The ARTifact - for the love of texture, light and shine... and a challenge!

Hi again! Great to see you back on the blog!
Not so long ago I was sharing one of the inspirational projects I've made for one of the new classes - "Beauty and the Beads" and I'm really proud and happy to see all the wonderful response I've got from you!
This time I'm back with one more project - the one which is the closest to my heart, I think - and I hope you will like it as much as the last one! Fingers crossed, deep breath and...

"The ARTifact" was created for pleasure. I now it is very selfish and maybe I should keep my mouth shut, but this is the truth... I wanted to make  something which will be fun to create, a bit different to my previous projects, something which will make me happy every single time I'll be teaching this class... and here it is! Pure madness of texture, detail, light and metallic effects.

As you can see it is another project which is focused on the object instead of a photo - I'm trying to find the way to make my projects and classes more inspiring for people and I found that for some of you it is easier to work with "real, existing element" instead of an image. For me - this was a great chance to try a bit different style and approach...

To create this kind of collage project you need a range of texture pastes and adhesives as well as some metallic paint or mica. I've focused on Art Extravagance White Sand Texture Paste, Graphite Texture Paste and Art Basics Modeling Paste to create interesting textures and effects.
My colour choices were Art Basics Black Gesso and a whole range of  Art Ingredients Mica Powders combined with Art Basics Soft Gel.
Putting it all together is exciting and inspiring process - this product combination is just perfect to give you a variety of different effects and options!

If you'd like to take this class - check out my schedule in Live Classes Tab on the top of the page!

But this is not all!

To provide you even more inspiration and start some serious, creative fun I've just launched our first ever Mixed-Media Academy Open Studio Challenge! 

Here are the details:

- In this post my wonderful, talented Creative Team was sharing with you some of their favorite background techniques - simple ideas to start a beautiful mixed-media project.
- Your challenge is to pick one or more of the techniques and use it to inspire your own project - no matter how big or small, simple or complicated it is!
- Sharing the link to your artwork in our Finnabair & Friends - Open Studio Facebook Group will give you a chance to win a PRIZE - I will make a random giveaway drawing among all the participants - so all of you have a chance to win!
- Deadline for this challenge is 11th June - so you have 2 full weeks to take part and share it with others! Simply leave a link in a comment in the Mixed-Media Academy Open Studio Challenge post and spread some love - we all like comments and words of encouragement!

And finally - time to announce our BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNER!
Huge congrats to Caroleanne Wright!

Please send your address to: store@mixedmediaplace.com to get your prize!

Wishing you all a fantastic week!

(and packing fore classes in UK - Harrogate, here I come!)