New journals in my Etsy Shop!

I listed three new handmade journals in my Etsy shop. Please click here or the badge on the right side of this blog.
 

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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.   

I continue using paper scraps and paint that is sitting on table in front of me.

 

I decided these two collages will be the last pages of this sketchbook journal. The remaining 3 pages will be for notes. Such as what I liked, what didn't work out as planned, makes of the colors that I was drawn to, if I will develop some of the designs, etc.

 
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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.   

I don't have much to say about these two collages. Both were worked on over a few days in the morning before I left for my day job. These two collages aren't my favorite but I feel that not all pages in my sketchbook journal have be masterpieces. How does that saying go..."it's the journey, not the destination."

I'm happy with how these two collages turned out. I didn't overthink the process. Both were done quickly using the paper scraps and paint that was laying out on the table in front of me. Stress free art making!

Two more collages that were created quickly using only the paper scraps and paint that was sitting out on the table in front of me.

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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.   

I'm continuing to use the paper scraps that are my favorites and I develop my style. The collages on the right side of the pages incorporated thread. I like the element it brings to my collages.

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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here. 

As I evolve my artistic style, I'm taking note of the colors I want to use. These beautifully, colored monoprinted scraps are some that I want to preserve. Added a few subtle stitches using Valdani thread.

Two quick sketches made on a rainy Saturday morning before I tackled my "to do" list.  

These two sketches made using monoprint scraps, paint, bleeding tissue paper, magazine paper, used tea bag and markers.

 

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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.  

These two sketches were made on a Friday after an odd week. Chaotic, sad, frustrating. I could go on but I won't. I poured all my emotions into the sketch on the left. I tried to get back to being balanced and myself when creating the one on the right. As the saying goes...there's always tomorrow.

Sunday morning I created this messy sketches as a way to loosen up my hand. I was slowly getting back to being balanced. Keeping busy really helps.

I decided to change it up a bit by turning my sketchbook journal 90 degrees. It was fun to create in a portrait orientation instead of landscape. I happy with the colors, design, layers and texture of this sketch.

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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.  

Not every page in my sketchbook journal is a finished, upbeat, perfectly designed piece of art. Sometimes like these two are raw, emotional, unfinished, not Instagram perfect. A dear friend is going through a serious health issue. I'm frustrated, upset, helpless, asking "why him?" This is my way of working through these emotions.

I was still working through my feelings about my friend who is going through a serious health issue. #healing #healingvibes

Perfect way to start a Sunday was to create these two sketches.

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New artwork in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.

These two collages were made after I haven't created in this sketchbook journal in almost a week. Between my day job and working on a project for a group exhibit, I didn't have time. It reminded me that the art I create in this journal don't have to be finished pieces. They can be ideas or sketches.

It has a slow process working in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal lately. Other responsibilities have been a priority right now. Focusing for a few minutes each day on creating is a bit of escape.

I'm still trying to find a few minutes each day to create art without pressure.

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New sketches in my 4"x6" sketchbook journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.

I'm starting the new year with a renew sense of creating for fun. No pressure. Not everything needs to be a complete, finished, fine art piece. These two collage pieces used scraps that may or may not work well together.

 

These two collages were created as a way to unwind from my day.

These two collages were started on Friday before I left for my day job and finished Sunday night.

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New journals in my Etsy Shop!

I listed three new handmade journals in my Etsy shop. Please click here or the badge on the right side of this blog.

All 3 are covered with commercial fabric. The floral journal has signatures made with 80lb drawing paper. The two other journals have signatures made with 140lb watercolor paper.


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New sketches in my 4"x6" journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.  

One of my favorite materials to use in my journals is bleeding tissue paper. I love how it mimics the look of watercolor.The colors and textures were pleasing enough for these two pages in my journal without adding any additional marks.

These two collages were created over a few days. Due only to time constraints in my schedule. I'm adapting the philosophy of non-pressure when creating art. Life has enough pressure without it seeping into my art.

Another collage using bleeding tissue paper. I started with scribbling black india ink on the blank page. The mat medium I used to adhere the bleeding tissue smeared the ink. At first I wanted to clean up the smeared ink. Then I realized that I like the imperfection.

 

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New sketches in my 4"x6" journal

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.  

It's fun and challenging to create sketches in this journal that are outside my comfort zone. Then again, sometimes I want to create in my comfort zone. These two sketches were created after my day job on a Friday night. It was a perfect way to start my weekend.

These two sketches are continuing the theme of creating in my comfort zone...and that's not a bad thing.

I'm starting to see a trend with the sketches recently besides creating in my comfort zone. When I monoprint, I grab book pages or scraps of paper to create ghost prints to clean the printing surface. These recently sketches use these prints. The worn, imperfect prints add nice texture and color.
 

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New sketches in my 4"x6" journal update

Here is a link where I first talked about this 4"x6" sketchbook journal, click here.  

These are two sketches that I started before leaving for my day job and finished 4 days later. As the saying goes, "art is about the journey". No matter how long it takes to finish.

 
Messy, blobs sketch. Enough said.

I considered this sketch done. I was concern that it was going to be overworked.

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New journals in my Etsy Shop!

I listed three new handmade journals in my Etsy shop. Please click here or the badge on the right side of this blog.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

New sketches in my 4"x6" journal update

Here is a link that where I first talked about this journal, click here.  

This quick sketch was done on a Saturday morning. It was a great way to start the weekend!
 

Two quick sketches that was started before I left to my day job and finished after I got home. The hashtag that I use a lot these days is #makingtimeforart.

These two sketches were created this morning (Saturday, 11/17/18). It seems like a new routine for me to start my weekend with quick sketch or two. 

 


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New Journal - Coptic and Long Stitch with tabs

In my continuing exploration of bookmaking, I wanted to try my hand at adding tabs to the spine of the book. The tabs add a nice detail to the look of the stitching and design of the book. This book measuring 5.5"x8.5"x1" using Coptic and Long stitches sewn with waxed linen thread.

Sorry for not taking process photos of the building of this book. I hope my explanation and finished photos is helpful.

I gathered odds and ends supplies that I have on hand. I covered two 5.5"x8.5" board that was attached to pads of paper with black fabric (inside cover) and abstract painted canvas (outside cover). Cut up unstretched, primed canvas into nine 11"x8.5" pieces to use as the signatures. I decided to paint the primed side of the canvas signatures. The book will have an exposed spine so it will be a nice detail to have colorful spine of the signatures showing. The two 1"x4" tabs were cut from the same abstract painted canvas used for the outside covers.  

I'm happy with the way this book turned out. It has a nice weight to it due to the board covers and canvas. Also, the book lays nice and flat due to using Coptic and Long stitches.

front cover

back cover

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New journals in my Etsy Shop!

 I listed two new handmade journals in my Etsy shop. Please click here or the badge on the right side of this blog.

Thanks for checking out my blog!

New sketches in my 4"x6" journal

Here is a link that where I first talked about this journal, click here.  

I worked on these two sketches on a Sunday morning after a week of getting my Etsy shop up and running after 6 years of it being dormant. It was nice to loosen my hand. 

This next sketch is could be considered a journal spread. It took me a week to complete. I worked on it a little bit at a time each day. Maybe 15 minutes each. Adding layers upon layers. Not really having a plan. I included the work in progress photo to show how this sketch progressed over time.

This is another journal spread that took me a week to complete. Underneath the messy paint and collage is a written journal. I admire art journalist that can share their deepest thoughts on social media. I'm not quite there yet or I may never be. I feel comfortable sharing bits and pieces.

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