Tracy Weinzapfel Studios

From White to Black...

Do you ever stare at a blank white page and just envision what you want to create on it.  I get asked a lot how or what inspires me to start a page.....
Sometimes I challenge myself and pull out a hand full of supplies I want to try and fit on a page and sometimes I build off a quote or photo I have.  Most times I just start painting.  This time I chose Black DecoArt Paint.  I rarely use a black background so where this was headed I had no idea, nor had I pulled any supplies....nor did I have a quote to inspire me.  Just some black paint.......

and the page that came from that blank white paper is one that I just love and it so inspired me to do more projects with dark backgrounds!  
I will tell you this....my love for the Fabscraps line made this easy and I got some new stuff at CHA and was anxious to use it! 

MATERIALS LIST:

• Adhesives:  Helmar Decoupage & Craft Paste, 450 Quick Dry, Liquid Scrap Dots
• Patterned Paper & Charms:  FabScraps
• Flowers:  Michaels (painted black and gold)
• Ribbon:  May Arts
• Paints:  DecoArt

I also want to share something that someone email me that made me feel so great as in some little way I inspired her to do something creative......and pay it forward in a way:

"Thought I would share with you what I made for my mom’s 84^th birthday next week. She was always quite an artist – loved to do oil paintings and charcoal sketches. I did NOT get that gene! The past few years her hands have been bothering her and it is too much work to drag out her art supplies. So I had this idea to make her an art journal. I cut watercolor paper to about 8 x 9 inches and made cardboard covers. I covered those with papers and decorated the cover. In addition to the album I gave her watercolor pencils. She was thrilled!! I told her the idea is to just create a little something every day. Not big paintings but just small easy to do projects – birds, hearts, doodles, etc. She was thrilled with the gift! Sorry the photo of her is out of focus. Not sure what my camera was doing. I think this is something she can manage and look forward to seeing some of her pages next time I visit her.  Thought I’d share with you.  Thanks so much." ~Jean

 

I beg to differ on Jean's take on the artist gene!  Creativity comes from within!  I am not trained (always wish I was) but I do what speaks to me.  I probably could not paint a building with the proper dimension, shading and light but I can put down on paper what feels right to me.  Do not be afraid to play in your art journal!  I was afraid of that dark background and absolutely love this page!  What are you afraid to experiment, maybe a technique or a product? 

"At any given moment you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end." - Unknown

Renewed Creative Spirit

I came home from CHA with a renewed creative spirit.  Being among all those creative people and the latest and greatest products woke somethng up in me and I knew this weekend I needed to hit my art journal.  I realized that my voice that includes the love for my journals, gratitude journals and Daily Aspirations is something that people will listen to!  My little artist voice has a message and I wanted to return right back to my journal and get some ideas down.  I shared this page step by step last week and had a few emails about  my materials list so here it is:

MATERIALS LIST:

• Adhesives:  Helmar 450 Quick Dry & Liquid Scap Dots
• Punches:  Marvy Uchida
• Inks:  Marvy Uchida Heritage
• Mists:  Tattered Angels
• Templates: Crafter's Workshop
• Paints:  DecoArt
• Stamp:  Catslife Press
• Charcoal Pencil

For this next page I saw this saying and just knew I had to use it in my art journal and fast!!

MATERIALS LIST:

• Adheisves:  Helmar 450 Quick Dry & Liquid Scrap Dots
• Inks: Marvy Uchida Heritage
• Paints: DecoArt
• Lace & Flowers:  Prima
• Stamps:  Unity
• Indian Ink:  Winsor Newton

This was a quick and easy page and I just loved the creative process!  I also came home to emails from those sharing their projects that I inspired them in some little way!  That always feels great!  Like this one from Dawn:

"Just wanted to THANK YOU for always inspiring and letting us into your life through your art and products and projects.  Blessings to you" ~Dawn L.

Thank you Dawn!  Means so much!   It has been so long since I just created for me and it just felt so good. Many of these ideas are heading to canvas! 

"You can find inspiration from others but determination is solely your responsibility." - Dodinsky

Live Every Moment!

Last week was a week that was filled with many ups and downs.  The downs were pretty low as it included the passing of a fellow mom at school.  She is the mom of one of Micky's good friends so it hit close to home.  It got me thinking about the impact that each of us have on others and what do we truly leave behind.  She was a much loved mom, wife, daughter, volunteer and so much more.  It impacted all of us differently but by the tears and empty looks on my fellow moms at school last week we all just asked why.  As I said to a friend...the asking why is not what we should be doing but hugging those kids of ours and remembering that impact we do have on those we encounter so make sure to make the best of them! 

Last week I also had the pleasure of getting online and teaching a LIVE Helmar Ustream class where together we just Create!  I was in a creative funk and was caught up in all the CHA preparations........

Here is my completed page that I felt released me from my creative funk.

MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar: Decoupage, 450 Quick Dry & Liquid Scrap Dots
• Ribbon:  May Arts
• Paints: DecoArts
• Ink: Marvy Heritage
• Stamps: Unity Stamps
• Ink: Winsor Newton
• Charcoal Pencil

Love the details of this page and cannot wait to take it to canvas:

I often find myself questioning my impact and sometimes I can feel it...it comes to me in an email like this one from Trudy:

"There ya go...inspiring me into making a canvas! Did my own thing but the drips and runs and free handing part of my sentiment is all your fault! LOL!  Hugs, True :D"

and this email from Angie Reece:

"my friend cindi  has been telling me about this u-stream class she has been doing.  it is tracy weinzapfel from helmarusa, doing a live craftie session every monday night.  i decided to try it out a few weeks ago .. (here's a link to the video if you want to watch...and you do.  it's amazing!) so i did.  and i got totally inspired.  then i had to work the next day."

and this message from Lillian Child:

"And I want to again thank Tracy over at Helmar USA for inspiring me to create on canvas.  She was such a huge inspiration for me to go outside of my comfort zone."

 

Next weekend Rene will be laid to rest and I hope she realizes the amazing impact she had.  I know I hugged my kids a little tighter and that small stuff I tend to sweat seemed less important.  I also felt beyond grateful that these and others have taken the time to share with me and email their work that truly inspires me.  It fills me up in ways I never knew possible. 

Life is way too short and we really need to fill our limited time with what fills us us and let the other stuff go........

"Never regret the choices you make, just believe in yourself and have faith. Life isn't perfect. It's a blend of joy and sorrow. But wherever life leads you to , it has a purpose." ~unknown

Life.........Inspired

Work has been busy, life has been busy and I have felt creatively uninspired, unmotivated in the studio.  I hate when that happens.  It feels like everything else is getting in the way and I don't know how to balance it all.  I have beem missing my time to just feel creative and not force it.  The best part of my job that I love is the creativity that comes from it.  Each week I am LIVE on Helamr Ustream with many of you and have to come up with something fun and creative.  That is so not easy for me without making a fool of myself but I absolutely loving that challenge to be there with you guys and come up with something that makes us all feel inspired. 

Last week that inspiration happened. I am so protective of "my" art and although I have art journals full of my paintings and doodles I am so hesitant to share that.  I decided that needed to stop and sometimes what inspires me is just those doodles.  So we made the leap from art journal to canvas last week...

and here was the creative process LIVE....

What a great time we had and many of you emailed me to say that you joined me and I inspired you to do the same. 

Like Doris Widder who shared her canvas...........

 

and Sandee Setliff who took it to a card..........

I feel so humbled and honored when you guys share what you create based on some little idea that was floating around my head with color.  I decided to complete one of the canvases I had started for the show and change it up a bit.........

MATERIALS LIST:

• Helmar Adhesives: 450 Quick Dry and Liquid Scrap Dots
• Canvas 8 X 10
• Paints:  Decoart Jacquard
• Flowers
• Buttons
• Charcoal Pencil
• Ribbon: Graphic 45
• Ink:  White (you can substitute pens)
• Pen: Faber Castell
• Stamp: Unity
• Distress Ink
• Gesso
• Ribbons
• Baby Wipes
• Paint Brushes

I also had a few emails asking where to buy my "art".......What a feeling that is and the answer is....from me I guess LOL.  I decided to put these on my Etsy Store: Tracy Weinzapfel Studios as there are so many heart drawings I can pocess (especially since hearts are not my thang!). 

Thank you all who join me each week, who inspire me to keep creating and who toss out their ideas to keep the mojo going!  You don't realize how important that is to me for my spirit alone! 

Stay tuned next week as it is Halloween candy bags as guess who has to make 75 of those for two 4th grade classes.  I might as well have real life inspire me too!

 

"To Live a Creative Life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."~ Joseph Chilton Pearce

A Moment to Breathe

I have said it time and time again that I feel oh so blessed.  I have amazing friends, a great family, my kids. I get to wake up and surround myself with some of the most creative people.  There are days I create something whether for work or myself and someone will say they were inspired by it.  It humbles me to think that something I did inspired someone and they don't realize just how inspired I am right back. 

My days are filled with work, kids, house, you name it and I do it and sometimes those stresses just get to me and that inspiration gets lost in the mix.  Those are the times when I realize I just need a little me time.  This evening I needed just that and pushed all there other stuff over for that much needed time. No one may ever understand why simply picking up a paint brush feels right to me.  No purpose, just to play.

 
MATERIALS LIST:

• Adhesives - Helmar Gemstone Glue
• Paints - Golden
• Dew Drops -The Robin's Nest
• Charcoal Pencil
• Rubber Stamp - Stampendous
• Gelatos - Faber Castell
• Ink - Daler Rowney
• Stamp Pad - Stayz On
• Pen - Faber Castell

I am blessed that these amazing companies send me their products to create and play with and sometimes I just need to remember to do that.  As my wise friend Victoria said "I have instituted a breath moment into my day.....So much to be grateful for...".  She is absolutely right and that was my moment to breathe.

I hope you take yours too.....

 

 "Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life." ~Unknown

Heading to Inspired in North Carolina!

Helmar is a proud sponsor of Donna Downey's Artist Workshop May 11-14th in Concord, NC! 

 
I will be  will be teaching a mini workshop featuring my favorite Helmar Adhesives & Art Mediums!  Click HERE for details! 

 
I have been burning the midnight oil but I can say that the kids are packed!  I can nearly see my floor again in my studio!  
Time to take the Inspiration Challenge on the road!  Pending I have internet service look for up-dates on Helmar's Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/HelmarUSA!

 

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” — Mary Lou Cook

Make the most of it!

Ok, no drink paintings today but I feel another one blossoming so don't count that out yet.  This journal page was just about playing on the page and I just had to use GLUE (I go through withdrawal if I don't use it every day or so).  Lucky I get to use the best!

 
MATERIALS LIST:

• Watercolor Crayons
• Airbrush Paint
• Adhesives - Helmar 450 Quick Dry, Gemstone Glue & Liquid Scrap Dots
• Stamps - Stampin Up
• Plastic Letters - Unknown (just in my stash)
• Tag
• Ribbon  Offray
• Rub Ons - Scenic Route
• Flowers - Prima
• Beads adhered with Helmar Gemstone Glue
• Circular Clip

 One thing about this water color journal I did not take into account..........the thickness. 

 
Could there be such thing as too much dimension?  NO WAY!  Time to take off that spiral binding and re-bind it. 

 

"Learn to live without regrets and stop striving for perfection - you may be missing all the fun stuff in between!" ~ Crystal Ashby

I found my Creative Calling!

Seriously....I think I found my art calling and the inspiration was right in front of me the whole time!  I seem to have a knack for painting drink glasses!  Who would have thunk it!  Now before any of you jokesters make any wise cracks I just love they are simple to draw and oh so pretty!

"Every single one of us is born with a canvas: Our Lives.  Every single one of us can create a masterpiece with the life that we've been given" ~ Maria Shriver

 

MATERIALS LIST:

• Watercolor crayons
• Acrylic Paints
• Rubber Stamps (Stars) - Stampin Up
• Indian Ink & Nib

See Mom and Dad, I told you those four years of college were not going to waste LOL!  All that time I was sizing up martini glasses to paint them at the age of 40!  My parents are beaming with pride right now.  I could be the next Monet of Martinis, the Picasso of Pinot Noir, the Van Gogh of Vodka, the Da Vince of Daiquiris....do you see where I am going with this!  I better stop while I am way behind.

 

"Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You." ~ Dr. Seuss

Inspiration from Girlfriends!

Starting out today with a Thank You for the comments and emails.  Love to think that a) anyone is reading this blog and b) they take time to email me and even better when c) they are inspired to "Do Something Creative Every Day" such as Jean M. who emailed me:

"I just love seeing your journal. The quotes are wonderful and I love seeing the flowers you made.  I was finally inspired to give something a try and thought I’d share it with you. I LOVE Christy Tomlinson and her She Art.  http://christytomlinson.typepad.com/.  And, while this seemed to be calling my name, I felt it was something I could never do. I cannot draw or paint but I can glue! So I made a project similar to one of Christy’s! I used scrapbook papers to form my girl. I used paint, stamps, even doodled. Sorry the photo looks wet. I was so excited I could not wait for the Mod Podge to finish drying.

 

I just wanted to Thank You for sharing your inspiration with us and reminding us to do something creative every day!"  ~ Jean M. 

Thank you Jean!  How cool is it that Inspiration is catchy!

I am way over the moon about the whole painting thing.  I used to love to draw as a kid but never thought I could draw myself out of a wet paper bag so I decided to have another go at it.

This simple painting is inspired by all the wonderful girlfriends in my life.  My friend Kelly said it best "Girls... get yourself some girlfriends. You're going to need them."  You know who you are and I feel so fortunate to have each and every one of you in my life and I dedicate this page to you!

"Every Girl needs Great Girlfriends"

MATERIALS LIST:

• Watercolor Crayons
• Acrylic Paints
• Charcoal Pencil
• Indian Ink & Nib
• Date Stamp

Simple but tells the story.  I was so darn proud I sketched and painted!  Seriously need to get on that Gratitude Journal so I can write in there that I am grateful that lately I found my creative mojo!  And still so loving all the emails! 

 

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.  ~Flavia Weedn

Watercolors, Paints and Glue OH MY!

I have delved into the world of paints!  Water color and acrylic paints!  I never in a million years considered myself a painter but here goes nothing.  Started simple and so enjoyed drawing and painting.  I came off the page with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots!  I had so much fun with this one and actually sat back and liked my own work!  (seriously that never happens!).  I have had several emails with requests to list my Supply List so I will try to be better:

"I know that it is possible for life to look sometimes as if everything is falling apart - consider this, when life is "falling apar" things could actually be falling together...maybe for the very first time" ~Neale Donald Walsh"

 

MATERIALS LIST:

• Paints - Watercolor Crayons
• Paints - Acrylic Paint (DecoArt)
• Adhesives - Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
• Charcoal Penciel
• Decoupage - Helmar
• Indian Ink & Nib
• Flowers - Michael's (just plucked off the plastic stems)

Letting myself even hand write in my journal which is a whole new technique as I have never been a big fan of my handwriting.  I am letting a bit of that perfection go.  I even smudged it at the end and moved on. 

Oh!  I have even started altering my watercolor Gratitude Journal! This is the journal and the Helmar glues I have lined up......

 

Remember this is a plain 'ole watercolor pad I bought at Blick Art Supplies.  I bet some painting might show up in that one.  You can use a simple notebook, composition book, etc.  I am photographing the process of creating it.  I hope that a few others will join me in this simple endeavor!  Have a great weekend!

 

“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” — Mary Lou Cook