Rewind. Actually, a few years ago I started an art journal. As in, bought a cheap photo album that had heavy paper pages. And created one page (ahem, I guess I was not happy with hubby on that day!) As in, I remember this "you OR me" page but it was so long ago I don't even remember that I'd prepped all the pages in the album or exactly how I'd prepped them. I'm looking at them now and thinking, "how'd I do that? that's cool!"
Fast forward. I recently treated myself to Alisa B.'s Grateful Journal online course. Haven't actually started it yet (yep, that's me - a million ideas but lacking on the follow through), but had this itching to start getting a bit messy and definitely want to focus on what I'm grateful for.
So I remembered this photo album and dug it out. Was going to ease into things by prepping some pages (have you watched Maremi break a blank page?), but lo and behold, they're already prepped! Goodness. That means I have to actually sit down and create something.
Well, as the creative journey would have it, I stared at a double orange spread, loving the swirly effect I'd created, and wondering how the heck I'd done it. And voila! It sparked an idea. I started my
Sharpies
acrylic paints
gel pen
Yep I'd love to remember how I created that orange background. "BUT I DON'T."
Thinking the bold orange was probably a Dylusions ink spray I started thinking Dylusions. Which made me grab a couple stamp sets I own. Had to use Dyan's signature leaves and that befuddled chica. A fun border stamp along the top and bottom too.
You guys... it is SO MUCH FUN to just go with the flow! Have an idea and run with it.
Then I pulled out some acrylic paint and made some circles with plastic bottle caps and corks. Stencilled some stars. Colored in some elements with Sharpies. Added some fun a-la-Dyan journaling. Even added three glitter tatoos left from DD's younger days up top!
As for just going with the flow... Make a mistake? Fix it. Somehow. Or don't ;) For example, I had a real issue with the "BUT I DON'T" in those stamped circles. I wrote the words first with a black Sharpie. To help them show up more I tried adding white dots to the letters. But had troubles with my white pens.´- seems I always do :( So then I doodled petals around them And attached them to strings the chica is holding like balloons. But they still weren't "popping" and geez, they are supposed to be my page title! What to do? So I found a white paint pen and doodled another ring of petals. And retraced the letters with white (now they kinda look blue?!?) And finally took some of the blue acrylic paint and a skinny paintbrush and added blue to the petals. Na. Good enough!
I would love to hear if you journal. How often? What format? Or are you thinking about trying it but haven't taken that first step yet?
I'm going to try hooking up at:
More Mixed Media Challenge - AG Feb
Simon Says Stamp Monda Challenge - Add some Red (I colored with a red Sharpie)
STAMPlorations Mixed Media Challenge - Use a Stencil
We Love 2 Create - AG Mixed Media
Creative Artiste - AG Mixed Media
Craft Stamper - Take it Make it Feb
6 comments:
Very cool and fun, Maria! I don't journal but it looks like the possibilities are endless. And mistakes?...Seems like mistakes/rules don't apply when you journal (which is a good thing if you ask me). ;) One day, I might have to venture into this whole journal thing. ;)
Look at all those gorgeous background ready to be filled with journaling! Such a beautiful journal. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!!
I think the thing I love most about this page is the subject. Great idea to journal what you're truly thinking, instead of writing something that really doesn't speak to you personally. Such a fun page, too! I don't do art journaling, but like you, I did make a page once maybe two years ago...so glad to see you getting back into it, and maybe I'll be inspired to join you!
I don't journal, Maria ... though I can see from this post how much fun you had rediscovering your original ... and making it reflect exactly how you were feeling. It's fun, artsy, organic and so unexpected! Hugs, Anita :)
A super journal page. Great organic effect with the stamps and hand drawn details.
Thank you for joining in with our February challenge "Anything Mixed Media Goes" at Creative Artiste Mixed Media. Good luck x
very artsy AJ page! Thanks for playing along with us at STAMPlorations blog this month!
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