Art Journal Update

I was asked to post some sample pictures of one of my art journals to this blog, so here we go.

This was a journal that I made from large scale scrapbook paper, bound together with embroidery floss.  I'd have to say in hindsight, that I should have used heavier weight paper but I wanted to use this stuff up and fortunately it has stood up to the task I gave it.  The journal ended up being about 9X12 and quite thick when I was done because I incorporated a lot of 3D elements into it.

I can't say that it is completely done.  Knowing me, I will continue to add bits and pieces here and there whenever the mood strikes.  I do like how it's turned out, combining my love for collage, doodling, recycling and all things mixed media.

Here are pages one and two.  The mahjonng pieces and watch face are real.  Lots of vintage images, stamped images, acetate and a variety of paint and finish techniques were used here.  They are actually a bit brighter than the scan shows.

Pages three and four have a real zetti feel to them.  I don't know what it is about zettiology, but I still love it so much.  It must be how funky and whimsical it is.  The mask is a 3D piece made from resin.

Pages five and six were at a state of doneness with the images in place when I took Joanne Sharpe's Letter Love 101 online course early in 2012.  This was one of the first practice pieces I did for lettering and I am pretty pleased with how it turned out (considering I had no idea what I was doing).  The lettering is reference to the wonderful old vintage poster images I used in the lower left and upper right of the two-page spread.  Back in the day when these images were created, everything was done with sheer artistic talent.  There was no digital art, no way to manipulate things with technology, just incredibly gifted artists creating such beautiful work.   I really appreciate that.

Thati's it for today.  I'll post more images from this journal as time allows.  I hope you enjoy them and that they inspire you.

Mixed Media Mayhem

These two pieces combine my love for collage, zentangling and lettering.  They are each about 5X7.

More New Art For Sale

Fun and funky pieces I created recently using reclaimed matboard, various paints, inks and dyes, markers and pens.  They will go to a local gallery and hopefully find new homes.

Mini Art Journal Fun

Here are some of the pages from a mini accordian-style art journal I created as an exercise in Joanne Sharpe's "Color Love 101" online class.

Catching Up

Okay, so the guilt is getting the best of me.  I'm supposed to be developing this blog and I end up leaving it for months at a time because, well, life gets in the way.  Thankfully, this time my excuse is art related.  Phew!  Slightly off the hook.  :-)

I have completed three online art classes and am about to start a fourth and this is what has kept me from BlogLand for the last few months.

Here's a few samples of what I've been doing in these classes.

The first online class I took was "Doodles Unleashed" by Traci Bautista.  Oh, it was so fun and it really made me try things I hadn't experimented with before.  Nothing major, just little things that push you a bit and make you see other potentials.  Here's a practice piece from that class where I included my love of zentangling in the process that Traci was demonstrating:

I also took "Letter Love 101" and "Artful Alphabets" with Joanne Sharpe.  These were classes I should have taken long, long ago.  The ideas I learned in these two classes dovetail so nicely with my collage, mixed media and zentangling art.  I am just having a blast working with Joanne's easy-to-follow techniques.  Here are a few samples of things I've been practicing on using the skills developed in her classes:

Goddess Paper Dolls

I love it when I'm rooting through the overwhelming collection of art and supplies I have and uncover a treasure I had forgotten about.  Such is the case with these little goodies.  I was working on them several months ago and somehow, in the move to my new home, they got waylaid.  Until now.

I had been given a big stash of glittery bits and bobs from a friend who was going to throw the lot out.  Can you imagine??  Anyway, all the sparkly things got me thinking about a couple of patterns I had for goddess dolls and mermaid dolls and here are a couple of the results.  They are made with assorted reclaimed papers, recycled wallpaper (an old standby of mine), along with all sorts of doodads that had been headed for the trash until I intercepted them.

I think that ultimately I will use some wire and funky beads to finish off these dolls, but in the meantime I thought you'd like to see them.

(Watermarks do not appear on the originals.  Each doll is at least 8" tall.)

Happy New Year ! "Live Every Day"

I wish all of you the very best for 2012.  It is a bright, beautiful new year, filled with possibilities.  May all you wishes and dreams come true.

Hopefully, I can be more vigilant about posting to this blog on a regular basis.  Daily life always seems to have other plans for me, but I will do my best.

Today, I am offering a little mixed media piece with a heartfelt message to "Live Every Day."  So appropriate, I thought, as we start a brand new year fresh with opportunity and hope.

This piece is 8" X 8" by about .5 inches thick.  It was created on a gallery wrapped canvas.  The base was a reclaimed piece of fabric, that I painted and collaged over.  I love the bright colors and the inspirational message it carries.  (Watermark does not appear on the original.)