This week I revisited a past project,
a journal page created on watercolour paper entitled Believe,
as I wanted to add it to my altered book Art Journal.
The background pages already had a coat of clear gesso applied.
I added colour using Eco Green Crafts acrylic paints
(Pistachio, Tide Pool, Waterfall & White).
Whilst the paint was still wet, I sprinkled Perfect Pearls
(Blue Patina & Green Patina)
& splashed some diluted Distress Ink over the top
(broken china).
To finish I stamped a dot border on some of the page edges using white ink.
You can see the border in this photograph going across the top of the page.
I cut my journal page up & used a strong wet glue
to adhered the pieces onto the painted background.
One advantage of using an altered book as the basis of an art journal,
is that you can incorporate found words into your layout.
The two I found on this page are creative & imagine.
Before I covered the pages in gesso,
these two words were protected with a coating of drawing gum.
Once the final covering of gesso, paints & inks are completed & dried,
the found words are revealed by removing the protective gum layer.
Those of you who are frequent visitors will know that these words
together with the name of the original piece, Believe,
form my artistic motto,
Imagine Believe Create.
I have had this blank page layout ready for work for over two years.
Moral of the story ... take time, do not rush & everything will fall into place.
I love the varying textures, from the gritty gesso base,
torn paper to the glossy dewdrops; the layering of materials,
with some original words still peeping through
coats of gesso, paints, inks & powders;
the blend of colours of watery blues & greens.
Please click on the photographs to see more detail.
For the finishing touch I added a few more dewdrops to tie the two projects together.
Believe that the world is good
That peace will conquer turmoil
Believe that you will succeed
That faith will see you through
Believe in true love
That hope will never end
Believe in yourself
That you will be all you want to be
Believe in all that is kind & good
That is wholesome, pure & true
That peace will conquer turmoil
Believe that you will succeed
That faith will see you through
Believe in true love
That hope will never end
Believe in yourself
That you will be all you want to be
Believe in all that is kind & good
That is wholesome, pure & true
