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 by Teesha Moore.
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 originally posted videos
on her blog explaining her process.
The videos are now on YouTube here.

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...!

Art Journal Sketch

Sketch done in my art journal, drawn from a
National Geographic photo. Masai bride in her wedding finery...
her expression is sad as she is dressed to
leave her family for her
"arranged" wedding. Her large beaded collar
(which I chose not to detail in my sketch)
is made from small beads arranged in color blocks and stripes...
wonderful artistry. The geometric background is not
necessarily authentic but suggestive of
tribal African designs.
Ball point pen, permanent marker, black paper

Painted Muslin

painted muslin strips
on 4" x 6" cardboard

"I found I could say things with color and shapes

that I couldn't say any other way -

things I had no words for. " ~Georgia O'Keeffe