Keri Smith is Trying to Get Me Evicted :)

I bet THAT title got you! I thought it might.

The other day I went to Barnes and Noble and discovered Keri Smith's book "Mess", and after flipping through some of the pages, I decided I just had to try it.

There are a lot of very interesting experiments to do within this book, and tonight I decided to try the first one I chose. Keep in mind, while I attempt to do this book, I am also going to attempt to retain the pages I complete, so I can look back at them. I am intrigued by the methodology (or perhaps, lack thereof) of the book, but I do want to be able to look back and see what I've done. That being said, I taped over the instructions on the page so they would still be legible, and then applied a decent layer of gesso on each page. Then, I followed the instructions... to drop something onto the pages from a height of at least 5 feet. So I put the book on the bottom of my bath tub and stood up on the ledge, and dropped/spilled a small cup of Antiquing Ink onto it. Then I dropped/spilled some lavender poster paint. And then, to top it off, for interesting contrast, I spilled bleach. And then I looked at my tub... needless to say, the "mess" didn't remain on the pages of the book!

After panicking that I was going to get kicked out for completely defacing our bath tub (I'm joking about the fear of getting kicked out, NOT about defacing the bath tub...), I removed the book from the tub and cleaned it all out, scrub sponge and all. Thankfully, it all came off! And my first experience with Keri's book turned out pretty neat looking :)

I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with this book! I just have to be careful not to get evicted ;)

IF: Yesterday

Emotional mixed media interpretation of my marriage, which is beautiful in remembering yesterday...

Works in Progress...

The snow is falling outside... not much accumulation, but enough. Thankfully, it's not hard, but rather soft... you know, the dusty kind. The streets are nice and clear, so that's great.

So, I'm ready to go to work tomorrow... 11 hours Saturday AND Sunday. I have a lot of time while at work to get some art done, which is ideal, as it's tough at home with two little ones :) My children always come first, of course! So I try and utilize my free time at work to get some art journal pages done. I have many in progress thus far, but are not quite done yet...

So, I have plenty of pages to work on, plus many white pages not yet begun. And I've the time to create... the only issue is, what do I bring? I usually have far too many art supplies with me to begin with. I can't struggle with all the stuff (markers, stencils, ink, paint (acrylic AND watercolor), pencils, brushes, select papers and ephemera, etc.) lol... any suggestions?

Even MORE Art Journaling Fun!!!

As a sort of follow up to my last post, I've decided to share even more fun with art journaling, in the hopes that I may inspire you all to want to try this fun and freeing activity for yourselves. Wait, did I say "activity"? To some, it even becomes a daily necessity :)

I have a lot of art products. Mixed media is so appealing that I often want to grab up everything I see. Being that I work long days on the weekends, I will bring things with me to keep me occupied while my client takes her naps. I've found that I want to bring more and more with me, though... inevitably, I'll be working in my journal, and the page will just need that one thing that I don't have. But I can't very well bring every thing with me... that would be crazy. So I've yet to truly master a travel bag that I'm happy with (that has EVERYTHING I want in it), but for now, I make due with what I do bring. And I think I've been doing OK :)

This piece above was created with colored pencils; some watercolor ones, some regular. That's pretty much it, and some torn paint color cards... I just wanted to have a little fun. I'm usually a lot more... careful, I suppose would be a good word. But today I just decided to play and see where it took me.

I then rubber stamped some flowers, colored them in, cut them out, and pasted them in. I also pasted in two butterflies from a pack of adorable butterfly napkins I'd bought a while ago. I like it overall, but I'm not done yet. I do have an idea of where it's headed, though...

I also decided to start working on a background to a spread I'd done last week. The basic spread was just a magazine image with two rub on butterflies, an antique-looking card, a hand-written song lyric, and photos of fabric squares, and I'd no idea what else I was going to do, so I just started doodling.

The first doodle I did above is what is called a doodle game. I learned about it in Diana Trout's wonderful book "Journal Spilling." It really is a liberating exercise! You can even see a great video she's made about the technique here! Diana is a wonderful and enthusiastic teacher, and she really loves what she does. Each time I look at her book (which is frequent!) I get inspired to do something else with my journal!

I then switched to random squiggles and swirls... just to add some variety and visual texture.

I finished by doodling pipes. I have always liked to do this... I don't know why. I can go for hours just doodling intersecting pipes... it's a lot of fun :) No, really.

After I'd filled in most of the background with doodles, I colored over it with my one and only Prismacolor marker. It dulled out the background doodles, but you can still see them. I sure like how it looks.

Finally, I had an idea today. Other's may have done this, but I haven't heard of it yet :) I drew a few half circles in a straight line over text in a magazine and cut them out, then glued it over a wavy white background, and colored in red center spots. Walah! Instant cool borders... see?

Well, that's it for tonight! I enjoyed making these journal pages, and although I've more to do with them, I sure hope that you can glean an idea or two from my creations and go forth on your own art journaling adventure!

More Art Journal Fun!

I wanted to share with you my latest art journal spreads :) Upon looking at these, I see the progression that has come from my first foray into art journaling (Feb 2012) until now. I have grown, I have developed, and mostly, I have been able to portray my feelings/emotions onto the white page... and that is very freeing.

A few years ago, I was going through a particularly rough time (my husband had left us), and my pastor suggested I keep a journal. He said that many people find it's easier to sort out your feelings and it helps many feel better to keep a journal. Upon his advice, I did get a journal, but in all that time, I only wrote in it... maybe 3 or 4 times. But then, I discovered art journaling, and my life has never been the same :)

There is just something unexplainable about the wonder of image and text. Whether it's a sketch and a poem, a torn picture from a magazine and a song lyric, a doodle and a meaningful quote, or a painted design and random text from ripped and pasted book pages... it is wonderful.

Some pages are not finished yet. Others are complete with only a few elements... when it feels right, it feels right. I often go back in my journal, sometimes even months later, and am able to finish a piece that earlier just felt... unresolved. It's all about feeling. When it feels right, it's right, and YOU are the only one who can tell when it's right! :)

The spread above I did in only about an hour. I happened to be listening to the song "Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri, and I ended up being moved to create this piece. The jar illustration is far from perfect. The hearts are not cut out with correctly-rounded edges. But that's ok... for this particular piece, it works. That's the beauty of mixed media in art journals... it is YOURS. And it is beautiful :)

Have you started your journal yet???

One vital tip!!! I've found that glue sticks are fantastic for gluing in various ephemera, but if you do use glue sticks, I highly recommend the Extra Strength ones. Otherwise, the edges of the pieces tend to curl up when the glue isn't as strong. :)

Ideas to Get Going on YOUR Art Journal!

So, there are many people who WANT to try art journaling... there are even some of you who have BOUGHT journals, but haven't begun yet... and my question to you this day is, why not? Perhaps it's because you may not have any ideas... and maybe I can help with that! Here I've compiled just a few ideas that work for me :) Try them out!

Watch some youtube videos. No, really. Just do a google search for something like "art journal techniques youtube". It will give you lots of fun and interesting videos. I can never sit and watch them without immediately wanting to try some of the tricks and products they use! And don't feel that you can't watch the videos without first HAVING the materials... many feature stuff you've just got lying around your house to begin with :)

Flip through a magazine. ANY magazine. You will inevitably see something that will spark an idea in you. And go with it! Let that idea blossom into your own creativity. For example, if you flip through the magazine and see a city skyline at sunset, you may think it would make a very pretty journal page, but you can't draw a city. So? You can cut out different patterns to make various sized rectangles to represent the city buildings. See? One of the best things of creating in your journal is you can be inspired by something, but that is just a spring board... when you create, you totally make it your own! Let it grow :)

Listen to music. Pay attention to the words. You'll likely be brought back to a certain time, or the lyrics may cause you to think of a person. Let's say you hear a verse that reminds you of your ex-friend. Or your Grandmother. So concentrate on the thoughts of your Grandmother. Maybe you'll remember games she'd play with you, or that brooch she wore on her sweater ever day. Sketch that brooch. Doodle around it, or add magazine clippings, of cupcakes, or cookies, like those she'd used to bake for you. The possibilities are endless!

Another thing you can do is just start sketching shapes. Circles... squares... triangles... whatever your heart desires. Try different colors. Make some bold lines, and some thin. Maybe make one line of dots or dashes. Add some words, if you prefer. "Hope". "Grow". "Fly". Go with it! Have hope, now grow, and get flying!

What IS an Art Journal, Anyway??

Today is February 5, and it was almost a year ago (Feb 14, Valentine's Day) that I bought my very first art journal. You can read the post about how it began HERE. Ever since then, I've been working on spreads within the journal, using all kinds of interesting mixed media techniques to enhance my art.

I have also spent time reading books about art journals, blogs, and watching youtube videos on the subject. A lot of work is phenomenal. You can tell the artist spent a lot of time and effort on the pages. Then there are others, who simply drop papers here and there, collage them together, add random text, etc. You get the picture. And neither is way is wrong! One thing I've been told lately is that, no matter what the common consensus on what an art journal "is", it is what YOU make it. And that definition works just fine for me :) A journal is, like art, self-expression, and there is no right/wrong way to do that, as long as you are true to yourself!

This spread below has been worked on here and there for months. I added clips of magazines for the buildings, stamped the background sky, added pen work, and the words Repent, plus the sign that says "Time is Short..." I started this a while back, and it was not what it turned out to be :) Art journals are funny that way... you can begin with one thing in your mind, and, over time, the more you add to it, it grows into something else entirely. I love the process!

Here is my latest spread that I just created. I was inspired by the story of Nick Vujicic, a man who was born without limbs but who has a plan for his life from God. It is really beautiful and inspirational. This man has such a joy flowing out from him, and it is so wonderful to see it. You can learn more about him HERE.

Illustration Friday: Wings

Another Friday brings another great topic for Illustration Friday, this week's is Wings!

Here is my addition this week, a fun ACEO I created that I'd like to do more of. I love working with mixed media, it is so much fun to discover how different materials interact with each other, and the various results you can get the more you experiment!

I do, however, have a question for all you artists out there... technically, isn't "mixed media" any piece that is done using 2 or more different materials? If that is the case, then (again, "technically") isn't a painting that is first sketched out in pencil but completed in only acrylics also considered mixed media, due to the initial use of the pencil? Hrm.....

Creativity Flourishes :)

So, is it OK that I added that smile in the title? I tend to add that smile to nearly almost every email, every text I send... my friend the other day said that I smile an awful lot. But, it's better than frowning, right? So :) :) :) !!!!

I've been creative in my art journal lately. Sometimes I take brief sabbaticals, as I get caught up in other things, but I always return to my art journal, a place of comforting memories and fun tidbits. Here are two spreads I've done lately:

It was also interesting today that I took a trip to a local Michael's Arts and Crafts store, and I discovered that they have so much now for the art journal! From at least three different brands of washi tape to stickers made of actual burlap to a whole rack of all different kinds of markers/pens for journaling. I'd had a few dollars left from a gift card I'd received for Christmas, but if I'd had more money, I am certain there is much I would have gotten. :) There I go with the smile again!

I do have to state, however, for the record... I think Prismacolor colored pencils are fantastic, but they are TOO expensive!!!

So, it's a brand new year... who wants to start an art journal???

I Sing With My Paintbrush

I sing with my paintbrush; warm and beautiful I drip acoustic; visual renditions of myself sung in minor chords... if you don't get me by now, you never will.

There is something intensely gratifying and peaceful about an evening just relaxing and creating. No expectations, no dictations... just you and your open journal, various supplies, and a cup of coffee (or tea). Oh, and music. There must be music.

I've recently discovered Kathleen Edwards, and I tend to like her music very much. I tend to be a fan of Joni Mitchell, but "Ladies of the Canyon" style, you know... more folksy, singer/songwriter stuff. Anyway, I digress... this is what I created tonight.

I mixed some white gesso with a bit of antiquing solution, then brushed it onto my open spread. I like the varying yet subtle shades of variance, even when it dried.

It seemed to resemble a beach to me, so naturally, I drew in some rocks/shells. I used watercolor pencils, then added some shading under them with a Prismacolor colored pencil. I like the way it turned out so far.

I can easily picture myself in the future, all long hair and bare feet, sitting along the shore, painting the beach. Who knows :)

IF: Myth

Happy Friday everyone! My contribution to this week's Illustration Friday is my mermaid here, titled "Lost Love's Undertow."

It is marker, colored pencil, and Sakura gel pens on an ACEO (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals). I love creating ACEOs... there's something about making art in such a small space (3.5 by 2. 5) that is fulfilling... it isn't always as easy as one might think :)

But, here she is! What do you think?

IF: Ocean

Ahhhhh, the topic this week for Illustration Friday is one that is near and dear to my heart... "Ocean!" I LOVE the ocean, and everything about it. It is really one of my most favorite things... so, even though I longed to create an awesome jelly fish or perhaps a shark amongst a beautiful coral reef, I felt that most people would be doing a "blue" interpretation... so I though maybe this would be a little different :)

Illustration Friday: "Edge"

My entry for this week's Illustration Friday, "EDGE." I was inspired to draw this from one of my favorite shows, the Gator Boys, airing Sunday nights at 9pm on Animal Planet!

Mmmmm.... Coffee!!!

So... anyone who is familiar with the Mastic-Shirley area knows that we have everything from Checkers to Taco Bell/Pizza Hut, but no where to sit, relax, and actually enjoy a good cup of coffee... until now!

Today (Jan 4) I was thrilled to visit Tend Coffee on their opening day! Tend Coffee is located at 924 Montauk Highway in Shirley. That's right next to Friendly's! I had seen the sign for Tend Coffee a few days before, and just the sign enough caused me to want to go in. Why? Because it promised coffee! And anyone who knows me knows I LOVE my coffee...

Well, I am very happy to say that my first (and certainly not my last!) visit was anything but disappointing. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the staff are accommodating and more like old friends to the customer than employees, and the location is prime! Why? Because, as the woman in charge (Susan) states, "There's nothing else like this around here." And she's right... we so need Tend Coffee in our area, and they are welcome with open arms and eager lips :)

This is Susan with her cheerful staff. Now, I am one person who loves a happy face behind the counter. I'll actually wait on the longer line at the supermarket just to get the joyful worker as opposed to the one who wears their attitude on their sleeve and lets the world know (all too common these days!)

The pleasantness of the wonderful staff aside, this comfy and warm coffee shop is worth coming into because their coffee is VERY good. I grabbed my cup to go, and as I was drinking it, I HAD to go back and tell them just how good it was. Then I grabbed a pack to make on my own at home!

You can sit, relax, drink your coffee, have a snack, and just take some time for yourself. As the world rushes by outside, you can sip your peace and breathe in the delectable aroma of fresh-brewed coffee.

So, if you're in the area, make sure you stop by and pay them a visit. You'll be so glad that you did, and I guarantee you, it won't be your last visit, either!

And on a completely different note, I haven't done a giveaway in a while, so here's one! Check out the picture below, and click on it to see it better, as it's only a pencil sketch in the preliminary stages right now. Then leave a comment below, indicating what the picture is from. Winner will be chosen at random from all correct responses. Best of luck! Prize is a custom made ACEO (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals) created just for YOU, of whatever you want :)

Secret Santa!

So, a wonderful Etsy group that I'm a part of is the CAST TEAM. Each year, we conduct a Secret Santa, and everyone that signs up both receives gifts from someone, and sends gifts out to someone else. It really is a fun participation, and a friendly way to engage in the Holidays :)

Here are the pictures of the Secret Santa gift I got from my friend Jennifer... she knows me! I am very happy :)

You can see the wonderful shop of the artist who put together my Smash Journal here!

Happy New Year everyone! Stay safe!