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Learning Acrylic Pour Painting

There is something undeniably captivating about watching paint dance and swirl across a canvas. Here at Elzinga Art we offer opportunities that inspire creativity, and learning the art of acrylic pour painting feels like capturing a little bit of that energy.  I have enjoyed guiding members of my community—whether seasoned artists or curious beginners—through the accessible, expressive world of acrylic pours for quite some time now. Acrylic pouring is more than just an art project; it i...

Figurative Wire Sculptures

Wire figure art holds a special charm, inviting people of all ages to shape and twist new ideas into tangible, whimsical forms. It’s hard not to be inspired by the endless movement in everyday life, from native birds to bustling community events....

A Colourful Guide to Printmaking for Beginners

There is something truly mesmerising about watching a print come to life, layer by layer and colour by colour. I have always found inspiration right outside my door – from textured gum leaves to bold ocean blues. Printmaking is an artform that invites creative exploration, whether you are brand new to crafting or looking to add new skills to your artistic toolkit. At Elzinga Art, I have enjoyed sharing this process with so many others, making printmaking both enjoyable and surprisingly si...

Step By Step Guide To Creating Your First Crochet Project

Crochet is a timeless craft that brings a sense of calm and creative fulfilment, right from the first loop. At ELzinga Art picking up a crochet hook means joining a long tradition of making, inventing, and adding a splash of colour to daily life. Whether one wants to create a simple coaster, a soft scarf, or a unique wall hanging, crochet offers endless possibilities. Each project starts with a single slip knot and, with a little guidance, soon transforms into something uniquely meaningful. For ...

A Complete Guide to Adding Printed Images to Wood

For Elzinga Art every day, familiar textures and colourful sights inspire fresh ideas for new projects.Today, I’m sharing a favourite technique: adding printed images to wood. Whether this is for a handmade sign, a keepsake box, or to decorate a frame, learning how to transfer a favourite photo or design onto wood opens up a world of possibilities. This DIY skill is simpler than it might seem, requiring a few basic supplies and a bit of patience. In this blog, follow a step-by-step approach to...

A Step-by-Step Guide To Crafting A Wire Armature Sculpture

From the gentle sway of eucalypt trees to the vibrant sunlight reflecting across rooftops, there’s no end to the sources of creativity in the world. Living here brings a sense of adventure to every artistic project. Since the beginning of Elzinga Art,  I have seen how the right tools and a bit of know-how can spark even the simplest ideas into wonderful creations. Making a wire armature for a sculpture is one such technique—perfect for both beginners and those looking to add structure t...

Simple Steps For Upcycling Furniture And Homewares Sustainably

For many, the thought of upcycling might conjure images of dusty garage corners or piles of unwanted old furniture. Yet, in the heart of Australia adding fresh life to tired homewares isn’t just environmentally mindful – it’s a creative adventure. Since 2000, I’ve seen how a bit of ingenuity, the right supplies, and a splash of paint can transform the most ordinary chair or shelf into a vibrant statement piece. Upcycling isn’t about quick fixes or throwaway culture. It’s about discov...

Create sustainable new fabric from old fabric

Nestled amidst the colourful surroundings, I often find inspiration in the ways everyday materials can be transformed. At Elzinga Art, the principle that creativity exists in every scrap has guided many of my projects since 2012.One of my favourite ways to give old materials new purpose is by crafting fabric collage.Unlike patchwork quilting, this technique allows for total freedom – mixing patterns, textures, and even unconventional fabric finds.Using fabric collage, I can turn items like wor...

Exploring Clay Techniques For Creative Beginners And Beyond

There is something truly rewarding about shaping clay with your own hands. Whether sitting at a table anywhere in the world or exploring new hobbies from home, stepping into the world of clay offers a chance to unwind and express yourself. At Elzinga Art, I’ve seen first-hand how simple clay techniques can spark creativity in both newcomers and curious artists. Clay is a versatile material, perfect for experimenting or creating those unique, one-of-a-kind treasures.This introduction is the fir...

Sculpting With Concrete- Techniques For Bold Creative Forms

Living in Australia means inspiration comes from every angle, from bushland tones to bright city walls. I have found that working with concrete opens up new dimensions in sculpture that clay or wood sometimes cannot deliver. Concrete offers strength, texture, and flexibility, making it a go-to option for those wanting to push boundaries in art and craft. It is not just for footpaths and buildings; concrete lets artists, beginners and seasoned creators alike, craft robust outdoor pieces and detai...

Hand Christmas Tree

Starting art with children does not have to be expensive. If your child is showing an interest in painting, drawing, or crafts, encourage their creativity with simple supplies and free resources. Elzinga Art offers free DIY craft activity lessons and downloadable guides, helping families in Australia nurture artistic skills without worrying about overspending on craft books and resources....

Work creation in progression Admit 2 Movie Marathon

This painting is the second in the series of a popular mashup of movies, it was commissioned for a client. I asked the client for a list of his top ten movies ever and then a list of any other movies he could think of that he enjoyed. This was the provided list.The dark knight  (all time favourite movie), The prestige, Fight club, Deadpool, Mad Max, Fury Road (2015), Big fish, Watchmen, The avengers, Iron man. His secondary movies included Marvel and DC, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry ...

Painting entitled: Admit One Movie Marathon work in progression

This painting is an acrylic on canvas work. It is very large 142.5cm wide x 171.5cm tall x 4.5cm deep.The idea's inspiration come from a movie marathon idea, where a mash up of popular movies could interact in a fun and off beat fashion. The painting which has a unique distressed/scratched finish to emulate the look of old scratchy film reels provides a really interesting matt finish and certainly takes the painting to a much higher level visually. The included movies and fables includ...

What to include in an art portfolio

Applying for university or art school entrance can be a daunting process, what to include, what not to include in your portfolio of work. Basically most schools will ask for a specific portfolio that showcases your broad talent range. That means you need to have finished work from a variety of mediums, a variety of styles and a variety of work that showcases your engagement with different material investigations. Most schools don't allow an endless portfolio, so that means your portfolio needs t...

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Red back Spider...

Plaster headed person

This project can be done with or without the plaster head, but the plaster head does make children have a different view of their person entirely than if it were just a paper person. So if you can find a mould at a craft store or online plaster mould specialist do try to get it especially for school groups, as it does make a difference to the projects outcome.When using plaster of paris, be sure to wear a mask during the stirring stage, as the fine plaster mist can cause health concerns especial...

Margaret Ellen Turner Gallery exhibition review

Striking colour combinations, and the rustic essence of the Australian Queensland landscape, have enthralled artists whom have portrayed it since the dawn of time. Whatever the style of portrayal, landscapes picturing the Queensland forests, open spaces, mountains and lakes, have appeared in galleries around the world. In this essay the work of Margaret Ellen Turner in an exhibition called ‘The Idea of Wallum,’ which is represented by the Noosa Regional Art Gallery in September 2010, will be...

Preparing Art Surfaces

To give you an idea of surfaces that can be used in traditional art making here are a few:MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard, this is a common surface for painting on, and comes in both medium and hard densities. It is made by finely pulverized wooded particles and combined with a formaldehyde resin making it highly toxic when sanded or sawed, so be sure to wear a mask when doing either of these activities. To give you an idea of just how serious this wood is to your health, Bunnings, Australia's l...

Tissue paper plaster paper weight

- Plaster head already made or plaster of paris poured into a mould and set.- Tissue paper- PVA Glue- BrushPlaster of paris should be added with water to resemble a light cake batter, then poured directly into a mould, lightly tap the mould on the table to relieve any air bubbles and set to dry. Allow 24 hours to completely cure the plaster before decorating....

Broaden, Practice, and Extend your Artistic Knowledge

By Karen Elzinga, 31/01/2018Learning and exploring various art processes is like a tree growing fruit, the more nutrients it receives the more growth and better the outcome. When you have a foundation to draw from, your art becomes richer, more in depth and broader in its reach. Regardless of what you learn in the art landscape, it is the process that you are taking from it not the end result. For example if you learn to collage, your learning how to get the paper to stick and look professional ...

Ephemeral Art

Ephemeral art is all about the beauty of things that do not last long—artworks that vanish in moments or change quickly, such as a chalk drawing on pavement washed away by the rain or a rare flower that blooms just for an hour. This type of art is often captured in photos, as that may be the only way to remember its brief appearance before it disappears forever....

Tiny House- How to build a slide out kitchen.

So you have purchased a trailer and now want to convert it to a camper, good for you...well your going to need a kitchen! The best method l think in terms of tiny spaces is to make everything compact, easily accessible and functional. Keep it sweet and simple, try not to over complicate it by trying to think like a tradie, when you may in fact be just like me, a single lady with limited technical skills, but good problem solving ability. Think logically, what do l need, not what do l want, the ...

Designing the Art Nouveau Way

For the full version of this blog including pictures click to download...

Recycled Kitchens on the cheap

Click the download button to download the complete lesson for this blog....

Mapping an environment In Art

Click download button to download the full pictured version of this lesson, l highly recommend viewing the PDF version....