Stash Busting Mixed Media Style

I have been doing a bit of stash busting art journaling. I have been using left over papers that I used on other collages and cutting or tearing them into smaller pieces than I usually do to use us more and get rid of them.  For example, in the collage above, I used a series of strips of patterned paper fr the collage base.

In the other example below, I used a whole package of coordinating embellishments. I have been having fun challenging myself to us things up to make some space (hmmm space for more supplies perhaps??).

 

The Traveling Arts: Part 2

You may remember that I have been working on a travel art journal kit. I tested it out this weekend on a flight from Atlanta to California. The kit contains pens, scissors with a blade smaller than 4 inches, collage papers, journal, wipes, glue stick, glue dots, double stick tape, stamp, and ink.

Me in motion on the flight.

In retrospect I should have included more colored markers/pens. Also paint pens. I definitely felt like I needed more color options.I also should have brought tissue paper to help unify some of the backgrounds.

Girl in Green Bikini

My Supplies Me drawing lessons with Jane Davenport continue. We have been practicing drawing women from behind. So, here is my journal page using that technique and lots of colored pencils.

Derwent Inktense for the background, spray inks, Prismacolor for the girl and bikini, plus some light stamping.

Drawing Progress Report

You may recall my fears of drawing from this previous post. I enrolled in a mini  online workshop with Jane Davenport called Draw Happy.  It took about a week to complete.

This workshop is considered a first step in drawing, so lessons in things like shading and skin tones will be in the next workshop I take, Supplies Me.

I practiced sketching faces over and over again  I also worked really hard on sketching my Retriever mix, Daisy, endlessly. Over time, I would love to achieve more three-dimensionality with the dog and face too.

You may notice I ended up with one crazy eye on my face!

Though you cannot tell from the picture- the hair on the right extends and forms the curl on the left hand page. I am extremely nervous about sharing my images, but here goes (click to enlarge). . .

Mixed Media Draw Happy Art Journal Page

Like Mother, Like Son

Top: in progress. Bottom: some of the completed pages.

My nine-year-old son, Liam was home sick from school today. He has seen many of my art journal pages, including one about our dog, Daisy. She is his favorite family member!

So, today he asked if he could make some journal pages of his own that focus on his favorite canine. I did not have to do much instruction- just explaining how to glue down the background paper. Then, he was off, creating his own designs.

He says he would like to do more and then put them all in a book.

21 Secrets Workshop

My two-page spread from Danielle Daniel's workshop.

I have been very busy learning all I can about art journaling from the 21 Secrets online workshop (hosted by Dirty Footprints Studio). This consists of 21, amazing online video courses. Each focuses on a different aspect of art journaling and/or different techniques.

You can see an example of my work above. I have completed three sessions and am looking forward to more, more, more.

Encaustic Art on Paper

In an earlier blog post, I mentioned a growing fascination with Encaustic painting. I especially wanted to try it out on paper that I could then use as part of an art journal. I purchased Encaustic+Paper  from Waxworks West.

I made a series of videos and posted them to YouTube to show how the different papers and brushes I used worked for me.

Art Journals and Encaustics

Beautiful art journal page by Julie Ann Shahin. Check out more of her beautiful work here.

For some strange reason art journaling has been calling to me. Art journaling is the process of recording thoughts and feelings using art, words, and colors. I listen to lots of artist interviews on various podcasts, and many of them say that art journalling helps keep creativity flowing and allows for experimentation.

I do have a history of paper crafts and collage in my past (including scrapbooking). So it could speak to those parts of me as well.

Public domain image

I also have a growing fascination with encaustic (wax) painting. When I view paintings done with encaustics, I love the effect it has. Although traditionally done on a hard surface, I have been researching its use on paper. I was thinking maybe I can combine art journaling with encaustic techniques. 

I Hope everyone has a Happy Easter!