Trying to revive my muse

It's been awhile since I've done much artful creating. What with the remodel and then refinishing lots of furniture, I have not been in my art room except for a few small swap pieces to send off.

Things are settling down now and I'm taking a break from the furniture painting - at least for now as there are more pieces I would like to redo - so I'm trying to find my muse again.  This came in the mail yesterday. I was about to throw it away but since it's basically a big sheet of sticker paper, I thought I would art it up for future stickers.

First I spread a light coat of gesso on it to subdue the colors and writing.

And this is what I ended up with after several layers of scraped paint, stenciling, stamping and splatters. It was fun to just let loose and not care about the outcome! And you can't even tell what it was originally.

Now I have some great background paper to punch or tear to add to future art journal pages or mixed media projects.  Here's an example of a punched 2.5" circle which is perfect for the start of an Altered Trading Coin.

So, the muse is taking baby steps back. Hopefully she will jump right in soon!

Catching up on Documented Life Project pages

I am trying to catch up on the Documented Life Project weeks that I was gone. I didn't take many art supplies with me and it's so much easier to create at home. Helping with a newborn and a 2 1/2 year old doesn't leave much time for art making!

January 25

Theme: Blank Page and How to Face it

Art Challenge: Writing

Journal Prompt: Words with Friends

For this page I started by scribbling thoughts about friendship loosely all over the background. Then I added paints, washi tape, spray ink and stamping. The silhouettes are a photograph from the Internet that I copied and then cut out and used as a stencil. I also wrote words of friendship in the painted circles.

March 1

Theme for month: Layers You Will Love

Art Challenge: Under Paper

Journal Prompt: "What lies beneath?"

The under paper is what covers your work surface when creating and catches all the mess. I collaged several torn pieces to the pages and added paints and inks.  Then I laid down the bird masks and painted black around them. The birds really pop! I didn't paint the right side so I could use that for my planner page.

March 8

Theme for month: Layers You will Love

Art Challenge: When Not to Stop

Journal Prompt: Don't Stop Til you get Enough

I started this page by gluing down Tim Holtz tissue paper (with the butterflies) and then added paints, stamping, and texture paste through the Feather stencil. I colored the butterflies with watered down Distress Paint and outlined with black and white pens. The raised feathers are highlighted with gold paint and Inka Gold paste. You can see this better in the photo below.

Only a few more weeks and I'll be on track!