Wanderlust week 3 - Vision board portrait

So many things I liked about this art journal lesson:

1. It's more or less a vision board for 2020, first one I've ever done, maybe because I was more ready than ever before since I actually have specific plans thanks to the moon manifestations I've been working on.

2. I like to include self portraits ( the greats did it, why can't I? lol) but I've never even thought about doing a profile, so this is my first.

3. I like firsts, don't you?

Links to supplies I used in case you like them:

Rubbermoon stamps, collage elements 

Some of the art elements came from a Cheap Joes catalog  

It may be a little time consuming and a little fussy for some but the effort of cutting out my pages just looks SO much better and yes, it's a little bit of pain that brings me joy in the long run, kinda like diet and exercise, lol

And a little peek into my "beautiful" mind, ( behavior or personality is outside social norms (very similar to the cliché of the socially awkward nerd )because I'm recording as much as possible to see if and what happens. As it stands right now, color me impressed with following the moon phases, doing the work as evidenced on the paper on my desk. It's a huge sheet that I can record everything on it and really map out what's relating to each other.

2020...the begining Wanderlust week 1

So many things are going on with my life right now at a nice little clip,  and I am beginning to realize the power of manifesting and intention setting, which isn't witchy at all...in case you think it does.

 Manifesting = Goals.

 Intention setting = planning steps to achieve said goal.

And I am dedicating this journal to actually "journaling" as much as "arting" and committing myself to recording a years worth of moon manifestations along with the Wanderlust program and in a years time, I'll have solid proof for myself to continue researching and learning more about this. (I love researching stuff, lol)

The front page of my journals are what I use to set my theme or intention for my journal and this year I am dedicating 2020 to "self-discovery" which also would have made for a great Word Of The Year, but I chose "RECOVERY" because I am trying to recover the person whom I thought I would have become when I was "old"...(lol, yes I am turning 61 this year and when I was 10, this was definitely OLD.) I figured that my inner me needs a re-boot of sorts and I am on a year long conquest to do just that...I've lost her but she is still there I just need to intentionally go about finding her again. I put a lot of thought into this so I wanted to use the all seeing eye from my Artistic Muse Card #2 stencil to show:
a symbol of divine providence, powerfully representing spiritual truth and awakening.

So that explains the first page 😊

supplies:

acrylic paints by DecoArt

watercolor paints by LuminArte ascending  

hand stencil by StencilGirl®

My book will be called the Artfull Moon but I won't make the cover until the end (because yes, I am very messy) and you are welcome to ask me any questions if you want, create something similar of your own, or just come back here and check on my progress.

The Week 1 journal prompt:

Because I am working in my Moon journal I am tweaking the journal prompt to fit my needs:

Which of my three signs to I relate to the most?

I chose a planetoid shape along with their astrological symbols to represent the 3 astrological relationships. 

supplies:

acrylic paints by DecoArt

watercolor paints by LuminArte

stamp by Rubbermoon
stencil by StencilGirl®

Did you know?

Are you aware of a specific number that just seems to keep popping up,
sometimes for no understandable reason? ...

Power number 3 — A person with the power number 3 tends to attract a rich and full life from midlife on, permeated with creative self-expression and social activities. The person is likely to be tolerant, optimistic, and inspiring.

Personally, I'm all about the number 2 and 2020 is going to be my century! Especially on my birthday in 2022 being that I was born on 2-22 and born at 2am under a full moon. I've been looking forward to this time of my life since I was about 10 and I am sure to be journaling about that too! ❤

What's your favorite number?

Sense of self

This post finds me in washi tape heaven!

In Japan, it's known as masking tape (マスキングテープ) and the most renowned brand of washi tape is simply called mt - which stands for "masking tape". The term "washi tape" refers to the fact that the tapes are made from Japanese rice paper and differentiates it from typical masking tape you might find in the hardware store.

Vintage Stamps, Ransom Numbers, Wide Black Calligraphy, Star Woodblock stamp, and Old Letters & DaVinci Writing

Washi tape is actually usually made from natural fibers (like bamboo or hemp) or the bark of trees native to Japan such as mulberry, mitsumata shrub or the gampi tree.

But let's start at the beginning, this is my art journal page that I created.

And this is how it began...

I had some backgrounds pre-made ages ago using the Decorative 6-Petal Flower Screen stencil by Gwen Lafleur. I loved the backgrounds so much that I could have left them as is.

But then the washi tape was whispering my name in my ear...and wow, does Gwen carry the most beautiful designs! And oh look, one of the Darn Good Sari Yarn Sample Packs jumped out to join in all the fun!

OK...so my typing skills still haven't improved but while I was pecking away I couldn't help but notice this little person hiding among the splattered paint and coaxed him/her out of hiding with a little pen work.

I then laminated the piece, punched in some holes and tied it into the journal with the Sari ribbon. Have I mentioned that silk yarn is sublime? 

I doodled with the Star stamp and some Rubbermoon stamps and used my Overstitch wheel/pricking wheel through the paint to create the star trails.

 Thanks for stopping by! I really do appreciate you and will return the favor.
I promise!

When you stop by it makes me feel like I've been crafting with friends versus being by myself and I love that sense of camaraderie between artists.

One of the Turkmen jewelry parts

See you soon, I can't wait to see what you've been up to this week!
linking up with
Paint Party Friday

Challenge 5 - the Americas

I almost let this weeks ITAC challenge go by without an entry. I found a previous background page in my journal that sorta fit the green portion of the challenge  (green is just not a color I use often) and took out a pipette and some India ink and started playing. 

I always try to "let go" when pipette painting, I mean really, it's a must-have mindset when painting this way. Especially when your surface is covered with ColourArtes Silks Acrylic Glazes which you can see adds a lot of glossy shimmer. The ink really slides around and it's pretty much an 

"It is what it is" moment

....lightbulb moment!!!!

I have a Rubbermoon stamp that says just that!

I love it when I am thinking in tune with my stamps!

 Kismet!

Then I thought I really wasn't into adding a currency element until I remembered a coin from Gwen's Going Global Turkmen Jewelry Parts which I thought would be a cool element to hang off the journal.

• Shades of green👍
• Something transparent or sharp, like ice
• A large format feature, XXL size
• An element suggestive of money and currency👍
• One or more elements inspired by music and/or Samba👍
• Decorations made of feathers, metal, leather…

Re-Capping the week

It has been Avery busy week, glad the weekend is approaching. It's the first time in awhile that I have absolutely nothing planned...I like it! lol

1.  I am totally crushing on my Khadi journal. 

Just love the deckled edges of handmade paper!!!!

 This page was done for the itac-17 challenge 2, Asia.

2. Began a new Vignette Art piece (WIP)

3. New toy

I got a refracting ball (80mm) and took it out to play with. We were up in the mountains for the solar eclipse and got there early to avoid the traffic so we had some time to enjoy the scenery.

and of course there was a lot of moss, these were my favorites

moss sporophytes

British Soldier Lichen

4. TIRED
Tired pretty much sums up the Eclipse experience, I didn't even know I had misspelled eclipse in my video of the day until it was pointed out to me, lol If you do decide to watch it, and it's pretty boring, I know, please give me  'thumbs-up" to make me feel better. lol
And an art journal page which pretty much sums up the day.

5. finished Vignette Art piece
#Hahnemühle #Leonardo paper
which I am entering in Paint Party Friday and in Illustration Friday

I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thanks for stopping by!

StencilGirl & Imagine blog hop

June Pfaff Daley, one of the StencilGirl designers asked if we could make an ATC to trade with her kids at art camp. Of course I wanted to!! I am thrilled anytime I get to participate with children so I made her 4 ATCs and I also made myself an art journal page to go along with the ATCs I made to commemorate the experience.

Products used:

StencilGirl stencils:
LittleEddy Rose Stencil by MaryBeth Shaw
Angel Circle Stencil by Kate Thompson

TurkishWedged Stones by Daniella Woolf

WheelSpokes Set #2 by  Andrew Borloz

Decorative 6-Petal Flower Screen by Gwen Lafleur

January Stencil club small stencil by MaryBeth Shaw

Imagine® Products I used:
Craft Mat
Brushstix
Multi-Purpose Squeegee

I love the Brushtix for stenciling and used them recently (3 different ways!!) when I made my ATC booklet. I made a video of the booklet itself and you can see it HERE.


I made a short slide show/video of my process just to make it easier for you to see rather than posting all the pictures :)

 Hope you enjoy watching it!

AND I made a video of me cleaning my craft mat...lol.
...yes, you read that correctly 😉
Have you ever seen someone so excited to clean a mat off?
You have now, 😜

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive both a $25 Gift Certificate to StencilGirl Products
AND a $25 Gift Certificate to Imagine Crafts!

Visit the fabulous designers from both teams and comment for your
chance to win!

The more blogs you comment on, the more chances you have to WIN!
(One comment per blog please.)

You have until Sunday, July 23rd at 11:59PM Central Time to leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on
StencilGirl's Facebook page and Imagine’s Facebook page

on Monday, July 24th.

July 20 

Sandee Setliff ←ME!

Karen Gaunt

Cindy Gilstrap

Tina Walker

Neva Cole

Kyriakos Pachadiroglou

Renee Zarate

Elina Stromberg

Website: www.stencilgirlproducts.com
Blog: www.stencilgirltalk.com
Email: mary@stencilgirlproducts.com

water color and stencil are a match!

I am up today over on the ColourArte blog today with TWO journal pages and of course my usual video. Stop on over and give me a wee visit why don't ya...

( oh, I think I swallowed a Leperchan, lol )

Not only do I love this technique ( 2 prints are always better than one, right? ) but I love this stencil. Love Story, designed by Cathy Nichols for StencilGirl, was inspired by her painting “If You Want to Get Lost, Follow Me,” and it depicts a couple holding hands walking through a magical forest. 

Sometimes you have to get lost in order to find your way. This stencil contains rich patterns, trees, and flowers, along with spaces in the tree roots where you can carve or paint in the words of your own love story.

Mirror drawing for #BeOurGuest

OK, so last Friday I drew a portrait with my left hand, this week I am experimenting with mirror drawing...that's using both hands at the same time! My video can be found here :) I used my Elegant Writers pens, and I'm still not loving them like I was hoping I would...guess I just need to work more with them.

And I LOVE the stencil I used for the background, my new favorite :)

AND I get to add her to my 29 Faces, so this makes 11.

Collage Girl #10

Getting a little bored with faces...there, I admitted it.

I'm in trouble, and I'm not even ½ way through! 

Yikes!

I grabbed a whole bunch of painted paper, some from my mono prints and some from paint run-offs papers to create her.

I also re-visited a previous page, and now I am unsure...did I ruin it?

Here it is in its original state which I loved.

And then I added words...late at night...I knew better but...I did it anyway.

So, should I have stopped? ugh

the answer is yes, I know it is...banging head on desk...

#7 and #8 of 29 faces

Catching up but still behind, such a frustrating feeling!

However, I am in love with both of these "faces" and they were so simple and fun ( maybe that's why I like them so much, lol ) The first one is simply a stencil, I mean really, don't you just love a stencil that can simply become art? 

Sometimes we just need that.

Angel Circle was designed by Kate Thompson

I took the angel stencil and did it once stenciling ColourArte Shimmering H20's through it and then kept turning the stencil over and over to capture the swirls coming off the head.

This page was inspired by Carolyn Dube and her Colorful Place to Play challenge to use left over scraps. I began with a background that I created while playing with my StencilGirl Scrappy Cat stencil by  Suzi Dennis and  ColourArte Shimmering H20's . I took out all my painted scraps and had an idea of what I wanted to do but a "spark of inspiration" took me in another direction. The little face just stared back at me and from there it was history. This "different" little girl just came into being and I actually love here, kooky as she is.

So while I am still behind I am sticking to it, better than I do dieting and exercise...oh if only I had the will power to keep up with that too.

Sweet Angel #4

In an effort not to fall too far behind I did a quick drawing last night while sitting on the couch watching a movie. I got out my Tombow markers and drew her in all straight lines and after she was done I laid quite a bit of water on top and let it pool. The hardest part of this technique is not moving your drawing while it is drying. The next morning I came back to it and outlined the "pooled" areas. I really like this effect, it's fun and easy and makes the drawing look much more interesting.

I have come to the conclusion that drawing a face a day is much like dieting. Once you skip a day it's hard to get back on track and suddenly you are 2 days behind and wondering if you can do it at all.

Entering my sweet angel in
Mixed Media Monthly challenge #33

a little abstract does a body good #3

Oops...I am now one day behind, which means I'll need to make 2 today but yesterday was the drive home from the beach and it just wore me out. I had to drive home in the rain and it was stressful.

So I looked to the internet for some inspiration this morning and discovered an artist, Thomas C. Fedro. He does pop art faces and landscapes and although this is opposite from my style it was fun to incorporate a little abstract into my art.

I'll add a quote or something later but for now I am linking it up to

29 Faces and Paint Party Friday.

Every woman is a queen - #2

Still at the beach with limited art supplies but I managed to keep up with day 2....don't laugh...drawing on vacation is not easy. Played fast and loose with this one too, maybe about 15 minutes again. Having a prepared background has helped a lot with making the process faster.

Linking up with 29 Faces.

My niece convinced me to have a picture taken with my grand nephew since I am "camera shy" and she is right, one day I won't be around anymore and there needs to be at least a couple with me and him!

Beach hair #1

Knowing that I would be starting my 29 faces in February challenge while at the beach I came packed with some premade backgrounds, hoping that would help some.

I have to admit I am feeling very uninspired and a little windswept from the beach so I am just naming this piece "beach hair", lol

 So I started sketching a face out first with a water soluble pencil.

Then I just marked some colors out quickly using my guide lines and tried to not over think it too much...obviously not over thought, lol

Then added some water to let all the colors blend together. At this point I really didn't like it and was feeling very uninspired to finish it. But shrugged and thought oh well..lol

I had a white pen in my kit so I decided to highlight and outline with it to see if I could reel the mess back in, 

It was fast and easy, and I only spent about 15 minutes on it, but that's good enough for me today, now out back to the beach I go to let the wind blow me away somewhere.

One of my favorite pictures of Pierson that I was able to snag. I have discovered that the age of 3 is a fast moving experience and it's hard to get him to be still long enough to get good pictures!

WOTY - adversity

Word Origin and History for adversity

n.

c.1200, aduersite "misfortune, hardship, difficulty," from Old Frenchaversité "adversity, calamity, misfortune; hostility, wickedness, malice"(Modern French adversité), from Latin adversitatem (nominativeadversitas) "opposition," from adversus (see adverse ).

Ok, so I will be the first one to admit that "adversity" is a strange word to pick, not the normal uplifting vibe that most want for their word, but for me it fits. I'm a kind of a glass half full kinda gal who doesn't try to let myself get down in the dumps when faced with a challenge or a "bump in the road"...sure, adversity, it happens to all of us but it's how we react to those circumstances that controls who we are.

Now if I could just overcome writing in a straight line, sheesh, I'm even using a straight edge and I manage to still be crooked. lol