Immersed in art journal "play"

It was sad when Teresa McFayden's Art Journalista e-workshop ended a few days ago.  After four weeks of art play and experimentation... I just couldn't stop when Teresa waved goodbye to us in the last video.  Her guidance was so inspirational, and a great springboard for page ideas.  When the class ended, I took a look at my journal... loving the pages we had created together.  My book had many blank pages left to fill... sooooooooo I decided to "show up" in my little art studio most days just to see what I could create.

As a mixed media artist, one collects a plethora of ephemera... so great to have on hand, but hard to keep organized and "corralled". If I can't find it,  I usually don't remember that I even have it.  With that thought in mind, I decided to have a major clean-out of all my stash...  The purge proved to be the impetus to moving in new paths, using different materials in various ways.

My pal, Kristi, mentioned using molding paste on lutradur.... so I just had to try the process on a pocket in my journal. Just yummy...

 While I was into the molding paste jar, I thought about trying to use it with another stencil on my ever-favorite scrim.   It turned out really great.

 I cut it into shards and used it on different pages as an accent.

Layered backgrounds have always been one of my favorite "looks".  After an image transfer and layers of stains, crayons and a bit of glitter, I loved the mood of this page.

As every artist knows, it's often really scary to look at the blank, white page.  I have found the best cure for this dilemma is to just get my hands moving... and then wonderful things often happen.

Getting the hands moving, while listening to one's longings is really all it takes.  Every page won't be perfection, but true growth will happen... and that is quite an accomplishment for me.

I hope you'll take some time to listen to your heart, and then spend some moments doing something you truly love.  

So glad to see the sun...

My roses and all my other flowers in the yard have loved the cooler days and showers we have had this week.  It was certainly a respite after a string of days above 100 degrees.  But today, the sun returned and I am basking in its glory.  

During some of the gloomier days, I stayed in my little art studio and played to my heart's content.  Here is my glittering art journalista... with all the things that inspire her...

Learning to use a new phone app with very cool fonts was also part of the fun. I was even snapping pictures of the banana pudding I made for our 4th of July cookout.

Combining the phone app altered pictures with washi tapes, sprays, doodles and a hidden pocket made for a new kind of journal page.  I always love hidden compartments and glimmer-misted tags...

One of my favorite spreads involved altered magazine pictures, and a nifty grid, sewn on with black thread...  This "dream cottage" feels like a perfect getaway... one could lose oneself in the visions.

Back to my own little cottage on Garrison... with two sweet pups by my side... Maybe we'll take a seat on the porch and rock a bit as the shadows fall... lovely indeed...

Welcome July...

Where did my beloved June go??? It flew away so quickly, I can't believe it!  I do love steamy July, too... looking forward to the celebrations and excitement of the month.  I have been immersed in my "creative flow" of late, quite a satisfying feeling.  Summer is such a perfect time for me to get lost in the creative play... just letting go...


I mentioned earlier that I have enjoyed new writing magic, too.  A package arrived a few days ago and I was thrilled to try yet another great pen-- a Monteverde fountain pen in a favorite color of soft turquiose.  My pen is loaded with a gorgeous Diamine ink called Steel Blue... a truly lovely color.  Have you heard of ECOJOT journals?  I bought one several years ago and fell in love.  They are made in Canada, very "earth- friendly", and have the cutest covers ever!  I snagged this one a few days ago at the local book store, and my writing spot really is a "happy place".

Another obsession of mine lately has been tape... plain old masking tape that I have splattered and dripped paint on.  Here is a journal page I completed experimenting with tape...

Masking tape is great, but then there are so many patterns of washi tape... Oh, my goodness... and Etsy has the best selection, ever!!!  Here is the title page of my Art Journalista journal, showcasing washi tapes...

This has been the summer for color love, for sure... and color - slathered, dripped and layered, has found its way onto all my creations.  Here is a page from my journal of "my very own" rules for art play.

Are you cleaning the grill, buying some firecrackers and getting ready for a "sparkling" good 4th of July???  May you take time to count your blessings and enjoy this wonderful holiday, celebrating the birth of our great nation.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

An affair with writing

Do you love to write with a wonderful pen?  How long has it been since you have written with a fabulous fountain pen?  I have recently loved playing with a dip pen.  They are great fun, but I sometimes have difficulty getting the right flow of the ink on the nib.  There is definitely an art to that!
I was recently introduced, via Joanne Sharpe, to the awesome Goulet Pen Company.  The couple who own the company- Brian and Rachel Goulet, are just the nicest people to shop with. They have a HUGE selection of the best pens, inks, and really quality paper.

With my first order ( uh uh, yes... my first order) I started out with two NOODLER FLEX pens and black and brown ink.  As soon as I started writing, I was totally HOOKED!  One of the best things they offer are their ink samples... They carry literally HUNDREDS of ink choices in every color under the sun.  The samples are very reasonably priced, and I can fill the barrel of my pen several times with just one sample... INK HEAVEN, for sure!!!   As you can see, I have already sampled some delicious colors.  My little Play, Practice, Write, Repeat sampler is done with my Copics collection.  Oh, I do LOVE my art supplies... I am truly an art supply junkie...  I need a 12-step program!!!

I had never bought any of the journals that the Goulets carry, and I am smitten with the quality of the RHODIA webbie...  It is perfection to write on... With my new Lamy, the words glide over the page like melted butter... divine...

I can't wait for some more quiet moments to think and spill ideas at my cozy writing spot.  Writing is really good for the soul.  May all your stories be good ones...

Summer solstice

As we welcome the summer solstice tomorrow, I am immersed in fun new mixed media adventures in my little art haven.   I have so much fun rearranging all my stash... always looking for a better way to keep things I use most--right at my fingertips.

I ADORE trying new products and I often do sample the newest things that art pals recommend, or those I read about on my favorite blogs.  It is a rush to get new "toys", but lately I have been having a blast "swatching" all my markers, crayons, and sprays.  Getting a sample down on paper is a fantastic way to really "see" what I have... Packaging can be deceiving as to true color.  So now I have all my samples on cute little rings...  Choosing colors for future projects will be so much easier with these little jewels at the ready.

 I am taking two of Joanne Sharpe's delightful classes.  My lettering can always use some pizzazz,
so LETTER LOVE is a wonderful exploration into play with all kinds of alphabets.  Here's one of my first letter entries...

I'm also loving another of Joanne's online classes-- Color Love 101.  Exploration with many kinds of color media is right up my alley.  Here is the title page of my Color Lovin' journal.

Today I also began the new journal class by the delightful Teresa McFayden.  Her newest class is ART JOURNALISTA.  Day one has been such fun... and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.  I have taken almost every class Teresa has taught and she is always a favorite... such a talent, and so sweet to boot! 

I know I have lots on my "art plate" this summer... but that's just the way I like it.  I also have my KINDLE charged and ready for some exciting summer reading.  Here's hoping you're having fun with some summer pursuits, too!  

Welcome summer

School's out for summer!!!! YIPPEE!!!  I have had a truly rewarding experience this semester teaching Algebra I remediation classes at a local high school.  The exams are over.  Our students, overall, did exceptionally well, and I am ecstatic!  The TI-84 PLUS calculators, the piles of papers,  graphic organizers and sharp pencils are put away for the summer.


I'm sorry to have been away from my blog for so long, but I have been pretty immersed in life lately. School got so busy toward the end, but now I have some time to enjoy summer, and get back to some creative pursuits.

With the lazy, hazy days of summer upon us, I turn to things here on Garrison.   I adore having more time to be in my favorite spot---HOME SWEET HOME. Spending time out on the back porch with a great book and a tall glass of iced sweet tea sounds like heaven to me most any day.

 When it's too hot for my outside space, I love to be inside, too. I find myself wanting a bit of a "spruce up"... a "pick-me-up" to spice things up.  I found a fabulous treasure at a local antique shop a couple of years ago.  It was such a find... in great condition, and in the most luscious "baby jane" pink!  How could I turn it down???  It has lived in my bedroom, displaying assorted mixed media pieces that I have made and others that have been given to me. I loved that purpose for it, but it was time for a change!

I also collect lovely old china... ALWAYS containing roses somewhere on the pattern.  I adore anything with roses on it.  I don't have a big set of anything... just a fun collection of pieces I have snagged as I have traveled about.  Not having tons of kitchen cupboard space, I came upon the idea of bringing this pink beauty into the family room, opposite the kitchen table, as a display for these "lovelies" stored in the cabinets. As I went deeper into the cupboards, I found so many pieces that I had forgotten about... out of sight, out of mind... Now they have found a wonderful new home...  where I pass them every time I go down the hallway.

Having a cup of morning coffee, or a plate of iced lemon cookies will be such a pleasure, as I pull out one of these favorites to serve with.

The biggest decision may be which "old piece" to use today.  Don't you love old things, treasures that may have a story ???  I adore mixing the old with the new.  It makes things so much more fun!!!

Some of life's greatest joys really are in the "small things"... the everyday things that don't cost much at all.   I hope you'll enjoy some of the everyday joys in your life today. 

I have signed up for Joanne Sharpe's new class called "COLOR LOVE 101"  It sounds like loads of new inspiration for me.  I'm just back from getting my hair trimmed, and luckily the craft store is almost next door to the salon.  I had most of the supplies needed from my stash, but picked up just a couple of things so I will be ready to go next Monday.  Can't wait!!!  I hope to have some new artwork to post soon...It's been way too long...  

Pour yourself some tea... hot or iced... and enjoy this lovely June day!

Happy Mothers' Day

"A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary."  Dorothy Canfield Fisher

This is my maternal grandmother, Maude Conley Seagle holding my mother, with mother's oldest sister Katherine standing beside them.

Mother was such a beautiful young girl.

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, and their hearts forever."

Three gorgeous sisters and mothers-- Lib, Doris and Katherine Seagle

"God could not be everywhere and therefore He made mothers."  Jewish Proverb

"I remember my mother's prayers, and they have always followed me. They have clung to me my whole life".    Abraham Lincoln

"Other things may change us, but we start and end with family".   Anthony Brandt

" All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."   Abraham Lincoln

"As is the mother, so is her daughter."    

Ezekiel  16:4

I am forever grateful to have been given such a wonderful mother and friend.  

Happy Mothers' Day

2012