Handmade mixed media book in progress.

by Jane LaFazio

I'm enjoying working in my studio again and feeling creative! I'm making a small, handmade, mixed media journal, as a prototype for teaching in New Mexico next year. Here are some of the pages so far. 

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

by Jane LaFazio

In my sketchbook

I'm using a Strathmore Visual Journal, 9x12 (in fact, I'm teaching a 6 week class "Sketching and Watercolor in a Mixed Media Journal"  in San Diego, starting January 24,Tuesdays 9-noon, using this journal.)


 
Anyway, I've taken apart my journal, removing the wire binding and I've combined the Mixed Media pages with the Watercolor pages of two 9x12 Strathmore journals. It's working out great! (I used these cable rings.)

Texas Autumn ~ sketchbook page

Pages in my mixed media sketchbook.......(You saw the one on the right here.)
          
The page (on the left) started with writing, drawing, doodling, stamping. (Can you tell that I did this page under the influence of the Jesse Reno workshop I took recently?)

Then I drew the Texas Red Oak Leaves and painted away the background, the negative space, but there wasn't enough contrast.

I painted the background with a brighter, stronger orange. I'm calling it finished!

In my mixed media journal

and from another page....

Mixed Media Sketchbook

I've been obsessed with drawing with my Tombow, water soluble pen.

I just know you've been hankering for a How to Draw Barbie tutorial. Head over to The Sketchbook Challenge to see my tutorial on just that!

Mixed Media Journal pages to a....bib

I used the journal page on the right for inspiration to create some designs on this page for a thermofax screen.

And then,  I used the thermofax screen to print some fabric (in Pokey's workshop at CREATE in Chicago)

And then I made this bib from a pattern! I haven't sewn from a pattern in decades! 

The bib is for my friend Alisa Burke's new baby girl. And, it's reversable. (I had to pay someone to make the button hole for me...)

a collection

I love collections of things. And what's better than just buying the collection outright? I found these great faucet handles at an artist faire and just bought them all! My journal page, done straight to pen with my water soluble Tombow pen clearly doesn't do the real thing justice. I'll definitely paint these again, with their lovely patinas...And I'm sure you'll see some hand carved stamps inspired by these too.

Balinese Sculpture

I bought this wooden sculpture in Bali in the late 80s. It's been in my backyard, on my bathtub and currently resides in the living room. Drawn and watercolor in my mixed media journal.

Mixed Media Journal ~ Jewelry

While in Chicago recently, I drew the jewelry I had with me on a stenciled background. (In my Mixed Media Journal.)