Art Journaling 101

I am not sure what's going on with me these days, but my style of art is transforming. I have always been a creative person, I started out as a little girl coloring and making my own Barbie clothes. As an adult I have dabbled in sewing, I have stamped, scrapbooked, done photography, tried my hand at writing and done some altered objects and some book making. I have even done some doodling and "tangling". But in the past several weeks I have found a new creative outlet, mixed media canvases. I must say that of all of the artistic endeavors I have pursued over the years this latest one has brought me the most joy. I am not sure why that is, but it really does. I have started to realize that I cannot keep creating these canvases because I will soon run out of wall space! This has lead me to consider art journaling. It's the same basic process, but easier to "contain" if you will. So, Sunday I ordered myself a couple of mixed media journals and I have been counting the days till they arrive! While I waited I bought the most recent Art Journaling magazine (as well as the one before it) and have been drooling over all of the beautiful art work contained inside the covers. I have spent hours on the computer watching video tutorials and reading up on techniques and products in preparation for my goodies.  

Today my journals arrived! I finished up the obligations I had for the day and then got started on my very first art journaling page. I have to say that the "art critics" in my home have very different reviews of my "new style" of art. My Mother hates it - her exact words were "its messy,  morbid and dark". My husband on the other hand Loves it and thinks it is "so cool"! What do you think?

 This is the full spread
The pages are 9x12 so its a substantial size. You can click on the photos to see them bigger.

 A close up of the left page

I used vintage anatomical illustrations and a 1920's photo of doctors & a cadaver at Harvard Medical School in which I changed all of the names to the names of my doctors.

 A close up of the right page

Another vintage anatomical illustration, and the same heart with a peony growing out of the vessle that I reversed in PSE to mirror the one on the left page. And I love the praying skeleton! The scripture reads " I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26"

I can see where my Mother (77 years old) can think it is "messy, morbid and dark", but really its not all that morbid - it tells a story I wanted to tell and allowed me a place to not only be creative but to express my feelings. Yesterday I had yet another doctor appointment. It did not go well! After an hour long wait in the "big waiting room" and then another 35 minute wait in the "little waiting room" I was a bit annoyed. When the doctor finally arrived, acting much like he was god and being very condisending I had had enough. I left the office VERY angry and he knew it. I do not think anyone had ever had the nerve to cut him off as abrubtly as I did or to just walk out on him! I have a nasty temper that I rarely ever let out and until recently did not control well once it was "out there". But I was proud that I was able to control it yesterday - no yelling, no obscenities, no squealing of tires in the parking lot. Not that I didn't feel the desire to do those things! Instead I quoted scripture to myself under my breath as I walked (quickly) out of the office and as I drove (safely) out of the parking lot.

The whole time I was driving I was hoping that my new journal would be delivered a day early and that I could lose myself in some healing and reflective art when I got home. This would not be the case and I would be forced to wait to get all of my feelings out onto paper. So this piece, my 1st entry in my new art journal, tells the story of my frustration with my health problems and my doctors. It tells the story of the faith I struggle with and yet completely rely on through all of this.

I am glad I had to wait a day to create this - it really would have been "messy, morbid and dark" and more if I had done this last night.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my latest piece of art - I would love to know what you think of it.

Till we meet again. . . . 

P.S. I promise I will get some vacation photos and stories up soon.

Hot Summer Special!!!!

Hey friends, I just wanted to let you know I have a couple of extra kits that I am putting on sale for more than 50% off (+ shipping). This would be a great way to spend some of these HOT summer days! You will get to create a great project without having to do all of the cutting and gathering - just plunk yourself down and start creating!

So these are the two different kits I have for sale right now. . .

"My Life Is A Circus"

UPDATED - all 3 of the Circus kits are now sold.

 This was a $60 class and I am selling the kit for $27.50!

I have 3 of these available. You will get all of the supplies needed to complete the project (minus, adhesives, inks and stamps) as well as all of the written instructions, supply list and photos.

You can click on the photo below to see more images and info on this project.

 "Form and Function of the Industrial Strength Woman"

This was a $110.00 class and I am selling the kit for $55
 (this is less than the cost of supplies!)

I only have one of these kits available.You will get all of the supplies needed to complete the project (minus, adhesives, inks and stamps) as well as all of the written instructions, supply list and photos.

I hope you will take advantage of this summer special. If you wish to purchase any of the above kits (or any of the instructions listed on my "Kits & Instructions" tab at the top of the page) just send me an email at GArbonzobeenz1@aol.com and I will send you a Paypal invoice right away.

Have a great weekend and try to stay cool!

Till we meet again. . .

You can click on the photo below to see more images and info on this project.

Today's the Day. . .

We are heading out this afternoon for sunny (but cool - only 66 degrees) California! That's right all 8 of us will be vacationing together on the beach at Newport. This will be the first time I have gotten to go with Bug to the beach. I've been there a few times with Monkey, but never with my Bug. We are doing nothing "touristy" on this trip, just relaxing.  No theme parks or zoo's just the beach and the guys will be playing golf, and us girls will do a little shopping too. So I will be away for a few days. But when I get back I hope to have lots of fun stories and pictures to share with you.

Enjoy your weekend.

Till we meet again. . . .

FRIENDS Version II

That's right - I got the new "Friends" canvas done today. It is pretty close to the one I posted the other day, but this will be the official class sample.

 Class date is Saturday, July 21st from 9am - 2pm and the fee will be $35

I know 3 people signed up yesterday after class and there are only 5 spaces left.
Call The Occasional Artist to sign up.

 You will learn some fun techniques in this class and get really messy! No manicures before class!

Some of the techniques you will learn are transfer techniques, how to add texture and build layers with those textures, metal stamping and painting.

You can click on any of the photos to see the image bigger

I hope to see you there! Have a great week!

Till we meet again. . . .

What a Day!!!!

I was teaching my "Olde Curiosity Shoppe Curio Box and Minis" class today I over slept (just a little) and with too much on my mind, an empty stomach and an 8 hour class in front of me I did the dumbest thing. As I was pulling out of the garage I ran smack into my poor Mother's car!!! I was sooo mad at myself! I ran in and asked my hubby to call the Ins co. and I quickly let my Mom (who has been sick in bed for 3 days) know what I had done. I was so upset during my whole 45 minute drive to class. "How could I be that careless, that preoccupied? I am almost 50 years old and have NEVER had to submit a claim for something that was MY FAULT! I was just sick over it.

But I arrived at the store determined to have a good day. When I was greeted on the sidewalk in front of the store by Hannah who informs me I have a gal here for class that they had no record of! I have no extra kits with me and no way I can add her to the class. Again I felt sick! I really like this gal and hated to turn her away. I had to step outside for a moment and ask God to get me through this day with grace and poise and a sense of joy. Bless her heart, this gal was so sweet as I told her and she left with a smile on her face.

I was thrilled to have one of the best classes I had had in ages! I had some new faces, some faces I hadn't seen in a while and a face I won't see again for a l-o-n-g time. My friend that I made the canvas for was in my class today. We had a little "going away" shin-dig for her during class today and I gave her the canvas I had made - she loved it and I was thrilled. In fact they ALL loved it and now it has been added to the schedule as a class in July!

When I got home it was time to unpack the class stuff, and straighten up the studio. But first there was a dishwasher to unload and dinner to cook and that mess to clean up. So it was a busy day and even though it started out a bit rocky it turned out to be a GREAT day!!!!

I wish for all of you a great day tomorrow!

Till we meet again

Can You Stand Another Canvas???

If you can't. . .

 LOOK AWAY NOW!!!

I warned you. Here it is - yet another one. This one is not for me. It's not even for a class. This one is a gift for a dear friend that is moving away. I wanted her to have something "of me" to take with her.

 It's 12x9 and I used a new technique on this one (a photo transfer technique). I wish I could have gotten a better photo of it, but you get the idea.

The quote says "True friends are never apart, maybe in distance, but not in heart" .
I used 2 different colors of typewriter keys, some G-45 flowers & postage stamps. I also added some drywall tape for texture.

 Above you can see the black typewriter keys & G-45 flower

I even used my new metal aplha stamp set on the Tim Holtz Spinners.

I hope she will like it. And I  hope she doesn't check my blog before Saturday!

So what are you up to this week - I hope you are having FUN & doing something creative!!!

Till we meet again

Another Canvas & Another Class

Well, you spoke and I listened - not that it was all that hard to do.

You know I have been loving making these canvases lately, and I have gotten a few  emails and requests at the store to do one as a class so here it is. . .

My Home Sweet Home canvas will be taught at The Occasional Artist on August 11th at 2pm

I think it is super cute - it is an 11x14 canvas. We will be using paints, old book pages, stamps,household items and patterned papers. We will also be using our fingers a lot, so get your manicures AFTER class not before!

 Here are some close ups of some of the details for you. I love the teeny tiny button for the door knob. (just wait till you have to sew through those tiny holes!) And the sun just looks so "happy" to me.

The actual canvas will be in the store next weekend if you want to see it in real life .

Have a GREAT weekend Friends!

Till we meet again. . .