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Produced By Jennifer Cushman •
Photography by Borella & Company
 ARTIST’S PROFILE
Where some people see scraps of paper and metal, New Jersey
artist Michelle Bernard-Harmazinski sees material. As art director of craft
company Ranger Ink, she’s constantly experimenting with product and technique to
create new possibilities for the paper arts. Calling herself “a recovered
perfectionist,” she explains that the collage form has taught her there are no
mistakes when it comes to the creative process. “I’ve discovered it’s okay to be
messy and have fun. My style is a visual expression of this fearlessness.” Visit
her website, YesterdaysTrashArt.com, to learn more.
Hip to be Square
(a) Michelle began her piece with 4-inch squares placed
on a grid, giving her 20 mini canvases to work with. With so much visual
stimulation, this design creates a feeling of controlled chaos within a larger
frame. (b) Delighting in found objects, Michelle repurposed a sticker
from a promotional mailing. source Canvas, Fredrix, fredrixartistcanvas.com.
Sun & Moon
(c) Newlywed Michelle enjoys finding subtle ways to
incorporate her husband into her artwork. She used a circle punch on his
childhood photo to create the center of her favorite flower. The picket fence (a
marital metaphor) quickly followed, complete with a glued-on bird and trio of
tiny tulips. source Acrylic paint dabbers, Ranger Ink, rangerink.com
Full Bloom
Michelle likes to incorporate as many materials and craft
techniques as possible into one piece of artwork. (d) She
combines an old compass with pages ripped from a copy of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s
Tender Is the Night. (e) Fabric pompoms were too small to be used individually, but
packed a punch when gathered together. (f) A wee tin container filled with alcohol
ink-tinted beads creates a unique and colorful embellishment. source Zig Memory
Millennium pen, EK Success, eksuccess.com.
MICHELLE’S TOP TIPS
Be fearless when making art. There are no mistakes, only happy accidents.
When tinting small metal or plastic items with alcohol ink, put the
embellishments into a plastic baggie with a few drops of ink and shake them
around. Alcohol ink dries instantly.
Dimensional glaze is wonderful.
You can use it as glue, a highlighter, a filler for bottle caps—the options are
endless.
Good handwriting takes patience. Practice first. Use a pencil
to make your mark, then go over it with ink.
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