In a Box

Prismacolor Colored Pencil and Ink on Bristol

In the process of cleaning out an art storage box I came across this little drawing (4" x 6").  This was an imagined abstracted landscape, that after being completed, was just tossed in the box.  Now I find it sort of pleasing.

Also, in the box were a couple pieces that I hadn't finished.  I'd hit a creative block - lost my inspiration - and put them away.  Looking at them now, I see some possibilities.   It was good that I stepped away (well, maybe not for such a long time....), and I'm ready and excited to work on them again.

Pinterest

Pinterest

I created a Pinterest board for hooked rugs and found there are already many other wonderful boards on the same topic. I am amazed by so many beautiful rugs to be seen on the Internet. There are pieces that demonstrate the artists' creativity, imagination, and how they've stretched beyond traditional work. Some artists have used rug hooking in new forms and are very original in their interpretations of patterns. I find them to be  a source of inspiration and encouragement.  Here are some that I enjoy.

January

January Journal, 2015

January's materials are Micron pen, Prismacolor colored pencil, and gel pens.  (oh, and three Chinese cookie fortunes)

This journal began with my reading No Excuses Art Journaling, Making Time for Creativity by Gina Rossi Armfield in April of 2014 ( April 30th entry).  The first completed month of the journal was in May of 2014, and my goal is to do this for a year - finishing 3 months from now. This has been an interesting way to create a little art every day.  My "journaling" has been mostly in the form of drawings in ink that are then colored. The original goal was to also do a tiny watercolor a week throughout the year, but I've found that falling behind.  My intent is to complete the 52 watercolors before I'm done ( that means I have a "few" left to paint).  These might be my projects for the spring after I finish the journal pages.

Gina has suggested "assignments" to be completed giving the artist some inspiration.  I haven't used these, but I should probably review them. I draw what comes to mind or what I find interesting.

When this project is complete, I may go back to my regular sketch books or do more of a journal in a mixed media format.  I might build the mixed media journal by working on more than one page at a time - making backgrounds - adding stencils - created papers, and such. 

Hooking Challenge

Year End Challenge, 2015

As in past years, our ATHA group has a year end challenge to be completed by our June meeting.  This pattern was drawn by me and members can use it in any fiber. Some members work up designs as penny rugs, in Russian needle punch, applique, quilting, or felting. The pattern was designed to fit one piece of printer paper for easy reproduction, but members are encouraged to use it in any size.  They can enlarge the pattern, make the pattern smaller, or add extra elements on or around the chicken. I always look forward to how other fiber artists interpret the same pattern as there is no limit to their creativity.

I've transferred the pattern to linen at it's original size, added some extra elements, and hooked the chicken.  I haven't decided yet what to do in the background.  I'm not sure if I want it to be simple or add a landscape.  I need to look at it for a while.  If I'm stumped as how to finish a piece, I'll live with it for a while, putting it where I can see it as I walk by, and an idea will come.  I just need to step back.

December

December Journal

December 2014

Many of the entries this month were done on pieces of paper and then glued into the journal.  We were traveling to visit family and this gave me flexibility. Several were drawn on brown paper bag because I'm not concerned about their durability. (Art that you want to keep should be done on acid free or archival paper. These papers are more durable and won't yellow. They are more expensive, but worth the investment for serious art works.)  Most drawings were done with Prismacolor colored pencil and Micron pen.  There's one small piece on a watercolor background. I also used gel pens on some illustrations. The poinsettias were cut from used Christmas wrap with additional drawing

added. 

The religious pieces are drawn from photos of two icons in Europe and their location is noted on the pages.
Lots of zentangles this month.  Want to learn more about them? Check out this website or simply google "zentangle". 

The sky in the landscape is the pattern left on the side of my glass after drinking Siggi's yogurt.  You never know where you might find inspiration.

November Journal

November, 2014

I began this month with using a stencil and spray ink to create an overall background on the two pages. For the drawings I used Winsor Newton watercolor, Prismacolor colored pencil, Prismacolor watercolor pencil, white gouache, Koh-I-Nor Tri-Tone colored pencil, magazine cutouts, scrapbooking butterfly wings, googly eyes, and Farber-Castell and Micron pens on Strathmore drawing paper.

This is the first month that I had difficulty working everyday.  With the holidays approaching, there's been just so much to do. I've also been working in the house, sanding and putting on 5 coats of polyurethane on our floors.

October Journal

October 2014

This month I began with making a background on the two pages with tissue, a printed poem (The Raven by Poe), matte medium, and gesso. For the drawings I used Winsor Newton watercolor, Prismacolor colored pencil, Prismacolor watercolor pencil, white gouache, Koh-I-Nor Tri-Tone colored pencil, washi tape, and Farber-Castell pens on Strathmore drawing paper.  I've found by doing these small art works that I'm learning more about materials and how they technically interact in a multi-media format.  Some are better suited to my use than others.  I found that my beautiful Farber-Castell pens weren't so permanent on my gessoed and matte medium covered pages.....  I thought the gesso would add body and strength to my page.  Gesso is a material spread on the surface of a canvas to prepare it for painting, and it's made of a binder, chalk, and pigment.  I probably should have sealed the page with acrylic paint or used paint pens.