Art Journal Page: Eat Them Too

Having lots of fun in my studio this week! I need the creative outlet after receiving some not-so-great news recently. When I start to get stressed, making things and seeking out things to make me laugh are the way I stay as even-keeled as possible. I saw this quote on a greeting card at the airport last week and knew I had to use it in my art journal, it tickled me so.

I will post more about what I'm making over the coming weeks - thanks for stopping by!

CGM

CGM Podcast Episode #74: Blather and Books

Listen to the episode here

Show Notes 

Life Update:

• It's snowing...again...I'm trying not to be bitter.
• A long-winded story about a certain disorganized 8 yr old.
• Gardening  - you know, what I used to do early on in the podcast? - book mentioned is: Lasagna Gardening by Patricia Lanza

F.O.'s and WIPs:

• Mostly art journaling
• Cast on vanilla socks with Cakewalk Yarns and Addi Turbos in size 0, 40 in. circular needles
• Wool-gathering ideas

Spring Books!!

• At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen - 3/31
• Very Good Lives by JK Rowling - 4/14
• Liar by Nora Roberts - 4/14
• The Stranger by Harlan Coben - 3/24
• The Wright Brothers by David McCullough - 5/5
• Missoula by Jon Krakauer - 4/21
• Melody Lingers On by Mary Higgins Clark - 5/5
• Gathering Prey by John Sandford - 4/28
• God Help the Child by Toni Morrison - 4/21
• A God in the Ruins by Kate Atkinson - 5/5
• The Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg - 4/14
• How to Start a Fire by Lisa Lutz  - 5/12
• Finders Keepers by Stephen King - 6/2
• Radiant Angel by Nelson Demille - 6/2
• The Rumor by Elin Hildebrand - 6/16
• Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews - 5/19
• Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee -7/14
• Wicked Charms by Janet Evanovich - 6/23
• The Naked Eye by Iris Johansen - 7/14
• Summer Secrets by Jane Green - 6/23
• After the Storm by Linda Castillo - 7/14

Thanks for listening!

CGM

What We're Reading This Month

Me:

The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

(I feel like I'm the only person left who hasn't read this book! 

And I've had the advance for it for about a year, eeep)

Easy Love by Kristen Proby

I had to add in some less serious/literary reading. I have grown to really enjoy 

Kristen's romance books, her stories are a satisfying, fun, and sexy read. 

Easy Love is the first in a new series.

Prudence by Gail Carriger

Sam (age 8): Sam has hit a bit of a slump in her desire to read. I think she's either burnt out on reading so much, all the time or the call of the iPod and Minecraft is stronger than the written word. I'm not despairing (yet) over this, we all go through it from time to time, and she is keeping up with her required school reading. We are reading this book together, at bedtime.

 Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George

Madeline (age 4):

Aqualicious by Victoria Kann

(Maddy loves the Pinkalicious series)

Louise Loves Art by Kelly Light

What are you reading this month?

CGM

Art Journal Page: Reach for the Stars

Products used: Dina Wakely black gesso, Ranger texture paste, Dylusions "Flossie" stencil, stars stencil. Uni-ball Signo white journaling pen

CGM

Art Journal Page: I Feel Pretty

I sketched this little girl while engaging in some work avoidance activity yesterday. Then, after I completed the work I was avoiding, I couldn't resist creating a journal page with her.

First I sketched her, then filled in the face coloring and details with watersoluble crayons and a black pen. For her hair I first put down a wash of watercolor in black, then added the highlights with stamps and the imprint of bubble wrap painted with black.

For the background I used tissue paper and sheet music from the play West Side Story. I chose sections from the song I Feel Pretty since it seemed to fit the mood of this page best.

Once I was happy with her I decided to add a little more visual interest over the whole page by putting some paint splatters on. I use a carefully placed sheet of paper to cover the face when I do this, since I want the splatters to just go on the background.

The finishing touch is a little word or quote I add to almost all of my pages. The "Amazing you" is from a sticker set I had in my long-neglected scrapbooking stash.

I am having fun sketching faces and trying to improve my skills in this area - I still struggle with eyes and expressions. I am also learning how difficult it is to blend skin tones to achieve the right shade for the ethnicity you're trying to convey. I tend to blend so much that the watercolor paper starts to pill, which can make it even more difficult to get the colors right. It's all a learning process though, and I'm having so much fun along the way. 

In case you are also interested in the videos I'm using to learn shading/blending techniques here are just a  few on You Tube I've found extremely helpful - even if they do make it look like a piece of cake!

• How to paint skin tones in acrylic part 1
• Tutorial with Copics: 7 different skin colors
• Watercolor techniques: creating flesh tones part 1

Happy painting!

CGM