Art, Paper, Prints and Painting

Create unique collages with gel prints. Fun ideas for journals, wall art, cards, and mixed media projects. I first started making collages with gel prints because I couldn’t bear to throw away all the little scraps of colour and texture I had pulled from my gel plate. Over time, I discovered that collage is one of the most rewarding ways to use these prints. Every torn or cut piece, every overlapping layer feels like building a puzzle where the pieces don’t quite match but somehow still fit together perfectly.  What I love most is the freedom—there are no rules. Sometimes I cut bold, bright prints into chunky shapes for a striking effect. Other times I cut softer pastel scraps, layering them to create depth and mood. The unexpected combinations always surprise me, and that’s where the magic happens. Here are a few ways I use my gel print collages: As wall art, creating big abstract pieces that feel both playful and expressive. I ofter start with a screen print or lithographic print...

Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs, are tiny pieces of art with a big creative punch. Measuring just 2.5 x 3.5 inches—about 6 x 9 mm —ATCs are designed to be swapped, collected, and shared with other artists.  What makes them special is their accessibility: anyone can make them, and there are no rules beyond the size. You’ll find ATCs created with paint, collage, printmaking, photography, fabric, or even mixed media. The charm of ATCs lies in the community they foster. Artists often trade cards in person at meetups or online through swaps, which creates a fun, supportive network of creativity. It’s not about selling but about sharing—an exchange of ideas and styles captured on a miniature canvas. For beginners, ATCs are a perfect way to experiment. The small format makes them less intimidating than a large canvas, and because they’re meant to be traded, they encourage playfulness and freedom. Many artists use them as a way to test out techniques or repurpose scraps and leftover material...

I started making ATCs a few years ago, and I was instantly hooked. There’s something so fun about working on such a tiny surface—just 2.5 x 3.5 inches. It feels manageable, almost like a creative sketchbook page, but in miniature. I could try out new techniques, play with colour, or collage scraps I didn’t want to throw away, all without the pressure of filling a big canvas. I started with oil paint. I rolled the paint onto a small sheet of glass and pulled some prints. The oil work well as it’s thick and sticky, so you get an instant rough surface, which prefer to a flat acrylic surface.   What I love most, though, is the spirit of sharing. ATCs aren’t meant to be sold—they’re made to be traded. I’ve swapped cards through the mail with people from all over the world, and it’s such a joy to hold a little piece of someone else’s creativity in my hands. Each card feels like a tiny gift, a personal expression that connects you with another artist in a really genuine way. I have also d...

I love paper. Ever since I started printing I love the feel and texture of paper. There are so many varieties of paper. Hands made, machine made, papers for different purposes, art, printing, tracing, watercolour etc etc. I love pepper with a texture. So many papers have a texture. Sometimes you won’t realise it until you touch it.   I have a lot of respect for paper. It is a natural material. Mostly made from wood pulp, but also from linen, cotton, grasses and so forth. I don’t like to waste paper. I keep scraps and use them for lists, for collage, just not throw paper away even if it’s   going to be recycled.   I started making boxes and books to go in the boxes. I used to buy beautiful sheets of decorative paper to cover the books and the boxes.   I still make books and I cover them in my own prints.   I also have a stock of screen prints that were not good enough to sell. (No waste please!) So I started cutting the unwanted printed paper up to make books and...

There’s something magical about screen printing. It’s a process that feels both old-school and endlessly creative, a mix of craft and play. Whether you’re printing your first tote bag or running a full edition of posters, the joy lies in the balance between control and surprise. One of the biggest appeals of screen printing is its tactile nature. Unlike digital work, you’re working with ink, mesh, and squeegees—tools that demand a hands-on approach. Pulling ink across a screen is a physical act, and when you lift that screen to reveal your image, it’s always a small thrill. The imperfections, the texture, and the vibrancy of the colors make every print feel alive. Screen printing also gives you freedom to experiment. You can play with layering colors, overlapping shapes, or even letting accidents become part of the design. Some artists love the crisp, clean lines; others embrace the unpredictability. Either way, you’re part of a long tradition of printmakers who have used this medium...

Etching is a traditional printmaking technique that combines drawing, chemistry, and craftsmanship to create beautiful, detailed images. While it may seem intimidating at first, beginners can absolutely get started with a few basics and a curious spirit. A two colour etching. Printed first in blue then the plate inked up in purple  and turned 180' before making the second pass.  What is Etching? Etching is a type of intaglio printmaking. Instead of drawing on the surface, the artist scratches lines into a metal plate (often copper or zinc) which has ben coated with varnish on both sides. Acid is then used to “bite” into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Ink is pushed into these grooves, and when paper is pressed onto the plate with a printing press, the image transfers. What You’ll Need: A metal plate (copper or zinc is most common) A ground (a waxy, acid-resistant coating) Etching needle or scribe to draw into the ground Acid bath (ferric chloride for copper, nitric acid f...