Making Painted Papers

I had fun making painted papers last week.  I was working on aLifebook lesson by Traci Bautista. I enjoy painting this way and making a lot of painted papers.  I like to paint large papers and then cut them up to use different ways. These can be used to make greeting cards, journaling cards, postcards, tags, book covers, or anything else other uses you can find for painted papers.  I used cold press watercolor paper for the large sheet and mixed media paper for the two pages I made in my journal.  I used stamps and stencils on these pages, both bought and handmade. I painted symbols on all of them that I tend to use over and over again.  Hearts, flowers, and swirls tend to come up when I'm painting just to have fun and make pretty papers.  All of these papers have many layers.  The cold pressed paper is rougher than the mixed media paper that I use, so it can be harder to paint smooth lines.  Both work well however and are thick and strong enough to use for the tags and cards I listed.  It is fun to paint just to make these papers without worrying about composition or having a perfect focal image.  You should go and try this sometime.  It is a great way to have fun and relive some stress.   

This page is cold pressed watercolor paper that is 11" x 15".

This page is on mixed media paper in my 9" x 12" journal.

This page is on mixed media paper in my 9" x 12" journal. It is made from me cleaning off the stamps and stencils and using extra paint up from the other two pages.

Have a great week and if you make any painted papers, or other art please share with me.  I love to see other creative projects.
Janelle

Finishing "Windows Into Another World"

I did make some changes to my painting since I showed it off last.  I was't happy with the cluttered look, so I painted over some of the houses and trees.  That way there is some open space to rest your eyes.  I also added in some vines.  I love how old buildings look covered in vines and I wanted my little world to have that natural wild look.  I love little villages where green space is at a premium instead of having a building everywhere you look. That is why I made my world into a a little wild village instead of a neat and orderly, if whimsical town.  My little wild village is still whimsical, but now not so full.  I also named this painting because of the windows in the background where you can get a gimps of my inner world.  I hope that you enjoy this painting and my process and can understand my art a touch more.

Thank you for reading and let me know what kind of paintings you like.
Janelle

Connections

I created this canvas for the mixed media art class that I am taking called Lifebook. This lesson was by Finnabair. I love creating pieces with a lot of texture, so I really got into making this piece.  I wanted to celebrate the connections between my mom, my sister, and me. I started by gluing down a picture of my mom when she was younger, and all kinds of bits and pieces.  I used lace, beads, buttons, watch parts, paper and fabric flowers, pieces of broken jewelry, and other odd bits.  After it was dry, I put a couple thin layers of gesso over everything. I added some sprays and paint. I added the heart with the picture of my sister and I to the middle.  I painted over the outside area with more gesso to knock back the color a bit.    I love how all the layers of gesso and paint really highlight the texture. This piece is really special to me.  I hope that you too can find art that touches your heart. Janelle

Continuing "Windows Into Another World"

I have continued working on my painting this week and have made some progress.  I like to add and subtract elements in my painting until it feels complete.  It is an intuitive process for the most part, but sometimes I get stuck and have to put it aside.  I let it rest and think and feel where I want to go next.  I also ask for help from friends when I get really stuck; or I feel like I need to make major changes, but I'm unsure.  I don't have the creative process down so well that everything turns out just the way I wanted it to turn out.  I make mistakes and get lost along the way and need help to continue.  That is why it is a wonderful thing to have other creative people to lean on and to learn from.  We are not alone.  These photos will show you where this painting has gone since I last shared.  Soon I'll show you even more layers and my continuing progress. 

I love this stage of the painting. I may offer this as a print in the future.

I like adding the elements in white before I paint them in color.

I added a glaze using pink grapefruit silk acrylic paint over the windows.

This was feeling a bit too cluttered for me. Next time I'll show you how I changed it.

What do you do when you are stuck on a creative project?  I would love to hear about your process and about projects that you have in the works.
Janelle