What does the New Year represent? It's another 365 days on the calendar passing, people grow a year older and the calendar year goes up. New year to some means a new beginning or a chance to change things for the better, the magic in another year is that you can take it how you want, you can charge straight in with a fresh new attitude and manifest the positive changes in your life, or you can take your time to experience each and every day, finding your way as you go along.
The meaning of a resolution is to re-evaluate the years passed but then look ahead for the years to come!
People commonly set goals such as getting organised, travelling more or exercising, but this year, why not set goals more focused on you? Self care is about making time for yourself. Taking care of the person you spend the absolute most time with is the most beneficial thing you can do for yourself! Finding ways to relax is proven to reduce any negatives that can be pulling you down such as stress or anxiety and reducing those troubles can lift a mountain off of your shoulders!
Here are some ideas of activities and fun things to do, in 2022:
1. Read A Book
Reading is essential in life, it improves vocabulary, imagination and influences you to empathise with other people and understand emotions. You could even look to join a book club - connect with other people and discuss your views and opinions on different stories and books.
2. Paint A Picture
If your resolution for the year is to pick up a hobby, why not try painting? The benefits are endless, the effect it can have on your mind is incredible and once you’re done, you also get to keep something to be proud of, which can make you feel even better!
If you need a helpful guide then check out our relaxing sunrise tutorial!
3. Go For A Walk
Grab a friend, your pet or even just yourself and get out of the house for a while! While on your walk, take in the sights you see. Enjoy the fresh air that sweeps through the trees of a park, not only does it help improve physical health but mental as well.
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
4. Take A Nap!
Did you know that taking a 20-30 minute nap improves your mood? Rest is incredibly important but also benefits you by sharpening your focus and reducing fatigue, as well as boosting creativity!
5. Have A Cuppa
Nothing warms the soul like a nice hot cup of your fave beverage.. tea, coffee or even an indulgent hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows!!!
6. Jazz Up Your Wardrobe
Why not use some of last season's clothes and mix up your style a bit? You could start with an old pair of jeans you find boring and add some colour and excitement into them! You can use our YouTube tutorial as a guide:
7. Watch Your Favourite TV Show
Lose yourself for a couple hours in a few episodes of your fave TV show. Maybe grab some snacks to accompany the chill time - popcorn is always our snack of choice!
8. Draw A Picture
You can throw on some music to further your relaxation and lose yourself in the drawing zone! Even if you only doodle or draw something small, the relaxation benefits are so worth it!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
9. Meditate
Meditation is a way to manage your stress and anxiety and gain focus over your thoughts. You can train your awareness which will clear your mind, and calm yourself emotionally. One of our fave apps is Bhuddify - easy to use guided meditation if you need some tips of how/where to start!
10. Take A Self-Care Sunday
Use your Sundays for you! Why not take the day to relax and try some of our fun and relaxing ideas...
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
Happy New Year,
Love,
Brush and Bubbles x
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Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd
Photo by mikhailsabela via Canva
Christmas Cards are on everyone's to-do lists.. instead of buying the store bought and just signing it off with your name and a kiss, how about checking out our latest YouTube video where we show you how to make an easy and fun homemade Christmas card!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd
There are lots of bits and bobs to do before Christmas day, but one of the single most important things to do to make sure Christmas runs smoothly, is to leave Santa and his reindeers a treat for stopping by!! So why not make a batch of homemade cookies - make extra as you'll definitely be nibbling them as you go along!!
Follow this recipe for quick and easy Christmas biscuits!
Pop on the Christmas tunes and get those paints out! We have a whole array of festive painting tutorials and wintery themed scenes to choose from on our YouTube channel. Check out our Winter Wonderland painting tutorial, it's one of our faves..
Grab the kids and pop on our new Polar Bear tutorial! Super simple for all ages and abilities - you can send it as a Christmas card or simply stick it on the fridge!
An author, artist and provocateur, Salvador Dalí was one of the most notable figures of the Surrealist movement. In 1930, he bought a fisherman’s hut in the tiny village of Portlligat, where he envisaged a small, cosy space in which he described in his autobiography as ‘the smaller, the more womb-like’. As with any big dreamer, this initial plan quickly changed and his space grew overtime.
Dali soon moved full-time to Portlligat and the village became a large source of inspiration for his work. He expanded his living space to include four more huts, creating a labyrinthine abode. Today the artist’s house is still stuffed with artworks and oddities that were collected and treasured by Dalí.
Image via Wikimedia
Claude Monet was a famous French painter and one of the founders of the Impressionist movement. As tranquil as his landscapes, the artist lived in this small Normandy village and took to the surroundings for inspiration in his masterpieces. The artist’s home itself is like walking through his paintings featuring bright colours - pink exterior walls, with vivid blues, greens and yellows on the interior, deliberately to align with the palette of his own works.
After facing severe destruction due to World War II, the property underwent a large 10-year restoration project in the late 1970s, and was returned to its former pristine state.
Image via normandie-tourisme.fr
Joan Miro was a famous, Spanish Catalan artist, who created works in sculpture and painting, and also worked as a ceramist. In 1956, he enlisted his friend, and former Le Corbusier student, Josep Lluís Sert to design the Modernist studio for him in the outskirts of Palma.
The atelier is situated on a hill overlooking the Balearic coast and features large skylight windows to draw light into the center of the studio, where the artist lived and worked for nearly three decades. Two years before his death, Miró endowed his studio to the city of Palma de Mallorca.
Image via miromallorca.com
Dame Jocelyn Barbara Hepworth DBE was an English artist and sculptor, whose art exemplifies Modernism - particularly modern sculpture. Hepworth was a leading figure in the colony of artists who resided in St. Ives during the First and Second World Wars. Living and working in her studio until her death in 1975, the space is a sanctuary of the artist’s creativity with beautiful gardens that surround her large-scale bronze sculptures.
Image via Squarespace
Jackson Pollock was an influential American painter, and the leading force behind the abstract expressionist movement in the art world. Lenore "Lee" Krasner was an American abstract expressionist painter, with a strong speciality in collage. The two were married and lived together, in a modest home studio in the Hamptons just outside of the hustle and bustle of New York City, where you can still walk the paint splattered wooden floors from their canvases. After Pollock’s death in 1956, Lee Krasner stayed in the home and studio, working there for the rest of her life.
Image via estliving.com
Paul Cézanne was a French artist and Post-Impressionist painter whose work jumpstarted the transition from the 19th-century conception of artistic endeavor to a new and radically different world of art in the 20th century. He lived and worked for many years in a charming house in Aix-en-Provence, France. He primarily lived in a small apartment just down the hill from his studio, but the house was perhaps his most cherished personal space. The museum there now holds some of his original still-life models, as well as his furniture and work tools.
Image via theparisreview.org
]]>Following their passions, artists have defined and illustrated moments in time, which can be seen through major art movements. We’ve curated a list of 5 art movements, you should know to keep you inspired today!
Renaissance, a french word for “rebirth,” is a term used for periods that note the era of Classical antiquity, transitioning culture from the Middle Ages into the modern age. Throughout the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, painting, sculpture, architecture, music and literature created throughout Europe, emphasized a growing interest in nature, humanistic learning, and individualism, aligning with social and economic changes of the time such as the secularization of daily life, the rise of a rational money-credit economy, and greatly increased social mobility.
Image of Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus, 1486 via Artsy
Impressionism was a radical art movement that began in the late 1800s, centered primarily around Parisian painters. Rebelling against classical subject matter, the Impressionists explored modern advancements in technology like synthetic paint and desired to create artworks that reflected the world around them. The movement was anti-academic in its formal aspects and utilised the practice of en plein air painting to show how light could define a moment in time, with colour providing definition rather than black lines used in the past.
Image of Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise, 1872 via ARTnews
Surrealism was an intellectual art movement that took the world by storm. Revolutionary in its nature, surrealism rejected a rational vision of life in favour of one that asserted the value of the unconscious and dreams. In tandem with the psychoanalytical discoveries of Freud and the political ideology of Marxism of the time, Surrealist theory was born as a manifesto in 1924 by poets and artists, guided by Andre Breton, who found beauty in the unexpected, disregarded, and unconventional.
Image of Salvador Dalí, The Persistence of Memory, 1931 via Artsy
One of the more famous art movements, Pop Art emerged in the United Kingdom and the United States during the 1950s, drawing inspiration from sources in popular and commercial culture.The movement presented a challenge to traditions of fine art by including imagery from advertising, comic books and mundane mass-produced objects.
Image of Andy Warhol, Elvis I and II, 1978 via Artsy
Contemporary art is a movement of the art of today, emerging in the late 20th century, with an aesthetic of an innovatory or avant-garde nature. Working in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world, contemporary artists use a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and subjects. Contemporary art is part of a cultural dialogue, defined by the lack of uniform or organisation, that concerns larger contextual frameworks such as personal and cultural identity, family, community, and nationality.
Image of Yayoi Kusama with PUMPKIN, 2010 via Vogue.fr
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Image of Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles of Athens
In the Renaissance era, the female nude took a turn from the fascination with perfection and artists began creating works with an emphasis on female seduction, which carried throughout art practices into the late 19th century, with works such as Edouard Manet’s, Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe (1863). Even more contemporary artists like Jenny Saville have made the female nude a focus of her artwork, creating large-scale depictions of the women, emphasizing the curvy and perhaps more realistic nature, such as her piece Propped (1992).
The series will be released over the coming weeks, so do subscribe to our YouTube channel in order to be notified when they go live! We can't look forward to seeing your lovely creations, please do share them with us on our Instagram.
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Here at Brush and Bubbles HQ, we are always in awe of the energy, beauty and strength women represent in the world, especially the influence they bring to the art world. One artist in particular has inspired us, so much so, that we even name our ‘Admin’ lists after her - the lovely, Frida Kahlo!
Frida Kahlo was born on July 6, 1907 in Coyocoan, Mexico City, Mexico and grew up with her parents and sisters in their childhood home, called Casa Azul, which was later known to represent her admiration for the indigenous people of Mexico.
In her childhood, Frida Kahlo contracted polio at the age of six, and had to be bedridden for nine months. This disease caused her right leg and foot to grow much thinner than her left one, leaving her with a limp long after she recovered. Due to this, her father encouraged her to do lots of sports to help her recover - she played soccer, went swimming, and even wrestled - all male-dominated, contributing to her strong, feminist viewpoints. She kept a very close relationship with her father for her whole life.
Frida Kahlo initially studied medicine but changed her career path following a serious bus accident that left her bedridden as a teenager. She suffered multiple fractures of her spine, collarbone and ribs, a shattered pelvis, broken foot and a dislocated shoulder - forcing her to undergo over thirty operations and rehabilitating in a body cast. During her recovery, her mother had a special easel made for her so she could paint in bed, and her father lent her his paintbrushes and oil paints.
Image of 'Casa Azul' via museeum.com
Discovering a newfound passion, Frida continued her artistic journey and went on to become one of Mexico’s greatest artists, often painting self-portraits as she wanted to show people about her suffering and her life, through portraying pain and passion, and bold, vibrant colors. She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form.
While she never considered herself a surrealist, Kahlo befriended one of the primary figures in that artistic and literary movement, Andre Breton, in 1938. That same year, she had a major exhibition at a New York City gallery, selling about half of the 25 paintings shown there. Kahlo also received two commissions, including one from famed magazine editor Clare Boothe Luce, as a result of the show. In 1939, Kahlo went to live in Paris for a time. There she exhibited some of her paintings and developed friendships with such artists as Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso. In 1939, the Louvre bought Kahlo's The Frame, making it the first work by a 20th-century Mexican artist to be purchased by an internationally renowned museum. She created 143 paintings, and of these, 55 of them are self-portraits.
Image of Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, 1940 courtesy of www.FridaKahlo.org
In honour of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, we've decided to showcase our love for this truly remarkable female artist by creating a fun, an easy-to-follow, painting tutorial of the legend herself! Please feel free to join us as we take in her inspiration and spend a few moments celebrating Frida Kahlo, woman and artist.
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An artist’s studio is their creative sanctuary and we know how important it is to make your space completely unique and your own - from the set up routine to the music you play - whatever helps to get that inventive energy flowing. We’re going behind-the-scenes with Brush and Bubbles Artist and Co-founder, Lara Goodison, to show you where the painting magic happens.
A: Oh, a favourite painting is SUCH a hard one! I do love anything to do with the moon and sky, so I think the galaxy painting is possibly one of my faves. It’s also a really fun one to paint 🌌
A: I love thinking of new ideas and designs for the paintings - we all brainstorm ideas constantly at Brush & Bubbles HQ, which is always super helpful and fun! We like to pull inspiration from nature, animals and food mostly 😂 It’s also so lovely visiting galleries (when we can) and getting ideas from some of the greats both past and present. Both my parents happen to be artists too and they’re very helpful with sending me tips and ideas.
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
A: Ooo yes, I like to spend a moment and allow myself to set up my arty space properly. I used to get too excited by the idea of sitting down to paint and would rush the prep, resulting in me leaving something out, like the cup of water or blue paint and I’d spend the next 10-minutes getting up and down gathering all the bits! I now like to set up my painting station - making sure I have everything I need in front of me, which often includes and nice hot drink and my dog, Alby, by my feet for company.
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
A: I always think it’s a nice idea to listen to music while you paint, or an audio book or podcast but often I get so into the creating I end up painting in silence, which is actually lovely and calming since we often live our lives surrounded by noise.
Cartoon by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
A: I love a painting pal! Tiff is my number one painting pal - we often sit for hours painting or doing other crafts-like activities haha we love a craft! We’ve done everything from notebook making to life drawing to flower bouquet arranging to tie-dyeing! We loved tie-dyeing so much we even made a bunch of tutorials on how to do this yourself at home that we put on our YouTube channel. My mum often likes painting with us too and we spend hours together laughing away and creating something mad!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
We love hearing tips, tricks and stories of your artistic journey! Feel free to share these with us in the comments!
]]>Whether you’re a tea lover or coffee addict, you can use this exercise to ensure you start your day off with feeling more awake in the moment! Put your phone on silent and off to the side and whilst the kettle is boiling, think about the day ahead. As your cuppa is brewing, notice the aroma of the coffee grounds or the tea leaves, and choose a mug that will put a smile on your face. Sit down and take notice of the flavour, temperature and texture of that first sip - bringing your awareness to this quiet moment and how it makes you feel. Trust us - this little exercise can set the tone for a very productive and energising day!
Photo by Kira auf der Heide via Unsplash
We might be a little biased in saying so but mixing in a creative activity to your daily lunchtime routine can do wonders for your day! When immersing yourself into a creative activity - whether it be painting, dancing, drawing, doodling, colouring, or cooking up something from scratch - you will naturally engage in mindfulness. If you’re in need of a little inspiration, we have lots of fun and free step by step painting tutorials on our YouTube channel that can easily be completed in 15 minutes!
If the emails are rolling in and the To-Do list is getting longer and longer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like there is no end in sight. With the weight of the pandemic’s uncertainty added to this, you might find yourself fidgeting more frequently as well! In these moments, it’s important to make yourself feel grounded and secure. A sure-fire way to counteract this feeling of creeping anxiety, is to place your feet flat on the floor, either sitting or standing. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and release. Continue this cycle of inhaling and exhaling for 5 seconds and repeat 3 times. This exercise will help reduce stress, while improving blood flow, sleep, and vitality.
Photo by Markus Spiske via Unsplash
One of the quickest and easiest mindfulness techniques, to feel more present, is to write down a list of five to ten things you are grateful for each day! This can be done at any point during the day but we’d suggest as you wind down at the end of the day, just before you go to bed. Remember - the more specific, the better!
Photo by fotografierende via Unsplash
]]>Remember having a pen pal? In this digital age, the art of letter writing has gotten lost in the sea of technology! What a better way to revive this beautiful and thoughtful tradition than in a time when we cannot regularly see those we love! Teach your kids how to write a letter (decorate it with some artsy doodles) and send it to family and friends!
You are never too old to enjoy a good scavenger hunt! Grab those coloured pencils, get out those crayons and design a treasure map that will have your kids excited to adventure around the home! This can be a great opportunity to incorporate homeschool lessons because you can make it an excursion to find certain colours, letters of the alphabet or even animals!
Learning maths never tasted so good! Baking is a great way to get your children to understand different parts of mathematics! Not only can you help your kids learn the difference between measurements or fractions but you will have some yummy treats to enjoy and a lifetime of fun memories!
Photo by Alexander Dummer via Unsplash
Even though we’re not able to travel at the moment, there are some amazing opportunities to explore the world’s most incredible and exciting exhibitions! Whether it’s an art museum or science fun, support these world-renowned organisations by mixing them in your homeschool agenda!
Photo by Alexander Dummer via Unsplash
Perhaps you just want to spend the afternoon jumping around in all the colours! Check out our easy to follow tie-dye tutorial and up-cycle clothes with your kids!
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After Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” was stolen from the Louvre in Paris on 21st August 1911, an investigation into its whereabouts led detectives to Pablo Picasso, who became a top suspect after information surfaced that he may have other stolen artworks in his possession. He was cleared of any possible connection to the theft, two years later, when police discovered the painting had been stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian artist who had been working at the Louvre.
Photo by Eric TERRADE via Unsplash
Unlike the modern Olympic Games that we know today, filled with only athletic competitions, the founder, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, thought a true Olympian was a talented artist and athlete. So between 1912 and 1948, the sought after International event also awarded medals for painting, sculpture, architecture, literature and music.
Image of Jean Jacoby's Corner, left, and Rugby via SmithsonianMag.com
Known for his humorous art world stunts, artist Banksy glued his artwork, Crimewatch UK Has Ruined the Countryside For All of Us, to the wall of the world-renowned museum in 2003 for a short period of time - which actually inspired other artists to do the same!
Image of Banksy's 'Crime Watch UK has Ruined the Countryside for All of Us' via Invaluable
Unsatisfied with all the colours for blue available, artist Yves Klein created and patented his own - International Klein Blue.
Image via Wikipedia
In support for the movement in 1915, artist Mary Cassatt exhibited 18 works. The showcase brought her into a family scuffle with her sister-in-law, who was actively against the movement and who boycotted the exhibition along with much of Philadelphia's high society. However, Cassatt responded by selling her work that would have otherwise passed on to that side of the family.
Image of Mary Cassatt, 1914 via nmwa.org
Many stories surround the famous artist, Andy Warhol but this one is definitely one you will not forget. A known hoarder, Andy Warhol used to keep warehouses full of stuff and this particular item was later discovered to be in his possession, though it is unknown how he acquired it!
Photo by who?du!nelson via Unsplash. Artwork by Kobra Street Art.
Aligning herself with activists, Louise Bourgeois became a member of the Fight Censorship Group which was a feminist anti-censorship collective and she used her art to speak up for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality before she died in 2010.
Known for challenging the history of Western art, Jean-Michel Basquiat made social and political statements within his work. By adorning black male figures, including athletes, musicians and writers, with the crown, Basquiat raised these historically disenfranchised artists to royal even saintly stature.
Image of Jean-Michel Basquiat via ilikeiwear.com
At the age of 27, Vincent Van Gogh decided to change his career and focus solely on his paintings. So, from November 1881 to July 1890, van Gogh produced close to 900 paintings!
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Here at Brush and Bubbles HQ, it can be all of the above and then some! We've even decided that sometimes it takes soaking up the knowledge of some pretty amazing and inspirational women, and we're right as rain! If looking for a little extra inspiration today, check out these creative quotes from fabulous female artists!
You may have seen our new Paint and Bubbly Art Kits and wanted to kick off your first masterpiece with an autumn night landscape! Well we've got you covered! Create this amazing night sky and add it to your gallery wall!
#Throwback to our step by step Pumpkin Painting tutorial! This is a super easy and creative way to spruce up your WFH space!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
Mark this occasion with a spooky, bubbly treat! Never added prosecco to jelly before? Well there’s a first for everything so let’s get down to some good old fashioned toil and trouble and all the bubbles! Follow the recipe with our step by step tutorial here!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
If you're looking for a relaxing night in with your housemate or a fun way to get creative with the kids, then we think face painting is just the trick! You can make each other into sparkly butterflies, scary skeletons, or maybe even recreate the whole cast of Wizard of Oz - the sky's the limit!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
Dance parties are always a good idea! Get into your costume, put on that Halloween Spotify playlist and show off those monster moves!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
We hope you have a lovely Halloween weekend! Don't forget to share how you're getting creative in the comments below!
If you’re not one for the musical or culinary arts, maybe you have your sights set on something a little more visual - painting perhaps? Even if you haven’t picked up a paintbrush since school, no experience is necessary when it comes to bringing out your inner artist! You just have to decide you want to go for it and voila, you’re halfway there!
Okay, you’ve decided that you want to go for it and become the next Bob Ross but then you went to buy paints and were overwhelmed with all of the different types - acrylic, oil, watercolour, gouache, and encaustic! So many choices, but what’s the difference between these?
We’ve done a little digging and put together a little guide to help you along your art journey!
Acrylic paints are the specialty here at Brush & Bubbles, and are extremely versatile, and work well for detailed brushwork! Acrylics go onto the painting surface very smoothly and hold true to their pigment quality and colour. Some great advantages of using acrylics are that it's fast drying, can be mixed and/or cleaned with other water, and can be layered to build up its texture!
If you’re looking to dive into the world of Picasso and da Vinci - oil painting is for you! Oil paints offer a gorgeous glossy finish and dry slowly, which allows you to work your paints gradually, making changes along the way. This is a huge advantage of working with oils because you blend the colours and manipulate the areas better than if you were working with acrylics! The only tricky thing is to remember that you have to clean your brushes with a solvent, though you can use oil or dishwashing liquid rather than just plain water!
Watercolouring is a truly meditative form of a painting! Like a dance, the paint colour is suspended in water with fluidity and dries, staining the surfaces quite quickly. The advantages of working with watercolour paints are that brushes can be cleaned easily, paint can be taken off by rewetting, and paint can be reused if you add water to it!
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to extend your paint collection and broaden your palette horizon is to learn how to mix up new shades! This may take you back to your school days but we promise it will save you BIG time and boost your creativity along the way. Check out our quick and easy to follow tutorial below!
Acrylic painting is all about building up those layers - especially with our abstract painting tutorials! Waiting for the bottom layer to dry can sometimes be a little lengthy so one of our favourite ways to speed up the process is use your hair dryer! That’s right, there’s more to that beauty tool than meets the eye. Just make sure you continuously wave the hair dryer back and forth over your painting, like your own magic wand!
Image by Vonschonertagen via Canva
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
Even though you may be going wild with your paintbrushes whilst you’re creating, taking care of them afterwards will help you keep their quality up and your art budget down. When cleaning your brushes, mix in some of your regular hair conditioner once in a while to give extra moisture to the bristles!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
Unlike oil paints, acrylic paints tend to dry pretty quickly so it’s very handy to keep a spray bottle next to your paint station! Whenever your paints get a little brittle, just give them a spritz to keep them workable without having to dip into your brush water! If you have some paint left over after your painting is complete and you don't want to waste it - keep it for your next masterpiece! Acrylic paints can stay fresh up to 2 weeks so feel free to seal your palette with some cling film and pop them in the refrigerator for your next art adventure!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
We hope you find these tricks super helpful! If you have any other art hacks or painting tips, let us know in the comments! Happy painting :)
]]>Gallery walls are an easy and budget-friendly way to decorate your flat, showcasing all of your favourite photos, art prints, or even those masterpiece paintings you’ve created from the Brush and Bubbles step by step painting tutorials! Do you have a mixture of all of the above? Even better! Gallery walls are meant to be unique! So, throw in some memories of your past adventures to really make it your own.
Photo by Annette McGee on Unsplash
Now before you get started, there a few steps you want to consider so that this little DIY project goes smoothly:
This is the first step because you really want to understand the space you have to work with for your gallery wall. Some places you might want to try could be that lonely looking wall in the living room, the unused space above your bed, that awkwardly-shaped area along your stairway, or hey, even your bathroom! Wherever you think needs a little extra love, let’s get cracking on making it magical!
Photo by Deborah Diem on Unsplash
This may seem daunting but it’s actually the funnest part of the process! It gives you a chance to scavenge around your storage and do a little inventory of your creativity. Gather everything you have lying around - photos, paintings, posters, prints, postcards (wow that’s a lot of P’s). Maybe you’re one for nostalgia and have some concert tickets, maybe old movie tickets, even an old CD or scratched vinyl that’s really never used these days - the sky is really the limit and the more unique to you the better!
Photo by Christopher Burns on Unsplash
Once you’ve got all your fun and fabulous pieces out and organised, it’s time to make this dream come to reality! There are a few different trends you could follow for your gallery wall but like mentioned before, this project is all about your personal preference so go wild!
Select any pieces you’d like to frame. As always, you have options with this - you could go for a sleek and uniformed look with the same colour frames or make it eclectic with different colour frames for that cosy look. You can also experiment with different size frames or perhaps you want to continue that uniform grid aesthetic and make them all the same sized pieces - this really depends on the works you want to display!
Photo by Jo Szczepanska on Unsplash
If you want to make sure it looks good on the wall beforehand, I recommended taking the time to mock it up! Grab some paper - craft paper, tissue paper, newspaper - whatever you have to measure out your pieces on, cut to size and tape to your wall.
Have a play around with the layout - a good tip is to space the pieces about 2 inches to 4 inches apart so they don’t appear too crowded. Once you’re happy with the look, it’s time to bring this project to fruition!
Now, this final step can seem quite nerve-wracking but you’ve taken all the steps to make sure it goes smoothly, so do not worry - you’ve got this! If you’re confident with putting nails into the wall, be sure to understand the wall you’re displaying on! If you don’t want to risk it, a great cheap and easy tip is to use command strips to avoid the time you’ll spend covering up those pesky holes.
Once your pieces are all hung up and placed where you want them, make yourself a tasty drink and celebrate because you’ve just created your very own DIY Art Gallery - YAY! It’s time to enjoy.
Photo by Annette McGee on Unsplash
]]>You may have heard these immortal words and dreamed of the days you used to consider yourself a globetrotter. Curiosity for exploring the world feels a little more heightened this year as cancelling and postponing plans have become a regular routine, and yearning for adventure is the new ‘normal.’
As we‘ve branched into the online world - launching our virtual events and YouTube channel, this time of uncertainty has allowed friends and family to stay connected through art, and has given us the chance to navigate our way to faraway lands.
If you’re in the mood to wander the world this Bank Holiday weekend, we’ve listed 8 painty-worthy destinations to create that will take your art adventure global!
Stroll down the famous Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachi Fuji Gardens in Kitakyushu, Japan! This dreamy destination is filled with pastel perfection and has us excited to mix us those beautiful purple, violet, pink and white colours to create the vines of Wisteria, stretching the length of any canvas!
IMAGE by Tourism on the Edge
Beach holidays are a staple of summer that have felt completely out of reach this year. Journey down this gorgeous paradise of Siargao, Philippines - an island we surely wouldn’t mind being stranded on this weekend. With palm trees as far as the eye can see, intertwined with the beautiful turquoise blue of the sea - Siargao fuses the perfect harmony between sea and jungle. We know this would make the perfect landscape to add to your gallery wall!
IMAGE by Rolands Varsbergs via Unsplash
Feel like floating through the summer skies of Cappadocia, Turkey? We’re right there with you! Famous for its unique moon-like landscape, best seen from up above via hot air balloons, Cappadocia is a historically rich destination that will curb all your exploration cravings from underground cities and cave churches, to houses carved in the rocks!
IMAGE by Kenny Luo via Unsplash.
Wanting to try your hand at creating a cityscape? The famous NYC skyline makes the quintessential choice. There is no shortage of photos to paint but who doesn’t love a city at sunset? As the song goes, New York is ‘so nice, they named it twice!’ We recommend taking this painting journey to the next level by putting on a New York City playlist to make it an extra special experience!
Image by Mathew Schwartz via Unsplash
A true gem of the Aegean sea, Santorini is made up of whitewashed houses that tower on cliffs above an underwater caldera! Photogenic from every angle, you can paint your way to this sun-soaked, seaside destination filled with beaches made up of black, red and white lava pebbles!
IMAGE by Ben McGuinness via Unsplash
Namibia, located in southwest Africa, has gorgeous, sweeping desertscapes and rich with diverse wildlife to fill your imagination! Whether you’re riding camels through the Namib Desert or on a safari in Etosha National Park, searching for cheetahs, rhinos and giraffes - spend your weekend bringing your escapes to life on your canvas!
IMAGE by Joe McDaniel via Unsplash
Maybe you’re more in the mountain-scape mood this weekend! Why not paint your way to Patagonia? A gorgeous region of South America that encompasses the southend of the Andes Mountains and is perfectly balanced with lakes, fjords, and glaciers in the west, and deserts, tablelands and steppes in the east. This beautiful part of the world has us realise why John Muir said, ‘the mountains are calling, and I must go!’
IMAGE by Diego Jimenez via Unsplash
Scuba Dive in the land down under! The Great Barrier Reef, located just off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is the world’s largest coral reef system. Packed with over 400 types of vibrantly coloured coral and marine life - the perfect ‘end of summer’ destination to inspire your holiday weekend! Check out Lara’s amazing step-by-step tutorial of this underwater adventure below!
We love creating step by step tutorials to inspire your artsy adventures - if you’d like to see any of the above destinations become online tutorials, let us know in the comments below!
Who doesn’t love a GIF? Even if its pronunciation is up for debate. Check out these ten super creative GIFs that radiate all the art inspiration.
]]>Who doesn’t love a GIF? Even if its pronunciation is up for debate. Check out these ten super creative GIFs that radiate all the art inspiration. One of the best things about art is that it is subjective - how we see artworks and what we think of them! The creators of these artsy gems give the works of these notorious artists a whole new perspective!
Artist Frida Kahlo is an icon of the 20th Century. Shattering all obstacles, she manifested her life story and beliefs into works of art - deep with colour and symbolism. Frida Kahlo spent her phenomenal existence showcasing her authenticity and challenging social norms.
Dutch-born Vincent van Gogh is arguably the most famous artist in the Western art world - painting landscapes, still lifes, portraits, and self portraits. Van Gogh’s very specific and recognizable style utilised bold colours and dramatic brushstrokes which greatly influenced the transition into modern art.
Defining a new art movement, Roy Lichtenstein was a leading figure in the pop art movement. Utilising the popular culture elements like comic strips and advertising slogans, Lichtenstein’s unique style transcended other art styles of that era.
Belgian painter, René Magritte is most recognised by his dream-like imagery and use of clouds, pipes, bowler hats, and green apples. A true Surrealist, Magritte playfully engaged and provoked perceptions of his viewers.
Inspired by graffiti artists, Keith Haring was an iconic artist and activist of the 1980s. Through his work, Haring encouraged the democratisation of art and interaction with social issues.
A man famous for many talents, Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, architect, designer, theorist, engineer and scientist who furthered innovation in science and art. Mona Lisa is one of his most famous works and is housed in the Louvre in Paris, France.
Lesser known artist, Alexander Mill was an active painter between 1820-1842. This GIF is inspired by his painting Miss Jean McLaggan of Montrose.
Based in England, Banksy is a street artist famous for disrupting urban settings with pointed and witty social commentary of the art world, politics, capitalism, and more. With an instantly recognisable style, Banksy thrives on his anonymity and sporadic public art reveals.
Dutch Baroque Artist, Johannes Vermeer painted artworks most notable for their depiction of daily provincial life. His stylistic approach to balancing light and form evoke a sense of tranquility. With only 36 paintings still in existence, he is probably most known for his work The Girl with the Pearl Earring.
What a fun GIF - so clever and funny! Incorporating Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Edvard Munch’s The Scream, Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring, and of course Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Have you seen a more famous #selfiesquad? 📸
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There are numerous benefits to making art - we’ve curated a list few reasons it should be an important part of your every day!
]]>Art is a powerful tool that has the ability to impact the world. Throughout history, art has woven itself into every aspect of society and has been used as a way to document the past, illustrate the present, and predict the future. We’re constantly surrounded by the innovative ways art inspires us - from the technology we use and the way we communicate, to the fashion, music and decor that help us establish our personal identities. It’s obvious that creativity is at the epicentre of our lives but what makes this so beneficial - especially now?
Image by Clem Onojeghuo via Unsplash
In the current climate of pandemic and isolation, art has proven itself especially important in helping us stay connected to each other, and foster that much-needed sense of community. In our own experience as an arts company, we’ve witnessed the numerous benefits that art can bring to the lives of our customers, so we’ve decided to curate a list of just a few ways getting artsy can improve your everyday life!
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
Art is a limitless space that creates feelings of freedom. It is a chance for you to develop your creativity and imagination through inventing and experimenting; taking risks and breaking rules. As the saying goes ‘practice makes perfect’ so it’s no surprise that the more time you put into making art, the more you develop these areas! Creating in any form you choose, allows you to run wild and make something unique to the world that is all yours. This unbound environment offers a sense of balance to the busy hustle and bustle of the day.
Getting artsy gives you permission to detox from the digital world and in doing so, restores focus and promotes confidence. In this social media driven world, it seems like there are seldom opportunities to unplug but art provides a sanctuary away from the screen.
The Dana Foundation, an organisation dedicated to supporting neuroscience and brain research found that “focused training in any of the arts—such as music, dance or theater—strengthens the brain’s attention system.” Art allows us to hone in on details and environment in a similar way to meditation, promoting a more mindful lifestyle. It is a form of self-care that promotes more awareness of your surroundings and your feelings, whilst strengthening confidence.
Image by Brush and Bubbles, Ltd.
It’s true, art can improve your health! There are many ways in which taking the time to paint or do other crafts can improve your physical and mental well-being. It acts as a form of distraction which can aid in alleviating stress and anxiety, and increases feelings of positivity. Participation in art boosts cognitive function and memory, increasing connections between all parts of the brain.
According to a study published by University College London, just looking at a piece of art can improve your health. Professor Semir Zeki, Chair in Neuroaesthetics at UCL, says that “when you look at art – whether it is a landscape, a still life, an abstract or a portrait – there is strong activity in that part of the brain related to pleasure. The blood flow increased for a beautiful painting just as it increases when you look at somebody you love. It tells us art induces a feel good sensation [directly] to the brain."
Often as adults, we get caught up in our schedules - making to-do lists and running errands - forgetting to slow down. There is never a downside to taking time for yourself so why not spend it channelling your creative side - even if it’s just doodling in a notebook! Bringing art into your day will give you a new lease on life and we guarantee you’ll enjoy yourself along the way!
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