Pears, Pears Everywhere

I've got pears on the brain because I want to do a large pear painting for my dining room.  Problem is, I'm not sure exactly what I want to do.  Eureka! 9" x 12" journal pages are the perfect way to experiment and that's just what I've done.

The first page I did was my experiment with the Super Heavy Gesso.  I gessoed the background and the pear, too.  After the gesso dried (overnight) I painted my first pear painting!  I love the texture - definitely out of my comfort zone.

This is pretty straight forward.  Gesso and artists acrylics were used.

I decided to go a little funkier with the next pear.  I use the term "pear" with artistic license - looks more like a deranged apple to me!  This is water soluble wax pastels with a touch of craft acrylic.

As long as I was experimenting, why not go hog-wild crazy! There really is a pear in there - somewhere.  This is gesso, craft and artists acrylics.

This is one of my favorites and the one closest to my usual style. This is artists acrylics.

This was way too much fun!  No paint brushes were used except to apply the stem.  I used craft acrylics and applied red, yellow and orange randomly with an old credit card.  After that dried, I roughed in the pear shape in black craft acrylic with the tip of the card and dragged black paint over the background.  Then I took green craft acrylic and applied it to the top of the pear directly from the bottle.  I tapped the journal against the table and let the paint drip.  This may just be my inspiration for a large canvas.

Am I having fun "Happy Creating!"?  I would say so!

Put Your Records On!

That's right - put your records on and have some journaling fun by trying something new!  It's easy to get into a rut once you find a journaling formula that's tried and true and feels as comfy as your favorite pair of shoes, but changing your routine is as exciting as buying a new pair of shoes!

I have been the queen of Composition Notebook journaling, but going through some of the workshops at 21 Secrets prompted me to try some new materials and I'm having an absolute blast!

First of all, I bought myself a mixed media, spiral bound pad.  It's 9" x 12" (larger than a Composition Notebook) and unlined. 

I also bought a jar of Liquitex Super Heavy Gesso.  I can't begin to tell you how much fun I'm having with this.  Think about a stucco wall, and that's what you can do with this super heavy gesso. 

 It's smooth and creamy like marshmallow cream, but a tad heavier.  It stays exactly where you put it on the page.  I've used an old credit card and an empty toilet paper tube to apply some to the page. 

 You can get different effects by varying the angle of the card and by varying the pressure you apply to the page.

Whether it's trying something new like gesso, or trying a different size or type of journal, try something new for your journaling!  It's always rewarding to take a fresh approach to your creativity.  Remember, your creative muse likes to play and will thrive in the atmosphere of experimentation.

So go ahead - put your records on, let your hair down and try something new for your creative journaling.  There's just nothing else like "Happy Creating!"

The Secret's Out!

The secret's out! We're having a blast over at the 21 Secrets playground, and there's still time for you to join in!  Lots of  love, joy and amazing art are being shared by journalers (currently 317 of us!) all over the world here on the playground.  What are people saying about the 21 Secrets workshops?

"This is the greatest playground EVER!"  ~Natasha, New York, NY

"I feel like I am at the best slumber party EVER."  ~Susan, Toronto, Canada

"I'm finding these workshops to be profoundly healing in many ways." Barb, Columbia, Missouri

"...techniques shared from the teachers and students have been amazing for me." ~ morning dove, Williamsburg, VA

"I don't know if I'll be able to put anything down on paper, but this already helped me very much." ~Nona, Rixensart, Belgium

"...and (I) know how powerful these types of exercises are." ~Heather, Perth, Western Australia

"Only started art journaling within the last month but having a blast already!" ~Zoe, Shropshire, United Kingdom

Whether you're new to art journaling or a seasoned  veteran, there's something for everyone at the 21 Secrets playground!  Don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn new techniques and make new friends.  Hurry!  Registration closes at the end of November and on February 1, 2011, the playground will be closed forever.

For more information on the workshops and to register, go to the 21 Secrets link at the top right of this page. Have a great day and remember to set aside some time for "Happy Creating!"

Journaling Prompts

The rest of the November Journaling Prompts have been published.  (See "Daily Prompts" above)  Think of the prompts as a "jumping off place".  They can be taken literally, but I hope you'll be more inclined to use them as a catalyst to journal about the emotions or memories that come to you when you first read them.

Creative journaling is a personal process.  Think of it as turning yourself "inside out".  Get past the physical and look deep inside to the spiritual you.

I can never tell you too many times that you are special!  There is no one else like you on the entire planet!  Allow yourself the freedom of inner knowing and self expression through your creative journaling.

Inner knowing and self expression can only lead to peace, happiness and "Happy Creating!"



Both Ends Burning

Hello fellow art journalers!  Here it is, Wednesday, ALREADY! I've been frantically trying to finish up my art commission and burning the candle at both ends.  Here are the preliminary sketches I did for the paintings.  Each painting is 3' x 4', and each painting is near completion. 

I'll post pics of the paintings when they're finished.  Meanwhile, I'll post November journaling prompts for this week. 

Painting gives me lots of "thinking time", so I'm cooking up lots of new and exciting things for Angelia's Art Journals for the coming weeks and new year.  Stay tuned!

Happy November! and as always, "Happy Creating!"