DLP CHALLENGE: WK 30 = SMASH IT!

The challenge week for the DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT was to create a page in the "smash-book" style.

I fussed and fiddled brainstorming several different possibilities as to what could go on my page, what it could be about and finally settled on the most obvious content for me during the summer months.

Living in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts it seems the only right thing to do would be to celebrate the Boston Symphony Orchestra and their summer home here at Tanglewood. Of course choosing this topic has nothing to do with the fact that our son Toby is the principal trombonists with the orchestra and you will find us at all three concerts every weekend plus taking in several of the rehearsals on weekdays. 

I can't think of a better way to spend my warm summer evenings than sitting on the lawn at Tanglewood having just finished a fun picnic supper, relaxing with a glass of wine and enjoying good conversation with friends before a concert. 

Yes, these are the days we'll remember!

... selected photos from programs ...

... add a little washi tape here and there ... 

... search through my embellishments for pieces that might fit ...

... and the full spread is ready for simple journaling throughout the week ..

DLP: PLANNER & POETRY

Another week ready for documenting and memory making! This week was all about doodling with the white pens. I think it really helps to move the elements of the doodles across the page seams to help create a sense of unity and help move the eye over the spread.

Choosing which white pens (any pens for that matter) that will work on the background strata of our pages is always a challenge. However, there is an all-time favorite white pen among most of us in the art journaling world and that is the Uni Ball Signo UM 153. The other white pen I used (for the larger tip) was the Sharpie Poster Paint marker.

The base for my pages on this spread were ... a light layer of white gesso followed by pan pastels, spray fixative, and then a little acrylic paint here and there. The acrylic paint was added for the most part after the doodling was finished.

An excellent resource for more information all about white pens can be found on the blog at Jet Pens: 

Guide to Choosing White Gel Pens and Markers.

... and now for the pages ...

DLP: ELEMENTS & EMBELLISHMENTS

If you're anything like me as a mixed media artist, you have no shortage of supplies. Paints, pens, sketchbooks and calendars, stickers, gadgets and gizmos ... And, I'm guilty of continualling adding more, wanting more, and saving all of the "more" up for JUST THE RIGHT PLACE" to use them. Can you identify with these thoughts?

And so, to that end,  for the month of July (we won't talk about the fact that I'm having difficulty making a commitment to this goal beyond one month LOL) I'm on a mission to use some of the treasures this month. No more saving, No more hoarding. Trust me, SELF, there will always be more out there to tempt you when you need to replace with something new and better.

I captured some shots of my DOCUMENTED LIFE PLANNER and wanted to share how I have gotten the elements and embellishments out of the box and onto the page, and more importantly, let you see how I've integrated them with the page so each page presents as a unified piece rather than as a themed collection.

planner page and tip-in view

fun fireworks piece that's been in my stash for more years than one cares to count; adding the multi-colored paint bursts helps to make it a part of the page rather than just being an add-on

aren't these foam stars fun; have a whole bag in many other colors - more than I'll use in my lifetime LOL, but I love the dimensional aspect and lining them with the white pen is a perfect easy way to make them a part of the page
(white pen: Uniball Signo UM 153)

this is an element I created using torn note paper; a way for me to practice my lettering skills; I used my new white Liquitex paint marker, and my black china market to border the piece and to add shadows to help it pop off the page

a fun graphic from a magazine that fits in perfectly with what is happening in my life right now (lots of gardening) but also is a perfect match for my ONE LITTLE WORD for the year, cultivating

and there it is, the spread with the tip-in opened up; the common color palette helps present the spread as a unit; hooray for me - I used up the glittery fireworks stickers (added white pen to anchor to the page) and worked in the word stickers (framing them with the white pen to help them pop up off the page)

Thanks for stopping by. I challenge to to move your hoarded stash out of the box and on to the page.
Write about it on your blog.
Send me a link in the comments.

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE

It may seem like that is what happened - my falling down the rabbit hole, but in reality, it's more like having fun exploring and playing with all different kinds of art projects in the studio. Alas, the digital collage project fell by the wayside as I played more and more with mixed media. I'll never understand why I can't seem to do digital projects AND mixed media at the same time. Maybe it's the sticky, painterly inky fingers on the keyboard??? Who's to know. It's a mystery, but it's something I plan on working on more in the future.

Another thing that happens to me is that I can't seem to learn new techniques and process the art that is happening in my heart and soul at the time AND think about or figure out how to write about it. Another thing for me to work on as the days go by.  

And so, I'll just jump in with the current project of the day and we can go from there. THE DOCUMENTED LIFE PROJECT has been going on this year with the girls over at Art to the 5th and there are some amazing pieces of art being shared within the group.

The project consists of planner pages and weekly challenges with the option and encouragement to personalize and adapt the project to fit your style and format. I will be sharing my work throughout the rest of the year with an occasional journal flip here and there to show work done in the past too.

And so ... WEEK 29: Challenge: add a wish list ...