Art_journaling's Studio & Gallery

Because Creative Minds Want to Know . . .

2007-10-16T16:59:15Z

I have boxes and boxes of old calendars - the kind that go on the wall, that kind that look like a book, the kind that have tear off days, the kind that go in your purse . . . magnetic ones, sticky ones, spiral bound ones . . . yep, I got 'em all. What do I do with them?

How to Use Old Calendars in Art Projects

This how-to touches lightly on what can be done with old calendars. I'll get into more detail about each specific project. I promise!

Happy arting!

Because Creative Minds Want to Know . . .

2007-10-16T13:50:52Z

I decided to "harvest" some leads to sites where calls for artists are frequently posts:

Harvesting Opportunities : Calls For Artists

There are over 100 opportunities found when adding up all the leads on these sites. Now, let's get to work!

Happy arting!

MoFo Day 12: And so, she drew . . .

2007-10-12T13:24:42Z

It's been a rough couple of days, so I decided to draw this morning. My first thought was to create angry art in order to purge what's been going on. Then, I decided against that and felt something more tranquil would work better . . .

Yes, it's my comfort tree again. I do this kind of art whenever my mind is full of too many other things. It's like free writing in my paper journal before working on a larger project. I free draw this type of work in order to break me into other works later on. I still plan to create another set of 4x4's or ACEOs today or tomorrow. That idea isn't completely gone.

MoFo: Day Nine

2007-10-09T20:54:50Z

I'm being pulled in fourteen trillion directions today, so I sketched when there was a break in the action:

Tomorrow, my plan is to work on either four more collages or four more ACEOs. We'll see where the mood takes me.

So, who's in the mood for a quickie?!

2007-10-08T16:59:39Z

My Common Ties Quickie has been published and it's ready for the world to see!

CHECK IT OUT!

Please pass this along to those you who need some inspiration! Thanks!

MoFo: Day Eight

2007-10-08T13:16:58Z

I decided to something that felt a little wintery today:

Art Journal: Mixed Media

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-10-07T19:47:45Z

A couple of years ago, I made an assemblage in celebration of autumn. Here's an article describing my process:

How to Embrace the Art of Autumn

I hope you make this and share pictures with me! Please pass this information along if you found it useful.

Happy arting!

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-10-07T16:31:06Z

I love fall and have always embraced it as my season to reconnect with my creative self, both through art and writing. Here's an idea with basic ideas to get you started on embracing the creativity in this wonderful season:

Autumn Assemblage: Fall Art Projects

Feel free to post pictures of your creations in the comments of this post.

Happy arting!

ACEOs: Set of 4 (LIVE)

2007-10-07T08:50:10Z

Set of 4 ACEOs: Travel Theme, spell out the word LIVE
Words defined: Cherish, Paradise, Treasure, Fun
$10.00 + S&H

ArtSoMoFo: Day Seven

2007-10-07T08:32:28Z

I did another challenge in my art journal:

This time I used photocopies of letters I had stuffed in an envelope since 2005. I thought the text was interesting handwriting and would make an interesting backdrop. The next part of the challenge was to use randonmess from another envelope that was sitting next to the letters. I think it came out pretty good.

I also worked on some ACEOs:

This is a set of four travel themed ACEOs with words defined on them. Each word (treasure, cherish, fun and paradise) are on the strips. When the cards are lined up, they spell the word LIVE.

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-10-06T22:02:26Z

How to Challenge Yourself in Your Art Journal

Feels like forever since I've written any how-to's and it's only been two days. Funny how time flies! (and feels longer than it is LOL)

As promised, more from day six

2007-10-06T18:27:56Z

I made a quad today. :)

Books For a Buck!

2007-10-06T13:59:15Z

ARTISTS: Many of you love using book pages in your work, so I'm selling 70 of my old paperbacks (all the pages are still intact) for $1.00 (+ S&H) each. Yes, I'll combine shipping. If you're interested, click here:

Day Six (More to Come Later, Too.)

2007-10-06T08:14:24Z

Here's my day six post and, yes, I *am* up this early! Nope, not complaining - it's just odd, that's all. ::smiles::

I challenged myself to create art journal pages using random magazine pages (making them work, no matter what was on the page). I think it came out pretty good. The text reads:

You can . . . make it work!
Always challenge yourself . . . make it new once againe.
Turn your passions . . . into professions.

MoFo'Ness: Day Five

2007-10-05T21:55:40Z

It reads: Simply . . . truth.

This is another one of those "use what you have or else" mixed media paintings in my art journal. I'm going to make another one either later tonight or first thing tomorrow. That challenge is going to be to open magazine twice, each to a random page. Tear out the page and, no matter what's there, make it work in a journal spread. ::smiles:: My magazine of choice is Martha Stewart Living's July 2006 issue.

Day Four: Mofo Madness!

2007-10-04T17:07:03Z

Here's what I did today:

It reads: Sometimes the act of creating art makes me feel invisible. I don't know why.

Seriously, I *don't* know why. It's a mystery. That's okay, though, because aren't artists supposed to be brooding and mysterious? I don't know if I'm very good at the brooding part, but I certainly can pull off being mysterious. ::smiles::

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-10-03T18:05:40Z

So, I challenged myself to create something from a pile of randomness today in an effort to break free from my comfort zone. This wasn't easy and, of course, I ran off to do some "comfort zone" work following that project. It did, however, spark this article:

BREAK OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

I'll continue to challenge myself daily during artsomofo and see what sparks. I'm interested in seeing you break free! Feel free to post pictures of your efforts in the comments section. Please pass this information along if you found it useful!

Happy arting!

Day Three . . . ArtSoMoFo Challenge

2007-10-03T16:34:11Z

Okay, I challenged myself again. I turned this (a pile of randomness dumped from a box that was sent from a nervousness.org friend):

Into this:

9x12 canvas board
Buying details listed here.

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-10-01T14:42:20Z

Organize Your Workspace

Seems basic enough, right? Well, I admit I'm not very good at this and am always in need of reminders! Please pass this along if you found it useful!

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-10-01T13:51:27Z

How to Collect Unusual Art Supplies

Please pass this information along if you found it useful! :-)

Because creative minds want to know . ..

2007-09-28T14:03:32Z

I admit, I'm hot and heavy into mixed media art . . . always have been in one way or another. Sometimes I like to create paintings that are focused on a subject matter (like my tree fetish), yet I still want that mixed media element present. Here's how I've solved that problem:

ADDING TO ACRYLIC PAINTINGS: HOW TO ADD UNUSUAL ITEMS IN A SUBTLE WAY

I created that tree painting using Braille pages using this method that some of you may remember. It was a very gratifying experience, particularly when I added a high gloss finish - it really brought the texture of the canvas and the Braille out beautifully. Please pass this information along if you find it useful!

Happy arting!

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-09-28T13:26:10Z

In the spirit of daily art making and the upcoming artsomofo challenge, I decided to focus another basic how-to on this subject:

HOW TO CREATE ART DAILY

This is a very basic overview of what kind of projects, on a small scale, can be completed on a daily basis in order to keep the habit of daily art making in routines. Please pass this along if you find the information useful!

Happy arting!

Because Creative Minds Want to Know

2007-09-27T12:42:34Z

Personal projects are just as important as those that are work-related, for an art-related challenge and mail-art. Here's how to use an art journal to keep track of it all:

ART JOURNALS FOR PERSONAL PROJECTS: HOW TO USE THEM TO KEEP TRACK

Please pass this link along if you found the information useful! ::smiles::

Happy arting!

Check.It.Out!

2007-09-13T18:03:22Z

aisling is continuing to upload two new sheets of $1.99 clipart at SantaFlamingo.com each day. Today's pictures include creepy photos of cemeteries. They're ideal for Halloween art, party invites or decor. For more info, see the photos page at Santa Flamingo.

You know you wanna be a MOFO!

2007-09-03T13:52:14Z

What? A MoFo? What are you talking about?

I'm talking about this year's round of

artsomofo !

I know, I've been talking about this a lot lately, but I haven't really done a "you should join in with us" type of post for everyone to see yet. Or have I? I can't remember. That doesn't matter. JOIN!

Why should you join? Simple:

Are you an artist?
Do you need a creative outlet?
Is it your goal to create art on a daily basis?
Do you want to be in the habit of creating art daily?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the community for you. The goal behind artsomofo is to create art everday during the month of October (similar to the NaNoWriMo challenge). For me, it's a good opportunity to get myself into what I really want to do - be creative daily. I need this in my life and, since 2005, this challenge and the community members have been helping me get there bit by bit.

So, please consider joining us. And, if you do join us, please consider passing along the word about what we're doing and why others should consider joining us. It's going to be a GREAT year! I'm in the process of creating my mofo-madness list and will post it shortly. I'm also going to start prepping for my daily mofo'ing and will post pictures of that shortly.