Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tiddly Inks 2 Week Art Journaling Challenge.



Better grap a cuppa, this is gonna be a long post.
Our challenge this week at Tiddly Inks is inspired by our Wow Ya Wednesday artist Kate of The Kathryn Wheel and what a challenge it is! (for me, at least) Create an art journal page (or project) inspired by the multi media style so popular now. I'll be honest. I don't have a lot of paints and sprays and that kind of stuff because I really don't like to get my hands (and everything around me) dirty. And I'm a chicken, and a perfectionist, and if I don't like something I throw it away and start over, COMPLETELY over. The philosophy here is "There are no mistakes in Art". Tell that to my waste basket. LOL So actually experimenting in a bound journal is actually quite terrifying to me. I joined the Smeared and Smudged Art Journaling Group and I lasted 3 days and NEVER posted what I did on my blog. The group was very supportive, but what was supposed to be a fun and freeing experience caused me EXTREME anxiety so I dropped out. However, armed with the fab inspiration from Kate and the various links Christy provided for us HERE, I was ready to take the plunge again.


Okay, so maybe it looks like a little dip, because my page is really not as jam packed with doodling and whatnot as I would have liked... I started by slapping gesso on the page which covered up the lines and provided a base. Then I used Distress Inks in colors I immediately didn't like (was going for a sky and grass thing because I had no idea what the page was gonna be about, or what images to use.) Note to self: have a plan first.I hated it so on went another layer of gesso which muted it all (thank GOD!) Next some Acrylic Paint Dabber in Cloudy Blue and while the gesso AND the paint were still wet, I pounced it all with bubble wrap trying to get some texture. Then I had to let it dry. Hmmm... not very patient, so I blasted it with my heat gun.


Then I pretty much just messed around. Used more bubble wrap and Distress Inks with pretty much all of the blues. Stamped a Heartfelt Creations text background stamp with Perfect Medium and dusted with Perfect Pearls in the upper right corner. So it started to look like sky, or water. Took a look at my Tiddlies and came across Whaz'Up...or Down (currently residing in the Tiddly Inks Basement for a mere $1.00! Now you know I'm more of a cat woman, but these little guys captured what I've been feeling lately. (Read the computer generated journaling. No, I was just too chicken to try and write it by hand and possibly mess up after all of this!) I colored the little guys with Distress Ink and cut them out. I also added a compass mask and some stamping also with Distress.


Then I decided I wanted clouds so I got REALLY BRAVE and slapped on some Dreamweavers Embossing paste. What I didn't read was that it was translucent. CRAP! (thought it was white) so I looked in my drawer and grabbed some Sparklyfluff, sprinkled it on, and hoped it would stick. Yea, it did, but the pic doesn't show the sparkle...bummer. My only dilemma now was the balloon strings because I was pretty sure I couldn't draw over the Sparklyfluff. Couldn't find black floss either, so I opted for wire which was not a great choice, but what's a gal to do? So anyway, here's my page and I have to admit I had FUN! No, it's far from perfect, but it's okay. Now, if you want to see perfection, check out what my teamies have done HERE. And don't forget this is a 2 week challenge so you have plenty of time to muster some courage if you're a newbie like me. You may just find your voice. There are no mistakes in art.


P.S. Christy has previewed 2 new adorable images and a FREEBIE on her blog, so have a look HERE.

21 comments:

  1. oh donna this is so cute! we have 2 little dogs down the road from us just like that!!
    i love the sentiment and i think the page is fabulous.
    huge hugs Lou xxxx

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  2. LOL - I love your post, too funny. I think after you second coat of Gesso was when things started to turn around for you. I looked at the challenge a little differently, this was finally a chance for me not to have to have a plan and not to have to worry about it looking good in the end.

    It made it more freeing for me. I like you am a perfectionist, I think that's why I EDIT so much and am not so good an piling on a lot of embellishments. I had a basic idea then just started "playing".

    I love your out come. All the birds and your background stamps. Your end result has more versatility then mine, your's could pass for a card face too. Bravo!

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  3. this is so wonderful! i think you did a fabulous job! I love that little upside down puppy and the cut out sentiments! Wonderful!

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  4. Hahah I loved reading your post Donna. I recognise everything you have written LOL (I"ll admit I was almost crying when I started on my project LOL).
    I think your page is stinking cute! I love the sentiment you used and I love the soft colours.

    Hugs,
    Larissa

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  5. Wow, girl! All your fretting for nothing...this turned out super fabulous! The color immediately lured me in and then the close-ups just wow'ed me. LOVE the fluffy clouds and how the layers are just transparent enough to get a peek at what's beneath. It's like you are right there in the clouds! In give it two thumbs up with a cherry on top!

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  6. Your post and your page bought a real smile to my face, love it. Its so like something I would do!. But on the upside it came out looking great, very arty and very inspiring,xxx

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  7. As they say, you fret for naught!~....this is just darling. I love the two up and down scenes, the colors are wonderful and your post was a delight to read. As always. Hugs.
    Carole

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  8. Donna, I absolutely LOVE everything you do...big fan from way back, and I think this page is wonderful. It is free form and witty and the design is great. Thanks for sharing your creative process. xoxo

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  9. Donna YOU are freaking hilarious girl! I was totally the same way - I put on Gesso and put it on again! LOL - at least we can erase our mistakes! It's so funny b/c I kept thinking ok this has to look art journaly - but doesn't that defeat the purpose...so in the end - I'll make a card and stick it in my "art journal" LOL!
    Hugs and this turned out fabulous - I LOVE the textures and the sentiment is PERFECTION for you experience in art journaling!
    Hugs,
    M

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  10. Hahaha! Donna, I feel your pain! I like things nice and neat, too, and this is one of those challenges that the more mess you create, the better things turn out. I guess it's good for us to think outside of our tidy box once in a while...LOL! Your page turned out awesome and had me cracking up immediately! I love the pups and how they perfectly convey your sentiment. You totally nailed this challenge! Hugz, Cheryl

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  11. I enjoyed reading your post and can relate to all the things you said. I too, am a perfectionist but my problem is getting started. one day eh! When i am in the mood for a mess lol

    Thanks for sharing
    Julie

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  12. Hi Donna,WOW this card is sooo GORGEOUS,I just LOVE that little upside down puppy,TO CUTE!BEAUTIFUL job with it my friend!!:)

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  13. Well I went and grabbed a diet pepsi.. and got al settled in to read your post... you are such an amazing person.. funny, creative, talented.. girl this is just awesome.. and so how I have been feeling lately. lol "pulled in so many directions".. love everything about this... hugs

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  14. I can so relate to your post!!! Your journal page is absolutely brilliant! Love it.

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  15. This is just wonderful! I feel the same as you about getting too messy and let me tell you I made a huge mess with this one! I absolutely love your page and think it is just great!

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  16. Oh Donna - you made me giggle!! The more I read, the more I giggled!! As funny as you are you are also very hard on yourself!! Your page is so serene, quiet and beautiful. I, too, struggle with the art journaling. I ALWAYS have a plan and it NEVER comes out as it does in my head...which frustrates me to no end!! But...it's all about the journey and I'm so proud that you dove back in. (I also quit the S&S journaling challenge and I was working for them then! HA!) But I feel your pain. Maybe someday those of us challenged in art journaling can all take a class together! FUN!

    Hugs honey!
    xoxo
    Meredith

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  17. I love your art journal layout and encourage you to keep going :) You put a lot of detail into this and it came out great! I have an art journal link party at my blog each Thursday just for fun and inspiration, I'd love it if you'd add your link: http://jans-gonestampin.blogspot.com/2011/09/art-jouranl-link-party.html

    Thanks for the inspiration and some new ideas on stuff to add to my own :)

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  18. You must be like me, small particles of any coloured inky painty spraying things shouldn't be wild and free across a scrap room. But you did a fabulous job and I love the way the background is so detailed. LOVE the sentiment too! x

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  19. This is wonderful, love the dogs going up and down! =)
    Hugs, Elenor

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  20. I think you did a fabulous job on your page. I know it is hard to start but believe me once you do you won't be able to stop....writing on the pages is ALWAYS hard for me--I have handfuls of books started, lots of background papers done and no journaling in them. Keep going and do it again for you--get your hands dirty, LOL!

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Thanks for making my day!