Inside KathyAnne Art

Creative Digital Printing - No Art Printer Required Part One

2012-01-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

Last month I added the Epson 1100 Workforce printer to my art tools. Since I travel and teach alternative surface printing, sometimes in only a one day workshop. I always use my little Epson Charm and my little Epson Dash printers. They print 4” x 6” and are intended to print photo paper that comes with each ink cartridge. When I first started using my Epson Dash I was amazed at the surfaces these smaller printers could handle. Most of the fabrics like pimatex cotton and a few of my alternative surfaces as well as light weight metals, are printed on my little printers. This got me to thinking “why not get a little larger size out of prints created on a non-art printer.” That turned out to be an extremely wonderful idea because I am having all sorts of fun printing with the 1100 and a print size of 13” x 19”.

This months mini workshop is Creative Digital Printing - No Art Printer Required. In this workshop I pass on some beginning techniques to create digital alternative prints on surfaces that will fit in the Epson 1100 a straight pass through printer. It does a great job with alternative surfaces for digital printing. Next month I will get into light weight metals and who knows what else. Enjoy this workshop.

Members of KathyAnne Art can download this workshop for free, be sure to sign in !

Non members, you can purchase this workshop by clicking HERE for $15.00!

Happy New Year!!!

2011-12-31T19:18:00.000-08:00

The Making of an Image

2011-12-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

This is the second of 2 mini workshops new on KathyAnne Art this month. For this mini workshop I created an image on Corel Painter 12 then used an TextDrawing on my iPad and finished in Photoshop CS5. This mini workshop is a 7 page pdf.

Follow the creative journey!

Members you only need to sign in to download this free workshop. Non members you can click HERE to pay for this workshop. The workshop is $15.00 and once you click and pay I will send your mini workshop by email.

Constructing Simple Surfaces for Digital Printing

2011-12-06T06:43:00.000-08:00

For December we have 2 mini workshops that are free to KathyAnne Art Members. I will post them separately.

Inthis 20 page pdf mini workshop we will work with simple surfaces that add print dimensionwith added elements. Playing withways to assemble surfaces for printing keeps me looking for new ways to expressmyself with digital prints. Thereare so many things you can do to a thin paper surface, say the weight of apiece of regular inkjet paper. Thesurfaces built in this workshop will fit in any regular pass through inkjetprinter. If you think you havemade your surface a little thicker then will fit, you have a few choices. ……....

For members, be sure to sign in to KathyAnne Art to download your workshop and for non members you can buy the workshop by clicking HERE to pay for your workshop and I will send you the download by email.

Enjoy!!

Boxes of Metal

2011-11-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

This months mini workshop is Boxes of Metal. During this workshop we will put together a basic metal box. The design for these boxes is decorative, so they do not open. I create them from both digitally printed beverage cans and also printed recycled printer plates. You can use any metal surface that is thin but somewhat rigid. The metal used has to be easy to manipulate by cutting and punching holes. You do not have to use digitally printed metal, but do your own thing to the surface before assembling. Adapt the design anyway you would like.

You can also turn these boxes into rattles by adding beads and bells and anything that you love to hear rattle. The first one I made has a bunch of words inside with other rattle types of stuffing.

This workshop is free to members, so members be sure to sign in and use this url.

If you are a non member. You can purchase the workshop by clicking HERE for $15.00 you will receive the pdf by a large file email after purchase.

Images from Two Guns on KathyAnne Art

2011-10-25T08:46:00.000-07:00

Two Guns Arizona is a ghost town set on old Route 66. For information about my trip there click here. After shooting over 250 pictures of the area I added royalty free images of the area on KathyAnne Art. They are in the travel collection and start on page 5. Below you will see all the preview images, in order to find them on the KathyAnne Art site start by clicking here and page through pages 5 through 8 on the site.

One of the detail images from the pool graffiti has been altered I separated layers, filled them with pattern or texture and added a pattern layer at the bottom. This is the altered image.

Mixing Digital Prints and Encaustic

2011-10-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

This month's new mini workshop on KathyAnne Art is "Mixing Digital Prints and Encaustic"

The encaustic process intrigues me and I find it a great mix with digital prints. My work with encaustic allows me to expand my ideas while assembling surfaces.

In this workshop, I will take you through my process working with both my digital prints on a few types of surfaces and encaustic medium. Amazing texture can be achieved mixing the two mediums. If you are looking to learn a lot about the encaustic process, you can check out the books in the materials list. We will not be learning the total encaustic process, but how it relates to mixing digital prints, wax and texture from my point of view. If you want to get into encaustic work I advise you to take a workshop or find books on the subject. For books on the step by step process in encaustic check the material list at the end of the workshop. I list my favorite books on the subject.

This workshop is free to KathyAnne Art members, so members be sure to sign in and then use this url.

If you are a non member this workshop is $15.00 and you can purchase it by clicking HERE

Digital Printing Fragile Surfaces Workshop

2011-09-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

Lately I’ve been experimenting with fragile recycled papers and digital printing. In my “Wrap it Up-journals with style” ebook published last month, there is a chapter on recycling paperback book pages by stacking them, gluing them together and painting them. For myself I’ve then taken those painted book pages and used them for overprinting. The painted backgrounds are yummy when printed, but no words show.

What about letting the words peak out from underneath a digital print? There are lots of books in my studio that can be used to supply pages for printing. When used on their own, most of these book pages are fragile and too flimsy to print even with a precoat. The pages need to be glued to others to make them thicker, but that isn’t the effect I was looking for when I started this process.

I love the feel of fragile papers and the look when they have been printed. Special care is needed to successfully print the pages and once a few solutions appear this becomes an easy process.

Once you have participated in this workshop you will know exactly what you need to print fragile surfaces. A complete supply list is in the pdf instructions along with url and password for video access. The video takes you through the entire process. You will be able to tailor what you learned to your own printer. If you have any questions about the material, my email address is listed in the pdf and you are welcome to contact me for any help you would like.

This workshop is free to KathyAnne Art members

For non members the workshop is $15.00 and you can purchase by clicking here.

From Pattern to Print

2011-08-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

From Pattern to Print is a mini workshop using Photoshop Elements 9 to create simple repeat patterns. This is a video workshop. When you sign up you will receive access to the video and the password. Several types of patterns are demonstrated, so that you will be able to use the techniques shown to create patterns of all sorts from images. You can play with size and resize and making the pattern the way you want it to fill a page for printing. Cursory instructions are given for printing a 13” x 19” piece of paper. You will use your own paper size to print to your specifications.

This workshop is free to members of KathyAnne Art.

For non members this workshop is $15.00 This is a 30 minute video workshop.

To purchase this workshop click on the link and you can pay through paypal. Your info will be emailed to you. From Pattern to Print Workshop

Wrap it Up: journals with style!

2011-08-05T09:27:00.001-07:00

My new ebook is available in a download pdf file on KathyAnne Art. Here is a video peak at the journals created with this new ebook.

Wrap it Up: journals with style!

See pics, the introduction and table of contents on my KathyAnne Art blog.

Quick Summer Journal: with digital printed pages

2011-07-20T14:38:00.000-07:00

This month the members workshop is Quick Summer Journal: with digital printed pages. Quick, easy and lightweight to throw in anywhere. Here is a quick description from the workshop introduction and if you are a non member just use the buy now button at the bottom of the page to buy the workshop. The workshop is $15.00 for non members and free to members.

If you are a member you can log in and go to Collections>Tutorials>page 5.

This quick summer journal is constructed from one piece of Fabriano Artistico 140 LB hot press watercolor paper. The journal I designed for this workshop is digitally printed. A painted and collage journal is also depicted. Both journals are the same as far as the sizes of the base paper. They both are held together with colored wire in one signature. You can make this journal as large as you like. All you have to do is use additional pieces of watercolor paper. The painted one is made from 2 sheets and is still in one signature. You may want to add signatures and a cover if you use additional pages.

Digital Printing Silk Surfaces

2011-06-28T11:50:00.000-07:00

Just finished and posted the new mini workshop for KathyAnneArt members! "Digital Printing Silk Surfaces" So once my enews goes out tomorrow, I'll get back to working on my new ebook "Wrap it Up: Journals with Style" - keeping my fingers crossed it will be ready in July. No promises for sure:)

As far as this months workshop goes, it is mostly a video workshop, but also has a 6 page pdf. The information on accessing the 20 minute video is in the pdf along with some photos of the work discussed in the video. It is pretty simple and depending on your printer you will now be able to print silk successfully. If you have any questions at all just contact me and I will be glad to help you!

For members remember to log in to the site to download your free mini workshop. For non members this workshop is available for $15.00 and you can go right to paypal from the Buy Now button below.

Celebrating Art Unraveled 2011

2011-06-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

Since this years theme for Art Unraveled is "Coloring Outside the Line" I thought I would post an article I wrote in 2005 with the same title. If you would like to print the article go to my KathyAnneArt site and download it for free! The article is on the last row first box. Enjoy!

I will be teaching at Art Unraveled 2011 on August 2, 2011 and August 9, 2011.
Dimensional Collage with Digital Medium and Can-Can Art

Studio Journals Mini Workshop!

2011-05-31T06:14:00.000-07:00

When I work in my studio I like to play at the same time. Building journals is something that I usually have going on the side. In fact right now I have an ebook in the works on a new journal design and another workshop having to do with really stuffed journals. For some reason, creating them gives me a chance to play. So when I was deciding what to do for the free KathyAnneArt member workshop of the month I decided to share my new design for studio journals. There have been many different types of studio journals over the years, but recently I had the opportunity to look at what really would move me in a studio journal.

The design for this months workshop was first used for my artwork that will be included in Sue Bleiweiss's book coming out next year-Sketchbook Challenge- tag line to be announced later. When Sue asked me to do some artwork and a sketchbook to go with I got inspired to something I had been thinking about for awhile. I loved using the design, thought of someways to make it better and then put that all together for this workshop. You can make this journal from an old book which is explained in the workshop. (see my blog post on my KathyanneArt Blog for more details.

Members sign into KathyAnne Art to get the workshop for free and non members can buy the workshop on Kathyanne Art or right here. For non members the cost of the workshop is $15.00

Recycle It! Quick Journal Covers

2011-04-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

Wow the month is almost over so it's definitely time to post the mini workshop for April- free to Kathyanne Art members. A combination of recycling plastic and also using clear vinyl for journal covers is explored in this workshop.

Members be sure to log in to download the workshop for free in the tutorial collection.

Non members the workshop is available for 15.00 at this link or right here.

Mixed Surfaces Journal Part 3 Mini Workshop

2011-03-14T21:56:00.000-07:00

This month Mixed Surfaces Journal concludes with part 3. This video part of the workshop instruction develops the assembling of the elements from the first 2 workshops. Two journals are constructed showing various ideas on accomplishing that task. You will get a variety of ideas on how to create and add your mixed surfaces into a journal format. Of course there are infinite ways to add your own ideas of what you would like from your personal journal. Use the ideas presented and make up some of your own.

Members log in then go to to tutorials to download your free mini workshop.

Non members price for workshop $15.00

MIxed Surfaces Journal: Part 2 Mini Workshop

2011-02-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

This month is part 2 of a 3 part workshop about creating journals with mixed surfaces. The ideas are presented in a 44 minute video using Photoshop CS5.

In this part of the workshop we will take a look at the digital element to combine with your papers and fabrics you painted in the part 1. The video for this part of the workshop contains ideas to get you started thinking of the types of visuals you want for your journal. I show some of the ways I create digital prints for my pages. It is not a photoshop workshop, but a cursory view of manipulating some files for printing. This information is intended to be food for thought, or you could use these actual ideas with your images.

Contact me with any questions about this workshop.

KathyAnne Art members be sure to log in to download this free workshop to members.

To join KathyAnne Art use this link. You will be able to download free mini workshops each month as part of your membership.

Non members Part 2 of the Mixed Surfaces Journal mini workshop is $15.00

Mixed Surfaces Journal: Part 1 Mini Workshop

2011-01-15T11:10:00.000-08:00

This is a 3 part workshop about creating journals with mixed surfaces. The workshop is presented by a video and a pdf.

In this first part we will color our papers and fabrics along with pulling together other scraps and elements to be added to the mix of journal surfaces.

In the second part we will take a look at ways to digitally print surfaces and design images to work with our painted surfaces. Looking at digital prints in a way that they will successfully accent your journal construction. With an infinite array of choices, you pick and choose what will work for your composition. During this part of the workshop we will add digital prints to journal pages

In the third part we will completely assemble our journal. By this time in the workshop all the pieces will come together as you work out your intention for your unique creation.

This workshop is free to KathyAnne Art members and can be accessed here. Members be sure to log in first.

Non members Part 1 of the Mixed Surfaces Journal workshop is $15.00.

Creating Texture with Lutradur Video Workshop

2010-12-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

Lutradur is an interesting surface to digitally print and manipulate. It is one of the surfaces I use consistently in my artwork. This intriguing surface is wonderful to heat distress and is the essence of creating texture. When I plan to use lutradur, I consider my layers and decide what other surfaces would work well with this substrate for the particular project. Next my surfaces are printed. Using my completed prints, I burn, tear, stitch and bead the lutradur to build my textures.

In this mini video workshop I will: melt and alter printed lutradur in 2 thicknesses, explain my process of layering and beading, show the layers that go into 2 pieces, align and explain how to proceed on a work in progress, demonstrate small adjustments to a finished piece.

You will receive the URL and password to access the video when you sign up and download your PDF action guide. This PDF will have my source for lutradur along with detail pictures of the artwork from the video.

If you have any questions about the workshop or information, feel free to email me.
KathyAnne Art members be sure to log in on the site for this monthly free to members workshop. Non members can use the Buy Now button below to purchase the workshop for $15.

Creating Texture in Photoshop Elements 9

2010-10-27T19:41:00.000-07:00

This mini workshop will give you a start at creating textures in Photoshop Elements. When I texture in Elements or Photoshop I use the same basic process of making selections. Things are a little different for Photoshop, but if you are interested in creating texture, I know you can use the information in this video with Photoshop. You will sometimes find the tools or features in Photoshop in different places then in Photoshop Elements, but they are there.

Using this new software to create a video, is new to me, but I feel it is an effective way to show various tasks in my photo programs. It’s so much better for the viewer to watch me work on the screen. As I get used to this video format, I will be switching off from Photoshop Elements 9 to Photoshop CS5. This will enable me to share more information on my digital process. I will be working on some basic Photoshop Elements tutorials in the coming months.

In this workshop we will make selections., create layers from selections, fill selections, create new layers, copy layers, texture selections with filters and blend modes. This is not a beginning Photoshop Elements workshop, it is a process for a way to build texture that is constructed with Elements. If you are a beginner and you spend the time to do exactly what I do, you should be able to find your way around the information. You are always welcome to contact me with questions.

This mini workshop is free to KathyAnneArt members be sure to log in on the site.
Non-members go to the KathyAnne Art site to sign up for the workshop.

KathyAnne Art Members Downloading Images and Workshops

2010-10-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Members can easily download images, tutorials and monthly workshops that are free to members. Screen shots depict this in the following post. Once in awhile a member would like to see what this looks like. To make the screen shots larger, click on them and they will open in another window for you to see them clearly.

First sign into the site.

Finish Your Journal-Assembling Pages

2010-09-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

Seems I am always making journals. Whether it is for a workshop or just because I get the urge, there are journals and journal pieces all over my studio.

Once the covers and pages are complete, they need to be assembled.

This mini video workshop covers attaching your pages when

you have finished all the elements to your journal.

Most of my journals are collaged before pages are attached. In the demo journal for the video the pages are freshly cut and white. After I finished the video, I went back with dyes mixed with water and brushed dye over the pages. You can see that in the section pictured with the title at the top of this post.

My preference is to work intuitively and let the

materials and pieces determine how they all end up.

My journal construction follows this course. In the video, I show you a few journals that have been assembled, what they look like when finished and different beaded backs. The journal below is the one I assemble for the workshop.

This workshop is free to members, so if you are a member be sure to sign in before adding the workshop to your cart.

Non-members go to KathyAnne Art to purchase the workshop.

Printer Profiles: Photoshop Elements 8

2010-08-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

Since Photoshop Elements 8 was released, I have received emails asking me how to get decent prints when printing from this edition of Elements. It takes a little finding the right places since it is,t a little different then the last few versions. Here is a quick look at the printer boxes in Elements 8 that will get you what you want for printer profiles.

Personally I think it is a little confusing, but we will take several options and you will get the idea how this works. There are other choices along the way, but for now try this.

Once I use File

My usual path would be to pick Page Setup (you see the red circle bottom left) to choose my paper size and orientation.

If the print is 8.5 x 11 this is the easy way to get to it. I could then click ok and go on.

The only problem is then you do not ever see one of the color settings. When I advise my students I tell them to go to More Options and skip this box all together.

So instead lets choose More Options next to Page Setup in the bottom of the box.

More Options box is now open

Choose Color Management and then under color handling change the pull down menu to say Photoshop Elements Manages Color. This is your first step to controling the color by taking away from the printer and letting Elements to do it. Don't let your printer manage your color.

Next choose custom print size and choose the correct print size for your print.

Pick the size you want or make a custom size if the size is not in your list.

Click OK

In this box click Print - bottom right and you are on the last couple of steps.

In this box in the Layout pull down menu choose Print Settings

Go to Media Type pull down menu and pick your paper type
Under Color Settings choose Off (no Color Adjustment) again you do not want the printer to adjust your color.

If you are printing with thick paper go to Print Settings and in that pull down menu

choose Extension Settings

Now you can finally click Print

Yes there are other choices to make along the way. My examples show my most used choices.
Then the next time I print, if I want to print with the same papers etc. I use the last used settings choice in the print box and it does all the same choices for me. That setting is a great addition in one of the last versions of Photoshop and Elements.

Always make sure you change you color settings in the 2 places shown.

Working with Hardware Cloth

2010-08-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

August's Mini Workshop, free to KathyAnne Art members, is "Working with Hardware Cloth".

The workshop is posted to the KathyAnne Art site under collections

This is a video workshop. which means that once members sign in and get the workshop, they can then download the pdf file which includes the information on viewing the video. The pdf also contains supplier information.

An explanation of the workshop is below.

Non-members can take the workshop on-line for a fee of $15. Just follow this link. Once you pay for the workshop, you may return to KathyAnne Art site with your order # and sign in as a non member to retrieve your download of the pdf file.

Easy Pocket Journals Mini Workshop

2010-07-19T13:58:00.000-07:00

Although I have zillions of journals, imagining new ideas for creating journals, is one of my favorite things to do. So many times, my journals get heavy and are not convenient to carry around. Then add pens to the mix and the whole transportation thing becomes cumbersome. So my thoughts have been about constructing journals that are smaller and more portable. In this workshop we will explore two of those types of journals.

Both the journals covered here are light weight and portable. One is constructed from watercolor paper that is digitally printed on each side and the other is made from recycled pocket book pages. This is short and sweet, ending small interesting journals.

This workshop is free to KathyAnne Art members. Be sure to sign in.

Non members go to KathyAnne Art Tutorials under Collections. The workshop is $15.00.
Once you pay for the workshop, you will be able to download the PDF instructions.

Digital Collage Workshop Part 2

2010-06-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Digital Collage Workshop Part 2

In this mini workshop, we will use some of the techniques from part one of “Digital Collage Workshop”. In Part 2 as we take a cursory look at 3 different types of digital collage, you will be able to apply what you have already learned and learn other ways of putting those techniques together. Transfer the ideas in this part of Digital Collage Workshop to your own images and expand on the ideas presented.

As usual, this workshop is a process workshop. Get familiar with the process and tweak it to fit what you want. Learning how to use Photoshop or Photoshop Elements is entirely personal. Everyone is looking for something diferent from their images and using these tools is no exception. Once you work a photo type software long enough, you will find your favorite ways to manipulate images. Your favorite techniques will, by accident at times, take you to other ways to express your new way of thinking.

One thing is for sure, the more you work, the better you get. Take the time to develop your images and your style. It’s amazing what can happen when you continue to expand what you know.

This can be an enjoyable ride. Don’t take what you do too seriously. Remember the undo command is just a fingertip away.

This workshop is one of my "Free to Members Monthly Workshops" All mini workshops on KathyAnneArt are free to members.

Non Members, the workshop is $15.00

Digital Print on Alternative Surfaces: Skins and Metal Mesh

2010-06-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

My new workshop is online the subject, Skins and Metal Mesh, how to create and how to digitally print. Here is an intro video from you tube.

New Mini Workshop on Digital Collage

2010-05-26T14:46:00.000-07:00

Each month KathyAnne Art members can download a free mini workshop. This month's "Digital Collage Mini Workshop" gives instructions for both Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop Elements 8.

This workshop depicts simple ideas on combining images, without much work but creates wonderful results. It's easy to use these ideas on your own images. Most of the images used in the workshop, are available for download on the site. The url for those pages are in the workshop information.

Discover what works for you and develop unique compositions with your photographs and images.

The more you play with photo software, the better you get. This will be the first of 2 mini workshops on Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Next months we will go into more ideas on how to combine and collage images.

Members the workshop is free, just sign in.

Non members, the workshop is $15.00

Using Images to Create Patterns

2010-05-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

Here’s a cursory demo “Using Images to Create Patterns” that is the same for both Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop Elements 8.

I will briefly explain this process with an image from the KathyAnne Art site - The image title is Journalpage_leaves and it is on page 9 of the Journaling Section. These instructions are the same for both Photoshop and Elements. The only difference is the menus are slightly different in both programs. Since it is great to learn something and remember it, I am only going to tell you what to do and let you find out where it all is.

Open your image.

Then make a selection using the marquee tool (set the tool on fixed size with a height and width of your choosing. I use 4” x 4” on this sample)

Open a new file (command n mac) (control n pc)

the same ppi as your original image and twice the width and height as the original selection. (My new file is 8” x 8” with 240ppi)

Copy and paste the selection to the new image file.

Now make another copy by either (command j mac) or (control j pc)

Move both the selections to the top of the box to where the edges meet.

With one of the layers selected, flip the section horizontally.

Next merge the 2 layers till they are one and copy that layer by (command j mac)

or (control j pc) and move that layer to the bottom.

Flip the bottom or top layer vertically and merge them again.

Define pattern under edit

Test your pattern by opening another new file. Open it larger then your pattern. I opened a file that was 12” x 12”. Then fill your new file with the pattern from the pattern palette.

That’s it, simple. You made a pattern:)

Amazing Texture with Synthetics

2010-04-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

Synthetics fabrics and surfaces are interesting additions to mixed media artwork and journals. After a recent trip to Joann's Fabrics, I added a few of these surfaces to layers in some of my works in progress. This all came about during my "Extreme Textural Surfaces" workshop in Alaska last month. We played with many different synthetic fabrics, with interesting results. One of the exercises for the textural workshop started with a piece of heat distressed felt. Each student then interpreted the exercise using the felt in their own way. The results were incredibly creative.

After returning to my studio, I composed this min-workshop to digitally print and heat distress synthetics and combine the surfaces in a composition. My work often uses tyvek and lutradur, so I worked with polyester, nylon and organdy.

This workshop is free to KathyAnne Art Members. A monthly member benefit is the mini- workshops. To date the mini workshops free to members include: Dying Watercolor Paper, Creating a Background and Frame from an Image, Garbage Journals, Printing with Epson PM 360, Putting it all Together:Assembling Digitally Printed Surfaces, Enhance Surfaces before Printing and then this months Amazing Texture with Synthetics. You can download these and other tutorials from KathyAnne Art> Collections>Tutorials

Non Member price for the workshop is $12.00

Photoshop Elements 8- Making Puzzle Texture

2010-04-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick tutorial on making a puzzle from an image. This will work on other versions of Photoshop Elements, but I did this one in Photoshop Elements 8.

KathyAnne Art has mini-workshops, tutorials and on-line workshops. To see what is available visit-
Tutorials on KathyAnne Art

Printing Uncommon Surfaces on the Epson PM 260

2010-03-24T14:21:00.000-07:00

New Mini Workshop on KathyAnne Art

This month’s mini workshop is “Printing Uncommon Surfaces on the Epson PM 260”. The workshop pdf is 6 pages and takes you through my entire process using the PM 260 to print uncommon surfaces.

When teaching workshops, this printer sometimes does most of the printing for the workshop. It is easy to use and will print many fabrics and papers. It will even print on aluminum and fiberglass screen.

This compact photo printer is really versatile. My original idea for this printer was to

print on the road, just in case I wanted to create journal pages, or test a new print in the design stage. Now it is used more for teaching workshops and does an awesome

job. Just remember if you are going to use surfaces other then what Epson intended, your warranty will be null and void. That said my Epson PM 260 is 2.5 years old and without serious incident.

You can purchase this workshop at KathyAnne Art. If you are a member the workshop is free. As a member, sign in and then put the workshop in your cart. At check out the workshop price will be $0

For all others the workshop is $15.00 visit the KathyAnne Art website or buy now at PayPal

Text Play in Photoshop Elements 8

2010-03-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

This tutorial about filling text with patterns, is written for Photoshop Elements 8, but Photoshop users will be able to see how to use it with their software also. It's pretty simple.

A short tutorial with a couple of images for download on the KathyAnne Art Site.

Links for these 2 images are in the tutorial and can be copied from the bottom of this post.

Members can download the background and pattern for free. The downloads are $3.00 each for non-members. Any questions? Contact KathyAnne!

Background link: Background 11
Pattern link: Yosemite Falls 5

Mini Workshop: Putting it all Together-Assembling Digitally Printed Surfaces

2010-02-18T16:40:00.000-08:00

My new Mini Workshop is ready and on-line. This month's free to members workshop is
"Putting it all Together: Assembling Digitally Printed Surfaces. This workshop follows the construction of a variety of surfaces being assembled. Introduction follows:

The workbook for the workshop is 15 pages with pictures throughout to show what is created on each composition. KathyAnne Art members be sure to log in so you will get the workshop at no cost.
Free to KathyAnne Art members . The workshop is $15.00 to non members.

Non- members go to KathyAnne Art or

Mini-Workshop Enhance Surfaces Before Printing

2010-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

This month's mini workshop free for members is "Enhance Surfaces Before Printing". Developing infinite ways to create interesting surfaces to print or overprint is one of my favorite things. There is nothing more exciting than watching an incredible print emerge from your printer. Well maybe there are lots of things more exciting than watching a printer print, but to me it's always amazing. Seeing the colors, textures, patterns etc as the print appears.

The inspiration for this months mini -workshop came from working with skins and thinking, why don't I add elements to other surfaces, not just handmade skins. Since I have already done a little of this before, I created some examples of the process. It's fairly simple and produces great results.

Reprinted here is the introduction from the workshops. As usual this workshop is a benefit of KathyAnne Art membership - free to members. Make sure you sign in as a member, put the workshop in your cart and then price will show as zero.

For non members the workshop is $12.00.

Current Workshops on Kathyanne Art

2010-01-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

Starting the year out with a little review. Here is a list of the online workshops available on KathyAnne Art.

In 2009, I added a benefit for KathyAnne Art Members: a mini workshop each month that is free to members. There is a charge for non-members. You will see these mini workshops below.

When members sign in, then place a mini workshop in their cart, the workshop will be added to the cart for no charge. Make sure as a member you sign in to take advantage of the free monthly mini workshops for members.

Full workshops are 20% off to members and full price for non members. These online workshops come with a pdf of written information and a video that is accessible with a password that is included on the first page of the pdf. Go to the tutorial section on the KathyAnne Art site to sign up for any of these workshops.

On Line Workshops with PDF Workbooks and Videos

Getting Started with Digital Print on Uncommon Surfaces
This workshop has a 16 page pdf and a 43 minute video. If you want to learn how to digitally print on fabrics and other specialty surfaces, this workshop is for you. As questions come up while you experiment with the process, you can contact me with inquiries at any time.

For a complete list of what this workshop contains, you can see this blog post on my KathyAnne Art Blog

Journals with Digital Elements
This workshop explores using digital elements in journals and art books. Several types of journals are demonstrated. To see the information on this workshop, visit this post on this Inside KathyAnne Art Blog Post.

Mini Monthly Workshops, free to members

Mini Workshop: Garbage Journals
These journals consist of leftovers, collected papers, maps, fabrics etc. Learn about these fun journals on this blog post.

Mini Workshop: Creating a Background and Frame from an Image
Created for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, this mini workshop gives ideas on creating backgrounds and shows ways to use the techniques, complete info here.

Mini Workshop: Dying Watercolor Paper
This mini workshop shows how I dye my watercolor paper for journals and watercolor paper I overprint for my artwork. A how to with pictures of each step makes up the pdf for this mini workshop.

Art in Common

2009-12-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

Art in Common is a private social network available to the members of KathyAnne Art. Each new member will receive an invitation to Art in Common that will allow them to access the site.

The site contains:

*A forum for members to ask questions and start discussions.

*A blog for any of the members to use or post.

*Tutorials that are easily accessed which currently include:
Enlarging an Image to Print
Amate Process to make Paper from Kozo
Beginning Text using Photoshop Elements Part 1 & 2
Overprinting a Design
Creating Textures in Photoshop Elements
Photoshop Shortcuts
Stripe from an Image in Photoshop
Combining Photoshop Layers
with more to come

*Members can watch the videos posted and post their own.

*Members can post events they are involved in or want to publicize.

* Members can post photos of their work.

*Members can customize their pages.

*Members can chat.

The above images were created from the combining layers tutorial for Photoshop.

Creating a Background and Frame from an Image

2009-12-06T15:09:00.000-08:00

One of the benefits for membership in KathyAnne Art are the free mini workshops that are announced in the enews-letter every month. This month the workshop is "Creating a Background and Frame from an Image". Created for both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, this workshop gives ideas on creating backgrounds and shows how the techniques explained can be used in other ways.

Members, sign in to download the mini workshop for free KathyAnne Art site.
Non members can purchase the workshop for $12.00.

Any questions? Contact Kathyanne

Carol Wiebe: Artist Profile

2009-12-03T13:45:00.000-08:00

Carol Wiebe is my artist profile this month. I met Carol when she commented about a post on my KathyAnneArt blog. Since then, Carol has enriched my life in many ways and has become a special friend of mine.

Carol's blog Silverspring Studio should be on everyone's "blog to visit often" list. Unlike myself, Carol writes consistently, sometimes daily, but
certainly every few days and her content is interesting and varied. I was inspired to my beverage can installation after a blog post Carol did which included a video "Margaret Wertheim: The beautiful math of coral (and crochet)". This video this video is an inspiring TED talk and describes an incredible crocheted installation project. After viewing the video, I thought- wow I could do a forest surfaces installation of digitally printed recycled beverage cans.
Needless to say Silverspring Studio is not to be missed.

In Carol's own words:

I make art quilts, “Cracked Paper Quilts” to be exact, and I have found that this medium suits me perfectly. I was already adding paper to my art quilts but after taking a workshop with artist Fran Skiles, I suddenly was able to take the leap into making my total quilt top out of paper. I became obsessed with all that I could do with this humble material. I am passionate enough to devote every possible moment I can to creating art quilts, as well as preparing the materials I need or studying art books and attending workshops to increase my skills".

Dress 10" x 15.5" Nest 31.5" x 25"

I am inspired by everything around me. I use my camera, pens and brushes to record what draws my eye, mind, and heart. Then comes the computer stage, which I have to be careful to curtail or it dominates my time. It is just so much fun to turn my gathered images, words, and information into what I call design papers, the “fabric” of my paper art quilts.

A quilt can take anywhere from a week to a month (or a lifetime) to make. I incorporate all kinds of handmade elements, so I may have to carve some stamps, make stencils, create design papers in a myriad of ways. Then there is all the stitching, painting, stamping, collage. I may decide I want some paper beads added, or a clay inclusion or two. These have to be designed and created. I may be inspired to write a poem about what the piece is teaching me. As you can see, this process can become quite involved".

Be sure to visit Carol's blog and also see her videos of her process on Vimeo-

Cracked Paper Quilts 1: Sewing the Paper Top

Cracked Paper Quilts 2: Stitching the Paper Sandwich

Cracked Paper Quilts 3: Revealing the Stitched Base and Adding the Cracks

Or if you are a KathyAnne Art member, you can enjoy Carol's videos on Art in Common.

Playing with Images

2009-11-27T14:46:00.000-08:00

This will give a cursory look at what can be done to one of the images on the Kathyanne Art site. It's a before and after. I got involved in changing this image to something else and didn't write the steps down, so in this situation, it will be food for thought instead of a straight how to. I used Photoshop to manipulate the image. Journalpage 127 is the image I started with.

This image is meant to be a journal page that can be printed and written on. I wanted to see what changes I could make and add a quote. Here is where it ended up.

I turned the image clockwise using the transform tool.
Rasterized the type and filled it with a pattern I made from the print used in the geometric design.
Type was stroked and embossed.
Using the paint bucket tool, I filled the background with a new color, chosen also from the print in the geometric design.
Once the design was done, the background (which is everything but the type) was textured with one of the patterns in the fill box.

This image will be posted to my kathyannewhite blog on November 28th. Everyday that blog has a new post containing a positive aspect.

Photoshop and Printing Ideas

2009-11-11T06:47:00.000-08:00

My new "Surfaces" book is in the works and one of the printing ideas from the book comes from an image on the KathyAnne Art site. Tessellation 10 from the Yosemite collection was chosen for a print on watercolor paper. The paper has a pattern created with Golden's Molding Paste. The paste was applied and scraped, with a cut piece of hardware cloth. Once dry, the paper was coated with Type ll precoat from inkAID.

Using Tesselation 10, I changed the image by doing the following. This can be done with both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

After downloading this image from the KathyAnne Art site, I changed the canvas size to twice the height so that I could copy the image, flip it vertically to come up with my final image to print.

So that you could clearly see the papers texture once printed, I was looking for an image that would show that once printed and photographed.

This is the final print.

The detail will show the texture from the paper.

My new "Surfaces" book will include canvas, pimatex cotton, some papers, lutradur, organdy, silk and tyvek. The books focus is about my experiences and ideas when I digitally print these surfaces. Off to the library today to finish the chapter on tyvek and hopefully canvas. The ebook should be available later this month. This will be the first book in a series that will start with books covering the topics of surfaces, texture and easy printing on the road for journaling.

Visit KathyAnne Art for tutorials and workshops.

2009-11-09T08:44:00.000-08:00

Once a month I will be featuring a member of KathyAnne Art. For November I would like to introduce Bonnie Samuel.

Bonnie Samuel received her BA, Liberal Arts, at Drake University. Her art has developed over many years with study and experience in oil painting, sewing, handweaving and fiber art. Bonnie completed course work, seminars and classes in various art mediums and has had the good fortune to find mentors who inspired and helped in skill building.
Bonnie’s concentration has been studio work and developing a body of work over the past couple of years. Some work has been shown informally, but now the intent is to begin submission to art and art quilt shows. She had two art quilts placed in the "Textile & Fiber Art Exhibition 09" at the Fisher Art Center in Marshalltown, IA.
Bonnie also authors a blog "about fiber in art, culture and life," providing news and resources for the creative world of fiber artisans worldwide.

When asking Bonnie about her work, she told me the following:
"My life experiential path has been diverse, yet of great value in building a foundation for my avocation as a fiber artisan. Each art experience has added to a collage of interrelated segments, that in recent years has brought my art expression into focus for me.

The quilt art format combines creative elements I find most interesting and expressive – fabric, stitch, thread and painting. Design elements, either representational or abstract, are utilized in purposeful images to evoke an emotion, memory or bring focus to the message expressed by the art piece.

Fiber art is a rich, fulfilling and creative medium for me. It is an expressive art form, diverse in methods, construct, visual applications and employs a variety of skills. Fiber art is challenging and enriching for me as an artist and I think, too, for the viewer.

My imagery is meant for the viewer to identify with, have a good laugh, raise a fist in affirmation or simply enjoy."

Coming from an art quilt background, I love the colors and imagery Bonnie uses in her work. Look up her blog at
Bonnie Samuel Designs Blog You can also visit her website
Bonnie Samuel Designs. You will find contact information at
these links if you would like to contact Bonnie.

Below are 2 of Bonnie's Colorful art quilts.

Journals with Digital Elements

2009-11-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever considered using digital elements in your journals or art books? In this workshop you will design and construct your own original journal from cover to cover. Exploring the numerable possibilities for using digital prints, patterns and textures in journals, art journals or art books. Experiment with images and create surfaces that can be printed on ink jet printers.

You will:

Dye, paint, and/or overprint the base pages

Work with inkAID digital grounds to coat surfaces for printing

Create transparent or textural skins

Print on fabric using carrier sheets

Design your pages in the journal

Create a cover

Put it all together

Questions are welcome at anytime. This is an online workshop and can be accessed at any time.

The accompanying video has the following segments:

A chat about the workshop

Making a cheesecloth skin

Create painted pages

Overprint painted pages

Melt tyvek and lutradur

Take a look at how journals are created

Covers

A complete look at an art journal from start to finish

To register for this workshop go to KathyAnne Art

If you are a member, be sure to sign in and receive your 20% off the cost of $50.00. Member price $40.00

Any questions, contact Kathyanne

Garbage Journal Mini Workshop

2009-11-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

This is my planning journal, it is 9.5" in height and 11" wide. This journal took approximately 5 hours from start to finish.

The journal directly below is an everyday journal. It measures 8" in height and 10" wide.

This month's free mini workshop for members at KathyAnne Art is Garbage Journals. Non members can take the monthly workshops for a fee of $10.00. This workshop takes the participant through ideas and creating these types of journals. Registration for the workshop is at the link above. The workshop is ongoing - online. Take it at your leisure.

This is my studio journal-the pages

7" in height and 5" wide.

This small journal is 4" x 4" and is
easy to carry with for jotting notes

Garbage journals consist of leftovers, collected papers, maps, fabrics etc.

Most of the time, mine are created for a specific purpose, but they are always

created rough and in a hurry. These journals are fast, spontaneous and fun to make.

The largest of the journals shown was created start to finish in 4 hours. The little 4” x 4” journal was created in 2 hours. All the materials, including the pieces for the cover were in a box or a drawer.

You would be amazed how many items are around your studio or workspace for this type of project. Start to pull elements into a space and see what happens. Tailor your journal to the size of your materials.

My Creative Process

2009-10-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

This week I have been working on the first book in a series. This book will start with simple surfaces, that anyone can print on an inkjet printer. (the only requirement is the printer has to be a pass thru printer, not one that brings the surface in below and flips it over to print) These surfaces may be as far as any of the readers venture into digital printing and are some of my favorites.

So on the way to writing these books, on the way to my inspiration, procrastination sets in. Sidetracking myself is part of my process. "The book's" content is in the back of my mind and I think of all that I can in order to get inspired to what I want. These images are part of my procrastination. I always feel better when I am creating something, so sometimes I take old hardcover books and paint the pages. This way if I ever want to write something, I have colored pages to write on. White is just not my thing.

Now I am on to using the pages, so I scanned them all in (there are 35 of them) to my computer and now have all these pages that can be used as backgrounds for all sorts of things. The book painted, is a rough page watercolor blank journal. I have tons of these things around for when the spirit moves me:) Next I will make them into files that I can load onto the KathyAnne Art site and members can download them to use them for grounds or whatever else they want to do to them.

These pages have already made there way into my book. They are not identifiable in the book, but used in random ways. Just thought this morning I would post some of them.

Journal Pages with Digital Prints

2009-10-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

Many times I will use images from the KathyAnne Art website and create digital journal pages from them. This one is a scan of a trim added to painted watercolor paper. After the scan is printed on a new page, a digital print on pimatex cotton is stuffed and added to the page with plenty of room to write if desired.

This page is a scan of a roughly painted watercolor paper. Once the painted paper is scanned, an image is added to the layer above the painted scanned layer. The image added here is a part of a cactus that has a blend mode added in Photoshop to blend the images.

Here we have a cactus pattern overlayed on a painted ground on watercolor paper. The one below is much the same way with the layers blended by overlay. The piece on the bottom is a digital print of a scanned background.

In my newsletter for the month of November, I will include information on a tutorial on how to create these journal pages. The mini workshops each month are free to members and there is a charge for the pdf to non members. Sign up for my email list on KathyAnne Art