a little of this, a little of that

More catch up on what I've been doing with my 365 project lately......

#230 - a journal page ala Dina Wakley.  I got her book Art Journal Freedom from the library.  Though I follow her blog and would recognize her style anywhere, I found her book intriguing and inspiring and a good reminder on the use of color and white space.

#231 - working on a couple of canvases and waiting for the modeling paste to dry.

#232 - I've done a few pages in my art journal lately - still influenced by Dina - I added a photo that I used as the inspiration for the canvas above with the modeling circles.

#233 - another journal page where I scraped white over the scribbly, messy background (cuz I hated it!)

#234 - another random, unappealing pair of pages.....I'll probably go back and paint over these too - once I get inspired.....

#235 & #236 - more lettering play on my index cards

#237 -  Inspired by Dina Wakley's book, I spent some time mindlessly cutting shapes from some of my gelli prints.  Then I spent a half hour at the sewing machine til I ran out of black thread....... You'll be seeing these little puppies showing up here, there, and everywhere!

On this American holiday Monday, hope you're having some quality time with your family OR with your art room!  :)  Make your week a creative one!

reflections on art

I follow lots of art and artist blogs - I spend my lunch hour at work catching up on what they're doing, but time is short so I do lots of skimming - only an occasional comment.  But, every once in a while a piece of art or post comments give me pause.  I came across this, posted by Dina Wakely and just had to share.  This is a partial quote - click here to read all her thoughts.  And, if you're not familiar with Dina's talent, take a moment to visit her site and get a sense of her delightful, very personal style.

• I consider what I do "art for everyone." What I mean by that is what I do is perfect for you if you have the desire to create and express, but don't necessarily have art-school-quality skill. I don't have art-school-quality skill. But I do have a burning love for art; I love making it, talking about it, looking at it. I art journal so I can express, play, and improve my skills. I art journal because if I don't pour out my soul, I go crazy. I art journal to leave my mark.
• What I do is messy. I like mess, spills, grunge. Yep, I like mess. I'm good with it. (me: I love her grungy faces filled with personality)
• Art is subjective. Yes it is, indeedy. What I do might not be art to you, and that's fine. It's art to me, and that's what matters. One of the great things about art is there are SO many types, kinds, styles. This is why I love mixed-media. The mixed-media community is generous and accepting of different types of alternative art, as well as different skill levels, without passing judgement.

I use her quote because I can't say it better myself AND I need the reminder.  "It's art to me and that's what matters".  So ladies, keep creating, keep making and sending mail art, painting, keep working in your journals, keep sharing your efforts, your progress, your joy.  We love sharing in your journey and your successes.

I finished a few more letters in my ALAW project - "PLACE" - places we've visited represented by a letter....  Melbourne (Aus), Kauai, Hangzhou (China), Nice (France), Las Vegas, Indianapolis (Indy 500)

Happy Sunday and happy creating!

out of the journal

Dina Wakley (Ponderings) is encouraging everyone to pull inspiration from your art journal and get it onto canvas.....I've been wanting to do that so took this prompt to heart.  Each Monday in August she posts the participants for the week, so if you want to join in, post today or tomorrow (Sunday) or join in next week.....

Remember that big (to me) canvas I bought at a yard sale a month or so ago?

I bought it to experiment on, so what better time than now?

I started by covering it with gesso and squirting acrylics on and then diving in and finger painting in a big, loose, messy way.

Nice bright colors but only a first layer.

After living with it a couple days decided it all needed to be knocked back so added big swooshes of gesso and left some ridges for additional texture.

Today I had the bright idea of using one of the stencils I won from Diana Trout - it's from the cathedral (I think) series and when repeated 4 times creates this wonderful square that's probably 12"x12".

That's where I am for now....making layers and seeing where it will take me.  I'm linking up this week but won't be able to next week because no work will have been done (I'm going on vacation!).