Makin' Art - Not War !

While waiting to take off to Disneyland yesterday I created the above page in my journal. Again, using acrylic paints and Caran d'Ache water-soluble wax pastels.

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And then...a day at Disneyland... I took over 100 photographs...but out of kindness to my readers I will only post four ;-)

Above..I LOVE this striking image, part of a mural in Disney's California Adventure.

Above: The park is decorated for Halloween...a giant Mickey pumpkin on Main Street, ....SCARY!! LOL!!

Above: Ariel, The Little Mermaid against the night sky in the Parade of Dreams.

Above: Detail of the hookah-smoking Caterpillar from Alice In Wonderland in the Parade Of Dreams.

Still playing with crayons...

Another page in my visual journal...

No. 2 FRAGILE

Created with acrylic paint, Caran d' Ache water-soluble wax pastels, gel pens and rubber stamps (new and vintage).

Caran d' Ache

For quite some time now I have been reading the blog of the AMAZING Kelly Kilmer. I love Kelly - and I love her ART. So often the 'message' in Kelly's art resonates with me.

Kelly has the true heart of an artist...I don't think there is a selfish, egotistical bone in Kelly's body. I appreciate so much how she shares her knowledge so that we can all learn together and become better artists. Kelly is inspiring and encouraging and generous.

I have never had an opportunity to take a workshop with her! It is on my list of 'things I want to do' - and someday it will happen.

One thing that Kelly loves to use in her journaling pieces are Caran d' Ache Water-soluble wax pastels. She often shares the techniques in using them, and even offers to obtain them from Switzerland and sell them to her blog readers.
I happened upon a package of them while cruising the aisles of our local fine art store, Sterling Art, last week and I knew I had to bring them home and give them a try :)


Above: Working in my journal I first randomly applied several layers of acrylic paint using both a brush, a make-up sponge and foam stamps. Then using one of my original hand carved rubber stamps I stamped (the heart) with gesso. After everything was dry I started coloring with the wax pastels. I smooshed them around with my fingers and rubbed them with an old rag. Then I grabbed the first sharp object I found on my art table (a needle I use for bookbinding) and I began to scratch into the pastels. And oh how I loved the effect I was able to achieve! I love creating art that looks like it has a 'history' -- something that has been around for awhile (not new and shiny off the shelf!). I also loved how I was able to achieve depth by layering the wax pastels with the acrylic paints.

Thanks to Kelly I am now a huge fan of Caran d' Ache! This was my first and only experiment so far...a Work In Progress and a background for a journal page. I can't wait to experiment more with this medium :)

Above and Below" Close ups showing the scratched 'aged' look.

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone

*** I've just added new items over at AlteredInsomnia - go check it out
and tell your friends!***

I stepped away from my art table for awhile - the Muse had flown the coop...pens sat untouched...paint unopened...not even the junk mail inspired me ;-)

Then one day I visited the blog of one of my favorite O.C. girls - Pilar Pollock - and when I saw her painting of "Alma" - the female singer in a garage band...INSPIRATION struck!

The last time I sketched and painted women faces was waaaaay back in high school. Yes, it was waaaaay back in 1965-1968. And so I began to sketch, and then get out the paint and pens and all sorts of wonderous things to create backgrounds with ;-)

And the BEST thing is...
I am having FUN...just working in my visual journal for ME.

So, THANK YOU Pilar ...for unknowingly lifting that veil of artist's block...you ROCK homegirl!

...this post is for the BIRDS!

...but it's better than no post at all ;-)

I will be back SOON with ART & BLOGGITY GOODNESS!

All photos property of ~jolenemarie photography - copyright 2007