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Ask the Artist


Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions


  • Submit your question to Dina
  • July 6, 2016
    Q: Darlene wants to know: "Do you have any project suggestions for round coasters? The company I ordered the square coasters from messed up and sent me the round ones. They said I could keep the round ones, so I need something to do with 1,000 of them."

    A: Coasters do stamp well - you could stamp sets for quick themed gifts using archival or solvent ink. I've had good results watercoloring on them too, and they're thin enough to layer on a card front. Another idea would be to cover them with decorative paper, and sandwich them together in pairs over pieces of twine to make a hanging for a doorway or window. They would also make great bases for shaped boxes or covers for mini books or albums. You can die cut them into shapes, or leave them round.


    June 29, 2016
    Q: Linda wants to know: "What methods do you use for inspiration?"

    A: There is beauty all around us, so I'm constantly just observing things - as a colorist, I'm always noticing shadows and highlights, contrasts and color... my designer brain never stops! Some of my favorite color combinations have come from piles of scrap paper on my messy desk and from my never-ending pile of laundry. Sometimes I find inspiration just by asking, "what if...?" and experimenting or pushing what I know about a technique or medium. When I hit a wall creatively, I'll stop and clean my desk and go and do something unrelated, or I'll scroll through Pinterest or watch watercolor tutorials until I feel pushed to create again.


    June 22, 2016
    Q: Beverlee wants to know: "What can I do with finished coloring book pages?"

    A: Some uses may depend on the size of the design or the strength of the paper - if you decide not to keep your book intact, a framed sheet might be an option. Coloring pages can be used like decorative paper for wrapping small gifts, folding into boxes, or layers on handmade cards, especially pages with repeating patterns. If the area around the design is open, you could die cut tags with a portion of the design, leaving open space to stamp or write a greeting. If you want to keep your book together, an art journal might be a fun idea - try out techniques or add layers of paint or other mediums to enhance the designs, and add quotes or thoughts in the open spaces.


    June 15, 2016
    Q: Joanne wants to know: "I am putting together a shadow box for my nephew of family heirlooms, tools, and photos. My question is, how do I attach small wood working tools without damaging them? They are wood and brass and are somewhat weighty."

    A: What a special project! For the heavier items, I would make some small holes in the backing where they won't show, loop wire around the items in some inconspicuous places, and thread it through the holes to the back. On the back side, twist the wire against the surface, and then pull the ends out and tight to secure them for framing.


    June 8, 2016
    Q: Angel wants to know: "Somewhere I read that if you stamp any ink on vellum and then try to use alcohol ink (Copic markers, Ranger etc...), that the black will smear even if you let it dry for a while or even try heat it. Have you experienced this issue?"

    A: Yes, I have. The issue is with compatibility between the inks together and with the surface of the vellum. A dye ink is best with alcohol inks, and dye inks tend not to set well on the smooth surface of a vellum sheet. I'd usually use a permanent ink on vellum, and those are not compatible with alcohol inks. I would either choose an ink that can be heat embossed then color carefully in the open spaces, or stamp in a permanent ink and do my coloring on the back side of the paper.


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