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Angeline Marie Martinez
painting and sketching drawing artist
Berry container reused
Electrical tape box
Creative Reuse in the Art Studio
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery!
Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!
Besides rocks, there are many things I reuse and repurpose in my studio. It’s not just because I can be frugal. Some materials are either difficult to find or too expensive when I do find them, so I won’t buy them.
Why I Choose to Repurpose Materials
I prefer to spend on the tools that are most important, like quality paint, canvases, paper, and brushes. However, I enjoy finding new ways to use things. It’s fun and another way to be creative. I get a kick out of using things that would otherwise go in the trash.
The Story Behind "Hormiga Atómica"
The window installers nicknamed me “Hormiga Atómica.” I had to look up this cartoon character. I took every window support foam sticker they had, along with some packaging materials. I love the nickname, lol.
The Thrill of Turning Trash into Treasure
Don’t tell Andy, but the other day I made an extra stop at the bridge that still had truck wreckage. There were pink sheets of stuff I had to investigate. What if it’s rubbery? What if I can use it for making stamps? It was just compacted thick Styrofoam. I can’t use it. Oh well. At least I can stop wondering! Off to the next trash discovery!
Did you know I have an ebook about How to Start Drawing More? Download my free guide on budget-friendly (and expensive) art supplies!
Paper from box cut down for notes, etc. Free cardstock!
Plastic boxes for stencil materials or shipping rolled paintings
Plastic wrap that's used on my paint palettes
Hotel key cards and old credit cards to make scrappers, paint spreaders, etc
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Angeline Marie Martinez
drawing and painting artist
Catalog photo of a taboret
Front, back, and underneath the nightstands or file cabinets, before making into taborets. Garage sale find.
Upcycling Nightstands into Artistic Taborets in a Small Costa Rican Town
In the heart of a small, picturesque town in Costa Rica, nestled between lush green hills, banana trees, rainforest, and vibrant flora, stood a new home’s guest room with large windows that welcomed streams of natural light. This is Angeline's new art studio, a sanctuary of creativity and inspiration. Angeline, a passionate painter, had transformed the clean space into a colorful haven filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and endless ideas. However, she was missing one crucial element: proper furniture to organize her supplies and provide storage for her growing collection of art materials.
In the heart of a small, picturesque town in Costa Rica, nestled between lush green hills, banana trees, rainforest, and vibrant flora, stood a new home’s guest room with large windows that welcomed streams of natural light. This is Angeline's new art studio, a sanctuary of creativity and inspiration. Angeline, a passionate painter, had transformed the clean space into a colorful haven filled with canvases, paintbrushes, and endless ideas. However, she was missing one crucial element: proper furniture to organize her supplies and provide storage for her growing collection of art materials.
Studio before taborets, right after moving into this guest room now art studio.
Painted top of new taboret, ready for the missing plexiglass paint palette
Discovering Treasures at the Community Yard Sale
One sunny Saturday morning, the town held a rare community yard sale, an event that brought everyone together in the town square to buy, sell, and trade treasures. Angeline decided to go, hoping to find something she could use for her studio. As she wandered through the eclectic mix of items, she stumbled upon a pair of old nightstands. They were sturdy but worn, with chipped wood finish and a missing drawer. An idea sparked in her mind: she could upcycle these nightstands into the taborets she needed!
Transforming Nightstands into Functional Taborets
With excitement, Angeline purchased the nightstands for $15, a fraction of the cost of new taborets, and brought them back to her studio. She envisioning how to transform these humble pieces into functional and fun taborets. Angeline left the wood color alone, except for one nightstand. The top of this one she painted neutral gray to serve as her paint palette. Her husband Andy added caster wheels to the bottom of each nightstand, ensuring they could be moved around the studio with ease. To make them truly functional as taborets, she installed small recycled boxes inside the drawers as dividers, hooked plastic and metal tubs along the sides, and added a plexiglass top to the gray-painted one. Even the one with a missing drawer is being used for maximum storage space, holding rolled stencil material. As she finds stickers, she places these randomly on her easel taboret. The stickers are from refrigerator warnings, food labels, and stickers that she’s given and finds.
One sunny Saturday morning, the town held a rare community yard sale, an event that brought everyone together in the town square to buy, sell, and trade treasures. Angeline decided to go, hoping to find something she could use for her studio. As she wandered through the eclectic mix of items, she stumbled upon a pair of old nightstands. They were sturdy but worn, with chipped wood finish and a missing drawer. An idea sparked in her mind: she could upcycle these nightstands into the taborets she needed!
Transforming Nightstands into Functional Taborets
With excitement, Angeline purchased the nightstands for $15, a fraction of the cost of new taborets, and brought them back to her studio. She envisioning how to transform these humble pieces into functional and fun taborets. Angeline left the wood color alone, except for one nightstand. The top of this one she painted neutral gray to serve as her paint palette. Her husband Andy added caster wheels to the bottom of each nightstand, ensuring they could be moved around the studio with ease. To make them truly functional as taborets, she installed small recycled boxes inside the drawers as dividers, hooked plastic and metal tubs along the sides, and added a plexiglass top to the gray-painted one. Even the one with a missing drawer is being used for maximum storage space, holding rolled stencil material. As she finds stickers, she places these randomly on her easel taboret. The stickers are from refrigerator warnings, food labels, and stickers that she’s given and finds.
The Final Touch: Bringing the Taborets to Life
As time passed, the nightstands transform before her eyes. The once tired and forgotten pieces of furniture are now fun and purposeful, ready to serve a new role in her creative process. Angeline felt a deep sense of satisfaction and pride in her handiwork. Finally, the day came to place the new taborets in the studio. Angeline positioned one next to the easel and the other next to her working table, just as she had imagined. They fit perfectly, both in size and style. The taborets added to the cheerful ambiance of the studio, and the newly installed shelves and drawers provided ample space for all her supplies.
A Studio Filled with Personal Touches and Practicality
Angeline stepped back and surveyed her work. The studio felt complete, infused with a blend of practicality and personal touch. Every time she reached for a brush or mixed a palette of colors, she felt a connection to the effort and creativity she had poured into the project. As Angeline painted, surrounded by her new taborets, she felt a deep sense of contentment, knowing that she had created not only beautiful art but also the perfect space to nurture her artistic dreams, with Andy’s help.
Subscribe for more creative DIY ideas, artist treasures and adventures, and art studio tips!
PS: This blog post was inspired and crafted with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.
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PSS: The other titles I loved from ChatGPT was "From Nightstand to Taboret: One Artist's Furniture Fairy Tale" and "Painting with a Purpose: The Tale of Two Nightstands"
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Angeline Marie Martinez
drawing and painting artist
Open Toilet LOVES Toilet Paper: FLUSH IT! Thanks! acrylics on canvas 4x4 inches by Angeline Marie Martinez
What do you do with your used toilet paper? How do you dispose of it?
American Toilet Etiquette: Toss and Flush
In the USA, we wouldn’t even think about this. We just toss the used dirty toilet paper into the toilet and flush. Of course, the trash basket is for other things that shouldn’t be flushed, especially in the ladies’ restrooms. This is automatic behavior to us. No thought given. No fear of toilet pipe retribution and upchucking. Toss and flush, exit stall, wash hands, leave restroom.
Costa Rican Toilet Customs: Basket or Toilet?
In Costa Rica, what to do with your used dirty toilet paper is a question at every public restroom. Most restrooms want you toss your used dirty toilet paper into the trash basket. Most local businesses around Costa Rica have a sign asking to use the basket. The toilet will back up when it has too much toilet paper. You’ll find this basket usually full, bursting through required lid.
Some restrooms won’t have a sign at all. Assume that you use the basket. Toss into the toilet. Most places built in more recent times DO have the pipes to handle dirty toilet paper along with biological issues.
No sign means you’re excused from blame. If they had a sign, you’d do your best to follow it.
Navigating Signage (or Lack Thereof)
At someone’s home, it’s polite to ask. Every home is different. If it’s an older construction, assume that you use the basket. If it’s a newer construction, hmm, ask anyway. I dislike asking at the local businesses and my friends’ homes. Please, a sign would be great!
The Sign That Started It All
The sign that began this little collection of mostly digital works was at a friend’s home. Taped firmly above the toilet paper roll was a sign reading “PLEASE FLUSH YOUR DIRTY TOILET PAPER,” written with a blue ballpoint pen.
I’ve since run with these signs, making a small collection for those who want to basket or toilet.
I even made up these silly signs for all of our guest bathrooms. This avoids a yucky conversation and my later having to deal with taking out disgusting trash.
Surprising Customers: The Little Boys' Impact
So far, my best customers are little boys. LOL. The boys will see my sign from afar and have their parent buy one. The parents look at me, bewildered. I get thrilled they are buying art for their boys!
Available Sign Options for Every Need
Visit my Etsy page for more quirky bathroom décor. You can print at home!
If you’re visiting me in Costa Rica, you can buy a full-page laminated sign, with hanging tape, for $6. I’ll also have some 4-inch by 4-inch hand-painted signs, ready to hang, available for $15. I can ship these, too, if you'd like!
American Toilet Etiquette: Toss and Flush
In the USA, we wouldn’t even think about this. We just toss the used dirty toilet paper into the toilet and flush. Of course, the trash basket is for other things that shouldn’t be flushed, especially in the ladies’ restrooms. This is automatic behavior to us. No thought given. No fear of toilet pipe retribution and upchucking. Toss and flush, exit stall, wash hands, leave restroom.
Costa Rican Toilet Customs: Basket or Toilet?
In Costa Rica, what to do with your used dirty toilet paper is a question at every public restroom. Most restrooms want you toss your used dirty toilet paper into the trash basket. Most local businesses around Costa Rica have a sign asking to use the basket. The toilet will back up when it has too much toilet paper. You’ll find this basket usually full, bursting through required lid.
Some restrooms won’t have a sign at all. Assume that you use the basket. Toss into the toilet. Most places built in more recent times DO have the pipes to handle dirty toilet paper along with biological issues.
No sign means you’re excused from blame. If they had a sign, you’d do your best to follow it.
Navigating Signage (or Lack Thereof)
At someone’s home, it’s polite to ask. Every home is different. If it’s an older construction, assume that you use the basket. If it’s a newer construction, hmm, ask anyway. I dislike asking at the local businesses and my friends’ homes. Please, a sign would be great!
The Sign That Started It All
The sign that began this little collection of mostly digital works was at a friend’s home. Taped firmly above the toilet paper roll was a sign reading “PLEASE FLUSH YOUR DIRTY TOILET PAPER,” written with a blue ballpoint pen.
I’ve since run with these signs, making a small collection for those who want to basket or toilet.
I even made up these silly signs for all of our guest bathrooms. This avoids a yucky conversation and my later having to deal with taking out disgusting trash.
Surprising Customers: The Little Boys' Impact
So far, my best customers are little boys. LOL. The boys will see my sign from afar and have their parent buy one. The parents look at me, bewildered. I get thrilled they are buying art for their boys!
Available Sign Options for Every Need
Visit my Etsy page for more quirky bathroom décor. You can print at home!
If you’re visiting me in Costa Rica, you can buy a full-page laminated sign, with hanging tape, for $6. I’ll also have some 4-inch by 4-inch hand-painted signs, ready to hang, available for $15. I can ship these, too, if you'd like!
Our Septic Tank LOVES Dirty Toilet Paper: FLUSH IT. acrylics on canvas 4x4 inches by Angeline Marie Martinez
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The last few times Andy and I looked for decent blue ink ballpoint pens, we only found black ink ballpoint pens. We found lots of packages of black ink pens, but blue ink ballpoint pens only came in packs of rainbow colors.
From Costa Rica to Florida: The Pen Hunt Continues
I've looked for super cheap pens through super nice pens. I’ve visited stores in Costa Rica and in Florida. Amazon has many blue ink ballpoint pens, but Andy and I prefer retractable and don’t need a 100-pack! We kept finding just black ink. Eventually, we bought a huge-to-us pack of blue retractable pens from Amazon and took it home with us.
The 2020 Blue Paint Shortage: A Possible Cause?
In 2020, the paint color blue began to face a supply problem. Manufacturers stopped mixing blue. Blue pigments were not mined or mixed. Maybe this affected blue ballpoint ink pens, too?
Investigating the Blue Ink Shortage
I’ve spent a few hours researching all kinds of questions with the same theme: why are stores carrying almost only black ink ballpoint pens? Why can’t I find packs of blue ink ballpoint pens at the stores?
OpenAI Shares Non-Answer
According to an AI model developed by OpenAI (2024), there could be several reasons for a localized shortage of blue ballpoint pens, including supply chain disruptions and increased demand.
OpenAI then pointed me to a few trade magazines. I found nothing about a blue pen ink shortage anywhere. To me, it seems it’s a marketing and sales choice to sell mostly black ink pens. After about an hour of searching for more info, I gave up to do other things like write and paint, lol.
What About You?
References
Stay Updated!
Not on my email list but found this blog post? Join here. I promise, I keep your info a secret, even from Her Puppyness Pirula. Click here: mailchi.mp/58fc2d1d7f5d/start-drawing-more-kit-ebook
From Costa Rica to Florida: The Pen Hunt Continues
I've looked for super cheap pens through super nice pens. I’ve visited stores in Costa Rica and in Florida. Amazon has many blue ink ballpoint pens, but Andy and I prefer retractable and don’t need a 100-pack! We kept finding just black ink. Eventually, we bought a huge-to-us pack of blue retractable pens from Amazon and took it home with us.
The 2020 Blue Paint Shortage: A Possible Cause?
In 2020, the paint color blue began to face a supply problem. Manufacturers stopped mixing blue. Blue pigments were not mined or mixed. Maybe this affected blue ballpoint ink pens, too?
Investigating the Blue Ink Shortage
I’ve spent a few hours researching all kinds of questions with the same theme: why are stores carrying almost only black ink ballpoint pens? Why can’t I find packs of blue ink ballpoint pens at the stores?
OpenAI Shares Non-Answer
According to an AI model developed by OpenAI (2024), there could be several reasons for a localized shortage of blue ballpoint pens, including supply chain disruptions and increased demand.
OpenAI then pointed me to a few trade magazines. I found nothing about a blue pen ink shortage anywhere. To me, it seems it’s a marketing and sales choice to sell mostly black ink pens. After about an hour of searching for more info, I gave up to do other things like write and paint, lol.
What About You?
- What color ink do you prefer in your pens?
- Do you like retractable pens, caps, or just don’t care?
- Have you noticed that most pens, especially in packs, are black ink?
- See my post How to Buy a Pen for Drawing
References
- Hyperallergic: Have You Noticed There's a Paint Shortage?
- Inside Edition: Paint Manufacturers Running Out of the Color Blue
- PaintMag: Paint Shortage Rising Paint Prices, Colors Hard to Find
- Manufacturing.net: The World is Running Out of the Color Blue
- InkWorldMagazine: The Pigment Industry Rebounds in 2022
Stay Updated!
Not on my email list but found this blog post? Join here. I promise, I keep your info a secret, even from Her Puppyness Pirula. Click here: mailchi.mp/58fc2d1d7f5d/start-drawing-more-kit-ebook
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My favorite pen, ever, besides the Cross one I would steal from my Dad: Pilot Decimo.
Buying a super special pen for drawing means asking a bunch of questions!
You would think buying a pen to use for drawing all the time is easy? Here's some considerations as you reach for that cheap pen...
1. What color ink do you want to use most of the time?
2. Do you want the ink to be permanent or wash in water?
3. Do you want to buy cartridges to replace the ink, or use a bottle to refill the ink?
4. How are you carrying the pen? Are you carring it in a backpack or leaving it on a desk?
5. Do you like caps on you pens? Do you like the push button pens?
6. Do you like “heavy weight” or “light as feather” pens?
7. Do you want gel, ballpoint, fountain, or calligraphy pen? How do you want your pen to make lines on your paper?
8. Do you prefer plastic, metal, or wood for your pens? Is a combination of these materials ok with you?
I spent a lot of money on my Pilot Decimo pen, but I LOVE drawing and writing with this pen. This pen makes me feel special, even while drawing what I think is junk.
My Decimo Pilot pen is "retractable”! No cap to lose, no ink stains in my purses or pockets! I can refill the permanent dark blue ink easily by using its converter cartridge and a bottle of ink. It writes on all types of paper. I can use it make all kinds of lines, from think and heavy to thin and light. It’s a joy to use this pen. The medium weight and shiny blue and chrome metal makes me happy. This fountain pen is a luxury.
My pen makes me happy and I use it all the time. If you're into dollar cost averaging, this pen has been the best artist tool investment for me. Even my husband and better half Andy agrees with me about this pen!
If you're interested in seeing this and other pens, I invite you 411pens.com, the website for Cincinnati's store Appointments.
Below are a few more of my special pens...but my first choice for drawing and sketching is my Pilot Decimo!
From left to right, FaberCastell caliigraphy pen; Lamy fountain pen, Pilot Explorer fountain pen; vintage Cross ballpoint pen
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Four hummingbirds I painted for fun and as samples and guides. Each is 8 by 8 inches, acrylics on paper.
Besides the design, the hummingbird paint your own class will be very different than painting a sloth.
I enjoy helping new artists paint their own sloths. You all help me learn how to be a better painter and a better art teacher, too.
With the hummingbird, you have more options of how to use the stencil.
I’ll show you how to use the stencil and then you decide how to paint your hummingbird.
It’s your painting, done with your colors and your way.
I’m just a guide for your artistry.
I’m excited to learn what you decide to do when you paint your hummingbird.
This hummingbird was done with a combination of options. I did use the stencil, but I also did some freehand painting.
You might want your hummingbird like one of my designs, or you can pick your own colors and design your own hummingbird.
These are only ideas as…
YOU can be the artist when I have the class.
I've decided to bring my Sloth to Uvita at the end of September. The hummingbirds will be waiting in the wings, lol.
In the meantime, if you're on my email list, you already know that I try to post news there, first. If you found this blog post on your own, welcome!
For more information about classes and scheduling of them, please visit my other page Art Classes in Costa Rica
I enjoy helping new artists paint their own sloths. You all help me learn how to be a better painter and a better art teacher, too.
With the hummingbird, you have more options of how to use the stencil.
I’ll show you how to use the stencil and then you decide how to paint your hummingbird.
It’s your painting, done with your colors and your way.
I’m just a guide for your artistry.
I’m excited to learn what you decide to do when you paint your hummingbird.
This hummingbird was done with a combination of options. I did use the stencil, but I also did some freehand painting.
You might want your hummingbird like one of my designs, or you can pick your own colors and design your own hummingbird.
These are only ideas as…
YOU can be the artist when I have the class.
I've decided to bring my Sloth to Uvita at the end of September. The hummingbirds will be waiting in the wings, lol.
In the meantime, if you're on my email list, you already know that I try to post news there, first. If you found this blog post on your own, welcome!
For more information about classes and scheduling of them, please visit my other page Art Classes in Costa Rica
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Mi Papá and I loved birds.
We cared for a little baby bird for a little while, spending hours gently tossing it back and forth to teach it to fly. Twitty would be let out when I left for school and kept inside at night. Twitty would soar and land on my hand when I’d call him when I got home from school. It was sudden when Twitty stopped answering my calls.
We cared for a little baby bird for a little while, spending hours gently tossing it back and forth to teach it to fly. Twitty would be let out when I left for school and kept inside at night. Twitty would soar and land on my hand when I’d call him when I got home from school. It was sudden when Twitty stopped answering my calls.
Scarlet Rumpled Tanager zoomed in upon from the rental house patio.
Papa told me that Twitty found its parents and told him goodbye from the big oak tree in our yard. I only have Papás story. Soon after, Papa seemed to forget what he told me…and that part of the Twitty´s story was lost to Alzheimer’s.
When Twitty disappeared, mi Papa and I decided to feed the birds daily. Maybe the bird would return as an adult? I was young enough that I have no sense of time between Twitty´s disappearance and the appearance of Pinta Roja…but a red winged blackbird began visiting our yard.
We named this bird Pinta Roja, simply because of the red splash on his wings. Pinta Roja was the only bird who would land within a few feet of us. He would land on the power wire that was right outside our kitchen and Florida room. Pinta Roja would sing until we showed up with bread, just for him. Mi Mama was even trained by Pinta Roja! Mama would laugh when Pinta Roja appeared and feed him when Papa or I weren’t home. She was exasperated that we were trained by a bird, but enjoyed it, too. He was the only red winged blackbird that ever visited.
Again, I have no sense of time, Pinta Roja stopped visiting after a while. We kept feeding the birds until our habit dwindled and Alzheimer’s got worse.
When I hear red winged blackbirds calling…I’m eight years old again, running out to greet my best friend Pinta Roja with bread in hand, and enjoying each other’s company for a few minutes.
Costa Rica has no red winged blackbirds, but there are scarlet rumped tanager sargentos. Their calls and markings are different, but I get the same spark of joy when I see red feathers against black feathers. It’s like Papa sent messengers to tell me he’s ok, and life is good.
When Twitty disappeared, mi Papa and I decided to feed the birds daily. Maybe the bird would return as an adult? I was young enough that I have no sense of time between Twitty´s disappearance and the appearance of Pinta Roja…but a red winged blackbird began visiting our yard.
We named this bird Pinta Roja, simply because of the red splash on his wings. Pinta Roja was the only bird who would land within a few feet of us. He would land on the power wire that was right outside our kitchen and Florida room. Pinta Roja would sing until we showed up with bread, just for him. Mi Mama was even trained by Pinta Roja! Mama would laugh when Pinta Roja appeared and feed him when Papa or I weren’t home. She was exasperated that we were trained by a bird, but enjoyed it, too. He was the only red winged blackbird that ever visited.
Again, I have no sense of time, Pinta Roja stopped visiting after a while. We kept feeding the birds until our habit dwindled and Alzheimer’s got worse.
When I hear red winged blackbirds calling…I’m eight years old again, running out to greet my best friend Pinta Roja with bread in hand, and enjoying each other’s company for a few minutes.
Costa Rica has no red winged blackbirds, but there are scarlet rumped tanager sargentos. Their calls and markings are different, but I get the same spark of joy when I see red feathers against black feathers. It’s like Papa sent messengers to tell me he’s ok, and life is good.
Hummingbird at feeder that’s at the edge of back patio of rental house.
To see one of the few drawings Papa did for me at the time, please visit or click on this sentence.
You can say art runs in the family!
Like what you read? Want more art and artist life in Costa Rica news? Please sign up for my emails at http://eepurl.com/b6G41 or clicking here.
You can say art runs in the family!
Like what you read? Want more art and artist life in Costa Rica news? Please sign up for my emails at http://eepurl.com/b6G41 or clicking here.
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Paint-palette-cover-held-down-by-rocks-studio-of-Angeline-Marie-Martinez
The rocks are not from my head, no matter how much
The beaches of Costa Rica have the most beautiful rocks. Most are smooth, many have some kind of design from the type of stone, and there are many sizes. I’ve picked a few the size of my fist or so to use in my art studio and art shows. I shine them up with paint because the design and colors look brighter when they are “wet.”
The 5 ways an artist can use rocks in Costa Rica are to hold
The beaches of Costa Rica have the most beautiful rocks. Most are smooth, many have some kind of design from the type of stone, and there are many sizes. I’ve picked a few the size of my fist or so to use in my art studio and art shows. I shine them up with paint because the design and colors look brighter when they are “wet.”
The 5 ways an artist can use rocks in Costa Rica are to hold
- down tablecloths, both fabric and plastic,
- paintings at an angle while painting on a flat table, like a make shift easel,
- paintings off the tablecloth while drying the final shine coats,
- the wet paint cover down to keep the paint I’m using wet,
- hold down my plastic palette sheet.
Sometimes, the paint will stick to the plastic and peel off…costing me time repairing and repainting to fix unintended damages. The rocks help my paintings dry while holding the paintings off the plastic.
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After many years of dreaming and working very hard a day job…Andy and I live in Costa Rica.
We’ve been here 10 months.
We’ve enjoyed Pura Vida and Pura F!cking Vida.
I’m living a daydream of teaching.
I’m living my bigger daydream of being an artist, full time.
Yes. Me. A full time Artist. Teaching.
I’ve always been a helper, a learner, a teacher, a dreamer, an Artist.
I love showing someone how to do something they thought they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or can’t.
I love the spark and smile that shows up on your face when “AHA! I GET IT! WOW! Look at me! I did That!”
I gave my first painting class to a group recently.
I learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun.
A lot of paint was on our hands, but thankfully not on our clothing, lol.
Every single sloth painting is so happily silly and friendly that these students will always be in my heart along with their sloths.
Special thank you to Los Gatos Locos Bar and Restaurant for hosting these Paint Your Own Classes. Everyone enjoyed your margaritas, too!
We’ve been here 10 months.
We’ve enjoyed Pura Vida and Pura F!cking Vida.
I’m living a daydream of teaching.
I’m living my bigger daydream of being an artist, full time.
Yes. Me. A full time Artist. Teaching.
I’ve always been a helper, a learner, a teacher, a dreamer, an Artist.
I love showing someone how to do something they thought they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or can’t.
I love the spark and smile that shows up on your face when “AHA! I GET IT! WOW! Look at me! I did That!”
I gave my first painting class to a group recently.
I learned a lot.
We had a lot of fun.
A lot of paint was on our hands, but thankfully not on our clothing, lol.
Every single sloth painting is so happily silly and friendly that these students will always be in my heart along with their sloths.
Special thank you to Los Gatos Locos Bar and Restaurant for hosting these Paint Your Own Classes. Everyone enjoyed your margaritas, too!
One of the artists snuck a photo of me, lol.
Sloth paintings from left to right: Cuna Verde Sloth, Punk Sloth, Sloth in Flower Tree, Jungle Colors Sloth Hanging On, Sloth with Red Flowers
To see more photos from this class, please visit my website angelinemarie.net
Do you want to spend a few hours of fun painting, without worrying about supplies, etc?
Do you want to join me in a Paint Your Own Class?
I’d love to help you create your own painting with a Costa Rican theme!
For more information, including how to reserve your canvas and seat, please visit my website by clicking here or this sentence.
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When your watercolor pills turn runny wet
In a few posts before this one, I showed how my watercolor paints melted, some solutions (no puns intended!), and maybe what I’ve found. In the meantime, my sketchbooks are full of just line drawings and little color.
I could wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily outside with me and all will be ok.
I asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community and Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try Golden’s Qor Watercolor paints. I bought some in February and been using them since.
What I like about Qor paint is that the binder seems to be synthetic. I don’t have to keep my paint in a Ziploc bag because it has no honey to attract ants. I tossed this paint kit in my purse and it’s been ok: no mess. I have to get used to the paint…it’s different colors, consistency, saturation, and feelings than my other kits. Yes, watercolors and any paints have a feeling, the way they apply to the paper…lol, to me.
Next up is rainy season. Humidity ramps up about 10%...and every fabric from chair cushion to hung up clean tank top will feel damp no matter if inside or outside of the house. This will be the biggest test of my Qor watercolor paints. I filled up all the pans since I took this photo.
I think the paint will be just fine. I’ll check in with an update later this year, probably with a sketchbook page, lol! My sketchbook gets color, again!
I could wait until our new home is built. When we will have air conditioning on low in my studio. A week indoors with air conditioning and then a few hours daily outside with me and all will be ok.
I asked other artists in my Make Big Art Community and Kathy Whitehorn offered that I try Golden’s Qor Watercolor paints. I bought some in February and been using them since.
What I like about Qor paint is that the binder seems to be synthetic. I don’t have to keep my paint in a Ziploc bag because it has no honey to attract ants. I tossed this paint kit in my purse and it’s been ok: no mess. I have to get used to the paint…it’s different colors, consistency, saturation, and feelings than my other kits. Yes, watercolors and any paints have a feeling, the way they apply to the paper…lol, to me.
Next up is rainy season. Humidity ramps up about 10%...and every fabric from chair cushion to hung up clean tank top will feel damp no matter if inside or outside of the house. This will be the biggest test of my Qor watercolor paints. I filled up all the pans since I took this photo.
I think the paint will be just fine. I’ll check in with an update later this year, probably with a sketchbook page, lol! My sketchbook gets color, again!
Making my newest watercolor kit. Maybe this one will work and let me add color while away from home?
If you missed the previous posts about my melting watercolors, you can find them here:
Melting Watercolors Paint Make Them Stay Home
How to Fix Melting Watercolors Paint.
Melting Watercolors Paint Make Them Stay Home
How to Fix Melting Watercolors Paint.
