Bestof2014-otherprojects

Here's a round-up of my favorite other projects from the past year:

Balzer-MMCollage-wm

Why I love it: This is a big piece and I really enjoyed working larger than usual.  I was quite pleased with how it turned out.  It's a piece that looks good from afar, but is even cooler up close!

WithBike-wm

Why I love it: Abstract is tough for me, but this one turned out really well!  It was a labored process and so perhaps that's why it appeals so much to me!

1-insidedetail-wm

Why I love it: I use these two paper clay bowls I made every single day.  I love the way they look and I was very proud of my out-of-the-box thinking in making them!

Instagram-wm

Why I love it: Love these stamps and use them in my art journal all the time!  They're attractive and useful!

EZDottedEasterEggs-wm

Why I love it: So simple and yet so graphic.  Of all the Easter Eggs I made this year, these dotted ones are hands down my favorite!

EmbroideryFlossNecklace-wm

Why I love it: This is a project that turned out even better than I thought it would.  That is super rare.  I'm always proud to wear this necklace and tell people that I made it!

DkFACE-wm

Why I love it: Oil paint is not a comfortable medium for me.  With this painting I feel like I figured out how to exploit the oil paint and really use all that open time to my advantage!

BalzerToteBag-wm

Why I love it: This was a hairbrained idea I had and I loved the way it turned out!  From 4 paintings I didn't like to a tote bag that I love!

19-portrait

Why I love it: I love the way the hands turned out.  It was one of those "trust the drawing" moments.  I didn't think they were going to look like hands, but they do!  And I love the background.  A kind of scratchy halo-effect.

8-days

Why I love it: I have been happily using this set of stamps in my art journal and in my Project Life album.  I love, love, love it!  And I love the size.  This set is useful and fun and just fabulous!  When the design came to me I was lying in bed trying to fall asleep.  I actually got up out of bed and sat down to sketch it out.

Eyeapron1
Eyeapron1

Why I love it: I actually made TWO eye aprons this year.  The second one has my name on it in rhinestones, which I think it kind of fun.  I just like how graphic and bold they are.  And I know that as I wear them, they'll get more and more decorated with paint and splatters.

I'm not sure if there are any uniting factors to this motley crew of projects….  It's one of the reasons I find it hard to answer the question, "What kind of artist are you?"  I'm an artist who makes stuff!

What kind of artist are you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Based outside of Boston, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a mixed-media artist who constructs vibrant compositions. Passionate about connecting with and inspiring other artists, she shares her expertise through in-person workshops, her online classroom www.balzerdesigns.com, and through monthly membership at www.MyArtPractice.com.

40 thoughts on “Best of 2014: Other Projects

  • I am definitely a stuff maker too. Most people don’t understand when I say mixed media artist. I’m sure there’s a better term we could use, just haven’t thought of it yet!
    Happy New Year, Julie. I love what you share with us here all year long!

    Reply
  • I am definitely a stuff maker too. Most people don’t understand when I say mixed media artist. I’m sure there’s a better term we could use, just haven’t thought of it yet!
    Happy New Year, Julie. I love what you share with us here all year long!

    Reply
  • I am definitely a stuff maker too. Most people don’t understand when I say mixed media artist. I’m sure there’s a better term we could use, just haven’t thought of it yet!
    Happy New Year, Julie. I love what you share with us here all year long!

    Reply
  • I am definitely a stuff maker too. Most people don’t understand when I say mixed media artist. I’m sure there’s a better term we could use, just haven’t thought of it yet!
    Happy New Year, Julie. I love what you share with us here all year long!

    Reply
  • I am definitely a stuff maker too. Most people don’t understand when I say mixed media artist. I’m sure there’s a better term we could use, just haven’t thought of it yet!
    Happy New Year, Julie. I love what you share with us here all year long!

    Reply
  • Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing all of your art, ideas and encouragement. May the new year be the best ever.

    Reply
  • Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing all of your art, ideas and encouragement. May the new year be the best ever.

    Reply
  • Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing all of your art, ideas and encouragement. May the new year be the best ever.

    Reply
  • Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing all of your art, ideas and encouragement. May the new year be the best ever.

    Reply
  • Happy New Year. Thanks for sharing all of your art, ideas and encouragement. May the new year be the best ever.

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them. AND now I have a good idea what to do with my aprons…
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them. AND now I have a good idea what to do with my aprons…
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them. AND now I have a good idea what to do with my aprons…
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them. AND now I have a good idea what to do with my aprons…
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them. AND now I have a good idea what to do with my aprons…
    Happy New Year!

    Reply
  • Me too…… I am artist who makes stuff…… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  • Me too…… I am artist who makes stuff…… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  • Me too…… I am artist who makes stuff…… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  • Me too…… I am artist who makes stuff…… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  • Me too…… I am artist who makes stuff…… ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  • Glad to see your year in review. I discovered you a few months ago and really appreciate the variety and scope of your art. Thanks for your creative energy.

    Reply
  • Glad to see your year in review. I discovered you a few months ago and really appreciate the variety and scope of your art. Thanks for your creative energy.

    Reply
  • Glad to see your year in review. I discovered you a few months ago and really appreciate the variety and scope of your art. Thanks for your creative energy.

    Reply
  • Glad to see your year in review. I discovered you a few months ago and really appreciate the variety and scope of your art. Thanks for your creative energy.

    Reply
  • Glad to see your year in review. I discovered you a few months ago and really appreciate the variety and scope of your art. Thanks for your creative energy.

    Reply
  • I think I’m actually a bit like you a jack of all trades. If it can be made, I’ll have a go at making it, from oil, to acrylic, to watercolour, to journaling, to embroidery, to art quilts, to paper and cardboard, bookbinding, goodness what else? Have a happy new year!

    Reply
  • I think I’m actually a bit like you a jack of all trades. If it can be made, I’ll have a go at making it, from oil, to acrylic, to watercolour, to journaling, to embroidery, to art quilts, to paper and cardboard, bookbinding, goodness what else? Have a happy new year!

    Reply
  • I think I’m actually a bit like you a jack of all trades. If it can be made, I’ll have a go at making it, from oil, to acrylic, to watercolour, to journaling, to embroidery, to art quilts, to paper and cardboard, bookbinding, goodness what else? Have a happy new year!

    Reply
  • I think I’m actually a bit like you a jack of all trades. If it can be made, I’ll have a go at making it, from oil, to acrylic, to watercolour, to journaling, to embroidery, to art quilts, to paper and cardboard, bookbinding, goodness what else? Have a happy new year!

    Reply
  • I think I’m actually a bit like you a jack of all trades. If it can be made, I’ll have a go at making it, from oil, to acrylic, to watercolour, to journaling, to embroidery, to art quilts, to paper and cardboard, bookbinding, goodness what else? Have a happy new year!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them! you are a beautiful artist! happy new year and new projects!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them! you are a beautiful artist! happy new year and new projects!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them! you are a beautiful artist! happy new year and new projects!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them! you are a beautiful artist! happy new year and new projects!

    Reply
  • Oh I love all of them! you are a beautiful artist! happy new year and new projects!

    Reply

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