Adding Fabric Into My Illustration Process #MFADays (1 of 3)
In June, I wrote this post about my wanting to incorporate more fabric into my mixed media art 👇🏽
Thing is, that add-more-fabric feeling I was writing about didn’t just start up for me in June 🙂
It actually started back during my MFA … like 2018’ish
One of the very first times I totally went for it in terms of adding fabric into my illustration process was for an assignment where we had to recreate, according to our memories, an image showcasing our childhood bedroom.
Because the assignment was for a children’s book illustration class, this exercise encouraged students to emotionally reconnected with their little-kid-selves.
The instant I recalled my childhood bedroom
Well so for me, the FIRST memory I had when tasked with this assignment was that of my faithful companion, a Winnie the Pooh teddy bear I had received for Christmas way back when. My Winnie the Pooh was covered in thick and plush canary yellow fur and he was always waiting for my company (or hugs) as he sat patiently right above my covers.
I think it was the idea of rendering that very distinct, canary yellow fur that got me thinking, and perhaps even doubting, that no digital pigment could do it justice, in terms of both color and texture.
(I also remembered my bedroom walls were wallpapered with an abundant blue and purple flower motif; I’m sharing this detail just in case you’re wondering about all those flowers on the walls 🙂 )
At the time, it just so happened I remembered having a bright yellow pillowcase cover sitting somewhere in my linen closet.
Once I that sunshine-yellow pillowcase came to mind, I tore my shelves apart to find it, which I did — and shortly thereafter, I took scissors right to it and cut out my Winnie the Pooh’s shapes from its fabric; you can check out how it all turned out in the final version of my illustration below 👇🏽
Keep in mind this assignment was early on in my illustration grad school journey …
As such, I wasn’t always sure what I was doing half the time 🙂 so perspective, composition, line consistency, and other details were still developing 🙏🏽
In the end, I was pretty excited about my fabric details and accents.
Here’s my fabric usage breakdown 👇🏽
Despite this assignment’s tight turnaround, the point was more about reintroducing our adults selves to our “inner kid” and much less about technique or skill.
Though this illustration could be improved, I was and still am quite happy with it … not only because it WAS indeed my first time using fabric as part of my illustration process but because it ALSO introduced me to the full world of mixed media, for which I’ve been so excited about, and grateful for, ever since 🙏🏽
Have you worked fabric into your mixed media? Or not (yet)?
Let me know about your mixed media adventures in the comments below or on Instagram or Facebook.
Yours in mixed media,
2025 🍾 let`s do this
new designs for 2025 💫👇🏾
exciting and fresh mixed media-inspired designs (with playing cards theme) will soon be available 🙏🏽 designs feature hand-stamped original illustrations and collaged elements.
check back soon 💎
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #mixedmediart #mixedmediacollage #mixedmediaartwork #playingcards #playingcardsart #surfacedesign #downloadableart
new designs for 2025 💫👇🏾
exciting and fresh mixed media-inspired designs (with playing cards theme) will soon be available 🙏🏽 designs feature hand-stamped original illustrations and collaged elements.
check back soon 💎
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #mixedmediart #mixedmediacollage #mixedmediaartwork #playingcards #playingcardsart #surfacedesign #downloadableart
each new year centers around pending change and new beginnings; so i`ve been thinking about how internal and external change(s) impact our sense of art and creativity (interests, styles, intentions & direction) 🤍 how about you? how is pending change or the dawn of a new year influencing your artistic ideas and creative experiences?
#artislife #artislifestyle #creativeminds2024 #changeisgood #changeiscoming #artjournal #artjournaling #creativejournaling #inspiration #journalinginspiration
each new year centers around pending change and new beginnings; so i`ve been thinking about how internal and external change(s) impact our sense of art and creativity (interests, styles, intentions & direction) 🤍 how about you? how is pending change or the dawn of a new year influencing your artistic ideas and creative experiences?
#artislife #artislifestyle #creativeminds2024 #changeisgood #changeiscoming #artjournal #artjournaling #creativejournaling #inspiration #journalinginspiration
imagination at work ✨
the ability to see a single object beyond what it actually is to what it potentially could be is a core teaching of my new visuality ethos 🙏🏽 this new year, practice expanding and nourishing your own visuality with me! deets after the holidays 💎
#mixedmediaartwork #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #mixedmediaonpapper #imaginationiseverything #artisticlifestyle #coachinglife #coachinginspiration
imagination at work ✨
the ability to see a single object beyond what it actually is to what it potentially could be is a core teaching of my new visuality ethos 🙏🏽 this new year, practice expanding and nourishing your own visuality with me! deets after the holidays 💎
#mixedmediaartwork #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #mixedmediaonpapper #imaginationiseverything #artisticlifestyle #coachinglife #coachinginspiration
#mixingthingsup a bit for 2025 💎🤍
#happyholidays #somethingnew #mixedmediaart #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #newyear2025
#mixingthingsup a bit for 2025 💎🤍
#happyholidays #somethingnew #mixedmediaart #mixedmediaartist #mixedmediajournal #newyear2025
5 creative space tips 💫👇🏾
The 5 tips (shared in my #igreel 🎥) work even if your #creativeworkspace isn’t related to art at all.
The ultimate goal is this👇🏾
💎 to design a creative space that reflects your:
📌 commitment and
📌 unrelenting passion (for your craft)
… while conveying a sense of
📌 sass,
📌 style,
and soul 🔥
… that motivates and inspires YOU to no friggin’ end 💎
Best of all, these tips help you fire 🔥up your whole flair *without* having to spend a single dime 🙏🏽
… because believe me: you’re already plenty rich 💡💰💡with ideas and imagination … you just have to cultivate your creative assets to yield max returns ✊🏾🙌🏽🙏🏽
LOVED this?
👉🏾 HIT ❤️ like
💫 FOLLOW @mayrayadirstudio for more
👀 SEE my Stories
💌 SIGN UP for email inspo (🔗 in bio)
🎁 SHARE w others
🗣️ DM or comment to continue the convo!
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #creativespace #creativespaces #creativespacestudio #workingspace #tipsforsuccess #workspacedesign #workspaceinspo #artstudiolife #artstudiodesign #artstudiospace #artstudiodecor #artstudiopro
5 creative space tips 💫👇🏾
The 5 tips (shared in my #igreel 🎥) work even if your #creativeworkspace isn’t related to art at all.
The ultimate goal is this👇🏾
💎 to design a creative space that reflects your:
📌 commitment and
📌 unrelenting passion (for your craft)
… while conveying a sense of
📌 sass,
📌 style,
and soul 🔥
… that motivates and inspires YOU to no friggin’ end 💎
Best of all, these tips help you fire 🔥up your whole flair *without* having to spend a single dime 🙏🏽
… because believe me: you’re already plenty rich 💡💰💡with ideas and imagination … you just have to cultivate your creative assets to yield max returns ✊🏾🙌🏽🙏🏽
LOVED this?
👉🏾 HIT ❤️ like
💫 FOLLOW @mayrayadirstudio for more
👀 SEE my Stories
💌 SIGN UP for email inspo (🔗 in bio)
🎁 SHARE w others
🗣️ DM or comment to continue the convo!
#creatorpreneur #creativeentrepreneur #creativespace #creativespaces #creativespacestudio #workingspace #tipsforsuccess #workspacedesign #workspaceinspo #artstudiolife #artstudiodesign #artstudiospace #artstudiodecor #artstudiopro
