IDEA

BE AN ARTIST details...

What is included in the Be An Artist instruction on how to use china paints and a kiln for firing.

     ~ Where to buy supplies, tiles, brushes, paints

    ~   Incorporating the use of the fine pen (taught in the advanced
          lesson) with the mixing process of these paints is what
         creates the beautiful detailed designs you see.


     ~ The way you get the incredible details is by using a
         fine pen that is included in the paint kit. No other
         paint instruction uses this type of pen.

Getting excited? Read on!!

~     Creating double or triple borders can greatly
         enhance your mural and you'll learn when it looks
         best and with what design layout.

~     How to add to your artwork to
         deepen perspective

Not confident in your artistic skills?
We have just the solution... you will learn all about transfer designs.

All about brushes: how to buy, where to get the best price, how to take care of them so they last forever and the best type to purchase.

~ Blending and mixing paints so you can
achieve custom colors.

~ How to mount tiles to a board so
they can be hung on a wall, perfect
if you plan to move in the future.

~ Creating a background color
for your artwork.

~ Painting on vertical surfaces such
       as bowls, serving platters, mugs and
       sinks so that your
       work stays where you put it.

~Tiles: Learn about different types
of tile, finishes, where to buy,
what size is best.

~ How to set up to paint a mural.

     Picture yourself quietly painting, it's so relaxing and therapeutic.

        Experience a feeling of satisfaction when you see
your artwork beautifully completed.

This sink and pedestal base matches the wallpaper.

~ You'll learn how to use your paints so you can achieve
         brilliant colors and details.


      ~ Troubleshooting to avoid future mistakes

~it's easy to remove what you've painted if you change your
mind about the design, remove a little or start over if you need to.

IDEA'S

Make a set of house
tiles ...also a great gift idea

Personalize pieces with their name and birthday or a poem…

Bowls and platters….large serving pieces

Make tile murals...large or small
for floors,
shower walls
kitchen backsplash
to hang on a wall

Design your own set of tableware

Paint individual plates and write personal inscriptions that make meaningful gifts…

Wedding Gift
reproduce the announcement in the center of a large bowl with
flowers around the edge….stunning and so special

So elegant and simple….

How adorable are these frog plates?
dinner with coordinating salad sides.

      A LITTLE STORY..... In 1990 I decided to start a business hand painting tile but I didn't have any customers!
      I found out the Baltimore Symphony Decorator Show House was a place Interior Designers volunteered their design services so I decided to get involved.   I too offered to donate my work. I worked with a designer doing a bathroom and we decided on this idea...hand painted tile to look like a rug and be installed in the center of the floor. It was a huge hit!

I used the fabrics to capture the design and colors that would compliment the room and people had fun when they realized it wasn’t a real rug….but tile. Very whimsical!

To my happy surprise... during the preview party, scouts from Better Homes and Gardens magazine came through the event and saw my donated tile rug mural.
They asked my permission to publish it and 2 months later it was in their Kitchen and Bath Issue...it was the start of something big.
6 months later was in Beautiful Baths Issue! 1 year later Bed and Bath issue wrote an article. 2 years later Kitchen and Bath published my work again!

    IMPORTANT   INFORMATION about firing:
       ~ The firing process is what makes the paints so beautiful, your painting will always retain the original beauty and last forever.

      ~ If you don't have a kiln or are not familiar with firing, please don't let this stop you. Briefly (this information is elaborated on in the transcript), the paints are a glaze
         that bake into the surface of your tiles...they only need to be fired once. Paint right on top of already glazed ceramics.

       ~ This is what makes it prettier and easier from "pottery". No thick paints, glazes and repeated firings.
|
       ~ Simply buy your tiles and sinks at any Home Depot....easy!   Plain white plates, platters, bowls can be purchased at Pier 1.
          You just paint on them, take them to a shop to fire and pick it up looking all shiny!
           HERE'S HOW YOU DO IT
   ~      Look in your local yellow pages under the following words:
                               CERAMICS, KILNS, KILN REPAIR, ART SUPPLIES,
                                 ART SCHOOLS, CRAFT SHOPS, POTTERY.
          If the place you call doesn't offer the service ask if they can recommend a place that does.
Arts and crafts stores
Schools
Splatters ceramic store
Art Supply Stores
Ceramics shops
Check your area and find the place that works for you.   Quickly you will find a place in your area.