Art Journal Page 8/19/11 - There is Beauty

The newest page in my art journal...

IF - Disguise

She could not disguise her irritation.

Illustration Friday - the theme this week is disguise

A Gift

A while ago--okay, OVER a year ago--my sister asked me to do a large pear painting for her kitchen. It was supposed to be a birthday gift to her. It took me a while to get to it and it was a birthday gift for her, just a year late. :) She didn't mind and was really excited to get this painting in the mail last week.

I had some fun with texture on this one. I added some drywall tape in a few spots and some paper in some other spots. I can't seem to do a painting without adding some mixed media elements lately.

IF - Influence

Don't let his title influence you, he is just a nice normal guy...who owns some castles and has some minions...and a crown.

*SOLD

Art Journal Page - 7/31/11 - It's a Lovely Day

She's right next to a page I recently finished. Here they are together. I like that the little swirl from the frame of the left page became a little random element on this page.

Painting on Paint Samples

It's not as easy as you might think. They are very glossy so most pens/markers/paint I tried didn't "stick". I had to get creative. But still made for a very pleasant evening of experimentation.

They may eventually end up in my art journal. I feel like they have a story, these two. For now they are hanging out in the studio waiting for a place to live.

IF - Swell

If a girl looks swell when she meets you, who gives a damn if she's late? Nobody.

  ---J.D. Salinger

*SOLD

Art Journal Page 7/26/11 - Daily Affirmations

When I was younger I took art lessons from a wonderful artist. At the beginning of class he'd have all the students draw several circles on a page to warm up your hand and then he had us write 5 times "I (your name) am an artist". It was your affirmation before beginning work on your projects. That has always stuck with me.

This page in my art journal is a tribute to that exercise.

Newest Name Signs

Art Journal Page 8/8/11 - I Am Thankful For Today

I decided to do a book page painting for my art journal today. This page combines so many elements: paint, stamps, marker, ink, colored pencils, text, even a recycled book page. Isn't mixed media great?

New In My ETSY Shop

I am constantly looking for unique and different things to paint on. I have an entire set of little classic paperback books. Each page is just about 3.5" x 5". I found some pages with words I liked and got to work with paint, colored pencil, and ink. I had some fun!!

I then mounted the paintings on 3/4" thick wood blocks that are about 4" wide and 5.75" tall. This makes for a very sturdy, very affordable, very fun original piece of art.

These two were just added into my ETSY shop with free shipping. See, affordable. :)

They are sold separately but would make great companion pieces.

*Update: Both paintings have SOLD

Cozy Cottage Table and Chairs

Here's a little story about a table and some chairs. This little set has been in the children's area in the office where I work. It had been painted a garish teal color to match the long gone equally garish turquoise carpet and counters. Teal and dusty rose was the color theme. Think early 80's with a Southwest twist--nightmare! 


Forgot to get a good before picture, but here's the underside. They were all this color. Everywhere. Yikes. I think at one time this was one of those cute pencil leg tables. But that was before the teal...

I took it home, gave it a good sanding and a coat of black Geeso and got to work. 

It now is back home in the children's area at the office. The table and chairs along with the vinyl eye chart I got HERE really brighten up the space!   

Art Journal Page 7/25/11 - She Was Always Brimming With Good Ideas

My Art Journalling adventure continues. One of the things I'm loving most is the freedom and the fact that's it's okay to be imperfect! In fact, the imperfection is usually what makes a page interesting.

Art Journalling is about breaking the rules, freeing your creativity and experimenting. And the only thing I'm regretting is that I didn't try it earlier!!

Illustration Friday - the theme this week is impefect

Art Journal Page 8/1/11 - What?

This Is How I Felt Today...