She waited patiently...

Mr Fox

My dear friend Mary sent me a little stuffed fox. This is my painted interpretation with a little hand written note attached to the page. So sweet, I love it.
This is the journal I am re-creating over old pages. I like how some of the old text and drawings show through.

Pages before Feb 2nd

(Click to make large)

More art journaling

I created this little owl in my small leather artist journal. I am using a few rubber stamps to add just the right touch. The words "take note" is a rubber stamped image. I used gesso to cover up the old design.

I am using a small face as part of the design on the right for this page,,, a small element that doesn't take over the whole drawing. I like that!  I added some journaling thoughts after I completed the drawing.

I incorporated my rubber stamped image in the design of this drawing, see how her hands are part of the rubber stamped image?

I am still working in my small leather journal. (see previous posts) Adding lots of new elements, gessoing over the old, and painting new images. My favorite art supply right now is gesso!  I am really loving the way my new/old journal is turning out!  More pages are coming soon.

Artist Journal

I keep several journals going at one time. I made this one by hand, including the covers which are made from canvas board. Each page is torn individually to fit into the journal. I add color to all the pages, then they are hand stitched and bound into the book. I am available for teaching this wonderful technique in 2011.

More artist journal pages

If you have been following my blog you have noticed that I am doing a collaborative with fellow artist Syd. Here are a few pages from our journal. I like using watercolors as well as acrylics, they give the paintings a whole different "feel".

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.

Artist block,,,,again?

I can't tell if I am having artist block or I am just having fun participating in other activities in my free time. Creating art is lower on my priority list right now.   I have been enjoying the fall by bike riding, walking by the lake and the Burke Gilman trail, gardening, visiting friends, and the list goes on. When I feel like I can't seem to motivate myself to create art, I start with a simple exercise of creating collages. I find myself tearing pages, painting backgrounds, ripping, gluing, collaging pieces onto the background,,, I just keep moving through this exercise until I can "free up" my inner artist. I find images I like and just start gluing them down to the page. In this case, I am using my journal. A place where I am free to try new things.

After my collage exercise, I started this page in my journal. I freely cut the pages into a simple shape and started to paint an image. This is the VERY rough draft of the starting of a painting.... I'm on a roll now,,,,,,,

What do you do to rev-up your creative spirit?

xo...

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...

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!

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!

New visual journals coming out soon!

Strathmore will be coming out with these new journals very soon. The thing I like the most is that they have either heavy watercolor paper, bristol, or drawing paper in them. The watercolor paper is 140lb, nice and heavy. These will hit the stores in July. I created this piece (in the 9 x 12 journal) for a promotion I am collaborating with Strathmore. I am ready for my next step, the fun part, the journaling! I just love all three sizes, the small one could fit in your pocket, the 5 x 7 could go with you anywhere, and the 9 x 12 for larger journaling efforts!

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 exciting art journaling news!

I am so happy to share with you about the new artist journals that are coming out very soon by Strathmore Artist Papers.  I was asked to submit the work I do on watercolor paper in my visual journals (girl and sisters) for the NAMTA (national art materials trade association) show this April.  The visual journals have just debuted at the show and will be available to purchase in July I believe. They were produced with the thought of having heavyweight paper that can hold up to the rigors of mixed media and watercolor.  There will be
a product line of Visual Journals that include high performing papers such as heavyweight drawing, mixed media, bristol and watercolor.
I will be sharing more soon...
What do you create in for your visual/artist journals?

This way...

Or that way...
This page has a total different look depending on which way you turn it... I like that.

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!!

What I'm working on, new journal pages

Here are a few journal pages that I have been working on lately. There is lots of collage, paint, graphite, Pitt Pens, and Inktense.

Escaping artist block part 2

I am still working through my artist block,,, yes we all have it. One way I try to escape it is by working in my personal journal. No rules, no expectations, just going with the flow.


Here is a close up of one of my pages.