Tu Tu Tutorial Time...

Ever since "Wild Art" classes... 

I've been looking at the concept of the journal book 

in a whole new light.

It has become a place to experiment,

a place to p l a y 

a place to  e x p l o r e  and make mistakes

and a place of pure f r e e d o m !

I am sharing a technique that I 've been using with kids for years.

It's funny how the simplest ideas can sometimes 

translate into the loveliest of creations.

Grab yourself some foam sheets at the craft store 

and see what artistry you'll create!

Foam sheets? 

Who would think 

these handy dandy foam sheets 

would serve as a cool base 

to make a basic monoprint with?

You'll need two brayers, some block printing ink, a sheet of glass 

and a ball point pen to play with.

Use the ball point pen to draw some designs into the foam sheets.

I chose organic images, as I was planning on 

making subtle background patterns on my journal page spread.

The harder the impression you make with the pen, 

the better the result you will get when you transfer the design.

mmm... pretty...

I already had some block printing ink, but bought a fresh tube of white. 
I chose white, because I wanted to go over 
some other colors that I had previously put on my pages.

When you are done drawing the images, 

roll out some ink on the glass with your brayer.

The plan is to get a good coat of ink on the drawing side of the foam sheet.

Getting a fair amount of ink, should insure a good clean transfer of image.

When ready... flip the foam in the position you want it on the page, 

apply pressure and roll evenly with your second (clean) brayer. 

(oh- did I mention... the transfer will come out backwards from the drawing...

usually not a problem, unless you are writing words...)

This sample shows my first sneak peek, 

where I can tell 

that I needed to get heavier on my ink.

Much better... now I was ready to print on my pages... 

Below is the finished spread. 

I used two different images to transfer. 

I love how the white ink made a subtle pattern on the page, 

and also picked up some faint blue 

from the ball point pen in places.

So much fun, with such a simple process. 
What will you create? 

(Would love to hear if you try it out)

Planting seeds... and Heart Experiences...

This time of year is a little different for us...

 west coast cali-peeps. 

It's easer to lose track of the seasons, in a way... 

because the markers are much more subtle. 

Cold is 45 degree's and rain is... well...

oh my... blocking the sun from shining. 

The hills reflect light off of a carpet of green. 

Lavender blooms and camellia's burst alive with color.

All of this being  

somewhat of a pre-Spring...

before winter seeds 

come to a full bloom.

I always like this time of year, 

because  

a r t  s e e d s  

planted from the new year

have been taking root.

One of  my seeds included 

creating an art & word journaling class, 

to be shared with 

a Life Group in my home.

 

I've been planning lessons to share with this lovely group of women, 

to encourage expression, spiritual connection and bravery.

I create my sample pages to encourage everyone to 

not   f e a r 

be  f r e e 

and  e x p r e s s.

We talk about "artistic license"a lot...

 and that there are no mistakes, 

just  g r o w t h.

I  have been humbly amazed at the connection that has been made.

The fear that dissolved, and the spirit that is continually felt among us 

when we gather to create.

Take a peek at what a lovely group can do, 

who were fearful of the concept of "self-portrait"

who thought they had no artistic ability...

who all looked at me with raised eyebrows 

when I mentioned the words

"take a picture of yourself on your phone..."

Our h e a r t s became full, 

as the tension went away, 

and everyone got in their own art space.

I am simply  a m a z e d ...

grateful for 

new seeds of growth. 

(Matthew 18:20)

"For when two or three come together in my name, there am I among them." 

...soooo thankful to Junelle Jacobsen for teaching Wild Art to us all, so we can share the process of art journaling in the world and connect hearts... There's still time to signup for Junelle's Spring Workshop~ 

I soooo highly recommend it~ best class ever!

BLOG HOPPING...on a Saturday

Welcome to the official 

Art of Wild Abandonment 

bloghop post!

If you've made it here, you've probably popped by after visiting with the lovely

Valerie Hebert at

www.valsartstudio.blogspot.com

(wasn't her birdie just grand! Love her work- and she has a cool name too!)

This bloghop was created to showcase some of the work that we've created 

after learning from two absolutely fabulous artistes

Junelle Jacobsen

& Christy Tomlinson

There are around 50 artist's that are part of this lovely group 

who have been using watercolor, acrylic, pan pastels, gesso, pitt & scarlet lime pens,

fabric, parchment paper... and the list goes on... 

to create and express in their journal books in their own style.

I first came across Junelle's blog... yes and amen

a year or so ago, 

and I was fascinated, enchanted and just downright hooked 

on her every word and every image.

Immediate connection~ girl crush~ kindred spirit~ God connection....

But it was the journal pages that she posted 

that would touch the inner most part of me! 

I often thought how I'd love to learn to express like that!

And along came this class!

I am forever grateful to Junelle for her teaching...

What a joy it has been creating this book- my art life is forever changed 

having learned a new way to express and create 

alongside a fabulous community of people.

So, I've decided to complete the cover of my journal book 

"a la Junelle"...

Ta DAhhhhhh!

I'm loving the nest feeling, stuck on my watercolor poppies, 

enjoying making leaves out of the pages I tore out from the book, 

and always layering paper and paints to make interesting things happen.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Here are a couple more spreads from the inside of the book. 

I do  L O V E  my watercolor paints!

My previous post highlights one special spread and the story behind it.

Gratitude to all of my bloggy, wild & artsy with abandon friends!!!

When traveling on, be sure to stop by and see what Gina Lee Kim is up to.  

 http://ginaleekim.blogspot.com/ 

Many thanks to Claire at 

http://clairesmillie.wordpress.com/

for her hard work in organizing this bloggy good time!

It's a matter of TRUSTing...

...courage in the heart 

a r t i s t

within the soul...

...I was presented with an art challenge last month...

Did you ever pray for something,

to find that your prayer was answered... 

but not quite in the way you had expected??

I am solid on the thought, to ask God for what you want or dream of, 

be prepared to accept what you get, 

and know that God had a sense of humor.

 I giggle while stating this...  

as I was tested on these very words last month.

The past year or so, I've been in a transitional stage. 

For those of you who know me well, 

or who have been kind enough to follow along...

you've known that I've been working toward a transition

 from my graphic design business

to creating my own art, as the main "soul business" in my life. 

I long to paint, develop my work, and share an art story that connects with others 

and encourages others to grow in their gifts.

Along with various e-courses that I've taken and shared here on my blog 

(Flying Lessons, Hello Soul Hello Business and The Art of Wild Abandonment) 

I've been hard at work, developing my direction, 

figuring out my path, and planning 

the who's, what's and how's of it all. 

And then along came a request- 

to paint a "live" painting at church on Easter Sunday...

seriously??? Live??? 

(In our house we say "thub, thub, thub, thub, when there are no words....)
Uh... I don't get up in front of groups of people. 
(That is why I have no singing voice- God knew exactly what he was doing- no performing for her!) 
I am not one to speak in front of crowds real well. 
I am not one to "perform" in any way to a group.
I looked behind me to see if that question was truly asked of me, 
or if there was someone else behind me 
that was being spoken to.


A lot of things started to become very clear 
in the fearful moments, days, and weeks leading up to this 
a r t   c h a l l e n g e
I know that I was challenged to do this for a many layered purpose...
I needed to listen, trust, and know that if I ever wanted to create a body of work that speaks to people, it would be a most invaluable  
gift

to create in front of a group.


It would prepare me in so many ways, for all of the things I've been asking for... 
especially sharing an art story that connects with others 
and encourages others to grow their gifts.

 and so, 
through the fear... 
(and it was real FEAR- ask any of my friends 
that I spoke incessantly to leading up to the event! 
And the thub, thub, thubbing....)

and through the deafening thoughts
of the how's and what's...
I was put in the ultimate place of 
trust
and I am grateful! 

The journal expression above, 
that came from my worries, 
my thoughts of inadequacy, 
and my fear's... 
was created through the process of preparation, 
for that day.
It was born from such a tender place
and brought much clarity.
Whether you have a belief in God, 
spirit, 
or an inner voice...
it's an amazing experience to learn to 
trust.


By the way... if you like seeing journal pages-
the lovely creatives, that I've shared an e-course with  
(The Art of Wild Abandonment-taught by Junelle Jacobson & Christy Tomlinson)
and I, are sharing in a bloghop tomorrow. 
We are all going to post a project that we've created, 
having been inspired by the techniques
we learned together and link to each other's blogs. 
If you stop by tomorrow, there will be another post to enjoy, 
and a lot of other journal art to connect with. 

I'm also sharing a special surprise tomorrow 
that has to do with one of my watercolor paintings...
hint: discount code: TRUST

Changes in an Art Life...

Have you ever had that feeling that things are about to change? 

That feeling deep in your gut

that you know you are on the pinnacle 

of something shifting?

admission...

"change is hard".

I started out this year with an anticipation of big change.

Pursuing and persisting after it.

Being bold, by taking two courses 

to help navigate the way 

toward a new

a r t   l i f e

Being brave, 

by taking 
one challenging art business course, 

while igniting 
my creative side 

with a 
free & wild 
art journaling class.

I've been on a soul searching journey,

knowing well, that
 a lot of work had to be done
 in preparing to 

redirect and create 
what I really want from this

a r t   l i f e.

I spoke about this incredible soulful business course in my last post...
(Hello Soul Hello Business::  by the notable & wonderful Kelly Rae Roberts & Beth Nichols)

 It is happening...

I can see the pieces 
being reorganized.


...and it is really hard work... who'd think it?

It's kicking my butt,

making me face fears,

and showing me that  
transitioning to 
any new
a r t   l i f e 

takes time, effort, soul, and a whole lotta of work. 
So, this is where I've been at... working on the soul,
 of my... soon to be... new...
a r t   l i f e
In a space of exploring my art style through journaling and painting.
(the best class ever by Christy Tomlinson:: The Art of Wild Abandonment
featuring art journaling with Junelle Jacobson  & Christy Tomlinson) 


In a space of learning, and planning... 
In a space of incredible creativity and fun,
and in a space 
that is pushing so much on the left side of my brain 
that it may actually burst! 
So grateful, for the journaling right brain class 
to keep it all in balance.

...so thank goodness for 

Spring
and all of the change it brings...


the season that reminds us 
to see new blossoms...
that season that teaches us to anticipate
growth and beauty.

(and in case I haven't officially said it, the "new art life" is all about creating a space 

to sell my art paintings, offer workshops, and develop soulful ways to share the gifts I've been given

 to bring creativity, connection, and joyfulness, while inspiring others to see the gifts in themselves .)  

An unofficial vision statement.... hmmmm....

(Note:: the painting at the top is a 36 x 48 acrylic, intuitive- 

prints soon to be available in my etsy shop... 

taking big steps...)

linking up with Jennifer & the artistes at studiojru