Tag Art -- Mantras

Another lesson in Life Book 2015 on tags by Roben-Marie Smith.  It was a lot of fun and I decided to add some mantras to mine and display them where I could see them.  I want to make more using all different types of color combinations.

I just stapled some ribbon that was on a package I ordered from Etsy around Christmas time.  I love it when I can give items a purpose that I might otherwise throw away. 

Thanks for dropping by and have a beautiful creative day!

Embrace the Journey -- Art Journal

 I had some old bingo cards and I the prompt for DLP was What Lies Beneath.  So I thought I would just paint on these and then make copies to put in my journal.  I really love Flora Bowley and I have been so inspired by her work.  I wanted to do something in her style and see if I could find a place there.  This was really difficult for me to do.  I really want to take one of her classes.  She is teaching this year in the Life Book 2015 and I can't wait. 

Backgrounds -- Art Journal

Sometimes I don't feel like making a whole page but playing around making backgrounds works wonders.  Also, I sometimes feel ready to lay something down but not feeling the background.  It is nice to have a few of these around ready to go.

The Grass is Green -- Art Journal

"The grass is green where you water."

Beacon of Light -- art journal

This is another journal entry from a lesson in Life Book 2015.  I have really enjoyed these lessons and anyone who still wants to sign up, still can.

Sketchbook -- faces

I was feeling cold so I drew a bundled up and cozy girl.  I read on Instagram about a woman who is sketching 100 faces this year to brush up on this skill.  After reading that I decided to draw faces a couple of times a week.  They are not my strong point and they do not come easy to me.  Practice, practice, practice....right?!

More Sketching -- faces

I was channeling my inner Kelly Rae Roberts.  So much fun I want to do more.

Intuitive Exercise

I am loving intuitive art lessons.  It has really been helping me get out of the box a bit.  I first layered acrylic paints, then scraped gesso over the top, then I looked for shapes to build on and came up with a woman, an angel, and a chimney sweep guy.  Not exactly my style but I had a great time playing and just letting my instincts flow.

Sketchbook--faces

This week I have been working in my sketchbook.  When my husband is off work I can't lock myself in my craftroom.  At night when we are watching tv I sketch. I feel it is the perfect compromise.  And I really need to work on FACES...they terrifying me.  The more draw them the less intimidating they become. 

Embrace Joy Flower Journal Entry

This was in our Life Book 2015 lesson this week but she has a similar tutorial on YouTube if you are interested. I think I will do more of these, it was quite fun.  I think I might use this as a warm up activity from time to time just to get the creative juices flowing.

I used watercolor crayons, acrylics, Posca pens, and ephemera. 

How to Start Art Journaling

Art journaling is such an easy way to have a creative release.  You can start small and even stay small or you can slowly add to what you already have.  Most people already have what they need to get started.  

First I thought we could start with some definitions.  I have a sketch journal but I mostly do a mixed media journal. 

Definitions:

Art Journal

1.  The combination of art and words to express yourself.

2.  A book that holds clippings and ideas that you have.

3.  Vincent vanGogh kept and art journal as well as many other artist. 

Mixed media art

1. A work of visual art that combines various traditionally distinct visual art media.

2. A piece of art that combines paint, ink, and collage.
3. Play art….find your inner eight year old and paint. –Kelly Rae Roberts
4. No Rules just self expression.

Ephemera

1. Something of no lasting significance —usually used in plural

2. Paper items (as posters, broadsides, and tickets) that were originally meant to be discarded after use but have since become collectibles
3.Things that are important or useful for only a short time : items that were not meant to have lasting value

Collage

1. A technique of an art production, primarily used in the visual arts, where the artwork is made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole.

2. A collage may sometimes include magazine and newspaper clippings, ribbons, paint, bits of colored or handmade papers, portions of other artwork or texts, photographs and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas.

Supplies

Journal, old book, notebook of any kind or art paper -- for mixed media the thicker the paper the better 140lb or higher.  You can also gesso pages to make them thicker.

Glue stick or gel medium

Paint (any kind except oils) I use acrylic and watercolor

Paint brush

Old credit card type card…I use old hotel room cards. This helps to scrape the gesso on to keep it from getting too thick.  I also use it with paint to give unique scrap marks.

Ephemera (see description above)

Pens, color pencils and markers

Optional: 

Rubber stamps

Ink
Watercolorpencils, crayons or pastels
Stencils
Brayer
Gesso
GelMedium

Let's get started....

1. Pick a journal -- there are so many to choose from but I would recommend to find one you love--if you love it, you will come back to it

2. Find a medium you would like to start with ( I started with watercolor pencils)

3. Gather supplies from what you already have 

4. Follow blogs that will inspire you

5. Join free Facebook groups for inspiration -- just search art journal groups

6. Take a class

7. Always remember that art journals are low pressure.  You do not have to be an artist.  Do not look at the art as a critic.  Express yourself.  Breathe. See the beauty in each page.  Finish each page.  Do not abandon the page even if you have to step away and return to it later, finish it.  

8.  I started posting daily prompts I follow them loosely because I like to let things flow.  Sometimes I start with a word or a quote and follow that as I create but sometimes I need something more and that is why I have this list.  Every little bit helps. 

Artists I love

Kelly Rae Roberts

Tam Laporte 

Christy Tomilson

Mindy Lacefield

Kate Crane

Flora Bowley 

Roben Marie Smith

Art to the 5th

Basic videos

Basic supply video

Basic background video

Dream Catcher

As part of the Lifebook 2015 class Rachel Rice taught us how to do dream catchers.  She used an actual doily but I did not have one.  I used a paper doily.  

 She suggested using chalk pen for the white and I loved it.  It writes on just about anything. 

 The feathers are scrapbook paper and book pages.  I embellished them with pens and markers.

 She placed her power words on the feathers but I added mine here.

 I had to play with this a little to get the doily to stand out.

I had so much fun that I want to make more of these.  And I have to admit I was not initially excited about making these because it was out of my comfort zone a little.  I tend to do cutesy art but I loved this so much.  I need to remember how great it is to step outside the box.

Reach -- art journal

More from Primitive Portraits.  I am learning so much from Mindy.  She has a wonderful way of teaching.  Now to find my style in what she has taught me....

Just Breathe Art JOurnal

It is coming close to the end of the month.  I like to re-group and evaluate my month and think about the month to come.  Just Breath!

Not my favorite art journal entry

So this was on my own doing a Primitive Portrait and I just threw down color and tried to remember technique.

I loved this house corner of the page.  I used the scraper and it was fun.

I love that there is a heart on the girl and also a heart on the house.  As if her heart is calling her home in the chaotic world/page she is living in. 

Here is today's journey. 

Rainbow Art Journal

I was not feeling it today but the accomplishment was that I finished an entry.  Do you feel it is better journal when you feel this way or to just give it a break?  Since I am doing this 365 I am not allowing myself a break but these are things I am thinking about.

Gratitude Art Journal

Playing with fun and whimsical house shapes.