Spilling Things onto Canvas

 Today I felt like drawing, so I took out my trusty gel pen, opened my art journal and drew a tree- a naked tree. Instead of filling in its leaves, I decided to break out the watercolors and gave the tree trunk and its branches a bit of life. It wasn't until I saw the paint dry that whimsy took over and I opened the kitchen cabinets, looking to find some "leaves".

My first find was a container of dried parsley. I tossed some onto my page and fell in love with my new canvas! I was going to move my journal but the way the sun shone through the open blinds onto the pages caught my eye and I was happy to take the photo before sweeping the oregano off the page..

And then I was off on a hunt to find more leaves...my next find came out of a drawer of baking decorations. I thought the stars would be interesting, so...

I love the way it looks. I just wish I could figure out a way to frame each canvas. While walking Honey, my terrier mix rescue, I spied several tiny branches that were similar to full-grown trees. I picked them up for inspiration. Now I will broaden my search for more entertaining ways to create "leaves" for my trees. I'll feature them in another post. Until then, keep crafting!

Challenges I am Entering:

  A Place to Start - Anything but a Card

Art*Journal*Journey - What Makes You Happy

DL.Art - Anything Goes

  Four Seasons - Anything Summer Goes

WeLove2Create - Anything Mixed Media Goes

Using Nature to Paint a Canvas

 

I finally broke out of the "painters' Block" I was stuck in. I pulled out a circular piece if wood for my canvas. I had seen on Pinterest this technique of using a leaf to paint on and transferring it over to my canvas. I sanded and coated it with chalk paint and then stated the tedious process of "stamping" with my leaves, waiting for that to dry, then going over the whole area with watered down paint. While impatiently waiting for the opportunity to paint another layer, I had to admit that the time was well worth it.

There are about six layers of acrylic paint on my project. I can either hang it on a wall, sell it or make a plant stand or patio table out of it.I seem to remember having a couple of these round pieces of wood. Hmm...

What do you think I should do with this? Do you have other ideas I can use for it? Let me know in the comments section please!

Zen House in the Garden - an Art Journal Page

I got a chance to create some Zen Doodling in my art journal today. I'm trying to decide whether to color the sky blue. Or to leave it uncolored. Who knows! I may decide to put together pages for a coloring book, but now is not the time in my life. I have a To-do list that is mind boggling-at least to my mind. So I'll happily feature my new drawing here on Blogger. I hope you like it.

As a side note, Zen doodling is very relaxing. Focusing on each line or squiggle you create, being mindful of the contrasts you want to showcase, I feel like I've taken a nap within my mind when I doodle. I hope you get a chance to try the benefits of this kind of art.

Challenges I am Entering:

the Crafty Addicts - Anything Goes

Path of Positivity - Create Anything inspired by Nature

Art*Journal*Journey - Inspired by Flowers

 

Mother Nature Visits Ike's World Challenge Blog

Today, I created my DT project for Ike's World Challenge Blog. While the challenges are ANYTHING GOES, there is (almost) always an OPTIONAL theme, and this fortnight the challenge is Nature.

I was stumped for inspiration on the optional theme of nature until I was browsing the store at Ike's Art and found these fun animal silhouettes. The set is called African Animal Silhouettes. I thought they would make perfect "pages" for a child's picture book.

Each letter represents an animal. Unfortunately, I can't finish my picture book for my newest grandson, Jonny. I have to wait until Ike draws more animals for me to use!

I did manage to use six of the eight animal silhouettes in the set. But that's okay, my grandson is only 18 months old, so I have time. His second birthday is in August.

After choosing my background papers, I printed and then laminated each image, making sure to round the corners so my little man won't cut himself on the sharp corners.

I then hole-punched the corner of each so that I can string them all on a large jump ring. I'll tie on colorful fibers and ribbons as I create more pages. It has to be large as there are 26 letters in the alphabet!! LOL

For now, my little Fox is guarding the pages I was able to finish. Until I get more images to play with, why don't you join the newest challenge at Ike's World Challenge Blog for your chance to win free digis from the store?? I can't wait to see what you create!

Challenges I am Entering:

Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes

CAS on Sunday - Critters

Corrosive Challenges - Anything Goes

AllSorts - Anything Goes

Crafty Friends - Anything Goes

Less Is More - Alphabet

My Time to Craft - Anything BUT a Card

Alphabet Challenges - Y is for You Choose

Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes

My Favorite Kind of Challenge at the Outlawz Greetings Challenges

It's the last Monday of the month, which means ANYTHING GOES is the theme at the Outlawz Monday Greetings challenge. Kitty Bee Designs is this week's sponsor, and I created my card using a digital image called Best Bun.
My card is all about friendship today, inspired by the many many times my BFF and I sat in front of fireworks, the lake, a garden, etc., It's so relaxing to sit with a friend, knowing that you will never be alone, even when she is far away. That's how I feel about my soul sister, Janie. She and I go back to college days.
I drew and colored my card face with a mix of Copics, colored pencils and white gel pen. After framing my Copic-colored image with cardstock, I added siimple embellishments and my sentiment.
The inside says it all:

What will you create this week when it's Anything Goes? Just don't forget to link up for your chance to win 3 digi images from our sponsor, Kitty Bee Designs.

  Challenges I am Entering:

Crafty Cardmakers - Summer