Sometimes when you are facing a task that you haven't done before, you are not really aware of what you are really capable of achieving until you push your own limits. Since I've started art journaling, I had no idea what I'm capable of. Until now I keep moving out of my comfort zone and the techniques I already know and I keep learning what does and what doesn't work and also keep getting ideas of what can work well. I also get a lot of ideas of what I would like to "test" next. What have you been testing lately?
Supplies used:
- Duct-tape to protect other side of page
- old book pages to mop up paint
- Gesso to tone down the background
- Recycled paper that had left over paint from other projects
As I as on a role with the previous pages and motivating myself, trying to find opportunities, I remembered a line I read somewhere in one of those "self-help" books that says "open your eyes and you shall see." So this is another reminder for me, for when I'm stuck somewhere, to just open my eyes and look around and see what I can find that I can use to help me move one. If you look around you, what do you see and what are you inspired to do?
The statement for this page is inspired by Eckhart Tolle's concept of living in the "now." So, now is the time to do everything and now is the time to shine, not yesterday, not tomorrow, but NOW. So, what are you going to do now?
Supplies used:
- Recycled paper with leftover paint from another project
- Matt medium to glue background
- Duct-tape to protect the other side of the page
- Acrylic paint
- Stamps (DIY, tried to use the same technique I used on the M page but didn't work here as the types of paint were different)
Being on a continuous journey of self development, and learning from those who are successful in their own field, I have come to learn that most successful people just make their own opportunities. Hence the term "Make It Happen." That is what they all say. They tell us that in order to learn if something will work or fail, we must give it a shot. Give it a go, give it a try. Come to think of it, most of my precious lessons in life have been in trial and error, how about yours? When was the last time you moved outside your "comfort zone?"
By the time I got to the letter "L" I had a few heated discussions with a close friend that was frustrated and stressed out about the work situation. Having been in similar situations myself, I did learn the lesson to let go, somewhat late, but as they say "better late than never," When there are a lot of frustrating events around you in the workplace, or anyplace, it can serve you to ask yourself: "Is this my task and responsibility?" If your answer to the first is "NO," then it is time for you to focus on your own tasks that need action and let the rest go. It is out of your control anyway. if your answer to this question is "Yes," then you can ask yourself " Have I done all I can and all I believe I need to do for this situation?" If the answer is No, then you must take action and do what you believe you need to do. If the answer is "NO," then you need to let go of the project as you have done your part and the rest is up to the others that need to take their own actions and play their own part. I totally understand that some of you will say "Yeah, easier said than done." and that can be true for some, but not for everyone. It only takes practice, you always do what you can and move on to your next task. It does not serve you to stay focused stuck on what is no longer within your control, or responsibility. You have a choice, to stay stuck or to move on. Your life, your choice.
Supplies used:
- Old book pages
- Old deco butterfly click, i used the wings from that
K, what a letter to try and find a positive and motivating verb with !!!! Not much luck in the dictionary so had to take a few days to think about that one. Once I decided to use the verb “keep” the rest started to flow :) It all seemed to fit in the end with this flowing painting. I had seen an artist painting on canvas and was amazed at his artwork. One of his videos, sorry I hadn't subscribed to his channel and couldn't find it, was about flowing waves. I tried to depict it here, but the end results is always different from what you initially intended, ah well, live and learn :) and learn to accept :)
After watching so many of Christy's videos and being so scared of drawing faces, I decided to take the plunge and try it out and see what will happen. When I started this page I didn’t have a word or sentence that I was going to use, I let the page show me :) SEeing that this was my own trial for drawing a face I thought to myself “what else can one do? Just do your best and leave the rest!” Because I use craft acrylic paint, which is a bit transparent when you layer it, I didnt’ use a background for the whole page. And because I like to doodle, I put the outlines of the doodles that I roughly planned in my head. Doodles are not supposed to be planned as they flow on their own, but with acrylic paint, an initial plan is required. I liked the final result and will be using this background/doodling technique again. As for faces, I feel the need to practice more :) When was the last time you drew a smiling face? on your own reflection in the mirror? :)
Being completely out of inspiration and having watched too many online videos, i decided to check out the airline magazine I had taken with me during my last short trip. I came across a painting of Picasso and thought to myself, yes, that is a nice painting that maybe I can also do. So, the missing part was what to write with the “I” so I kept on flipping and came across some maps that I liked and the Beatles’’ song, don’t know the name, with the verse “Imagine All The People” started playing in my head :) That is how this page was born, from a magazine and a song :) Made me think of peace on earth with all nations. Soon we’ll be talking about Universal Peace instead of World Peace :)
I decided to use the lessons I had learned from the previous pages with “Less is More” and just used the map as the background with a whitewash and just that contemplating woman from Picasso. When was the last time you thought about living in harmony with others, or about World Peace?
H was another tough letter, until i remembered why i got into art journaling, to “Have Fun.” So, I decided to follow my own advice for this page and just have fun with it. I seem to have overused the stencils and covered a lot of the black gesso, but now that I look at it, I don’t think it was too much. It gave the page (even though it appears simple at first glance) a lot of depth. Made me feel as if I was having a party on the page :) When was the last time you were having fun doing something?
