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By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
Earth Art isn’t just beautiful, it lifts your spirits, strengthens your connections, and even lessens the effects of mental illness.
At Natural Earth Paint, we’ve always known that earth art making can change your life. But what is the science behind those changes? We’ve done the research for you.
“Humans are a vital part of the Earth’s ecosystems; we’re deeply connected to nature rather than separate from it. Our oldest, most basic bond is to Mother Earth, the environment around us which we rely on, contribute to, and create with.
Because of our connection, creating with earth-based materials ties us to the world around us as well as our natural selves. Earth-based materials are an extension of our organic bodies, heritages, and histories.
Creating art to ground yourself in the Earth, your heritage, and your environment provides clarity and reduces anxiety. It provides space to explore individual and communal relationships and our impacts on one another, and finding connections between yourself and the environment helps reduce feelings of isolation and depression.”
So indulge in that painting session, take your time hand-mixing those natural paints, and relish your connection with Mother Earth. After all, it’s for your health!
Visit our blog to learn more about the healing power of earth art. Learn More In need of a little healing this season? We’re offering 10% off our Earth & Mineral Pigments so you can take a much-needed moment to care for yourself.
Just use code EarthArt at checkout. Enjoy! Shop Now
Coupons valid for US customers only. Expires September 30th. Have questions for us? Check out our FAQ page or contact us at [email protected].
Interested in learning more about how to use our products? Visit our Resources Page!
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
Autumn is Here! September 22nd is the first day of autumn this year, so we’re celebrating the season’s hues! Join the Natural Earth Paint family this fall in gratitude for what our beautiful planet has to offer. Natural Earth Paint on Paper 10% Off Individual Earth & Mineral Pigments Looking to add the colors of fall to your natural palette? Enjoy 10% off our individual Earth & Mineral Pigments with the code FinallyFall! Code expires October 15th. Shop Now Artist of the Month: Tasha Cathey We interviewed Tasha Cathey this month, one of our affiliates and earth pigment inspirations! Check out the full interview on our blog for insights into her earth pigment process and personal artistic journey into the world of natural paint. Read More Painted Egg Carton Masks! Our friends Arrow and Jade at @chasing_arrow on Instagram created this nature-inspired mask tutorial using recycled materials, earth-friendly decorations, and Natural Earth Paint! Our Natural Earth Paint Kit was a perfect addition to their eco-friendly project. Check out their instructions at the link below! Get Crafty Want to get creative with your favorite Natural Earth Paint pigments?
Check out the Recipes section of our website for innovative uses of our products for fine artists and families! Have questions about our eco-friendly products? Visit our FAQ page or send us an email at [email protected]. Interested in purchasing from Natural Earth Paint? Visit our Website for more details on our high-quality, non-toxic, and eco-friendly products.
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
The Aboriginal Ochre Wars
There was a time when all of Australia was a network of trading posts. And good ochre was one of the most prized items to trade. “Wilga Mia” in Western Australia is one of the most sacred ochre mines on the continent. If
you want to collect any you have to ask permission from the traditional aboriginal owners and also from the sacred beings who live beneath it’s ancient chambers. It was still being mined and traded in the 1980’s, although by the end of the 20th century it was being collected in plastic buckets instead of bark dishes.
In the Flinders Ranges of South Australia, there’s another famous ochre deposit. For thousands of years Aboriginal expeditions (70-80 men) would walk for two months to travel the thousand- mile round trip to collect their red-gold ochre at a place called Parachilna. They would return with 20 kilos of ochre each in possum or kangaroo skin bags, and on their heads they’d carry huge grinding stones from a nearby stone quarry.
Then in 1860, guess what happened, you guessed it, the white guys arrived. Farmers arrived with land and sheep ownership claims and obviously didn’t want the Aboriginals to eat their sheep or walk across their land. But the natives continued to take sheep meat for their journey and walk across their land which soon became punishable by hanging. In 1863 there was an “ochre massacre” when scores of Aboriginals were killed by angry settlers. Then someone from the South Australian administration suggested a solution! They decided to “move the mine to the Aboriginals” so they wouldn’t have to make the journey. But they moved the wrong mine. They removed four tons of ochre from a mine owned by another tribe on the coast and spent weeks hauling it back. It was a completely wasted effort because the Aborigines wanted none of it.
The white settlers missed the point that it was a pilgrimage involving elaborate ceremonies in collecting the ochre and bringing it back. Also, the sacred ochre was essential for trading which happened when one item is seen as equal in value to another. But free ochre had no value. And lastly, the sacred ochre was used for painting ritual designs and this other ochre from the coast was not good enough or sacred enough and didn’t contain the hint of mercury that made it sparkle.
• From “Color” by Victoria Finlay
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
I’ve recently recorded an 8 minute video of me explaining how to eliminate all toxins from your oil painting practice. There will be tips and techniques and info on how to use only natural materials (nothing synthetic or petroleum based). Enjoy!
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
WinterArt & Paint Sale + New Videos
NEW Eco Oil Painting Tutorial Video
This video is about 8 minutes and describes non-toxic and natural painting techniques with demonstrations and resources on how to create high quality works of art with all natural materials and absolutely nothing toxic.
This is a short video about the Children’s Earth Paints, what toxins you find in most commercial children’s paints, the history of Earth Painting and more.
Holiday Shipping: Packages are guaranteed to arrive before Dec. 25th if placed by Dec. 19th.
Crafting & Scrapbooking
We’ve been getting orders for the Children’s Paint Kits lately by Crafters and Scrapbookers. I never even thought of this but they are apparently working great as a water soluble and natural craft paint for many types of craft projects and decorating scrapbooks!
Every two to three years I have a sale on my abstract work and this is it! This allows me to make room for new inspirations and ideas when my studio begins to clear out. This offer will expire in two weeks (Dec. 22nd) so don’t miss your chance to save up to $400 on each painting. There are many recent Earth Paintings and also older work from the Chakra Series and Medicine Wheel Series. I’ll also be offering 30% off my wild, 3 dimensional paintings in the Flight from the Box Series.
I spent years looking for an alternative to so-called “non-toxic” acrylic gesso to prime my canvases and wood boards. After choking on the fumes that come out of these gesso bottles for years, I finally investigated what it was actually made of and officially decided to find a better option. I’ve always been stumped by the only “natural” alternative being rabbit skin glue. It turns out there is a vegan, animal-friendly option using methyl cellulose (which is made from plant fibers), whiting, and honey! Try out this recipe below…
Mix 1 part whiting (Plaster of Paris or chalk) with 1 part hot water. Add 1 part methyl cellulose glue to 10 parts whiting mixture. Add a few drops of honey. Voila! (To make the glue, mix 5 Tbsps. methylcellulose powder and 1 cup water. Then add enough cold water to make one quart of mixture. Let it sit overnight; then pour it into a jar.)
Land a Magazine Feature Teleseminar Dec. 11th, Sign up HERE
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
Earth Art & Paint Summer Newsletter
Children’s Earth Paint,
not just for children!
After teaching nature-inspired art classes over the past Summer, I’ve discovered that adults are having just as much fun with the water soluble Earth Paints as children! From making leaf print stationary and painting flower pots to decorating wooden frames and large garden rocks, the fun can be enjoyed by all ages.
Summer Art Project:
Sea Shell Collages
Have you ever wondered what you’ll do with that bag of shells that you’ve been collecting at beaches for years? Here ya go…
1. Paint shells with Earth Paints 2. Glue to a scrap piece of wood or stiff board in pretty patterns or in shape of animals, flowers, people, etc.
* Toddler Option: Instead of gluing them down, let your toddler sort, arrange, and put them in different containers. My 2 ½ year old was occupied with this hours!
* Older Child Option: use a tiny brush to add tiny details
20% off Commissioned Portraits
on orders placed between Aug. 15th- Oct. 1st
*Oil, Watercolor or Charcoal Drawings*
Click HERE for price list.
Exciting Earth Paints News!
I’m so grateful for the wonderful response we’ve gotten since starting Earth Paints in December. Here are a few highlights from the past few months..* We’ve Gone International! – Selling Earth Paints all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, UK, Alsaka, Canada, Scotland and Ireland.
* We were awarded theGold Certification by Green America which is a very prestigious recognition for the most Green businesses in America.
* Earth Paints have been reviewed by dozens of blogs with all rave reviews.
* Featured in Green Child Magazine, Artists & Illustrators Magazine and an upcoming issue of The Mother Magazine.
I’ve just finished a series of mini 8″ x 8″ Earth Oil Paintings. They will all soon be on view at the Ashland Art Center and on my website.
$95 each. Earth Oil Paint on Canvas
Upcoming Class “Getting Your Art Published in Magazines”
Aug. 14th, 10 am-11:30 at Ashland Art Center (OR)
Learn how to get your art featured in magazines and blogs as the best form of free advertising! $15
FREE Earth Paints Play Day!
at Growing Green Baby 260 N. 1st St Ashland, OR On Aug. 18th, 1-3 pm, come on out and play with the children’s earth paints. All ages are welcome and snacks provided.
By Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art, 31 contributed posts
View all Leah Fanning Mebane's Earth Art's posts. About the author: Leah exhibits her abstract and portraiture work nationally and internationally and has been commissioned for over 400 paintings over the past 15 years. Her studio is outside Jacksonville where she teaches painting, drawing, art marketing and making natural earth paints. See Leah's listing at the Southern Oregon Artists Resource to learn more and make contact.
I’ve just been interviewed by the great blog “Creative with Kids” with great questions including How do you balance family & business? What inspired you to start this business? How do you balance your creative side with all the linear, fine-detail stuff that comes with running a business? and more…..
How do you balance your creative side with all the linear, fine-detail stuff that comes with running a business?
It’s definitely a balancing act that I’m tweaking as I go along. Even though I’m an artist, I’ve always been interested in marketing and creative advertising. After teaching “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” for many years, I can now watch myself switching over from the my
Left brain (analytical, verbal, computer work, bookkeeping, etc.) to my
Right brain (being present, experiencing the moment, creating art in the “zone”, being present with my two year old).
But it’s a very conscious choice to shift over and I have to decide, “Okay, I’ve spent two hours on marketing. Now I’m going to release all of this brain activity and spend an hour on this painting while listening to my breath and experiencing my brush pushing across the canvas. And I’m not going to check my email!” READ MORE…..
Natural Earth Paint on Paper
We interviewed Tasha Cathey this month, one of our affiliates and earth pigment inspirations! Check out the 
Our friends Arrow and Jade at 
Want to get creative with your favorite Natural Earth Paint pigments?
Have questions about our eco-friendly products? Visit our 
Interested in purchasing from Natural Earth Paint? Visit our 
