If there is one thing I have learned by spending a good part of my life creating on a limited budget- it's that you can always use something- ANYTHING to make art and you don't need lots of money or fancy supplies. My favorite place to go "shopping" is in the trash or the recycling bin and I have a bit of an obsession with cardboard rolls. There a so many different ways to use them when working with painted surfaces- here are a few of my favorites. I ALWAYS have a paper towel towel roll on hand when I am painting lots of layers. I love dipping it in paint and using it as a stamp- it is a really quick and easy way to add circles to your surface. You can even bend or manipulate the cardboard into simple shapes. I tend to work fast so I enjoy applying a layer of texture or pattern in my mixed media surfaces quickly. Inspired by my own creation a while back (see here) I have started using my cardboard rolls to roll on my texture and pattern. I cover the surface with all kinds of everyday things. Bubble wrap makes for great polka dots! Wrapping string, twine, yarn or just about any fiber is another great way to roll texture onto your surface. Use scrunched up saran wrap to wrap around a roll, cover in paint and roll onto your surface. Or tightly wrap saran wrap around the cardboard roll and then paint designs all over it. While the paint is still wet, roll it onto your surface. Use 3-D paint to cover the surface of the cardboard roll with designs and while the paint is wet roll it across your surface.
