Collage ~ 52 Week Challenge ~ Week 8 Forbidden Shapes

[@michaelwilton4545]

Robyn, I think the reason that your collages look better when you do the work quickly is that you are a true artist. You have internalized art 'rules' (around composition, value and colour theory, etc) to the degree that you draw on that knowledge without thinking of it consciously. You are an incredible artist and I admire your work so much. I am brand new to art and I make some truly hideous things (this is really not false modesty - trust me), but I am not quitting quite yet because the process makes it worth doing for me. I hope one day my work will get less awful. In the meantime, I will keep plugging away and enjoying doing the work.

[@kategolding9414]

I wish you knew just how much you brighten up my Saturdays. Knowing I have a Robyn video waiting for me at the end of my shift makes working weekends a bit more bearable. Bright blessings dear girl.

[@RobynMcClendon]

Aaawwwww how sweet to say, that makes me happy too! xo

[@lisahowe7449]

I forget how using shapes like this can look so good. Of course with your papers, it looks spectacular! I look, forward to trying out this exercise! Thanks Robyn

[@iHanna]

Great idea on how to explore different shapes for your art! Thanks for sharing, I'll be back for more videos for sure! 💕❤

[@nabbyr8112]

This exercise will be so good for me, because I prefer soft, curved corners. True squares, diamonds, and triangles will be a challenge. Watching you work brings to mind two basic techniques I’ve learned from watching you. I have finally mastered the cutting paper using a ruler, which is a good step forward for me. And finally, finally I am able to glue down a background page without having a slew of wrinkles, thanks to seeing you use a credit card to smooth the background onto a page! Anyway, I am exuberant about working with forbidden shapes-I’m so impressed by the art you created with them.

[@bette-annflood835]

How amazing. Circles are so neat.

[@Bluebirdray]

Just love your teaching style.

[@hubbysswee]

Where have you been all of my artistic life?? Thank you for this series. I would open my art journal and sit there not knowing in what direction to turn. You’ve given me a means to both hone my art skills and alleviate my frustration. You’re just wonderful!

[@artiste335]

Beautiful...love this!

[@shirleymccullough2515]

So much fun using simple shapes to get to the results you have on your pages … love them 💖. So received my 2 journals this week so I better get started in doing caught up !!! Thanks Robyn for this 365 series you are doing with us … love it 💞

[@cath.lamontagne5357]

So inspiring; thankyou so much!

[@sharontilyard949]

Ohhh Robyn - I am thoroughly enjoying this series!!! So far I have just been watching, but you had me enthralled and keen to have a go from the very beginning and, by the Week 2 video I had ordered my journal ready to start. It hasn’t arrived yet, so I’m watching ahead and will go back and rewatch when I start my very own, very first, Art Journal and I cannot wait!!! Interestingly enough, in, I think Week 2’s video, you suggested writing down all the things that inspire you... which got me thinking and I have made my own mental list of things ready to pop in my journal when it arrives. I had come up with my own creative ideas of how to translate some of those things into my journal when I get started. Well... low and behold you are covering some of those things in the coming weeks and I’m so excited as you’ve added new ideas to my already existing ideas of things to try!!! To say I am beyond excited by all of this is a huge understatement!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for sharing this!!! I’m planning on videoing and sharing some, or all, of my play time and will, of course, reference you and your channel. I do hope that’s okay with you. 🤞🏻💕 Thank you again... so, so much!!! Hugs, Sharon 🌷💜

[@RobynMcClendon]

That's Awesome! I'm so happy that you are inspired by all of this and Yes! Please share, it's my desire to turn all of the world into art journalers!! lol xo

[@amyrugala246]

Love the idea of not thinking about and be intuitive. When I’m working on something I tend to think too much and become ver y judgement. This is a great exercise o work from the heart and truth. Thank you for all these videos, Robyn!!!

[@RobynMcClendon]

You got it Amy! That's exactly the muscle we get to exercise it leads to freedom and enjoyment in our work, so glad you are on this Journey with me :)

[@houdini840]

This is such a great idea. I love how your collages turned out. I like the "scrabble" rule. I get too stuck on having to know just where to put elements, what to use...I have collages saved that I have not glued down. Time to get the glue out, pick up a piece, and follow my instinct. Thanks for another helpful art session!

[@Pixelbenderstudio]

I love Saturday’s!!! I watch it again while I work on my journal it’s really been a blessing!! Thank you for sharing your talent!

[@angieculasso5964]

I love how effortlessly you compose your beauties. It’s fascinating to me. I learn from you. Thanks

[@RobynMcClendon]

Thank You Angie for hanging out and Journaling with me! :)

[@megsgonnamake]

Lovely spread as always!! TFS with us ;)

[@shrineshrine389]

Hmmm excellent. Thank you

[@RobynMcClendon]

You're so very welcome!

[@tannaorr4133]

Love the spontaneity of the process! You provide the best info. You’re a wonderful teacher.

[@constancehall3163]

I am enjoying your challenges so much. You are very inspiring and talented. Thank you, thank you🥰🥰🥰

[@margaretcrosby3490]

This might be my favorite one yet! Of course I say that every week. LOL! I just bought a circle hole punch this week, not knowing this would be our next journal prompt. I have now found use for those gelli prints that I don’t like. I can find useful elements in them, even if I don’t like the print as a whole. Thanks, Robyn. Much love to you!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Don't you just adore synchronicities! Believe me I have those kinds of prints myself that I snip up and use in collages! :)

[@maryannetraughber6975]

I love this class! Your enthusiasm is electric! This was great for me with collage. Love introducing brighter colors.

[@RobynMcClendon]

Thx I try to challenge my own color palette because I will do monochromatic tones forever and I do get the occasional comment that the person like my technique but not so crazy about my color choices....lol so I'm mindful of that and It's good because it challenges me too! xo

[@Kimkarlene]

I love this idea/technique... I will be using this!! Thank you, Robyn!

[@lindacallaway2253]

Loved it I wanted to make small back stenciled squares randomly over the first page. Then some dots on the second page. Lots of possibilities!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Oh Yes a wonderful idea! xo

[@kelleyknight6140]

Fun Fun Fun! Can’t wait to play in my journal 🎉🎉🎉

[@RobynMcClendon]

Perfect! I love hearing that xo

[@maidmerriam1578]

I remember in art classes that I took in college when the teacher would set rules or limits in our projects my first thought was “Ugh”, but then I was always amazed at how much I learned from those limitations! As always, thanks for sharing! ♥️

[@RobynMcClendon]

Yes I know what you mean, yet it's amazing how it can be a road to increased freedom if we only do it periodically to learn something new, heaven forbid we impose those restrictions all the time! Lol xo

[@sueevans4110]

New studio . Have to catch up thank you so much x stay safe . I have just had my jab . Jab and go girl x

[@RobynMcClendon]

You too and Thx! xo

[@denisehedberg4654]

Looking forward to this week’s challenge as I have not spent time thinking about shapes and how I use them in my art, but mostly how they make me feel! Should be a fun week!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Great! I'd love to hear what you discover! :)

[@tannaorr4133]

Love your wrist cuffs too!

[@RsJaneP]

Good morning, Robyn!! Great subject matter!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Hi Deb Thanks as I set here and enjoy your husband private roast, Lol I'm getting low, let me know the next time he roasts a batch I have my order in for 2 more bags :) No pressure of course xoxo

[@kjmav10135]

First of all, great jewellery! Second, I am actually following along and following the prompts! Plus a few pages on the awful, disruptive events of the new year. But, over that now, and now totally into this process! Fun!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Yaaaayyyyy! Although I do understand sometimes when I look at a blank page I just want to write the numbers 2020 and then scribble all over it like a child....lol I resist and then move on to create. I'll let you know if I give in to that feeling :) xo

[@MrsKCumings]

Robyn, this was so much fun ... loved this "assignment." Thanks so much for sharing your creative genius!!! Karen

[@RobynMcClendon]

Absolutely! xo

[@suedesilva6968]

Great exercise - I'm going to give it a go later today.

[@thaliagomes18]

Oh my gosh! This was a wonderful session. You are so inspiring Robyn!!!! So very freeing. Now I know what to do with all the long strips of paper I have been hanging on to and did not know what to do with. Thanks bunches.

[@dawnkarasaki6172]

Robin, how fun and yes wonderful for a master board. They’re very pretty and I should be able to do this.❤️

[@RobynMcClendon]

Awesome! xo

[@marymarple3537]

Love your ideas- now I’ve got tort it - thanks!

[@marymarple3537]

To try

[@RobynMcClendon]

@@marymarple3537 Awesome, Enjoy! xo

[@devonrex4]

So fun! I look forward to trying this! I love the “Scrabble rule” 💙

[@RobynMcClendon]

Yes! xo

[@yvonnemoorhouse]

Nice idea, suppose I will be looking out for a circle cutter or two😂

[@brandythompson6544]

I haven't checked in for a minute- life has been a little busy- so how delightful to see that there has been an upgrade to your youtube channel!! Love the intro- so much fun!!!

[@lynnemariefrances]

Had a big dip in motivation, loss of family member & covid, but this video really excited me and has got me in a rush to finish existing challenge (been at a snails pace) so I can start this. Thanks so much, REALLY enjoying this 52 week challenge!!!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, yes this year of Covid already creates stress and then when it affects us so deeply with the loss of a love one it can really cause us to just become stuck. I'm so glad to hear that our little community to was able to help you find excitement and a project to focus on to help with the emptiness. Many blessings my friend xo

[@lynnemariefrances]

@@RobynMcClendon many thanks for your lovely reply xx

[@dinieherbert]

I need a love button! This speaks to me so much, maybe because I quilted before getting into mixed media! Just beautiful. Oh BTW I keep forgetting to tell you how much I love your intro each week.

[@RobynMcClendon]

Thx Dinie, I really wanted to have a fun intro to set the stage for our studio time together! Yes it really is inspired by the practices of quilting, it allows us to see the interdisciplinary approach we can take to mixed media!

[@Nevertoosweet2eat]

Another great idea. I really look forward to your videos . I learn so much. Thank you for sharing. Do you have allergies? Mine have been so severe lately they interfere with my crafting. Again thank you.

[@Miastrong930]

A delight to watch. It was interesting in that putting down the square was orderly and in rows although the orientation of the squares could have varied and the placement could have been random. With the circles process although still lining up from 2 starting points the round shape forced a somewhat less linear approach to putting down the circles. To be honest the reason I noticed is that I would have done the same thing. But because I was watching instead of doing I noticed it.

[@RobynMcClendon]

Yes that's a beautiful observation! Love it so much can be gained from observations. And in my mind the thought of turning the squares would then have made diamond shapes and I restricted myself from doing that though I didn't say...lol xo

[@Miastrong930]

@@RobynMcClendon I thought of the squares looking like diamonds. But felt that the diamonds would be elongated. Very much like the difference between a circle and an oval.

[@MediaSLSecondLife]

unbelievable 😜

[@jerigale]

I love your channel intro!

[@RobynMcClendon]

Thank You!

[@sueevans4110]

This was so much like my degree course you are fab x

[@RobynMcClendon]

Thx Sue, you know I taught 4th year BFA students at the Corcoran School of Art in DC so old habits die hard...lol :)

[@chershack]

Stay within the rules? Ha ha Now there’s a challenge! Thanks for sharing.x

[@claregilliland3985]

I love that you just eyeball the size of the squares.

[@RobynMcClendon]

much less stressful than using a ruler...lol :)

[@evetei]

I love your weekly shares, thank you! My art book is getting so thick already from all the glued pages, am a bit concerned it will fall apart. I think you mentioned we would remove the cover and create a new one? Looking forward to that. Love from Canada.

[@RobynMcClendon]

Yes as long as journal has sewn in pages you'll be fine It does get massive and that's part of the rewarding feeling! Yes at some point you'll take the covers off and at the end we will re bind them! I so happy to hear it's getting chunky! xo

[@evetei]

@@RobynMcClendon Hi Robyn, yes I made sure to purchase a bound book. “Chunky” and I say hi and thanks 👍📖✂️

[@RobynMcClendon]

@@evetei Ok Perfect, you'll be good! :)

[@gailflig]

What journal are you using? I am looking for one that lies flat like yours.

[@byrne15017]

I think you mentioned in one of your videos about sending gelli print postcards around the world. Could you share that site again.

[@teresaangenendt2318]

These printable s don’t appear in your website. Are they still available?

[@claregilliland3985]

It would make a great jigsaw puzzle

[@RobynMcClendon]

Hi Clare that is so funny you should say that as I was thinking that as I was working!! :)

[@amyrugala246]

It’s kind of interesting how the different feelings that were invoked from working with squares then circles

[@RobynMcClendon]

Yes exactly Amy, that's when you know you are connecting with the visual vocabulary of that shape and the emotions and feelings it evokes, interestingly these feelings are universal in that most of us have these similar responses to the same shapes! :)

[@Cheryl75604]

I’ve never had good results with glue sticks . They go down great but then later they dry up and come off. What kind of glue stick is this and is it archival? Ok...see Giotto so I will look it up.

[@RobynMcClendon]

And also I have great results with UHU :)