Remaining October PACs

The last two PACs of October are finished!

Week 4

Art Challenge - Repeat a Pattern

For this card I used an under paper (previously painted scrap paper) as the background. For the repeating pattern, I cut small rectangles of a gold candy wrapper and stitched horizontally through them. I used a variegated thread and left the tails for extra texture. I looked through my box of "found words" that I save from book pages etc. and found this appropriate phrase. Done!

Week 5 (actually just one day!)

Art Challenge - Incorporate the First Letter of Your First Name

Again, I used a pre-painted scrap and glued on a few other scraps. I found the "S" clip which was perfect for the focal point. I also added a border made from overlapping s's. To finish, I added scribbles at the bottom with black ink for some added texture and depth.

On to November!

Documented Life Project - Weeks 50 and 51

December Theme - Storytelling with the Written Word

Week 50 - Dec. 5

Art Challenge: Words, Front and Center

Journal Prompt: Life is a book. We fill the pages.

For this week's spread I wanted to use this large "I Am Artist" stencil from Donna Downey. I've had it for awhile but never had the perfect place to use it.  For "words front and center" this fills the bill!

The background started out like this. I collaged many under paper scraps and also 

the text wrap from a candle.

Then I toned it all down with some brayered white paint. I topped that with lots of stamping in black ink and the stencil in black paint.

Week 51- Dec. 12

Art Challenge: Using Quotes and Lyrics as Storytelling

Journal Prompt: "One of the hardest things in life is having words in your heart that you can't utter."  James Earl Jones

For this spread I didn't follow the journal prompt but concentrated on using a quote. 

The background is collaged "under papers". If you're not familiar with that term it's the paper used underneath a project while painting to catch the mess! Often it is prettier than the project itself!

I added white paint with a palette knife to tone it down and blend the background together. The black and white chevron is washi tape. There's lots of random stamping with black ink.

I found the quote on Pinterest - it is watercolored by Amy Tangerine. I simply printed it and taped it in place with more washi tape.

With these spreads finished, the end is in sight! I have last week and this week to finish before the end of the year!

Documented Life Project - Week 32

August Theme - Faces, The Human Form and Characters

August 15 - Week 32

Art Challenge: Characters

Journal Prompt: "If You're Going to be Weird, Be Confident About It"

Is it just me or are the challenges getting harder? Or maybe this is just not my comfort zone! This is what I ended up with for Week 32 and, yes, it's kinda weird.

For the background I used some under paper that I liked (this is the paper I keep on my table to catch all the drips and wipe-offs when I'm working on a project - often they turn out really cool!) I didn't do anything to the background other than washing it with a light coat of gesso. The paper did not cover the full spread so I painted the left side and glued on a border strip and labels for the days of the week. The numbers are Tim Holtz Alpha Parts.

underpaper

I decided to collage a crazy character using the body

I decided to collage a crazy character using the body of an owl (image from the Internet), adding eyes from a woman's face in a magazine ad and red glasses and pink Doc Martens from the web.  For the legs I stamped Dyan Reaveley's funky tendrils stamp (lower left below), cut two of them out and colored with permanent pens.

I drew the hat and painted the stripes and polka dots. The title is also a Dyan Reaveley stamp which I cut apart and glued in place.  This is not my favorite page, but he is a character!

I will be back in a few days after we travel to Albuquerque to see two of the grands.

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!