Thanksgiving has come and gone, I took a couple of days to recover, and now I've decided I have to face the craft room once again and get back in the saddle. So I've started things off by opening my art journal and trying my hand at it. Goodness, it's been weeks and weeks since my last entry and I confess that it felt like I had to start all over again. I'd forgotten everything! In fact, it almost feels like I've forgotten how to work with paper at all.
I'm still keeping with my theme of change and starting over, hence the sun (new day), butterflies (evolution) and the sentiment. The background is various shades of liquid acrylic paints brushed hither and yon, then various stamps in dark turquoise and black archival inks. The sun was made with just two colors of paste acrylics, a bright yellow and a bright red. Look at what those two do to each other! I used the edge of a flat brush to put the movement inside and also for the rays, set off with a bit of charcoal pencil shading.
The butterflies were stenciled with a couple of shades of Neocolors then stenciled on top with a dark blue shimmer paint. The bodies were finished with a dark grey Copic marker.
My mother gave me the idea to use a sewing pattern for the paper underneath the "Change" sentiment. You seamstresses out there will recognize the diamond symbol as a construction symbol. This type of paper is wonderful as it practically disappears into the background when applied with a gel medium, leaving only the printing and the stamp. I will be using much more of it. As an aside, the pattern itself was from that for baby overalls that I made for my son back when he was 3 years old. (He's now 29.) Awww...
The sentiment was printed on the computer, fixed with a spray fixative, then applied with gel medium and brushed with yellow shimmer paint, outlined in red Neocolor blended with a wet brush, then edged again with a black charcoal pencil and smudged. I love a new day dawning, don't you?
Thank you so much for joining me, and please forgive the absence. These things happen, and I look forward to sharing fun projects with you more and more in the coming days.
Hugs to you all. And as always...
Happy crafting!!
7 comments:
This is beautiful Shea. I read what you've written and it's all Greek to me, I can't believe how many different mediums you used here :) I may not know much (anything) about Mixed Media but what I do know is that the colors, detailed work and creativity on this journal entry are outstanding!!!
You are a true artist of many different mediums. I love that you used a pattern from your baby son's overalls for your change page. Life sure does change over the years, but the parts of us that have made us who we are remain. Your art book page is beautiful and full of symbolism.
Nice! Good to see you back, you crafty Diva you!!! A wonderful page and so appropriate!!!
You surely haven't lost any of your talent, Shea! This is amazing! I love how you created the butterflies and used the piece from your son's overalls! So sweet!!
Shea, This is just beautiful. I don't think you've lost a bit of you mojo. Maybe it just needed a rest. I've walked away twice for over 6 months each time,and when I returned,I felt better than ever. I'm glad to see you back in the saddle! Don't be afraid to take breaks,I'm sure you'll come back stronger and more creative. It does take a lot of energy to create like we do!♥♥
Now *there's* a good recycler! Using the sewing pattern from all those years ago...the Earth thanks you. :)
What a beautiful journal entry, Shea. So poignant.
Merry Christmas to you, my friend! May the new year be filled with all kinds of wonderful things. :)
Lovely page! I haven't journaled in ages, it is on my list for 2014! Looking forward to seeing your project for Heather's Adventure!
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