everything you will need to become a paint pouring artist. Learn to:

Set up your paint pouring studio on a budget
Complete your supply list
Discover a variety of techniques
Properly handle and care for your art
Establish appropriate mixing ratios
Achieve correct paint density
And many other lessons crucial to the craft

This new art form is fun for all ages. Become a fluid art master today.

Thank You for visiting with me today.
I hope you will check back often.
Suzzanna

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Mark Making...Favorite Supplies

8/3/2019

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Morning Warmup...12' x 12"

If you have been following me this past week on Instagram @sannaart you will have noticed that I have been working on new 12" x 12" pieces on paper. One of the final touches that I have been adding to these new pieces is "mark making". These are circles, squares, outlines, things that focuses attention on a specific part of the painting. Most of this months supply suggestions are things that are specifically designed for this type of art process.

All of this months supplies can be found at most art supply stores. They are all able to be shipped from online art stores like:
Blick Art Supply
Plaza Art Supply
Jerrys Artarama
Amazon

Sennelier Oil Pastel
These oil Pastels are my go to favorite. They are so buttery and the colors are extremely rich. I have shown this set of colors just to give you an idea of the possibilities. They are purchasable as individual stocks at most art supply/ craft stores.

NOTE**** Always use Oil Pastels in the Final Layer when covering over acrylic or watercolor paints. You will need to seal the final layer with the fixative listed below.

China Markers

China Markers, as I call them, is another one of my favorite tools for Mark Making. They are waxy and stick really well to the layers of acrylic paint already on the paper.
Creative Crayon sticks with fun peel-to-reveal action, no sharpener needed
Pull string and peel down to freshen tip. Convenient to used by children and kids
Oily, smooth sticks, easy to writing or drawing on the paper, metal, leather and even on cloth
NOTE**** Always use Oil Pastels in the Final Layer when covering over acrylic or watercolor paints. You will need to seal the final layer with the fixative listed below.

Krylon K01306 Workable Fixatif Spray Clear,
11-Ounce Aerosol

I use this Fixative spray to protect my final layer of Mark Making. It has a fairly strong odor and fumes so I always spray it outside, even in the winter months. It is quick to dry which I really Like.

Workable fixatif spray protects computer prints, pencil, pastel and chalk drawings
Prevents smudging, wrinkling and allows for easy reworking of the artwork
Acid free and archival safe

Golden Fluid Acrylic, 1 Ounce Set Of 10, Assorted Colors

These are my favorite brand of paints to work with on paper. The have fantastic coverage and mix easily with either clear or white gesso to thin out and spread better on the paper surface. Check out my previous blog post on the many uses of Gesso. gessothe-versatile-medium.html
Golden Fluid Acrylics are viscous, with high tinting strength, flexibility and durability on many surfaces. They are recommended for mixing, tinting, and shading. Ideal for spraying, brushing, or mixing with all Golden colors. When used with Acrylic Flow Release the Fluids work as staining or watercolor techniques.

Thank You for visiting with me today.
I hope you will check back often.
Suzzanna

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GESSO...The Versatile Medium

7/9/2019

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What is gesso?
Gesso is an important art supply that is used to get your canvas ready for painting. It is very similar to white acrylic pain, but has a much greater versatility. It works as a primer for any surface, making it slightly textured. providing the needed “tooth” so that paint can “stick” on your surface.

You can apply gesso to almost any surface, and then paint on that surface with acrylic paint. You can apply a layer of gesso on fabric, burlap, paper, wood and you can then paint on it with acrylics! The possibilities are endless!

Here are my TOP 7 Ways to Use GESSO.

Gesso is traditionally white, but nowadays you can also buy black or clear gesso readymade.
Using the Clear Gesso you can mix it with your favorite colors to have a tinted version that goes with what ever color palette you are working with.

There are two different grades of gesso: Artist(Professional) grade and Student grade. The primary difference between the two is the ratio of pigment to filler. Artist(Professional) grade has more pigment, will be more opaque and higher in priced. The student grade has less pigment(more filler), does not cover as well and is cheaper in price.

I have found the consistency and texture of the gesso will vary from brand to brand. he The consistency and texture of gesso will vary from brand to brand. Some are more liquidy and others are more thick. Some apply more smoothly and others leave a more textured, toothy surface. Your choice of brands will depend on what you are using it for.

Final Thoughts: You will have to experiment with different brands gesso to decide which consistency and opacity best meets your needs. I have found that the Professional level best meets my needs for high opacity. Have fun experimenting.

Download Your own copy of : 7 Ways To Use Gesso