Friday - Painted Paper Fun

I watch a lot of crafters doing their thing on YouTube. I mean a whole LOT! They all inspire me to try new things and not be afraid to experiment and learn. I have the best teachers! I'm one lucky gal!!

Here are the names of some of my favorites people on YouTube (in no particular order):

Jackie Bernardi @PaintedPaperStudio, Catherine Rains (the one who taught me all about painted papers in January 2025 and opened up a whole new world) @catrains.artist, and Laurie Richardson Haley @BlackbearyForest.

 

I'm fairly sure they probably won't see this but I want to thank you, ladies, for teaching me such inspirational artful things with painted papers and collage. You are all rock stars in my life! 🌟 😘

In case you hadn't noticed, my focus right now is painted papers. I like to see how others approach the blank page with acrylics i.e.: art journals. Many use that blank page as the "first" layer, slowly adding paint, designs, drawings, stickers, pencils, doodles, etc. onto the paint once it's dry. Sometimes on paper, sometimes in journals. This is an exciting thing to learn because it really is limited only by the imagination.

I've learned the more I practice, the more I want to practice. The more pages I paint, the more I want to paint. And I LOVE the layered look. Putting at least 3 layers of painted papers over each other might seem like a waste but it really isn't. It's all part of a technique I've gotten quite fond of and use often. The photo below is a good example of a finished piece done on 4 inch wood (coaster size). I discovered this technique through Jackie Bernardi.

Embrace the glorious mess that you are.

I've only been making collage fodder since January of this year. It hasn't slowed down, I haven't lost interest and I haven't been distracted by much other than the normal distractions of other art that I do and it's now August. Pretty sure it's something I'm going to continue to do.

Here's some examples of studio life these days: 

Sorting painted papers during the beginning of the year while taking Catherine Rains' online class. How cool are they?!

Gluing pieces down in an art journal. Scraps never go to waste!

And here it is, the photo above, finished. I might add something else at some point.

Cutting out circles and gluing them together for an art journal or collage. I've been making shapes, mostly circles since I started making painted papers.

SO much to do here ... a full day of fun! Dot painting the black things on the top right, gel pen fun in the center right, cutting out shapes at the lower right, the envelopes on the left hold all the shapes I cut out for journals and collage pieces of art.

A page in my collage practice book using purchased printed papers found online. Kinda love the flower theme on this page.

When I have too much paint on the roller, I use a piece of paper, old magazine pages or book pages. At this point, adding designs, doodles and more paint from brushes and my fingers are added slowly (a few days usually) until it becomes an awesome piece of collage fodder. This is what I learned from Laurie Richardson Haley. Pretty cool, huh.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For some reason the photos I've placed here want to stay on the left side of the page. If I read HTML I'm sure I could figure it out ... but I do not ... so my thought was at least you can see them. And that's that!

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

Wednesday - Buy Me A Coffee

I don't know if any of you know about this site, but I thought I'd let you know I am now using it and what it's all about.

Here's an overview about BMAC (according to their website):

"The concept behind Buy Me a Coffee is to provide a simple and direct way for creators to receive support from their audience, essentially acting as an online tip jar. Instead of complex subscription models or advertising, it offers fans a way to donate a small amount, often framed as "buying a coffee," to show appreciation for the creator's work. This platform allows creators to earn income, build community, and offer exclusive content or perks to their supporters." 

My hope is that my followers on Instagram and the FB Page will "buy me a coffee" if/when they are able. As supporters eventually grow, I'll add a monthly membership option. There's a very good chance I will be able to offer a physical product such as a collage card and a small mosaic tin as a thank you for joining when I offer it. Something to look forward to!

Right now, you can support me with $1 for one coffee. This helps me continue to create. As you might have figured, there is always paint, brushes, paper, etc. to have handy when the spirit moves me to use such things and sometimes it's harder to get these than I'd like. The support from my tribe (you!) gives me the opportunity to continue to be creative and keep the muse(s) happy.

Here's the link:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/artbyearthh

 

Here's what my home page looks like. :)

 At the moment, there's a Post (found at the top of the page, next to Gallery - check that out too!) called "What would you like to see me create?". It is a small poll with 5 options. I'd love it if you all would take a few minutes and offer your opinion. Kind words only, of course.

FYI: I'll be sharing this poll today on social media. Please don't be pressured to do it more than once if you see it.

Sending much love, blessings and gratitude toward those who take the time to look, answer, and support on buymeacoffee.com. Thank you!

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

Mosaic Monday - Peace Sign Progress

 I'm currently working on a 12 inch peace sign using bright and beautiful stained glass and mirror.

I have discovered if I don't overdo it, I can get at least a 1/2 hour of cutting and gluing it all down completed before I have to stop. It's slow and steady but that's fine with me.

Not all the glass shown here is going on this peace sign but I'm grateful for the choices!

I love the orange bit at the bottom so much. It's one of my favorite colors to use in mosaics.

 

I've put it aside for now and am going back to collage and art journaling for the rest of the week.

I'll share it as I go!

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

Friday and Fine Art America

I'm going to be taking a short break next week but before I do, I thought I'd share some nifty art from my FineArtAmerica site.

 Here's a favorite art collage called Sweet Sleep. You can find it using the link above.

 

I'll be away from Monday, July 28th until August 11th.

Please feel free to contact me; I'll still be checking my messages regularly.

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

Wednesday - Newest Collage Creations

When I paint or use the Gelli plate, I put a piece of clear shelf liner on the surface to keep paint at bay (more or less). These are pieces of liner that I'm saving for future collages. Some look like landscape elements. Super groovy!

 

It's now time to use them! Here they are glued on wood framed artist boards. This is step one.

 

Step two is adding Asemic writing of sorts on deli and rice paper and final touches all with translucent papers. I haven't yet finished them, although 2 out of 3 of them are hanging in their spots on my wall. I  did a little ink work to enhance the translucent papers like the word: Create. It was not easy to see.

 

I also used one of the taped and painted paper in one of my journals. This might get additional doodles or something to it but for now it is perfect just as it is.

I've hung up two of them. The smallest one shown above will sit on the easel as the photo shows.

What do you think? Pretty cool, huh?! 

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

 

Mosaic Monday - Finding The Joy

 

Abstract Circles Wall Mirror

Stained Glass and Mirror

10 x 10 inches

$150 (USD only)

purchase through my website using PayPal & receive free shipping

“Finding The Joy” – Handmade Mosaic Mirror

I call this piece Finding The Joy. Bright, multi-colored glass, tiles, and mirror pieces form lively circles around a 10-inch mirror, creating a vibrant, abstract design full of color and positive energy.

Hang it in your entryway to catch a glimpse of it as you leave and return — a little reminder to carry joy with you wherever you go. Whether in a living room, bedroom, hallway, or office, this mirror brings both function and artistic flair.

 

It’s not just a mirror, it’s a feel-good piece of art:

- Abstract, colorful, joyful

- Etched stone with the word “Joy” included in the mosaic design

- A daily reminder to smile and find your joy

A Thoughtful Gift Idea:
Perfect for a best friend, yourself, or as a unique anniversary, birthday, or wedding gift.

Details:

- Mirror size: 10 inches diameter

- For indoor use only

Care:

- Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners or submerging in water.

Let this mirror help you discover your joy — every single day.

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

Friday - Weekly Wrap Up

I mentioned last Friday that I'd no doubt use my website to share blog posts. In reality, I "talk" too much and need more room to share photos than offered on my site. And so, changing my mind, I'll keep this awesome blog going and add a post to the site on occasion. Once a week would work. We shall see.

Now ... to wrap up the week ...

I played with clay but am not really good with it. I don't use it enough to say I'm comfortable when using clay. I still need to sand and paint them. I wanted to make lettering like I often do to add to my art pieces. I didn't get that far but instead just played around with bubble wrap, a small twig and an Ammonite Fossil on one piece (it looks like a snail on a twig!) and a bee stamp on the other (this one looks like honeycomb). I'm not thrilled with these but I will finish them up in some way and consider attaching them to something; a board or a bottle or ???

 

Earlier in the week while I was organizing some painted papers, getting them into the boxes by color mostly, I noticed how diverse these papers are. Each one could become very precious if I allowed it. If I didn't use them, no one would see them. That's not the purpose of creating anything, let alone painted papers. I want to use them for collage and paper mosaics. That means I have to cut or rip them eventually. But seriously, aren't these cool? Until I know where they'll go and how, they'll stay in the box waiting for their time to shine and help me create something beautiful. Although honestly, each one as they are right now could be framed and look pretty awesome, don't you think?

 

I had a less than great art journal session this week. Not all weeks are good but most are. Still, the option to cover it all completely and start over is always there.

This art journal (one of three ongoing journals) is a board book, so changes to it are limited. I can't rip the page out, I can sand it all down, paint it and start over. Or I can leave it and write some notes somewhere on it as a reminder as to what I didn't like about it.

It started here with layers not really fitting too well around the design. In my defense, I was having a very bad physical day ... in lots of pain due to rain. It was not a great day but I need to be artful every day in some way. And so --- this was born.

 

Using magenta acrylic paint was a good way to tone down the papers I used but the different thicknesses bugged me. Oddly, different thicknesses when doing mosaics is not a big deal. But here, it was a big deal and I didn't like it at all.

I dug around in my boxes filled with painted papers and found some that was translucent (it's actually deli paper) that I had added some paint to and used it to cover the design.

Nope. Bad decision. Liked it even less. Adding the word "peace" to it was my way of surrendering to the page. It is what it is, AS it is.

I can see the magenta under the paper and a few pieces of my painted papers as well, but it just didn't turn out the way I imagined. That's okay, however. I'll try it again, maybe on the next page or in another journal.

The point to these art journals is to learn how to do techniques not yet experienced or less sure of what to do. They are to learn. A lot of times I end up with amazing pages of colorful art but not always. This one falls flat and instead of trying to fix it or paint over it to start over, I plan to leave it.

To sum it all up: it was a week of experimenting. Not all successful, but definitely a good week!

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

 

Wednesday - Website Updates

There's a lot going on this week! From updating my website (a small blog entry is also on there under the "Blog" tab) with a few more mosaics to doing some small art pieces. Even a doodle or two has come through.

 The bowls were added this week. As I said within the listing of this one shown below: "I’m especially proud of creating useful art like this — a perfect example of recycling with purpose. By giving this bowl new life, I’ve helped conserve valuable natural resources and kept something beautiful out of the landfill."

And of course there's some great small art pieces being created. Some 4x4 inch painted pieces using bubble wrap and acrylic markers, collage pieces using scrap pieces of painted papers and some fun in my art journals.

 

Your attitude determines your direction.

Art journal entry using painted papers cut out for the vase and flower, dots punched, and an old business card for the center of the flower.

I recently shared on social media that I picked up a book by collagesoup - and I’m really enjoying it. It’s designed to inspire you to rip, cut, and glue using its pages for your journals or pieces of art --- or both. The pages are rich and beautifully illustrated. Many pages will be used as inspiration hits. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. They have many books available for collage fun.

One page in particular really spoke to me last night. I started with a sketch which was just okay but not bad since drawing like this is not my "thing", then transferred it onto another page using carbon paper giving me the freedom to add some colors to it and play with the angel's wing. Angel wings fascinate me. I'd like to be able to incorporate them within my doodles in some way. But until then, this is a great way to practice drawing them. I added colored pencils, ink, and one of my favorite quotes to finish it off.

I glued my drawing into my art journal as shown in the last photo below. I’m holding onto the original from the book until it feels ready for its journal spot. ☺️

"You've walked through storms that others never even saw. You kept showing up, kept believing, kept growing. Don't wait for someone else to notice ... thank yourself today. You are a miracle in motion."~Power of Positivity quote

 

 

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com

Mosaic Monday

 

Multi-color Peace Sign Mosaic

12 inches

 

Now that many of the mosaics available for purchase are on my website, I'll start sharing a mosaic each Monday to highlight. Click on the link above to go directly to this mosaic.

Introducing our enchanting many-hued multi-color peace sign mosaic, measuring 12 inches and crafted from funky hand cut scrap glass pieces of stained glass and mirror.

 

This very groovy peace sign features a big red glass half circle as its focal point, filled to the brim with a vibrant array of hand cut small pieces, glass tiles, and colorful millefiori accents, making it perfect for anyone, any room.

 

Grouted in sleek black and adorned with a charming polka dotted black and white ribbon along the outer edges, the inside is beautifully painted in a light gray, adding to its appeal.

This bright and colorful piece is designed for indoor use all year long and features a keyhole notch on the back for easy hanging.

 

Celebrate the gift of peace in style with this striking mosaic that enhances your decor and inspires harmony!

Enjoy the journey.

Cindy aka EarthMotherMosaics

https://artbyearthmothermosaics.com