{CREATIVELY MADE} Week One : Altered Journal

{CREATIVELY MADE WITH JEANNE OLIVER}

WEEK ONE: Altered Journal Cover

Just letting you peek on my current project for Creatively Made, workshop by Jeanne Oliver. The first week has really been amazing as I watched some of the videos from Jeanne sharing some of her wisdom and insight about the creative gifts that have been instilled in us. I sometimes had moments where I would choke up and feel like crying because a lot of her messages were very relational to what I had gone through as I began my journey towards discovering my dreams and desires to become an artist. The challenges of balancing life with family, to overcoming fears about finding my purpose in what I do, to not giving up on the dreams I have for myself and family and some of the realities that she and many women struggle with, was very encouraging and eye-opening that it taught me the importance of finding that voice in ourselves and connecting with the God-given gifts that was placed in us. We all have a gift and it is to inspire and bless, not only ourselves, but to inspire and bless others. One thing that really resonated in my heart, was her insight that our gifts and creativity, will always be in line with our family values and dynamics, it will never oppose and conflict with what's important to our family. Simply an amazing revelation, at least to me. It just felt so good to have that affirmation that I am not alone. Hearing her stories, as well as the stories shared by everyone in the class, has been such a blessing to me so far and really uplifted my spirit and soul in an immeasurable way. 

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We had already finished Week Two, but I am still behind in creating an Altered Journal cover from Week One's lesson. I had such a busy week that I couldn't begin on it right away, but I am determined to work on it and finish at my own pace. 

I spent today looking through magazines and found some clippings of words, quotes, titles, and also images of models and cool backgrounds, like the peacock feathers which I love. This is my first time actually doing a mixed media collage using cut outs from magazines, so I'm not that familiar with this technique, but I'm really excited to finally experiment with it and see how it turns out.

So, here is a peek at what I've done midway, using this lady that I cut out from a magazine ad, ephemera, acrylic paints, stickers, rubber stamps, and a butterfly die cut. Will share more details on that once I complete this project. :)

I'm about to leave to watch the Niners playoff game, so this is going to be sitting on my table until I get back! Woot, woot!!

GO NINERS!!!!!!

Doodles Unleashed : Inspired By Traci Bautista

Traci Bautista's Doodles Unleashed online workshop is a free class on Strathmore's website that I am currently taking and because I've been so inspired by her work already, it was a great chance for me to get to know Traci and learn from her. Doodling comes so naturally to me already which is why I was so excited to join in and I'm so glad I did because I am having so much fun with it. So far, I've created a few pieces from the last two lessons that were posted and wanted to share my take on them as I applied some of her cool techniques in my art work. There are two more weeks of her workshop and I will also be posting about that as well, so don't forget to come back and check out my blog!

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Lesson 1: Playful Printmaking

In lesson 1, it was about printmaking and creating doodles shapes for the background, but I didn't really create too many doodles because I was more focused on creating a theme for an art journal page and wanted to incorporate a title as you can see above and some writing onto the page. However, I did love this lesson because one of my favorite things to doodle, are flowers and botanicals. 

Dream: "Never let go of your dreams...you and only you can live out your dreams."

One of the dreams I have is to 'write a book' and to 'teach'. 

I know that these dreams can bloom, grow, and flourish if I hold on and never give up.

I used a white gel pen to journal with, but Traci has a list of her favorite white ink pens + markers on her blog which I want  to try out in the future.

As I was experimenting with letters, the letter 'd' was actually not freehanded like the rest of the word. I used a chipboard letter as a mask when I sprayed ink over it and then traced and painted it. I think I will do that with all the letters next time to give it a more cleaner look... But, it is what it is and that's okay :)

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Lesson 2: Creating Spontaneous Watercolor Backgrounds

Lesson 2, was all about playing with watercolor and creating watercolor backgrounds with doodles and stamps. I particularly LOVED this lesson since I primarily work with acrylics in my art and never really use watercolors very much. But, I think this class turned it all around for me and I absolutely love the whimsical, dreamy feel to this project. I used watered down acrylics and watercolor crayons.

I BELIEVE I CAN FLY

I used a butterfly rubber stamp and inked it up with my paintbrush, being careful to not mix the colors on the rubber stamp before applying it onto the page. It came out beautifully.... When everything was dry, I went in and added some detail with a white gel pen and black india ink pen.

Of course, I had to add journaling... "With God all things are possible."

Hand painted the words with watercolor took some practice.

Used a round metal cap to add circles. Then journaled, "Spread your wings and fly away."

Close up on the butterfly.

I went in and splattered paint in different colors...

The splatters left a trail in the right place which I think gave the butterfly a sense of movement and direction. 

THANKS to Traci for being an amazing inspiration to the art community. Looking forward to creating a stylized face in the remaining lessons of Doodles Unleashed online workshop :)

Japantown in SF :: Treasury of Cool Art Finds

Last weekend, my family and I spent a few hours downtown and originally, we only set out to visit one of my hubby's favorite places on earth, The Guitar Center. He and my eldest son, Josiah, are musically gifted and love spending hours in there playing guitar, drums, keyboard, etc. My youngest, Lucas, is more like me and loves anything colorful and artsy. So while they spent time doing their thing, I grabbed out my smartphone and browsed through the Yelp app for art and craft stores nearby. Surprisingly, I didn't realize that Japantown was just a 10 minute walk away, so Lucas and I set out on our little adventure.... Luckily, the weather has been really beautiful in our neck of the woods, sunny and mild, a little strange for winter, but I am not complaining!

When we get there, we take a moment to take a break and sit in the center of Japantown where they have one of their popular attractions -- The Peace Pagoda. Usually in the spring, the cherry blossoms are in bloom everywhere.  Every year, thousands travel to Japantown for their annual event--Cherry Blossom Festival--celebrating the Japanese culture, traditions, and diversity. Spring is just around the corner, so I am hoping to make it out here this year....

This is inside the Miyako Mall, Peace Plaza.

Strolled into Ichiban Kan, a Japanese Dollar Store, and saw these poster markers that were 2 for $1. Used them on a project that I will post about soon.:)

 

Next we walked over to Daiso Japan, another Japanese discount store where almost everything is $1.50. I absolutely adore it here. They sell everything from household, kitchen, hardware, stationary, art, gifts, food, and more. Sometimes I'll find the most unique items that you would've never thought was invented. Sooooo cool. This location is one of the biggest stores I've been too and has more products than the one closer to home. 

So, my first cool find is this foam placemat. Look at those details and can you guess what I am thinking of using this for?? A stencil mask!! I would probably cut it up to use on different sized projects, but I already know it would really fun to play around with it...

Then walking down their craft aisle, they have washi tapes, decorative ribbons, gift bags then I spotted these Lace Border Tapes... I am already imagining the uses for these on my art journals and canvases. I love the designs, especially the black lace. 

In the art aisle, the have tubes of acrylic paint in so many colors... I don't know if the quality is any good being that they are cheap, but I think it would be great to have on hand to play around with and incorporate it with other mediums.

Paintbrush packs, carving tools, drawing accessories, inks, palettes, etc... Very basic stuff, but affordable if you are on a budget. Love it!

Origami papers in so many pretty patterns. Yummy!

When I wandered by this end cap, I had to stop. These stationary packs with papers, envelopes, and stickers brought back memories of my childhood. Though they are not Hello Kitty or Sanrio, I remembered how I loved collecting these and pretending to play office with them or simply to just have and write letters or make cards.

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Kinokuniya Book Stores are just one of those places that I immediately fall in love with, mainly because I love books AND secondly, I love their Japanese collections of art and design books, magazines, and stationary. It's heaven!

Here is a whole table spread of artsy journals and notebooks.

I love the doodled design and the simple words-- I WRITE.

This face covered the entire front of a notebook. It totally caught my eye, kinda mysterious like me.

Here is where I can stand for hours just browsing through the art eye candy of graphic and print designs.

In their craft section, there are tons of instruction books on drawing, painting, ceramic and textile arts, etc. But they were all printed in Japanese.... One of my goals: Learn to read, write, speak Japanese!


Well, these are just a few of so many artful and creative finds that I discovered during my impromptu visit to Japantown. I can't wait to go back!

I've been thinking that maybe I can start a series of posts relating to creating mixed media or art and craft projects, using items we may already have at home or by purchasing affordable and inexpensive art tools, mediums, innovative supplies etc.  Hopefully, I can encourage and teach others out there who want to learn mixed media, but are on a tight budget like myself.

Let me know what you think????

2012 Round Up : Art Journal + Mixed Media Workshops Galore

I will be participating and learning in this truly inspirational, 4-week workshop by Jeanne Oliver -- Creatively Made, beginning today, Monday, January 9th. After watching her intro video regarding the e-course, I just knew I had to take her class. So excited to begin this journey into learning and growing, but also how it relates to my spiritual journey as well. My goal is to really reflect my faith and the wisdom I have learned through my experiences, within my art and writing. So, this workshop is going to be something that will spark my creativity in that sense. I will definitely be posting about the entire process as I am learning from Jeanne, on my blog, so please don't miss out and check back often....

Also, I am being totally overwhelmed with so many other workshops being opened up in 2012 that I am anxious to be a part of. But, I really, really, really don't think it's within my budget especially with so many financial obligations that I am facing at the moment. It is so tough right now, but I have faith that things will work out once my hubby and I can begin to really focus on our photography biz and hopefully our individual passions with his plant nursery (which you can learn more about here.) and my artwork. Of course, I can't help but feel discouraged and a little apprehensive that what if it doesn't work out or maybe we can't be successful like others?!? That mindset needs to STOP. I need to remember that if others can make it, so can I. I have to try, I have to work hard, and I have to keep believing... With the adversities that I am facing at the moment, the setbacks and disappointments, the lack of finances, all these obstacles can easily deter me from reaching my dream and achieving my goals. However, it only pushes my limits to work with what I have and challenges me to take some chances on working hard at it or opening up an ETSY shop (currently under construction) perhaps? But, do I have the confidence and the determination to? I think so... wait, I BELIEVE SO...(gotta have faith, right?) I have to start somewhere and find out!

Out of all the workshops that I am dying to take, here are my list so far:

I love Julie Balzer and love her fun blog! Most of all, she is always sharing something new and fresh and so creatively inspiring on her blog in so many aspects of art--mixed media, scrapbooking, stamp carving, quilting, etc. Seriously, there isn't anything this woman can't do, she is LEGIT! And being a rubber stamp addict since a little girl, I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to hear that she has this course available!

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Christy Tomlinson has been a vital part of my creative journey since day one of my mixed-media adventure... I don't know where I'd be without her presence in this world! She is genuine, sweet, honest, and full of creative inspiration! My first workshop was She Had Three Hearts which I took last year and it has literally changed my life. This year she has a new type of workshop -- The Art of Wild Abandonment -- is one which she will be co-hosting with some her favorite artists. This one is with Junelle Jacobsen and from the looks of it, I am dying to learn from her! You can learn more about Junelle, here.

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Okay, now at first I was thinking that this workshop only involved one person teaching 21 secrets, but lo and behold, there are 21 of some of the most talented, professional artists... All contributing their unique approaches and creative techniques to help broaden and grow your skills. Talk about creativity overload! This is the 3rd annual 21 Secrets online course hosted by Connie Hozvicka of Dirty Footrpints Studio. More details about it here.

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Alisa Burke, is phenomenal. Enough said. Love her style. Its eccentric and lively, full of color and her expertise with sketching and doodles is out of this world. I feel giddy whenever I see her work, especially her graffiti style art. I wanna be like her when I grow up! Ha! Definitely going to take advantage of her courses this year, one way or another, even if means I need to save my pennies. 

This is one of her online classes that recently opened up January 1st-- CREATE DAILY. :)

It is a course that will help incorporate simple ideas and prompts to get creative every day for 30 days and exercises that should jump start our habits and instill some creativity in our daily routine despite our busy schedules. Something I know happens to myself with the many priorities and responsibilities that comes with being a mom and wife. I love that I can relate to her approach for this course, because I know that it can be so easy to get caught up in life in general and be too busy to create to feed our creative souls.

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Traci Bautista, is more than just an artist... She is a creative entrepreneur, author, teacher, just an overall amazing person. I can totally identify with her style because growing up a city girl, I have always been a lover of graffiti and street art, which I immediately knew that when I saw her work, I connected with it in a strong way. I love her sense of boldness in her use of colors and dimensional shapes and colors. It blows me away! Although she has several amazing online workshops available, her current release is one catered to those, like me, who want to really take our art and make it a successful creative business. I am totally inspired and motivated to really make what I do as my life's work, my career, my calling... If I'm going to begin towards that path, I know I can't just do it blindly. Big steps like this, need guidance and direction and who else is more than qualified than one who has been highly regarded and successful in this industry... So, if possible, I really hope to take this DREAM BIG 2012 course from Traci and make 2012 all about making my DREAM COME TRUE. 

**She currently has a FREE online video workshop along with a few other artists over on the Strathmore website, and registration is now open**

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And if I could travel, INSPIRED WORKSHOPS would be the ultimate workshop retreat that I would absolutely LOVE to go to because who does not love Donna Downey?  I have been secretly admiring her work for the very longest time, since my pre-mixed media scrapbooking days. This woman is insanely one of the most gifted peeps in the industry... I've always heard and dreamed of going to one of her Inspired workshops located in Donna's very own studio not to mention be surrounded by other creatives like myself in one setting. Donna is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. It's an entire weekend of mixed media and art journaling with a limited number of 20 students and these workshops usually are sold out super quick! For this year, it will be for the weekends of April 19-22 and November 8-11 in North Carolina. I'm probably guessing that it will be sold out soon like it usually does, but if I suddenly have the means and the provisions to go, I am jumping on this for sure, probably more towards the November class. Anyone else going???

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CREATE | MIXED MEDIA RETREAT is another event coming up for May 30-June 3, but this time much closer to me!!!! Irvine, CA is down south from where I am and is only a 5 hour drive from where I live. So, I don't see why I can't make it to this one. What is so cool about it is that you can select the workshops you would like to take on the given day and also by the instructor that you'd like to learn from. One very unique class that I am longing to learn is BOOKMAKING. You know, it would be so incredible if I could learn how to effectively bind my own art journals or even create them for others! I'm going to have to bug my hubby to allow me to leave him with the kids for the weekend!! There is also an Artists' Faire where vendors sell their unique art and crafts. I would love to browse and get a glimpse on how things are set up, network with like-minded entrepreneurs, and be inspired by other artists who have the experience of making their dreams come true. Find out more details about this retreat, here.

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Okay!! Well, I know there are probably many more workshops, classes, and retreats out there to choose from and I'm sure there are lots of inspirational artists that are wonderful teachers, but I wanted to share ones that I have been inspired to learn from and workshops that I am strongly interested in. I could probably drive myself crazy with wanting to take so many classes and workshops and perhaps drive my husband crazy with wanting to spend all our money, LOL.. So, it's one thing at time for me and hopefully I'll be able to fit some of these into my schedule as the year goes on as I continue to grow and learn new things...

Thanks for reading and letting me share! Hope to meet some of you online or at a retreat in one of these workshops!

He{Art} Canvas | Faith + Hope + Love Revealed

 

Materials Used: Gesso, heavy body acrylics, liquitex fluid paint, spray inks, alcohol inks, pan pastels, watercolor crayons, cling stamps, white ink pens, faber castell pitt pens, chipboard letters, fixative spray, and matte UV sealant spray.

A while back, I posted a sneak peek of a art canvas I made for a friend. Actually, it was a request that my lovely friend, Juby , wanted to give to her sweetheart, Mark, a mutual friend of mine as well, as a surprise present for Christmas. When she contacted me about it, I was really surprised and of course happy that someone totally unexpected even considered my work. As a newbie who has only been doing this for several months, it really helped motivate me to keep doing my best in all that I create and not be so caught up on trying so hard to be perfect or exactly like other artists. With each project, I can begin to define my signature style and learn what unique methods or techniques I am comfortable with. Not to say, that I won't try out new ones because I am always eager to keep learning new things, but at least I can have a basic feel of what makes me who I am when it comes to my art.

Fast forward three months later, I was able to finally hand this gift to them and it really uplifted my heart to know that my work is truly appreciated.  Mark has a strong connection to the verse in Corinthians 13:13 and has found a deep desire to live his life according to "Faith, Hope, and Love". So, Juby was very thoughtful in giving him something very precious and meaningful to him... So sweeeeet!!!

In the canvas, I didn't put those words in the exact order, but I ended up centering 'Love' as the main focus. I really love this piece, in fact, it's one of my favorites so far. I absolutely love the colors and the texture of background, the graffiti style and grungy feel of the letters and details, and simply because it speaks such a beautiful message.

Although this gift was for someone else, I felt that it was a gift to me as well... It pushed my limits and allowed me the opportunity to experiment and learn to let my creativity go. I seriously want to make another one like it, just for ME <3  

Thanks for stopping by and allowing me to share what I've done :) I really hope it inspires you! It's just the beginning!

xoxo,