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.  :)

 

 

it helps

As I practice "mindfulness" it helps to create a journal page to remind, rehearse, and "handle" whatever it may be that I am processing... 

 

This page consists of a few key words...a simple doodly sketch which I outlined with Tombow markers and then "watercolored" with my water-brush...that's it...enough to remind me to keep my "eyes peeled."   :)

'cause it's what I do

Art journal play...reflecting and rehearsing the Word of the Year (WotY)...because it's what I do...

Be on the look out for His wonder...and know!

treasure!

Looking back through old journals is great for finding things you have forgotten about...this was a journal from 2013 and when I came upon this page I felt like I found treasure!  Can you guess why?

 
I'm sure you got it.  Wonder!  Woohoo!  My Word-of-the-Year...and a great reminder to be alert...eyes open, looking for wonder...God's hand , what He is doing!  I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to miss anything that He is "up to".    :)

just a few minutes

It has been very fun going through old journals and past artwork in order to put together the classes for Creekside Studio...it makes me want to MAKE MORE ART!  Imagine that!  :) Here is my last (completed) art journal page...

This page was inspired by my morning devotion...done in 10 minute increments over about 5 days...I tell you that to encourage you to make time for some artistic endeavor everyday...whatever creative outlet you love...even just a few minutes each day adds up...not only is the art-break refreshing, but this kept me mindful...WONDERS too numerous to count...

Go ahead...take just a few minutes today to make a little art.  Enjoy!

morning glory

Okay, I know that morning glories can be an obnoxious vine, but I have always loved the flower...so when they volunteer here and there in my yard I get very excited.  Unfortunately, they never really thrive here...I'm not sure why. Anyway, we had a small plant show up and it was doing well...winding its way around here and there.  I decided that I wanted to transplant it under my gazebo to see if it would grow up and cover the top (eventually)...We'll see how well it does in this new spot...

Just look a t that color!  And look at the light in the center...Beautiful!

Before you start your day, take just a minute to enjoy a little morning glory.   :)

a new month

A new year, a new month, a new week, a new day...all are so exciting.  So full of possibilities.  This year I decided to make a "small" art journal for each month.  It has been very fun...easy to complete and "fill" because they are small:  so far no bigger than 6" x 6" and about 10-12 pages...This is perfect since I mostly work in 10-20 minute time slots.  (I rarely have more than a 20 minute chunk of time "just for art")  I have also been trying to stretch my color palette "muscles"...using different colors than my usual favorites.  So, this month I chose some paper I found at my favorite stamp store (Stamp Art Shoppe in Roseville) to inform my May palette:  yellow, gray, green, and blue...kind of a funky combo, if you ask me...but I am loving it!

  

This is the cover...so far undecorated.  I usually do my covers last unless I am inspired sooner than later.  Also, I spiral bound this one...just to try working in this format...we'll see...(The past 4 months have all been stitch-bound.)

Bordering my first page...tape along bottom.  then I chose catalog pics that spoke to me at that moment...probably thinking about journalling so I chose the pen...and I always LOVE script and books :) 

  ...glued those in place...

Then I punched some little butterflies, and cut a bigger one out of notebook paper.  I played around with placement, and glued everything down, along with some fun tape.  I love the sense of movement on the page that the scattered blue butterflies give.

 

I added the words "explore," "discover," and "wonder" which I stamped on white paper...(I am doing 30 days of  WONDER from Margaret Feinberg's book Wonderstruck  so I want to include that in this month's journal)...I like it so far...I will journal, doodle, and embellish it more...as I "live" with it.  That is the happy beginning...

Happy MAY!  

MAY you be happy!