She waited patiently...

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.

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.

Artist Journal

I have been neglecting my etsy shop to be able to create more art in my art journal. I just love creating through each page and adding more,,,until I can finish and go on to the next one. These pages are about painting face profiles. I am really not happy with the way these came out. I need to work on face profiles more. I am obsessed with images with hearts in them right now, so a lot of my art has hearts. I tend to go with a theme until I get tired of it, and think of something else.

I think these characters have a lot of personality, but they just aren't "me" yet.   They had a need to be painted though, so here they are.  That is what journaling is about for me,,,exploring, creating, and becoming better at what I do.
xo...

A new print and an artist page from my journal

I have always loved this bird guy that I painted about a year or so ago, so I am making him available as a Giclee print,,,he will be in my shop later this week.

Here is another page in my journal. If I can paint a page a day I should be finished with this artist journal in a couple of months! Does he look like anyone you know? :)

Journal love

Journal pages

I created a couple of new pages in my journal. I really like how these are turning out. I wanted to show you the leather journal itself. It is made by Susie Shipman over at Island Bound Books (you can google her). The craftsmanship of her journals is amazing! Look at the stitching! And the fabulous hand made iron forged button! The paper is thick, can hold any medium, (I use acrylics),,,and they are works of art within themselves. I love them!  Since I loved the journal more than my old artwork, I decided to paint over the old pages.  I really love all the old texture showing through underneath.  I am happy I took a chance to re-do these.  Never be afraid to paint over something you have and start over.  I am sure you will be happy with your new results. 

More of my leather journal

I have been busy painting on canvases, and I am getting ready to fill my shop with lots of goodies. In the meantime, I have been working in this journal,,,that I LOVE. There is so much texture and see through words/images from my old journaling. I am covering up the old stuff and adding new. (click on image to make large)

Have a nice weekend.

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.

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.

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...

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!

Journal page

When I was thinking about creating this page I wanted to fill it up as much as possible, with words, text, color, etc. I made some changes as I went, as my art is always evolving, even as I create it. I start with a thought then just let the words flow as they come to me. I love my color palette here, and am loving the use of gouache.

Watercolor

Here is another page from my watercolor journal. I spread the watercolor all around and intuitively find the shapes inside. After this process, I add the text.

I have been thinking a lot about fabric lately. Like a fabric collage of sorts with journaling on it. hmmm....

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!

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

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?