(More photos below) Here are my latest experiments with plastic bag fusing, and I love them! Although I’ve been cutting them into handmade journal covers, there are a zillion other things that could be done with this “fabric”. Because I haven’t played with this technique for quite awhile, I rediscovered some important lessons and picked […]
Fused Plastic Bag Journals
July 15, 2015 by ·
Inspired by a project in Karen Michel’s book, “Green Guide for Artists”, I created my first handmade journal with fused plastic bags covers. The interior pages incorporated a variety of papers collected from around the house as well as interesting photos and captions from magazines that caught my attention. After gathering and composing my pages, […]
Evolution of a visual journal spread
October 12, 2013 by ·
My visual journal style seems to be evolving. I’m currently altering books instead of starting with a blank sketch book. I know that this is a way of working that is popular with a lot of visual journal artists, but I hadn’t delved into this realm before. I like the way I can reserve words […]
Ke Ola Magazine Featured Artist
May 30, 2013 by ·
I’m happy to be the featured artist in one of my favorite island magazines, Ke Ola (The Life)! Although this wonderful publication has been on the Big Island for some years, they just made their Maui debut in April. My painting “Hi’iaka’s Prayer” is featured on the cover, and an article on my art and […]
Mixed Media Portrait for Grade 5
October 31, 2012 by ·
As a teaching artist for the state of Hawaii, I create arts integrated unit plans for elementary and middle school students. In designing lessons for kids, I’m always thinking of how to engage them in ways that are high on the fun meter while skill-building in the chosen areas of study. An added benefit is […]
Make Gorgeous Decorative Papers for Collage
October 5, 2012 by ·
How to Make Gorgeous Decorative Papers for Collage from Beth Marcil on Vimeo. These are scenes from my most recent visual journaling workshop. In this first of three classes, participants paired up to paint on a large piece of paper using only hands (with gloves) & homemade stamps. The intention is twofold: 1) to let […]
Fun with Accordion Folds
September 27, 2012 by ·
Making accordion fold books is easy and tons of fun for kids and adults alike. This particular 3″ x 3″ mini-book highlights watercolor techniques rather than writing on the interior, but writing could certainly be added as well. It also has pockets for small treasures, and tiny pamphlet stitch books in a couple of the […]
The Soul Fort
September 16, 2012 by ·
The inspiration for this page is a wonderful fort that my cousin and I discovered on some land owned by my family. Yes, the girls who built it were trespassing, but the fort itself is so wonderful that I had to take a photo of it. Seeing it took me back to my childhood, and […]
Video Interview
July 27, 2012 by ·
This short interview describes what inspires me to create, the value of art-making as a transformative tool in my life, and why and how I share this process with others. I am just launching my YouTube channel. If you are a YouTube user, please connect with me there!
How to Organize Images for Collage
July 24, 2012 by ·
Why I store my collage images in Ziploc bags… Over the years I have collected an enormous trove of images that I use in my personal art and journals as well as in my workshops and private sessions. Being able to find what I need when the inspiration strikes is the biggest challenge, so I’ve […]
