courage

Inspired by a conversation with my oldest daughter and her sharing with me some links to TED talks by Brene Brown.  Background text is from a paperback dictionary from a thrift store, sealed with gesso, with lettering in pencil, fine-tip Sharpie, and colored pencils.

magnolia blossoms

This pen and ink and colored pencil drawing was inspired by a sprig of magnolia blossoms that a friend brought to work last week--exquisite in color and form.

it's ok...you're allowed to fly

This journal page is created with pencil, an extra fine tip Sharpie, and Crayon colored pencils.  I applied gesso to the brown paper first, which creates a fine texture on the paper that the colored pencils can grab.  The result is much brighter color than if I had used the very smooth original paper alone.

ancient footsteps

Lately I have been experimenting with handcrafted art journals made from recycled brown paper grocery bags and bound with carpet yarn.  This two-page spread includes ocean waves created with watercolor paints over tissue paper and includes spattering and some sponge work.  The quote is from a Bob Dylan song and reads:  I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea, sometimes I turn, there's someone there, sometimes it's only me.

first art journal

This is my first art journal and I'm using the opportunity to experiment with anything and everything--watercolors, pen and ink, colored pencils, acrylic paints, gesso, Mod Podge, scotch tape, and a variety of techniques.  I have two other empty art journals ready to go, again made with brown paper grocery bags and bound with yarn.  I'll take my favorite techniques and mediums and start creating journals with themes.

I made the cover with a piece of fabric glued on with Mod Podge and then trimmed with household masking tape.  I braided the ends of the yarn used to bind the journal.  I'm very please with my first attempt and can't wait to start on the next one.