Art Journal Week 16

This is the page in my art journal for week 16.

I have followed the prompt on Colour Me Positive (CMP),
which was about Art, with an additional prompt to include a bird.

Well here is my "bird" sitting peacefully on my Artist Trading Card (ATC)
for The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge. You can read more about it here.

During this week our Queen celebrated her 90th Birthday.

I had the idea to use the page number for my inchie &
as I was about to cut it out, I noticed the words just above it,
which coincided with my Week 15 theme on the opposite page,
so I moved the number off centre a little to capture the words
positive happiness.

To create the background, I first coated the pages in white gesso
using a palette knife, which created texture,
then I splattered acrylic paint & once dried,
I added a little more white gesso.

I then overlaid a piece of vellum to mute the colours,
as they seemed to clash with the focus of my journaling.

Here are pages from Week 15 & 16 side by side.

Peace of Mind

The Alpha Challenge at The Craft Barn is a year long creative challenge,

using a letter from the alphabet every two weeks as inspiration. 

The next letter (as it is not being done in alphabetical order) is

S

& this week, in addition to the definition of our chosen word,
we must include a shell.

This addition does not work with my theme,
so this time I will have to follow my own path.

I have chosen the word
Serenity

It takes self-discipline to keep your mind on the right track.

To ensure that your mind is not cluttered.

To focus on gratitude & kindness.

To not be afraid of the stillness of silence.

The definition is from an old pocket dictionary &
the additional words were cut from an old book.

I have used an image from The Graphics Fairy

& patterned paper by K & Company.

This ATC will have a place in my Art Journal for Week 16.

Celebration

I don't make many greeting cards these days, but I just had to for someone's 90th.

I used a decoupage design by TC Chiu from a collection entitled Country Cottage,

purchased a few years ago from Joanna Sheen.

I lightly sanded the edges before assembling the decoupage layers

& added organza ribbon tied in a bow.

Art Journal Week 15

This is the page in my art journal for week 15.

I have followed the prompt on Colour Me Positive (CMP),
which was about happiness & included an additional prompt of splatters.

I have always loved being close to the sea,
close enough to listen to the waves breaking on the shore.

Here I am as a toddler, with my bucket in hand,
collecting shells & sea glass.

This week I visited the coast
& treasured the calming moments of the rhythmic sounds of the sea.

I feel a deep comfort within my soul &
this is where I am happiest.

Found Text "Her feelings were plain"

The words on this page were cut from the one book I use for my art
& yes, Eastbourne was really in it.

To create the background, I first coated the pages in white gesso
using a palette knife, which created texture,
then I splattered acrylic paint & once dried,
I added a little more white gesso.

I then overlaid a piece of vellum to mute the colours,
as they seemed to clash with the focus of my journaling.

Art Journal Week 14

This is my page in my art journal for week 14.

This page includes my Artist Trading Card (ATC) for The Craft Barn Alpha Challenge.

You can find out more about this ATC by clicking here.

I have followed the prompt on Colour Me Positive (CMP).

The butterfly image is a collage element from February's BGU class.

To create the background, I first coated the page in white gesso,
then I applied acrylic paint (rose) using a palette knife,
adding in a little more white gesso to break up the pink colour.

A Matter of Choice

The Alpha Challenge at The Craft Barn is a year long creative challenge,

using a letter from the alphabet every two weeks as inspiration. 

The next letter (as it is not being done in alphabetical order) is

D

& this week we must include something pink,

in addition to the definition of our chosen word.

I am making a set of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) for this challenge.

I have chosen the word
Decision

We each have the power of choice,

to make decisions on how we think & what to focus on,

what we say to others,
how we act & react, in every situation.

We get to make those decisions afresh each day.

The words were cut from an old book.

The definition is from an old pocket dictionary.

I have used an image from The Graphics Fairy

& patterned paper by K & Company.

This ATC will have a place in my Art Journal for Week 14.

 I would like to thank everyone who visits my blog
& leaves comments on my 2016 Alpha Challenge posts.

I love reading the kind words written
& appreciate the time you have taken in doing so.

Art Journal Week 13

This is my Art Journal page for Week 13.

This page holds my Truth Card for this month's lesson
at Brave Girl University (BGU),

entitled Bravely Asking.

I have followed the prompt on Colour Me Positive (CMP),
using a quote from Thoreau.

The patterned papers are from BGU.

To create the background, I first coated the page in white gesso,

then I used a layer of acrylic paint (Waterfall) applied with a dry brush.

I then used an Anna Griffin floral stamp with Distress Ink (spiced marmalade),
& added the grid with a gold Uni-Ball Signo pen,
doodling around the edge of the page.