Painted Journal

Here is a little book of loveliness. The pages are painted using a technique from LK Ludwig. So simple, yet so fun and the results are so rich. The binding is simple, but satisfying. All in all, the piece looks complex, while having been deceptively easy and tremendously fun to make.

Safe House

Here is a page from my new journal. It started as a big mess of a warmup, which despite my best efforts at overloading and mucking up, I actually started to like a little bit. Which is why when I decided to work back into the page, so much of the original is there. I liked the rawness and energy, and did not want to stifle it by covering over it too much. Not right now any way. The prompt was to create a "safe house" to house what could never be taken if all was lost.

Funny to me that I just had to put an air stream picture down. I had a few to choose from, but just knew one needed to go on the page. Ironic to me that my "safe house" involves being taken on the road, wherever, and whenever. If you know me this is not so ironic. I have a tremendous love for places, and am always dreaming of where is next. Even when I am happy and settled. It's just who I am. Like kicking a bad habit, after a childhood of many moves, my wanderlust continues on. And the people on the page have traversed many states alongside me, so I guess it's no wonder that this girl doesn't need deep roots to feel secure.

New Journal

Here is my newest journal, that I have been making in Juliana Coles' online class. Starting with an existing book, it gets altered to suit journaling needs, and then divided into sections. That is where the tabs come in! New tabs, vintage tabs, found objects, whatever we want. So much fun it's hard to stop. Next up, journaling warmups, prepped and finished pages. I highly recommend it if you want to journal, reclaim a book as your own, and see the amazing Juliana in action (insert ringleader circus music here!). No joke, she is a joy to watch work, and being able to view her books is like being invited somewhere forbidden and sacred at the same time. If you want to make your own work ring true and deep, take a look.

P.S: Supercool paintbrush attachment was inspired by the supercool jewelry of Nina Bagley. Check it out!

Artfest- More fun and favorites

Finding new favorite artists, and how their style shines through any assignment or project.

Top left & bottom right: Cori's artwork tickled me. Just look at the characters, penwork, pattern, and lettering!

Top right: Karen O'Brien's work in Jesse Reno's class

Bottom left: Michelle Allen's work in Jesse Reno's class

Artfest- More fun and favorites

Just generally having fun and being silly with friends, new and old.

The wonder of watching an artist work. Being inspired and seeing new ways of doing that you hadn't though of before.

Artfest-Day 3

Top photo: Pieces in varying degrees of completion.

Second photo: Pieces with just a base layer of collage.

On day 3 I took Freshly Renovated with Misty Mawn. We made small sized mixed media pieces that will then get bound into a little book/journal. The idea was to start with a base layer of collage that we then work back into with paint, stencils, stamps, crayons, etc. Misty showed us how to paint faces, along with so many other techniques that I can barely remember at the moment. It was amazing watching her demo, she worked so fast and could pull together a pice in minutes. I know the speed was for the sake of the demo, but still! Once again, I feel I really learned something that can take my journal pages/work to the next level. I love the idea of reclaiming an image and making it truly my own.

Artfest- Misty in action

Here are some pieces that Misty demoed in class.