Finished Spread.

Hello All,

I managed to finish my spread that I posted a few days ago. I was going to paint a portrait in it but liked the background so much that, in the end, I decided to keep it simple.

The colours seems so sunny and happy to me and it made me think about this summer and all the fun we have had as a family. I love being able to spend quality time with my girls and they are growing so fast. It made me realise how precious these summers are whilst they are little and so I added a journal entry to remind me to soak it all up, savour the summers and carry the memories with me.

Hope you like it!

Bye for now xx

Shopping!

Hello All,

This week I been watching quite a few you tube vids and it inspired me to purchase a few new things. I found that a lot of people are using dylusion paints and the colours look really good so I have ordered a few to try and also a few fab stencils from www.stencilgirlproducts.com.
The other thing on the way is some mapped colorpeps smoothy crayons which all the reviews I have read say are very similar to gelatos (but cheaper) and that the colours are really vivid. Looking forward to it all arriving so I can have a play. I hope to make a new vid, trying out some of the stuff.

Also on you tube this week I watched a fab vid by Julie Fan-Fei Balzer. If you haven't seen her work, check it out, she is really good. Her You Tube channel is:

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYS7gznVtfxvVQsKOW1Jiww

The vid I watched shows Julie using some simple but very effective mark making. Mark making is something I like but more often than not forget to do. I decided to create a background in my art journal inspired by Julie:

I started with a gelli print, pealescent paint, brushos and modelling paste before adding stencils and my mark making. I think I am going to attempt a portrait or a figure of some kind over the top but not sure yet. I will post a piccie up again when it's finished.

Bye for now xx

Progress

Hello All,

This week I have been busy working on my commission which is coming along. It is really good to be doing some large scale work again. It has been ages since I have worked on canvas. Here it is again so far:

I also signed up for this months Art Swap on journalworkshops.ning.com. This month the challenge is to create a shabby chic journal page. It is not my usual style so it will be really good to have a play and see what I can come up with.

Also coming up is my stall next weekend. Everything is ready so fingers crossed I will sell a few bits!

Bye for now! x

Play

Hello All!

I just got some new Daler Rowney shimmering colour inks and pigment powders and so had a quick hour having a play on the back of and old cardboard box.

I really like the vivid colours and the shimmer in both the inks and powders is really nice. You have to give the inks a good stir each time because the pigment settles at the bottom but they are lovely colours. The pigment powders are really versatile as you can mix them into paints or mediums or add water to make shimmer sprays. Definitely a good buy!

I also managed to finally make a start on the background of one of my commissions, here is what I have done so far.

Detail

It will be a portrait of a guy who is a musician, hence the music and instruments. Adding loads of texture and lots of yummy colour, can't wait to get back to it now!

Bye for now, x

Dovefest Stall

Hello All,

In a few weeks times I will be selling my wares at a craft stall at Dovefest (free family music festival in Doveridge) I have been very busy trying to get all the stock ready and I feel I am finally getting there!

Another four journals and more tags to go! Fingers crossed I manage to sell some of it!

Also bought my canvasses in preparation for my commissions so looking forward to making a start on them, hopefully within the next few days! eeek.

Bye for now! x

New Video

Hello All,

As promised my new video! This shows me making one of the mixed media tags that I made for July's art swap. In it I use a variety of techniques and mediums. I hope you enjoy it! Please feel free to leave a comment :)

Bye for now! xx

Monthly Challenge

Hello All,

The monthly challenge on journalworkshops.ning.com  for August is 'Windows and doors' I didn't start the page as the challenge but it must have been on my mind cause it just kinda happened.

I initially thought about cutting windows into my page for the challenge but as I worked on the background for this page I was really enjoying the colours which inspired me to add my new stained glass window stamp and then as I was sorting through some old magazines I found the quote and it all just fit! I really like how it turned out :)

Bye for now!

Holiday page

Hello All!

Just got back from a lovely family hol in Angelsey. Lots of beach combing, making sandcastles and paddling, walking and visiting castles and cafes. It was Lovely :) This is the reason I haven't posted for a week but I did manage to take some art stuff with me and get some journaling done. Here is a piece I managed to do in my altered book.

I was inspired by all the beachy colours and the all the flotsam and jetsam washed up. The painting is my daughter and brother in law having a paddle. I am pleased with how it turned out. It has loads of texture to it and for me really expresses the seaside.

Now back to work, loads to do! I also have a new vid that I will be posting up hopefully later today.

Bye for now! xx