Beyond Trading Cards

Every artist eventually creates a piece that is problematic regardless how much paint they throw at it. You may want to just shove the thing into the back of the closet until you come up with a new idea or solution, but there is a better way—give your art away, at least for a while! Give it to an artist friend and let her play around with it. She will look at it with fresh eyes and find potential you may have overlooked. Who knows? You may find that when you get it back it will lead you on a whole new journey.

TECHNIQUE ONE: One on One

Exchange artwork with your artist buddy for a week or two. You’ll each add a bit here and a flourish there, and when you exchange the pieces again, you’ll see new possibilities for where your art can take you.

ALTERED CONNECTION

This piece started with Sandra and features lots of textures, crackles and glazes. Darlene added the imagery of flowers, stamps and people.

HELIO’S LADY

This piece started with Darlene. Darlene collaged and stamped on top of a background layered with waterslide decals. Sandra then painted over the face on the right and added more texture.

TECHNIQUE TWO: The Add-On Voyage

For this technique, you’ll need a group of twelve artists and a book, box or painted surface that has sections marked and clearly defined or gridded out. Each artist will start her own unique piece and once a month it is passed to the next artist on the list. Everyone gets to contribute to the final piece.

It really is wonderful to receive a package full of incredible art every month and to expand your horizons by working in many different formats with artists who favor different styles and mediums.