Tuesday Tips and Techniques: Cover It!

I always paint the cover of my journals when I've finished the pages.  Psychologically, I like the sense of finality it brings to me and the way it adds an element of  "special" to the book.

This is the first Mix Media pad that I've used as a journal.  I used Composition Notebooks before this, but used the same technique for my covers.  A coat of gesso and multiple layers of acrylic glazes set the stage for my artwork.

I've always painted faces on my journal covers, and decided not to break the tradition with this one.

A few colors of craft acrylics later and my cover is complete.  Be sure to include the date on or in your journal.  Years from now, you won't have to wonder when you completed your beautiful pages.  Have a great evening and remember: "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

2011 Governor's Show

Once again I had the honor of judging entries for this year's Governor's Show for Ohio.  There were many beautiful and thought provoking works entered in our region.  Here's a sampling of a few of the works headed to Columbus for the next phase of judging.

Congratulations to all of the artists that entered work for the show.  The depth of feeling and emotion evident this year's work made judging a difficult yet rewarding task.  

A multitude of thanks to the many art students who arrived on a cold, Saturday morning to ensure the smooth progression of the judging process.  Also,  thanks to Jack, Nathan and Annmarie  for taking time to hang out and chat with a couple of old artists.  You'll be missed next year!  A special thanks goes to Jack for gifting me with his wonderful print, "Room For The Life".  I'll treasure it always.

Being able to participate in the Governor's Show in this small way is something that I cherish.  The artwork is always amazing, but even more profound to me is the time I get to spend chatting with these young artists and hearing what's on their minds and in their hearts.  


The world is in difficult times, seemingly escalating in a downward spiral. What I found on Saturday morning besides great artwork, were young, enthusiastic and talented minds eager to take on the world.  What I found Saturday morning was celebration and an ounce of hope.

Contemplative Creativity

I've been in a quiet, contemplative mood over the past couple weeks, and my journal pages have certainly been a reflection of that mood.  As a side effect of my drawing class, I've taken to journaling in the evening after dinner using my new favorite pen, the Pilot VBall fine point, and colored pencils.  I've still been using glazes as well as some collage.

I've worked on this mandala over the last few weeks.  It's colored pencil and pen.  It was a soothing, contemplative exercise and I thought about a lot of different things as I worked on it.

This spread began with glazes and I finished with craft acrylic and colored pencils.  I've been obsessed with birds lately, maybe because of my delight at their return as a sign of spring and warmer weather.

This spread is an illustration of my struggle between the physical and spiritual world, the search for inner knowing, and the path to Spirit.

This spread began with doodles.  I had two scraps of paper with leftover, predominantly yellow glaze and I wanted to see how my pen would write on them (worked great!).  I put them aside and began sketching with the pen.  When I don't have a specific direction for my journaling (which I didn't with this), I almost always began with organic shapes.  I ended up sketching these flowers that I later filled in with colored pencil.  The four strips of orange/turquoise paper are paint saturated paper towel that I save for re-purposing.  This spread is about life being a matter of perspective.


I hope that you'll find some time this weekend for personal reflection and observation.  I also hope that as always, you'll make time to "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Colored Pencil Drawing Class

My colored pencil drawing class is so much fun that I also joined for March.  I'm learning a lot about colored pencil, but I'm also enjoying the creative atmosphere and getting to know the wonderful men and women in my class.

My drawing is coming along nicely.  All the tiny swirls of layering are beginning to take shape and the face is coming to life.

Week 3 I began mottling the face (adding shadows and highlights)  This was an exciting phase after layering the basic skin tones.

Last week was even more exciting as I began making the darks darker and making the highlights brighter by adding white.  I also used a blending pencil (a pencil of wax with no pigment) to blend the colors and soften the edges.

In yesterday's class, I made the darks even darker and added lines to her face.  I added more detail to her lips and eyes and adjusted some of the colors on her forehead.  I also began adding the dark areas around her face and her headband.  I was happy to take my attention away from her face and concentrate on her headband.  

You know me and color, so I was thrilled to get away from the skin tones and pull out Canary Yellow and Poppy Red for her headband.  Next week, I'll begin working on the leaves of her headdress.

Drawing has been a quiet, contemplative experience.  I only work on this drawing during class, but I've found myself drawing in my sketchbook more and more.  It really helps to step away from your norm as a creative soul.  It's always good to see things from another perspective and engage your psyche in a different way.

Whatever your choice of medium, I hope you'll experiment with something new.  Remember to take time for yourself and "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"

Tuesday Tips and Techniques: Glazes Part 2

I decided to do some more experimenting with glazes before I completed last weeks journal spread.  I added some black sharpie and colored pencil to the spread but it's not finished yet.  Maybe later this week. I began another spread and decided I would experiment with torn papers and charcoal.

I save the paper towel that I use to blot paint and wipe brushes, so I selected some dry paper towel covered with blue and green.  I tore some printed pages from a magazine and applied all of them to the journal pages with Mod Podge in no particular fashion.  I applied the Mod Podge liberally to both the pages and torn paper.

After the Mod Podge dried (didn't take too long), I made three glazes - purple, blue and pink.  I used the Plaid wall glaze and craft acrylics.  I applied them randomly to both pages with a brush, and then I took paper towel, dabbing and swirling the glazes into each other in places.  I rubbed some of the glaze off.  The white areas are the dried Mod Podge that acted as a mask.  The glazes dry fine on top of the Mod Podge, but I liked the effect.

After the glaze dried, I took an old credit card and using it as a mask, I dabbed paper towel into the glazes dabbing the pages around the credit card.  I used my number 3 stencil and and made random circles with my paint brush.

After that glaze application dried, I pulled out the charcoal.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, so as I often do, I let my muse out to play.  I ended up sketching in three faces.

I had no idea how the charcoal would react with the glaze so I just continued to play.  I used the blue glaze and applied horizontal strokes across the faces using light pressure.  The glaze acted as a seal over the charcoal with "just enough" smearing.  I rather like the way it turned out.

As I studied the pages to figure out what I would do next, I began to see a curve so I decided to darken it in with charcoal.  I'm liking the results.  I reminds me of the "man in the moon" or some type of bizarre clock.  I know I'm not finished with these pages either, but I plan on finishing both spreads by the end of the week.

I hope you've enjoyed playing with glazes - or at least watching me play!  Happy March, and remember to make time to "Celebrate, LOVE, and Create!"