Funky Art Queen

Oh my goodness, I came up with a fun idea for my art journaling and I thought to myself, "self, why did you not think of this sooner?!" LOL I had previously ordered lots of 4X6 prints of my art just to give away as part of the "always give them something extra" when people bought art from me.  Last night, I started cutting out images from those prints (so much of my old art).  I also started seeing how my works could be interchanged by cutting out the pieces and adding to other pieces.  For instance, a different head to a different body.  Duh....I bet all of you already thought of this huh?  Anyway, that is how the journal entry was born (above).  The face and body are from a previous print and I drew her arms on this map paper.  See, I'm not lost, I just wander!

My creative journaling class for the young ladies is Wednesday....that is tomorrow~ I got my plans ready yesterday evening and I have all the supplies ready. I came up with this list I wanted to share. 7 Good Reasons to do a Creative Journal It is a healthy means for expressing ones self. Example: Anger can be diffused through journaling before acting out in a negative way. It is a place to express hopes and dreams It is a means for exploring ideas and brainstorms. Most of my art starts in my journal as an idea. You can learn so much about yourself...if you do it long enough..you begin to see patterns. Creative journaling is a great way to relax and is a wonderful stress reliever You can increase your creative thinking through journaling. Creative thinking can help you in your job, education, and personal life. You can have a record of wonderful moments in your life to warm your heart later when you might need a little heart warming.

The above picture is a mixed media/collage that is going to be part of a purse I am designing for the Bags to Riches fundraiser. Can you guess what it is about? It is my dream job. I worked on this today. I also finished my sister; Ronetta's Valentine.....(late, I know) that is my middle name. Lesley Late Chandler. Heehee. Other than that, I did little. I did sweep and mop the kitchen and "studio". I also did a little laundry but it is only Saturday....so I procrastinated most of it for tomorrow. I heard from one of the girls in the art supply swap. This is a pic of the loot she received..... I have to say, she came out like a bandit! Yay! I hope to see pics from everyone else who participated in the swap! It is so much fun connecting with all of you. Tomorrow, I plan to work on another doll like the one I gave Renea for Valentines but I'm hoping to improve the process. In order to focus my ideas and plan, I sketched out the ideas in my journal. Here is a peak at my ...

Two new creative journal entries:

I did this last night in my creative journal. Wanted to share it with you. I'm pleased with the colors and brightness. I was inspired by a little square plate/tray that my dear friend Renea gave me for Christmas or my birthday. I don't remember. Anyway, it was very artsy and has a picture of a face that is divided down the middle by colors and design. I can see it when I set at my computer and I have always wanted to draw/color something like it. So, here it is.

OMB (That's -Oh My Blog)...I have been warned about being a once a week blogger by Stacey. I certainly do not want my tombstone to say this. Sorry to any of my loyal blogger sistahs and fans. I've been busy! We just got back from taking the son to Irving, Texas to get moved in and settled for college. Everything went smooth! Yay! I think he will be fine. I had a little car time to work in my art journals and concentrated on this little island theme. I think I would like to try more of this on watercolor paper. Anyway, back to work tomorrow. But gotta make money to support my art. I'm running low on paint! I have several projects in the works. Sister's Birthday Present- August 9th or all of August actually Renea's Birthday present- July 18th contest for Rust-Oleum-redoing a trunk - before August 18th trying to think of something green for the Somerset Studio call for art - August 13th Stay Focused on the above! Heehee

I have worked on this piece for over 2 months on and off. I wanted to make it a kind of "journal" birdhouse. Another example of "no rules" art. After I journaled on both sides of the roof, I let it sit for some time before I could decide if I liked it or not. You know how you just can't seem to finish a piece because it is not going where you want? Well, it has been sitting, unfinished and sad in my studio for some time. I decided this would be a weekend of finishing unfinished projects. Hence, the completion of this "Blue Bird's House". I journaled on both sides of the roof-first with a simple ink pen-I just pressed extra hard so as to "engrave" the surface, then with gold leaf (I dotted my pen into the gold leaf to fill in the "engraved" areas with gold. Here is the journal entry-not completely exactly as this piece-but close I am sure. I used to see my mother chewing a blue-green colored gum. When I asked her where she got it...

I created this from an idea for a knitting needle roll up bag. I thought this would be a great way to keep all of our journal art supplies visible and organized in our journal bags. I used a very bright fabric, quilting batting, embroidery thread and the sewing machine. It is 8"X11" and has a pretty purple ribbon to tie it up. I have it listed on My Etsy. I plan to make more so stay tuned! I'm also working on another funky quilted bag since my other one sold so quickly. I think this weekend, I need to get a paint fix though. I've been messing with fabric so much that I miss my journals and just getting my hands all messed up with paint! So lookout craft room! Here I come!!!

Discovered a new artist and had to clip some of her work for my inspiration journal. I wanted to share her work with you. Here is my journal entry and a link to her site: http://cynthiamarkert.com will add more later...gotta get to work!

Thanks to everyone who sent me pictures for this book. I now have it listed on ebay. Here is a link to that http://stores.ebay.com/Peace-In-My-Art It turned out to be a fun project. You can see more of it on ebay. I am also working on a Frida Kahlo Tin, postcards for a swap, and an art case that has a few finishing touches. Oh yea, and I am working on a matchbox shrine for a swap. So, as you can see, I have plenty to do. And yet, I am thinking of my next project. Hmmm-I think I want to do some more purses like the Frida one and the Gypsy one.

I was very inspired by another journal artist today...you just have to go and see her work!!! Here is a link to her blog: http://www.lunagraphica.blogspot.com/ I am still trying to find my own style but this lady really inspired me so this is what I came up with for todays entry. It says "Does the whole always equal the sum of it's parts? Am I not more than this outer shell made up of my body, face, eyes, hands,legs etc? YES!! There is so much more that the eye can't see. But the heart, oh the heart knows." Update on the weekend! Husband found a nice hotel in Lubbock and made reservations!!! I am looking so forward to it. I love getting away for a little while. It will be nice. Bye for now!~