JOURNAL COVERS

I always like to put a fun image on my art journals...something special and representing what is inside.  It is the first things I see, and also the most seen image.  I have been looking online at various artists' works.  I fell in love with how Kelly Barton creates cover art on moleskins (she has them available for sale on etsy)

So I took a go at it, with my own journals.  First was the Dylusion Journal cover.  I took one of Kelly's images and used it as a source (image looks pretty darn similar except the word changed)

You can see the chalk that I tried to erase, but it will fade in time.  I'm okay with it. (I used it as a guideline before tracing over with a Sharpie Paint Pen.)  I still am looking for a good white pen/fine marker.  Any ideas?

I added the word "journey." to the bottom corner as I am using this book to journey into new artistic learning & challenges.

The next journal cover I completed was my One Little Word binder.  My word is heart...and I had a hard time debating about going with Neon Red Paint Pen or white.  I ended up using neon as the white chalk draft didn't pop enough for me. ...plus my book colors inside are pastel pinks, grays, etc.  I used Kelly Barton as a reference again, changing some of the design and adding my word "HEART" to it.

Again, the chalk is visible but will fade.

My goal is to create my own "style" of artwork by using bits and pieces from what I have learned.  I do know that my artistic growth starts by mimicking drawings of others until I feel comfortable enough to dive into my own element and themes.  Not sure about you all, but many times I tend to overthink ideas which then cause my mind to tire and I end up doing nothing vs. just getting the artisitic juices flowing.

However you learn how to draw, art, sketch, create....keep at it.  Practice is required. 

Imperfections need to be embraced.  And those as well take practice for the mind to accept.

The final element I added was a sparkly, glittery heart on a chevron patterend paper.  The heart was from a piece of garland I found at Michaels on sale a while ago for Valentines Day.

And now my journals feel more personal than just a book I bought to draw in.

(this style of art is addicting...I may end up doing the back of the journal covers :)

Under the Moon

Inspired by a the video Mindy Lacefield published on YouTube, I created a serene painting using various media, tissue, sand paper, and India ink.

And the painting found its home. (Loved working on the wood canvas primed board)

More Bunny Love.. .

Loved the bunny illustration so much I made an inspirational/motivating bunny for a friend.

The fun is just getting messy and adding layers upon layers of various media. 

Here is the process in pictures: 

The start of the background (above).  Making painted tissue (below)

Then I started covering up the bacground with the bunny and various doodles.

 I added the flowers and other elements.  For some reason I have moved a small amount of supplies from my art room into my living room and tend to do more art work there.  I guess it's just more open or feels brighter for the moment.  If you ever come to my house, there are art supplies scattered throughout , tastefully of course, for whenever the artistic flair hits me (journals, pens, colors, paints, etc.art books) Most major supplies and utensils are located in the art room upstairs.

 I just love it.. .. anyways, back to the art...

 I think a big new LOVE for this project was the use of painted tissue paper & sculpting images in wet paint with the end of the paintbrush.   As you can see the small bunny faces, pie charts, words, and flowers were done using this technique.

And the finish product.

DID IT GET YOU TO MOVE?  FEEL HOPE? DREAM?

I hope so :)

Hello April! Hello Sweetness!

HELLO APRIL!  HELLO FRESH AIR!  HELLO 80 DEGREE WEATHER! HELLO SUMMER DRESS!  HELLO SUNSHINE!

Happy Easter!

Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.  ~S.D. Gordon

HAVE A HAPPY EASTER!

P.S. a LITTLE humor for the holiday:

 Q: What did the rabbit say to the carrot?

A: It's been nice gnawing you.

TRUE FREE SPIRIT: March Inspiration Peeps

The prompt for March's class was very therapeutic.

I started with a monotone style background....followed with random blabberings or as I call it "Brain Dumping"  (anything that came to mind, I wrote down).  Then I altered the images several times before finishing each.  Honestly, I am not entirely happy with the final result, but as with art, you have to test out different techniques to grow.  Here are several pictures of my journal page process.  (still using the large scale Moleskin I got at Donna Downey's studio)

(his head was too big (as a friend said, "He looks like ET" lol....and I didn't want to turn him into a girl...so I winterized the scene & added a hat.  Still don't like the end result, but I have walked away and let him be)

Plus, the way the temps are going, March could be winter in some areas. Ugh.  Here's to a warm April & Spring season. 

TRUE FREE SPIRIT: February Collage Girls

My latest obsession has been making collage girls inspired by the True Free Spirit class prompt for February.  Plus, I finally found a use for all those "W" and "Vogue" magazines stockpiling in my house.

First step: Prime, collage, paint the background.  I used an old comic section of the newspaper.

Then added the basic face shape with some shading.

Next step...cutting out any and everything that inspires you.  I went with words, design patterns, various clothing pieces....and even various hair pieces, eyes, nose, mouths and animals.  (and it is a way to recycle).  I pasted random pieces together and mismatched elements as well.

I decided to do a WEST girl...and an EAST girl.

WEST girl with a bird.

EAST girl with an attitude.

WEST: added hair pieces to add texture + completed the face shading and hands + traced elements with a Sharpie paint pen. (technically, Mindy Lacefield creates a face before adding elements).  I was just too anxious to start, so I did it after the fact.  However, it worked out as the color was blended onto the pieces.  Only issue I had was the paint got on the paper at times (yet if the paper is sealed, it is easy to wipe clean)

EAST:  added face and drew in hair with paint and Sharpie.  Then added a headpiece. I traced the entire body in various Neon Sharpie paints.   

 After adding a few more elements (hair piece, purse, bow on dress), I toned down the background and blended in various elements with paint.

Final touch, added fluorescent oil pastels around the body.  It was my first time using these...and wow what a difference.  Mindy posted them on the supplies list, and for $5, 12 colors,..... it really makes a huge difference.  Love the brightness. 

Happy Collaging!!