Big Fat Art with Jane Davies

Meet Jane.

Jane is fun, quirky, straightforward, very creative and a whole lot spontaneous!

I had the pleasure of spending all last week with Jane Davies on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. Three days of Big Fat Art and another two of Monoprinting with the infamous Gelliplate. I was definitely in my happy place spending long days just creating with no means to an end, making unexpected marks, combining new colours and exploring lots of layers.

A little ukulele playing did not hurt the process….

We spent the week exploring fast, carefree mark-making with various mark making tools, charcoal, water-colour crayons, ink and pastel. We combined unexpected colours, playing with opaque and transparent colours. We added texture through the use of paint and handmade collage papers.We learned how to add lots of depth to our work. We even added a few drips here and there.

We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun.

Most importantly though we silenced the inner critic within and created with no concern for what is right and what is wrong.

To be truthful, it wasn’t easy. It can be a little disconcerting to try new things and work against principles that have been ingrained in you by every art teacher and book out there.

What I loved about Jane was her constant encouragement to push past what we already know and try something different, and her love for the creative process versus the finished outcome.

For me that included No imagery – no flowers, birds or other whimsical things flying around and, gasp, maybe putting some purple in my work.

Ok, some things I just couldn’t manage to push myself past, BUT look how awesome it looks below with the reds and yellows!

This, once again, reminds me of the importance of keeping an art journal. A safe place to try out new marks, colours and techniques. A place to make some really bad art with hopefully some unexpected surprises of greatness!

Here are a few of my works in progress. A few things I learned about myself:

I love strong, bold colour. I love texture, but not necessarily patterned texture. I love depth.I love discovering little marks hiding underneath different layers.I love organic shapes. I love a wee bit of black in my work. I love contrast.

I am a wee bit scared of the abstract. I still don’t feel comfortable with the tension it often adds to work.

I also learned that I need to add more areas of rest and lightness to my work. I need to take a deep breath and work on the details of each smaller piece within the bigger whole, to be more mindful and to slow down and sit with a piece before I call it finished. I need to add more interestingness to my work either by contrast, line or layering.

What a great week! I could spend all day, everyday, creating.

For more info on Jane please visit her website. Do not miss out on her tutorials tab. Jane is very generous with her knowledge and discoveries and has dozens of great video tutorials to share. Small doses of creative inspiration!

She also offers online and real life workshops. Sign up for her newsletter for more info on upcoming courses.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send me an email.

Have a great week! I hope the sun is shining and the autumn leaves are in full color for you.

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Everything I know I learned from my Art Journal

I have been somewhat successful this past week training my creativity to switch on at night. It hasn’t been easy, but I find that once I start it usually leads somewhere. Starting is the hardest part.

Being a bit of a morning person, my muse always has me getting up very early so it has been a nice change trying to switch things up and work at night . I figure it can go either way – I either stay up late fully immersed in my project or I get up super early, excited to get at it. Either way I am losing sleep.

I started Lisa Congdons Sketchbook Explorations on Creative Bug. It was fast, fun and informative.. It is a 4 part program, but easily finished in an evening (especially if you have Netflix TV series training;). Lisa explored lots of different ways to just start and get something down on your page.I loved the way she used lots of different mediums layered together – water-colour, markers and collage work. I also found it encouraging to watch how she incorporated her journal piece into a piece of wall art.

I have included my pages even though they are not really finished and they are rather random.Right from lesson one, inspiration struck and I had to run with it. I have a tendency to go off track when creating and I did just that, rather well I might add..my pages look nothing like the course pages!

Lots of ideas were springing to mind and I managed to try a little bit of everything. I believe that is the beauty of art journalling –  if you tire of one page, start another, I have found myself flitting from one page to another nightly adding marks and colours as I go. At this rate I may never actually finish a page!

I have been  very happy to re-discover my Prismacolor markers and coloured pencils. It is so nice to curl up on the couch and have some colour so easily accessible. No water and no dirty brushes. I will be using them all in my art journal from here on in..

 

My main goal for this experience is to gain some new ideas and hopefully a bit of  insight into some new colour combinations. I am also interested in combining a few different mediums that I will then be able to transfer over into my mixed media work. One thing is for sure and that is…Everything I know, I have learned from my art journal…

Next week I am going to try Dawn Devries Sokols art journal class on Creative Bug. I also have my eye on Yao Chengs water-colour class. There are so many interesting classes there so be sure to take a look.

Also on the learning front I am slowly finishing up Pattern Observers Photoshop for Designers  6 week course.

Wow!

That is the only word that  can sum it all up. Sherry London has poured her heart and soul into this one. It is full of information. Look out for more info here soon.

Well, there you have it! I was in need of something new  to inspire me, to jump start a new project. Happy to say that I found it and have a new series in the works.

The internet has no shortage of awesome classes and inspiring ideas and techniques to try.

Never stop learning:)

Tangled Weave – the start of a mini collage collection

The long, lazy days of summer are here.
Hours to laze around and work on my art ~ Paint outdoors, sketch by the lake and maybe try some new techniques.
Now that’s some Wishful thinking on my part…

making collage papers

You would think I would be getting lots done over here, but truth be told I am accomplishing little.

It is sweltering hot, the lake is calling,the dog needs to be watered, the kids need to get to camp and work and all the visitors need to be tended too.

Do I dare say I have having a lot of fun despite the compelling urge to sit down and work at my art?

intuitive collage – working with what is presented

I have just recently finished Mati Roses Daring Adventures in Collage.  It really helped inspire me to start working with mixed media again.

I just love the combination of paper,paint and ink. There is something about it that makes my heart pitter patter.

I love all the texture and pattern, with a little this and that peeking through. I love getting my hands dirty.

I am not sure which is more fun – making handmade collage papers or creating the actual collage itself?

I have approached this round of work a bit differently than before. I am now working on paper -Borden & Riley sketch vellum – which is a heavyweight, rather indestructible, paper for mix media. This allows me to cut, paint, spray and stamp to my heart’s content without stressing over another unfinished canvas.

It’s only paper and can either be recycled or cut up for another collage project. If I like it then it is easily affixed onto a wood cradled panel.

 

collage – lots of layered paper. Adding paint next!

This time around I am also working small. Very small for me.
All pieces are 8 by 8″.
I decided to go this route because I find them easy to complete in a day and easy to have many on the go at once.

I have a plan for all of these pieces, but that will be unveiled later.I am not trying to be secretive, just deciding what the best route is for these. A plan is in the makin’..

What I do know about these is that they are a part of my everyday creative life. They keep me playing and trying new techniques which only help spark my imagination and creativity.

I am hoping to be back here soon, but not making any promises. I am just a passenger on this free wheelin’ ride called summer. (even I am rolling my eyes at that one 😉

Enjoy every moment of yours!

Taking the Dare! Color in collage

Popping in for a visit to share some fun and learning I have been having with Mati Rose and her new class Daring Adventures in Collage. It feels oh so good to be peeling gel medium off my hands again. Throw in a little paint and ink and it makes for a great night. Mind you, I have had to lock all paper away during the work day as I am finding my paper playtime highly addictive.

Making painted papers and lots of marks for collage papers.

My goal for this class is COLOR. I need and want to use more vibrant colour in my work. I love my neutrals and shades of gray, but I am looking for some POP.
Paper is an easy medium for this practice because until you stick it down it can be changed many times= No commitment makes me happy. Also there are so many fun, colourful and layered scrapbook pages out there, it is easy to be inspired to throw down some paint on them too.

I created a series of collages  “out of the woods” way back using all natural coloured papers and even birch bark from my tree outside.  You can take a look at them here.I loved creating these and I find it easy to whip these up daily. I was thinking about them and wondering to myself  “why are these so easy?”…the answer  = limited colour.
No artistic stress – no racing brain wondering if you are going to wreck it by placing that colour here..or there..

So now that you have the truth – Color rattles me.
I take the dare – to spend my time in this course using lots of colour.

Mark making and painted papers for collage

Ok, maybe this isn’t too colourful in your world, but I have plans for it!

sea creatures in progress

Below are another two pieces in progress. Lots of colourful scrap paper layered with tissue paper and a light glaze of paint.  I like them as is, but will be adding more to them in spirit of my daring adventure.

collage – lots of layered paper. Adding paint next!

I have included some links below to some of my favourite collage boards on Pinterest. I have included a wide variety of styles so take a look and be amazed at what you can create with paper.

Leslie Avon Miller

JessBrooklynLuv

Emily Block

If you want some colour then Annes board may be to your liking. It has been my go-to for colour inspiration!

Anne O’Brian Gonzales

It’s almost summer and I am hoping that it will include lots of art time. I just have to get through June and what has become the busiest month of the year for those with school aged children – plays, concerts, fun day, interviews -it is all a bit crazy. 10 days to go!

PaperLove bloghop

My love for paper runs deep! My heart beats a little faster, my mind starts racing and I get a little giddy. All the colour, texture, pattern and weight is enough to make me a little speechless.

The opportunities with paper are endless. It is for this reason alone that I have become a bit of a paper hoarder. I have stacks upon stacks of different types of paper in my studio ~ old envelopes, cardboard, kraft paper, handmade paper,wallpaper, old magazines,tissue paper,  stationery, maps, and even some good old scrap- booking paper. It has been bought from far away places and travelled the world and it has also been found dumpster diving in my very own community. Interesting paper is everywhere!

floral papercuts for handmade business cards

Paper can be stamped, glued, painted, sprayed, crumpled,cut and of course, written one. Oddly enough, I often forget about the good old traditional method of writing on paper. I am usually to busy ripping it up and gluing it down.

I love to be inspired by my paper collection. I can admit to you, because I know you will understand,  I often sit surrounded by my papers. I put them into pretty piles playing with colour and texture. I imagine them in my art journal or all collaged up onto wall art. I imagine all the different textures that can be made in my paintings with them or how they will look with a transparent dab of paint – a glimpse of their original state peeking through. It makes me want to pull out all my papers right now and get working!

More mood boards focused around scraps of paper. I love the natural feel of paper~ it can be mixed with so many other types of medium such as wood, bamboo,birchbark, and even material, yet still keep its natural feel.

papertags,birchbark,cardboard,old packaging, paint chips, wallpaper,rice paper

Below is one of my “collage everyday” pieces. I hope to continue on with this project again one day. I had fun creating daily collages based around the woodland theme. It’s a great way to put all your paper scraps to good use.

wallpaper,handmade paper,tissue paper,ink and thread

And, of course, we can’t forget the lovely feel of a good, old fashioned dip pen and ink on paper. It almost inspires me to sit down and write a letter , unfortunately, I have a feeling I   would make more of a mess than anything else.,

Guess who else loves paper around our household? Yup~ Cariboo. He wanted to be part of our paper love bloghop today so here he is. Any paper that hits the ground is fair game in his eyes.

The PaperLove Blog Hop is a celebration of all things paper! Follow the links to discover more bloggers who love paper and use it to inspire and delight. And if you want to explore a whole world of paper, and stretch your paper passion further with a host of creative projects, why not join the innovative new online course PaperLove (starts March 31). Led by book artist Rachel Hazell, PaperLove is a five week creative adventure for paper lovers. Find out more here.

Come visit the other paper lovers in our bloghop today. I am sure you will find loads of inspiration!

Participant list

Majo Bautista / Tona Bell / Louise Best / Cathy Bluteau / Jennifer Bomgardner / Giova Brusa / Lindsay Buck / Beka Buckley / Joanna Caskie / Jonathan Chapman (Mr Yen) / Halle Cisco / Sarah Clare / Cathryn Clarge / Dawn Clarkson / Rhiannon Connelly / Jenny D’Fuego / Molly Dhiman / Ian Dudley / Ayisatu Emore / Akmal Farid / Monika Forsberg / Claire Fritz-Domeney / Louise Gale / Chrissy Gaskell / Julie Hamilton / Emma Hawman / Rachel Hazell / Holly Helgeson / Claudine Hellmuth / Kim Henkel / Sarah Hoffman / Joanne Hus / Paula Joerling / Beth Kempton / Julie Kirk / Eos Koch / Katie LaClair / Kristy Lankford / Michelle Manolov / Doreen Marts / Rosie Martinez-Dekker / Tori Mears / Maria Mederios / Lise Meijer / Debbie Miller / MaryJane Mitchell / Suzy Naidoo / Grace Noel / Hannah Nunn / Camilla Olsson / Jo Packham / Rachelle Panagarry / Monette Pangan / Melanie Paul / Nicole Piar / Jen Pitta / Liz Plummer / Julie Reed / Michelle Reynolds / Lisa Rivas / Angee Robertson / Natalie Ryan / Aisling Ryan / Elisabet Sapena / Kyrrha Sevco / Jamie Sprague / Elizabeth Steele / Terri Stephens / Juniper Stokes / Mary Tanana / Maike Thoma / Linda Tieu / Gabrielle Treanor / Tammy Tutterow / Deborah Velasquez / Jordan Vinograd Kim / Cat Whipple / Brooke Witt / Katie Wood / Amelia Woodbridge

Inspired by 30 days of collage with Stephanie Levy

I am feeling a bit topsy turvy right now. I spent 8 hours up in the air yesterday . I left the rain and sleet and am now surrounded by a warm breeze, lots of birds and a plate full of papaya.Life is feeling a bit surreal.
I know its early morning as life is just starting to unfold here on the Big Island of Hawaii. It feels early, but I know that my real life is in full swing right now! I have an assignment due today for Make Art that Sells,a bit of freelance work due and I have introductions to be made on a new course I am starting tomorrow.

I want to give a quick shout out for this new course because I think it will be of interest to many of my readers, artists and designers alike.

Stephanie Levy’s 30 days of Collage starts tomorrow! Stephanie has put together a month-long course full of tips and inspiration on collage.It will be full of learning tools, lots of visual inspiration, advice for collecting and making your own patterned paper,prompts to create and a great community to share and learn from.

Work by Stephanie Levy

You can find out all about Stephanie on her blog. I have included a small sampling of her work above. It is fun and fresh!

She has also lined up 10 international collage artists for guest interviews.They will be sharing their own personal stories and know how. I have included a few photos below to inspire you, but if you would like to pop over to Stephanie’s blog she will give you the full outline on each one.

Guest interview Jennifer Judd McGee

I am a big fan of Jennifers.I was first introduced to her collage work and then was pleasantly surprised to discover that she is also into papercutting and surface pattern. She is also represented by Lilla Rogers. Jennifer is definitely inspiring me these days. Her blog is here!

Guest interview – Shelley Kommers

I love all of the mixed media in Shelley’s work. The thread, the vintage photo and delicate tissue flower. Beautiful.

Guest interview – Brandi Strickland

Doesn’t this piece by Brandi catch your eye? Lots of depth and darkness combined with big, bright pops of color. Have a visit to Brandi’s blog to see much more.I really like the way she explores themes in her work

Guest Interview by Amanda Hawkins

Amanda describes her work as dirty, grimy minimal and abstract.It’s awesome- lots of smudges and unexpected surprises. She works in many layers and adds burst of bright colors.

Well, hopefully that should inspire you.Lots of look at!
Stephanie will have 20 plus, beautiful, step by step tutorials to share. This is just a small sampling of visual inspiration to help prompt you.Wait till you see Stephanies work!
Pop on over to Stephanies blog for more information on the course and a detailed description of what to expect.

Hopefully I will see you there!

Inspired by…a bit of creative living

I have my little bliss list all ready to go. I am enjoying the moment it takes to stop and reflect  on all the things I am grateful for. Keeps the spin on life positive.

I have to admit I was a bit down at the beginning of the week. It always takes me a little while to recover from vacation time. I love all the change, excitement and discovery that comes with a holiday. I am a creature of habit and tend to get a little stuck in my old ways and routine here at home. I need and crave the fresh perspective that comes with a little change.

Feeling happy now and really making an effort to add a little something new into each and every day. I am calling it Creative Living

Make creative thinking a part of your daily life. Ask questions. Vary routines. Do the unexpected. Creativity becomes more accessible when you learn to act more impulsively in your everyday life. Change starts your creative juices flowing and makes you more observant of whats going on around you. Nita Leland

So my first little big bliss this week ~ Mixing things up to spice it up.

Very appreciative of the time I have had this week to sit and be still. Spent lots of time observing with my camera and then pen in hand. Lots of journaling…

A little collage…Slowly getting back on track with my daily collage.

Also fely very lucky this week to have a little extra special bliss from the lovely Dion Dior and Luminarte . I won a spot in her Mastering Twinkling H20s class!  I am always grateful for the online creative community that I have become a part of. It is such an encouraging (and generous!)  gathering spot to hang out.

Have a look at Dion’s blog for more inspiration! She creates really beautiful work usually accompanied by some inspirational thoughts.. You will definitely be hearing more about this class from me!

As your week comes to an end, I hope it finds you happy, healthy and feeling a little blissful. If you would like to share please join us over at Livs blog with your own little Bliss list.

Have a happy weekend my friends!

Inspired by… Rex Ray and a collage a day

Welcome to the world of Rex Ray~ Great name. Great work.

Have a watch..

After watching this video I just wanted to climb right up there beside him on the desk and have a heart to heart chat about his journey, his experiences and generally what makes him tick. I believe we all need a mentor to help guide us on our journey. I have decided I want him to be mine.

Rex…just text me!    ( because it doesn’t hurt to put it out there..)

I love everything about this video ~ his work, his attitude and how he represents himself. What struck a chord with me was his daily collage work.. Oddly, I stumbled upon this video just a few days after I had made the decision to try to create a daily collage.

Serendipitous?? ..I am taking it as a sign from above..

As you may know, I love paper. I may even have a paper problem. I have stacks of it. I have been known to secretly retrieve it from the recycling.

There are moments when I am not so proud of my artistically afflicted ways…..

I have been spending the majority of my creative time these days working on my intuitive painting skills.Very enjoyable, but I do find that I often need to step away from it every so often just to give my canvas a chance to rest, recuperate and regenerate.

Collage, especially with a limited palette, is a  breath of fresh air. I dont struggle as much with it. Right now I am sticking to homemeade papers, pen and thread… but I know I wont be able to resist adding  some paint in time.

Playing with textures and composition.  The theme for this group is “Out of the Woods”. I have incorporated a lot of my homemade woodlike paper and birch bark from my very own birch tree.

One of my goals for this year is to actually build up a body of work. Instead of flitting around from project to project, my goal is to  concentrate on working within a theme/subject. Spend some time thinking about the subject at hand and finding different ways to represent the same subject. I have been trying to work on this concept with my poppy paintings. Why not do the same with my paper projects?

A small part of my brain also thought it may be beneficial for my upcoming surface pattern design course… Well it seems that Rex also thought it would be beneficial and who am I to argue with his success.

So my friends I leave you with this..

Source: tabletonic.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Every time I question the what and why of this whole creative journey, I come back to this ~  I love all the possibility. I love the zen like feeling and the a’ha moments I have when creating. I may never reach my ultimate destination, but what entertainment it has been along the way.

Inspired by…creative cat-napping

everything always looks a wee bit better framed...

Taking a little break from intuitive painting. It is definitely my new found love, but one that deserves quick spurts of creative and mental energy. If I spend too long sitting and thinking and trying to see, I find myself getting a wee bit grumpy and frustrated.

I am not a patient person when it comes to creating. I like to work and get it done. Unfortunately, I lose my passion for the creation as time progresses. I then find myself staring longingly at the new blank canvas waiting…patiently.. for its turn.

The other day I had to physically lie down and take a nap. My canvas was leaning up against the wall. Half dozed and fully relaxed I found myself just looking at it, eyes half closed. I was amazed at all the different scenes I saw transforming before my very eyes.

Could this be the secret? Afternoon cat naps?!

I am thinking that they are definitely a thing of my future. I would suggest to all…try it! Instead of throwing up your arms in despair.Take a break. Relax and close your eyes. Let it evolve. When you approach your painting from a clearer, more laid back perspective, great things happen..

My husband is going to love that I am now promoting afternoon cat naps…

Painting does not come easy to me. I struggle with it which is exactly what intrigues me the most about it. I love a challenge and for me, right now, this is it. Slowly I have learned that I do need to step away..and take a deep breath or two ( or a nap now!)

So what’s a girl to do for a little mindless, creative fix??

I play with paper.  I cut, I glue, I sew.

I find inspiration in books and magazines. I find layouts and colors that intrigue me. I go through my paper stash and put things together.

It’s very relaxing  and doesn’t require as much brain power as painting. No worries here about how to mix the perfect shade of purple or create a beautiful distressed back ground.. Just find the piece of paper that best resembles what you are after.

Rip and glue….

There are so many beautiful handmade papers out there.(Dont forget to check out your local paint and paper store too.. have a little read here to find out where most of the paper for these collages came from!)

A great start to the week. Hoping it’s great for you too…