Art Journal Page

5 1/2" x 9" flap in watercolor journal

Border made with scraps of fabric,
painted papers & scrapbook paper;
drawing in permanent marker.
Quote written with calligraphy marker.

Signs of Life

How can a "little" thing like a cold
make you want to
crawl under a rock
and die?
I've been escaping into a fantasy world
within books...drinking tea, and coughing a lot.
After finishing reading my book, I made this
quick little collage from mostly scraps.
Hoping I'm on the mend
as there still seem to be
"signs of life..."

3" x 5" index card
mixed media collage

Collage Journey

5" x 7" collage
tissue paper, painted papers, vintage music,
collage scraps, hand-carved stamp image.

Some days are easier than others...
some art comes together smoothly,
but most takes quite a bit of trial & error,
at least for me.
Some people become most cherished friends...
making art with passion & enthusiasm,
giving themselves to the process
and to those who understand.
Thank you friends...

Receptive

Quote by Francis Bacon, the artist (not the statesman)
Watercolor and pen in Art Journal.

I liked this quote, even though
I find the artist's work disturbing...
but that was probably his point.
The geometric designs in the border
are instead inspired by Kandinsky's paintings.
Copyright dbcarey, 2010.

Black Madonna of Czestochowa

Watercolor, 5 x 7
Black Madonna of Czestochowa
2010 dbcarey

A straightforward watercolor, embellished
with gel pen for a bit of sparkle.
After admiring a friend's collection of
religious icons, I decided to try my hand
at the image of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa.
The shade of watercolor lightens as it dries, and I
feel I underestimated the darkness needed for
her complexion, but am otherwise satisfied
with the results. The proportions of the
baby Jesus are in the style of a 'miniature adult'
as many paintings were at the time, rather than
the proportions of an actual infant or toddler.
There are several theories as to the reason
for the Madonna's portrayal with facial scars,
and you can read about it in Wikipedia.
I found this image so charming, and
enjoyed its making.

Play is Knowledge

Work-in-Progress completed, for better or worse...

Recently watched a late-night talk show,
and Yo-Yo Ma, the famous cellist,
was the guest.
This statement that he made struck me
as very important, not only for artists
but as any human being who
wants to experience joy and renewal.

When we have children and grandchildren,
we get to re-experience life as they
discover things, grow and learn.
As artists, we follow a path of creative discovery
...in color, emotion, expression...
have a creative day!

Work in Progress

Pages in progress in the 9 inch by 6 inch
watercolor paper journal. Borders
created using painted papers,
fabric, and drawing in fine-point marker.

Not sure where to proceed from here...
I'm liking the "cotton-candy colors" at this point,
but wondering if I should 'grunge it up' a bit...
and feeling intimidated by what to do
with the center areas....
to journal or to draw?

Merry Yule

Merry Yule!
Mixed media ornament 2007:
fabric, metallic thread, beads, ribbon
copper wire, printed tissue, yarn,
silver charm and
a tiny watercolor of holly...

To all who stop by to visit my blog,
thank you for a year of
inspiration and enthusiasm for art!
Your comments are so appreciated,
and you are all wished
a blessed holiday & New Year!
* Dianne *

Vision

Art journal entry in the 9" x 7" book I made
from watercolor paper. This spread includes
a flap on the left that folds in.
Border from scraps of hand-painted & stamped
papers, stickers, postage stamp, and pen drawing.
White gel pen used to color in the
tree trunks...inspired by some trees not far
from our house...

Fashion Pen Sketches

Sketches in my art journal
done in pencil, then finished in
Sharpie extra-fine point marker.
From Vogue magazine.
Shoe designers top to bottom:
Jimmy Choo (I actually rather like these black heels)
Proenza Schouler (woven slingbacks)
Donna Karan (wedges)

Also inspired by
Vogue fashion photos...
necklace design used as a repeated
theme in the background.
Only the fashion bold would wear
ankle socks with heals and a skirt...

Watercolor Art Journal

Created a little Art Journal from Fabriano watercolor paper
using the instructions posted on Teesha Moore's blog.
Mine is 7" x 9" instead of the 8" x 10"
that Teesha made. This journal is simple to make and
so much easier to scan than my thicker
hardback journal. Teesha posted videos
on her blog explaining her process.

Watercolor background with
scraps of hand-painted papers, fabric,
stamping, scrapbook papers, & found images.
Chalk pastel, Sharpie extra-fine point marker,
and white gel pen for added depth.

Collage in Art Journal

Magazine images, scrap paper,
drawing in Sharpie extra fine point marker

Art Journal Pages, part two...

Completed journal pages with
Sharpie permanent marker, bullet-tip
and extra-fine tip, purple highlighter and
Signo Uni-ball white gel pen.
Journaling inspired by a poem entitled
"Roads" by Rachel Field.

Funny that of all the places and types
of Art that I mentioned on this page
(and of course I didn't cover them all)
I noticed I didn't mention museums...
I love museums and the inspiration they provide,
but I guess I think of Art as a more
"living " entity...integrated into our very
lives and culture...
and I know I should pay more attention
to the rich diversity surrounding me...

where is the "road" leading you?

Art Journal Pages

Watercolor & Crayon
Things that make me smile...
cartoons, sketches, polka dots, quotes,
and silliness!

Click on the image for enlarged view.
If you can't quite read the quotes, hold down
Ctrl key and press + key until
image enlarges enough to read...

Pages in progress...
watercolor & mixed media,
vintage image clipped from a magazine

bits of fabric, hand-painted papers,
hand-cut stencil, scrapbook paper,
Sharpie marker & white gel pen.
The watercolor background does not
blend well as this is a dry medium sketchbook,
and the paper doesn't absorb water media well.
Hope to try making a little art journal from
Teesha Moore's instructions on her blog.
It takes me at least a year to fill my art journal,
and it's fanning out, stuffed with mixed media.
Hope the binding holds up...!