contrast

 

  

This is a project that I did for Lifebook 2015...It was a bit of a stretch for me since I don't usually "work" like this...but I really enjoyed exercising different art muscles...

 

On 9"x12" Strathmore Bristol paper, I collaged tissue, book pages, washi tape...then I added a bit of stamping, acrylic paint and then gesso to tone things down and unify the page.  Next came these fun doodly imaginary plants (per Tam Laporte's instructions)...this was the big stretch for me since, while I love to doodle, it is a little intimidating to me to have MY "drawing" actually be the focal point of the page...yikes!...Next, I used NeocolorII watercolor crayons to add color.  This was super fun since I only occasional "play" with watercolor crayons...BUT, note to self:- keep them out and use them more...this was so much fun!...

 

The point of this exercise was to explore value contrast...so I created a few very dark (thickly colored) spots and then contrasting lighter spaces...this was a very interesting, very meditative, very thought provoking art time...I thought about contrast and diversity...and how without the dark and light...the differences...that art...and life...would be a bit monochromatic...definitely less interesting.

I really, really liked the light and darker color blocks I had created, so it was a "stretch" again to add penwork (I almost didn't do this)...white acrylic paint pen to the darker areas, and black to the lighter areas...

 

Here are some close-ups of different spots on the page...

 

 

Oh, and of course, I added WONDER (my WotY)...printed on vellum and stapled to the page.

 

There you have it...the value of contrast.  :)

 

 

a good reminder

Looking back through an old journal served as a good reminder...not only of what was going on in my life at that particular time, but for now also...When we record life what we are "processing" and the lessons we are learning in our journals we have the benefit (just one of many benefits-hint, hint) of remembering that important lesson or event. And as many of us know, those past "lessons" can be invaluable instructors and encouragement for today.

 

 

An acrylic wash of that happy green paint, scraps of various paper around the edges to create a border, the pointing hand from a Trader Joe bag, pictures of cute boots from an ad, NeoColorII watercolor crayon highlights, and then journaling...tada...and so it was "documented".