Normally, when I post a round-up of free tutorials that I've found and been inspired by on the web, they will be on a particular theme, but this time I decided to dedicate my entire Freebie Friday post to one artist - Alisa Burke.
Some may call it stalking. I call it admiration. Inspiration. Aspiration even. You can just call it what you want. I don't care. I am inspired, so I'm sharing.
Alisa Burke is a painter and free-wheeling mixed media artist. She writes books, she makes television appearances, she is a Bernina Artisan, she sells her beautiful art in galleries and boutiques. Graffiti, art history and fashion are all big influences in Alisa's work.
Alisa has so many free tutorials on her blog that I've just picked a few of my very favourites.
Pillows
Alisa used stamping and scraps to create this free scrappy pillow tutorial.
Alisa shared her doodle pillow tutorial as excerpted from her first book Canvas Remix: Techniques For Creating Mixed-Media Accessories
Alisa repurposed a black t-shirt to make this fabulous black and white numbers pillow complete with tutorial.
Home Stuff
Upcycle some old fabric with Alisa's fabric scrap coasters tutorial.
Upcycle jeans into these fantastic potholders with Alisa's tutorial.
Use Alisa's tutorial to create fibre fill Fall placemats.
Accessories
Alisa sassed up a plain baseball cap with patchwork. See how she did it here.
Alisa guest posted at I Am Momma Hear Me Roar and shared how to make this fab bracelet with safety pins, paper towels and fabric scraps.
Kid's Stuff
Alisa guest posted on Whip Up and shared a great tutorial to make a monster lunch snack for a monster appetite.
Stamping
Stamping comes up a lot in Alisa's work, here she shares how to make rolling pin stamps.
Create your own fabric using Alisa's technique of scoring pattern into foam to print onto fabric.
Other Stuff
A woman after my own heart, Alisa Burke loves paper rolls. She painted these stunning paper roll angels and tells you how.
Alisa painted up paper rolls and old boxes to create this painted city scape tutorial.
When I look at Alisa's work I see freedom and looseness, an ordered messiness that it is all the more appealing because it isn't too perfect. I think Alisa's work appeals to me because it is in so many ways very opposite to mine. I see in her art my own need to get a bit messy sometimes. Granted, I get messy when I'm working. Blue paint in my belly button - normal. Dying my fingernails green -done it a few times. Paint/thread/stuffing (delete as appropriate) in my hair - an everyday occurance. One thread, bead or mark out of place on my work - never. I need to let loose, so I am really looking forward to the release of this book, Sew Wild: Creating With Stitch and Mixed Media
Alisa talks about her newest book in this video:
Alisa is so creative and prolific that there are far more tutorials that she has created for you to explore. Visit Alisa's blog to be inspired all the more.
All the photos included in this blog post are Alisa's and are copyrighted, however, Alisa has kindly granted me permission to use the photos of her work. Thank you Alisa.
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