Saturday, April 30, 2011

Art Journaling and Working Through the Uglies


Happy Saturday!  Here is another recently completed page.  I worked on this page live during one of my Ustream classes.  During this class one of my viewers challenged me to use craft paint rather than Gesso.  I took it, and found the results are similar, but not as crisp.


You can watch the recording here:



During this show I spoke a lot about what I like to call, WORKING THROUGH THE UGLIES.  I am currently filming and writing an online Workshop for this that I can't wait to officially announce!!!  Stay tuned!

Another piece of good news is that I figured out how to increase the quality on my videos, so the newer shows will be much better!  Speaking of my live shows, I will be starting much earlier tonight so I can spend a little time with Simon.  I will be LIVE at 6pm EST HERE

Friends, so much wonderful goodness is flowing into my life right now.  I want to thank each and every one of you for watching, reading, and commenting, but most of all, for being my friends in this wonderful community. I could not have had this success without you!! 

No matter where these new adventures take me I will continue to upload to Youtube, continue to go live weekly and continue to share.

Thanks so much, and MUCH LOVE! xox

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Portfolio Oil Pastel Resist in Art Journal



Welcome back everyone!  I am so glad you are here.  Just a quick share tonight of a recent art journal page from a live Ustream class.  I had a fund time with Portfolio Water Soluble Oil Pastels with lots of yummy layers of sprays.


Check out the recording below to watch the page unfold:



Don't forget that I am live twice a week, every week on Wednesday and Saturday nights at 9pm over HERE.
I'm getting ready as I write this to go live in 45 mins.  We are using Distress Stains in our art journal tonight!

Much LOVE!  xo

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Scrapook Canvas with Acrylic Paint


If you've followed me for awhile you've heard me say that all the mixed media techniques I use in my art journaling are transferable to any paper art.  This includes scrapbooking.

This is a canvas board I purchased from the art store, however you can buy one at any craft store as well.  I painted the background with multiple layers of gesso and acrylic paint.  I used a combination of Golden Fluids as well as Liquitex Basics.

Once I was happy with the layers I stamped a hand carved stamp multiple times with Archival Black ink.  From there it was all about the embellishing with Prima goodness!



The beautiful baby is one of my nieces, I just love the expression in her face!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  :)
Much LOVE! xo

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Make your own Corrugated Cardboard

Click for detail

Dust off those crimpers everyone!  I am so happy to show you how you can create your very own corrugate. Yes, most of you may call it cardboard, I understand.


The possibilities are endless, great for all paper artists.  In these samples I have used a lot of scrapbook paper and spray inks, but you can use any paper and any medium.  I painted the blue sample with some acrylic paint.


Here is the technique:





If you have a youtube account, I would love it if you uploaded a video response to link to my vid.  If not, please link your picture in the comments, I would love to see what you create!

Much LOVE xo

Friday, April 22, 2011

Easy Art Journal Lettering


Yes, one of my favourite mantra's appears again.  This is another page out of my positive only Intent journal.

I decided to do something a little more personal for the script, rather than using my usual rubber stamps or stickers.  Here is a quick tutorial:





I also created a little zendoodle-like swirls within the letters.  This type of mindless doodling always calms me.

Much Love! xo

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Art Journaling and Friendship

Click to enlarge
 Welcome back everyone!  I recently completed this double page spread during one of my Live Ustream shows.  The only thought I had going into this page was that I wanted to use a certain pattern paper from K&Co called Flora and Fauna.

I love to just put away my expectations and just play.  I used what was around me on my desk at the time, and I love how this page turned out.  I dedicate it to all the wonderful women and a few men that watch me on Ustream and who have truly become friends.


Here is the recording if you missed it!



As for my foot update, I apparently have a strained tendon or ligament in my foot due to the weakness in my ankle.  Since my ankle is week it has put extra stress on my arch, and now I need orthotic insoles.  They are about $500, but I am so happy that it's nothing more serious.

I have a lot of wonderful artful things planned for this long weekend, what will you be working on?

Much LOVE! xox

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Finding Your Art Journal Style


I've been thinking yet again about finding your own art journal style.  As you have noticed, I do not draw many faces in my art journals.  In the past I have said I do not do it because they are not "my style".  I take that back.

I do not draw a lot of faces because they do not appeal to me.  A doll face does not convey the message that is trying to get out of my mind and into my art journal.  I enjoy looking at the beautiful girl creations of others, but it's just not my thing.  I do have the odd face here and there in my journals however, because I like to practice.  The page above is an example.  I truly believe the best thing you can do is create what appeals to you, whether it's trendy or not.

I looked up the definition of style.   What I found really interesting was this:

 9. a particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode or form of construction or execution in any art or work: Her painting is beginning to show a personal style.

What makes your art distinctive?  Should it even matter to you if it is?  When I first started art journaling all I worried about was finding "my style".  Looking back, and looking at what I create now, I can clearly see that it didn't matter.  What matters to me is that I am creating, and that I am creating what appeals to me.

The more you play, the more you do it, the more pages you create; that is what will help you see the "style" you are looking for.  Trying to find your style while you are creating may cause frustration, and that's not what art journaling is all about.

Let go and create, your style will find you.



Much Love!  xo

PS... I'll be back tomorrow with an update from the surgeon.  Thanks so much for all the kind words and thoughts.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Positive Art Journal Pages


As many of you know, I have been thinking a lot about positivity lately and what it means to me.  I have mentioned many times before that I am a worrier by nature, and suffer from GAD.  Even though the GAD is not going to go away, I can CHOOSE whether I want to worry or not.  I am so sick of worrying and focusing on the negative "what ifs" that constantly flow through my mind.  I have realized that only I can change this.

I need to start saying YES.  Yes to life, yes to friends, yes to love.

The time is now.


Thank you, thank you, thank you to all my wonderful followers and friends.  I truly appreciate each and every one of you.

Much Love xox
PS... I have made an appointment with my surgeon for this coming Wednesday.  I will keep you all posted!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Art From the Couch Healing Art Journal

I have spent the past two days with tremendous pain in my ankle.  For all you wonderful new subscribers and visitors who may not know, I broke my ankle severely last May.  I am not sure what has caused this flare up as I have been doing really well for a few months.  I am hoping it's just the weather, but I am going to be calling my surgeon  tomorrow.

This pain has got me thinking.  It has reminded me of the time I spent arting on the couch as I wasn't able to leave it.  I completed many art journal pages in that month, most of them very "messy" due to the mess that was in my head.  I look back at that time as being positive, a true blessing in the disguise as pain.

Here is what I created then:



Art journaling for me is many things, and at the top of that list is healing.  In this case it helped heal both mind and body.  A comfort in time of pain.

I am not sure what is going on with my ankle.  I hope it has nothing to do with the remaining plate and six pins that are still there.  One thing I do know is that no matter what it is, my art journal will help me through it.

Thank you so much to all my wonderful friends, including those of you that are new.  I truly appreciate every one of you!
Much Love! xo

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Colorful Art Journal Flip

Did this quick video yesterday, enjoy!  :)



Be back later with some new pages.  Had a wonderful Ustream class last night!  When on the page, scroll down all the way to the bottom to see all my recordings.  While you are there, don't forget to click "Join My Crowd" so that all my recordings show up on you dashboard!  Thanks so much to all that were there with me last night.
Love you all!
Much Love xo

Saturday, April 9, 2011

My Favorite Art Journal and Mixed Media Supplies

At long last!  I have tried to record  this video twice prior, but three time's a charm!  I hope you enjoy.



Don't forget to subscribe to me on Youtube via the link on the right, I am planning a huge giveaway when I hit 2000 subscribers!

It's Saturday night, I hope to see you all over in my live class on Ustream at 9pm EST!

I have many finished art journal pages to share with you, see you tomorrow!
Much LOVE xo

Monday, April 4, 2011

Projects in Progress

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I have been working on so many different projects simultaneously, with nothing completely finished. I thought I would share what was going on in my art room this past weekend.


I missed my live Ustream show this past Wednesday due to a terrible cough.  I was able to make it up to my wonderful viewers on Saturday night with two shows!  This is a peek of the page we created during the first show.  Lots of layered goodness going on on this page, here is the recording:



It was a great time, thanks to all of those that were there!



Later that night during my regular time (9pm EST) we worked on a file folder mini album.  I used K&Co Life's Journey paper, which I LOVE!  This is a little pocket album just waiting for me to add tags and pictures and ephemera from my recent trip.  Here is the recording:





I have also been having a good time letting go and doing some painting that is outside my "style".  I really love how these pages are coming together!  I think it is so important to keep playing, keep trying new things, keep growing.  It's just paper right?  Yes, I know it's easier said than done.  I struggle with my insecurities every time I sit down to try something new.  To get over this fear I like to look through my journal for a few minutes, reminding myself that I create wonderful things when I let go of my reservations.  Don't let your mind get in the way of your art.

Thank you so much for reading, subscribing and commenting.  I have met so many wonderful new people recently and feel so blessed!
Much Love!  xo
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