Art Journaling in The Dina Wakley Media Journal {3} . . .

"Just keep taking chances and having fun."

-- Garth Brooks

Can't stop. Won't stop. Playing in The Dina Wakley Media Journal. 

But at least I keep recording the process so you can (hopefully) join in my latest obsession. This time, it's the KRAFT paper's turn. . . 

Part {3} - here we goooooooo:

With love,

Kristin xo

Just For The Birds. . . .

"Just for the Birds"

Altered Matchboxes 

"Deep inside her heart, I was feeling my home like a hay made nest."

-- M. F.  Moonzajer

I've always loved birds. Pretty little bluebirds especially, but birds and nests in general always make me swoon. So much so, that I find myself drawn to anything sweet with a bird on it: sugar bowls, jewelry holders and even Christmas ornaments have made it home with me, but delicate as they are, they don't always stay pristine. Or, um, intact. 

So, over the years I've grown quite a collection of broken birds, broken wings and, naturally, other bits and baubles. I've always wanted to do something with them, but it wasn't until I saw some large & small matchboxes in a dollar store that it occurred to me: they needed a home! And these little would-be cottages seemed like the perfect solution. . . .

Wanna know how I got there? (I took a ton of process shots just in case):

I first applied several coats of gesso before playing with the composition

Fiber paste mixed with white acrylic created this push-and-pull texture

I then applied several washes of pastel paints, splattered grey acrylic, sepia and charcoal

(Weighing their options) 

Playing with the bits, baubles and plenty of things that sparkle

And securing the drawer "pulls" with wire

And the results? Tiny little altered homes. Just for the birds. . . .

Thanks for taking a peep! I'll see you around the Party!

To Love & Art,

Kristin xo

We Are All of Us Stars . . .

Ava Lee

 6 x 6 Birchwood Canvas

 "We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle."

- Marilyn Monroe

Oh how I love this quote. And really, anything related to Marilyn Monroe. As a child, I would stare at big picture books of Hollywood Starlets for hours, hoping of course, to be just like them one day. And Marilyn Monroe was my favorite. Her bird-brained demeanor never fooled me. I thought she was brilliant.

But anyway . . .  Happy PPF! 

This week I played with a little 6 x 6 Birchwood canvas. It was made for the newest baby-to-be in our family, a little girl. (Hopefully her Mommy doesn't read this. No, I think I'm safe ;) Her nursery is being made pretty as we speak, and I hope she'll like this tiny addition.

I took some process shots again: in case you'd like to see how I got here. 

 Began with the "peeling paint" technique. 

Once dry, I added another layer of watered-down gesso for a softer look.

Pencil Sketch 

Colors added with watercolor crayons, acrylic and acrylic paint and gel pens. 

A second layer of oil pastels was laid down for a shot of bold color. 

And here's what became of her:

A decorative paper crown, Swarovski crystals and look - more iridescent stars - Hmm.

The sides. The entire piece was sanded and sealed before adding the final accents.

There we are. I hope she likes it. And thank you for taking a peek.

To Twinkling, 

Kristin xo

YOU are the Spark . . .

9 x 12 Loose Art Journal Page

"You are the Spark that ignites the World"

-- Anonymous 

Happy Easter, Happy Spring & Happy PPF!

This little girl came about shortly after hearing the fabulous quote above. I just couldn't keep my mind off of the inspiring words and, naturally, knew that there would soon be a journal page in response to them. Here's what I came up with. Pink, polka dots, and glitter; what more could a girl ask for?

I hope this finds you knee-deep in colored eggs, jelly beans, chocolate bunnies. And that you are surrounded by those you love.


To Bunny Kisses,
Kristin xo

Send in the Clowns . . .

Okay, so if you were paying real close attention, I told you that I'd share the rest of the journal I created while on vacation (the sneak peek is over here) in this post. But, um, I lied. Well, not really lied, but rather was derailed from finishing it because of this little one. The inspiration hit and I went with it, sooooo instead, here is my latest painting: "Send in the Clowns. . . ."

She was created on a piece of heavy watercolor paper (Arches) that had been previously painted and left in my stash. I started by ripping the paper in an organic shape and then roughly sketching the figure of a clown onto the surface. I then colored her in using a combination of acrylic paints, watercolor crayons (Caran d'ache Neocolor 11), wax crayons (my new obsession - Caran d'ache Neocolor 1), neon acrylic gouaches, glittered gel pens and charcoal.

A progression shot

The piece was then further enhanced with some faint pencil marks, molding paste mixed with iridescent Stickles glitter and white acrylic for the clown collar and Swarovski crystals to define the neckline:

Lastly, an actual piece of yellow balloon was adhered to the drawn balloon with matte gel medium:

And there you have it! My little Clown . . . .

Thanks for taking a peek here and at all of the other Party posts:

Until next time,

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday: Lil' Cardboard Collages

Happy PPF!

I hope this week found you with paint under your fingernails at some point . . . Mine were definitely encrusted with acrylics, gouache, glue, gloss medium, fiber paste, varnishes and (naturally) glitter for days. It was a case of peeling fingers for sure. You know, you've been there . . . .

But I digress: this week I was influenced by the lovely (darling & delightful) Mindy Lacefield after watching several of her You Tube videos. It was this one that really got me: watching her paint several little cardboard paintings at once. So excited I was, that I cut up the next box I got my hands on and went to work. My pieces took some different turns, but I'm so grateful to have had the impetuous to try something fun and new. Thank you Love Bug, for the beautiful inspiration!

Wanna see what I came up with? Okay:

4 little cardboard collages, all lined up in a row.

(Each one measures approximately 5.5 x 11)

They were first cut, pulled to reveal texture and then gessoed

Elements such as vintage playing cards and game pieces were added

Stencils served as the base, with some molding paste mixed with paint 

to create some raised areas

This one included a face - behind chicken wire that was adhered with E600 and beeswax

And here we have a little pocket that housed vintage tickets

They are hung with decorative wire and grommets

And finished off with decorative (and painted on) trim

That's it. Thanks for letting me share and thank you to Kristin and Eva for another opportunity to play with paint.

Have a fabulous weekend,

Kristin xo

Paint Party Friday: "I Am Made of Stars"

"I Am Made of Stars"

9 x 12; cold pressed watercolor paper

Happy PPF . . . .

I hope this finds you well! I've had a couple of busy, arty days and am filled with joy because of it. I just came off of a long stretch absent of creativity and missed it so much. It's crazy how much our moods can be lifted when we give time to ourselves, right?! 

Anyway, this week's painting was inspired by a book I was meant to read. I picked it up from one of my Mom's bookshelves a week ago, set it aside, and then (like a new word you've just learned and then keep hearing everywhere) for some reason people kept asking me if I'd read it. Seriously, like 3 people in a week - over a book from the 90's that I had never heard about until a few days ago! I took that as a major sign, and got to reading. Well, if you've ever experienced The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz), you'll understand why I read it in a matter of a few hours. It really is inspired.

And inspired I was then to create this - "I Am Made of Stars" - a 9 x 12 mixed media painting on watercolor:

Created on a gessoed surface with multiple layers of stamping and doodling

Sentiment written on neck with both matte and glitter pens

Also used: iridescent confetti stars and silver leaf

And here she is in her entirety:

Thank you for your time, thanks to Kristin & Eva for hosting PPF and have a happy, creative weekend. Perhaps with a trip to the bookstore thrown in for good luck. . . .

Kristin xo

PPF: "Just Be You"

"Just Be You"

16 x 20 Gallery wrapped canvas

Happy PPF! I had so much fun at last week's charity Auction and just read that our group donated more than $400 to help support the victims of Sandy Hook. Yay, us! Not only was I happy to contribute an item, but I was thrilled to have won one as well. Thanks again to Kristin & Eva for making it all possible.

This week I was able to finish off a large project that I had in the works, this 16 x 20 canvas with deep (1.5 inch) sides. She is entitled, "Just Be You" and has the words, "I Dare You" scribbled on the front. Here it is in it's entirety:

I Dare You

She was created on a heavily collaged background (using both vintage and new materials) and then drawn in with my non-dominant hand for the shape of the head, similar to some of the drawings I played with during 29 Faces. From there I quickly sketched in the features and then dry brushed several types of acrylics and acrylic Gouache to the surface for depth and detail. I'm still trying to be looser with my drawings for a "grungier" look and feel:

Cheek color applied with fingers. A single Swarovski Crystal earring on the left ear.

Final details include the use of color rich oil pastels, Stickles Glitter and iridescent stars on the surface.

Stickles Glitter applied to the hair

Here is a shot of the deep sides, which also serve to balance the bold magenta color on the surface:

Sides created with pigment rich oil pastels and varnish

Lastly, the words that issue a challenge:

I also wanted to share with you the gorgeous oil painting that I bid on for the Auction. It was created by the talented Gloria J. Zucaro and I am thrilled to have it. She even was kind enough to frame it for me:

Thank you Gloria, I love it! And thank you for stopping by today. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone is up to this week . . . .

Kristin xo