She waited patiently...

My collab with Syd

"You have my heart"

  created by talented artist Syd

If you have been following my blog for a while you will see that I am doing an art collaborative journal with my friend Syd. I am so lucky to have her work in my journal. We have been working in our journals since last year. It is really fun, no stress of time frames, we just create in them when we can and exchange them back and fourth every couple of weeks. When something comes up in our lives, the journals go on the back burner, but we have no expectations of each other, or time deadlines, and that just works out so great for me. I am on "task" now, and will be sending my journal to her every two to three weeks. That seems to work for us! Syd is so talented but, you really have to know her to know that. She is so busy with life, but her artwork shines through. Xo...to Syd.

Art journal

I love how my journal is getting fuller. I changed my color palette for this one. I am still re-working over old pages. I am using acrylic and watercolor.  I hope you get to take time to work in your journal, you will be glad you did!

A small journal

(click to make large)

I work in several journals at a time. This little journal is kept in my purse. I work in it when I am on the go. I started the drawing with tools I had on hand like watercolor brushes, graphite, and Pan Pastels. Then later when I am in my studio, I add acrylic paint and the final touches.

Art journal collaborative

Syd's and mine

Syd's

Syd and I have been working in our collaborative journal project. We each do 3-4 pages and send them back and forth to each other. We have a style that compliments each other. I will be sending mine back to her very soon.

Journal pages

Here are two more pages that I created in my artist journal that I am doing with my art buddy Syd. We are doing an artist collab of sorts, working in journals to each other and passing them back and fourth after we complete a couple of pages. This journal will be ready to mailed this week. I can't wait to see Syd's journal!

Some new pages (maybe an old one)

I may have posted one of the journal pages,,,, hmmm,,,but the one on the left is new. I am using a number 8 graphite pencil which I really like for the lines. It smears slightly and allows me to manipulate the line a little.  I used artist grade acrylics and Pan pastels.

Journal

Watercolor, acrylic, Pitt Pens

2 new journal pages

Yikes!

I ate like a girl today

Here are my latest journal pages. In the first photo "Yikes", I was experimenting with Peerless Watercolors. They are watercolors that are made on tablets of paper strips. I simply wet my brush and pick up the amount of color I want for my page, then paint it on. This booklet of watercolors is terrific to travel with. There are no paint tubes or pans of paint.  It looks like a little book with watercolor paint samples in it. I used it for the background in this journal page. The rest of the painting is done with acrylics. I added a touch of scrapbook paper for their mask and ears.

Here is another idea for your art journal. (2nd photo)   When your BF says something cute, journal about it. (and then paint a silly picture of him!)  Oh, and make sure he is wearing bunny slippers!

xo...

Hopscotch

I remember loving hopscotch when I was a little girl. We played it on the school grounds. We would draw with chalk on the gravel pavement. You would toss a rock on a square and jump over that spot until you reached the end, being careful not to step on a line. My BFF and I played it all the time. I think I was the hopscotch queen!

Progress in my artist journal

Created with Pan pastels and acrylic.

Journal pages

If you have been following my blog lately you will notice I am creating a lot of journal pages! Here are my latest in my messy studio! I have been using Pan Pastels in my work and LOVE them! They have a nice feel to them and I love the way they spread over acrylics. I'll be getting more colors soon.

Journal pages

Pages from my personal journal

I have been working on a couple of different journals lately. One that I am doing with my artist friend and fellow Artfest teacher Syd. And another one just for myself. (Well, there are actually MORE than just one other one!) I create the paintings first then go back and write in the text.
These pages are newly created, I can't wait to get out my Pitt pens and start journaling! I think RED ink would be fantastic!
p.s. A great painting tip is to draw two objects together that don't go together normally, two things that you really like.  Think fish flowers!

New journal pages

I had time to work in my journal again. This journal will be the one I use for my collab with Syd (See previous post). I have 4 pages done at this point and will send it on to her to work in when she is ready.

I also created another art piece today following my bird theme for Etsy, look for it very soon. I hope to list it tonite or tomorrow.

Ying and Yang

I have completed another journal page, and now it's ready for my text.  I always paint my images first, then add the text later.  I can do that anywhere, in a coffee shop, outside, at the beach, where ever, because the painting part is done.  I kinda like the flying house birthday cake!  The wings have pink glitter on them,,,,yummy!

Bird Duck

"Bird Duck" Canvas, 8 x 10, watercolor, acrylic, gouache, graphite, Pitt pen.
~available

Cocoon, Illustration Friday

Here is my creation for illustration Friday's theme "Cocoon". I think we sometimes live in our own cocoons and can be in a rut. It's all about taking risks and getting out of our comfort zone. If you don't take a chance you will never know. We learn from our mistakes, and if we didn't make mistakes we cannot grow. So, get out of your cocoon, take chances,,,, and don't be afraid to stomp in  mud puddles!

xo...

140 lb watercolor paper, 9 x 12, watercolor, acrylic, graphite

Another personal journal

I thought you might like to see yet another one of my journals. I have worked these pages over many times to get them to where I like them. I created this journal from scratch using artist canvas boards for the cover, binding, and simple stitching. These pages are painted and collaged with lots of texture added. I sometimes use bubble wrap with acrylics for texture. Witten text is added near the very end of my process.

I still have more to work on, within these pages.

Some new art...

I have been working on some new techniques with watercolor. I took a wonderful class with Alex Shur and discovered a new way of looking at hidden images and working with watercolor.
I used a more textured paper for the middle piece. It is 140lb,and I am not sure of the brand name.  The one on the top is Fabriano.
The last piece is in my journal and the paper seems a little thin.  I used acrylic grounds to coat the page before I put watercolor on, but I think I need to coat it more thickly.  I'll start journaling on this page very soon.

I am hoping to paint with a new artist paper line that Strathmore is putting out in a couple of weeks. Some of my work will be featured in the Strathmore Artist Paper booth at NAMTA I can't wait to try it and let you all know the results!!