Artist Renee Mak

Happy Paint Party Friday!  and  Sneak Peek Friday!!! I've been painting up a storm lately and discovered that the more I paint, the more I LOVE to paint! I pulled out three pieces of canvas I started last summer and tacked them up to the wall.  They're not stretched... just large pieces of canvas, measuring  about 15" x 48"! Originally they were going to be all blues and greens, but now they're well on their way to becoming  rainbow paintings! There is also sheet music and other elements collaged  onto each canvas... The collaged pieces may or may not show up in the end... but I  love knowing they're there! This post features just one of the three paintings I started last summer. I also began two more large un~stretched paintings, finished a small mixed media painting and am working on finishing two other acrylic mixed media paintings! This is what my busy little studio looked like this past week.  I just love painting... I hope you do to! T...

Bloom True Workshop... Happy Paint Party Friday and  Friday Sneak Peek Can I just say again... I LOVE  the BLOOM TRUE workshop I am blessed to be  a part of! Week four is all about being BRAVE. I really appreciate the fact that many artists hold on to this mantra...and teach about it...  because creating from inner passion always requires a great amount of bravery! I feel like I became a little stuck in my paintings for the class and didn't quite know how to get unstuck!  The painting above, while I like it, just isn't me. It's too tight!  So I was thrilled when our new lesson demonstrated doing something totally brave with a painting and just pouring paint over it! That was all I needed to dive in head first... Pouring, dripping, wiping and smearing... the result is exactly what I needed to get back to that place of freedom in my work!  Many times, art imitates life. This week was no exception.  There are things from my pa...

Upcycled Mailing Package How To: Who on your mailing list wouldn't want to get such a fabulously fussed up package?!? This how to is quick , easy and fun to do! Supplies: 1 used shipping box 1 fabulous stamp or stencil White paint or gesso Favorite color paint Matching glitter Paint brush First, paint the box/package white.  You can do one or two coats.  I only use one so that the former life of the  box shows just a little. Sometimes, while the white paint is still wet, I draw into it with the end of my brush.  I create hearts, flowers, swirls or anything else I feel like drawing.  You can see a little of that  in the top photo. After that dries, I take one of my favorite paint colors and stamp or stencil away! In this case I used Cobalt Teal and a stencil.  I don't worry about how neat it looks... as you can see by the paint bottle, I'm a messy painter! After I lift off the stencil, I lay a paper towel down over the work and then lift it up ag...

Heat advisory today... reminds me if the little paintings I've been working on. Bright yellow, orange and hot pink! Music, sun spots and flowers... dance around the canvas!

      Fuss It Up! Designs is a constant evolution of art, artists and creativity!   It’s a place where those who appreciate art or need a quick gift can stop in and shop the boutique for an artsy, one of a kind item!    We have been so busy with the outdoor markets since the weather has warmed up... and some while it was still quite chilly! Our Summer and Fall schedules are filled as well! As a matter of fact, you can find us out and about most weekends from now until the  Christmas shopping season. Fuss It Up! has added several new lines since last years market season but still  offers some of the same "fun, flirty & fabulous" finds... all hand made, of course! Artist Kelli Worth still offers her take on upcycled BLING... including belt buckles, vintage FUSSED UP skeleton keys, upcycled copper and the  always popular soldered dominos, anagrams and typewriter keys! Artist Angela Meijer has joined our team as visiting artist in...