Creating Art Paper from Tissue Paper

Here are the results of my first experiment with this technique.  Basically, you place tissue paper on top of plastic bags to save the work surface and keep the paper from becoming a permanent attachment to your table. Spritz lightly with water.  The rest involves layering using matte medium, paints, inks, stains, etc. and anything you think might become permanently trapped between layers.  These paper are three layers. I threw in netting, shredded papers, coffee grounds, ribbons, string, holographic flakes, etc.  As you can see, the middle three papers are the same. The pics show that one side is flat, the other shiny, and when held up to light, it is still transparent.

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A different way to think about creative genius – Elisabeth Gilbert

Brilliant woman! Definitely worth listening to!

Vodpod videos no longer available.

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Missing my sister…

This journal I’m presently working on has only one theme – to work out my feelings.  Good or bad, I’m finding it very helpful. I began a background, not knowing what it would lead to. Suddenly, I found myself missing my sister.  What had started out to be a very pretty background, soon turned a bit comical.  I think it was because the background began to remind me of old walls and wallpapers. One place in particular came to mind.  We were around these ages when we lived there.  Out came the photos.  I not only had fun doing this but felt a bit of my sister back with me at the time.   :)

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More Journaling

Like a lot of other people, I use my journaling and other art to release life’s problems and hopefully learn something from them.  The garbled text on this page was meant to be kept personal. It does slide so that I can read it when I need to.  Someday when the full healing or lesson has taken place, I may choose to wash it away with gesso and put something new there.  Someday…but not today. :)

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Journaling around…

Just a journal spread that has actually been completed. Instead of making resolutions – which I never have done – I have chosen a word for this year…Healing.  The art process if a very healing thing for me.  It’s one of the few things that can take me outside of myself and also help me to learn life’s lessons.

The biggest problem I have with journaling is actually writing anything.  That may sound a bit silly but it really isn’t.  Art journals can be totally art,  totally writing, or a mix of the two. Although I actually love to write, the art just seems to speak for itself. Another point of growth for me this year is beginning to mix the two. One spread or page at a time. It will be interesting to see what happens.  Now if I can just figure out this new camera and get some better pictures! :)

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New Year’s Resolutions?

I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions. I try to create a better me daily. It doesn’t always work, but at least it follows a path of improvement rather than demanding some year long high ideal that may add pressure and cause me to fail.
I just ran into a wonderful blog with something that made a lot of sense to me. Pick a word for the year. Repeat that word to yourself on and off throughout the year. Let it begin to take hold. Although the author of the blog is not the originator of the idea, I am including a link here because I not only enjoyed her blog but liked the way she explained the idea. She chose the word “Journey.”

“Herland Story”

I have chosen the word “Healing” and am already beginning to feel the strength created by just letting that word wash through me.

Choose your own word and may you have a Happy, Healthy, and Peaceful New Year.

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Gift Journal

We are doing a “Secret Santa” at work. You pull a name out of a bowl and give a holiday gift to that person. The girl that I chose loves to write stories and poetry. She also loves to draw.

Here’s a pic of one of the things she’ll be receiving tonight. I decided to introduce her to art journaling / altered book art.

Although there is a lot of work started by me in the book, the majority is blank. She can write in it, paint in it, collage in it, drive her car over it, rip it up, go over my artwork,…anything she wants. 

It is her place to explore.  Hope she likes it!

Journal Front Cover

Journal Front Spread

Spread

Spread

Spread

Spread

Spread

Journal Back Cover

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Leather Cover Journal

Cover created from old leather coat

pages bound with bamboo skewers

many pockets, messages,
and a special envelope

My first piano hinge book. These are fun!

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