ok, more journal pages

birds of worry page by cindy mayfield

Oh good, I'm glad you are not too bored.  Because pages are all I seem to want to do this week.  That and garden.  I'm beyond thrilled that my lettuce and arugula are coming along nicely.  I think they are the easiest things one can grow.  

Birds of worry page by Cindy Mayfield

I am a worrier. I worry. Not the wringing of hands, must take to my bed kind of worry. But I do let stupid things sometimes keep me awake at night. So, ever since I saw this quote, I've loved it.  Felt that it spoke to me.  This is the second time I've created a collage page with this quote.  And I LOVE the way the colors turned out. This was a previous page that I had started ages ago, so I finished it today.  Holy cow...how did I ever collage without a sewing machine?  LOL.  Yes, that's a big hunk of vintage lace sew onto the bottom of the page.

trio of journal pages by Cindy Mayfield

I did three pages today. Again, all existing pages that I just went back and "added to". I'm learning. Its good for me to step back. I very often get so excited to finish a project that I don't "step back". I do that in my art work, as well as my (merchandising) work. Stepping back and getting the big picture of what I am doing seems to help me work better. Helps me to see what needs what and where. This was something that they often talked about in some of the art classes I took. Sometimes I just find it hard to do. But, I'm learning.

Page Layering for Journal

Learning.  I want to learn more.  For me, classes seem to be the way to go.  I'm not really an explore on my own kinda girl.  A class that I can take in my pi's, with a cat underfoot and coffee in hand, sounds perfect.  On-line classes are the way to go.  One of the classes that I signed up for ages ago, but am just now doing, is Teresa Mcfayden's, "Journal of Interest".  

Vintage ledger, sewing pattern, and book page glued to card stock.

Layering is something I want to get better at, not only in my journals, but in other aspects of creativity as well.  I have a tendency to want to make every element of the page important.  And that does not make for good art.  So, I want to learn how NOT to do that.  LOL.  My first page started out (above), layered vintage pieces of paper elements, glued to card stock.

Ranger Inks added some details at top and bottom page, as well as random color overall.

Teresa used watercolor, but I was too lazy to drag any out, inks were on the desk, and that seemed like a great sub.  Here I just began to smear inks (shutter, sugar and straw) in a random fashion.

More collage elements were added, ticket, butterfly, paper scraps, label, wash tape.

Once dry, I began to collage on some paper elements, vintage and new.  A label and a little washi tape.  I also lightly stenciled some clock faces and numbers as well.  And then I began doodling.

Doodling, swirls, hand-writing elements were added.

I doodled around elements, boxes, onto some of the collaged elements and filled in my box that would become my book page.  I also added the cool ex libris I cut out of an old reader's digest.

White highlights and Prisma Pencil added a little more interest.

I wanted a little more color, so I began to add some Prisma pencil.  Dots at the bottom of the page, scribbles under the roses, etc.  I also added some highlights with some Copics.

Stitching for texture.

I stitched around the page, just to finish it off. I also took some of the ink pads and just built up some inks in some textured areas (mainly on the sewing pattern).

Stencils on the left added a little more depth and finished the page.  

White dots added some highlights.  And I added some damask stenciling on the left hand side to add a bit more depth.  At this point, it felt finished.   Thats one of the hard calls for me to make sometimes.  When is it done?

Writing detail

With so many great classes to choose from, easy to find something to work on.  

Page two is done in copies and inks only.  

This is the second page.  Done with inks and Copics.  Stencils and doodles and stamped wording.  I think my journal is going to focus on the theme of "happiness".   My favorite part of this page is the light word "happy" stenciled on the right.  All of the info on the page above came from The Dennis Prager show.  


I look forward to creating this journal, and hope to learn as I go along.  

What a difference a Class makes!

As you can see from the previous post, yep, what a difference a class makes!

Now, I'm not trying to make my blog, "all journal pages, all the time", but I just had to show you the tremendous difference a class really did make.  Learning new tools, like Gesso and Golden paints, learning some basics on composition, balance, seeing what others in the class are doing, getting opinions, it all makes an amazing change in my artwork. And I could not be happier.

I was so honored to have  Shelly Massey come literally, "right back to Texas", after just having taught here at Paper Cowgirl in June.  This time we held an intense two day workshop on the basics of journaling from actually creating a book, to creating backgrounds, pages, lettering, comp, color and more.  (Check out the PC Blog for more class info and pics). 

Tickled, I'm positively tickled with the way my pages are now progressing.  Just being able to immerse myself in the creativity of it all for two days was total bliss, as my friend Melissa kept saying.  There is much to be said about hanging with like minded peeps.  I know I will be on a creative high for the next several days.  Yep, what a diff a day made!

-c

PS and the bonus, time with friends...a Chick Flick, a huge plate of nacho's, an adult beverage and just some great gal yapping, it really was a super fun weekend!

Journal Pages

Prisma Pencils, Vintage image and black ink

Prisma Pencil

Image by my friend Ruthe, right hand side, prism pencil and ink

Prisma Pencils and black ink

Prisma Pencil, vintage images, Copics, tape, ink

Of all the movies I ever saw, funny how this ONE thing of Tom Hanks always stuck in my mind.  LOL.  Thought it was great for my page to jot down my favorite wine finds.  :)

Journal pages are all that I want to work on lately.  Funny how I go in spurts on that.  LOADS of projects piling up and yet, all I want to do is journal.  Silly.  But keeps me in and outta the heat, as its way cool in the Studio...even the cats scream to go into that room, it really is the coolest place in the house!  Hope you are staying cool...hopefully some rain will happen here on Friday. 

And speaking of journals...if you follow Paper Cowgirl, just FYI registration for Shells class is closing on the 14th.  She will be doing a fabulous two day workshop on creating Journal pages.  Her's puts mine to shame.  :)  

-c