Junk to Art WORKSHOP - creating unique stationary
Do you get weary of that mass of junk mail that comes to you every week? Here’s an idea to put some of that stuff to good use. Save flyers, postcards and envelopes from the deluge, and transform them into unique stationary to send to your friends and family.

In this age of electronic emails, texting and twittering, there is something special about a hand written letter on pretty stationary. Here’s how to do it:

NOTE: Shown above are 3 envelopes made with junk mail. The same technique can be applied to a typed (and printed) or hand written letter, such as along the bottom of the page or in one of the margins.

Collect what ever "junk"catches your eye. Printed letters, envelopes, flyers, postcards, catalogs, etc.

Gather your supplies: craft paints, brushes, crayons, colored pencils and glue. These items can be purchased inexpensively at any craft store, or you can raid your child's coloring box. Oh, don't forget scissors!

Apply paint in random strokes across the surfaces of the papers. Cover with enough paint to obscure the original image while letting part of the colors and text to show through for interest. Let dry. Add scribbles and marks using crayons and/or colored pencils.

Cut out shapes as desired from your new "art" papers. Arrange and glue the shapes to your letters and envelopes.

A sketch to use as a guide for cutting out shapes.

Diamond

From my sketchbook. My beautiful cat “Diamond” contentedly napping. He lived til he was 16, a grand old age for a cat. He was a white American Shorthair with pale golden ochre colored eyes. He had personality, with a gravelly meow, and loved to have the top of his head scratched.

Texture Experiment

An experiment of texture and color using scraped acrylic paint that I let dry before working into the surface with pastels.

Altered Book

An altered book photographed in my backyard with Azalea branches and shadows. This is a project in progress. A discarded book that is evolving into art! The use of a book as a “ground” for painting and collage is not a new venture for many mixed media artists, but it is a new one for me.