Paint Party Friday: Art Journaling

"Hide Me"

Strathmore Visual Journal

Happy PPF!

I hope this finds you happy and well. 

I had a go at art journaling this week and wanted to share my progress with you here. Not sure if I'm really done with these pages as I often wonder how much of my art journals are complete without much, um, journaling, but nevertheless, this is what I've come up with:

Vintage Bingo card serves as a hidden flap

Glittered girl underneath

And this page features a fabulous picture of my Grandma (printed on a transparency) back in the day:

"The house the Grandma built"

Thanks for looking! I look forward to seeing all of your pretty pieces at the Party . . . .

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday: "Damn, You're Hot"

"Damn, You're Hot"

12 x 12 Wood Picture Frame with 5 x 7 Opening

Happy PPF! 

I hope this week has found you happy and well. I've been having a bit of fun lately working on this painted wood picture frame and wanted to share it with you here . . . .

One of the things I discovered while drawing her (on a gessoed surface), was that anything caught in a kneaded eraser will scratch. Of course she was almost completely drawn when I noticed that I'd inadvertently made huge horizontal marks across her face with said eraser. Humph. But then, I realized that I loved the look of it, so I made more marks (and dents and gouges) until I was satisfied with my "distressed" frame. 

After that play, I painted her in with a combination of watercolor crayons, acrylic paints and glittery gel pens. I was going for a "made up" girl with "smoky" eyes and glossed lips (thank you, Stickles) and when I was done, my dear Hubby said that she looked hot, which of course is where the hand-drawn title came in. All that was left to do was some further distressing with sandpaper and she was complete. It's a bit saucy I know but, but . . . what the hey . . . .

Looking forward to seeing all of your painted pieces this week as well. Thanks to Kristin and Eva for inviting us all to the party.

Kristin xo

A Clean Slate . . . .

(Really, really big) WIP 

I love a new year. It carries with it the same air of possibility that you get as a kid at the beginning of a new school term; where fresh notebooks and new classes are replaced with goal setting and resolutions. It's endless potential, a blank canvas and a clean slate all wrapped into one . . .

And for me, this year truly is a new beginning. This is the first year I'm walking into without the expectation of having another baby by the end of it. Our decision to stop chasing after a second adoption after years of trying has given me a freedom that I never expected to have, and it has allowed me the opportunity to pursue my creative dreams sooner than I had expected to. I'm excited to see where this whole art thing leads and am grateful for the chance to go for it. 

So where will I be this year? Well, here. I've adjusted my schedule to allow for more time in the studio to create. I now have an Etsy shop to fill and want to give myself the greatest chance for success. With that in mind, I have also determined to be brave and try something new. I'll let you know what that means when I've actually done it (so I can still chicken out ;) but in the meantime, know that it is my intention to push myself and put myself "out there." 

As for blogging and blog hops, I will continue to play with PPF as much as possible and plan to be more present over at Sunday Sketches. I also hope to join a round of 29 Faces, which I have not yet attempted. I've just joined Life Book 2013 and am excited about watching those fabulous videos and learning from the bevy of talented teachers as well. 

Then there's the next installment of The Summer of Color 3: Artist Choice. As the name implies, it's all about choice this year and I think you'll like some of the changes I've made in order to keep the event fresh and exciting. I for one can't wait as I know this will be our best yet. . . .

So that's it (well, for now I suppose) - a year full of potential and possibilities - for us all. 

Bring it on,

Kristin xo