This is a unique challenge blog where we are inspired by and focus on the Vintage; shabby; mixed-media; art journaling; industrial, timeworn and steampunk genres and encompass the talent, flair, expertise and ideas of many artists that we are inspired by. We welcome all types of projects - cards, journaling, assemblage, layouts, albums, atcs, altered art in fact whatever you want to share (as long as it is in good taste).

Friday 25 March 2016

Celebrating Andy Skinner as a Guest Artist.

Hi everyone, as it's the fourth Friday of the month we usually have an invited guest Creative Guide, but today we thought we would mix things up a bit and share with you some projects and links back to the amazing Andy Skinner.


Many of us here on the AVJ team and living in the UK have had opportunities to attend Andy's workshops and here are some of us at Stitches Trade Show in February.


L to R Brenda, (Cathryn), Julia SW, Nikki, Andy, Anne

And last November at Mixology 2015 in Coventry - although we didn't get Andy in the picture there were several of us there.


L to R Brenda, Alison, Jennie, Anne, Julie.

Andy, very kindly, is supporting AVJ this month with his generous prize for the winner of the challenge - the contents of the DI travel bag - details here. He is a very talented artist with his own unique style and has spent a few years travelling the length and breadth of the UK teaching his techniques and enabling his students to create wonderful grungy, textured projects in a mixed media style....


... and often in a shabby vintage style.


Those of you who have known Andy for a while may well have been part of his on-line workshops where he has enabled students far and wide to have an insight into his imagination and creative techniques for all sorts of weird and wonderful ways to add texture, create rust and age worn elements.
Take a look at this casting from his Outcast workshop and this is what he says about it -
"I have been casting and teaching casting methods for over 12 years now, mainly in the keepsake industry with children's hand and foot prints. Over the years I have built up a plethora of techniques for doing this, some of which have been used in this wall hanging".


Andy also has an incredibly funny sense of humour and is straight up front with his comments -
"Now before I get any hate mail accusing me of working for Satan himself because I have used skulls on this project, I want you to know that these techniques can work just as well with flowers, cuddly bears and fairies etc….. lol".

If you are interested in taking any of Andy's on-line workshops check out this LINK to see what is available. This is just one of them.


It was in March 2013 that Andy joined DecoArt as Executive Consultant assisting with product development, supporting DecoArt’s Helping Artist Program, being the person behind the technique video production as well as serving as DecoArt brand ambassador at trade shows and conferences. Oh my what a journey he has had and come such a long way, I know he is soooo proud of the DecoArt media line that he uses and educates about these days. Check out his CHA 2016 workshop make and his blog round up explaining what he did using these products and the fun he had at the show.



Andy loves sharing tips and techniques on his blog and if you haven't visited yet it is well worth a visit, go take a look at some of the tutorial posts he has listed.


Now we can't miss out the Andy Skinner products available, Andy's own stamps, stencils and masks, chipboard kits, image transfer sheets and printable downloads. He collaborates with Tando Creative with his chipboard kits and Stampendous with his stamps. Just google any of these to find nearest stockists. Here are some of the designs.





I remember last Autumn seeing Andy demo DecoArt products on the Craft Channel, in fact I think still have a couple saved on the planner. Now please don't quote me but I think there maybe more of these coming up soon so keep an eye out.



For those of you who are on the Wanderlust journey I know Andy is in the process of filming his video for a little later in the year, keep a look out for this too.


To finish off here are some recent projects that you can find on Andy's blog.













Industrial Elements samples


So there we have it, a rich and varied look at the life and works of Andy Skinner.

Thanks for stopping by and many thanks to Andy for allowing us to share his art this week.

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Don't forget you have one more week to enter our March challenge using the contents of this month's travel bag. We already have some amazing projects entered which are so worth exploring, do go take a look at the main challenge post and hopefully you will be inspired to get an entry in before it closes next Thursday. Get the link from our side-bar.


See you again on Monday with the last of our DI posts for the month and a round-up of the Creative Guides projects that were included in the March travel bag. Have a great weekend.


hugs Brenda and the Creative Guide team. xxxx

22 comments:

  1. VERY COOL! Thanks for sharing the NEWS!!!!

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  2. Great seeing the diversity of Andy's mixed media creativity. X

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  3. All very varied work and I'm sure we all have our own personal fave's. Nice one Andy,thanks for the inspiration. More power to you!!

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  4. Andy's work is brilliant and he is a fantastic ambassador for Decoart and crafting. I am still hoping to attend one of his workshops one day but so far always had clashes with dates. Great to see some of his work here and thanks Andy for such a generous prize xx

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  5. What a fantastic overview of Andy's work!! Great to see the photos of my teamies too. Like Jane I am still hoping to attend one of his workshops one day...

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  6. Reading through this post, it is so easy to see why so many of us love Andy, and his amazing and truly inspiring work!! His wicked sense of humour is an absolute delight. Just this once I wish I was able to enter our challenge and be lucky enough to win the prize - the fossil is right at the top of my wish list - lol!! A great post Brenda, thank you for sharing so much of Andy's talent with us! Hugs, Anne xx

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  7. A wonderful post Brenda! If I hadn't gone to an Andy workshop in 2012 with my sister, not sure I'd still be crafting at all! Love his work to bits. He's ok too!!! (I'm often at the mercy of his humour so I like to get a dig in when I can!!). xxx

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  8. This is a brilliant post Brenda, really enjoyed reading through and looking through Andy's fabulous work. I have not had the pleasure of attending a workshop with him yet, but did get to meet him a few years ago at a Tim Holtz workshop, and yes he is quite a hoot! love his products and techniques. Mo x

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  9. What a wonderful post on the wonder of Andy Skinner and his creations! I was not that familiar with him and am now most interested in seeing more of his techniques and projects - thanks for this introduction Brenda - and how lucky you ladies have been to meet him and take some of his classes! Julia xx

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  10. i had only been introduced to Andy when i started using the media line and i have been a fan since day one!! i love his creations, his style, his willingness to help!! one my bucket list of 'teachers'.... thanks for the highlight of Andy this month!!!

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  11. It's so fabulous to see the variety of Andy's work. I love how he can move from bold and bright to rusty and grungy and they are equally as eye catching. Love Andy's techniques too. A great roll model in the craft industry and it is lovely to see him highlighted at A Vintage Journey. Tracy x

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  12. I am in awe of his work. The weather here in Seattle is so similar to the UK. Please come for a visit and teach some workshops, Andy!!

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  13. Wonderful introduction to Andy Skinner, have to admit I was not familiar with his work until a little while ago and have yet to take any of his classes but after seeing this great post I am off to see what on line classes he has on offer! Thanks for sharing this with us all, Deb xo

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  14. Fabulous post with so many wonderful photos of you ladies and Andy, and gorgeous sample of his fantastic work! Thakn you for sharing!

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  15. This is just sooooo wonderful! Have always watched his tutorials and in love with the amazing textures and techniques he comes with. This is great news Brenda. Hugs.

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  16. A fabulous post dedicated to a real artist and true master of his craft , Andy Skinner. x

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  17. Wonderful to learn more about Andy and his artistry. What a fantastic portfolio! Happy Easter AVJ! Nicola x

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  18. What a great post. Andy's work is always so inspiring.
    Julie x

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  19. what a great post x whilst I have not managed to any workshops so far I have participated on Andy's online classess ( Book of Secrets) and it was great to learn new techniques.
    Lovely to see Andy here sponsoring AVJ.....so very kind and generous xx

    Best wishes
    Annie x

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  20. Brilliant celebration of a brilliant, inspirational artist and teacher!
    Alison x

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  21. An amazing post, such a wonderful inspiration work! Thanks for sharing your passion and admiration for Andy Skinner: how I understand you all!

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  22. I had the pleasure of doing one of Andy's workshops in the Netherlands AND spend some time with him. Nice man, very talented and a great collection of his work !
    Corrie x

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