Mixed Media {Wood Panel}

I have heard others talk about images or designs just “showing up” as they create, but this is the first time it has happened to me. For Mindy Lacefield’s “Permission to Play” class,  I was working on a mixed media background on this 6x6 deep wood panel. I had adhered two kinds of tissue paper (top and bottom) and used a palette knife to spread my new heavy gesso (love it), then sprayed some teal and some cappuccino Perfect Pearls spray in a couple of places, mixed a bit of Dina Wakley Dusk paint with Glazing Liquid and spread it around on the bottom third, using a catalyst wedge and a fan brush. At that point I noticed a white area in the center right. I thought, “Boy, if I just had some orange Perfect Pearls spray, I could spray a circle of orange right there, and it would almost look like a sunset over water.” I actually did have some orange spray on my shelf, so that’s exactly what I did. As I was dry-brushing some of the Dusk paint around all the sides of the panel, some lyrics from Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable” came to mind. So I printed those lyrics and adhered them to the board. I decided to stop right there and call it done. Frankly, I love it.

Documented Life 2015 March 28 Challenge {Art Journal}

So far I am on track for all the weeks of 2015, even though some weeks the challenge at DLP is tougher than others. The March theme is (still) Mark Making and Doodling, and the challenge this time is to use a custom-made “element” using doodling or mark-making.

I pulled out the four Scripture Cards (3.5 x 5 each) that I had created for a Glory Art Bible Study on trust, a few weeks ago. Yes, they are custom-made, and yes they use doodling and mark-making. I created an art journal background with coordinating colors, used a lot of stamps and other mark-making tools, adhered the Scripture Cards, and there you have my March 28 project!

Keep Focus {Art Journal}

The March theme for Documented Life Project is “Making Your Mark (Doodles and Mark Making).” The March 21 challenge is “Mark Making as a Focal Point.” The Journal Prompt is “coming into focus.”

Right away I knew I wanted to make a page about keeping my eyes focused on God, and I wanted to use a Scripture passage as the “focal point.” But, making the page come together as I envisioned was more challenging than I thought it would be.

New Journaling Bible {Bible Art Journaling}

The Bible I had been using for Art Journaling had a print size that was just too small for me (7.5). Although I had completed several art journaling pages in that one, I decided there was never going to be a great time to switch Bibles, and I just was not pleased with the difficulty I was having with actually reading the text (which would be the main purpose for a Bible, after all).

So, I found a Bible with 11.5 text size, 2.5” margins. It is larger than my other one, but that’s okay. I’ll take the trade-off. It is also only available in KJV, which is fine with me, as most of the Scriptures I have memorized are from the King James Version. I have numerous other study Bibles to use, so having my Journaling Bible be KJV is all good.

This Bible is from Local Church Bible Publishers and has a black genuine leather cover. It is the 400 Mid Size Note Takers Black (Basic).

I had illustrated this passage in my previous Bible with piano keys. I wanted to start in this Bible with the same passage, and this time I used a little image that reminds me of my red-headed grandson, who sings, plays guitar and keyboards, and is now a newlywed, preparing for the ministry.

For those who like a challenge, there is a “reality” to the notes on the whimsical staff in the marginalia. Any guesses?

“Of All the Things I’ve Lost…” {Art Journal}

This is Week 11 (of the 52 weeks in 2015) in the Documented Life Project. This week’s challenge specifies:

March Theme - Making Your Mark (Doodles & Mark Making)
March 14, Week 11 - Art Challenge:  Borders
Journal Prompt:  "Borderline feels like I'm going to lose my mind."

This Twain quote was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the prompt. It is also apropos for “documenting my life" this week. It has been crazy on several fronts-so, yeah, losing my mind. Can't find it, search though I may. (I usually take 2-3 days for each week's project, but no time to start until this morning, and calling it done this time.)

Used paints (background is Distress Paint Wild Honey) and pens (UniBall Signo black and white), stencils and stamps.

Make a Joyful Noise ({Bible Art Journaling}

I love this passage. Of course, it is about more than “making music,” but that is the image that comes to my mind because I am a musician. Or maybe I should say I am a musician in the same way that I am an artist. To be honest, I feel a bit like an imposter when I use either term.

Nonetheless, I have played piano since I was 10, and I have “played for church” since I was 11. At that time, my dad was a pastor of a small church, and I could play hymns, so there you have it.

Still, verses about praising the Lord with music hold a special meaning for me.

Psalm 98:4-6 (ESV)

⁴ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
⁵ Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody!
⁶ With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

We Confess, He Forgives {Bible Art Journaling}

I have found another inspiring challenge to participate in for 2015. This one is called Bible Art Journaling Challenge and is headed up by one of my online Christian artist friends, Rebekah Jones.

I like this challenge because it is specifically Bible art journaling, so that motivates me to actually work in my Journaling Bible (where I have been rather hit or miss, lacking focus). In this challenge, we are given a verse each week, so I love that.

This verse is a promise, and I am realizing that many of my favorite verses are promises. Because of the shed blood of His Son Jesus, God promises to forgive and cleanse, if we confess our sins. Our part is to confess, His part is to forgive and cleanse. Awesome.

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

– 1 John 1:9 (ESV)

Home Blessings {Art Journal in Altered Book}

My altered book is almost full! This is the second one for me, and I do like doing art on the pages of books. This one is a Home Blessings piece, inspired by Junelle Jacobsen’s class, Saturday Mornings 2.

It’s a good thing my whimsical art does not need to be all detailed and realistic. That would take away all the fun!

Prompt: Make Your Mark {Art Journal}

The Documented Life Project challenge for this week is Making Your Mark. I chose a cross to represent my “mark,” and I used several mark-making techniques to create the journal page. It also addresses the Documented Faith Project theme for March: Love.

I used mark-making in layers: dictionary stamp and rub-ons; handwritten thoughts and doodles; stamps and stamping in ink with found objects; painting with a brush, with a sponge, and with a card, through stencils and on stamps; typewritten words.

Bunny Play {Mixed Media Wood Panel}

In the Permission to Play class with Mindy Lacefield, there is a lot of free play with acrylic paints. The idea here is to play with the paints, as your child-self.  This is a challenge for me, as my child-self never did any art play. (I was pretty awesome with a coloring book, though!) So, the whole idea of “art play” is new to me as an adult!

This piece was done on a 6x6 birch wood panel (deep). I started by painting the whole block in carbon black, but the top panel has no remaining black showing!

Simple {Bible Journaling}: Love the Lord Your God

This week’s Documented Faith challenge uses this verse from Mark 12:30. I also am using this verse for my memory verse for March 1, Siesta Scripture Memory Team.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I read this verse is a song that my daughter-in-law used to sing with my (then) small grandchildren, Tory and Conner (now 21 and 19). I asked Tory if she remembered singing it, and she said, “Oh, yes, I remember singing it at bedtime.” Bingo. She is exactly right.

The verse that follows says “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Then the Scripture goes on to say that those are the greatest commandments. Honestly, if we could live out those two commands, how much better would our lives be!

Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do {Art Journal}

This week’s challenge in Documented Life Project is to use five layers. The prompt is “Give me a high five.”

In addition to the gesso (two layers, one watered down to make the vintage book paper less yellow) and a couple of layers of decoupage, my five layers are: vintage book paper over all, deli paper with gelli print over all the book paper, college elements including bleeding tissue of my handprint, stamps/stencils, and pen/pencil marks and journaling.

My response to the "give me a high 5" is the handprint signifying the traditional take on "high 5." I used the Bible verse that says,

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." – Ecc 9:10

Live by Faith {Mixed Media Tag}

I started in mixed media by making tags with Tim Holtz, Christmas 2012. I have made a lot of tags since then but none lately. For Week 9 of Documented Faith, I opted to make a tag, and it was so simple and fun.

The theme for February is Believe, and this verse, 2 Corinthians 5:7, is one of the focal verses. I love this verse, but it is challenging because it’s all about the true meaning of faith: the evidence of things not seen. It’s easy to have “faith” in something you can see. In fact, that’s not even faith, technically. Other translations say “walk by faith.” That’s a great picture, because it implies walking, moving forward, when you can’t see what is ahead. Yep, that’s the kind of faith I want to have!

Wisdom from God {Scripture Cards}

For Glory Art Scripture Challenge #4, the Bible study is about God’s wisdom. It leaves me wondering, why do we try to figure out so much for ourselves, when the source of wisdom Himself is available to all who believe.

I made four mixed media Scripture cards, each approximately 3.5x5. I will keep them in an album pocket page until I want to use them in a project.

One of these verses brings back a memory of a time in my life when I was especially seeking God’s wisdom. Our children had become teenagers (overnight, I might add). I attended a Christian women’s conference where one of the sessions was “Help! I’ve Just Given Birth to a Teenager.” The author of the book by that title, Pat Baker, happened to be a personal friend of my mother, and was leading the session. Her “theme verse” (or at least that’s the way I remember it) was James 1:5. That verse took on special meaning for me and became one of my favorites from that time.

Back to my original question, why would we not ask God for His wisdom. He’s right there.

Little Lambie Love {Wood Block Art}

This little lamb is for my granddaughter Tory who is so beautiful inside and out. This quote from Mother Teresa reminds me of Tory, because she is such a Delightful Joy Girl, and she really does spread love everywhere she goes. She just can’t help it. It’s who she is. Well, and it’s also WHOSE she is!

This is a 2x4 board, cut approximately to a 4-inch square and painted with acrylic paints. The images (lamb and leaves) are freehand cut from book paper, adhered to the block, and then painted over with heavy body paint.

Worth Repeating {Art Journal}

For the February 21 challenge at Documented Life Project, the theme is “layers,” the technique is “repeating elements,” and the prompt is “it’s worth repeating.” I use lots of layering and lots of circles in most of my journal pages, so that part was easy. Every element on the page is a circle. When given a “prompt” for any challenge, my go-to process is to call to mind a Scripture verse. Immediately, this verse popped into my head, about rejoicing in the Lord, and it’s certainly “worth repeating,” as the verse states explicitly.

Rejoice in the Lord always.

Again I say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

I am challenged by this verse, because of the word “always.” I am to find joy in the Lord, no matter the circumstances. This is possible only because He is with me, no matter the circumstances.

Morning Bible Studies {Sketch and Paint}

Inspired by one of my Bible study friends online, this is a “practice” sketch and paint for me. The Documented Faith word for February is Believe, and the verse for this week is Psalm 46:10. I’ve already completed a project with this theme (previous post), so I did this one for practice.

Little Froggie in Pond {Sketch and Paint}

I have a dear online friend, Jenny Frith, who is a wonderful artist. She shared a piece much like this, and I was inspired to re-create it. Hers is awesome. Mine was fun to do!

Sketched several months ago. Finished with watercolor today.

My husband and I walked this morning, past several “wetland” areas. We heard a resounding “ribbit” more than once. Reminded me to pull out this sketch and finish it!

Be Still and Know {Art Journal}

This week’s challenge in Documented Life Project is Layers, Covering up the Good Stuff. In Documented Faith, the verse is Psalm 46:11. I combined the two projects into this art journal spread. This verse also happens to be the one I am memorizing right now for Siesta Scripture Memory Team.

I journaled by hand all over both pages and then covered up most of it with paint (some lettering still peeks through). I also covered up a manila library envelope. The verse is written on the library card that is tucked inside the envelope.

I often remind myself of this verse, because I am a noisy, busy kind of person. I know I need to shush and listen. So, this verse is a reminder—because once I am still enough to know that He is God, then I also can understand that He WILL be exalted!

This verse is especially meaningful right now, with the state of our world, the extreme terrorism that targets God’s people simply because they are “people of the cross.” I like remembering that HE will be exalted in the earth.

Where I live right now, the temperature is pleasant. On my walk today, I saw some of the beginnings of spring. Love it!

BE STILL and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)

Chickadee {Sketch and Paint}

In one of my classes, we are sketching little whimsical birds. For practice, I sketched this little chickadee. He told me he would like to have a place in my altered book. Done. (Mostly watercolor paints, some acrylic, some stamping.)

Christmas {Scrapbook} Done!

While it may not be the most “fun” of my hobbies right now, it may be the most important. So I most definitely WILL keep on scrapbooking. (It IS more fun to play in paint.)

For this year’s Christmas scrapbook, I opted to use a free Creative Memories 8x8 Christmas album. Using a dedicated theme album is not my usual modus operandi. Typically, my Christmas pictures close out the chronological album for each year. I have been working on this one, off and on, since mid-January and finally finished it yesterday.

Included here are some random pages from the very thick album.

Closeup of left page, which includes two small photos from 2004.

Coffee Time with God’s Word {Bible Journaling}

I am enjoying the permission I have given myself to do some journaling in my Journaling Bible very simply and quickly. The “art” is not as good as when I spend hours on an entry, but at this time, if I wait until I have hours for just this project, it will not happen.

I have had this verse on my mind, with the picture of a coffee mug, for some time. I didn’t prep the page, so just used colored pencils and a Micron pen for the lettering (nothing bled through to the page behind). This page took about 15 minutes, start to finish.

In the morning, I want to hear from God. My scribbly handwriting in the margin here is a paraphrase of the passage:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
– Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

Valentine’s Day Story and a {Wood Block Project}

My husband was raised in a home with three boys (and a girl), where remembering to give cards was not a high priority. We did exchange Valentines, as I recall, when we were dating. But our first Valentine’s Day as newlyweds, I gave him a Valentine, but him for me, not. His excuse: “I didn’t have time to get a card.” My response was carefully measured, as I wanted it to last a lifetime. I pointed out that, while I knew he had been very busy, Valentine’s Day had been coming since Valentine’s Day last year, and the cards had been out in the stores for at least a month. So I explained how much that holiday meant to me and suggested that if he ever needed an excuse for missing it again, that he please not use that one.

Seems funny now. That was in 1966. He has never forgotten since then! He really does want to please me, that’s his heart, and he “took to heart” my disappointment all those years ago.

Today, he made an excuse to “run into town,” and while he was gone, I put the finishing touches on a surprise Valentine I was making for him.

When he returned, he made up a story to call me into the kitchen, where he presented me with a beautiful Valentine bouquet.

So, I pulled out the hidden Love Block that I had made for him. The heart is made from vintage sheet music manipulated with decoupage. I painted the block with a buff acrylic paint and used white ink to write part of our favorite love passage from the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13.

This was a lot more fun than cards!

From our wedding pictures, September 8, 1965:

God’s Truth is THE Truth {Art Journal}

I could write a book, with every sentence beginning “These days…” Sigh. I truly am sad for the state of our culture these days, in so many ways and for so many reasons. But I am not pessimistic in the end, because I know God is still in control. He has a plan. He IS the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life. And in the end, in the end, He will win the victory. One day every knee will bow, one day every tongue will confess, that He is Lord.

So, this project focuses on this Scripture verse:

Guide me in your truth

and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you

all day long.

Psalm 25:5 (NIV)

If you’ve been following my project agenda for 2015, you know that I am involved in several challenges. For this large spread in my 9x13 art journal, I combined THREE of the challenges into one project! Yay.

For the February 7 Documented Life Project, the challenge is Layers: When Not to Stop. This was easy for me, as my art journal pages always include lots of layers. For this particular one, layers include (but may not be limited to): gesso; rub-ons; DecouPage; neon paint; book paper painted, stamped with flowers, and cut; stamps with white paint; stamps with black ink; paint through stencils; hand journaling; shipping tag with paints, stamps, typed Scripture verse, pen work, vintage sheet music, Sari ribbon; washi tape.

The Documented Faith word for the month of February is BELIEVE. I incorporated this word into the journaling on the spread.

The Glory Art Scripture Challenge #3 is on TRUTH. This was the impetus for the verse I chose for this art journal piece.

Sweater Trees {Art Journal}

In my current class with Junelle Jacobsen, Saturday Mornings Love & Whimsy, I was introduced to Sweater Trees. Yes, there really is such a thing. In some city parks, the trend is to put hand-knitted scarves around the tree trunks in hopes that someone who needs a warm scarf will take one! I think that’s such a neat idea!

For this page in my art journal, I simply sketched and then painted with acrylic paints.