Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Art Journal: For My Good

for my good journal page

(click image to enlarge)

Of all the media, I love acrylics the best. I just laid down several colors that fit my mood, then stippled some white paint on a few blocks and then stamped (with Archival Ink) or colored, using like colors. I covered it all with gel medium, as I wanted to have a glossy look (also, for my mood—I think glossy looks cheerful). I went around the edges with my new Sharpie Mean Streak, which I LOVE! I dipped the top of a Dixie cup in some white paint to make a few white circles.

I should just let you believe I sketched and painted the pretty tulips. But, truth to tell, I printed the graphic from Graphics Fairy, onto tracing paper (in inkjet printer), cut out around it, and adhered with Gel Medium. I love how the flowers blended with the colors to fit my mood.

Oh, want to tell about my name, Mrs. Russell Ashley Ford, that appears beneath the verse. When I heard an art teacher recently mention the use of “calling cards” as ephemera in mixed media, I remembered: When my husband was in The Basic School (officer training), USMC, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, in 1968, my “training” while there with him was in becoming a proper “officer’s wife.” I was required to have “calling cards” printed. I was not asked what I wanted them to say—it was “standard issue.” So, yesterday I dug out the calling cards (I don’t recall ever using a single one as an actual calling card—you were to have them in case you visited a superior officer’s home, and their “butler” would extend a tray onto which you would place your calling card. I’m serious).

So, now I have found a good use—I’ll use them in my mixed media, sometimes trimmed down, like here, and sometimes as the entire calling card (not to be confused with modern-day business cards, by the way).

Yes, HE does work everything together for my good. I do want to remember that! That was the verse that came to mind while I was playing on this page.

Linking to:

Simon Says Stamp and Show

Anything But a Card Challenge #20

Simon Says Stamp Challenge Anything Goes

Art Journal Every Day

6 comments:

Lin said...

What a wonderful post, Barbara, from your beautiful journal entry (I believe that bible quote!) to the happy colors to your story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us at Simon Says Stamp. (and I'm your 100th follower!)

Candy C said...

Very pretty and colorful art journal pages, Barb. Your art journaling is really nice. I love the posts you've done with them...very impressive! Love the bible passage, too. It's so true! Thanks for sharing your art with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show. <3 Candy

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

Wonderful colourful journal,pages, love the bands of colour, they definitely lift the spirit. Love the added focal image and text too. Lovely piece. Thanks so much for joining in the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge. Tracy x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

GORGEOUS pages!!!! I love the patchworky squares and all the backgrounds! The color and verse is wonderful as well! Gorgeous Spring feel too! Thank you for showing us your S inspiration this week here at Simon Says Stamp & Show!!!

Margaret said...

Oh, I love the happy colors you chose for your pages! The calling card is so fascinating to me (love the background story too!) and makes me think of the 'proper' people having grand parties! Thanks so much for joining us with your wonderful creation at Anything But a Card!

Maisie Moonshine said...

I LOVE your background - they are such happy and uplifting colours! love all the over stamping/masking too - inspirational pages - thank you for sharing. MMx