Journal Pages Work In Progress

Hello, I thought I would share some work in progress photographs of the journal page "Summer" in the Seasons Series. I have been doing.

This is the sketch from which I began the process of the Summer page. Thinking back to how we would make those daisy chains & pluck flowers saying, "he loves me, he loves me not."

 

Click on image to enlarge

1. I sketched out the idea. 

2. I have added dark blue for the shadows.

3. I have added yellow for some of the highlights & mid tones.

I usually try different techniques with acrylics in my pages. This allows me to see what I can do if I was to take it to canvas or another medium. I am taking a few more wip photographs to share with you. So be sure & visit to see how it morphs! I also hope to get to editing the part 2 video of how I created the spring page to share with you soon, but didn't want to keep you waiting on a post. If you want to see part 1video you can visit here.

I really enjoyed finding this journal page. By Elizabeth M. who creates pages in a different style. I just bought a few pens and would love to get some tapes to create a few pages like this. I created this pattern at ColourLovers from the colors on Elizabeth's page.

The link goes to the pattern and palette.

Now I have to get settled back in from being away for 5 days so I can get to editing, thinking of what new to be painting and start the process, along with some new journal pages. I will also share with you soon the "Seasons Series" all together. So much to do and always something needing attention. 

What are your biggest challenges that keep you from creating new pages in your journal?

Able to Post Again.... Hello Dear Friends

This is how I feel about all you creative dears who have stayed with me; (sorry to say I lost a few due to the Blogger crash situation and being unable to post until now)

You are creative friends for life!

Has Blogger finally gotten this fixed so I can at least post a little until my new site is up? Lets see how far I can get and get you caught back up to what I am up to.*still no access to dashboard!

These  past few weeks have been filled with a test web site / blog. I moved my craft blog now off Blogger and am off to a good start on a self hosted domaine. All you crafty, creative & those loving inspired living drop by for some inspiration & join up! DearCreatives.com  is where I have been posting since the blogger crash once I had it up and running.

Cell phone pic while driving over the Golden Gate Bridge 

on way home from Lake Tahoe

via the scenic route

* Blogger isn't letting me upload mulitple pics via computer yet :(

Now I have the task of creating a new site for this blog and all the details of that. Since I now know I can do a lot of it on my own (thanks to doing my craft site first). Yes, I am still going to move platforms. After this experience I can't see any other options. I will keep you posted with all that. It is a bit down the road before all is said and done. I have lots of things I need to plan for the process. It is never a small feat to deal with all that when not trained in html.

A little travel A lot of photography! Can't wait to share!

 
Creatively this summer I have been off and on again with  art and projects. I have done some photo editing, lots of photography, sewing,  a little journal page here and there..... and of course some travel. I loved our trip to Lake Tahoe and have many photographs to share later.

I am hoping for one weekend trip and maybe a visit to see the older kids prior to Sammie's back to school which is right around the corner. I never write this much, please forgive me. I just feel like I am catching up with you dear friends and can't wait to get back to visiting too!

Until next time with photography, a journal page or art which I will be sharing, fingers crossed Blogger stays on the good side of me. & I will now post to the forums about the photo upload issues! & hope it gets fixed.
How have all of you been? What have you been up to? Creating...Travel....Reading....Photography? Do catch me up!! xo Theresa

Journal Prompt " Love Note"

When I took the photograph of my journal page "Love Note" the sun just happened to hit the moon and shined upward. Honestly, when things like that happen, I just have to smile!

I made myself a love note in my journal page. I have found over the past few years my focus has not been on the business side of my art. I have focused on growing artistically and I have put others needs first. Squeezing in my art here and there. Now, I really feel a need to focus on many aspects of my art life that has been taking a backseat. My focus needs to be creating my art life with planning, dreaming and creating opportunities and seeing my vision (s) and bringing them to life.

Whether it is putting myself out there more, applying for submissions, trying to get into shows or fairs, writing, creating a piece of artwork, getting artwork published or what ever my desires are,  I know you have to ask for them. At different times I have done some of these and had some success (s) and some disappointments but I must not give up on my dreams and goals.

I am always reading about succeeding with goals and different ways to achieve them. Dreaming those ideas, creating those plans and putting them into action. I have had several goals over the past year. Some put on hold by necessity, some by fear, some by needing to help others. Now I find in the quite of my space that I need to give some attention to those desires and not just ask for it, but nurture it to fruition. Like the journal page I created here.

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When I made this page I had a plan for something entirely different I had created a flower and it made me think of growing so I charcoal penciled in a girl and some thoughts. Then I felt it didn't flow just right so I began to paint her in, I also wrote thoughts all down her dress.

When I think of asking for things I have a way of looking to the universe, a power greater than I that I can reach out to. To represent that, I painted / created the mountains and night sky. All of a sudden in the journal page its vibrancy wasn't there so I added inks.

I arrived at the place where I knew the page was ready. Ready like I am now personally to really focus on  what I am wanting and the love and nurturing  that it will take me to bring my desires to fruition.(& work that it will take to get me there!)

Have you ever come to the point where you really have to work at nurturing those dreams into reality by pushing your faith in yourself and your artwork?  What big leaps of faith have you taken?


Journal Prompt: Create a page with a love note to yourself. A reminder of those things you wish to nurture and see come to fruition. 

Quote: All that we are is a result of what we thought. Buddha

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. Nora Roberts

Food for Thought: 
Using Inks in your journal pages I used Adirondack ink by Tim Holtz. 

Journal " No One Should Be Like A Caged Bird"

Yesterday I sat down to paint a journal page in which seemed like it had been a long time. I looked through a few images and when I started I thought I would do a  journal page about my daughter's wedding, but as I was painting it was changing and being more about women, relationships and how things can get out of context.

I remember the era my grandma was from. Most women didn't learn to drive, they lived with their husbands, stayed home and raised their families. Although my grandma did do some work, she always made money from home but it wasn't enough to support herself. As I journal this that is part of  the happy part memory. She did have some money for her needs but ultimately she was a caged bird with no choice, no way to emancipate herself from a situation that was ultimately not good for her. Yes she loved her husband but he had issues that were not dealt with. At times he was very cruel to her verbally and down right scary at times. She stood up to that but never left. Luckily she was never hurt.

So what I am trying to say as I journal these thoughts is I am so happy we live in a day and age where we are more educated as women, have the capabilities to make it on our own and have a voice. We can stand up for ourselves and there are places women in need can get help. No one should be like a caged bird.

That is the title of my journal page No one should be like a caged bird and is written next to the image of the young lady. On the top left, but you can't see it in this photograph. Next to her, along side the bird cage I painted in white on the cage to represent the light / escape from being caged. The figure in the white with the bird represents her being freed. At the bottom of the page is a figure with a heart with wings. This represents listening to your heart and having the wings / guts to leave. The photo with the feet in boots with wires represent that even though things can get tangled that there is light there and that you can find a way out. On my page under that a voice says "No escape" yet on the side of my photo where it doesn't show in the photograph I took it says " Find One"

I could write so much more about this subject, but I chose to leave my journal and page as it  is, words unspoken. Luckily today you can speak the unspoken. There is hope you don't have to be imprisoned by any circumstance.

Today I am choosing to share this with my Paint Party Friday Friends as most are women. I hope to create a large painting from some of the concepts of my journal page. When I do, although it may not be right away I promise to share it when done. I know this is more of a somber subject but, as an artist I feel not everything has to be about something that is pretty. This will be a two part post and on Sunday I will have some journal prompt ideas posted for anyone who would like to create a journal page. Today I leave you with a quote I just read for the first time by Maya Angelou and the thought as she so puts, never stand on the grave of your dreams.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.


But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.


The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.


The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.


But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.


The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.

Journal Prompt & Journal Pages "A Creative Journey" & "Believe"

Hello journalers and welcome new followers! I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was on the bright and busy side. I had preplanned a post for today knowing that I was going to be busy, but then I decided to just show you two different journal pages I did recently and haven't shared with you yet.Why the about face? Well the post I created is really suited for another day and this journal page I created prior. I am trying to keep what I share in a sequential order as much as possible. I guess more for my diary than you, but I hope that makes sense. So here is this weeks journal pages and prompt;

This journal page has written at the top a creative journey with charcoal pencil. I used dictionary pages from an old dictionary. I glued down the definition of journal above her head from a dictionary page *diary: a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations. I also have on the page the definition journalist, the word success and definition of happiness, good fortune. These elements were posted on various places and painted around. I created this page to reinforce one of my focus's with art and  journaling.

The second journal  page represents taking the steps and learning from those steps on your creative journey. Finding and Listening at the top of the page represents finding your voice and listening to your heart. Inside the heart I wrote to believe in your dreams and at the bottom I wrote expand your wings. In the center of the heart I glued the dictionary word believer* to think; to feel sure of; to accept as true. I think you have to be a great believer in order to find your way. The little heart flying off the journal page with wings above this journal page represents me finding my own way flying into the unknown yet listening to my voice while I find my way being a believer.

 One thing I am learning on my creative journey is that in order to expand you wings and have your own voice with your work it involves taking chances, pushing what you are used to creating, experimenting, playing and even changing. With journaling since it is such a safe place it is a spring board for anything goes. Just opening up to your creative process and allowing yourself to let things flow is another important thing.

For this weeks journal prompt I want you to chose some words from a old book or dictionary and combine them in a journal page that helps you define you or your creative process or journey. Allow the words to come to fruition placing them into the forefront of what your goals are, your journey, your process.
Have you ever experienced positive outcomes from something you wrote down from your heart? 


Journal Prompt: To take dictionary page words you select and incorporate them into a page. * see above

Quote: In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can Michael Korda

Some things have to be believed to be seen Ralph Hodgson

Food for thought: Creative Wildfire: An Introduction to art Journaling- Basics and Beyond

Free Journal Prompt "Heartfelt Words"

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Source: google.com.au via Theresa on Pinterest

 I did this journal page right around the time I did my journal prompt Faith. I felt like I needed to create a page where I just spilled it all on paper then creating over the words. So I drew her and painted over the words. Then to add more interest I wrote where her hair is. For me the drippings represented her releasing her thoughts. The heart represented that she was sharing what her heart was telling her to let go of so she can make plans to move forward. Her arms stretched out asking the universe to listen and share its gifts. So you can see that my two journal pages were very much in sinc with how I was feeling when I did these pages.  My writing was heartfelt when I was spilling all that was bothering me in the moment. Usually I don't do a lot of writing in my journal but lately I am finding that is helping me with those things we harbor inside.

I think it is important to really be in the moment when you are creating a page. Sometimes it is hard to start on a blank page but if you have something that is worrisome or happy spilling those heartfelt feeling and then just sketching, painting and pasting things over and around makes you page come together. I hope you can find the time to add some heartfelt words to your journal page and then create a drawing right over the words. I am sure it will help lighten the burden if you are carrying one. I found this photograph and thought I would share it. Such a simple reminder but a great one! Have you ever just spilled your heart out on a journal page? 


Journal Prompt: Heartfelt words


Quotes: All healing is at first a healing of the heart. Carl Townsend
Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.
-- Leon J. Suenes

Food For Thought: :
Affirmations to Release the Past

Spread Your Wings & Fly

Completed pages

Willowing is having a free e class Art, Heart & Healing. I decided to join her group & participate. She is being so generous to have her course up & allowing anyone to join at any time. It just started on Oct. 18th. Willowing is covering some basics of her style of drawing and also sharing journal inspiration, thoughts & prompts. I created for week one the pages Spread your wings & fly. I thought I would share it with you. At first my pages were going to be in light colors, peachy and then I just went bold with the girl in contrast to her wings and background. On the left side my journal writing is covered and on her hair it reads; Make your dreams a reality. I have put Willowing's button here & will add it to resources for others who don't see this post. I think for anyone starting out or wanting more inspiration this is a great opportunity to see someones process and gather more tools for your personal toolbox.
Have you ever taken any of Willowing's classes? Do you enjoy journaling? What dreams do you wish to become a reality?

Simply Sunday "Frida Kahlo"

Frida Kahlo 1907-1954
These are some progression photos to show some of the changes made to the end result *Click on image to
enlarge

With working on my Dia De Los Muertos paintings and thinking of Mexico from Inspiration Avenue's Challenge. I decided to create a painting that was a tribute to Frida Kahlo. I am so inspired by Frida Kahlo, her art & her inspiration through other artists . How despite her many medical challenges she was able to work through her pain and create such amazing works of art filled with passion and color. Out of 143 paintings 55 were self portraits. If you live or visit Las Vegas, Nevada the Barrick Museum is having an exhibit of her works Oct.29- Dec. 10,2010

Today's journal prompt* is to paint, draw or write a tribute to someone who inspires you creatively.

Who inspires your creativity? Who are your favorite artists? I would love to know~

Painting completed my life ~ Frida Kahlo

The only thing I know is I paint because I need to, and I paint what passes through my head without any other consideration.~ Frida Kahlo

Sketching Angels

Oh hello friends, ~ I wanted to share some angel sketches I did before I was so busy. This is the beginning of a larger journal art page. I will show how I painted it in the next post. I was playing around with eyes, face shape, and her lips. Not my favorite angel face I have done, but I am trying out new faces. I haven't had time to do any art lately. I have been traveling and gave my daughter a bridal shower. It turned out just wonderful! I have another busy month and then it will slow down a bit. So forgive me if I get behind. I took a lovely photograph of my daughter I might have to use her as a model for my next angel. I did not use a model or photograph for this angel sketch at all. What art have you been working on this summer? Have you bee inspired to draw or paint angels? What have you been inspired to draw or paint lately?

Angels aide us in our personal mission. We have to learn to listen, for if we block the angels out, they become only the fairy beings of dreams and pleasant stories. ~ Silver Ravenwolf , Angels

Mixed Media Journal Page "Vintage Love 2"

I created a collage of the Mixed Media Journal Page For some reason the coloring came out different on the collage so I re posted those two images so you could see the details on them.
This piece is again in reference to things my grandma taught me and shared her loves of. On the journal page I used mixed media music page elements, scraps of her sewing patterns, a vintage needle holder that was ripped, dried flowers, glitter, thread and collage paper elements. I also did a transfer of a photograph of her and acrylic paint on the journal page. I hope you find time to do a journal page and just play and experiment no judgments on yourself and work. Just start and see where the journey takes you~ What vintage loves, or inspirations from the past do you enjoy? Do try and make a page and post a link to your blog page at the Simply Sunday post~

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.~ Pablo Picasso

Mixed Media Journal Page

I always start my day with a coffee~ How about you? Now I am trying to start my day with a few other things in mind too. Starting now organizing, creating and journaling are at the top of my list! Oh, yes I have more on there....lol So I did this journal page with my pencil drawing in the middle, collage, paint and pen. Just a reminder to myself~ Sometimes its good to jot those things down and hold yourself accountable. Do you ever jot down your goals, to do lists or things you want to change? How about making a creative list for yourself too?!
Success is a tale of obstacles overcome, and for every obstacle overcome, an excuse not used. ~Robert Brault

Dream

I am sharing with you a journal page I did based off a smaller acrylic painting in another journal. This is done with acrylic paints and colored pencils. I will take pictures of the other smaller pieces I have done soon. (either when the sun is back or I figure out what is going on with the flash on my camera.) I think it is common to struggle with your art goals and how to work it in to a realistic business plan or is it just me? I am planning on taking a class to help me sort out my goals and see what my options might be. I am still planning on opening an Etsy shop. I hope to do that soon!! Any name suggestions? Or should I just use my name? I will be selling prints of some of my photography, art and also some original work. I might have to give a prize to the one who comes up with a name I like! I would love you to give me some ideas!!
Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions. ~Edgar Cayce

Simply Sunday

I have always wanted to do more traveling but with raising children and life circumstances I have missed out of some of the opportunities. I tried to become an airline stewardess when I graduated high school but I was turned down due to my height! Can you image if that was now!! I didn't know any better and walked away disappointed and in shock. If I would have had more life experience maybe I would have started a boycott to change things. A year later I was married and having kids and the journey has had its ups and downs. I am remarried now and still holding those dreams of travel as my feet are firmly planted on the ground and I am painting about it. I will hold fast to my dreams~
What stories do you have of travel whether in life or to exotic places? What exotic places would you like to go to? Or have gone? Journal about that in your journals. I hope you are able to keep your day simple and enjoy Sunday for all it holds for you. Join me next week for another "Simple Sunday" posting.
I think that travel comes from some deep urge to see the world, like the urge that brings up a worm in an Irish bog to see the moon when it is full. ~Lord Dunsany