Art Journal - Book of Days

This is my latest page in my 'Book of Days' Art Journal, I first learnt about Art Journalling through my friend Zoe (Fordie Fresh) blog, started to google for more information which lead me to the wonderfully talented Effy Wild and her group for the 'Book of Days'. This was back in January and I have learnt so much since then, not just about Art but life in general, and help for an improved outlook on life. The above page was 'inspired' by this weeks video from Effy, in the Book of Days program there are 2 of these per week completely free and a Facebook group you can join if you wish (and a flickr group) you can find more information and the videos here Book of Days.

It is in part due to my involvement with the Book of Days group I have had the confidence to try painting on canvas and larger papers - I'm not that great at it yet, but I have a wonderful time and can escape for hours with my easel and paints. This is the painting I did this week on canvas board 20" x 16".




This week I have learnt so much more and cant wait to put what I have learnt into practice, I have some A3 card all primed and ready to go, just needing a bit more free time......... infact I might just make a start this evening, why wait?

I have popped some illustrated ACEO's in my Etsy shop, so dont forget in a few years when I am a world famous artist they will be very valuable (LOL!!!!)

Before I forget, anyone who read my last post about my dimwitted Labrador who ate the jellyfish, he is fine now - thank you to those who messaged me to find out how he was:)

On the drawing board

You may remember some time ago I tried 'Duncan the Donkey' not a huge success so gave up on him. Having sorted out some interesting quotes I wanted something to go with the idea of old age, my old people were not so good so I had a go at tortoise last night, the idea is there.... earlier today I painted them too.




Maybe a bit more work on character, but I think they are coming on ok - OH said they do actually look like tortoise so thats a start.

I did manage to put my very first ACEO in my Etsy shop and even sold it on the same day, so have added a few more and when I get around to the photo's might even add some Altered Art ones for something different.
Yesterday I visited the charity shop and came out armed with frames and art blocks, have done some priming of them, but got a bit impatient with one of the frames so now sporting a rather large couple of plasters on my cut to bits thumb when I broke the glass on one, not helpful for sketching and painting.. not that I have had a lot of time today with OH at home under my feet.

So many idea's floating around my head and not enough hours in the day.

Happy Mothers Day

Firstly, happy Mothers day to my Mum - who does read this on occasion when she remembers LOL. This was her gift for today, luckily she does like handmade gifts.

I would also like to spare a thought for the many today is not such a happy day as they no longer have their Mums with them. It is my own belief that they will never leave us and always be in our hearts and by our sides, but of course not the same as being able to physically see and chat too.

In brief, I am as usual surrounded by paint and other media - today I have taken the plunge and started to photograph some atc/aceo's with a view to putting them up for sale in my Etsy shop. About time I did something really, been doing this for 6 months now, lets see how long I have my draft listings sat there for (next job) before I actually get brave enough to do this....

Hope everyone is having a good weekend, the weather is being very kind to us here long may it continue.

Time to try ACEO

Each day whilst I browse the daily listing thread from the Craftyfolk team on Etsy Craftyfolk
I alwasy admire our artists, they are so talented. I have noticed that many of them do very well with ACEO's, which are minature art trading cards 3.5" x 2.5". So, I thought I would have a go at these, wow what hard work it was, hard enough trying to draw on a normal scale, but I found trying to draw so tiny even harder, makes me realise just how talented these artists really are, and its nowhere near as easy as they make it look. Here are my attempts from this week... Not sure how this got in here, its my pastel drawing of a donkey, not an ACEO but now he is here you may as well see him too..



Here is one of the first ACEO's, not brilliant as my poor deceased Greyhound is not that good a likeness, this was done from a photograph taken on our holidays a few years back, meant to be my beloved late Greyhounds Dave and Zola.



This one is my attempt at a tiny tulip, done in watercolour and pencil.




Here is my ACEO Sunflower..




This was 'meant' to be poppies, but think we will just call it 'flowers'




Yes, I do have a thing for donkeys, here is one from a photograph taken at the Donkey Sanctuary in Derbyshire..



Having joined the Strathmore on line art class, this week our course work is on Doodles, believe it or not I have never done doodles before.. this lead me to take a closer look at Zen Doodles which I have had a play with, wonder what Zoe our Queen of Zen Doodles will have to say (sorry Zoe, not quite in your league yet). This is the second one I did, I really enjoyed it, very relaxing and a lot of fun..



This was the first one I had a go at, more research was needed clearly - so had another look around after this..




I have finished my course work for the class, and taken the photo's - oh dear me, really not in the same league as the other artists there, but still it was a lot of fun and I got to make an awful lot of mess using all the media, as the first class is to try mixed media and a stencil and free doodle drawing. Might treat you to that one next time, meanwhile I am awaiting OH to set me up a new email so I can create a new flickr account and join in there with the other class members. Now the rest of today is 'meant' to be working on my Etsy shop and sorting out some listings for the week.. will I do that? or will I just start doodling again...

Hope you all had a great weekend, and my attempts make you smile..

~SimJaTa~

New Crafting Experience

Seen here are my very first atempts at trying to put down what is in my head to then transfer to the clay work, now be gentle with me its a very long time since I held a pen, and an artist I am not. But with great enthusiasm I started to paint them onto ACEO size with the idea they might be absract ACEO's, LOL maybe not.. I wanted to create some keyrings and brooches, but seem to be creating (as well as a mess) pendants and earrings too.

I'm afraid even I was not brave enough to show off my first two attempts at clay work, seen here is attempt number '3' I am currently working with different clay forms even papier mache all of which are taking an age to dry out, so no painting has started on the next lot yet, so not too sure how they will turn out. Believe me I am gettting better each time. Luckily I do live by the motto 'if you cannot laugh at yourself what can you do' so here we go, you better sit down...........




This one is 'meant' to be a flower pendant.



I would like to say this was my first attempt at lettering, but it was infact my third and still not quite got the hang of it.



Happy Flowers, I think they would be more effective multi coloured really.



Here they are together, with the complete disasters taken away. You see I do still need a bit more practice, not to mention some more hours in the day to do so. But I am really enjoying this, highly recommended if you were to need a relaxing craft. Even the ever suffering husband has commented how happy I am in my little world of clay and paint.

Please do let me know what you think, even if you are still laughing (I can take it).

Dont forget if you ever fancied a go at another craft what is stopping you? you may find you enjoy it as much as me.

Have a good weekend.

Fishy Folksy Friday by SimJaTa

Introducing this weeks Folksy Friday by Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, on the theme of Fish for this week.

Folksy Friday is one of the opportunities for me to show off the rest of the talent that can be found on Folksy, the best UK Craft Site.

To view the items in more detail, and to be taken to the shops of this great talent below, simply click on the photograph of each item.

To Begin is Audrey's Art with her ACEO of the Angel Fish



Pop-up Zoo Greetings Cards has this excellent fish birthday card



From Nofkants Curios you will find many of these great keyrings or handbag charms, this one was my favourite, made from carved black agate gemstone



Shoogly beads has more stunning jewellery in her shop, here is her Driftwood Bracelet



From artmagic, is this ACEO entitled 'Queen of the Sea'



A superb collection of charms make up this bracelet from Putting on the Charms



Last of all, are two tote bags (or shopping bags) from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, little and large version of cute fish






I hope you have enjoyed this weeks selection of fish themed choices. Have a super weekend, and lets hope this lovely spring weather continues for us all.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~