With quarantine impeding on our regular day-to-day lives and weighing on our minds, art-making is an effective way to release stress and allow our creative juices to flow freely! Here are a few fun and affordable art mediums you can use to get artsy in the comfort of your own home.
And before we begin, here are a few art-making tips from our very own Studio Gallery artists:
Listen to your favorite music.
Elizabeth Beach says that “music and meditation are two great ways to relieve stress, and these disciplines helped me gain the intense concentration that I rarely achieve. Using this idea as a basis for my process has helped me create an image in my mind which I translate onto paper or canvas. With the addition of music, these two different methods of stress relief aid in the process and in addition relieve my own anxiety.” Music has been shown to reduce stress, so turn up your favorite tunes!
Poison, Elizabeth Beach, 2018. Acrylic paint on canvas.
Languid, Nicole Ida Fossi. Acrylic on Canvas. 30" x 30", 2014.
2. Be observant and exist in the moment.
Nicole Ida Fossi is captivated by “everything from microscopic images of cells to the expansion of the universe.” Stunning patterns can be found everywhere,and she often incorporates them into her paintings in “varying levels of abstraction” to create captivating, multidimensional works of art. What interests you? What relaxes you? Allow these things to guide your art-making. Living in the moment and taking the time to focus on your surroundings is also a method of grounding, which consists of various sensory prompts to help combat anxiety and clear your head.
3. Be spontaneous; try abstraction!
Allow yourself to make art that reflects your feelings, thoughts, and wishes. One of the most beautiful things about art is that it allows you to express your emotions in a way that is nonverbal yet communicable to others. Especially right now, at a time when people all around the globe are experiencing something completely new and stressful, it makes perfect sense for our emotions to be harder to put into words. We can all learn something, then, from Katherine Kronick, whose artistic practice is “a pursuit to embrace - to seize the moment - in its fullest multitude of life: sensations, feeling, insights, and meanings.” Her lively paintings, made en plein air (out in nature), inspire us to live from moment to moment, and to appreciate this planet that we call home. Whether you decide to go abstract or hyper realistic, don’t be afraid to make artwork that is true to you!
Rain (Oseanfront Series), Katherine Kronick, Acrylic on Canvas, 40" x 40"
Without further ado, here are some affordable art mediums to use and bring your creativity to life!
PS: If you don’t have these supplies at home, all of these can be found on art supply websites for about $10.
www.plazaart.com is a great place to start your search.
Embroidery
Inspirational embroidery: Studio Gallery artist Elena Stamberg’s tranquil compositions showcase her impressive line work. This piece, Crescent Swan Wing, is a gorgeous example of the infinite possibilities that the medium of embroidery has to offer. A wide array of patterns can be created, and modern designs can blossom from this ancient technique.
All you need is a needle and some spare thread! If you feel like getting zen and updating your closet for free at the same time, consider sewing some cute designs on your old shirts, jeans, socks...anything your heart desires. Embroidery is an ancient technique, dating back thousands of years. If you’re a feminist like me, you’ll also love reading about how suffragettes defied the patriarchy and fought for their rights with this medium. Why not channel that energy and sew some feminist slogans on that jacket you haven’t worn in eight months but can’t bring yourself to donate? Upcycling is the new thrifting (especially now that we can’t go to physical stores)!
Sun Prints (Cyanotypes)
Inspirational cyanotype: Anna Atkins created these scientific algae cyanotypes in 1843. She is often credited as having created the first book of photographs, and of being the first woman to create a photograph. Find this image and more information on her work here.
Use cyanotypes as an excuse to get outside and soak up some sun! On a blue-skied day, expect your cyanotype prints to be a rich, deep cyan within just minutes. On a cloudier day, it may take longer for you to get those crisp blues, but with a little patience you’ll have a gorgeous, handmade print to brighten up your home. All you need to do is use a paintbrush to lay down a light coating of cyanotype solution on your desired paper/fabric, and place it in direct sunlight with a “negative'“ and a piece of glass. Depending on the weather and time of year, it will take your cyanotype anywhere from three minutes to over half an hour to achieve your desired effect; the key is to experiment! Pro tip: once your cyanotype has developed, rinse with water. You can stop here and let your print dry, but if you then let your paper soak for 30 seconds in a mixture of water and a splash of hydrogen peroxide (and rinse one more time), your blue hues will intensify and deepen significantly. For more in-depth instructions, click here.
Watercolors
Inspirational watercolor: Studio Gallery artist Kimberly Bursic’s vivid artwork explores the vivacious beauty of nature. Amherst, 22 x 30 inches, watercolor, graphite on paper, 2019.
Sometimes the basics are best! Watercolors are versatile, buildable, and come in a rich palette of hues for you to experiment with. Try following Kimberly Bursic’s lead and mix watercolor with another medium to make a multidimensional work of art. Whether you are creating an abstract cacophony of color or a minimalistic still life of your sleeping cat, watercolors will suit your needs and be a fun way to unwind after a stressful news-watching session. There are even recipes out there for creating your very own watercolor paints. They’re made up of items you probably have at home, and are even child-safe.
Sculpture
Inspirational sculpture: Studio Gallery artist Jean Jinho Kim has a large portfolio of exciting sculpture work. This piece, Floating Kite (2015), flaunts bold splashes of color and dark parallel tubes, drawing the eye up, up, up, just as though we were tracking the wild, wind-blown movements of a bright kite high up in the sky.
Release your inner Michelangelo and create a little masterpiece from the comfort of your couch; you can use practically anything to make a sculpture. If you want to go more traditional, try some play-doh, modeling clay, or one of the many homemade clay recipes that are online. If you’re feeling untraditional, look for things around your house to work with such as candle wax, toothpicks, or cardboard...art is for anyone, and art can be made from anything. Get creative, get wacky, get weird. But most importantly, have fun and stay safe!
From staff contributor Halley Stubis.