The Red Storybook Weeks #4 & 5

The first few weeks of The Red Storybook were amazing, and then week 4 hit and I drew, but I didn't do it well, and never colored anything. Okay, I didn't color half of week 3, either, but hey! I had weekends! I could catch up easily, right?

Nope. 

It's so hard to catch up when you also have that day's entry to do, and I've spent the past two weeks trying to catch up and stay on top of current entries. It was tough. But I have gotten to a point where I'm comfortable moving on. Oh, sure, I could spend forever and a day improving previous entries and getting into the details, but that isn't the point. I need to let go and move forward. 

I've already seen an improvement with how I work with the gouache, have added in colored pencils, and it's getting a bit easier to figure out what my illustration style really is. It's also awesome to be able to look back and see my weeks stack up -- I'm into the 40's, now, and can't believe I've cleared nearly half of February! 

I've also been working on a Massive Gouache Q&A post, as well as a How I Do This & With What post, and now that I'm caught up and posting all these spreads, will be back to regular blogging. 

(I'm always blogging on my Tumblr, which now has more art than Sherlock GIFs, and a few posts I haven't shared anywhere else even Instagram.) 

I'm goofy in love with some work I've done recently, including art journal messes made today, so this week's blogging will be more than just my silly drawings and words...(how else do we improve, though, but through doing and doing often?) 

Also, Friendly Faces is all up for self-study with some pretty satisfied students! 

The Red Storybook - Week #3

They say it takes three weeks to establish a habit, and we're at week three of my project for the year. While there was a period of about ten days where I simply wrote and did a quick pencil sketch, I've come to restructure my evenings around my storybook entries. I'll pull it out while watching an hour or two of nighttime tv to write and sketch, then head to my little desk to color the drawing in with my box of gouache before grabbing a book and snuggling with my pup in bed. 

Actually, I'm getting to be earlier than I have for the past couple of months, and spending less time at night watching tv (well, I don't count an episode or two streaming on my ipad as tv time, since I'm at my desk listening to it...). It's helping me get into a steady rhythm with my sleep schedule, which is insanely important when you have fibromyalgia. Who knew a nightly art habit was all I needed! 

I'm also becoming more confident with gouache, and am feeling less guilty about buying it because I use it every day...I'm sure you have a hoarded supply you wish you used more  or feel guilty about all the money spent on it. Well, using it every day not only helps you become more skilled with it, but you use it up faster!  

My plan is to share a few of my favorites from the week. I have to allow myself to keep some back, or else my perfectionist side will come out with each one, and instead of allowing myself to experiment, I'll be worried about if it's "good enough" to share!

(I'm also blogging them each week as a way to stay accountable...if people are expecting me to post, I'd better have something to share!)

If you have any questions about this project, or the supplies I use, leave 'em in the comments and I'll do a big post to answer them all. 

PS. There's still time to enter my book giveaway! Comments close tonight at midnight, MST! 

PPS. I'm using my Tumblr a lot as a little scrapbook of art I love, discussions about chronic illness, & Sherlock gifs. C'mon over if you have one, and let me know yours so I can add you back!

PPPS. Friendly Faces starts tomorrow! Woohoo! I'm spending the day getting everything ready. You can join at any time!

I co-wrote a book! (dream come true storytime)

Yep, that's right! I co-wrote a book! 

101 Mixed Media Techniques (it's back in stock on Amazon!)

Last spring, I got an email from an awesome and sweet editor looking for someone to write the art journaling section of a book she was working on, and of course I said yes!

(I also love several books this publisher's done, and know they do quality work!)

I poured through my art journals from the past seven years, and let me tell you, narrowing down years of techniques to just ten is pretty tough, but I managed to do it! I created some of my favorite pages while creating pages for this book, and am just tickled pink that they're published. Not only that, but one's on the cover! 

In celebration of this awesome dream come true, I'm hosting a give away of two copies of my book! There are tons of awesome mixed-media techniques by some really amazing artists in this book -- I know I'm going to be playing with quite a few of them! And since there's different technique on each page, you can use it as a great prompt tool -- just flip open to a random page and get playing! 

Simply leave a comment below by Sunday, January 27th & I'll send you a signed copy & a little gift in the post. 

Hrmm...let's see....why don't you share what your favorite art journaling technique is! What would you be able to narrow down to from your own journaling past?

Please note that I have moderated comments, and yours won't show up right away. Also, PLEASE include your email address so I can get in contact with you if you win!

PS. Don't forget that my newest offering goes live on Monday! Friendly Faces is for those who don't think they can draw, or want to develop their own style via children's book illustrations and mixed-media self portraits. And it's only $28! Sign up now!

The simplest victories (red storybook #6)

Heres a favorite of mine from the Red Storybook thus far...the day I got out of the house for the first time in a week or two and stole away to the library to look for art books and 'Dirk Gently' after watching the BBC show of based off it (I have always loved Douglas Adams' odd sense of humor). I ended up curled up on a bench with a headache texting with friends who we checking up with me, and who made my day brighter with their messages. 

I haven't colored nearly enough of these entries, and some are quite bad, but I haven't missed a day. I think I needed to tell myself it was okay to not share every day in order to feel safe making terrible sketches. This one was done in acrylics. I wanted to see if I could work faster with them. I can not. Back to the gouache it is!  

Maybe I'll work on coloring a few more this weekend during my 'Sherlock' marathon. God knows the season finale on Sunday will kill me. Maybe I'll do a little fangirl page before they rip out my heart. ;) 

One Little Word - Circle

It seems our little corner of the internet is abuzz with the One Little Words we've chosen for this year, a practice I wholeheartedly approve us, as it rquires us to sit back and figure out what, exactly, it is we'd like for this year. What question will we be asking ourselves when faced with decisions, and by what value or yearning will we examine our experiences? 

It took me awhile to come up with mine -- it's been a turbulant couple of months, and this week has been the first I've felt like I can see light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's cast by my own internal stubborness and need to pick myself up. I went through quite a few words, and had one in my mind - boundaries - when I sat down to write about it in the Red Storybook. 

But what came out of my pen was something different. 

(That's one of my favorite things about writing or painting - that ability to surprise myself with what comes out when I put my mind to creative action.)  

Granted, my word isn't a usual one -- you won't find necklaces or paintings depicting mine up on Etsy -- and when I posted my little canvas yesterday, Tam voiced her curosity as to why I chose it and what it means. I'll allow a bit of the Red Storybook to explain:  

"Like a witch's circle, I need to draw a safe space around myself, filled with love & faith. I can cut a door to let in people I trust & keep out negativity. I can take care of myself & find stillness. Wrap myself in it. And the people of my circle as well.  

Ask in 2014: Does this serve the circle?" 

Whenever a witch sits down to do serious work -- whether it's a ritual, spell, oracle reading, or internal soul*work -- he or she draws a circle around herself. This is a protective boundary that keeps out negative or bad influences, but allows positive energy to pass through. It's so the witch can practice what she needs without worrying about pulling in anything detrimental to himself while working, and thus can go deeper with a sense of safety and security.  

If the boundary is breached, it breaks, but a door can be cut to pass in and out, and to let others inside. The energy of the circle hums and grows and nurtures.  

But a circle is also what is around us, the people in our lives. Those you allow and those you don't. Those you can depend on to be there, the ones who make you strive for your best self when around them. A circle is an important thing, and I haven't been the best at creating a solid one (mine is a wonky oval at best).  

It referrs to the online circle of dear readers and friends and artists who encourage me to continue down the path of artwork. Of the importance of nuturing those new to our corner of the art world and acknowledging those who have been around for ages.  

It is returning to the beginning to see how far you've come.  

It is recognizing your boundaries and respecting them -- physically, with my FMS and other ailments; emotionally, with waining depression; and spiritual, as I continue to seek out the faith family I've missed.  

For me, circle encompases so much of what I need to focus on for 2014, it seemed the perfect word. It's meaning is deep and simple. And my hope is that, by asking if an action serves the circle, I can create a more balanced, fullfilling 2014 full of friendship, stillness, and abundance.  

What's your word for 2014? I'd love to hear about it in the comments! 

(Please leave your email when you comment so I can respond!)

what do i need to howl into life?

After weeks of a migraine and a few more spent working tirelessly to get Gelli Plate Junk Journal content finished on time, I decided I needed a week "off" of computer work. It was time, I felt my Soul tell me, to sit down and paint.  

I have several half-completed pieces, started in the thick of things, born from excitement and passion that were pushed off to the side when other work came through and became more "important." And sure, when other projects where drying, I'd putter around with these...but I knew  an entire week devoted to just painting  would be restorative and inspiring. 

I've felt, lately, that there's one little piece blocking my true  expression of creativity. A blockage I can't seem to get around, past, dissolve, break free of. I knew of this when I went to Florida in September, and felt a little of it loosen up, but with everything that's happened and been going on these past two months, well...it's still there. I felt more shift today, but feel so close  and know  this week is going to truly help me clear it away completely. 

 "we are all birds" 6"x6" mixed media on board. available.

I finished this one today; putting my signature on something really excites me and I feel like I've been uber-productive! You may remember this as the canvas I started at Roben-Marie's house way back in the beginning of September. It sat half-finished and I really didn't know where to go with it....well...here it is! It just came together in a burst of inspiration and intuition, and the words were spoken deep inside me. 

When I took my break, I paged through 14 Artists' Journals by Orly Avineri -- there are some beautiful, soul*full pages in there -- and was so moved to share my own Soul and reach deep inside to make sense of myself, I had to jump up and work in my art journal. I had my smaller Dylusions in my bag, so I pulled it out, slapped down some paint, made marks with Neocolor II watercolor crayons, and added faux stitching with one of my favorite new easy tools before stamping out my thoughts with stamps. I've wanted to do this for so long....why did I wait in the first place?!

acrylic paint, distress stains, Neocolor II, washi tape, scrapbooking paper, rubber stamps

added collage elements from magazines, more paint, stamping, & stickles

I am thrashing and diving and living days full of paint and silence. What are you up to these days? 

A place for play and soul*connection...

I created this art journal spread by the light of the TV last night. Not wanting to turn any more on because of the spiky migraine I've had since Friday.

But I was able to sit on the floor and spread around paint. It was interesting to look at it in the light of day and see the full brilliance of the colors.

And it expresses an idea I've had for awhile...that our art journals aren't the place for precious things. Anything drawn or painted or glued shouldn't be so loved that you are fearful to cover them up and allow the pages to be transformed further. We dive into our journals to explore, to play, to get in touch with out soul*selves.

In fact, the page on the right had a pencil drawing of a girl I really liked, but it had kept me from doing anything further. Maybe working in the low light helped me to get past that and play.

I'll be sketching tonight, and playing more with my handwriting. In the past month, I've been drafted to do two separate projects with my handwriting alone, and it's an avenue I haven't really explored until friends gave me the sweetest compliments & encouragement.

Q&A about Gelli Print Junk Journal!

I've received a number of questions about my newest offering, so I thought I'd write everything up for you!  

I wasn't going to open up sign-ups -- or post the full info page -- until October 1st, but everyone seems excited and ready to jump in...well, why not?  

Q: Is this an online class or in-person?  

A: Both!  

I know this was a bit confusing...This is an online class . But! If you live near Mesa, Arizona, you can take it as a series of 2-hour classes at Artspiration Studio starting in November. I didn't want to leave all my lovely online readers out of the fun!

Q: When will this class start? How long will it be?  

A: Class will run from Monday, October 21st thru Monday, November 11th, 2013, and I will be available and roaming the forums until mid-November.  

Q: Why only three weeks? How much will we learn/how many videos will there be?  

A: I learned, through my last e-class offering, that a shorter class is actually more fun! When classes run 6-8 weeks, life tends to get in the way, and we slowly fall behind. 

I will post 2-3 videos every week, along with examples and a PDF handout. My videos are professionally produced, in top-notch HD. They will run 10-15 minutes each, so you can easily watch one before work/school/the day, or whenever you have a moment to sit down and get some inspiration. I run two cameras, so you can see directly onto my workspace, as well as see me as I explain a product, technique, or cheerlead for you as you go on this adventure!  

Q: How long will we have access to the class?

A: You will have access for 2 years. You are also welcome to download the videos directly to your computer! 

Q: What supplies will I need for this class?  

A: You will need:  

• A Gelli Arts Gel Plate OR home-made gelatin plate (you can easily find tutorials on YouTube or Google!)
• Acrylic Paint (craft paints work best, especially Martha Stewart brand) in at least yellow, blue, red, white, & black
• Watercolor paper (any kind will do; hot press is best but can be costly. grab some from the kid's section if you need a cheaper option!) 
• Brayer
• Spray bottle
• Cardstock (for cutting stencils) 
• Sewing machine (for stitchery), stapler, or other means of making patchwork paper (glue, thread, etc!) 

We'll also be doing a bit of bookbinding. These are the basic supplies you should have on-hand: 

• Bookbinding thread (you can also find this in the jewelry section of a craft store)
• Needle
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Bone folder (or use the handle of your scissors!) 
• Awl
• Vintage/hardcover book  

Q: What will you be covering in this class?

Here's what we're going to do in class:

• Learn my methods and techniques for gel printing
• Make hand-made stencils from recycled materials
• Play with print & pattern
• Stitch papers together for patchwork art
• Create signatures 
• Learn bookbinding & use vintage books

This class will be run over on my Ning network, The Studio @ Journal Girl. You will need an account there to take this class . I will be sending out the invites a week before class is scheduled to begin .

And lastly: how much will this class cost? 

Gelli Print Junk Journal will cost $80. And there are 5 spots left in at the Early-Bird price of $45. When those spots are filled, it will go up to the full price, so grab one now! 

If you have any more questions, leave them in the comments below! This class promises to be a ton of fun -- my students in Art Journal Summer Camp had a blast and quickly filled up the forums with hundreds of replies, comments, & connection. They even organized their own swap! So this one, I know, will be even more fun than that! :)