Introducing Niki

Hello Everyone!

Today I am here to introduce you the next member of the Anything But Cute design team. I only recently discovered Niki's blog, but I knew instantly that she was a talented lady that I wanted to get to know better. Please hang around and learn a little bit more about this fabulous artist and see some of her amazing mixed media work!

Niki of Pawsitively Creative Crafts

Hello there y'all! I am a Southern girl (but not a Southern Belle) that loves any and all animals. I have been a Veterinary Technician for over 12 years and my fur babies are my heart, my DH is on that list as well but he is my heart and soul. Awwww! I love being able to help any and all animals (even the slimy ones, and ones with scales-snakes are one of my favorites) stay healthy and live long, amazing lives. Every day I work with animals I feel that unconditional love and am overwhelmed by the depth of their devotion to their human. Amazing creatures!

I am relatively new to mixed media and challenge blogs. Back in April 2014 my husband bought me a couple of canvases and an acrylic paint set for my birthday. I wasn't thrilled about it at first. When I was younger I drew, painted, and crafted all the time but at age 17 I broke both of my arms, and never got back into my art because I couldn't use my left hand/wrist like normal. I gave up my art. So when I saw the art supplies my husband bought me I figured I would give it a go just to make him happy. Boy was he (and I) in for a huge surprise when I finished my first piece. At the time, I loved my first piece but kept thinking that I could improve and I like to believe that I have improved by leaps and bound due to the challenge blogs that I found and also because of the wonderfully talented and supportive people I have found in Blog lang. You all make me challenge myself every time I create something and I just want to say thank you very much for that.

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Niki has picked out a few of her favourite mixed media projects to share with us today. She has such an amazing way of combining textures and her ideas are so unique and simply brilliant!

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This is the first canvas I ever created. I leave it hanging up on my wall because it reminds me of how far I have come with my mixed media. I think it is certainly lacking in a lot of areas but I did make my own texture paste and had fun using sprays, mists, and inks on it. Do you still have your first art piece? We all improve with practice and the willingness to create outside our comfort zones. :)

The title says it all for this canvas-Dark Paradise. I just lost my baby girl Raj on 9/30/14. She was 15 years old and had Mast Cell Tumors/Cancer. I did 7 surgeries on my baby and also chemo. She was wagging her tail and happy until the last surgery. She just couldn't recover from it and she looked at me, I asked her if it was her time to go and she layed down. That let me know she was done and I had to let go. This was the hardest decision I have ever had to make but I loved her enough to let go. She is greatly missed more and more each day that she is gone and will never be forgotten. Some people may wonder why 7 surgeries, at first I wasn't going to do any more after 3 but the tumors ulcerated and had to be removed.

This next piece is an ATB, my first ever ATB-Artist Trading Block. I made the box by hand and kept with my inspiration of Breakfast At Tiffany's. This was given to another artist in a swap. It was fun to make a decorate all the different sides but the best part is what is hidden in the box-a washcloth cupcake! I didn't want to ship a real cupcake. Lol

I have always been a fan of anything Steampunk and it is my go to for creating. I made this flat back canvas using Rusting Powder and materials that I upcycled/recycled. Rusting powder is interesting and fun to use-plus you have to use vinegar to activate it-wait WHAT! Yeppers. Intrigued? Want to know more about Rusting Powder? Check back here on May 26th to learn more!

My next art share, is along the lines of Steampunk as well. I have been on the lookout for a wonderful shaped top hat to make some Steampunk creations but could never find anything I liked. A month or two ago I happened upon this wonderful template and have been creating these mini top hats with glee. There are so many possibilities!

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Well, I think you will agree that Niki is a mixed media genius, I am so excited to see what she comes up with for our challenges!

Please come and visit us again on Thursday, April 16 when we introduce our next Design Team member, and don't forget to hit that Follow button while you're here!

22 DAYS UNTIL OUR FIRST CHALLENGE GOES LIVE - MAY 5 - DON"T MISS IT!

Happy Crafting!

Pamellia :)