Trying Out Gouache

Gouache is an opaque water-based paint.

It handles a lot like poster paints, and

has a matte finish.

(click on any image to view enlargement)

There are only a couple of blank

pages left in this little journal made

from pink drawing paper.

This pen drawing is similar to one I did

for a swap, here, in which the theme was East Indian

art. I liked the textures and patterns so much,

that I did a page for myself in this journal.

I think I may have to add watercolor

to this.  Do you think it needs color?

Another page using gouache,

where I used up the colors left on my 

palette.  When I start to think that my

journal pages are becoming too similar

to each other, it's time to try something different,

like no words, just shapes-texture-color!

Seek Something Delightful

Art journaling in my visual art journal

makes a cold gray day more bearable...

watercolor, drawing, and collage

give me an outlet to express

frustrations, sadness or joy...

quotes can often be a starting point.

(click on any image for a larger view.)

Seek something delightful

each day.

Fill your day with color!

Mini Book from ATC's

I made a mini book from Artist Trading Card

sized bits of recycled cardboard.  I used

illustrations and text from an old

book about Alaska.

This ATC mini-book also combines

fabric scraps, assorted papers, and

my watercolor and pen drawings.
(click on any image to enlarge)

Most of the pages have minimal additions

to the background image.

I used words cut from the text

to create a "found poem."

I liked the contrast of the Northwest

art images and the watercolor, right.

This was a new way for me to 

use the Artist Trading Card size format.

I put this together while watching television,

trying not to over think the process and

using what I had on hand.

It's a format that has infinite possibilities...

The text reads:

nomads adapting to the signs
In the chapel
printed in Japanese
reviving interest in
the Northwest Indian arts
hostile beauty
faded into the distance.

Sewing an Art Journal

Art Journal sewn from scraps

and filled with collage.  The

cover fabric was a wonderful

abstract print of bright colors.

Quilting, collage, and painted

muslin complete the cover.

Fabric, paper, and drawing are

often combined in my collages.

Recycled collage of many papers, fabric and drawing

on the right, with painted and stamped details.

I just folded the already completed collage

in half and bound it into the book.

The Jasper Johns quote on the 

bottom left is a favorite...

"Generally, I am opposed to painting which is concerned

with conceptions of simplicity. Everything looks

very busy to me."

Ever wonder why the way we look

is somewhat of a surprise to ourselves?

I still think I should look 25...*sigh*...

Post # 250!

Mixed Media Postcards

Mixed media postcards 
from recycled cardboard,
fabric scraps, and
watercolor with pen.  

Mixed media postcards
and collage can be
created with almost
anything, and I
decided to use
some bright orange
masking tape in this
collage. I drew on it
with Sharpie pen.

Hearts were sewn
together before gluing to
the postcard, as was
the decorative stitching
with floss. Because the
watercolor papers
will run if gotten wet,
I will probably mail in
an envelope instead of
sending as a postcard.

Several pieces of fabric were stitched

together to make a rectangle, and then

the heart was cut out by folding in half

and cutting free-form.  Once I had 

several hearts made, I glued 

background fabric to 4" x 6" cardboard.

Then I arranged the fabric and paper

elements for the final collage.

I have seen beautiful fabric

postcards made with an assortment

of fabrics, fibers and stiffeners, 

all stitched together on the machine.

My love of fabric makes these

fabric collages a joy to create

and  to send!

To see more of my
mixed media postcards,
go HERE. 

Art Journal Faces and Folk Art

Art journal pages created with

scraps of lined paper and maps

as the background for drawings and

an Artchix paper doll.

Collage made from

more scraps and the paper doll,

with magazine text and a 

vintage advertising image.

Art journal page:

Scraps of one of my ink drawings that

was photocopied and cut up. The 

image of the girl may be from

Artchix, but I am not sure...

You can use almost anything in
your art journal pages...

Magazine images and paper scraps

with my drawing/watercolor.

Subdued shades of watercolor

inspired by  a vintage photo.

Collage using

more scraps of drawings and watercolors,

this time brightly colored doodles...

A sketch:

I've told myself that I need to do

more sketching this year. Toddlers are

a challenging subject as they don't 

stand still much! Caught this pose

while she was watching tv.

When I want to do a quick 

journal page, a folk art flower

and a quick quote or thought

make a satisfying exercise...

Many of Emily Dickinson's poems

are quite sad, but this excerpt

speaks to me of brighter moments.

Listen for the song of hope

in your heart, and in your art!

Art Journal Faces

Watercolor, pen, and collage in

my mixed media art journal.

Sometimes song lyrics are a 

springboard for creating pages.

A quote from John Powell's book

"Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?"

about insights into personal growth

is featured on this page.

We all have many faces, or

"many hats."  I try to remember that

a person is much more than the role in which

I see them, or  simply their outward appearance.

Some days I feel like I am trying to keep up

with too many roles at once...

A constant source of material

for my artwork is art of ancient civilizations,

and almost every art movement of the past.

Well, probably not minimalist, but most

everything else.  This page features an

Alaskan mask, to which I added wings.

What subject or medium inspires you?

Medieval Fragments--Revised

Black and white line drawings are a favorite 

technique of mine, but these just didn't seem finished

without color.  Watercolor added in

my purchased Mixed Media Art Journal.

(Canson multi-media paper)

It seems odd to know that sculptures of the

Early Middle Ages were probably brightly

painted. We are used to seeing the

worn sculpture surfaces without color, 

the texture of the stone and the shadows

created by the shapes creating subdued

but striking compositions.

I am thankful that in our time, art can be

created and enjoyed by all, and is not

 found only in churches and museums.

The packaging of your morning cereal

is art, and even the billboard down the road.

(though some more so than others!)

Where did you see art today?

Stitching Roses

Christmas gifts stitched for someone

whose Christmas tree is decorated in

white crocheted ornaments, with

accents of mauve and light pink.

Cross-stitch on cream Aida

with organza ribbon and white cord trim.

Rose patterns from a book by Leisure Arts

titled "Sweeter Than The Rose," copyright 1993.

I used portions of larger patterns to 

create the ornaments.

Medieval Fragments

Art of the Middle Ages, though it seems

primitive to us in many ways,

fascinates me in its richness of

design, pattern and symbolism.

Above, drawing done in my art journal

after a twelfth century sculpture.

(photo in Art of the Early Middle Ages 

by Souchal, 1968) 

Mary seems melancholy, but

the child Jesus looks happy to

be in his mother's arms.

Above drawing in my art journal

inspired by a stone relief called

Adoration of the Magi, Mid-twelfth century,

Church of Sainte-Croix.

I chose to draw only Mary and Jesus.

Jesus' head is missing in the photo

of the relief, so I improvised.

Regardless of the stiff pose of

the figures, it still has a charm 

all its own, and this particular relief

is "evidence of the vigorous art being

done at the time of transition from Romanesque

to the new Gothic style,"  according to the author.

Peace and Blessings to you all.