Altered Arts Magazine

Altered Arts E-magazine

2008-06-18T13:10:00.001-07:00

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Inspiration..finding It

2008-06-11T04:54:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been very elusive and working on my art from many different locations. I was having some problems with concentration and not using all of the creative avenues available. I seemed to be focused on just the everyday worrisome events. I finally realized the pressures and worries were actually providing me with the inspiration I needed, but did not recognize. Lesson learned, when you are down, look UP! or around you, and find the needed "ump" to get back to the art process. I found this picture below and decided that it was a perfect portrayal of me!

When I started working on some simple techniques to boost the muse, I began to really create again, and I think I have done some of my most satisfying creations. I joined some swaps and cranked them out in record time. I finished a deco book and began work on a new studio space. I also worked on future artwork for Altered Arts magazine, took care of my 2 perfect and adorable grandchildren, and got the wonderful news that my oldest daughter's health issues seemed to be subsiding. Now that I am home from my 3 week visit behind the Redwood Curtain, as I like to call Humboldt County, I hope to get even more inspiration from the sheer joy of being back among my favorite art supplies which offer me comfort and security.

It's Spring!

2008-03-20T11:38:00.000-07:00

Can the weather in Southern California be any nicer? I feel so lucky to be able to work outdoors again! It definitely is making my muse happy and I find myself paralyzed with projects! I seem to be chasing myself into a small tight circle having 3 projects working at the same time! I am wishing all of you a warm and wonderful holiday weekend...Robin

Research and Development

2008-03-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

I have recently rejoined the ISABA, and I am doing a little research and development for a company who is asking questions regarding altered book artists. I was wondering if you could give me your general opinion on a couple of questions.

1. How many altered book artists do you think there are in the USA? Canada? Europe? Asia?

2. Do you think that, in general, altered artists have been neglected by the arts and crafts companies; specifically, is there a need for direct marketing with tools and such that are made with book artists and crafters in mind; items to ease the work of making your projects?

Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Robin

Arts de Mer Cruise-Making Trades

2008-03-03T14:38:00.000-08:00

Well, here they are ... our costumes, my trades, and my class sample for the cruise this weekend! Whew! I had to make 80 trades; that usually is enough to send me to the edge, however this year I was asked to be a headline teacher as well! I am so honored to be doing this and hope that I do not pale too terribly alongside the wonderful MaryJo McGraw, Tim Holtz, and Terry Tyson!

Every year we have a theme and in the past, we searched for artful treasures (pirates), The Queen of Arts, Mardi Gras; you get the idea. Well, a few years ago my friend and I decided to make a themed costume and BOY! did we start something! Now it is expected! SO the 4 of us in our little So Cal Group are going as bingo cards! (We lost our 5th player due to a new baby arriving in her family any day now.) We have one of those invisible dogs on a leash to be our little bingo dog! I will post pictures of that later!

My trades are altered Rummikub pieces and are pins! I had a lot of fun making them as I changed them up and did not get tired of making them!

So wish me luck and enjoy these pre-cruise pictures! Thanks to Cyndi Duncan for her donation of past issues of the Altered Arts magazine!

Bon Voyage! Robin Knutson

New Challenge

2008-01-20T21:39:00.000-08:00

OK, Jeni has challenged us to take something we have that is crying out to be used and make art with it! Ok, so now I will have to pick from many of those things that are not crying, but are screaming at me to use them! Anyone else up to the challenge? ROBIN

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PACKING TAPE TRANSFERS

2008-01-20T21:28:00.000-08:00

WOW! I am so happy to have had so many positive responses to my ATCs! Thanks to everyone who emailed me! Here are the instructions for the transfer technique.

Choose image and cut out leaving a small 1/8 to 1/16 edge around it.
Cover with clear packing tape and burnish, especially if the image is large and you have to have a seam.
Trim tape to cover just the cut out image with the 1/8-1/16th edge.
Immerse in water for about 1-2 mins.
Remove when the paper backing is wet. Sometimes the image begins to curl up.
Gently rub the paper backing off of the image. Be sure not to rub too hard or all of the image will be removed.
Having some of the image rubbed off will enhance the background you place the image onto. A little of the background will look cool coming through the image.
Let piece dry completely.
Adhere to the ATC or art piece with clear double sided adhesive of your choice.

Till Next Time ROBIN

ATC CHALLENGE

2008-01-16T11:08:00.001-08:00

Hands

Strumming My Pain

ROBIN KNUTSON

ATC CHALLENGE

2008-01-16T11:07:00.001-08:00

Hands

Slender Digits

ROBIN KNUTSON

PICK A CARD

2008-01-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Hands Pick A Card
ROBIN KNUTSON

HAZARDOUS TO ALL ATC

2008-01-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hands ATC Challenge

Hazardous to All

ROBIN KNUTSON

Packing Tape Transfer ATC Designer Challenge

2008-01-16T10:41:00.000-08:00

Well, here are my ATCs. My subject was "Hands." Each image, after being chosen, was made into a packing tape transfer. If you want instructions on how to do this please email me at rmjkart@yahoo.com. (You can view designer Lori Roberts and Jeni Calkins' ATCs by clicking on their blog link at the right.)

I covered the front and back of an ATC card from Silver Crow. I then added the distressed edges using dye ink. To adhere each transfer, I used double sided tape and burnished it well. Titles were printed using an ink jet printer and added with mono adhesive. Each is labeled with my name, contact info, and numbered 1/4- 2/4 -3/4- 4/4; this indicates a series. The titles are as follows: 1/4- Slender Digits 2/4- Hazardous to All 3/4- Pick a Card 4/4- Strumming My Pain.
See you next time! Robin Knutson

ATC Designer Challenge

2008-01-14T21:15:00.000-08:00

How is the ATC challenge coming along? Mine are done and ready to post! Jan 15 is the deadline! Can't wait to see what we have come up with! ROBIN

2008

2008-01-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

Despite all of the forces to keep me sick I have finally emerged from the fog! Two weeks before the holidaze I was down with flu and then the wonderful secondary infection of a sinus infection royale! So is everyone working away on the challenge? I see that only 3 have signed up so I guess we can post them anytime after the date! Tonight I am off to visit a stamping group that I used to belong to. The Sassy Stampers! Twelve of us made a calender one for each month, so I am anxious to see what everyone has done...hey maybe we could do an altered art calendar! Each designer take a month or two and then exchange with each other hmmmm all for now robin

Designer Challenge

2007-12-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

OK so let's get started on a simple challenge. Make a series of 4 ATCs and each ATC must use clear packing tape somehow in the process. (Picture of the ATC on the left does not have clear packing tape on it, but I thought we needed a picture here!) So put on your muse caps and get going. This challenge will end on the 15th of Jan. 2008 because it is a very busy time of year for everyone.

A series of ATCs are each numbered like this 1/1 (one of one), 2/1 (two of one), 3/1 (three of one) and 4/1 (four of one). This shows that the theme is consistent but each card is different. Example: the 4 seasons. Now let's not all do the 4 seasons ok..! Choose your own theme. These are not for sale, but if Clara and Cyndi want them we could submit them to the magazine. We could also exchange them amongst ourselves. So if there are 4 of us doing this challenge one person would eventually get the number one card from everyone and so on. Let's knock Cyndi and Clara's socks off and create some fun ATC sets. Keep your theme to yourself....no problem if we get dupes...but no 4 seasons ! DO NOT FORGET TO SIGN THE CARDS ALONG WITH THE SERIES NUMBERING!

NEW PICTURE

2007-12-05T17:13:00.001-08:00

I JUST HAD TO CHANGE MY PHOTO, EEEK! This is the best one I have for now! Peter Cetera is my favorite singer and I had the chance to go back stage and meet him! Since I can't cut him out, I just left him in with me!

Welcome from Robin Knutson

2007-12-05T16:55:00.001-08:00

OK! So this is a new venture for me! Never too old to learn a new skill! Blogging...Welcome to my little corner of Altered Arts. I have been honored with a new title "Creative Design Specialist" WOW... hope I can fill the shoes I have been given..

I have been working with Altered Arts magazine for 4 years and cannot express enough gratitude and thanks to Cyndi, Clara and all of the wonderful designers and staff that are part of this publication.

I am definitely a mixed media altered artist. I always want to try a new technique or "tweek" an old one. I have been finding my way into fabrics lately...trying to get lots of texture on my paper and paint. Many of my projects past, present, and future have lots of different textures and layers.

I hope that the designers will be participating in some collaborations and challenges that will spark your creative interest! A few of us have discussed this option and are very excited about it!

So I challenge you to keep checking our blogs and see the exciting projects we are doing here at Altered Arts!