A Puzzler

I love to experiment with color and patterns, as you may already know! I find it very meditating.

I recently completed this doodle:

One of the things I did differently with this doodle was I added three flowers on top of my doodle that I printed on deli paper using my Gelli plate and a stencil.

What is really fun about printing on deli paper with fluid acrylics is that the pattern is transparent when you glue it down to your paper. You don’t see the deli paper. I printed my flowers in a light red color.

This time I took my experiment a step further and glued it over my doodle (with a glue stick). I next added further details with Copic markers and color pencils on top of the deli printed flowers. I didn’t know I could do that!

I also experimented creating patterns with color pencils in my doodle and coloring Copic markers over them.

Another great thing about creating a colorful doodle is making copies to use as collage. The colors came out exceptionally bright with the Copic markers.

And behold! I found a rabbit:

And a bird (think swan–like):

The journal is for my online class I’m taking with Carla Sonheim, The Year of the Rabbit. I added some postage stamps from other countries to add interest to my pages.

I hope you have fun doing some art experiments today! I’d love to hear what you are working on.

Happy Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

Bob The Blob Bird

Today’s weird bird is definitely WEIRD!

Bob The Blob Bird

I started Bob with a blob of paint.

I saw another bird in the blob:

This blob is the one I went with:

I then added some collage papers for the wing, tail and beak. Next, I added some details with acrylic paint pens and finished with a black sharpie.

Sometimes it is fun to just PLAY!

How many weird birds can you find in the paint blob?

I recently read a book called, A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen. (Hint: This is where I got the idea to name my bird, Bob).

The book was an easy read and very uplifting. Bob the cat had quite the personality. If you are looking for a book to read about cats, you may enjoy this book.

Wishing you a happy weird bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

Poodles On Parade

My neighbor recently got a poodle in “party” colors (black and white) that inspired me to create a whimsical series in acrylic paint and watercolor.

I started by making random marks on a 22″x30″ sheet of hot press watercolor paper. I used golden fluid acrylics and permanent black ink with different size brushes.

Note: This is a great way to get over the fear of a white sheet of paper!

Next, I cut my large sheet of paper into smaller sizes. I had a total of 18 pieces of paper to creat my drawings.

Here are a five of my favorites:

I drew my poodles in pencil first and then used a permanent black pen. I used the marks on the paper to help me draw my poodles so they turned out a bit wonky! I finished them with watercolor.

Do you have a favorite?

One idea leads to another…

I made this birthday card for a friend:

And a weird bird showed up with a poodle do:

Dog gone it! I hope you have a happy Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

Squeeze The Day!

I saw some cute paper napkins with lemons at the grocery store yesterday…

It was my inspiration for today’s weird bird:

Squeeze the day!

Something silly to brighten your day!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

Off The Grid…

In 2019, I created a “square a day” – a small piece of art each day. This was a fun project that kept me inspired in my art making. I wrote the date and notes on the back of each square.

I have been a little off the grid in the last year dealing with some health issues and feeling uninspired to create.

2022 is a NEW YEAR and time to create some fun! Hooray!

Today’s weird bird was part of my square project for the head and yesterday, I added the body with a grid format…

Here is what I wrote on the back of my square in 2019:

And here is my box of 365 art squares!

I hope my little whimsy will give you a smile today…

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers to a creative year for us all! 🙂

Jingle Jangle

Two little birds flew in to jingle jangle their bells last night…

Hoping your holidays are a delight!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Friends!

Cheers! 🙂

An Amazing Day

I have been enjoying the free online art class:

“The Layered Page” with Kellee Wynne Studios! I discovered it on Instagram. You can find it at KelleeWynneStudios.com

I have been creating larger pages with acrylic paint and stencils that will become mini books. Kellee shows you how to do this in her videos.

This led to experimenting in my sketchbook with marks and bubble wrap:

And creating smaller cards that are 5.5 x 3.5 inches:

I decided to make positive affirmation cards with some of the smaller cards:

And I created my own layered pages with paper collage in my art journal:

Perhaps my art will inspire you to create art you enjoy!

I hope you have an amazing day!

Cheers! 🙂

P.S. I have decided to take a blogging break so I can focus on creating art. There are some awesome free online art classes right now that I want to take advantage of!

If you are needing some additional creative inspiration, Carla Sonheim is offering a free pdf with 22 artists sharing their ideas. You can find it at CarlaSonheim.com Great ideas for all ages!

Have fun and stay safe! 🙂

A Pajama Party

You have heard of a cat’s pajamas, right?

Why not a bird’s pajamas?!

I got ideas from this book for their outfits:

What animal would YOU invite to a pajama party?

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

Glow Worm

Last Friday, I showed you the beginning of this journal page:

I added a drawing of a weird looking bug and then discovered the dictionary definition for a Glow Worm on my page.I decided to explore this idea further.

Next, I added some acrylic paint and colored part of my bug with Tombow markers:

I added some interesting facts about a Glow Worm to my page and finished coloring my “beetle” wearing a hat… why not! 😉

I enjoyed learning something new while playing in my art journal.

Cheers! 🙂

P.S. I have decided to blog 1-2 days a week. I will be posting on Mondays and possibly Wednesday. I will be posting more on Instagram where you can find me at art_jill_kuhn

Creative Play

Sometimes creative play in an art journal can be quite fulfilling.

I am discovering the joy of adding collage papers and marks without a outcome in mind.

This page I used a greeting card of a Ladybug that someone sent me. I altered it a little with my whole punch:

I had fun exploring funky flower shapes in this one and black and white stems:

My last one is a work in progress. As you can see, it involves BUGS!

I will show my completed page to you next week!

I encourage you to make time for creative play in your art making.

Happy Friday!

Cheers! 🙂