Art Acceptance...confidence in yourself and your abilities

I’ve had so much fun playing with photos on my cell phone, you knew it was only a matter of time before they fully worked their way into my journal. 

I have to admit — I was at a loss for a bit. I could cut them up, make collage fodder from them. Color around them, doodle with pens (I’m doodling all the time, now). But that was stuff I’ve seen before. In the sea of mixed-media, I wanted to do something different, something I hadn’t seen before. And if this has, well, I haven’t seen it! 

One of the big things to happen for me recently is Art Acceptance. 

What is Art Acceptance? It’s two-fold:

1. The creation of art that you find aesthetically lovely and pleasing, that brings you joy, happiness, and pride when you share it with others. 

2. Allowing yourself to create without the fear of creating Bad Art, and thus holding yourself back in fear of the blank page and enjoying the process for the joy and lessons it has to teach you. 

(I made this up, by the way, as a major chunk of my Personal Philosophy on art.)

A lot of people ask me how to find their personal style, or become comfortable with their art, or find their way in general. I get that at least three times a Q&A, and have been working on an answer for that. 

It may take me awhile. 

Because the answer is to do more art. I worried about it. A lot. It’s a phase, like the tricky adolescence we all go through, trying to find our place in the world as we transition from child to adult. And just like adolescence, we have to go through it in order to find our way. 

Art Acceptance comes later in your art life. It’s that place when you finally create artwork you love most of the time (no, no one creates art they’re in love with all the time; it’s impossible). More than that, you have the confidence that your intuition and abilities will lead you to lovable art. Striving for perfect or awesome art isn’t the aim anymore — learning and honing your talent is. You want to try something new in order to improve what you love doing, not to create a stunning end-piece. 

Art Acceptance is an awesome place. You admit you’re still learning but have found your stride. 

You’ll get there, 

if you keep showing up. 

The images from this post come from the journal spread I created for tonight's episode of Journaling Deep. At 14 pages, it's my longest yet, and a double issue. And each costs you $2.50 a week. Considering the 7 hours I put into each one, that's a steal!

Watercolor Inspired

When I clicked play on a video posted on Traci Bautista’s blog last week, I had no idea what I was in for. 

The video chronicled the combined efforts of Traci and an artist I’d never heard of, Stephanie Corfee. I watched as Stephanie doodled in watercolors with confidence, creating a bright, colorful piece of art that Traci then incorporated into a doodle of her own. 

I was hooked. 

 

So it’s no surprise that, after finding Stephanie’s book on Amazon, I pulled out a pad of mixed-media paper and my small collection of watercolors and started to doodle. 

I didn’t think I’d make anything nearly as stunning as the work that inspired me. I’m not all that experienced in using watercolors, having abandoned them soon after I started art journaling for acrylics, but I wanted to give this a try. 

It happened by accident, really. An afterthought when I collected supplies to work in my Smash book on the couch. I soon found myself consumed by the doodles, playing with color and shape and line in a way I’ve never done before. I’ve come a long way with my confidence with a brush, and just, well, had a ball. 

 

I think these have become my new zentangles! With a waterbrush, it’s just as easy for me to create these as my little drawings in a sketchbook. I plan on scanning them in and creating cool prints with them of some kind. Oh, I’m in love! 

Count these as my journal pages for Monday and Tuesday, okay? 

Learning Curve

We’re working through our second still life in drawing class this week, this one with the full range of shade values — the first only had three. 

I’m finding myself challenged. In a good way. 

When was the last time you were learning something so interesting, you wanted to work through the struggle to get to the other side? When you were so engaged, hours could pass in the blink of an eye? And I’m not talking about learning on your own, where the pace is set by the books you check out from the library and the blogs you read, but a class, where there’s structure and an instructor, and grades. 

Oh, yes. This girl is getting graded. Which is always a challenge when you’re a bit of a perfect student. My college GPA was a 3.975, which bugged me (though my final semester was straight A’s!). Despite taking this class for personal enrichment, I’m striving to get a good grade, to do good work, and be liked by my teacher. Which is hard when you’re always asking for help. Input. Pointers. I want to amaze. 

I want to prove I’m an artist. 

I know, I know. But I think some part of me wonders, “If you don’t do well in this class, are you really an artist? Do you really have talent?” 

But the other part of me is thrilled at all I’m learning. For example, when I was editing the above photo, my eyes were drawn to the black vase on my artwork. I had to do a double-take — is it me, or can you see the light reflecting off it, the shading, the light? Did I really do that? 

Yes, I did. And I will keep trying, keep drawing, keep showing up to class, because I want to be challenged and stretched and grow as an artist. 

And as I prep for my first free demo at Jerry’s Artarama here in Tempe, I know how you, as students, want to be taught. 

[video] Q&A #5: alcohol inks, pads, video-making, and more!

This week, I discuss more of your questions, especially those related to creating your own spray inks from alcohol inks (read: NO!) and creating video content for viewers. I also discuss my favorite art books, stamp pads, and a whole bunch more (including my upcoming art workshop!). 

Here're links for a few things mentioned in the video:

Workable Fixatif

Golden GAC 100

My fav books...

Painted Pages

Ordinary Sparkling Moments

1000 Artists' Journal Pages

Strathmore Mixed-Media 400 Series
(I plan on doing a review post for this paper as soon as I've worked on it some more.)

I just wanted to update y'all on a few things around here. The sewing video's been filmed and I just need to edit it -- I'll be posting it on Tuesday, as tomorrow's pretty full (a deadline, class, grocery shopping, and class prep!). I have filmed a short video about the whole Pinterest situation, but I'm, well, a bit scared to post it! If I do, it'll go up tomorrow, since it doesn't require much editing (I actually wrote it and read word-for-word!). 

I'm taking a little internet break this week -- I'm feeling way too overwhelmed by social media and trying to keep up with it all, so I'm unplugging my wireless card and working in the studio most of the time. This also means I'll be working on answering emails -- I really have a bunch I'm itching to answer (but my wrist has gotten angry and I'm wearing a brace) and hope being unplugged will help me be more focused. I need to detox a bit from electronics!

And yes, I put up a donate button again. I'm doing a ton of videos these days, and would love a little help. No pressure! It's just me opening up to the abundance of the universe. This girl is ready to claim 2012 as her year. 

Make sure you're on the mailing list! I'm starting something new and free, and will be sending out a newsletter this week.

Now, I believe Once Upon a Time is on. 

Hodgepodge

(yesterday's page-a-day journal page)

I could probably sum this all up in a video, but we have all seen how chatty I can get with the Q&A’s, and I have so many questions to answer, I’ll probably be doing two a week for a bit. BUT! I’m not going to wait until I finish that video before posting, as I was doing that yesterday and ended up not posting a thing. 

So let’s get to this mish-mash of stuff. I call a moratorium on cohesive thought. 

Thing #1: Pinterest

I love the site, I do. I get tons of traffic from you guys posting my art and photos on there, so thank you. I know a lot of stuff’s been posted about the site, and I’ve been keeping up with all the blog posts and articles, etc. I said in a video a last week that I didn’t know if I could really support the site before I was informed, and I’ve decided that yes, you can pin stuff. 

I’m putting little watermarks on the pictures I post here (unless they’re posted directly from my phone, but I’ve downloaded a new program that’ll allow me to watermark from my mobile), so feel safer letting things be pinned. 

And I am thankful and touched you’ve found some of my work inspiring enough to pin it to your boards. I visit many of the referrals I get and then lose about an hour of time wandering around over there. I thought I’d be safe, having given up Tumblr for a bit, but the internet always has a new way to suck up your time, doesn’t it? 

Thing #2: Digital Shoppe Updates

 I’ve updated a few things in my digital shoppe. The Button Journal Mini-Workshop is now $10! 

I was all ready to post a new journal mini-workshop, but decided to save it for a possible in-person project class. I’m asking the universe to put me in touch with someone who would like me to visit and teach, and working on refining the workshop in the mean time. 

Thing #3: Journal-Page-A-Day

I’ve created a new gallery for my kinda-daily journal pages. I’m also listing the materials used to create each one. Here’s what I did yesterday; I won’t do a blog post for each one, but the gallery will be updated even when I haven’t done a blog post.

Thing #4: Journaling Deep

  

I just love seeing what people are creating in response to my weekly lessons. This photo had the following caption that helped to quiet that Inner Critic:

Doodles for Journaling Deep (by Mel)

I am not a big doodler ... but I sat last night (i couldn't sleep) and tried it out. Ended up I did like some things I did! Still this isn't easy for me, but this exercise did help me to 'see' patterns. So a GREAT lesson, Samie!

That is the exact reason why I publish Journaling Deep. To inspire and take you out of your comfort zone. And when I see the result of that in the group we have on Flickr, I just can’t believe how amazingly lucky I am to not only be able to do what I love, but get my message out there and really help change a person’s perception of their journaling. 

Here are some other amazing things my students are saying: 

“Journaling Deep is wonderful.  Not only the art, but the writing is beyond superb.  Brava!” -Dian

“Samantha's work is always bursting with color and expression.  I just can't get enough of her artwork, so I signed up for her Journaling Deep series.  One of my goals this year was to support other artists.  Even though I don't have tons of disposable income, I try to set aside a small amount each month to take a workshop, buy a zine or sign up for a newsletter like Sami's.  I think it is a great way to replenish your creative spirit and brighten up your email inbox.” - Marcia

I’ve updated the digital shoppe so you can browse all 15 issues thus far and grab one when you need a bit of inspiration! 

I am now off to finish the sewing video and film this week’s Q&A, so you may get a second post today. 

Half the battle is showing up

Inspired by my friend Wendy, I'll be trying to do a journal page a day. Or work on one everyday. Or maybe strive for 4 a week. Why, you ask?

Well, I'm having a Spoonie Day. It's characterized by a distinct lack of cohesion between my body and mind; the former is exhausted or in pain or just being plain ol' stubborn and the latter is raging against a shell that doesn't support what it wants to do. There are so many things I want to do, so many ideas swirling up there, and yet, today, I struggled to even stay awake. 

And on days like this, no matter how much I rally against it, the fact of the matter is, I have to accept it, rest, and show up tomorrow. 

What does this have to do with attempting to finish a journal page every day? 

After two naps, I was lying on my couch watching a movie, journal at my side, closed. A friend lucked upon a beautiful set of Prismacolor Art Stix at a garage sale and sent them to me -- a box of beautiful, smooth colors waiting to be used -- and I had them near me, too. And as I sat there, I remembered I'd posted on my Facebook page last night about doing a page a day, and groaned as I realized that pretty much meant I had to do one today because you can't give up on the first day out of the gate. 

So I did the page above. Mostly done those art stix, with black Stabilo pencil and a white-out pen. I had this morning's drawing class lesson still in my head, and decided to doodle and play with shading. These stix are gorgeous, and I think I'll be playing with them some more tomorrow!

The Magic of Magic + [how to] covered shipping boxes!

{my birthday present; a fujifilm instax mini 25!}

Today started in a rush. 

Last week, I forgot to go to class, so I wanted to make sure — doubly sure — my alarm went off and I headed off on-time. Leave it to me to be fumbling at ten to eight, cursing my need to change my purse, as I wouldn’t be able to stop for my new favorite drink. 

Oh, yes, I have a new favorite! I gave up Diet Coke a little over a week ago after doing some research on the connection between aspartame and pain levels (thank you, Melissa, for linking me that first article!); I’m still going through a bit of detox, as I’ve drastically cut down on how much pop I drink, but I think it’ll be worth it in the long-run. Anyway, favorite drink! It’s this all-natural pomegranate green tea — a perfect combination of healthy and yummy and all in a mega-can for $1!

As I was running late, I was bummed that I wouldn’t be able to stop for one (another thing I’ve started doing; visiting the grocery shop every day instead of stocking up). Then, yay! The piece I was working on, drawing and shading a sphere with charcoal was going well. Boo! The box looks horrible and frustrated me to the point I wanted to cry. 

Then I went to my car to be greeted by a warning from campus security — apparently, you need a permit to park in the college parking lots! Still fuming from my sad box drawing, I crossed campus to get more information, a permit, and an ID. An ID that looks silly because the woman forgot to mention I had charcoal smudged all over my face! 

Then, magic of magic, I started to smile as I headed home. 

I don’t know when this happened, really. It might be the wind that’s been sweeping through the valley all day that reminds me of those breezy days back in Chicago. Or maybe it was the absence of the pain that’s been plaguing me since Saturday. Whatever it was, I felt calm. Happy. Boppy (this means, to me, that bouncy, happy feeling that gets you bopping up and down in the driver’s seat as you “dance” to the radio!). I chanced upon my Magic Happy Drink at CVS for less than $1 each, grabbed a bright copy of Nylon (one of my favorite magazines to both read and cut up for my journals), and curled my eyelashes for the first time. 

My car got a nice, VIP wash while I doodled in my sketchbook in the warm sunshine. My studio was cleaned and a new lightbulb was found. Most of my alter was set up. 

And as I sat down to get working in my journal, the film for my pretty birthday present arrived (3 days after my birthday!). Looking at the ridiculously-sized box used for such a small item, I found I didn’t want to throw it away. I’ve already tossed a few, and wondered if there was a way I could use them in my studio to organize my daily photo habit and growing collection of found papers and scraps. Want to re-use shipping boxes, too? Here are two ideas for how you can re-cover them for use in your studio! 

 

Click the image -- it gets bigger!

1. Cut the flaps off your boxes (but save them to use as dividers when you’re done!)

2. I found that Eco Green Matte Artist’s Medium worked the best for this project. It’s the same consistency as Modge Podge, more-or-less. 

3. Spread glue on the vintage wallpaper, then burnish it to each side, wrapping it over the top and bottom. I did with in 4 separate pieces. 

4. For this box, I decoupage dyed paper towels down on the cardboard (these are just the paper towels I use to dry my brushes, etc, that I save, just in case!).

5. I then added a layer of tissue paper I wrote across with Copic markers. 

6. The finished boxes — the wallpaper’s around all four sides, and the decoupage was finished with a final paper towel layer. 

I plan on cutting down the long flaps to use as dividers between months or colors or type! I don’t know, yet, but had tons of fun making these!

As I slipped into bed for a nice, mid-afternoon nap after taking a break to read for a little bit, I couldn’t help but smile and think: 

Today’s been pretty perfect. 

Just goes to show that even the most rushed, frustrating mornings can give way to joyous afternoons. 

All the windows in my apartment are open, the wind whistling through, taking with it all the negativity, doubt, and depression that’s lingered for far too long. I’m cold, just a bit, but bundled, smiling, and writing before heading back in for more creating. 

on letting things simmer before inspiration strikes again

I seem to work in a cycle. 

I’ll run on full steam ahead for awhile. Full of new ideas, playing in my journal every day, working on paintings. 

My head is full of grand ideas and I get so much accomplished. 

And then I go into hibernation. 

I go a week without touching my journal. My days are spent messing around online. I’ll lose all motivation to do art. I’ll become a sloth, laying around on the couch (in various positions, sometimes hanging upside down). 

During that time, I’ll begin to doubt myself, wondering what’s gone wrong. Where has my love of art gone? Why can’t I manage to get up and make anything? Where have all the ideas gone?

And just before I begin to lose hope, something magical happens. 

I start creating again. 

The ideas begin to flow again. My days are spent dancing around. I work on several pages at once. I jump around from journal to painting to sewing. I churn out a workshop, maybe even two. I make videos and bounce around and feel fantastic. 

I’ve learned that the downtime in-between is when things are percolating. A lot is happening under the surface while I watch Hoarders on Netflix and eat ice cream and junk food, and I just need to trust the process and be ready when it’s all ready to come out and join the world.