Art Journaling again

So I finally purchased an Art Journal book.  I choose the Strathmore Mixed Media book from Michaels because it was recommended by one of my favorite Mixed Media Artists, Wilna Furstenburg.  I have done many solo pages with intent to bind, but it wasn't happening....

The book was about $24 at Michaels, but I used a coupon graciously handed to me at the store.  (for some reason there wasn't any 40% off coupons posted anywhere last week?).

So I had this blank book - and well I just stared at it for a few days.  Now what? I wasn't sure where to start... Today I have 50 things to do and finally I was inspired (isnt that always my case? procrastinate life for art).

Technique is typically my starting point on my paper & hybrid pages, and I recently watched Wilna's latest video (here).  With that inspiration and some Heidi Swapp mists, I was on my way.... I decided to create a stencil using a cut file from Wilna's Art Class 1, Creative Life file.  I cut it out of Canson Watercolor paper (just like she does).  I then mixed the molding paste with gel.  I struggled here trying to keep the stencil down and spread gel, so it is pretty thick in some places, and didnt stick in others.  I think because the mists are metallic but I actually love that. I cut out some dragonfly's from the silhouette store (dragonfly bunch Design ID #11422 by Cali Arroyo) and I removed the swirlies in them.  and choose to leave them white like the text - I didn't want to add another color to the page.

The dragonfly's are a bit hard to see because they are white on white so I left the photo a tad darker so you can try to see them.

Page 1 done.  It was pretty exciting, I am looking forward to page two - (I am not happy about drying time - but I assume that is God's way of getting me to do laundry and other chores done too).

Color Theory Homework #5 

Yesterday we competed and lost - it was sad, but not life ending....
Girls were exceptional about it - and very happy for the winning team - and that was great to see.
Afterwards we went to Mt Washington for a photo shoot & pizza - and everything in the world was good again..

Homework #5 was about achromatic colors.  I love blacks and crays so I was really excited for this one, but at the last minute I changed up my photo, so I feel like this is a little off-kilter, but I love it in spite of that.  The cut files are from Wilna Furstenburg as well.  You can see the texture from the molding paste better in the second photo.  we used cut files as a mask and a cut.  that was part of the challenge.

Second homework last week was tints & shades using glaze medium.  The glaze gives the colors a unique look, but using the color theory paints - you couldn't see them on the white paper, so I did mix in other acrylics to make this work.  It was a rough page  hated everything about it - and almost trashed it 15 times.  but in the end it turned out ok, not a fave, but ok.  I tinted and shaded the colors from left to right (originally up and down).  then added butterflies from Lemon lush kit (removed them  then added them back in - added more and then blinged a few little ones). It needed something on the left so I added the journal strips of misc quotes about jumping and soaring.  Yes we shine like a diamond, but when you cheer you jump like the diamonds do too. 

I printed the sayings on vellum so I could still see the tinting and shading on the page.  this technique I think I will do again I actually liked it.  And after it still looked like it was missing something, I hit the sewing machine for the border. 

AJ_Photo Transfer

The theme at Get Messy Art Journal is "Love".
I am not sure I am on prompt, but while traveling a few weeks ago I came across this song by Luke Bryan, Do I.  It may not be the perfect love song but the lyrics caught my attention.

I love this beach photo of Dan and I (and there aren't too many photos of me I love....).  I think it's the colors.  so for the transfer:

1.  I reversed the image.  
2. Printed on everyday photo paper.
3. Using Luquitex Matt Medium, i brushed some on my project paper over the type. (some bled, so I only brushed once over the ink). I did not go real heavy wit the medium.
4. I brushed some Matte medium on the photo, again, not thick. (I didn't cover it all, I wanted that splotchy effect).
5. I did rub it down with a popsicle stick, for maybe 30 seconds.
6. 30 more seconds, I carefully peeled up the photo paper (while still wet).
7. Once dried I rubbed off with my fingers the paper that remained.  I tried doing it before it dried and pulled up the photo.  I like the messy look so I am not stressing about it  but noted for next time to be more patient.

I finished off the page using gelatos tropical colors margarita & snow cone. Heavily watered them down to continue with watered beach effect.

I attached page to kraft cardstock so I can bind it later (and flatten the wrinkles a bit).

I am really bummed we are not going to beach this year, I may be posting these tropical colors a lot to get my fix.

Get Messy Art Journal

I was thinking about tat script writing, I haave 2 classes/groups that I want to take.

1. Studio Calico - Life scripted.  This has been on my wish list since it was released last year.  Just not in the budget yet.  Maybe after cheer season.  
2. The next is a year-long project over at cayleegrey.com.  It is her Get Messy Art Journal project.  I just signed up and cant wait to play along all year.  I hope to gain some new skills, practice some I desperately need to work on, but mostly to have a release from the stresses of work lately.  Plus it is only $25 for a lifetime membership - I 'm in.

Here is my cover page.... i cant decide what type of Journal I want to use, so I just grabbed come Canson paper I have on hand, cut it in half and I will play along on 6x9 sheets for this year.  I plan to bind them in December into a book. Going with the flow....

Started with the acrylic, stamp technique from Wilna's class... (because I love the look, and because I had extra paint  leftover from yesterday's homework).

Come play along!

Color Theory Homework #4 Cool Colors

Ok  so this technique is NOT as easy as it looks.  I will be doing LOTS more practice to understand how to paint words smoothly.  I am sitting here asking myself why? when I can digi scrap and it comes out lovely and perfect, but that's not as messy or as much fun....

Here is an older photo of Jason at grad.  Something about his smile...

Color Theory Homework #3

This week we are working on warm & cool colors. I really look forward to class video release day - Wilna just teaches in such a way that gets me inspired to try new things.

Here is my take on the warm colors using the homework technique (no brushes).

I have scrapped this photo before - but I love it.!!

(I probably would have sewn all around, but my machine was acting up.)

Color Theory - Contrast Homework

The second class was last week - I am just now figuring out which photo I wanted to put on this acrylic media background - Love it! I really liked stamping over paint.  More fun messy stuff!

Items I used are all from the Pink Paislee Solstice kit.