You asked for it, you got it!

Some of you asked for some BIGGER pics of the journal pages in the previous post, so here you go!

These pages were created quickly, with text found from some newsletters I was throwing out.

I ripped out the things that spoke to me at that moment and glued them down randomly on several pages.

Paint, paint, and a bit more paint followed.

Texture tools(rag, sponge, veggie wrapper, etc) were used to lift off paint here and there.

My favorite hand carved diamond stamp with a little gesso made it's way to this page.

Some other stamps were used here and there.


I really just used whatever was handy, working rapidly without much planning ahead.




What a release of my pent up energy!

Holiday Special From Inspirational Retreat!

Sign up for any 2010 workshop at Inspirational Retreat by the end of the year and receive a 10% off class price discount and free lunch for both days as a holiday gift! How cool is that? What a great Christmas present to hint around for:-)

Journal away the Jitters

I don't know about you, but when I'm waiting I have to keep busy. I use all that nervous energy to get something accomplished. 'It's a good thing'. I'm amped up to get started on my book, but needed to wait until a few things were finalized. I was waiting for a conference call on Thursday, a first meeting with the editor that I'll be working with through the book process. I decided to use my excess energy up on some house cleaning, so I started with a general pick-up and while I was clearing off our home office desk I saw some of our church newspapers and some of the captions caught my eye. Journal fodder!!! I quickly ripped out several things that spoke to me at that moment and took them to my studio. I'd had this really cool watercolor journal that has lovely hand torn pages for awhile. I didn't like how they took paint however so I rarely worked in it.

Armed with my supply of text I added some to several pages with soft gel medium (matte) and decided to coat the whole page with some medium mixed with water. Rapid was the key, I did have housework to do! I think sometimes the best pages are created when we work intuitively, without over thinking things. Later in the day I went back to the dry pages and again working rapidly, I added some paint. The paint behaved much better on the gel medium prepped pages!

This was all dry by bedtime, so I took my journal to bed with me while I watched some TV and finished off the first set of pages with a few stamps, and some journaling. The following two sets of pages I added some of Tim Holtz masks that I haven't used nearly enough. Every time I remember to use them, I love them! You can easily get some really cool effects. Now I have two more sets of pages waiting for some journaling and several more waiting for paint the next time I get some out for a project.

I used my impatience for good:-)

This and That

Here is the sample self portrait that I will be teaching at Inspirational Retreat in April. We will spend the first day working in the journals I provide, playing with drawing, mixed media techniques, and symbolism, getting comfortable in our own skin and then on the second day we will create a personal piece on canvas that will include a little shrine of the things we hold dear.

It's a little hard to tell in this picture, but behind the optical lens is a precious little birds egg shell. The little birdie is long gone and this so speaks to how I feel about my own 'birdies' leaving the nest.

I've been asked if this is the same as my online Pursuing Portraits workshop and it is an extension of that, taking it to the next level putting into practice what I teach online. I will go into much more detail about different techniques I use to paint portraits.

The mail lady brought my advance copies of Cloth Paper Scissors which includes an article on Liquid Pencil, a fabulous product that is tons of fun to play with! I hope you give it a try. You can see an additional piece of work I did with it here.

Art at the Speed of Life, The Book

The past two years have been an amazing transition from SAHM who loves art to Art as my career. For the 20+ years prior, art was my hobby, always there, always cherished, but not my 'day job'. This has changed over the last couple of years as I started to take some baby steps out into the the world of publication.

The start was a simple list of goals and dreams in my Art Journal. These were my 'secret' dreams and I did not know if they were possible, but I did know that if I didn't at least try they would always just be a dream.

So I sent a piece in to a magazine.

It was sent back a couple of months later.

I sent in another piece.

It was sent back a couple of months later.

This is where I could have given up. But something inside of me was determined and I sent in three pieces.

These were published!

This was the start of an exciting ride of publications, teaching opportunities and now the realization of my heart of arts deepest desire, the publication of my book, 'Art at the Speed of Life'!

I've been working and reworking this book idea since last December. I've learned so much in the process. Looking back I realize that the timing was not right until now. Like everything else, there is much growth in the journey. It is the journey, not the accomplishments, that make us who we are.

I would like to invite all of you, my family, friends, and fellow bloggers to share the journey of 'Art at the Speed of Life' on my new blog. I will share the ups and downs of the road the book will travel. I will share in the hopes that it will help and encourage some of you on your own journey and to help me learn and grow as much as possible along the way.

I hope to see you over there to follow along with the books progress,

xoxo

Inspirational Retreat

I'm very excited to announce a new teaching venue! I have been asked to teach at a beautiful getaway in Augora Hills, CA, Lisa LaRosa and Renee Troy's Inspirational Retreat. You have to check out the website and see how lovely and beautiful this place is. The perfect get away to immerse yourself in all things art. My workshop info is posted on their site along with many talented artists. I am looking forward to two inspiring days spent with fellow artists as we explore self portraits, hope to see you there!

Frozen

Illustration Friday, 'Frozen'. I think this piece fits that nicely.

Here is my latest, 'Heart of Hearts' 16x20 canvas

The Pink Team

I'm happy to report that The Pink Artists have raised $4,453 in combined totals from 2008-2009 for Susan G Komen and the fight against breast cancer. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Canvas will be sent off to it's new owner on Monday!

What can you do in 5 Minutes or less?

Watch a tutorial that I did when visiting Stampington Headquarters

Sign up for Stampington's newsletter, Postscripts so you can join the 25,000 other readers and get the latest news about all things creative

List your latest work on Etsy

'Looking Back' 16x20 on canvas

Say thank you to a dear fellow blogger for a blog award, 'Thank You SueAnn'

Link for Dauber Bottles

Come Over to the Dark Side

Well, I had to stop in to see what Michelle Ward was up to and the Street Team challenge was something I've been playing with already so I'm in!

Working on a black background is such a great way to think a bit outside the ordinary. Colors play differently and the dark under layer adds an air of mystery.

Love stretching that artistic muscle in new ways. If you have time to play come join in the fun!

I Need Your Help!

Be sure to check out Mixed Media Monday, it's all about the Pink!

In honor of my step mom I am offering fine art prints from my original piece, 'Beauty in Strength'. I will only be offering these limited edition prints through the end of October and the proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation. If you purchase one for yourself or a friend, please accept my offer of 1/2 off the price of a second print of your choosing from my print shop. I will refund the difference through PayPal. What a great way to support a good cause and get something for yourself or a gift at the same time. Please help me to send a nice big check on November 1st!
Also feel free to use this image to promote this sale on your blog:-)

Pilot Episode of Crafting Idol

More fun from the visit to Stampington & Co!

A Visit To Stampington, Workshops, and More

How do I even begin? I am still getting goosebumps about my visit to CA this past week. I guess I will just start from the beginning.

My trip started with a visit to my friend Julie Bergmann's house. Julie and I met at the ZNE ConvenZioNE last spring and hit it off right from the start. She graciously invited me to stay with her and when I got the invitation to teach from Lisa Bebi, the plan was put into action. With good food, lovely wine and a trip to Pinkberry for yogurt we began our visit. The next stop was Stampington & Co. Jenny Doh and the rest of the editors were so gracious and wonderful. We were given the grand tour.

Thrilling Moments

Meeting Jenny in person

Seeing Magazine covers with our names on them on a wall

Meeting with the photographer, Johanna, right after she had finished shooting my art journal for an upcoming issue.

Seeing my name on Jenny's white board!

Recognizing peoples work just by looking at it

Seeing my aubergine pieces getting ready to be photographed

Doing Lunch with Jenny and Christin

Being filmed for a New Reality Show-LOL

Doing a Tutorial

Having everyone sign my suitcase

Next stop Lisa Bebi's

A total thrill to meet her as I have long admired her work. She is just as fun as I thought she would be. We stayed up late and decided to do some painting late at night. She showed me her 'Paint Over' technique.

The class at The Stamp Addict was full with a waiting list.

The gals, and one guy were really fun and to top it off, who should walk in to the class but the famous Suzi Blu! How fun is that?! She is even better in person than on her youtube videos!!

Off to the gallery for my final workshop and met with another group of fun gals. Everyone was so nice and their work turned out great!

Off to the airport and home again. A completely crazy, busy, fun filled experience that I will never forget.

Tired but happy, journaling my way home.

My Little Black Book

I've started a few journal pages in my black journal to work on while I'm traveling. I love the mystery that the black foundation adds to the overall look of this journal. I have used a bit of gesso to start, then I sketched in a portrait. Water soluble crayon is used to shade and add some subtle color. I will add journaling and more crayon to the pages while on the road, but it is nice to have a start to a few pages. I like switching between types of journaling, it helps me to be more creative.

It's also fun to shade with different colors. I travel with my favorites (Caran d'ache) and a brush with a water reservoir.

Some of my favorite colors include: Olive Brown, Green Ochre, Sepia, Olive, Raw Umber, Beige, Ochre, Turquoise, and Cobalt Blue.

I also take Black and White.

A graphite pencil is a must.

Charcoal, kneaded eraser, and a blending stump are always with me.

And last but not least a Uniball Signo White Gel Pen.

These pages are too thin for collage, and that would defeat the black backgrounds purpose. So I am only using the simple supplies listed above in this journal.

I will show you the finished pages when I get back.

On another note, I was honored to be featured as this weeks catalyst on Creative Therapy. I would love if you would stop by and leave a comment! If you have not been to the site before scroll through for some amazing work. The contributing artists are listed on the left, and many of my favorites have been there.

Have a great week everyone!

Art on the Go!

I am packing my art supplies getting ready to hit the road! I will be in San Diego next Saturday teaching a mixed media portrait workshop at Lisa Bebi's gallery. Since traveling with art supplies can be a tad tricky, I decided to take an old suitcase and dedicate it towards this purpose.

This hard sided roll-aboard relic was one of hubby's old go-to-work pieces. It has seen better days for sure, so painting it up was a not an issue. I used three colors of spray paint intended for use on plastic. It worked like a dream. Add in some gesso, Sharpie Markers, and Staz On ink and my art supplies will arrive in style!

I'm making a stop at Stampington to meet with the editors. This will be one of the highlights of my trip. After only email communications and the occasional phone conversation, I am excited to finally meet them in person. I might even see if they want to doodle a bit on my suitcase Art Journaling style.

One thing is certain, I won't have any trouble picking out my suitcase on the luggage carousel:-)

I filled the inside with plastic containers so if something does spring a leak it won't hurt too much.

I've already learned NOT to pack art supplies with your clothes...

Take your ART to NEW places!

Share it with those around you~

Make new friends:-)

Reconnect with old ones:-D

Live Art at the Speed of Life!