Art Journal Book Love

Today was one of  "those" days. You know the ones, that start out from the gun with angst, frustration, tears, and all things in between. I have come to know these as my "Those Days" and keep a journal about them because pretty much, I need a reminder. I need a reminder that even though life will have days like this, there is a lesson to be learned from them, and it usually reveals itself to me after the tears have stopped, the blood pressure has chilled, and I have time to breathe, reflect, and journal about it. But, in the meantime while I am waiting for all that chilling to take place, I figure stopping by the local bookstore for some artistic retail therapy is just about one of the best ways ever to let go of that angst for a bit, and reconnect with my artistic spirit.

We all have one I believe, an artistic spirit. For some it is what grounds them to nature, the planet, to themselves, or to the universe. For me, my artistic spirit is what connects me to my faith, and I am ever so grateful for that. Coping mechanisms come in all shapes and sizes but over time, I have pretty much learned that when my spirit is wounded, if I take the time to breathe, surround myself with beauty, art, and have a conversation with the big guy up stairs for a bit, I can make it through any "Those Days" that life throws at me, but I can't imagine trying to do that without the artistic connection.

(That would be 'Where Women Create' by Stampington on the table)

While at the bookstore, I managed to come across a book I have been hunting, after reading about it on Liesel Lund's blog, Adventures in Pretty, You're Beautiful. She showcased "Creative Wildfire" by L.K. Ludwig, which is a yummy book that shares an introduction to art journaling from the basics to the advanced methods. It has been on my list of "Must Books" for a while now and today just seemed like the timing was right. As soon as I came home I sat down with the Two O'clock Birds outside and began to slowly devour the bits and morsels of art journaling techniques that this book offers. It was good for my soul and my spirit.

One tip from the book answered the question I have been longing to figure out, how do you use acrylic paint in a journal without having the pages stick to one another? If you have that same question....read this book, it was like.....score, finally, a solution!

There is a lot going on me with me in my art world these days: Working on Restructuring My Website, Getting Prepared for Artwalk, Identifying My Artistic Goals For The Summer, and it looks like shoulder surgery in a couple of weeks, and did I mention my Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary Party?  Lots of high living going on, despite the pain, despite the chaos, even despite having one of "Those Days." I wouldn't dream of anything less than a juicy life!

I would love to know what creative juiciness you are up to these days...share...share...share!

Acrylic Skin Magnets

I often use a glass palette when using acrylic paints and every few years it is time to peel the skin from the glass. This year I decided to use the skins to make bottle cap magnets, which would be a remembrance of the various paintings I have made over the past two years. 

First step is to pull the skin from the glass. 

Here is a large skin, you can see the gorgeous colors that the glass reveals on the skin. 

After the skin is pulled, I place a gel thumbprint (that's what I call them) onto the skin and cut around it. This makes the painting look like it is covered in epoxy. 

I then glue the thumbprint, back side down, into the bottle cap and place a magnet on the back. 

These magnets turn out gorgeous and are really simple to do. 

The Inspiration of Turquoise and Pink

What can I say....I love the two colors of Turquoise and Pink, especially together. They bring me images of the translucence of the ocean, calming thoughts of innocent beauty, and the feeling that I can just breathe in the moment when I look at them. This little pic is one that caught my eye today and the addition of Alice made it all the more spectacular. I shall be inspired to paint a new piece with my two favorite colors, and then I wonder, what color combinations are your favorite? As an artist, I use my eye to become hyper sensitive when I see these colors hidden throughout my day. Training the eye to see artistically takes practice but the more one does it, the easier it becomes. Beauty surrounds me today, as I sit and know just how blessed I am to be right where I am in this moment, living the artistic life I don't deserve, but am truly thankful for. I hope your day is just as beautiful friend!

Happy April Fool's Day!

In the spirit of fun I just wanted to poke a little of it back at all those pranksters today. Here is my version of "Right...Back...Atcha!" This is one of the polymer clay pins I made which are worn like a broach. Always a conversations starter for sure. Hope you have a blessed, fun day today! 

Watercolor Zen Doodles

I don't know about you but there are times I simply need to meditate through my art. Not for any one purpose, person, or outcome, I just feel the need to see the water flow onto the paper, watch the colors bleed and blend, and breathe through each step. When I feel this way I usually turn to my watercolor zen doodles, sometimes on paper, other times in my journal. Today, I just felt like trying out some new paper, so I silenced the house, got off the grid, and slowly worked my way through this doodle.

In this step, I begin by taking a few deep breathes 

and let my pencil flow in the paper. I am drawn to curves

but you might prefer hard lines or edges. 

Once the design is on paper, I begin to slowly float 

watercolor into the shapes. 

At this stage, I am quite peaceful, enjoy getting back

into the feel for moving water through paint, and 

start to allow the colors to interact with one another. 

Once I had the cool colors set, I chose to embrace

my favorite color, Opera, and add a bit of umph to 

the piece, just to show my spirit that it needs a 

good kick sometimes. 

Once my I am pleased with my watercolors, I then add 

the steps to doodle the image. There is no right or 

wrong way for this, I just let go and watch the piece

evolve with great contrast. Eventually, after listening to 

my inner voice, it will let me know when I am done, 

and then I rest.

Here is the finished piece. Watercolor Zen Doodling, for me, 

isn't about creating a masterpiece. It is a small way I choose

to connect with my art gifts, allow my inner voice to calm, 

and reconnects me with the act of spontaneous creation. 

Technique Application:

Stress is a part of life. It can rob us of joy, energy, optimism, and disconnect us from our gifts. Watercolor Zen Doodling is a really easy way to channel the stress and let it go. With that said, it is probably one of the first ways I ever learned to paint with watercolors. Because there were no 'rules,' I allowed myself the freedom to play, and through that play a love to paint was born. Young children and beginners can be taught the art of Watercolor Zen Doodles, and from that they will carry with them the ability to see that YES, they can paint, and they can calm their spirits at the same time. 

Paper does matter. I used an inexpensive watercolor paper that I wanted to try because it was precut into a 5" by 5" block. Honestly, I wasn't thrilled with it because it bled like soaking cotton, but I let that go and embraced the process, not the product. Once the watercolor is set, using Sharpies, Copics, or other waterproof inks works best so that the ink doesn't bleed as well. 

For professional artists, this is a great way to try out a new paper, see how it behaves, before purchasing a great amount in bulk. 

Happy Doodling/Painting/Creating Friends!

Little Red Clutch Purse

One of the benefits I am finding of cleaning my art studio is challenging myself to find ways to use items I already have. My best pal Terri gave me this little red clutch purse LAST YEAR! 

Yep, I had plans to collage it but it has sat on my shelf for that long being neglected. When I decided to create a traveling art studio to keep in my car, this screamed out at me as a perfect fit for my graphite kit. Who says artists can't be fancy with their stuff? I am working on writing a post about building your own traveling art kit, when I finish my studio I will share it. So far, I am getting excited about the possibilities! 

Before going out and spending lotsa bucks on trendy new art organizers, I challenge you to look at what you have and see if anything meets your needs. Just might save you a few bucks you can spend on bling later! 

Before and After Studio Project

I have a confession to make....I am a pig! Honestly, I even have the snort and pig sounds to go along with this pitiful image. Seriously, there are reasons behind this mess....some require rationalization on my part, others require a "Come to Jesus Meeting," with myself, but the main one is that my wonderful son moved back home to go to college and reclaimed his room...yes...this room...so I am faced with studio issues. I have ignored the inevitable for the most part, especially when I walked past the door and all my art supplies moan from neglect, but the time has come that I must confront this monster. 


The only way I could see that it would get done though is for me to shame myself publicly into cleaning it up. Now, I know I am not the only artist or mom who has been there right? I know there are tons of studios dotted all across the globe that have been here and done this, but my son and I just can't manage this mess. It is toxic really, to my mood, to his frame of mind, because what you don't realize is that his bed is where the picture cuts off. Yes, he lives in this room and has to look at this every day. 


So, with the help of you all, some of my Pinterest friends who will support my before and after pics, I am diving head first into this mess....may God Help Me! Stay tuned, I promise "After" photos to follow! 

Did I mention it is only a 4' by 6' space? Did I....?

(nervous tick ensues)  

Project 52+ Week 3

Textures and abstract patterns fascinate me in mixed media and I decided to adjust my photography passion to blend the best of both worlds. Here are two images, both taken with my Galaxy Nexus, and manipulated using the  Google+ Creative Kit! This program is very similar to Picnik and I love its ease of use and options. I look forward to the challenge this year of pushing the envelope abstractly when it comes to photography and textures. So far the experience has been interesting.


On a Pinterest note, I am part of a community board that shares Design Pins. These pins celebrate the beauty of well thought out design, creativity, and function. If you are a lover of fine design with products, you might consider following our board, created by Zina Harrington, over on Pinterest! Here is an example of one of the products pinned to the Design Is Everything Board.

rocking chairs design by other metros architect marija cvetinovic

Project 52 Week Two

I tinkered around with a few images this week, one of food, one of nature, and one abstract. In the end, I like all three but for different reasons. Food, most any type of food, is a draw to me and I love the human condition of experiencing it. Wickles Pickles, if you haven't tried them do, are my most favorite so I played with my food one morning and created a stacked pickle bite. Fresh mozzarella, French Rounds, Wickles Pickle, and a slice of pear was what I ended up with and the combination of the sweet and spicy was delicious!

Mushrooms are another fascination of mine. I don't care to eat them, but the structure and function of mushrooms cause my imagination and little grey cells to expand from the sheer number and diversity of them. I have no clue what type these are as they are new to me, so not only do I have a new picture but I have a new challenge to seek out and discover which type of foundlings these are. 

On Google+ Project 52 the theme for the week was Winter/Summer, and we have had a weird one so far. One day it is 70 degrees and the next it is 20. Even the Japanese Magnolia's are already starting to bloom which doesn't bode well for them making it to Spring. As I looked at my pajama pants I knew I wanted to snap a few shots of my stripes because they were both Winter/Spring types, which gave me a great metaphor for the theme. I used my Galaxy Nexus camera, uploaded instantly to Google+, and finished the shot using the Creative Kit offered by Google which is tons of fun, especially for a project like this. 

For the most part, I am hoping to find my path with Project 52 in showcasing a weekly year in the life through photos. If you are interested in following that journal I will be posting them here, on Google+, in Pinterest, and on our Flickr group page which should make the following a bit easier. If you are active in a Project 52 I would love to know so I can follow you as well! 


Flickr Project 52 2012

Creative Spaces

Do you have a creative space that you love? Is it a studio, a gallery, or simply a spot under a shady tree where you sketch every now and then? I have a few, but one of my most favorite creative spaces is the co-op gallery, Art(ology), that I am a member of. There are 8 of us, all women, all from the south, and all unique and lovely. The gallery itself brings me peace as soon as I enter the door, be it the soothing turquoise, the joyful art, or the 'vibe' as many of our patrons call it. Art(ology) just oozes the creative spirit that I connect with and I am grateful for it. 

Art(ology) 306 Dauphin Street, Mobile

At home that's a different matter. My house is creative, but I am in a funk when it comes to solving my studio space issue now that my son lives at home again. I want him to have his own space, but that means finding a different space for my 'stuff' and creative life. This week I will be tackling that issue and may share some of the pics in the Project 52 group I am in. If it can be solved it will....creative gumption will rule the day! 


You can follow my Project 52 photos on Pinterest as well!