Artist Renee Mak

Last night I had the opportunity to teach my  Trash to Treasure Mixed Media Collage class to some FABULOUS students! And while I didn't get many pictures, (because I'm still trying to figure out my new camera!!!) the pictures I got are great! A full class of mixed media "newbies" quickly understood the easy step by step process and when I asked them if they might create more at home, I got a unanimous "YES"! I was very excited to have a Starbucks fan in the crowd... she even brought her own Starbucks coffee sleeve to use in her piece!!! And several of the students brought really fabulous items to share, including Japanese wrapping paper and real scrabble tiles! Here's the sample I started for the class but have yet to finish... Class sample There will be a cute little house sitting in the valley under the star... with a Starbucks roof to top it off... I've posted the finished piece here ! Future c...

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...