Frieda Oxenham: Art Journaling with StencilGirl® Stencils

Another year has passed and a new one looms. We are now getting used to the uncertainty all around us concerning many different issues and as we have little control about any of them perhaps the only thing we can do is hope for the best and carry on doing what makes us happy! So I want to wish you a very creative 2022! I’m very happy to be invited back here by StencilGirl® Products to share what I do with their wonderful stencils.

Here is the tutorial for this month’s spread:

1.     Gesso 2 pages in an art journal, adding Lindy’s Flat Magical powder to the white gesso. I used the colour Tangerine

2.     While the gesso is still wet, press the large stencil from the June 2021 StencilClub into it to make an impression.

3.     Scrape on paints of your choice randomly over the pages using a palette knife or key card and with the same stencil as in step 2 remove the paints with a baby wipe.

4.     Repeat step 3 with a different paint colour (yellow in my case). 

5.     Colour areas of the pages with Distress Crayons (I used Salty Ocean and Cracked Pistachio) and remove the colour through the same stencil as in step 2 using a baby wipe. 

6.     Stencil on text randomly with black acrylic paint using stencil S827 Vintage Ledger Scripts Small.

7.     Stencil on small flowers with red and orange acrylic paint using stencil S890 Phlox Mask.

8.     Using soft gel medium glue down the collaged images (in my case a portrait of Frida Kahlo and the poppies

9.     Using a mixture of dark green and black acrylic paint stencil on the tree image (spire) from stencil L867 Spire and Flowers  to the left hand page using a cosmetic wedge

10.  Stencil on little flowers using a variety of colours using the same stencil as in step 9 as well as the stencil from step 7.

11.  Using the leaf mask/stencil from stencil L867 Spire and Flowers, add leaves to the pages as shown using dark green paint and then put the vein part of the leaf on top and add gold embossing paste with a palette knife.

12.  Spray gold mica spray paint through the stencil L867 onto the tree shape and add some to the dress too.

13.  Glue on quotation as shown. As far as I can discover it is anonymous but let me know if you know better

14.  Using black and white permanent markers as well as a black Stabilo All pencil outline images and text as desired. Add flowers to Frida’s dress

15.  Glue on  flower postage stamps as shown

16.  Edge the pages with a blue stamp pad.

© Frieda Oxenham 2022. To see more of Frieda's work, please visit her BLOG.

Frieda Oxenham: Art Journaling with StencilGirl® Stencils

I started this month’s project with 6 A4 (or American letter size if you prefer) paper, a selection of colours of acrylic paints that I really did not like, together with black and white paint, and 4 stencils that I had not used much (judging by the lack of paint on them). The stencils were: the large stencil from the October 2020 StencilClub stencil set, Forest Floor, the large stencil from the June 2018 StencilClub and the large stencil from the March 2021 Club set. And I also used a gelli plate, sized 8 x 10”. All this just to wake up to what I am. Because that is the next line in Ben Okri’s poem that I continue to illustrate: “Wake up to what you are”. For me adding an image of Frida Kahlo to the mix suited the words considering my own name. Frida used to spell her name with the additional e too but dropped it during the First World War

Here is the tutorial:

1.      Add a variety of paint colours to your plate using a brayer and take prints on your 6 pages. Add more paint when needed.

2.      When the pages are dry, again brayer on paint and then put one of the stencils mentioned above on the gelli plate and take whole or partial prints. Just keep adding the layers on those 6 sheets.

3.      Repeat step 2 but this time only using white paint on your plate.

4.      Repeat step 2 but using black paint and Mixed Media Mail stencil.

5.      Use the large stencil from the November 2020 StencilGirl® Club to spray some vintage book pages with a selection of Lindy’s Starburst Sprays or any other sparkly spray paint of your choice. 

6.      Collect all the materials made in the previous steps and collage two facing 8 x 11.5” pages by tearing the collage materials with a ruler (I used the Tim Holtz’s one) and adhering them with a glue stick.

7.      Using some of the paint colours from step 1, lightly add paint to the edges of the papers. I used a baby wipe and a small brush as well as my fingers.

8.      Spray with some of the sprays from step 5.

9.      When dry, rub watered down white gesso over both pages with a sponge

10.  Drip down fluid pink acrylic paint randomly.

11.  Using the medium stencil from the August 2018 StencilGirl® Club, mark out the pieces onto the back of wallpaper samples (mine came from the Designers Guild Coromandel range). Cut them out and arrange them on the pages as shown. Glue on.

12.  Using dark blue paint and the large stencil from the September 2013 StencilGirl® Club, add the Frida Kahlo head as shown.

13.  Glue on the postage stamp (from Mexico) and the cut from magazines words of the Ben Okri quotation. Outline as desired. I used permanent white markers and Stabilo Woody.

14.  Spray on some sparkly spray paint (I used Perfect Pearls Mist Forever Blue) through the small stencil from the January 2020 StencilGirl® Club.

15.  Edge the pages with a permanent inkpad.

© Frieda Oxenham 2021. To see more of Frieda's work, please visit her BLOG.

Journaling with Frida

Frida Kahlo seems to be on trend right now, especially among those that love the Bohemian lifestyle. I happen to love the Bohemian decorating style because of the greenery and the bold, colorful patterns, all of which I have incorporated throughout my house. As I was planning this project, I couldn't help but pick this Frida Stencil because it had all the elements that I love. I originally planned on making a piece of wall art but after some thought, I decided to go for what I like best. Art Journaling. 

I started out by covering a postcard with tissue paper, Fresco finish paints and some stamping.

I stenciled the Inspired by Frida Image onto my postcard.

Using Fresco Finish paints and watercolor pencils, I filled in the stenciled image.

 I started creating the background by stenciling the Pointed Scalloped Border and Stencils with black gesso along the edges. I then stenciled the flowers and foliage from the Frida stencil.

My handmade paper bag journal with sewn signatures is the base for this journal layout.

I added these backgrounds to my paper bag journal. I finished the layout by cutting up some stenciled and stamped images.

Thank you for stopping by the blog. 

Website: https://kateyetter.com/

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Imaginative, Knitted and Inspired by Frida Stencils for You!

Our stencil cutting machines are smoking hot right now with stencils from the imagination of Mary Beth Shaw, inspired by Frida, and created from Pam Carriker's actual knitted squares!

Make a Mark and More with Mary Beth Shaw

Coffee Cup Rings S574

When you are hard at work and bump your too-full cup or glass, happy accidents sometimes happen. Caffeinated or not?

Layers of Scallop S575

Is it an abstract curtain rising or falling, perhaps the pattern of a shell, or even clouds? Turned, it could depict mountain dells.

Linear Brush Mini M200

Do these marks divide? Turned 90 degrees, could they uplift? Turned just a bit, do they look like sheets of rain? What do you envision?

Half Brush Marks Mini M199

Sometimes half is better than whole, in this case, the organic patterns you get with this stencil.

Squared Lattice Mini M201

Use this stencil singly or as a background. It even repeats!

Backgrounds & Layers 1 L619 

Mary Beth Shaw created this stencil to give the user a choice between four different backgrounds for greeting card making - lines, half brush marks, rectangles, or diamonds.

June Pfaff Daley's Inspired by Frida Stencil

Frida Stencil

Mexican painter Frida Kahlo known primarily for her self portraits drew inspiration from Mexican folk culture. Not only is she a recognized figure in art history, but an icon for feminists. This stencil features a fierce Frida headshot and full body. This stencil is packed with flowers, butterflies, palm trees and leafs that surfaced in much of Frida’s work. The stencil also includes her beloved spider monkey and a small and large parrot frequently found perched on Frida’s shoulder.

Frida Canvas Shoes

June writes: "I found these two blank canvases (with fringe!) tucked back on the DSW sale racks and immediately my mind started racing. The proof for my Frida stencil had just arrived and shoe transformation was something I had always wanted to try. For $8 I brought this pair home and immediately gessoed the shoe canvas. Using acrylics and my Frida stencil I went wild and covered every inch of each shoe. To finish, I applied a light coat of Scotchguard. These slip-ons are now ready to strut!" 

Frida Saint Candle

June writes: "My dollar tree sells blank saint candles which provide for a quick and easy stencil project. In this case to pay homage to one of my very favorite artists. First, I cut a piece of decorative paper to size. Next, I stenciled with black acrylic on the paper. Then, I added water color washes and details with gelly roll pens. I used gel medium to adhere the paper to the candle. To finish, I embellished the candle with glitter, washi tape and trims."

Frida the Warrior Canvas

"The thing I love about Frida is that she’s so kick a**." 

"Sticking to a limited color palette, I transformed Frida into the warrior goddess that she was. If you compare this to the shoes, you can easily see how a stenciled face can be taken in many different style directions depending on how it’s finally painted. For both the shoes and the canvas I first stenciled the face (and other details) with black acrylic and then took it from there."

Pam Carriker's Knitted Collection

Pa writes: "My second love to creating art is knitting. I love that it’s completely different from art making and the rhythm is so relaxing. I used photographs of my knitting to turn the stitch patterns into stencils. Whether you knit or not the textures are fun to play with."

There is a small 6x6 inch and a mini 4x4 inch version of each that pair amazingly together! Click the picture to go to the stencils.

Stockinette Large Pattern 6x6 & Stockinette Large Pattern Mini 4x4
Alternate rows of knit and purl create the stockinette stitch.

Stockinette Small Pattern 6x6 & Stockinette Small Pattern Mini 4x4

2 by 2 Rib Knit 6x6 & 2 by 2 Rib Knit Mini 4x4
Rib Knit is a common cozy pattern of rows.

Seed Stitch 6x6 & Seed Stitch Mini 4x4
The little bumps of the seed stitch pattern create texture and look a bit like scattered seeds.

Knit Purl Triangles 6x6 & Knit Purl Triangle Mini 4x4
Elements of stockinette and seed stitches combine to make this textured triangular pattern.

Eyelet Moss Stitch 6x6 & Eyelet Moss Stitch Mini 4x4
Eyelet Moss is an airy stitching pattern often used in light blankets

Cable Stitch 6x6 & Cable Stitch Mini 4x4
This combo of knitted stitches resembles a twisted rope.

Basketweave Knit Stitch 6x6 & Basketweave Knit Stitch Mini 4x4
This complicated-looking stitch resembles its namesake.

Eyelet Lace 6x6 & Eyelet Lace Mini 4x4
This stencil features an open, airy, organic stitch.

Click on the designing artist's name to see more stencils: Mary Beth Shaw, June Pfaff Daley, and Pam Carriker.

Need even more Frida? Consider joining StencilClub - one of the perks is that members can order past club sets.