I unintentionally stumbled onto the best time of day to snap amazing neon shots with my iPhone 4S...sunset. I ran outside to grab a shot of that journal spread I promised yesterday before the sun went down, and noticed the neon colors I use in my journals POP off the screen. Of course, there's a bit of graininess to the shots, so I guess tomorrow I'll be running out a little earlier to see what happens!

Somehow, the above and below pages (part of the same spread) got skipped in blog post land! I made these pretty quickly while at an art sleepover at Becca's, with some scrapbooking paper from Target (little hearts!), neon markers, and the addition of some texture gel to my acrylics. I call them my feather girls, and will be adding to them tomorrow. ;)

Here is the spread I was talking about. I wanted to push myself past my comfort zone...I love the silhouettes and the bright colors, but wanted to do more. Add in some journaling, maybe a drop shadow...I noticed my girls were getting lost in the busy backgrounds and needed to do something.

I painted in their hair with Distress Stains, then outlined them with my Pentel Pocket Brush & added journaling. The clothes were painted with gouache, and then I painted in their skin just to make it easier to see the figures.

I've always loved when you can see portions of the original background inside the shapes. I don't know if I'm explaining that right...just look at the gold triangle in the left girl's hair, or the right girl's hair. They don't have names, yet, but I'm sure they'll come to me!

This is my new endpoint. I have a half a dozen spreads to ink and write on and paint...just look a the black stamping in that yellow tank top! YUM! Color, texture, drawing, journaling, expression....paint me ecstatic!

PS. If you're Phoenix local, I'll be teaching in-person workshops soon! I'll announce 'em tomorrow. :)