With SEVEN art shows that I had planned to participate in canceled so far, I have slowed down a bit on making pieces of art, with the exception of commissioned pieces. And of course there have been no workshops, so that makes it a great time to do some planning and work in my art journal.
I have been working on a series of art journal pages that feature quotes. In light of the times, on this page I chose to quote myself!
“It is when things are most difficult that art becomes most essential.” -says me
In difficult times it becomes extra important to surround ourselves with the necessity of art. Buy it, make it, see it,… include it in whatever ways you can to soothe your soul! Check out virtual art museum tours! Pull out a notebook or old book and start an art journal.
In my art journal I started out with a page in a book that I recently purchased at a thrift store. I was looking for something a little larger to work in and loved the graphic black and white images in this book. Here are some other things I look for in a book to use as an altered book art journal:
- hardback cover that can either be painted, or covered with paper
- sturdy matte pages that are easier to paint on than glossy pages
- images or photos that can jump start my page ideas
- opens fairly flat
- thin size, as in fairly few pages. I always thin this further by tearing out some pages, which are in turn used as collage papers
- and of course, a nice cheap price that saves me the big bucks of most journals! You might even have something around the house that would be perfect!
Onto my pages I added some fun paper strips out of the awesome stash I received from my favorite paper store mulberry paper and more. They also have affordable scrap packs that are a collage artists dream come true!
After adding paper bits, I started using paint to unify and blend the colors. I have been using only primary colors and black and white to practice what I preach about mixing your own colors.
I decided that I really liked the group of funky heads, so decided to incorporate them into my spread.
I added my words on separate pieces of paper that I glued in, inspired by Roxanne Coble’s bybyn lyrical journal pages,… and also a bunch of giant covid-19 viruses. My little characters now wear masks to keep the world safe! I may still go back and add more doodles because I have a hard time leaving these pages alone… but I am calling it done for now!
What have you been doing to stay creative during these strange times?
OTHER NEWS:
- with great sadness I report the closing of Bluebird Books in Hutchinson, KS which was one of the first places to carry my art, journals, cards, etc.
- I also will not be holding my May workshops. If you have already registered for them, you will be hearing from me. My Gridworks and Stained Glass workshop will be held in August at Carriage Factory Gallery and I hope things will be a little more normal by then!
- I DO plan to get serious about creating online workshops. How many of you would be interested in a summer workshop in the convenience and safety of your own home? I would love your feedback!
- I also fully plan to return to in person workshops when possible! I miss all of you!
- I AM taking commissions and have lots of art available for sale!
- I also have been adding items to my etsy shop, so be sure and take a look!
Hope you are all doing well and making art a part of your lives!
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