DLP 2015 - Week 4 - Friends

This week’s DLP Art Challenge: Writing and our Prompt: Words with Friends

As soon as I saw it I knew what I wanted do. I have made so many lovely friends over the last five years via social media – it has been amazing and I appreciate every single one of you.

 

Two, however, are absolute “besties” and they are who I had in mind when I wrote my little ditty (I have to laugh, I just finished telling Jo I was not the touchie feelie type and then go write this sniffer about her and Lenna lol). Of course I was supposed to “write” on my journal page – dah -  I should pay closer attention to the challenge details…Oh well, I like the old typewriter font for this piece.

 Source: Flickr Mike at Vintage Ladies

And of course being DLP I challenged myself to do something totally different and out of my comfort zone. I recently purchased Dina Wakley’s Art Journal Courage and got inspired (I think there is too much pushing of specific product lines but if you can ignore all of that you will learn a lot).

I followed her instructions (page 72 to be specific just so you know) and pulled every stencil I own out (I don’t have many) to try. I have a “test” journal where I experiment with new techniques before I commit them to my DLP journal pages – sure glad I did for this one (yes, almost had a similar “blob” disaster as last week and learned you DON’T need a lot of Payne’s Grey paint – a little drop will do ya).

Half Way Through the Layers

SO many things going on in terms of layers upon layers and different application techniques. I particularly liked painting the surface than placing a stencil on top and removing paint with a baby wipe for a different effect (but I have decided I need to find a way to “go green” as I am generating too much waste – any suggestions? And yes I do plan to recycle some of the more colorful wipes into other work).

The hearts are a piece of scrapbooking paper with adhesive backing that I painted blue…neat texture.

While my picture is vintage, I still think it works with the crazy background. Enjoy. Jewels 

DLP2015 - Week 3 - Colour

This week's art challenge The Color Wheel with the journal prompt: "I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way . . ."  
- Georgia O’Keeffe.

It all started well enough - I went back to  free tutorials from a wonderful artist Terri Kahrs for building up my base. I loved how it turned out and considered many different options for my main graphics. 

But sadly I flubbed BIG TIME...so much so I was ready to pack it in until I found this page in a Flow magazine. It made me stop and think - I COULD make it work. I actually used it instead of the O'Keeffe quote. 

However, as they say in the land in Oz, don't look behind the curtain LOL. Fortunately no one will ever see the messy blob behind it :)

I remembered a free tutorial from one of the DLP ladies (Sandi Keene) on how to make Deli Paper Flowers...

And this is how it all turned out - seriously, not at ALL what I initially planned (my idea and actual execution just did not jive this week). Oh well - it was bound to happen but I recovered okay I think. Enjoy. Jewels.

DLP2015 - Week 2 - Beginning

Here we are with Week 2 of the Documented Life Project. This week's art challenge is Gesso and the prompt is a quote: “The beginning is always today.” -Mary Shelley. 

We were not required to use the quote in our creation and, to be honest, I have had a great philosopher, Carole King (lol) singing in my head for quite some time now....

I was a teenager in the 70's and must have worn my Tapestry album out - loved her music and still do. I have had the lyrics to Beautiful in my head for awhile and this seemed like the opportunity to use it. 

There is a Carole King musical on Broadway called Beautiful right now - that would be amazing to see.

In the background you can see how I used gesso to create a stencil pattern. Acrylic paints (sadly you can't really see how the gold glows) on top and some stamping and pen work.

The facing page has a sun picture from one of my old magazines. I think next time I will try to be more brave and actually draw/paint an image myself - I have a whole year of challenges to try that out! Looking forward to Saturday's next prompt. Enjoy. Jewels

DLP2015 - Week 1 - Jump

I am doing the Documented Life Project 2015 to try some new things. There is a theme per month and then a weekly challenge. Here is what it is for the first week of the year....
January Theme
The Blank Page and How to Face It!
January 1
Art Challenge: Book Paper
Journal Prompt: Be Your Own Goal Keeper

To get over the blank page this week it was suggested we start by gluing pieces of paper for our background and then go from there. 

I decided to keep it REAL simple with just one goal - JUMP into my art this year - take lots of risks and try new things.

I used acrylic paints, stamps, floral tissue paper (from the Dollar store). The idea for my word came from Carolyn Dube's FREE tutorial - Use Your Words...

My young lady is from one of my vintage 1960's McCalls. I wanted it to be bright and colourful. I may go back and do some journal writing - but then again maybe not...Enjoy Jewels...

Stretching....To Be

One of my 2015 goals is to try new artsy things - so started off early by really stretching myself with this gift.

If any of you are Dr. Who fans you will appreciate, and understand, the reference to Gallifreyan...I found this image on Tumbler here - wish there was more information about the person who created it so I can give more of a credit...

So what was new? Well working on canvas for the second time in several years (11 x 14), using modeling paste for the first time for texture, "burning" the edge of the paper (I probably did more of that kind of thing unintentionally when I was a Girl Guide but that's a different story LOL), and working up several layers with acrylic paints, collaged paper, stamps and ink spray.

I learned some do's and don'ts along the way for the next time (and there will definitely be a next time). 

Like a couple of my friends (Jo and Frieda) I have joined The Documented Life 2015. Still time for you to join in too if you are interested. And there will be more swaps of different things with different Peeps. I plan to make as much time for it all as I can so stay tuned! Enjoy. Jewels