Sunday "Shine On" Journal Page

Before the sun sets on this beautiful, relaxing Sunday... 

  I just wanted to say...

  

That's right!

Shine On

9x12 Journal Page

vintage book pages, acrylic paint, scrapbook paper, 

Caran D'ache crayons, and Gelly Roll pens.

Have a fabulous start to a new week!

Let Your Dreams Fly - Journal Page

 Big dreams can be scary...and exciting at the same time.

They can make butterflies flutter in tummies and hearts beat a little faster.

At times, those little seeds of possibility make me wonder if I really CAN.

I know that even when dreams make us anxious, nervous, or unsure - I can't retreat and give up. I have to give my dreams wings and see where they can take me. If there are things that I wish for...big things...huge hopes...they are not going to simply plop down in my lap. I have to move forward, take action...do something!

For me, I sometimes lock up my aspirations in my heart and leave them there. Little things I hope for held hostage because I am afraid to set them loose. Do you ever feel like that? I am afraid that I am not good enough or people will laugh at me or failure will hunt me down. Yucky fears taking over, right!?

But, you know what I say to that...WHO cares. I can't let fear run the show. YUCK! That's no fun! I mean, really...who cares if some people don't like my art, someone will! Who cares if others don't understand what I am doing and this new found passion. I know it brings me so much joy, excitement, and a place for release. Who cares if failure grabs me by the neck and throws me down. I will pick myself back up and continue forging ahead with many lessons learned. In other words nothing is stopping me. Nothing is stopping you! :) 

Soooo, let your dreams go and watch them fly!!! I know I am. :)

Stained Wood Canvas

Yay! It's almost Friday! Thank goodness. I don't know about you, but I need the weekend. :) I wanted to thank you for the visits, new followers, and comments from my last post about the up-cycled puzzle box canvas I made. Thank you! Thank you! I am looking forward to popping around and visiting you all today on your blogs. Yipppee!

Today I wanted to share a painting I made on a left over piece of wood I stained. My Hubby did a fantastic job building a small table using plans from Ana White and first spotted on Shanty 2 Chic. While I was staining the table, I decided to stain some extra small pieces of wood I had laying around. At the time I had no idea what I would do with them, but I know I could figure something out. If not - Hello Pinterest. Right?

The original plan whirling around my head was dark brown stained wood with white paint. I pictured very simple. The usual ...funky flowers...some circles & doodles...and words. I didn't want the whole thing covered with paint. I thought lots of brown left in the background would look cool. 

So, I just grabbed the wood and started painting. No sketching. Just painty (I don't think that's a word, but I like it.), messy fun to be had. :) I didn't just stick to white, though. I had to add some blue and tiny bits of yellow. My white Gelly Roll worked well on the surface too. 

All I have to do is add a sawtooth hanger to the back and it's good to go. I'm not sure what I think about it truly. It is just really fun to try something new. For whatever reason, I sometimes really hesitate to try new things. Anybody else raising hands? Of course, it is the whole fear, self doubt creeping in. So no matter what the outcome (perhaps the trash bin) trying new things always helps us grow.

Try something new today. You never know what you may discover!

If you would like some wonderful inspiration, check out Paint Party Friday!

An Up-cycled Puzzle Box Art Canvas

 Happy Weekend!

I am am super excited to share this little project with you today. Super excited. (Cheesy grin) I have another canvas to show you made from something that would have otherwise ended up in our recycle bin. In the past I have transformed shoes boxes into pieces of art to hang on our walls, but today I used an old dollar store puzzle box. Yipppeee! Since everything in the store cost a buck this little bit of happiness was practically free. I don't know about you, BUT I love finding good deals on home decor and this is a steal. It is so super easy!  Even if you have never painted before - you can do this!

So let's get started...

Wait. Hold on. Before I start...I was a bit confused about Recycling vs. Up-cycling. The concept of up-cycling is not a new one, but the term is. Now I am NO expert but basically up-cycling is taking something headed for some land fill and creating something with equal or greater value/purpose. For example; glass bottles into a chandelier, cheese grater into earring holder (seriously), old tires into planters, etc. You get the picture. Recycling is when an item is taken and through chemical process changed back into it's initial form or something with sometimes lesser value. For example; plastics into sleeping bag filling, cardboard boxes into recycled paper, aluminum cans into new cans, etc. See the slight difference. Like I mentioned, "up-cycling" is a fairly new term. But artists, renovators, and crafters have been doing it 

for a long time!

OK. Now, let's get started! :)

First, find any box you want to save from the recycle bin.

 Use old book pages to cover the surface.

Glue down the pages using matte medium or Mod Podge. I used Mod Podge for this one. To avoid bubbles try using an old credit card or something flat to burnish it to the surface. The paper not only creates fab texture for the background, but it also reinforcing the box to make it more sturdy. It did come from a dollar store...so it's not the strongest. :)

Don't forget the edges!

 

Here it is just waiting for some gesso.

I covered the surface with Liquitex gesso. I put down a pretty think layer in places so I could doodle and mark into it. I love the added texture that it creates.

 

Now, choose a color palette. Hmmmm, I think I see some turquoise. Lol. It is still my absolute favorite. 

Add some color using your fingers and an occasional paintbrush. :) I can't tell you how much I love painting with my fingers. The placement of the color can be so random and plus it is just way too much fun! Welcome back to Kindergarten. 

I painted some butterfly chipboard pieces I had in my stash using a contrasting color to make them pop. After they dried, I attached them using some foam adhesive squares from Recollections. I knew I wanted some dimension and these worked perfectly. 

I doodled some more with a white Gelly Roll and added some white rub-ons.

There you have it! 

I love how this little puzzle box turned out. It will look perfect on my wall and I can't beat the one dollar price tag. So, the next time you are about to throw something out...take a second look at it. Maybe it is just waiting to be turned into something fabulous! :)

Linking up with Paint Party Friday and Studio JRU.

Black and White Journal Page

 Hi everybody! I hope your week is going well. I have been meaning to post this for a couple of days. I apparently have an issue with time management. :) But, I have been doing a lot of painting, journaling, playing, and brainstorming - which is all fabulous! Soooo....

Last week for Art Journaling with Aaron & Jenny (Everyday is a Holiday), the challenge was to use mainly black and white on a journal spread. I immediately thought of a simple black sharpie pen on white. Simple. But, ohhhh so fun! There is something so relaxing about doodling. Don't you think?? Maybe it's because it takes me back to 8th grade and drawing on my peachie folder (some of you may remember those). I had recently scooped up a few rolls of washi tape at Michaels. I wanted to use them too. I love washi tape! LOVE. I know it's early to start thinking Christmas - but, they do make the perfect stocking stuffer. Hint. Hint. :)

I decided to doodle some whimsical flowers. The great thing about Sharpies is the commitment you have to have to put lines down. I can't erase something like I can with my pencil. So I just have to go for it when I use pen. 

Then I wanted to add another color. Not a whole rainbow of color...

just a little blue wash.

I used metallic blue Gelly Roll pen to add little blue details. The metallic pens work so well. I love how easily the ink flows and writes. I also added the washi tape and made some scribbles with a white pen. Here it is all finished.

Today is a new day.

Yes! Thank you! I am SO glad that we can greet each day 

with newness and potential. 

Even if nothing gets done or I was able to cross only one thing off my To Do list or yesterday wasn't so great...I know today is a new "clean slate."

It is waiting for me to make the most of it! :)

Have a Beautiful Day!

Come visit Everyday is a Holiday right here!

Evolution of a Girl

I love watching or seeing the progress of a painting. Don't you? It is so interesting to see how a creative idea starts, where it goes along the way, and the final outcome. There is such beauty in the process. Sometimes, I get so fixated on the end result that the journey becomes stressed and not too enjoyable. That is not what I want. Who would want that? So I gently remind myself to relax and let things unfold naturally.

 Many times paintings (or creative projects) begin with no intention. The painting simply reveals itself as the layers build. I have to remind myself to be patient though. Even through the "ugly" stage...patience. There is beauty on the other side.

There is such beauty in just letting the art flow too...no intention...no expectation...full of possibility...full of promise. 

When paint was first laid down on this page I had no idea what it would become. It was actually just a page used to capture left over paint, excess paint from stencils, and a place to wipe my messy (happy) hands. I always have extra paper, a journal page, newspaper, book pages, or tissue paper handy when I am working on something. Any excess is slapped right down. I know I will be able to use it later. I hate wasting my paint...even the cheap craft paint! :) The page started out something like this. I forgot to take a picture of the actual background.

There it sat for weeks. Then one night while watching some horrible (Oh, but I love it!) reality TV, I sketched this face. I like keeping a notebook, journal, or random paper with me while I watch TV. You never know when inspiration will hit or when you might be bored out of your mind! :)

Yesterday, I grabbed her while my kiddies slept and painted away. I love using Caran D'Ache crayons and gesso for portraits. I rarely use white acrylic for faces. I don't know why. I just really like the way the gesso blends the colors. You can see that I am still enamored with pink hair. (I would never get pink hair. That is too scary for me. But, I love it on other girls. I think I am too old for pink hair too. Is there an age limit? Lol.)

I kept thinking about the three hearts up top (from leftover paint & a stencil). These words came to mind....

Love will always find its way to you.

It will! I promise! If you feel like love has hit the road today...hang tight. 

It will return! It always finds its way back.)

So there you go...an evolution of a girl. Once the wasteland of excess paint with no intention to a fun little journal page. :)

Hoping you are surrounded by tons of love this weekend!

XO,

Online Classes and Brave Girl Art School

  
Today I am working on some lessons from my Life Book class with artsy goodies everywhere, Florence and the Machine blasting, hands messy, and hair up (that means I am serious. Lol). I really love online classes. It gives me an opportunity to learn new techniques, join vibrant art communities, challenge myself, and grow as an artist. If $$$ wasn't an issue I would take a bunch. But, unfortunately money does not grow on trees so I have to pace myself.  :)

I am happy to say that one of my favorite artists, Melody Ross, is heading up Brave Girl Art School. It sounds like an amazing 6 weeks and I am sure it will be packed full with positive, affirming artistic fun. I am most excited about BG Art School because Melody is such a wonderful, caring teacher and there is always so much heart behind everything she does. I took Soul Restoration 1 and 2 with the Brave Girls. It was wonderful, so I am sure this will be too. :) Here is a video so you can check it out if you haven't already! Ohhh, and remember...everyone has a little artist in them just waiting to come out!!


 

I hope to get more of my Life Book lessons finished, so I can share them. But, my goodness there is ALOT to do! :) I hope your Monday is a happy one.  

Happy Creating!

A Quick Sunday Sketch

It's late.

Sunday is almost over where I am.

But, it was a good one....coffee with my Honey, church, sunshine, heart to heart talks, family, friends, dancing, a birthday party, and a Sunday sketch. Such a lovely day!

I hope your Sunday was lovely too!

XO,

Rejoice in the Simple Things - Journal Page

Hello my friends! Happy weekend. Happy loooong weekend in the States! School just started for us, but I was VERY excited to have 3 days off. Shouldn't every weekend be like that? We are only two weeks into the school year, and I am already looking forward to the lazy days of next summer. Lol! Just having that one extra day with my family makes my heart sing. :)

This last week, I started on another journal page from my portrait journal. I was inspired by Jenny & Aaron from Everyday is a Holiday who are sharing their wonderful creativity for an art journal class each Thursday. I love, love, LOVE the color palette this week. It was so much fun to work with!

I started by laying down some random scrapbook paper, vintage music sheets, and gesso. I also used some of the craft paper that I line my table with to add some texture. Whenever I change the paper (after I let it get grungy) I tear it into small pieces to use later. You can see it on this page in the bottom left corner. Next I added some acrylic paint and some more gesso using a popsicle stick. I love the texture gesso creates when I glob it on thick. 

I sprayed a white doily using fabric spray (post about it here), let it dry, and then attached it to the corner. It started to look like a body, so from there my girl was born. I love how she is turning out. Look at that pink hair! Love. I think the pink hair comes from secretly wishing I could dye my hair pink, loving Jenny's, and Daniele's fabulous style too. :) I added more paint, washi tape (new obssession - like I need more!) and words.

When I needed to choose some words, I looked through the stash I keep in a file folder by my table. The words...Her days were spent rejoicing in the simple things...jumped out at me immediately. I had recently read this amazing blog post written by the ever beautiful artist Melody Ross. I can speak for myself in saying that I take so much for granted...so much. The simple fact that I was able to get out of bed today and face this amazingly beautiful day God created with a healthy body, healthy children & Hubby, with food on my plate, a roof over my head, and hours filled with laughter - I am lucky. I am grateful. I am rejoicing in the simpleness that makes this life so wonderful. :)