Fodder School Muse Arlyna Blanchard

This month’s Fodder School Muse is a mixed media artist and graphic designer based in Shanghai, China. With a lifelong passion for creativity, she has spent years exploring art, collage, and self-expression while balancing a full-time creative career. Through Fodder School, she has discovered new mixed media techniques, creative inspiration, and a supportive online art community that continues to shape her daily art practice.

Introducing Arlyna Blanchard, or @abshanghai on Instagram. Be sure to give her a follow and show her some love!

What part of the world do you currently live in?

I currently live in Shanghai, China, where I’ve been based for nearly 26 years. Living in such a vibrant and creative international city has influenced both my work as a graphic designer and my personal mixed media art journey.

When did your art or crafting journey begin?

My creative journey began when I was around five years old. I’ve always been naturally drawn to art, crafting, and creating with my hands. Exploring different art mediums, collage techniques, and creative processes has always felt like a natural part of who I am.

Although creativity was always present in my life, around 2012 I intentionally returned to a more personal and self-expressive mixed media art practice. At the time, I was looking for a creative balance to my full-time work as a graphic designer, and art became an important outlet for experimentation, reflection, and creative freedom.

How long have you been in Fodder School and what keeps you coming back each year?

I officially joined Fodder School during FS4, although I had followed the program since its early years and had wanted to join for a long time. Other commitments kept me from joining sooner, but when FS4 launched, I finally decided to jump in—and it became one of the best creative decisions I’ve made.

What keeps me returning each year is the incredible depth of the mixed media art lessons, the flexibility to learn at my own pace, and the genuinely supportive creative community. Fodder School is filled with artists who generously share inspiration, ideas, encouragement, and creative techniques.

How has Fodder School influenced your creative journey or daily art practice?

Fodder School has had a huge influence on the way I approach creativity and my daily art practice. Honestly, it’s constantly on my mind throughout the day. I often find myself thinking about the lesson ideas and imagining how I can interpret them in my own artistic style.

One thing I especially appreciate is how the lessons encourage artists to work in small, manageable pockets of time. That approach has helped me build a more sustainable and consistent creative practice while balancing work and everyday life.

At the same time, many lessons gently challenge me to step outside my comfort zone, rethink my creative process, and stay open to new possibilities in mixed media art and collage.

What’s one project, technique, or lesson from FS that completely lit you up?

Choosing just one lesson or technique is almost impossible because every teacher in FS4 shared something meaningful and inspiring. Each instructor brought a unique perspective on mixed media art, creative experimentation, and artistic expression.

More than any single project, it was the collective generosity, diversity of artistic approaches, and wide range of mixed media techniques that truly inspired me and expanded the way I think about making art.

How would you describe the Fodder School community in three words?

Inspiring. Supportive. Uplifting.

One piece of encouragement for a brand-new student?

Let the lessons be a starting point rather than a rulebook. Use the art supplies and materials you already have, put your own creative spin on things, and don’t be afraid to ask for support from the community when you feel stuck.

One of the best parts of Fodder School is the encouragement and connection that comes from learning alongside other creative people exploring mixed media art and collage together.

Through Fodder School, she continues to explore mixed media art, creative experimentation, collage techniques, and artistic growth while finding inspiration in a supportive global creative community.