Holiday Candy Wonderland: A Sweet Celebration | An Artist Spotlight Collaboration
It’s been exciting to learn about the amazing artists in our community through The Artist Spotlight Program, and we’re thrilled to bring you more inspiration by celebrating individuals in the Paint Pour Academy (PPA) community. This is our monthly Artist Spotlight Collaboration, where we challenge the artists with an Inspired theme and let them pour! Our goal is to inspire you and your art through these themed challenges and share the wealth of knowledge, skill, and artist stylings of our spotlight artists.
We’re keeping it simple and allowing the participating artists full creative control with a theme-featured challenge. Here’s what we asked them to do:
Create a new paint pour art piece inspired by the theme “Holiday Candy Wonderland: A Sweet Celebration” using any technique you prefer and colors inspired by the season. While there are no color requirements, here are some color suggestions that can help complement this theme:
- Peppermint Palette: Candy red, crisp white, and mint green.
- Gingerbread Glow: Warm brown, caramel beige, and hints of glittering gold.
- Sugar Plum Dreams: Deep purple, electric pink, and wintery silver.
- Frosted Blueberry: Icy blue, teal, and frosted white with silver accents.
Optional Techniques to help inspire you:
- Swirl Pour for candy cane effects.
- Cell Creation to emulate gumdrops and sugary textures.
- Metallic Accents for a frosty, sugar-dusted look.
And here’s what they came up with:
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: (Not Available)
- Colors/brands of paint.
Liquitex, Pebeo, DecoArt
Deep red, deep green, white, gold, purple, orange. - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Stacy.Does.Glass
S.D.G. Advanced Techniques Acrylics On Glass. - Canvas (or substrate) size. Glass
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I have been for quite sometime studying the effects of acrylics & micas on glass using various experimental & advanced techniques and/or combinations of those techniques.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
It is always a challenge getting paint to stay on glass without looking “drippy” or striped. Maintaining patterns and large blocks of color is always the goal.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love that this piece looks “frosted” ! It was a very difficult effect to achieve !
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
High quality paint and effective metallics are always a huge factor in my pours. The way in which they are applied is the other half of the equation.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
My tips are always consistent – using thicker consistency paints on glass are essential. Also – don’t over pour.
The more paint – the more dripping !
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/CaRo4vEorek?si=Lc1cAjF_2JV_e1XK
- Colors/brands of paint.
My medium of choice is soap! This is an all natural soap colored with botanical extracts. - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. The technique is called a “wood grain pour”. I’ve seen Erika do something similar with paint and canvas too!
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 5 pound soap mold.
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I saw Erika’s post about the collaboration and at the same time saw another soap maker post a similar pour making soap look like holiday candy. Coincidence? Who knows but I just had to try it!
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
The cut was my biggest challenge – getting the design to work throughout the entire loaf is always tricky with complex pours like this.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I think it’s the scent… mint with a hint of lavender. But the fact that it worked out on my first try is pretty high up on the fav list too!
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
Knowing how your formulation (whether it’s paint or soap) is always key to a successful pour.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Be inspired by those around you!
About the Artist
Joyce Farkas Art
Hometown: New Windsor, Maryland
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Etsy | TikTok
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/XTswdRnJgug
- Colors/brands of paint.
Hookers Green Liquitex
Cadmium Deep Red Liquitex
Iridescent White Liquitex
24 K gold Deco Art
Pouring med- 1 part paint, 2-3 parts american floetrol, 1/2 t GAC800 - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. This was a nautilus pour, made famous by the wonderful Nate Bright Art.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 14″ Round canvas, and a 14×14 Deep edge canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I really wanted to create something that fit the theme of our collaboration…Holiday Candy Wonderland; A Sweet Celebration.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
There was too much paint on the canvas, and I was so in love with the pattern that I really didnt want to loose anything from spinning the wheel to move paint off the canvas.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
The sink drainer created beautiful fingerlings that made the Nautilus pour so special.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
The sink drainer and sectioned pouring cup made this pour easy and so fun!
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
If your looking to by any sectioned pouring cups, invest in the hard plastic 3D printed ones. They are so much better than the rubber ones that are hard to hold and pour from.
About the Artist
Pattie Lear | Let’s Pour with Pattie Hometown: Erie, PA
YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/qTn8Zz8Z9f4
- Colors/brands of paint.
Amsterdam Paints: Titanium White, Primary Red,
Deco Art Paints: 24K Gold, Metallic Emerald
Creative Inspirations: Bright Green
Liqutex Fluorescent Pink - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Puddle pour, wrecked with a marble.
- Canvas (or substrate) size. 10″x 20″ Level 1 canvas
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
The colors of Christmas and a Candy Cane
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
I had a bunch of difficulties. I was so inspired, yet I couldn’t come up with a clear plan. I had tried something earlier, that did not work out at all. Working with green and red together can be challenging. Done wrong, and they can mix to become very muddy. The new plan I had changed last minute, and I decided to tape out a Candy Cane shape, just for fun. This made my tape job a hot mess. lol. So, I had to wait for the paint to full dry before I attempted to remove the tape. Which made for jagged edges when I removed the tape. Then I tried to hide those bad edges with a strip of red paint around the candy cane. There’s a reason I’m a fluid artist, and not a traditional artist. I can’t paint a line with paint brushes. LOL! Oh well. I had fun even with all the struggles. I had to laugh. It’s ok to be a hot mess sometimes. As long as you keep smiling.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love the effect the marble creates when it swirls the paints around with each other. I wish tilting it didn’t distort them so much, though.
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
Being over inspired is a real thing. The best way to fight through it is to just let loose and throw caution to the wind. Have fun with it and slap some paint on the canvas. It doesn’t always have to be a masterpiece. But it should always bring joy into your day.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
If your looking to by any sectioned pouring cups, invest in the hard plastic 3D printed ones. They are so much better than the rubber ones that are hard to hold and pour from.
Project Specifications:
- YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/xJAj0mmRcDw?feature=shared
- Colors/brands of paint.
CraftSmart Acrylic Paint: Bright Blue, Purple, Grass Green, Neon Pink and Artist’s Loft Flow Acrylic Paint: Red and Metallic Gold - Paint Pouring technique(s) used. Dirty Cup
- Canvas (or substrate) size. Small Plastic Craft Ornaments
About the Project
What inspired the techniques used in your piece?
I really struggled with this one. I created an excessive amount of canvas paintings but non really looked like the theme. After talking with my sister and my daughter, I decided to create Christmas ornaments. When I showed the photo to my sister, she said “those look like lollipops!”.
What challenges did you have completing this piece?
I had a hard time trying to get my art to look festive and fun. Stress in art is a real thing and I felt like I was overthinking this.
Do you have a favorite part or element in this artwork?
I love how this idea can be used or Christmas and for Baby Showers!
Are there any specific tools or materials that you found particularly helpful in this project?
The resin gave it the super gloss look and the wood dowels add the perfect touch.
Do you have any tips to share with the readers?
Be patient with yourself. If you are struggling, get help from family and friends and ask them for their honest opinion. You never know what ideas might pop up!
Join Our Artist Spotlight Program!
Are you a talented Fluid Artist looking to share your passion and creativity with the world? We’d love to feature you in our Artist Spotlight program! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out on your artistic journey, we want to showcase your unique style and story. If you’re interested in being featured, simply reach out to us through our contact page. Let’s shine a spotlight on your artistry together!
