New Shop!

I've totally re-done my Etsy shop! Up now are a bunch of prints, one original piece, and a few of the little canvas charms I wrote a tutorial for a few days ago! Also, you can get copies of Page by Page and my brand-new Inspiration Packs!

<- Large Inspiration Pack!

I've never sold prints before -- I've gotten them done and they look GREAT -- so I only put one copy of each up....depending on how they do, I'll put up more. I've digitally backed-up all my finished pieces, so if there's one you really like, let me know and I can send you a print.

Take a look around. Things are VERY tight because of my shoulder injury and not working, so I could REALLY use the help. Plus, the Etsy shop keeps this blog ad-free!

http://starchildartworks.etsy.com

How to Make Graffiti Art for Your Collages

I never really considered spray paint and its uses until seeing stenciled images pop-up in art-blog-land. Now, this versatile paint’s uses seem painfully obvious, uses going far beyond that of re-used garage sale signs and colorful rail car masterpieces.

Yes – for me, graffiti, or street art, IS art. On Venice Beach, you’ll be hard pressed to find a palm tree that hasn’t been covered seven feet high with colorful art or the city’s gray cover-all paint. There are even large, concrete slabs set up FOR the artists, who bring along milk crates of colors and spend the day creating.

There’s beauty to the chaos, to thick lines of paint layered by skilled hands. Street art isn’t easy – you can’t just pick up a can and become Van Gogh. Many plan out their designs on paper or even the computer, taking to the street only when they’ve mastered the design with paper and pen. But the preparation doesn’t end there. You need to learn how to hold the can in order to get the lines and coverage you need.

While I will never attempt anything as complicated as street art, there’s something to be learned from those that do. A lot of graffiti comes from experimentation – here are some things I’ve learned from my own little play beside the garage.

Continue reading How to Make Graffiti Art for Your Collages >>

Oodles of Doodles!

Thanks for all your helpful comments. Sometimes, I forget that not everyone's working on a widescreen display (I have a MacBook, so it's widescreen and now normal for me!). And thanks SO MUCH for your compliments! I'm so very happy I still can do this digital collage stuff!

A week or so ago, Dawn asked us to compose an art journal page out of doodles. Seemed simple enough -- doodling is something everyone does, if only subconsciously while on the phone or watching TV.

The thing is, I've never felt confidant when it comes to doodling. Hell, I use a pencil to plan out WORDS, and now I was going to doodle? Planning them out kind of defeats the purpose, and I was scared, so I didn't do a page, even if it would never be seen by anyone else.

I've admired those artists who can take a pen and make wonderful, swirling marks, topsy-turvey designs inked without mistakes, lines bold but clean. In college, I couldn't do much camera work because I shake too much, and for that reason, I never could quite accomplish the clean lines I so wished I could.

What I've discovered is this:

All you need is confidence.

Seriously. Yesterday, I went to the doctor, finally, for my injured shoulder and neck; after those kinds of visits, you always feel worse from the poking and prodding and all that, so I was a little out of it. I sat down in front of the TV, pulled out my new pigment liners and small notebook, and just started doodling. I've always wanted to make a sheet of doodle labels -- there's something about them I just adore -- so I started making the ones I'd want to use on my own artwork. Once I started, I couldn't stop -- labels just kept coming out! And then wings, because I love the idea of wings as embellishments on the labels, and wow! When I finished, I just couldn't stop looking at them -- I can't wait to get them printed and start sticking them all over my pages! *G!*

 

Here are two I did last night. *G* The one on the left I colored on the computer, the other, with some new pens I bought along with my doodle notebook. ;)

And here's the labels. They're printed out on sticker paper, so you just cut 'em out and stick them on. Right now, I've got 'em in black, as this is my first doodle collage sheet, but I'm sure I can color them after a little experimentation.

This sheet is now available on my little shop page. *G* If you have pre-ordered Page by Page and want to purchase a sheet, please either email me or let me know in the comments part of the PayPal order so I can ship them together. Shipping on the sheets is already included in the price.

Pretty!

Lookie!

After being envious of everyone and their fun, artistic banners, I decided to upgrade my account so as to have one, too! You might remember that girl from a card I designed a few months ago...I just love her facial expression. *G* The only thing is, I'm used to hard-coding everything, so I can't seem to get the image centered or fitting right up there with this typepad thingy. Can someone help me out?

<3
Kira

The Tip Jar

I love blogging, creating, inspiring, and posting. And I do this all out of that passion.

As many of you know, I am also an uninsured disabled girl working part-part-time in retail and part-time to put together pages, posts, the 'zine Page by Page, and prompts for my fellow journalers. I don't ask for anything and don't expect anything, but if you have found ANYTHING I've said inspiring, please, LET ME KNOW. And if you feel so inclined, leave a little something.

Anything collected from the blog goes right into my little (but growing!) company, Journal Girl Press -- to improving Page by Page and paying contributors with more than a free issue, to creating more video tutorials on journaling and journal-making, and, hopefully, a full store with supplies and inspiration for artists of all types. This is my dream, and every little bit helps!

Mail Presents!

I went to check my mail box today and look what I found inside!

Michelle sent me a package all the way from Poland! I had a slip in my box because I had to sign for it -- I haven't had to do that before! The mail guy was the usual one I see (our post office is big because it services the entire area, not just my town; from edge to edge, we're about 30 minutes long!), and he said, "She made it all pretty for you!"

"Don't you remember my postcards?" I said, as I'd been in earlier that week.

"Oh, yeah!"

Yes, I am now known at the post office as the girl with the pretty packages. ;)

Inside, I found a wonderful little album showing me Michelle's town, some of her favorite monuments, and where she lives! It's amazing and beautiful and I want to do the same thing for her! She also sewed me a cute fabric journal and made me awesome earrings in my favorite colors. In the box are some beautiful lace ribbons and goodies for collage! Thank you, Michelle!

I also found a little package from Lia! Inside are all sorts of fun papers and wallpaper strips! I can't wait to dive into these bits and make some art!

And here are the cards I received through Chrysti's Doodle ATC Swap! Aren't they fun?

I stopped by Paper Source today for the first time since I left there on....less than pleasurable terms. My darling friend Maricarmen was working and I got to catch up with her -- she has illustrations to finish and I can't wait for the children's book to be published because she is an AMAZING artist. I also picked up some paper and a new journal. It's drying right now in the other room....tonight I'll be decorating the cover and christening it! I decided not to use the old book and just find a smaller journal I like. This way, I won't have to carry such a large bag, which is good since I don't have good shoulders.

Things here in KiraWorld have gotten better; a tense situation's been resolved, sort of, and it's lifted a HUGE weight off my shoulders. I also got a bit of good news today. ;) All in all, I'm in a fantastic mood and itching to do some art!

Cleaning House...

Ahh. The pitfalls of fibro-fog...

This morning, I had my last appointment for Social Security Disability. One of the major effects of FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) is fibro-fog, where short-term memory just...fizzles out. I remember reading one woman's message on a message board, "I couldn't remember where I put the remote, but I just had it an hour ago. I found it in the freezer." (Paraphrasing, as it was years ago) Any-hooo...it means that I need to write things down continuouly in order to remember them (one reason it takes me forever to send out mail art!); I covered my art table with kraft paper so I could scrawl my notes on there as it's usually the first surface I see every morning.

Alas, this has been an ongoing thing I actually became a 'zinester to write about, as I feel more people should know how difficult it is for disabled people to get on disability, find health insurance, etc. So this morning, I set out, tired, aching, and out of pain medication, and....

...went down the wrong road.

Allow me to explain: I was on 59/12 heading south, and at a point, they split. I continued down 59. Around 10:20, ten minutes before my apointment, I called my brother and asked him which way we went last time (as I'm not supposed to drive myself anywhere longer than 45 minutes; he couldn't drive me this morning, though, which is why I'm in bed), and he said I was supposed to follow 12.

Well, shit.

I ended up not going, coming home, and crashing for about two hours. Now, I can feel the barameter going in my knees (osteo-arthritis, and no, it's not juvilial onset...I really am 23 with arthritis), my back hurts from the driving, and my right shoulder, jarred in the car accident two weeks ago, keeps me from using my right arm for long periods of time (try journaling without it!). I'm hoping I can call and reschedule, but knowing Social Security, it'll put another month or so of waiting on my decision, and I don't think the psych eval is that important for my file.

Today, I've been working on and off on a project I've nicknamed "Goddess Box;" I want it to represent the four elements and act as a shrine on my wall, as I need some religious faith in my life. I stopped because it required pliers and I'm kinda tired. Alas. I prepped a journal page this morning -- I might go sit out on the porch and scribble.

I'm also selling some stuff. I wanted to put the books up here because they're art books. I'm open to trades or if you'd like to buy one...I'm usually pretty fair about price. I've gotten hit with fees and had to get some medication refilled, so I don't even have enough to go get some tea and hang out at a cafe...not that I'd want to, today! Laying in bed listening to music seems enough for me today....let me know if you're interested in any of these books.

Email me at kiraboshi[at]gmail.com

            

Click! They get bigger! I'll wait a few days before throwing them up on eBay...

day-late mail

I am a horrible procrastinator, but when I finally DO get to a task, I go all out. I've several mail art emails waiting in my inbox, daily reminders that I need to get things out! So, I decided to play around and get them all finished today.

Postcards and ATC's intimidate me. Give me a piece of paper from the printer or a canvas, and I can go with no problem. Give me something smaller, and I freeze up. I don't know what to do! It's too small to do my normal artwork, I think, and so, I never know what to do! Plus, other people are going to be receiving these...what if they don't like them!?

As always, I'm open for trades! A little present's going out with these cards. *G* Okay, so my PO Box has been a little empty and I think I saw a spider taking up residence in there....kidding!

I wonder, do I have a style? I know when I look at others' artwork, I can pretty much tell you who made it. But with me, I feel all over the place. A lot of that comes from constantly experimenting....I just like playing so much, I don't really stick to one style or another. I think I use the same colors, and the fishies! I love the fishies!

Can you tell someone let me into the spray paint again? I found some kick-ass brass stencils in the garage and decided to go out and have a little fun! It's so freeing, letting the paint go where it may; I was out there so long, the sun went down and I now have several mosquito bites. *g* I love layering colors over each other. I love the papers Debra makes, all those layers of color and mess....they're wonderful!

I've been working on my 'zine...I hope to have it done around July so I can start working on the art journaling 'zine I'm starting. I'm close to the choosing journal pages and writing and laying everything out stage....this volume will be cheaper than the last, and MUCH better quality. Oh, I'm sure you're tired of hearing about it, but I'm just having so much fun! If you're wondering why I've been uploading low-quality images or incomplete journal pages, it's because I want there to be something new in the 'zine!

Oh! And we have news! We now have two beautiful baby Morning Dove birds!

Can you see them? Their little heads? That's their daddy sitting atop...our pansy died so they'd have a nest, and now they're born! They hatched over the weekend, and I love saying hi to them every morning.

:) Kira