Joey Cardmaker

Virtual Tag Swap (October) – OUT OF SPACE / TEXTURE

G’day everyone – It’s Joey here 😀

Journey Through the ‘Virtual Tag Swap Challenge’
My fellow Antipodean buddy, Belinda (@visualisednz) hosts an engaging monthly challenge on her Facebook group ‘Visual Vibes.’ This month, I gave the ‘Virtual Tag Swap Challenge’ a go for the first time. The universal prompt was “Outer Space” and I was paired with none other than Belinda herself. She spiced things up with an additional prompt: “Texture.”

Tackling Texture
Now, texture isn’t my usual thing. My tools are mostly paper and ink—fabrics and exotic mediums aren’t really in my stash. So, I had to improvise and create my own texture paste. Earlier this week, I had a coffee dying session prepping for the challenge, dyeing copy paper and my go-to texture material: bandage gauze. I layered the sandy-colored paste onto the gauze, aiming for a 16th-century “wattle & daub” effect to evoke an old astronomer’s workbook. Deep within my archives, I found some great images of 16th-century astronomers. The beautiful astrological charts came from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where they have a treasure trove of public domain images in their digital collection and well worth a peek.

How the Challenge Works
Want to join the fun? It’s simple!

Join the Visual Vibes Facebook Group.
Keep an eye out for Belinda’s monthly challenge sign-up post.
Comment with the number of tags you want to create.
Belinda will partner you with other participants.
Once partners are announced, a “Universal Prompt” is given. You swap additional prompts with your partner.
Create your tag using both prompts, if desired.
Post a picture of your tag in the Visual Vibes Facebook group by month-end.

Easy as pie and loads of fun

DIY Texture Paste Recipe