Art Journal: Butterflies

Using color mists with my stencil.

Although this one looks messy, it was a happy accident. After preparing the page with gesso, I used my butterfly stencil and sprayed it with Radiant Rain. Instead of sticking to the page, it began to puddle and run. I grabbed the heat gun to dry it. There were some large wet places, so I pulled the stencil off. When the blast of air hit the liquid, it ran across the page (similar to the guy on You Tube who paints with the leaf blower! There are others, but this is the only one I could find right now). It's very sparkly and iridescent IRL. Oil pastels outline the butterflies.

This page started with gesso, then added dark blue acrylic paint. I used the stencil again with aqua paint then hand painted the vines, leaves, and pink flowers.

Here's the final look - whimsical, but that's what I was going for. I addd oil pastels and some Pitt Pen.

This is a different butterfly stencil using green paint on white gesso. I was going for a clean, uncluttered look- like a specimen tray.

Here's the final look with oil pastels added. Hope you're inspired to open your own Art Journal and throw some paint down!

Playing in my Art Journal: Step by Step

While on vacation this week, I had plans to play in my art journal. Step 1: gather supplies. I want to use my different sprays.

Step 2: cover pages with gesso - I could only find my tan, so that's what I went with.

Step 3: choose background paints - acrylic yellow and periwinkle. Slather on page and dry with heat gun.

Step 4: use stencil - I recently bought some chipboard letters and this is the scrap that was left once the letters were all punched out. I thought it looked cool and decided to use it over the background.

Step 5: spray with color! I used Adirondack color wash in Wild Plum - yum!! Love the vibrant color! Dry with heat gun. See below for picture with stencil removed.

I love how these colors turned out.

Step 6: use butterfly stencil. I used the yellow acrylic paint again, but the colorwash mixed in with it, turning it a dirty beige.

Step 7: add some oil pastels in random spots.

Step 7: Finished! I also used my Pitt Pen to add some definition to the butterfly. It sure feels good to create art again!

Finished Square 14

Here it is completed. Now onto # 10. Oh, the purple blob turned into this:

a cute little bear! The yarn is super soft. I'm on vacation this week (woo hoo!!!) and hope to get some art time in as well as knitting.

Update on Square #14

The knitting mania continues! Here's the update on Square #14. It is coming along nicely and I hope to finish it this weekend. Even though it's so hot here in Middle TN, I continue to crave wool in my hands! I also started another project.

Any guesses on what this blob of purple yarn is going to be? It's something I've NEVER knit before. If all goes well, this will also be completed this weekend.

Knitting Progress

I continue to work on a block a month for The Great American Afghan. Above is block # 18. As you can see, it still needs to be blocked. This one started in the middle and was knit in the round.

In fact, I've already completed the block for this month - this is # 20.

Some of you know of my obsession with Vera Bradley bags. This is the Jewelry Book, all folded up.I found it was the perfect fit for all my KnitPicks options needles and cables! The purple cables matched the purple pattern perfectly!
One more view. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Flowers in our Yard

This one also shows the cool blue "tiki lights" I got for my birthday. They look really cool when they're lit at night.

When I was in KS recently, I found these blue globes that matched the tiki lights. I love the butterfly on top!

I'm beginning to come out of my "slump" and finding the JOY in life again. Hope you enjoy the flowers along the path of your life.