Portals is the brainchild of mixed media artist and designer Heather Simpson-Bluhm who in 2005, invited friend, artist and gifted photographer, Joleen Thiessen to create a mixed media art Zine. The duo began by creating a handmade, full color, 8.5 x 11" zine to focus primarily on mixed media art and talented but lesser known artists. In addition to mixed media artworks, the Zine also features photography, creative writings, reviews and more.

In March of 2006 the first issue of Portals was produced and quickly sold out. Initially intended to be a limited edition Zine, demand was so great that Portals became a regular publication. To this day, all issues continue to sell extremely well and back issues are sold out completely.

Early 2007 brought a few difficulties but issue #5 was released prior to a year long hiatus. Late 2008 brings new energy and fresh ideas along with evolving styles by both publishers.

 

Heather Simpson-Bluhm is a mixed media artist and work at home Mom. In the last year she has developed her graphic design business Bluhm Studios and is a partner in the web firm Mr Doodle and Company. In addition she teaches art weekly at her daughter's kindergarten and volunteers at her school. Heather continues to pursue her mixed media artwork and is a design team member for Hannah Grey Curiosities & Drygoods and Say It With Letters. She has several pieces published in the book "Somerset in Love" released Jan. 1, 2009. Visit her blog to keep up with her ramblings..

Joleen Thiessen is a twenty-something from Southern California. She lives with her husband and turtle, Dude. She is a mixed media artist, photographer, and dabbler of all things crafty. She is a Creative Team Member for Kitschy Digitals and has sold her crafty goods and artwork in shops across the United States and currently keeps an online shop called Love, Joleen Studio. You can keep up with her daily happenings on her blog.

 

 

* all photographs on this page by Joleen Thiessen.