Portals Zine Blog

shipping...

2009-04-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

Portals #7 landed today via FedEx so it will begin shipping out to you tomorrow!! Also, there will be some available in the Hannah Grey booth at ZNE's Papier & Pleasantries Event this weekend. For more information and a discount ticket, visit here: http://www.artandpaperie.com/index.html
I'd love to meet you in person!

Heather

Portals #7 off to print

2009-04-16T23:13:00.000-07:00

Portals 7 went off to the printer today so we will begin shipping next week. I am so excited and relieved to have that taken care of. I have so many little dangley bits of projects unfinished that I am happy to tie up another one.

Also, for you Facebook members. Sign up to be a fan of Portals Zine on Facebook and you will be entered to win a free issue!!

2009-04-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

I just listed more of Issue #6 and presales for #7 in the shop!! Issue #7 will be released very soon!!! :) Thanks!

HOME Issue Now Available for PRESALE

2009-03-22T16:39:00.001-07:00

"Home" is an informative & inspiring issue featuring the amazing artwork of artist and author Christine Mason Miller. Tutorials and articles from Adair Amodio, Robin Dudley-Howes, Lelainia Lloyd, and Mike Jennings! A gallery full of eye candy, creative writing, exclusive giveaway from Danielle Thompson of Kitschy Digitals and MORE! This is NOT an e-zine, it is as actual issue professionally printed in full color!!

*Includes shipping in the continental US!!

*Scheduled publish date: April 15th!

Now available for PRESALE! :) xo

checking in..

2009-03-01T12:52:00.001-08:00

Just popping in here to let you all know that we are hard at work on Portals issue # 7 which is the HOME issue. We have been really busy with other things like dealing with sick animals, floods and helping out friends in difficult times.

In between all this other stuff and Portals, I managed to screw up this blog so its pretty plain right now. One of us will be fixing it soon.

As always, we are looking for ideas and content from our readers and fans. If there is something or someone that you wish to learn about, please let us know!!

Artist Spotlight: Lindsay Josal

2009-02-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

Lindsay Josal was born in 1984 in Dallas, Texas. She graduated with a BFA in Graphic design from The School of Visual Arts, located in New York City. Lindsay is very fond of giant pandas, outer space, short stories and birthday cake (and she works wonders with a polaroid camera).

Learn more about Lindsay at her website and blog.

Congratulations

2009-02-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Suseadoodle who is the winner of our package for the 3rd One World, One Heart giveaway. Thanks to all of you who stopped by and commented. Please visit often as we have lots of fun things coming up.
Cheers!

Its up to you...

2009-02-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
Joleen and I are busy putting together our outline for issue number 7, the "Home" issue. As a small reminder we want to remind you that we really rely on our readers to contribute artwork and article ideas to make our Zines diverse and full of eye candy. Please visit the CALLS page on our website to find out how you can submit artwork to grace he pages of our gallery.

In addition I have talked Mike into continuing his series on Photoshop for Mixed Media Artists. This series provided all sorts of handy tips on how to use Photoshop and PS Elements to recolor, distress, mask and all sorts of things with a popular piece of software. Mike's articles and teaching style are becoming so popular that he has now been tapped to teach at Art Unraveled this summer. Anyway, the point of this is that he wants to make is articles relevant to you all, so this is your chance to to ask specific questions or suggest topics of particular interest to you. Please think about it and email us or comment here and we'll try to hook you up. Keep those ideas coming!!

We've Got a Winner, Folks

2009-01-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

The winner of "Hey, It's a Contest is...

Congratulations, Katherine! You've won a complimentary issue of Portals Zine - Issue #7: Home!! Please email us your mailing address. :)

Artist Spotlight: Kara Haupt

2009-01-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

My name is Kara Haupt, I'm 16 years old(17 in June! Yay). I live in the Northwest USA and like wearing plaid tights and eating cheese. I laugh and listen to music too much. I started art journalling and scrapbooking about two years ago. I love my camera and hope to someday pursue a career in photography. I keep busy with avoiding homework, hanging out with friends, and spending too much time on the computer.

*What one word motivates you?

Fresh.

It's sorta my word for 2009. I love the idea of being constantly refreshed, renewed and ready to go, change, and evolve. I love new toothbrushes, freshly painted fingernails, and a recently cleaned bedroom. This year, I want to freshed up a lot of ideas of art and my environment constantly. Keep things new. Take old things and freshen them up so I can learn from them and evolve.

I'm all about evolving and changing, I think somewhat because of my age. I have this entire expanse of beautiful life ahead of me and I know that I can make it be how I dream it to be. And the things I don't have control over? More the better. I take them and I learn from them. Keep things fresh. Evolve. :D

*List 5 things you're inspired by.

Watercolors.- Big time. My grandmother is an accomplished watercolorist and I really want to get into these and learn. It's such an expansive medium and I want to learn to take it to the next step in all areas of my life.

Blogs- I have about 110 blogs in my reader. I don't watch TV, I read blogs. I love that I'm kinda "keeping up" on other people's creative lives often(hehe. dude. that sounds creepy.... blogs are kinda creepy when you think about 'em anyways). They are inspiring and fulfilling.

Friends- Internetty friends and real friends. I've been blessed by some really amazing people in my life. I have friends that push me to be a better me and more risk taking "artist". They know when to step back and tell me to stop. They know what I'm capable of and they push me to do it. Love them.

God- Being Christian, trust in God is what keeps me going on. I see this stunning world that He created and it makes me want to make the ugly things pretty. And to find the beauty in the ugly. My relationship with Him has really crafted me into who I am and who I hope to become.

Film- Always, always, always makes me want to go take more pictures. I love getting a roll back from the developers. It's the film grain, the surprise, the natural vignetting. Totally inspiring!

*I really shouldn't, but I...

Drink too much coffee. At least, recently. I'm blaming it on gross creamer(how is gross creamer so amazingly delicous, I ask?) and finals coming up. Finals are lamesauce, yo.

*What do you dream?

I dream of a little old house, with mismatched colors and hardwood floors. I dream of an amazing man for me, one that'll love God more than me and laugh at my ridiculous jokes.

I dream of getting over my selfishness. I dream of having beautiful moments and trusting God.

I dream of being fresh and ready for whatever life'll throw at me.

*How does your art fit into your life?

I'm trying to get into the groove of taking photos more often, especially film. I use to art journal a lot more, but have been feeling slightly uninspired. I like taking this phases as they come and embracing them. I work for Hambly, which I love. Makes me sit down every month and actually create something.

*What allows you to be most creative?

Freedom.

From parameters and ideas that people put on me and silly "boxes". I love finding strange clothes at thrift stores and pairing them with weird things. I like knowing that I don't care what people think of my physical appearance.

I like new environments and fresh ideas and different mediums.

Learn more about Kara on her blog: Old Lady in a Teenager.

One World, One Heart

2009-01-21T22:54:00.000-08:00

Hello and thank you for visiting Portals Zine blog. We are delighted to be part of this year's One World, One Heart Giveaway. To enter, please leave a comment below. We will draw a name from random to win the CURRENT Art Journaling issue of Portals Zine along with a packet of creative goodies that may be used in your own art journal or in other mixed media projects.

We are offering another give away on our blog but you'll have to read down a few posts to find out how to enter! Good luck and have fun visiting.
Comments will be closed at 11 pm PST on Wed. the 11th.
-Comments are now closed- check back tomorrow for the WINNER

It's Call Time

2009-01-12T20:52:00.000-08:00

We are excited to begin working on Issue #7 - our Home issue, coming this Spring! For this issue we're looking for the following:

♥ "Home" themed artwork and art for the home (like artwork for walls, pillows, decor, textiles, plush, etc). Please refer to these submission guidelines.
♥ Photo "stories".. one idea would be a polaroid series of old homes. We'd like to feature more photography in coming issues so we encourage you to share your work and ideas!
♥ Poetry/Creative Writing; Articles; Tutorials - please refer to these submission guidelines.
♥ We are looking for occasional "staff" writers so please email if you might be interested. This would include but is not limited to product + book reviews, articles, and tutorials. Please let us know what your interest is.

Please don't let this limit you. You may have a fabulous idea that we've not thought of and we'd love to hear it! As always, please feel free to send any themed artwork, articles, etc. you think we might be able to use in a future issue.

Home submissions DUE FEBRUARY 15!!

Hey, It's a Contest

2009-01-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

We've got big plans for this blog in 2009 and what better way to start than with a face lift! :) We're celebrating with a little contest, the first of many to come! Add our link or thumbnail image (found here) to your blog (and tell us about it), or follow our blog, by clicking "follow this blog" on the bottom right sidebar to be entered. A winner will be selected to win Issue #7: HOME in the coming months. Stay tuned for details! xo

Artist Spotlight: Jennifer Mercede

2009-01-09T23:03:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Mercede was born in Long Beach, CA and grew up in Connecticut. She currently lives and works in Portland.

At a young age Jennifer began making art, inspired by her grandmother, a free-spirited watercolorist. She would spend hours making hundreds of handmade floral greeting cards and loved when she had the house to herself to turn the music up and work on a creative project.

Her primarily abstract paintings consist of free flowing text, bright color fields, and crazy energetic doodling. Internally guided they involve letting go, taking big risks and trusting that there is no such thing as a mistake. They are meant to enjoy and motivate. She is inspired by color, children’s art, old school hip hop flavor, graffiti, abstract expressionism, inner spirituality and her creative friends.

After receiving a B.A. in painting and illustration at Western Washington University, she took time to travel the country and harvest some of life’s wisdom through experience. Now, with curiosities satiated, she has settled into making art as a living. She intends to continue sharing her soul through colors on the wall, as well as through music and performance on stage.

*************************************************************************************
We Asked, She Answered
What one word motivates you? Life

List 5 things you're inspired by.
Graffiti
Fruit Markets
Klimt
Basquiat
People who are free

I really shouldn't, but I...
What I do, I do. Should or shouldn't is irrelevant. I play a different game :)

How do you define creativity?
The process of letting go of thought to connect with the moment and bring to life something fresh.

What do you dream?
Of being so confident I love everyone and am free from anyone's opinion of me!

How does your art fit into your life?
My art is a place to let energy out. it assists my evolution and provides for me a sense of purpose and pride.

What allows you to be most creative?
Giving myself time to follow my passions. Being free.

*************************************************************************************
See more of Jennifer's work at www.jennifermercede.com.

Portals 6 update...

2009-01-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
WOW the orders have really been pouring in this week and we ran out of issues so I have a reorder in with the printer. I just want everyone to know and not to worry if it takes a little bit of extra time to get to you. Joleen and I are so excited about this publication and it makes us very happy to hear that you are too. Every time I look at the issue I get butterflies because I am so excited about the print quality and the color!! If you have not ordered yet, we still have some available in our Etsy shop.

Later this week we should have the website updated with new calls for the next issue which will be the "HOME" issue. Also, I am hoping to get the free alphabet download up, but Joleen had a computer glitch and is trying to recover the files. We are planning so many fun things for the upcoming year and are hoping you will be part of it all. Please check back here for news and updates. Happy New Year!!

shipping.....

2008-12-17T08:57:00.001-08:00

woohooo, the first printing of Portals v6 Zine is HERE!! I am so over the moon excited. They are beautiful and will knock your socks off. This issue is full of goodness, 44 pages to be exact!
I will be addressing and mailing off all the pre-orders this week to arrive in time for Christmas (at least in the US). There are still plenty available to order, they'd make great stocking stuffers or a sweet treat for yourself. Imagine kicking back, relaxing with cup of cocoa and diving into 44 full color pages of artsy goodness!!

PRESALE Portals Zine Issue # 6 : Art Journals

2008-11-06T21:34:00.000-08:00

The new issue is up for presale! w00t, w00t! :)

Willowing

2008-11-04T17:49:00.000-08:00

I came across Tamara Laporte recently on YouTube -she posts some really fun art videos that you can view here. She also keeps a lovely website. We've asked her to share a little about herself in our first artist spotlight. Look for more of her work in the upcoming issue! Enjoy!

5 Things I Can't Live Without...

Well, of course there isn't really anything that I can't live without apart from oxygen, water and food I suppose! ;)

But to name 5 things I really really love in life and could almost not live without:

1. My partner Andy (awww), he's simply one of the most amazing creatures I've ever had the pleasure to meet and be with.
2. My laptop/ an internet connection; I love creating and sharing my creations with the world. I've found the internet a wonderful place for sharing, connection and community.
3. My art supplies and art inspiration! Creating art works are deeply therapeutic to me, I immensely enjoy the creation process and looking at what other people create!
4. The teachings of Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie and Marshall Rosenberg. They help me put everything in perspective. It's the waking up while already being awake.
5. Humour. Laughing is like medicine. I particularly enjoy comedy that makes fun of the supposedly serious things in life.

On My Work Table Today...

On my work table today you can find a big huge incredible mess of stuff! Ha ha. There is a variety of brushes, paints, crayons, sewing materials like felt, cotton, safety eyes, big bags of polyfill, tissues, gouache paints, pens, pencils, sticky tape, the list is endless and oh my god I simply MUST tidy my work table! ;)

Favorite Art Things Today...

I have monster puppet plans, they are brooding … and I have plans for a new large mixed media canvas painting which will involve a scene with a cliff, a little house and two girls on a boat. I was dreaming about it last night actually! Additionally, I'm hoping to create a small stuffed toy tonight, with cute little beady eyes!

Tam loves drawing girls with pink hair, seahorses, giraffes, and swirly, twirly trees. She studied music and art in Holland for a while before running off to London where she developed her photography skills. She spent 10 years in London before moving to Sri Lanka for 2.5 years. It was there where her love for art journaling blossomed. Her art became increasingly more mixed media, messy, complicated and layered which is how she likes it now. At present she is a student of non-violent communication and lives with her partner, the magical Andy, in Brighton, England where she creates mixed media art daily. She likes pink bubblegum, avocados, humour and kindness. Oh, and she recently started making puppets, art dolls and monsters!

2008-11-02T22:30:00.000-08:00

"Issue #6..." Art Journals" is filled with the things we love right now. We have included many inspirational journal pages from some of our favorite art journalers along with tutorials and sparks to help you delve into your journal. In addition we have TWO featured artists and the usual favorites... Q/A, Artist's Challenge, book reviews, and more. PLUS all issues of Portals Zine will come with a free font download created JUST for Portals readers!!"

Interested in advertising in this issue? Go here for specifics.

Issue 6 : Art Journals

2008-11-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder, today is the last day to get your art journal pages in for the gallery! This is going to be my favorite issue to date and I hope you'll be a part of it! :) Artwork submission guidelines can be found here.

Adventures in Dorkdom

2008-11-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Both Joleen and I thought it had been a little quiet around the Portals camp (email box) the last couple of weeks, especially when we have emailed so many of the artists we admire to submit artwork for he upcoming issue. Regular checking of the mailboxes was yielding nothing and then Joleen realized that we had not received any new mail since mid month. She texted me in a panic that even emails she sent were not arriving. When I got home last night, I started checking out all the aspects of the mailbox. Paid up? yes. active? yes. cache cleared? yes. Then for grins and giggles I clicked on the BULK file and voila! All of our missing emails from the last two weeks. I guess I had set the filters too high and it was weeding everything into Bulk Mail ( even us!) after some laughter and many sighs of relief, we are back to processing the submissions that have come in. So inspiring.

If you haven't sent anything in yet, please do! There is still a bit of time and we can squeeze you in. Cheers!

Art Journal Playshops With Suzi Blu

2008-10-26T21:14:00.001-07:00

Hello, hello! You're going to be seeing much more action around here. ;) I'd like to feature interviews with artists, videos, tutorials, favorites, reviews, challenges, swaps, and guest bloggers. Sound fun? I'd love to hear your ideas on what you'd like to see around here or really in the zine itself!

I just found a super fun artist named Suzi Blu. She posts the most inspiring videos and if you have a while.. or an hour or two.. take a look! She keeps a blog, too!

We are still accepting submissions for our current issue of Portals Zine: Art Journals.

Send in your Art...

2008-10-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

As always, we are looking for your beautiful and inspiring artwork to fill our gallery section. Please consider sending in photos of your journal pages and art journals for our consideration. You can see our submission guidelines on this page.
Artwork is due by November 1 to be considered. :)

2008-10-05T15:19:00.000-07:00