Sharpie Markers! - ReMe Retreats' Favorite Art Supplies - Day One

Today we'll kickoff the "ReMe Retreats' Favorite Things - Art Supplies!" Series.  In no particular order; Jodi, Penny, and Jean will take turns sharing a few of their creative must-haves.  In the following, we'll begin with Jean's Ode to Sharpie Markers.

Journal Page in Sharpie by Brittany Gabel.

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My sister, Janet, is 18 months younger than I am.  As the children of practical parents we often had duplicates of the same toys and clothes, and Mom and Dad would use a Sharpie Marker to distinguish our individual treasures.  This is my earliest memory of a Sharpie Marker at work, and for as long as I can remember, Sharpie Markers have been strategically placed around our home.  

Sharpies were sacred and taboo then.  Sacred, because they held the mystique of something reserved "for adults only".  Taboo, because our parents recognized the inherent danger of them in our creative little hands.  My coffee table, which was once my parents coffee table, still bears the mark of some of my earliest work underneath its top, a self portrait, strategically placed where I was certain that no one but me could see it! 



As I began to identify myself as an Artist, Sharpies played an increasing role in my life.  I used them in Artist Trading Cards, Inchies, and in other Mixed Media works.  Their bold mark making ability and the extensive array of colors in which they were available thrilled me to no end!

During my transition into the world of jewelry and metal arts, Sharpie Markers served as my earliest form of patina.  This was in the days before I knew that a patina was a patina.  I would color my finished metal piece with a Sharpie Marker and wipe ink from the high spots of the piece with a bit of alcohol.  This is a technique that I still use from time-to-time today.

Today, Sharpies rule when it comes to a resist in my metal etching!  When I travel to teach, I always bring several dozen, and  I generally keep two or three different colors and point sizes in my purse just-in-case I need them.  

Etching with a Sharpie Resist results in consistent deep results.

Journal Page in Sharpie by Patty Sieck.

And of course, Sharpie makes more than permanent markers!  There are water based paint markers, oil based paint markers,  counterfeit detectors, metallics...and neons...and highlighters... oh my!  

In closing, and for the sake of full disclosure, "Hi.  My name is Jean, and I'm addicted to Sharpie Markers."  

(Please respond together with, "Hi Jean!".)
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For your chance to win our Fabulous ReMe Favorites Prize Package, please post your answer to the question below in the comments section.  You'll also earn an extra entry for each time you share this post on social media.  Just be sure to post a link to your share here for us to count your extra entries.  (All entries must be received by 12:00 Noon, EST, on September 3, 2015.)

Please share your love of Sharpies with us.  How do you use them?  Which is your favorite?  Do you too fear a world without Sharpies?!?!?  

Thank you for visiting, and be sure to check back tomorrow for another chance to win.

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