NEW! Dina Wakley Media Scribble Sticks #3 - $21.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
Join Me for Wanderlust 2021
All Content © Dina Wakley, All Rights Reserved
- All blog content, ideas, photographs, artwork, and verbage © Dina Wakley. If you want to use something you see on my blog, please email me.
Recent Posts
- Creative Jump Start 2021--Get Ready for Fun and Inspiration!
- A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia Final Challenge
- I am part of Wanderlust this year!
- Happy to share my August 2020 Release with Ranger Ink
- A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 12
- Recent Free Demos
- Demo with Dina: Painting on the Collage Collective
- Demo with Dina: Spray & Flip with Gloss Sprays
- Playing catch up.....Demo with Dina: Circle Gel Plate Ideas
- Can I get a collective cheer for new Gloss Spray colors?
April 30, 2020
April 28, 2020
Demo with Dina: Texture Tool Ideas
NEW! Gel Plate Texture Combs - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 24, 2020
April 22, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Media Board
Dina Wakley Media Board 9" x 12" 3pk - $10.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
Live Facebook Class: Page in Motion
First Class April 27, Live at 10 am Pacific Time/1 pm Eastern: Page In Motion! Make a fun, interactive art journal page with Dina.
Supply List:
A basic tool kit (scissors, paintbrushes, mini-blending tool and foam, Archival black ink pad, stamping block, spray bottle), your favorite stamps, your art journal, cardstock or paper to stamp on, your favorite stencils, printed and plain collage tissue, acrylic paints, Scribble Sticks, Gel Medium and Ultrathick Gel Medium, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, washi tape.
How it works:
Dina will go LIVE in the class private group at the specified class time. You can gather your supplies and create right along with Dina as she teaches. You can comment, ask questions, and interact with other students. You can also share your work in the group. If you happen to miss the live broadcast, or if you want to rewatch it, it will be permanently saved in the group Video section.
How long you have access:
Indefinitely
How to sign up:
- Go to dinawakley.com
- Click on “Online Classes.”
- Create an account or log in to your current account.
- Click on “Facebook Live Classes.”
- Select the class you want to attend and put it in your cart.
- Go through the purchase process. During Checkout please provide your Facebook name as a comment so we can invite you to the class group.
- We will send you a confirmation email.
- Join the private group and get ready for class!
FAQ:
Q: I don’t have Facebook. How can I join the class?
A: Because we are using Facebook’s platform to host the class, you must have a Facebook account to join.
Q: I don’t have all the supplies listed.
A: You can always substitute for similar items, or leave something out.
Q: Your class is at 10 am Pacific time, but I live in England. What time will your class air?
A: Go to: World Clock and personalize the clocks at the top with Arizona time and your local time.
Q: I never got the confirmation email.
A: Simply email us ([email protected]) and we check that for you.
Q: I took one Facebook live class. Will your next class go in the same group?
A: No, each class with have its own unique Facebook group. You must sign up for each class separately.
Q: Where do I find the video?
A: On the day of class, pull the group up on your phone, tablet, or computer. When class starts, you will see a post that I am going Live in the group. Click on that to watch. After class is over, you can watch the video by clicking on the “Video” section of the group.
Q: What payment options do you offer?
A: We accept PayPal. You can link your PayPal up to your bank account or a credit card.
Q: In what language are the classes?
A: The classes are in English. There is no written transcript of the videos.
April 21, 2020
NEW! Dina Wakley Media Stencils Cat Head Masks - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
NEW! Dina Wakley Media Stencils Branches Masks - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 20, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Kraft and Burlap Pages
Dina Wakley Media Journal - $24.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries 
NEW! Dina Wakley Media Large Journal 10" x 14.25" - $34.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries 
Dina Wakley MEdia Journal Blue Edition - $24.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 17, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Q&A
 Dina Wakley Media Blank Tape - $9.99 |
NEW! Dina Wakley Media Washi Tape #1 - $9.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 16, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Stamps Forever
Ranger Ink
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 15, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Black Gesso Ideas
Dina Wakley Media Gesso Black, 4oz - $7.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
Recipes I talked about on the broadcast:
Sugar Cookie Bars from The Food Nanny
1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
5 cups white flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1/2 cup butter
4-5 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 drops red food coloring
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add vanilla and almond extracts and mix. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined (if you over-mix, cookies will be tough). Spread on greased baking sheet (a half-sheet is too big, and a 9x13 pan is too small...you need a cookie sheet about 11x17). Bake at 375 F for 10 to 15 minutes. Don't overbake.
- Frosting: mix all ingredients. Spread on cooled cookie bars. ADD SPRINKLES
Glazed Lemon Cookies
1 1/2 sticks butter, at room temp
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tb fresh lemon juice
2 Tb grated lemon zest, divided
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg yolks, vanilla, 1 Tb lemon zest, and salt and beat to combine. Gradually add flour, mixing until just incorporated (do not overmix).
- Divide dough in half and shape into 1 1/4" logs. Wrap in wax paper and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
- Heat oven to 350 F. Slice logs into 3/8" thick pieces (I do them thicker than this) and space them 1 1/2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until lightly golden, about 16 to 20 mins. Let cool.
- In small bowl whisk together powdered sugar, lemon juice, and 1 Tb lemon zest until it forms a thick but pourable glaze. Add more lemon juice if necessary. Dip the top of each cookie into the glaze and let set.
April 14, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Alpha Mask Ideas
 NEW! Dina Wakley Media White Journal 6 x 6 - $17.99 |
Tim Holtz® Idea-ology FOAM STAMPS, CUTOUT LOWER
from: Ranger Ink Industries 
Dina Wakley Media Stencils Mask + Stencil Alpha - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 13, 2020
April 10, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: White on White Tissue Ideas
Dina Wakley Media Collage Vintage & Sketches
from: Ranger Ink Industries 
NEW! Dina Wakley Media Collage Paper Backgrounds - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries 
NEW! Dina Wakley Media Collage Paper Faces - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
Daily Demo with Dina: Denim Page Ideas
We did broadcast this demo in landscape mode, but for some reason it saved in portrait mode. As a result, some of the view is cut off. Hope you can still get some ideas from it. Sorry about that.
Dina Wakley MEdia Journal Blue Edition - $24.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
Daily Demo with Dina: Gloss Sprays
Dina Wakley MEdia Gloss Spray Lemon, 2oz - $5.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
NEW! Dina Wakley Media White Tag Assortment #8 & #10 - $3.99
from: Ranger Ink Industries
April 09, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina...You Tube Problems
Howdy! FYI, I am having a hard time getting videos uploaded to YouTube right now. I did a Google search and it looks like others are having the same problem. The videos upload but get stuck in processing. I will keep trying, but wanted to give you an update.
Remember you can watch all the videos on my Art of Dina Wakley Facebook Page, under the Videos section.
I'm adding a picture....just because a post without a picture is sorta boring. ha.
April 07, 2020
April 06, 2020
April 03, 2020
April 02, 2020
April 01, 2020
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 8
Keep creating, my friends. Creating art will help us get through this crisis. We love seeing your work.
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 8
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Eighth Prompt
I am grateful for community. The COVID-19 crisis is bombarding us from all sides. A light in the darkness of the pandemic is community. We are coming together via texts, social media, Zoom, random acts of kindness, and more. I love what I am seeing in the art community as people share and encourage.
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Magenta, Tangerine, Lemon, Turquoise, Cheddar, Night
- Paint brushes
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- Black Fudeball pen
- Collage Tissue, Blank
- Stamp Set: Gals and Borders
- Jet Black Archival
- Sticky-back canvas
- White cardstock
- Old book paper
Quick description of what I did:
Make a quick painted background with a few strokes of Magenta, Lemon, and Turquoise paints. Stamp the girl from the stamp set multiple times on white cardstock and on old book paper. Cut out. Paint some sticky back canvas with circles of Night paint. Cut into strips. Paint some cheddar dots onto a sheet of plain collage tissue. Use the stamped images, strips of sticky back canvas, and torn pieces of the plain collage tissue to create a layered collage. Glue pieces with Ultrathick Gel Medium. Add journaling with the Fudeball pen.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
March 31, 2020
March 30, 2020
March 27, 2020
March 26, 2020
March 25, 2020
March 24, 2020
March 23, 2020
March 22, 2020
March 20, 2020
March 19, 2020
March 18, 2020
Daily Demo with Dina: Tab Book with Gloss Spray
Recorded from FB Live....enjoy.
Products used:
March 10, 2020
Arting with me in India....an update
I've had questions about whether the India trip I'm doing in October is still on....and the answer is ABSOLUTELY! October is a long way away, and we are confident about the trip being safe and fun. Join us!
March 04, 2020
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 7
Seeing your pages is a true delight. I follow the #showusyourMEdia challenge on Instagram, so your submissions flow through my feed. They are fantastic. I hope you are finding joy in this challenge.
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 7
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Seventh Prompt
I am grateful for adventures, both big and small! I always say I have "itchy feet"...I love to try new things, go new places, eat new foods, read new books, etc. Sometimes things as simple as trying a new restaurant can be a fun adventure. When is the last time you did something you have never done before? You don't have to travel the world to have an adventurous spirit.
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Marine, Turquoise, Cheddar, Black
- Gloss Spray in Magenta
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
- Collage Collective
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- Black Fudeball pen
- Collage Tissue, Blank
- Stamp Set: Funny Peeps
- Stencil: Alpha Mask & Stencil
- Jet Black Archival
- Burlap from the Media Journal
- #5 white tag
- White cardstock
Quick description of what I did:
Stamp the image from Funny Peeps with Jet Black archival ink onto white cardstock and cut out. Stamp the tiny image from the set on plain Collage Tissue, cut around. Cut some burlap from the Media Journal to use for layering. Cut "stay curious" from the Collage Collective. Paint cheddar and turquoise on the pages. Open the Magenta gloss spray and drag the stem of the sprayer in a line on the background to add the pink lines. Add stenciling with the Alpha stencil with Marine paint. Use any leftover paint on the white tag. Layer the stamped images, tag, and burlap as desired. Add journaling with the Fudeball pen. Speckle with black paint.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
February 07, 2020
Come and make art with me at Ranger Headquarters
I'm excited to be teaching a workshop at Ranger Headquarters in Tinton Falls, NJ. We are going to alter a small white journal...even cutting out a signature, refashioning it, and sewing it back in (among other things). Are you ready for a colorful, adventurous weekend? Click here for all the information.
February 05, 2020
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 6
We made it through January!
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 6
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Sixth Prompt
I am grateful for nature. Little known random fact about me: I wanted to be a florist. I took floral design in college and loved creating with flowers. Eventually my career interests changed, but I still love flowers and all of nature in its amazing glory. I love to watch nature documentaries, and I get a lot of artistic inspiration from it.
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Mineral, Eggplant, White, Fuchsia, Sky, Magenta, Olive
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
- Collage Collective
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- Original Gel Medium
- Black Fudeball pen
- Collage Tissue, Blank
- Stamp Set: Always Flowers
- Jet Black Archival
- Pouring Medium and Cell Creator
- Media Board
Quick description of what I did:
First, I did some paint pouring on Media Board, using White, Eggplant, Sky and Magenta paints. Click here for a video about pouring. When the pours were dry, I pulled the canvas off the chipboard so I could cut it easily. I stamped the flowers with black Archival ink on the pours, and cut them out. I stamped the leaves on some green pages from the Collage Collective, then I layered the flowers all together. To build the page, I started by painting an area of the pages with Mineral paint. Then I used a piece of paper from the Collage Collective as a yellow layer. I glued on the "poured" flowers and added journaling with the black Fudeball pen.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
January 08, 2020
Ready for an adventure? Join me in India, Oct 1-11, 2020
Time for an adventure!
Come to India with me and The Craft Travel Company! Click here for all the details.
Tour Includes:
- All taxes and round-trip transfers to and from the hotel
- First class accommodation in heritage hotel in Jaipur
- Private coach and driver for day trips
- Breakfast lunches and dinners included
- Workshops with local artisans in Dabu Printing, Block printing and Pottery
- A tour of the Amber Fort and Jal Mahal
- Extraordinary shopping at local markets
- Optional evening events in the hotel
- Travelling and Workshops with me
I am so excited for this trip. The colors, the sights, the art! We will have a blast.
January 07, 2020
Dina Wakley Media January 2020 Release
It's time, it's time! I have been creating with the products from this release for months, and I am so happy that I can finally share them with you. I hope you love them as much as I do! I have oodles of samples to share. I will share some here and also throughout the days during the Creativation show. Be sure to follow me on my social media outlets for all of show highlights, journal flip-throughs, booth highlights, etc.
A note about what "release" means: a product release is an announcement of products that will soon be available. This does not mean you can buy these items right now. It means they are coming soon.
Ship dates are the dates that products will begin shipping from the Ranger warehouse to stores that have placed orders. The ship date for my release is February 3. That means the products will start to arrive at your favorite stores in mid to late February.
First up.... Gloss Sprays in 12 Colors selected from my palette
A spray like this has been on my "wish list" since I joined Ranger. I am so, so excited it is finally here! The 12 colors are: Turquoise, Ocean, Marine, Night, White, Cheddar, Fuchsia, Eggplant, Magenta, Olive, Lemon, and Lime. I'm really hoping you love them so we can do more colors.
These might look like a spray ink, but let me be clear. They are not anything like a spray ink. They are not a fine mist. They are an acrylic-based spray that dries glossy, kind of like spray point but with no chemical propellant. They are non-reactive when dry (meaning they won't bleed through paint). They work on paper, fabric, chipboard, metal, iphones (ahem....ask how I know that). When they build up and dry on your craft sheet, you can peel them off like a skin.
The glosses mix beautifully with my acrylic paints for interesting visual effects. I will for sure be doing tip and trick videos with these sprays at Creativation. I used them on almost all the samples you will see in this post...some samples are just the sprays alone and some are sprays and my paints.
Tag above: sprays plus paint
Tag above: sprays only
Media board above: sprays only
Are you excited???
Next up: Blue Edition Journal
I love, love, love this new journal. It has been such a fun creative play and challenge. It has three substrates: the same HEAVY watercolor that is in the white journal, denim canvas, and a white (cream) burlap. Swooooon. I think you will love it. I always say that blue is a neutral, and it is fun to have a Blue Edition of my Media journal. I will be doing journal flip-throughs during Creativation.
Next, new chipboard shapes.
I adore the original shapes and use them all the time. Here we expanded the offerings with three new sets: Flying, Ocean, and Words.
I have been using the shapes as masks, painting them, using them as focal paints, as background elements...I just love 'em.
I think of the chipboards shapes as creative fodder. So many fun ways to use them.
Next...Collage Collective Volume 2!
College Collective is back, this time in two slimmer editions (volume 1 and volume 2). Each volume has unique prints. Like before, you get two of each print per volume, one on text-weight paper and one on cardstock weight. More collage fodder, yesssss!
Big Brushes
Let me introduce you to two new brush sizes:
We have a 2" flat (packaged separately) and a 1/2" and 1 1/2" flat (packaged together). These larger shapes round out the brush offerings in a nice way. Wanna make more expressive art? Use a bigger brush. Want to speed up your work? Use a bigger brush.
Ready for stamps?
I will always, always, always love rubber stamps. I truly hope you enjoy playing with these new images.
Time for stencils!
We have five stencils and one stencil/mask set...a block alpha. YAYAYAYAY. I'm obsessed with it.
Finally, the last part of my release is a 5x7 acrylic block with rulers on each side. I am happy to have a nice big block that fits my larger stamps.
What are you most excited about? I cannot wait to see the magic you make with these new products!
January 01, 2020
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 5
Happy, happy new year. I hope you feel invigorated and ready for a new challenge.
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 5
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Fifth Prompt
I am grateful for kindness. For kindnesses from strangers, for kindnesses that you aren't expecting. I am always humbled and appreciative when someone is kind to me, especially when I may not deserve it. Here is what I made:
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Sky, Eggplant, Cheddar, White, Night
- Stencils: Large Fractured Stencils, Branches Masks
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
- Collage Collective
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- Original Gel Medium
- Black Fudeball pen
- Collage Tissue, Blank
- Stamp Set: Soul Whisperings, Stronger, Scribbled Branches
- Jet Black Archival
- Large white tag #10 and #5
- Gel plate
Quick description of what I did:
Gesso journal pages, let dry. On the white tag, use the Fractured Chevron stencil and Cheddar and Night paints to create a background. On the journal pages, paint Sky paint. Stamp face from Stronger stamp set and Soul's Whisperings, and the vine from Scribbled Branches on plain collage tissue paper. Use gel medium to glue the images onto tags. On the blue background, use Eggplant paint and the mini blending tool to add vines from the Branches Masks/Stencil. Glue the tags onto the page with Ultrathick Gel Medium. Use the black Fudeball pen to write journaling onto the plain tissue collage paper. Let dry and then use original gel medium to glue the words to your page. Cut small hearts from a page from the Collage Collective and glue them on the page with Ultrathick Gel Medium. Make skinny lines of Night paint on your gel plate and print them onto the page in various places as an accent.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
December 26, 2019
Pondering small businesses: the true cost of not shopping locally
Okay, friends. I'm going to be blunt in this post.
First, keep in mind this is my opinion. Your opinion will likely be different. That is ok. My perspective is that of a traveling instructor who has had the privilege of being in many independent stores over the last decade.
Second, I realize many of you do not have the option of shopping locally for your art & craft supplies. I get it. There used to be a couple thousand retail stores in North America. Now there are a couple hundred.
Here we go...
I travel all over the world and teach in many different independent art & craft stores. I always chat with the store owner and ask them how business is going. Very often they say that business is hard. People aren't buying from them any more. Many wonder how long they can hold on in the current retail climate.
The bottom line is this: the culture of shopping has changed. Not just for art & craft supplies, but for everything. Malls are empty, major retailers are bankrupt. Consumers want fast, free shipping. Consumers want sales and discounts. (Don't get me started on the psychology of discounts...that's for another post.) We all like to sit in our pajamas and order while we are watching Netflix.
What does this mean for the art & crafts industry? What is the true cost of not buying at your local store, if you are lucky enough to have one?
- Loss of a gathering place. If there are no shops, there will not be places that teachers like me can come and teach. You lose a mooring for your tribe, for creative souls. You lose a safe place for creativity.
- With the stores gone, I may have to start organizing my own events. This means more work for me, and there are only so many events that I could plan year (so I will be teaching less often). It also means a big jump in my workshop prices as expenses (like venue rental, insurance) come into play. So even though you shop online and get a small discount, you will end up paying more in the long run if you like to go to workshops.
- Many people already have to travel to take a workshop with me, but if your local store closes, you will DEFINITELY have to travel. Bam, now a workshop is even more expensive. Sure, there are always online classes. They are important and they have their place. But they are not the same as sitting in a classroom with like-minded artists, and making art as the instructor interacts with you and gives you feedback.
- You lose in-person expertise. The stores can help you learn how to use the products you buy.
I am not sure we can do anything about the culture of shopping. It will continue to change. It will continue to move away from in-person retail. I realize independent stores are slowly losing the battle. Maybe we cannot change the overall culture, but we CAN make the difference to one store. Which ever one is closest to you. Here's what you CAN do:
- If the store doesn't carry what you want, ASK them to special order. Many will order for you, happily. And many will also ship to you if you don't live close. Give them the first chance to get what you want.
- Bring your friends to the store. Be a fan! Comment on their social media posts.
- Support make & takes, classes, events, etc. You might think, "I don't have time right now, I will go to a class in the future." If we don't go now, there will be no future classes.
- Remember that getting your products cheaper online has hidden costs (see above).
I will always support independent stores. Always. They matter.
December 04, 2019
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 4
What a privilege it is to see your artwork. We truly love it. Ready for the next challenge?
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 4
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Fourth Prompt
I am grateful for creativity. I always say that my art is not a hobby. It is a way of life. I am so grateful it and feel compelled to create. It is sustaining and healing. Note: I used a beeswax collage technique on this page. If you don't know how to do that, never fear. You can use gel medium to adhere the tissues and your page will look great. Here is what I made:
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Sky, Sand, Turquoise, Night
- Stencils: Large Medieval Crosses
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
- Collage Collective
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- Black Fudeball pen
- Collage Tissue, Blank
- Collage Tissue, Words
- Collage Tissue, Vintage & Sketches
- Stamp Set: Soul Whisperings
- Jet Black Archival
- Media Board
- Beeswax and Encaustic Iron
- Brother Label Maker
Quick description of what I did: Gesso pages, let dry. Use Sky and Sand paint to create a simple background with the Large Medival Crosses stencil. Stamp woman on collage tissue. Paint a piece of media board with some Turquoise paint. Use beeswax and an encaustic iron or gel medium to layer on stamped images and words from the Vintage & Sketches collage paper pack. Add collage pieces from the Collage Collective and even strings of burlap pulled from a Media Journal. Separate the canvas from the chipboard backing of the Media Board, and glue canvas to your prepared background in the White Journal. Use a Brother Label Maker to add a quote or journaling.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
November 06, 2019
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 3
Oh, how we love seeing your art! Please keep participating and sharing.
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 3
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Third Prompt
I am grateful for friendship. My friends encourage, sustain, help, save, and so much more. Here is what I made:
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Black, Sky, Magenta, Ocean
- Stencils: Spaced Dots
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
- Collage Collective
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- Black Fudeball pen
- Collage Tissue, Blank
- Stamp Set: Sketched Faces
- Jet Black Archival
- Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher
Quick description of what I did: Gesso pages, let dry. Use black paint and the lid to a gesso jar to stamp some circles across the middle of the page. When dry, cut bits of the Collage Collective to create little collages in the circles, adhering with Ultra Thick Gel Medium. I also used a bit of canvas from my Media Journal and some vintage music paper in the collages. Stamp the face from Sketched Faces on the blank collage tissue, cut out and adhere to page with the Tiny Attacher. Use Magenta paint to add some drips coming from the circles and also to do some splatter. When dry, journal with the Fudeball pen.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
October 17, 2019
Musing on blogging....
I know I bad blogger. I am much more active on Instagram, so if you want to follow me there you will see much more regular postings. Does anyone read blogs anymore?
That said, I am going to try to blog more often....but don't hold your breath. HA.
October 02, 2019
A Year of Gratitude, #showusyourMEdia challenge 2
Wow.
To say that you all blew us away with your art is an understatement. What a true pleasure it was so see you post your artful gratitude. Please, please, please, keep sharing and posting. My life is already better because of it.
A Year of Gratitude Challenge 2
To read more about the power of gratitude, visit my original blog post here.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
The Second Prompt
I am grateful for obstacles. Yes, they are hard. Yes, they can suck. But, they make me who I am. They make me better, stronger, more empathetic, more humble. Here is what I made:
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Acrylic paint in Black, Night, Ocean, Sand, White, Sedona
- Stencils: Circle Faces, Spaced Dots
- Stabilo All pencil, black and white
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
- Blank Media Tape
- Collage Collective
- Ultra Thick Gel Medium
- White tag, size 8
- Black Fudeball pen
- Sewing machine and black thread
Quick description of what I did: Gesso pages, let dry. Paint background with Black, Night, and White. Add stenciling (Circle Faces with Black paint and Spaced Dots with Ocean paint). Paint #8 white tag with swipes of Sand, Sedona, and Ocean. Use white and black Stabilo pencils to add desired journaling to painted pages. Cut semi-circles out of pages from the Collage Collective and sew on them, if desired. Glue shapes to tag and page with Ultra Thick gel. Write journaling on back of tag with Fudeball pen and use blank Media Tape to tape it onto the page on one side, so it opens up like a door.
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.
September 04, 2019
Welcome to A Year of Gratitude, a #showusyourMEdia Challenge
#showusyourMEdia is back! This time we're focusing on a theme, A Year of Gratitude.
This theme resonates with me deeply. Gratitude has power! Dr. Randy Kamen, psychologist, shared this list in his fabulous article, "The Transformative Power of Gratitude."
Benefits of Gratitude
- Improved physical, emotional, and social well-being
- Greater optimism and happiness,
- Improved feelings of connection in times of loss or crises
- Increased self-esteem
- Heightened energy levels
- Strengthened heart, immune system, and decreased blood pressure
- Improved emotional and academic intelligence
- Expanded capacity for forgiveness
- Decreased stress, anxiety, depression, and headaches
- Improved self-care and greater likelihood to exercise
- Heightened spirituality -- ability to see something bigger than ourselves
I can't wait to explore gratitude with you and to witness goodness as our own gratitude spreads out to those around us.
How To Participate
- Check my blog and Ranger's blog each month for the prompt.
- Create a piece of art inspired by the prompt.
- Post your art anytime during the month on Facebook and/or Instagram, using the hashtag #showusyourMEdia
- Full challenge rules are at the bottom of this post.
Timing
- We will announce a new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month. Ranger will also announce the previous month's winners on their blog at that time.
What Should I Make?
- You can make anything you like! It would be great to do all the challenges in one journal, though. I will be using one of my 6x6" white journal for the theme each month. By the end of the challenge, I'll have a journal bursting with art and gratitude.
The First Prompt
Here is what I made:
- 6x6 White Journal
- White gesso
- Collage Tissue, Vintage and Sketches
- Acrylic paint in Heather, White, Lapis, Cheddar, Umber, Turquoise, Apricot, White, Peacock, Sedona
- Stencils: Large Fractured Chevrons, Big Squovals
- Stabilo All pencil, black
- Scribble Sticks
- Brother Label Maker (for the words)
- Pink Pilot Juice Paint pen (purchased in Japan, any paint pen will be great)
- Gel Medium
- Paint brushes
- Mini blending tool
Quick description of what I did: Gesso pages, let dry. Paint background with Heather and Peacock paint (lightly, with a watery brush). Let dry. Use Gel Medium to glue on tissue, let dry. Paint/color image with acyrlic (Apricot for face, Sedona and Cheddar and Umber for hair, Turquoise and Umber for clothes). Use the Stabilo All pencil to sketch in a face, if desired. Use a mini blending tool to stencil through Large Fractured Chevron stencil with Lapis paint, and through Big Squovals with White paint. Add splatters with Fuchsia Scribble Stick. Add journaling.
I can't wait to see your artwork and read about your simple pleasures!
Challenge Rules Recap
I want to put the “me” back in mixed media. All art is personal, whether it be a card or an art journal page or a painting. Join me as we begin a series of monthly challenges and prompts that will fuel your creative spirit and help you delve into the ME of MEdia.
- We will announce monthly challenges on the Ranger blog on the first Wednesday of each month.
- Use at least one Dina Wakley Media product in your project. If your product is not obvious (like paint), please list the colors you used.
- You can make anything you like—a card, an art journal page, a tag, a canvas, anything!
- Interpret each challenge any way you like. You can be literal or you can use it as a springboard and see where it takes you. Let the challenge inspire you and stretch you.
- Try to journal on your piece. Write your thoughts about each prompt. You can write a little or you can write a lot, but do your best to incorporate your thoughts and feelings into the piece.
- When you complete a challenge, please share it on your blog and personal social media account(s) (Instagram/Facebook) with the tags #showusyourMEdia and #rangerink. When you share on your personal FB page, be sure to make the post public so that it shows up in our hashtag search. You can share in the art groups, too, but those posts don't show up in the searches if the groups are closed or private.
- We will do two random drawings each month for a prize. We will search the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on Instagram for one winner, and then on Facebook for the second winner. To be clear, you must use the hashtag #showusyourMEdia on either Instagram or Facebook in order to show up in the search and to be eligible to win. You have until the first Tuesday of each month to complete the previous month’s challenge.
- We will announce the previous month’s winner AND the new challenge on the first Wednesday of each month.
Note this challenge does not take the place of the monthly challenges we have in the Dina Wakley Media Tribe Facebook group. If you're not a member of the tribe, please join us! Artists in the group post lots of cool art and inspiration.