New Art Journal Pages

These are a couple of new pages that I created over the last couple of weeks.  The second one is going to be a part of a journal that I will be putting together for sale on Etsy, full of quirky backgrounds and journaling prompts and yummy stuff. I love the pop of red over top of the blue...and the semi-creepy doll heads... I have had a few people tell me that they love the creepy feeling pieces that I have in my journals, and that they would love a journal with some quirkiness. So that is in the works, but I thought I would share some of the pages as they develop!

xo

Jen

New Journal Backgrounds

 I just created a couple of art journal backgrounds that I love, so thought that I would share them here.  These feel like I am getting back to a stye that I was missing...like I had forgotten about it and left it behind in the name of every element needing to be mine.  Hand created.  There is something so peaceful about just flowing with images.  Cutting. Pasting.  Breathing. And out of that came a couple of pages that I can't wait to write all over.  That mean something to me.  I hope you enjoy!

xo
Jen

Sapphire

She started as a simple sketch...a journal page. 

Perhaps a design under a transfer.

Play with some watercolour...wait - 

that's working...more colour...more paint...

Copics and ink and water soluble oil pastels...the layers grow. 

Luminescent eyes that shine with inner light. 

More Copics...more refinement.

I present Sapphire.

She is how I regained my sanity a bit today.

xo

Jen

Pinkie

eyes luminescent bright light shining through reflecting what is inside where do the words come from what have i seen where do i extend to next pools of soul falling dropping like splashes on the page

the next pretty girl

xo

jen

Nanton 2011

Bunny Journal

 I have always loved paper.  In any form.  Even when I was younger, the thought of school supplies would send shivers down my spine.  I know - I'm a nerd. Whatev! I think watercolour paper has always been one of my favourite textures though. Especially a lovely 140lb cold press...mmmmm....so lovely.  It has been in my head lately to try book making - it seems like a natural evolution from the journaling.  So I taught myself over the last couple of days and it was SOOOOOO much fun!  This is a hand-stitched, 4 signature (24 leaf) journal with fold out flaps. With a bunny on the front just for fun. I love that the cover just kept evolving - it was like it told me what it needed and I just put it together. The new 7 Gypsies papers were a lovely addition as well-the little doodles in them fit in perfectly!

 

 

 

Art Journaling Intro Class is Back!!!!!

Click on the above image for more info!

 Art Journaling Intro is back! And it's even better and more exciting than the first round! Some art teaser techniques and more demos have been worked in to the mix, so come explore with us - last sessions students went places they never expected to go artistically and had so much fun in the process!

 The Scrapyard will be hosting the class again and it is such a great space to be in. So come join us and bring a friend because this is a SUPER fun journey to share!

The class has been broken in to two sessions (Intro One & Intro Two) to make planning your time MUCH easier. Session One is 6 weeks and will be starting March 14 for the Monday afternoon (2-4)session and March 17 for the Thursday evening (6:30-8:30)session, ending late April. Intro Two will start up after that for another 6 weeks!

Each session is $150 and will include all your basic supplies - paper, paint, inks and access to all the tools, stamps and goodies at the Scrapyard.

Call 403.271.2225 to register today! Classes will fill quickly, so don't delay!

What can you expect to learn?  How to create backdrops, layering, many transfer techniques, how to use various art mediums and how they interact with each other, how and why to journal (and how to make it WAY less intimidating!).  There will be challenges and lots of fun-this is a class not to be missed! 

Expect the unexpected - how to use found images in unexpected ways

How to journal-including creating your own handwriting style, especially if you think your own is yucky!

Ongoing page challenges to explore different styles and stretch yourself!

Gel medium transfers - so much love for these! And so simple!

And most importantly, Be Who You Are - find your style and let loose!

  xoxo

Jen

Paris Girl

I finally had a chance to finish the painting I have been working on for a few weeks and I LOVE LOVE LOVE how she came out.  The colours are so vibrant and there is a lot going on in this piece.  The edges are finished with vintage english and french book and dictionary papers. So much fun. Check it out on Etsy at:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/67373515/paris-girl-original-mixed-medial?ref=pr_shop

Whistler Sled Dogs

I am sickened and heartbroken by the Whistler tragedy. Here is a link to one of the reportings on the story.  It is very difficult reading and sheds light on one of the darkest sides of human nature.

Christmas Connection

New Art Journal Backgrounds

I went to an evening crop at The Scrap Yard on Saturday night and had an absolute blast.  My friend and I stepped out of a traditional crop and worked on our journal pages.  Here are the backgrounds that I created that night.  They make me happy everytime I look at them. And I completely love the cyclops thing going on.

NYC Journal Page

 I realize that I have used this images a number of times, but it occured to me that I should have it in a journal, as it may not always be on the wall. I had the perfect background journal page that worked with the colours in the image. Combined with a bit of journaling that sums up the root of how I feel about NY, I'm happy with the overall feel!

Art Journaling Class

For those of you in the scrapbook world, it's the latest thing! But more importantly than that, it's a journey in to your heart and soul that takes you in to the world of being an artist - even when you didn't think you could be an artist!

I am so excited to announce, that starting November 15th, I will be teaching an Art Journal class at the Scrap Yard! Click on the image below to view it full size - it has all the info on what the class is about.

There are two classes - Mondays at 12:30 or Thursdays at 6:00 pm.

The class is limited to ten students and is generating a LOT of interest. 

 So call the Scrap Yard at 403-271-2225 to sign up and come play with us!

Here are a few of the pages that I have started creating as demos for the class:

I love tapes. Not the cassette kind that we mixed up in the 80's and 90's. Washi, transparent, masking and this uber-cool metal tape I found at home depot.  What a lovely, lovely surface to work on. It embosses under my pencil; the pencil rubs away with subsequent media, but the mark remains. It paints beautifully. It also gives one hell of  paper cut...but what's a little blood between friends? This tape inspired me to push past my comfort zone and attempt a bit of a sketch. And then go beyond it. And spread my wings.

Sigh. So many lovely things to play with.

Social Media

I am trying a bit of an experiment for the next month or so.  I love love love all my followers and people that I get to exchange with on Facebook and Twitter. But I also know that our summers are sooooooooo short. And I would like to enjoy the sunshine while we have it. So I am reducing my presence in social media for awhile. Please don't take offense...I'm basking in the sun! (Well, and working productively so that I can do that...). In the meantime, enjoy this art journal piece on the very subject.
xoxo

Deconstructing 9er

It's official.  9er has been launched.  I have entered the world of Etsy.  Fot those of you who don't know Etsy, it is SOOOOOO worth checking out.  It is an amazing, online resource for all things vintage and handmade. Think Ebay, without the auctions crossed with the best market EVER! I'm a little excited...can you tell? Deconstructing 9er is my play place.  A place to put and sell the art that I am so passionate about.  For my art prints and encaustic paintings.  And for all of the other stuff that is swirling around in my bean these days. I would so love if you would check it out! There isn't much on there now...but stay tuned...so much more is in the works! In the meantime, here is a sneak peek of one of the pieces on there...and if you have any feedback...let me know!

xoxo

9er

100th Post!

I can't believe that I am writing my 100th post. Even though I have had this blog for a few years now, it still seems new to me.  I still have to think about sharing.  And I think that I love that about it.  It hasn't become boring or commonplace for me.  I feel like I am still finding new uses for it or new thoughts about how to use it. And morphing in to it being a wonderful extension of my creativity has almost felt like a rebirth. So in that vein, I am going to post a couple of recent-ish Journal pages. The first one was prescribed and inspired by a Helen Keller quote. I am really enjoying using the journaling prompts on Your Life Spelled Out. They make me think about topics I wouldn't have tackled.  And I find that I am turning more regularly to my pages. Keeping it fresh.  And not always just thinking about what is going on in my world or working through struggles. There is still a place for that, but it's not omnipresent.

This second one  has been an evoloution.  I started with the page.  And worked it. And disliked it. And left it.  And in the meantime, I had found this lovely picture.  And it sat - I didn't know what I wanted to do with it.  Then they magically found their way together.  And though the left-hand side of the page isn't complete, I feel so much more energy from this page.  It speaks to connection which is SUCH a big part of my world both personally and creatively.  So I'm sharing it now, knowing that it is still in progress. It is called Serenity - they don't always have titles, as I don't tend to like titles-this one just belonged. In fact - now my head is mulling that over as being part of what belongs on the left....hmmm...perhaps not to bed...perhaps off to create more...xoxox Jen

5 years old

My baby girl is 5 today.  Here is a piece that I created this morning to celebrate her in this coming of age.

Love you always baby girl.

Faith

Part of creating a Legacy is showing future generations who you are.  Who I am.  Most of us don't put enough time in to putting down our values, thoughts, feelings and emotions in to a tangible form that can be read and understood by those that love us and come after us. It's hard to commit yourself to paper - knowing that it will be read - potentially judged.  As humans, we have a hard time being judged and perhaps found wanting. Of course, that is just perception. Because at the end, the only opinion of ourselves that matters, is our own. I have been following the thoughts and journaling prompts on Your Life Spelled Out. Though I am never (or rarely) at a loss for what to write about or create, I have found having somewhere to focus my (occasionally) scattered thoughts has been very helpful.  Her gentle suggestions guide me to think about different aspects of my thoughts and life. So today, I put down my thoughts on Faith. As always - this is hard for me to share deep inner goo, but I am learning to be gentle. To put myself out there and to trust in the process of creativity that flows from it.  That is Faith in itself.

My Own Connection

Connection comes in so many ways.  Connection is the energy between people.  It is emotions felt, expressed and left crackling. It is light and love and sensitivity. I know that the root of my images is connection. And yet - I keep my own connections pretty deep.  You get glimpses of it in my photography and in talking to me.  But I am very conscious of crossing the professional line to allow the deeper glimpses of my rock star underneath. And in session today with my amazing business coach, Laura Watson I/we realized that in reining it/her in, I haven't been true to my art, to myself and most importantly, to my soul. I thought - this is a blog for my business, and though I have deviated slightly, it hasn't strayed far. And yet, my photography is art.  And art comes from the soul. If I can't show my soul as an artist - what do I have?

So - Laura challenged me to cross that line.  To smash it.  And bare my soul.  To share who I am.  I thought I would do this in a separate blog.  It felt safer and potentially less alienating. But no. It needs to be here.  Because we never know when the words we share make a difference for someone else. So here she/we are. Her name is 9er and she has come to represent the better/crazier/more interesting/ligther/artsy parts of me. I am unleashing her in hopes that people will connect with my story, emotions and more. I welcome comments and interaction.  Pass it along if you like.  I am reaching out without (in theory) fear and I hope you enjoy the ride. 

Grace and ease (below) isn't done yet. It took me 3 months to journal over the background because I was in love with the marks. I know there will be more on the other side, but wanted to share the process.