Mitzi Easley's Studio

Handmade Journals for Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 13:58:00 +0000

It all started when Mr. Right bought me a Zutter Bind-It-All. On top of a really beautiful collection of paper (which I use for collages, etc...) I've been painting a lot of paper lately and so, swiping the covers from an old, discarded book, I made myself a new journal.

This is nothing new... well, except for the Zutter. I have made sketchbooks/art journals for years, all kinds and methods. There are many posts about handmade books on this blog. I have a longstanding fascination with bookmaking and with creating content for these books.

I started working in my new journal. I'm not formally participating in the #yearofcollage but wanted this book to be a collage journal. Making pages, posting them to IG, creating little collages to go on my pages, cutting up old watercolor paintings, making more pages.

Armed with the new Zutter toy, I made a second journal for a librarian friend of mine who is so, so generous and lets me know when she has damaged books that are headed to the landfill. I really love giving a library's leftovers new life!

Well, you know where this is going. I'm having so much fun making journals that I can't stop. And I've gotten lots of interest through Instagram -- you can visit my Instagram page and my Etsy shop to see many more photos of the individual journals for sale. Both links are in the column to the right.

Torn Paper Collage: Abbey Road, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 18:41:00 +0000

The Paper

The collage is full of hand-painted papers, 1960s vintage ads and memorabilia, and personal momentos of the owners. The whole piece is a "remember that" activity. My friends and I collected paper for 18 months. So fun!

There are probably a dozen or more maps showing their home towns, colleges, and of course Austin. Their childhood pictures show up in the trees, in the street, and behind the wheel of a red double-decker bus.

The lyrics to A Day in the Life ("I read the news today, oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade...:) are in the shadows on the Volkswagon Bug.

MLK's I Have a Dream speech begins in the closest lightpost and continues back to the one behind.

The People

Front row, left to right: George, Paul, Ringo, John

Back, left: the group at the gate; they just happened to be there

Back, right: an American tourist visiting London, Paul Cole struck up a conversation with an officer who was sitting in his police car on the side of the street that day. Cole was waiting for his wife who was in a nearby museum.

In and Amongst: Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the astronaut, the Rat Pack, Elvis Presley, the bell hop, the cowboy, the surfers, the Eyes of Texas, and 1963's Queen Scheherazade.

Torn Paper Collage: Abbey Road, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 18:27:00 +0000

I love paper and make torn-paper collages from time to time. Last fall's hiatus from social media was due to a BIG collage I made for dear friends who have recently restored a mid-century modern beauty! They wanted a period piece to hang over the bar and chose the iconic Abbey Road cover. I received the panel in August and the finished piece was installed in their home right after Thanksgiving.

I learned so much. The project was challenging and very, very fun. Of course, all credit goes to photographer Iain Macmillan and the work he did with George, Paul, Ringo, and John in London on Friday, August 8, 1969. Brilliant!

The Puzzles

Puzzle #1: Size. 96"x54". We laughed and said, if it were a dining room table, it would seat 10. Squeals of delight. Big enough to dance on!

Puzzle #2: Perspective and Readability. Tight on space, I worked with the piece laying flat and me creating from the top..... looking at it upside down. I could only get about 15 feet away when we stood it up (every couple of weeks - this sucker is h e a v y!

Juxtapose that with where it hangs in this beautiful home. Though you can get up close, the line of sight goes straight out, about 60 feet, to their pool. I spent a lot of time hoping and hoping that the collage would be interesting up close but, as important, "readable" from the vantage point of most viewers. A very fun puzzle!

New Girls in Town!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sat, 17 Mar 2018 19:28:00 +0000

Hello Friends,
I'm delighted to introduce a new series of ladies - they are the Big Sisters. This collection is much larger than the Littles - up to 24"x24". A combination of acrylic, collage, ink, graphite, etc., these mixed-media portraits are of women who are smart and imperfect, strong but quirky. They are whimsical warriors and I am enchanted. The Big Sisters are graphic-inspired and indulge my deep love of pattern. Plus, I'm naming them after I Love Lucy episodes - I have so much respect for Lucille Ball. She did amazing work and we laughed throughout.

I will be posting the Big Sisters to Instagram and they are available to purchase in my Etsy store. I hope you love them. Thanks so much for playing along! #gratefulartist

the country club dance - s6, ep25

24x24, acrylic on 3/4" canvas, unframed

details below (i.e. the parts i am REALLY in love with)

The Valentines Files Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 12:19:00 +0000

A few more photos....

The Valentines Files I

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 12:13:00 +0000

On a whim, before Christmas, I decided to practice some mixed media layering on a few brown craft file folders that were sitting around. I've done that before on manila -- click here to remember -- file folders are tough, cheap, disposable, and fun when finished!

Well, along I went; every time I was painting or stenciling or gluing something else, I'd throw some of that on those folders. I've been obsessed with blues lately; I've been obsessed with chinoiserie for my whole life. Pretty soon I ran out of folders, ordered more, and along the way I decided I would give them to my colleagues for Valentines. They were turning out to be blue-on-blue, our school colors. And I was running across scraps of paper that fit the bill.

Paint, ink, dye, more paint, graphite, paper, stencils, cute images to draw/paint (from the internet; not mine), some of my favorite quotes, more paint. The outsides are more decorated than the insides (see below) and I left some painted spaces for my Valentines to write their own quotes if they wish. And of course, I sealed them all the way round so coffee mishaps are no problem - they are 'wipe and go.'

Talk about fun! Highly recommended! I'll post more pics tomorrow. Thanks for playing along!

Thanks for the quote, Dina Wakely!

The insides of the folder are less decorated but still fun! See below.

All in the {Same} Family?

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 12:07:00 +0000

I love making the Little Sisters - have done about 40 to date. For those unfamiliar, these are a series of v. small mixed-media portraits - each is only 5" x 6" and they are created on a light-weight wooden panel only 1/8" thick. I post frequently to Instagram (@mitzieasleysstudio) and sell them in my Etsy store. They are super fun!

Little Sisters, Family Photo

(not all available; some sold)

Can't you tell they are all from the same family? Even though each one is different -- just like my own circle of remarkable women -- I want them to belong together. They are made from a wide variety of media, color, and personalities -- paint and paper, inks and stencils, brights and pastels. Some are angels and some are a bit saucier. Some fancy a fancy dress while others are tailored and more understated. Together they are the wonderful, funny, smart, strong, and endearing women who bless our lives. Like all women, they stand strong alone but truly thrive in the company of others.

I occasionally hear -- they're all so different -- but look alike. Well, just their size and composition go a long way in achieving this. But another feature all Little Sisters have in common is their facial size and shape. It's identical.

I've got these little cut-out cardboard head-shapes all over the place -- they've multiplied, like reading glasses. I think I might even have one in my purse. You know... so that, if I spy inspiration when I'm out and about, I can "audition" a Little Sister.

Funny, huh? Truth be told, it started out as a result of the lazy factor...

As always, thanks for playing along! Have a great weekend.

Waving Goodbye to 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 21:40:00 +0000

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Find me most days on Instagram and Etsy: mitzieasleysstudio

New Little Sisters and New Media Combinations

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 17:38:00 +0000

I love to be inspired to combine media in new ways. I recently took a workshop with artist Kate Thompson (via the Jeanne Oliver site). Highly recommended! Kate is gracious and generous and her techniques are lovely.

Since, I've been madly combining watercolors (an old, trusted friend) with charcoal (we've had a few dates - nothing serious) and chalk paint (the new kid on my block). I love the soft but still-washy effect that happens when the chalk is introduced to a watery mix. Swoon...

I'm mostly working on my favorite watercolor paper (Fabriano Artistico, 140#, hot press) with a little vintage ledger paper thrown in for texture.

See what you think. These have been added to the Etsy store. Thanks so much to all who are looking and playing along!

Little Sister, No. 26

5x6", mixed media on paper

Little Sister, No. 29

5x6", mixed media on paper

Little Sister No. 23 Plus a New Framing Option

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 00:58:00 +0000

First let me introduce Little Sister No. 23. Her background is painted tissue -- remember when I was dancing around the studio painting paper? But I think my favorite part is her washy face... I love a washy face. This one required a lot of tiny cutting -- a handy project while I binged a few episodes of Reign (Netflix). And then I went a little nutty with a pencil -- mark making all over the place. Deciding she needed drop earrings.

Also, I finally found a frame I like for these Little Sisters. I've put them as an option in the Etsy store. Scroll all the way down to see No. 23 framed! They are black wood, measure 10" x 10" x 1.75"deep, and have a linen-y background. If you want your Little Sister framed, just purchase that in addition to the collage. I'm happy to secure your art into the frame and ship for no additional charge. The frame has a hook on the back so it can be hung. Or it would look darling in an easel.

Little Sister No. 23

5" x 6", mixed media collage

available in my Etsy store

(scroll down to see framing option)

Black Framing Option (frame only)

10" x 10" x 1.75" deep

available as a separate purchase in my Etsy store

Little Sister No. 21 | Need a Plumber in Manhatten?

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 15:59:00 +0000

I'm officially in love with this Little Sister. Of course, I think her message is sooo relevant and something I'm thinking a lot about right now as storms of all kinds ravish our world. But, from an artsy-fartsy perspective, I positively swoon over the array of materials in this one tiny (5"x6") piece of art.

Little Sister No. 21

available on Etsy

(I also listed a cute frame I found on Etsy but more about that later)

click photos for larger view

Her wings and halo are made from hand painted phone book pages. Yes, Miss Hotel Owner, I'm that person. But really, if you're at a fancy-schmancy hotel in New York City, how many people staying in room 913 are going to need a plumber? And who uses a phone book anymore, anyway? Based on that alone, I almost pinched the whole book but it was heavy and I wanted my bag in the overhead bin! Isn't it a lovely shade of magenta now? Love that phone book texture

Her hair is security-envelope turquoise. Thanks, Mr. Right! And her face is vintage ledger paper. I'm getting crazier and crazier about square cheeks, I think....

#artistsforharvey

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Wed, 30 Aug 2017 00:54:00 +0000

Thanks so, so much to my great collectors - what an awesome group! We continue to send prayers, best wishes, and support to our fellow Texans.

#artistsforharvey

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 16:45:00 +0000

Dear Friends,
I've just posted these 3 Port Aransas oil paintings to my Etsy store. Listed at discounted prices, I will donate 100% to Hurricane Harvey relief if purchased before the end of September. They are the three remaining oil paintings from a series of work I did following many wonderful trips to Port A. I look forward to going back!
#doingwhatwecantohelp #portaransasismyotherhometown

Catchin Rays

12x12, oil on panel

Still Catchin Rays: Trading Spaces

12x12, oil on panel

Catch of the Day

11x14, oil on panel

Little Sister No. 10

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 01:30:00 +0000

So delighted that Little Sister No. 10 found her forever home... Away she goes!! I love her big overstuffed chair/hair and the way those legs drop down into earrings. Boy, as an artist, you just can't make this stuff up! Big thanks to my collectors for engaging with my art and my heart.

Little Sisters No. 19

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sat, 19 Aug 2017 13:44:00 +0000

I love playing with these girls. No. 19 is a modern-day angel with an Alice in Wonderland dress, made from a book page that's been hand painted. Her wings are small but mighty.

I dream of hairdos. And I love to find some scrap/s of paper in my stash and make random hairdos out of them. Don't you want to wear polka-dotted polka dots in your ponytails?

You can click on any photo and see it larger. No. 19 is up on the Etsy store and available!

Lessons Learned in the Junque Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 18 Jun 2017 10:21:00 +0000

Too many to mention: the lessons I learned in this junque journal..... small j's.

Because the lesson I keep trying to learn is 'don't take any of this too seriously.' This is art -- small a.

I like the common color palette throughout the book. Not strict but also not too far afield.

And then from there, it was really anything goes. And that lesson was fun too!

I'm so inspired by my peers. Again, too many to mention.

I want to do it again. Soon.

Thanks for meandering through the book with me, dear reader.

More Junque Journal Pages

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 20:50:00 +0000

I love working with ribbon I can dye and ruffle! And then sew into a pretty little book. :)

I want to experiment with embroidery on paper.

I love my teachers; I'm grateful for my muses.

The Junque Journal, Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Fri, 19 May 2017 10:31:00 +0000

For me, an art journal is a learning space. An experimental space. Strictly pleasure. Check out the pink crepe paper ruffle. :) Let me just say that learning to sew crepe paper is a hoot --- so cheap for so much product and super easy to dye.

Confession: I'm passionate about words and I like quotes. Funny quotes. Wise quotes. Witty quotes. I admire people who come up with a short set of words that tell a story. And I really like an art journal where I can ponder a good quote while I create with it. Prettify it. Play with it.
Are you passionate about words, dear reader?

Bits & Bobs: More Pages from a Junque Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Fri, 12 May 2017 00:53:00 +0000

In the spirit of "everything but the kitchen sink," here are a few more pages from this art journal. Really it's just stuff I like to look at, all put-and-stuck together.... somehow..... with something. And then something else, on top. I hope you like its randomness.

A Pretty Little Junque Journal

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 07 May 2017 14:17:00 +0000

I made a little book.... maybe we call it a "junque journal" or a "glue book." I just wanted a place where I could cut and paste and paint and sew and write.

For the base I used all kinds of papers, both vintage and new, including lots of Fabriano Artistico 140# Hotpress. This paper makes me swoon. I truly love it that much -- so great for any medium, from pen and watercolor to collage to acrylics. The journal's design is based on Teesha Moore's Amazing 16-Page Journal (Google and find the videos on YouTube for excellent step-by-step). "Amazing" is an understatement -- I've made a gozillion of these over the years. A 16-page journal from one sheet of 22x30 paper. Amazing.

For this project I added a number of signatures. I did most of the machine sewing before sewing the journal together. Blackboard paint, ball fringe and S&H Greenstamps, washi tape, doilies and dry cleaning tags, and flowers. Lots of flowers. Pure eye candy. More photos to come!

Little Sisters, the Collage Paintings Continue

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 15:25:00 +0000

A few more in the series. My hands are covered in glue and paint and happiness! Check them out on Etsy for more photos and info. Thanks for looking.

On Dust-Settling, an Etsy shop, & New Art

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 23:47:00 +0000

Greetings Friends, It's good to be back. The past few years have been busy -- Mr. Right and I have graduated one from college, launched one into college, and built our dream 'empty-nesting' house. I've gone back to full-time school-marming, with plentiful time in the studio during evenings and weekends. I'm not candy coating it -- there have been some rough spots. And maybe we'll go into all that later but for now suffice to say, no surprise, the creative process continues to be a mainstay of joy in my life. And so let us commence with joy!

I want to show off a few things but first, drumroll please, I'm opening a new Etsy shop! Just like the blog, it's name is MitziEasleysStudio (Etsy doesn't allow spaces...). There are links both in the column to your right and up at the top of the blog on a new tab named "SHOP." I'm still setting things up, moving displays around, dusting and primping but please join me there!

To celebrate the shop opening, I've created a new series of little postcard-sized collage/paintings collectively called the Little Sisters. They are soooo fun, a little bit quirky, and perfect for gift-giving.

Some have messages; some don't.

Some are angelic.

Stay tuned; I'll post more. Perfect on just a little easel. Aren't they a tickle?

Gone Fishin'

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 19:51:00 +0000

Merry Christmas to All!

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 17:12:00 +0000

Santa's Delivery

9x12, oil on panel

sold

Thanks for looking and, as ever, for your never-failing love and support of my art. Hope your holidays are filled with peace and laughter.

Santa Baby

noreply@blogger.com (Mitzi Easley) — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 14:49:00 +0000

Santa Baby

9x12, oil on panel, unframed

nfs

Another blue-eyed Santa... I resisted over-futzing and really love that he is loose and "sketchy." Again and again, I tell myself, "step away from the painting." It's hard to stop when you're having fun!

Mr. Right and I are so happy to have all our elves home and things are happily busy in our workshop. Hope you're enjoying the holidaze and, as always, thanks for looking.