Works in Progress

I've spent the last week or two ruminating

on some ideas, and thinking about

how I want their final output to look like.

I'm still ruminating, but I have at least started

sketches! 

Have a look see at my beginning stages.

You may notice each one is in a completely

different journal/paper type.

:)

This is the biggest size, 9x12 I believe.

What hopefully will be a birthday present for my dad.

Inspired by a painting I saw in my boss's house whilst babysitting.

 This little sketch (in my Sketchbook Project) was inspired by some

Sarah McLachlan lyrics.

I plan on using watercolor in some fashion.

And this little bugger is inspired by

my favorite little guy that I babysit for.

He likes Legos.

I hope this turns out as nicely as I have it pictured in my head.

I practiced the letter drawings on tracing paper,

an idea stolen from Andrea Joseph.

Except, if I were to transfer it onto the paper,

the letters would have been put on backwards!

DUH!

After some thought (I spent nearly two hours doing this...)

I decided to just cut the letters out and glue it right to the page.

It quickly answered what medium I was going to use;

Acrylics.

It would be hard to do watercolor or pen over gel mediumed 

tracing paper.

Acrylics, I hope I still know how to use you!

As you may see, I'm still on the quest to

learn to draw.

Just keep practicing.

Stay tuned for (hopefully) some finished products.

Playing in my art journal again

And it feels wonderful

Playing with my watercolors. 

I have been inspired (again) by Geninne's amazing watercolors.

There is so much to learn.

How does she make the colors swirl so gorgeously?

I also joined in on Michelle Ward's 44th Crusade.

I have painted by scraping with a card or palette knife

many times, but it was the perfect prompt

to get me back in my art journal.

What I started with:

pre-painted page and my scraping devices.

Many layers later, I ended up with this:

I scraped on paint,

sprayed water and dabbed off.

Scraped on more paint, dabbed water...

repeat.

At the end I added in some birdie masks

with some spray ink.

Now this page is just waiting for some journaling!

Next up was an art project with the kids I babysit for.

I love these kids, so last night I made them little

books out of recycled cereal boxes and extra moleskine paper

from my Sketchbook Project rebinding.

I decided it would be fun to have them design their own stamps,

and I would cut them out. 

Max, who's 6, wrote out the "I love you Mama and Mommi"

How cute is that?!

It is such an EASY thing to do if you have kids.

I also think how it is a permanent reminder

of them stuck in time.

All I did was have them draw in pencil 

whatever they wanted on tracing paper.

We then flipped over the paper onto the rubber,

gently rubbed the back of the paper to transfer the graphite,

and then drew over the design in Sharpie.

I cut out the stamps while they painted their book covers.

I love it. 

Projects Galore

I have multiple projects going on right now,

and glad for all the distraction.

Project #1: Rebinding The Sketchbook for the sketchbook project.

 The papers are so thin! Worse than composition paper.

There is no way I could work like that.

I have been struggling trying to come up with ideas

for my theme, "In Flight."

The website says that it is just a jumping off point,

but Eden's posts on her sketchbook has made me think hard.

I have thought about "In Flight" and it eventually 

brought me to a journey.

That is what I feel like I'm on.

I constantly want to try new things, experiment,

so I think I'm going to document it in the sketchbook

and then send it off for the world to see!

Ahh!

I am cutting down papers to put in the Moleskine.

It says you can do 5.5x8.5, but 8.5" was too long,

so I kept it at 8". A little short, but not too bad.

Project #2: Color Journal

I've seen on a few blogs of people keeping

a color journal. 

I've thought about it, but always put it off.

I decided to do one, because there are so many color combinations

and inspiration. I found much of it in the Art Journaling magazines,

but also in other magazines,nature, tv shows. Its everywhere!

This way, if I am ever stumped on color,

I can be inspired!

Project #3: Blurb.com photo book

This has been really hard for me to get going on

InDesign is harder than I thought to use,

and I just want it to look GOOD, NOW!

Is that so hard to ask?

On top of that, I keep on painting in my art journal.

Who's saving you?

Last night, lying in bed I was thinking about life.

How, in those moments where you feel like

you are sinking...

Who saves you?

Finished Journal Page and some Link Love

Finally I am back to my normal routine!

I was away for vacation, and then came back

to go house/dog-sit until Saturday evening. 

My hands have been itching to be back in my "studio."

I did cheat, and came home one evening to paint

a journal page because I had THAT bad of a day.

My lovely, wonderful, supportive Aunt sent me

a Rumi poem, and I just knew it needed to be made

into a journal page.

This is the beginning layers...

finished product

My new favorite thing is to add a layer of paint,

spritz water on top...let it sit for a few seconds,

and then wipe.

Repeat until you want to stop!

This particular piece has about 7 different layers of colors

painted on, wiped off...and so on.

I recently have come across some really awesome 

and inspiring blogs that I thought I'd share.

I try to keep my blogroll updated...but sometimes its hard.
UPDATE: LINKS FIXED!    

Tortagiella: This is just a fun blog to read. She is bursting at the seams with creativity,

and shows many tutorials on book binding.

Art Journaling Ning: A great website with tons of workshops,

journalers, discussions and photos. I always

find inspiring work and artists through this site.

If anyone knows of an easy way to make my pictures

the correct size (less than 100kb), PLEASE let me know!

I edit my pictures in photoshop, and they are way too large.

Art Journaling Tumblr: This person posts photos and links

to what journal artists she enjoys. ALWAYS inspiring

The Creative Entrepreneur: I love her work! She is working

on a really awesome project right now, and gives lots

of advice for any fellow introverts.

My Peacetree: Ingrid does amazing work,

and it is so authentic, beautiful and comes from the soul.

Flora Bowley: I just found her website, and her artwork

and vision is just incredible. She's a new blogger,

but I promise you'll be hooked!

Making your own stencils

I haven't made a stencil of my own in quite some time.

Its a super easy way to add your own design

and style into your art journaling.

All you need is some thin plastic,

(Walmart and Michael's also sell stencil blanks)

a piece of glass, an exacto knife (I use a stencil cutting tool)

some tracing paper and a black marker.

I decided to go for a diamond pattern,

and traced one from a piece of scrapbook paper I had left over.

Tip: Use a ruler for geometric objects!

After going through a couple of rows 

and realizing that my lines were uneven,

I busted out a ruler and it made it MUCH easier.

Once you've transferred the pattern onto tracing paper,

color it in/outline it with black marker.

This step is VERY important, because

otherwise you will be squinting to see the design through

the piece of glass and the plastic.

Once I colored in my pattern, it was time to cut!

Tip: Always leave space between the designs

I've made the mistake a few times 

when cutting stencils of just going to town

cutting out the outline, and forgetting that

when you make a stencil you need a little bit of plastic

to stay in between the different shapes, otherwise

it will all come out and you will be left with a big hole!

Next you put the piece of glass over the tracing paper

and the stencil film on top and cut away!

I made lots of mistakes, and my pattern

isn't perfect. This probably would have been

a better task for just a ruler and an exacto knife.

This is drafting film and really thin.

Oh well, live and learn :)

And because its on my desk, a journal page from 

The Big Journal in progress

Stress Relief

I had an even worse day at work yesterday,

and even though I'm house/dog-sitting

I made it a point to go home and paint.

Oh, glorious stress relief.

Lots of layers

Lots of emotional purging

It is weird being emotional.

I have spent my entire life avoiding feelings,

and now that they are joining the party

I can't say I like it very much!

I have two aunts who are just amazing people.

I've started opening up to them more

the past few months, and I couldn't

ask for my supportive people in my life.

My one aunt might actually get mad at me

if I don't ever try to sell my artwork! 

Their support right now is what puts

a smile on my face,

and for that I will be forever grateful.

 My aunt sent me this quote today, and it is so perfect

You think you are alive

Because you breathe air?

Shame on you, that you are alive

In such a limited way.

Don't be without Love,

So you won't feel dead.

Die in Love and stay alive forever

~Rumi 

Art Journal page inspired by a 6 year old

Baby sitting this past weekend,

we decided to paint some wooden boxes.

I sat back and watched in delight

as he poured paint on,

spreading around whatever colors

he liked.

Ignoring color theory,

or any sort of "rules"

he just enjoyed putting paint down.

So refreshing.

A wonderful reminder to

paint with abandon.

I am leaving for my vacation up to the Adirondacks 

on Friday!!!!

(!!!!!!!)

I can NOT wait to relax.

Canoe, go on boat rides, lay on the beach,

go on hikes, read, paint, journal.

Take lots of pictures.

Sounds like heaven, doesn't it?

I hope so!

I hope I come back with lots of inspiration.

Check back at the end of next week for an update!