2013 AUTUMN JOURNAL: Watercolor Leaves

Last year, I created a Nature Journal for Junelle Jacobsen's online class.  It was so much fun, I decided to add a page with big leaves.  This page started out with gesso over a leaf texture plate.  It gave the basical outline to start.

I added small photo images and then started to color away with the Neocolor II.  Such fun....and you don't have to stay in the lines.  I usually just randomly apply colors in various spots...some highlights some lowlights.  And just blend the color.

When using the watercolor brush, I start with the light colors and gradually blend in the darker ones. This way, the dark doesn't over power the light. 

Added a few splotches.

Coated it with a gel medium.  I used Fluid Matte Medium, but last year, I did use Modge Podge and seemed to like it better as it gave it a bit of shine.  You need to wait a day before genly apply any medium to avoid major color runs.

Then I doodled away and of course, added my favorite little hearts near the pictures.

BLOCK ART: Winter Fun

Welcome Winter!

(and to be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing a little snow soon, let me say a LITTLE louder)

But in the meantime, I created a few artsy fun gifts for family as well as ones to adorn my house (inspired by the lovely Junelle Jacobsen).  It seemed so empty after all the Christmas decorations came down.

STEPS:

Sanded and painted 2x4 blocks and also primed a 4"x4" thin wooden canvas (or what my sister referred to as a coaster :)

Did some paper piecing to create faces & hats.  Modpodged the elements on & dried.

Painted on various elements and used my finger to add "snow" to the blocks. Plus added a few more details with a black Sharpie or PITT pen. Added pieces from a silver doily onto the blocks.  And then coated the entire item with Modpodge. 

Warm Hats, Warm Mittens, Warm Hearts!

HAPPY 2013! HELLO PROJECT LIFE!



inspired by Junelle Jacobsen artwork

HELLO 2013! & Hello Project Life....

I decided to embark in another year of Project Life. Last year I did the project was 2010.  

 The initial idea was a kit designed by Becky Higgins to document your daily life for the year. But you can embrace the idea without purchasing the kit...it's as simple as collecting random daily items such as receipts, tickets, notes, etc or just simply using photos.  I do a combination of both

.

  So 2013 will be about documenting and more importantly...CREATING EVERYDAY!

I designed my cover page by doing a bit of stencil painting and various ink blots (okay...and yes some spray painting). 

I then used an image Junelle Jacobsen designed to create my artistic girl.  Even art swiped her saying to add on the page.  And it turned out great.  Favorite part is the paintbrush rub-on from Love Elsie I added to the skirt's pocket.

"the whole wide wonderful world is at your fingertips...if you only reach for it."

Nature Journal

Inspired by a online art class The Art of Wild Abandonment 2 with Junelle Jacobson, I started my "Nature Journal Project".  AND I TOTALLY ADORE IT & Can't get enough of the fall scenery! 

On a gloomy day, I ventured out to Sesquicentennial State Park in Columbia, SC for inspiration and leaf gathering.  I found amazing leaves; some I have no clue what they are, but I like 'em. (Mind you...I tend to feel a bit like the girl from Hunger Games documenting herbs and roots etc. minus the loverboy to sketch them for me.)   Plus I captured some great pictures - especially using the Panoramic option on my iPhone :)

You can get ideas ANYWHERE...your backyard, tree-lined streets, movies, old photos, holiday decor, etc. ...Nature is EVERYWHERE!!

 After nature collecting, I wanted to find a perfect book. So off to Barnes & Noble clearance section.  You can use whatever kind of book...I just happened to come upon a $3 book relating to my theme. Some friends went to a used book store which is a great idea.

Next, go through the book gluing together 3-4 pages at a time, then ripping out 3-4 pages and repeat until book is finished.  Apply Gesso to random areas you would like to draw on. 

 I decorated my cover, but learned ...ya might want to prep that surface first...OOPS. 

It tends to peel & scratch off easily, so I ended up applying masking tape all around the edges.



"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -Albert Camus



Then I added a burnt page element to the entire book. The prep part probably took the longest due to the fact you have to wait for things to dry...(not helping if you are combating with old, clumpy gesso :( 

.......BUT on to the next...,,,

Take the leaves and trace onto the page in whatever form and fashion.  You can also freehand sketch which I did on some while looking at a photo.  Then apply whatever color you desire. I used Neocolor 2 WaterColor crayons plus added a small photo or wording (TOMS new catalog had awesome sayings) as a final touch before detailing.

NOTE:  Let the work dry for a night before apply generous amounts of sealant to avoid too much smear/smudge of your watercolors.  I used ModPodge before detailing....

Yes Virginia...you have to wait again.

 THE FINAL STEP:  I used a Scarlet Lime pen, Sharpie Paint Markers and went to town detailing. On some pages, I found words from the text and embraced those.  Some just spoke for themselves.  But I did finalize each page with a tiny, simple heart.

added the saying from back of a Shutterfly envelope "Good things come in orange packages"

Inside book cover = me trying to work on my handwriting...I love Junelle's whimsy in her writing...gotta practice that.

some leaves turned brown already, but I embraced it...and love their simplicity as well.

The book has so many pages left, and I can't wait to finish it.... If only this ModPodge would dry faster :)

HAPPY NATURE HUNTING EVERYONE!