Hello! I’m Wendy Solganik, aka @willa.wanders on Instagram. If this is your first time here on my blog, welcome! I’m pretty excited that you found me and my little corner of the art world.

I’ve done a bazillion kinds of art in my life, and the thing that intrigues me the most today is Mixed Media Collage Art.

I’m such a passionate student of this form of art and I’m obsessed with making and using collage fodder (what the heck is collage fodder?).

I really want to learn everything I can about it. I created an entire online art school called Fodder School where anyone with an interest in Mixed Media Art collage art, handmade books and journaling can come and learn this craft from a variety of incredible instructors, even if you have never made any mixed media art before! At this point, Fodder School is about to enter its fourth year with no intention of slowing down.

If you are looking for a great place to start your mixed media art journey from scratch, can I recommend this $19 course?

In this blog series, I’m going to be introducing you to the instructors that will be joining us in Fodder School as Fodder School 4 instructors. If you want to know all about what Fodder School is, go here.

Another one of our 11 incredible teachers is Leaca Young!

Leaca is an artist fueled by a lifelong love for creativity and who finds joy in capturing her thoughts and doodles through the boundless freedom of mixed media art. Inspired by botanicals, birds, and vintage charm, her creations reflect a passion for the natural world. Leaca is surrounded by stunning landscapes and vibrant communities, providing endless inspiration for her work.

Leaca truly loves nature like no other. "I live in Alaska, and if you look out any window in my home you can see mountains or forests, not to mention bird feeders hanging in most of my windows. I have a house full of plants and two dogs; I fill my world with living things. It reminds me to be grounded and present!" If you are as appreciative of the natural world and are interested in getting a brief overview of Leaca's signature techniques by making an affirmation repair tag alongside her (pictured below), keep reading to learn how to join Leaca in Fodder School today!

Leaca loves to use objects with history to make her art special. "I am obsessed with all things vintage and old. I mostly use vintage papers dating back to the 1800's, but if I am not using vintage papers, I am trying to make papers look vintage!" This love for the antique even extends into the original work she makes: "I use watercolors and I change out my color palette frequently. I like colors I can mix, mute and make look vintage; blues and greens work especially well"

In the Fodder Challenge, you will be using vintage papers and your existing fodder collection to make affirmations on repair tags, great for hanging somewhere you need a little motivation or tying onto a gift bag for a loved one. Leaca will walk you through a number of techniques she often uses in her art, such as stenciling, stamping, and sewing, and encourages you to have fun and play alongside her in this laid-back collage project. For more information about this year's Fodder Challenge, keep reading to find out how you can sign up today!

Leaca's students have said that she is kind and generous (also closely associating her with vintage papers and painted botanicals). With each new piece she crafts, her mission is to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the world, capturing its essence through her unique lens. She would love for you to join her on this creative journey and uncover the magic that surrounds us! You can follow Leaca on Instagram @leacayoungart or visit her website leacayoungart.com for more information.

In Leaca's Fodder School class, you will be using various tea bags to make caffeinated botanical fodder. Leaca will her you her tips and techniques for prepping tea bags for paint, or how to make faux ones in a pinch. Using ink stamps, stencils, acrylics, and watercolors, you can follow along with Leaca to paint a wide variety of plants and flowers, although she also encourages you to apply these techniques to any subject matter that excites you! Later, she will teach you how to securely adhere the tea bag fodder to watercolor paper, and together you will finish the project to make an affirmation accordion journal (in addition to some bonus ways you can use the leftover tea bags). Leaca would love to introduce you to her uplifting workflow and "celebrate the beauty of the world through art" with her, as she puts it, so keep reading to learn how you can sign up for Fodder School 4 today!

If you think that you aren't capable of creating incredible mixed media art like what you see here, you haven't been to Fodder School yet! We make it accessible. We make it effortless. We make it incredibly FUN!

Get all of the information about joining us in Fodder School by clicking this button below:

Want to listen to Leaca and me discuss Leaca’s journey with mixed media art? Tune into my podcast, "Show Up or Shut Up."

Currently available for listening on the Willa Wanders website here, or on Apple Podcasts, Amazon and Spotify:

XOXO,
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Where are you on your Mixed Media Art journey? Leave a comment and let us know!