TBTH: Monday February 27, 2012

What's so significant about this date?

Um...nothing.

But it is a Throwback Thursday! So I looked up the oldest post on the blog where I had shared a journal page. The very beginning of my art journaling obsession so to speak.

This was THE POST.

This was the photo.

It's kinda neat to look back into where I began all this. I've been in the mood to "spring clean"...you know, the need to purge the clutter of everyday life. I saw my stash of past art journals and almost began to page through them. I didn't as I needed to have the feeling of a completed project under my belt. But the next time I stare at a page too long, those babies are coming off the shelf for some fun!

I was also staggered by the fact that I started this in 2012. I really didn't feel I had been at it that long. But a whole 5 years has elapsed since that post. I hope that means that I love it so much that time stands still. If I had to tell someone how long I'd been art journaling, I would have said "a couple years"...but 5?! Wow, I didn't know.

I also admit that I don't think I'm much good company if I don't art journal. I enjoy the time spent choosing colors, stencils, media, and words/quotes. It had led me into other "hard core" art things like acrylic paint, and canvas' of all sizes. It has allowed me to play and to experiment. It has taught me what I like and what I don't like. It has clarified my definitions. It has excited me.

So I think for this Throwback Thursday, I have re-discovered my enjoyment for art journaling. I am grateful for the lessons it has taught me. I am grateful for those artists who have shared their knowledge with the internet so that people like me can learn new things and nurture our creative sides. 

In a world where reality is slowly closing in on all facets of life, it's important to have a place of peace and quiet; a place of creativity and imagination; a place without technology; a place that we make for ourselves. For me, that is my art journal.

-Wy

6 X 6 (2)

These are more 6 X 6 art pages inspired by the Rachel Black challenge group, Artful Evidence. #artfulevidence.

Week 4: Tea or Coffee: Almost Coffee.  I rather dreaded this one. It was watercolors and sketching. But despite being outside my comfort zone, I plunged in there and like the results. Even though, it wasn't my cup of tea, technically it's my cup of cocoa, and it works for me. :)

Week 5: Drips and Splatters: Be Your Art.  Nothing I like to do more in my art than splatter paint around the background. I can never get drips to come out the way I like but for interest I added copper paint in over the black. It helped. I loved the background colors too much to do anything else.

Week 6: Spring: Robin Returns.   I made a couple "mistakes" on this one but they are so minor that I only mention them in case it's helpful to someone else. I wanted a soft colored background but the paint I used came out very bright. I was trying to mimic the colors used by Rachel but my watered down versions weren't sticking well. Anyway, to fix the problem I just went over the background with a coat of gesso. I rather like the "white washed" feel it gives the piece. I also, went a bit too far with the texture paste...the little dots. Despite these things, I very much love this page.

Week 7: Tags:  Mimic.  Rachel's example was so up my alley that I decided to replicate it as close as possible. I came pretty damn close. I just love the pop of hot pink against the green. And that black and white contrast...swoon! Seriously, I love the way ink colors pop on this watercolor paper!

If you'd like to see some more inspiration, join the Facebook group, Artful Evidence. Or search by the hashtag, #artfulevidence. You can also find Rachel's videos on her YouTube channel. She does many more videos than just the challenge. (I only mention it in case you'd like to see more inspiration. I don't get anything out of it.)

-Wy

Finishing Some More Little Things

"Size matters not. Judge me by my size, do you? And well you should not."

Field of Poppies:  I've had the blue and green on this canvas for a long time. Decided to just finish it with red poppies. Or lollipops. Your choice.

Rainbow Bird:  I also had the green and most of the blue on this as well. I think I finally figured out that I don't have to reinvent the wheel. I just need to stick with stuff I like.

Have a great day!
-Wy