Today's page is one of those quotes that inspires me. I do this very thing. I change my mind on a whim. I try new things without fear. I am completely addicted to keeping my spirit happy--whatever the method. I need it. I know others that need it. I know some that don't realize that it's what's missing from their lives. Some may call it selfish, self-absorbed, self-centered, whatever. But, I only live for making MYSELF and my SPOUSE happy (my kids are therfore, by default, happy). My order or priorities is this: SELF, FAMILY, HEALTH, WEALTH (although I really need to be putting HEALTH higher on the list, truth be told). We can only be responsible for OUR OWN happiness, not others'.
video link here: https://youtu.be/VinUeJ_U2HE This is my favorite prepped background ever. I don't even want to put anything on it. Just want to leave it as is. It has everything I love--a little teal, a little white, and a little GOLD! Scraped with card and fingers--just magical to look at. Well, here I go to wreck it! :)
Yep, I went with an old-school phone today--rotary dial and all. Reminds me of when I was a kid--a YOUNG kid mind you, but still. Just thinking on recent events, and reminiscing on the past. But I need to stop doing that, because it only causes heartache. Anyway, did some acrylic paint, gel pen work, and some fun newspaper rubbings--spray it with alcohol and rub with medium force and the print will transfer really easily. The trick is to not tear the newspaper--had to get the hang of it, which you'll see in the video. The white writing behind the yellow background is done with a PITT white india ink marker, which resists the paint slightly--an effect I kind of liked.
Video link here: https://youtu.be/PKrMXaqt0Y0 This is one of those backgrounds that I think looks so cool that I don't really want to put something over it. But, I will....Check back tomorrow to see what I've done on this background!
So, today's page is an art therapy exercise for me. I typed up a sequence of words, starting with the word creativity. What do I need to be able to be creative? First of all, I need to be happy. If I try to create while sad, I can do it, but it feels like I am in a rut and can't think of the next step. When I am happy, I can be more lively and productive. Then it went on from there--well, what do I need to have happiness? Harmony--in my family, in my body, in my life. What do I need to feel harmony? Strength--in my thoughts, and in my actions. What makes me feel strong? Confidence--in what I think and what I do. What gives me confidence in those things? Having GRATITUDE for them. I am able to think the way I do. I am able to do what I want to do--whether it's run or lift something or create something. In the end, Gratitude is the underlying thing that I need to focus on in order to be able to be creative. It is my foundation, and something I will strive to recognize daily.
Video Link here: https://youtu.be/q4-OrsgANeI So yes, one day I went through my book and randomly did a bunch of stenciling. All of these are pre-done, I just need to pick one out and decide that it's the next one. Usually when I pick a background, I already have something I'm itching to do--I just need to find an appropriate background. Unfortunately, sometimes the background gets completely obliterated. Other times it doesn't. I already know what I'll be doing on this page. I need some art therapy, so I'll be working through an issue I think I have. I need to practice gratitude, like on the daily. I'm quick to think I'm not doing well because a picture I recently took of the artwork by a spider in my front yard got more "likes" on my instagram and facebook than any of my art ever did. So, I could think, "Man, I suck. A spider does better art than me." But instead, I need to think, "I'm so thankful for the people who DO enjoy what I do. Perhaps I'm bringing them a little happiness to them--whether it's my art, or a photo of a spider's web." I am so grateful for my supporters. I am also grateful that I am able to focus on making art right now--these days I really, really need it.
Day 24. (Video #12). I had a lot of fun with this one. I love painting scenes like this--usually on canvas, but an art journal has thick enough paper to handle it, which I LOVE! I had a bit of a hard time with the colorful tree up front; I think you can tell in the video. But, it was one of those ideas that I just had to make a reality. Used masking fluid in a pen nib to write the message and acrylic paints to paint the scene. Some white gel pen (my usual MO) to put the finishing touches on it! Hope you enjoy.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/ydsflNhuRr4 Most boring background ever. I'm really gonna have to jazz this up! All it is is a little bit of tinted gesso through a stencil. I can do ANYTHING with this kind of setup! Here goes nothin! See finished product tomorrow y'all!
Not gonna lie, this isn't my fave page. It's the very first one of this first book of the 365 series though. So, I was trying to make it awesome and something that would be a good starter page for the book (I don't go in order). But I failed. I wish it was easier to read and more colorful. But, as I always do, I didn't have much of a plan and this is what I ended up with. And, I've told myself to just put everything up--the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Video link: https://youtu.be/trIyzyC-d0w There's nothing more scary or intimidating to me than the blank page or canvas. So, my way of getting over that scariness is to obliterate it. To show it who's boss. So, whether I slap, scrape, brush, flick, scrub, or stencil onto the blank page first, my only goal is to mess it up and take its power away. Then, I can comfortably approach the page with the feeling that "it's a mess! I simply can't mess it up any more than it is. Time to clean it up!" That's my approach, I never have a pre-conceived plan for any prepped page. I just have fun and try as many different ways to create chaos on each page. Very cathartic, you should try it!
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AuthorTabatha Dougherty: artist, art teacher, confessed chocoholic. Archives
April 2020
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