A Large Handmade Journal

This summer I want to work in several art journals and a couple of other projects while I take a weird bird break.

I started this handmade journal last November when I took an online class with Pam Garrison. It is made with 140 lb hot press watercolor paper.

I thought you might enjoy seeing the pages in a video before I fill them:

The journal size measures 15.25 inches in length by 11 inches in width for each page.

As you can see in the video, I made some marks on some of my pages as a starting off point.

Here are a few pages I’ve been working on:

I used stencils with watercolor in the bottom of the first page. And the page below is shown closed over the above page with some doodles and a butterfly.

Sometimes I like experimenting with collage and adding a quote:

A fish collage using my Gelli-printed papers inspired by the artist, Clare Youngs:

I used the watercolor circles to experiment with drawings in color pencils. And I added some whimsical lettering:

The insert papers are good for experimentation also. I used a stencil for the first one and collage for the second photo.

I was inspired by a wall calendar by the artist, Caroline Simas for the page below. I liked her color choices:

I am experimenting with collage, color pencils and water soluble crayons for this page…it is a work in progress! I find circles meditative.

I hope my art journal inspires you in your own art making.

What art projects are you working on? I’d love to hear about them!

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! 🙂

A Conundrum

Today’s weird bird is a Conundrum…

It is a bit puzzling!

Is it a fish?

Or a bird?

Perhaps I should just call it a Conundrum!

I had fun creating my weird bird today with stencils from StencilGirl Club using watercolor and make-up sponges!

Who knew this could be a great way to stencil on watercolor paint!

I do need a little different watercolor tray with larger wells so I can dip my sponge directly into the paint and use less water. (Less water means less bleeding under my stencil).

I finished my Conundrum with color pencils and a white gel pen.

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers!

On The Tip Of Their Bill?

Today’s weird bird has an unusually shaped beak! What would YOU name this bird?

This got me thinking about bird beaks… and how do REAL birds taste their food?

Did you know that birds have a well-developed sense of taste and experience all four of the main tastes that humans do? (Sweet, sour, bitter and salty)

Humans taste with their tongues but birds generally have their taste buds on the roof and floor of their mouth. Many have at least a few taste buds close to the tip of their tongue bill so they can make a quick assessment of a food item as soon as they pick it up.

I learned these interesting facts from this bird book I recently purchased:

I’m hoping this book will help me draw and learn more about REAL birds this year!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

A Puzzler

Did you know that January is national puzzle month?

I have completed one 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle with Happy Buttons:

And I am working on a second one with Houseplants:

Sometimes my weird birds start out like a puzzle:

I started this trio in watercolor. Then I added a little paper collage:

Next, some details with color pencils:

And finished with pencil shading:

What kind of puzzles do YOU like to work on?

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

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! 🙂

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks…

What are you thankful for?

I am thankful for many things, especially “nature” and its ability to soothe my soul in all four seasons in the Pacific Northwest where I live.

I try to get outside for some fresh air each day, even if it’s just a walk to the mailbox.

My cat, Jack walks around the backyard with me on the days when the sun is shinning.

I recently created an autumn themed mandala in watercolor using some leaves from my yard as inspiration. I also added iridescent watercolor for some sparkle.

I finished my piece with color pencils. I think I will frame this one!

Many thanks to each of you for your likes and kind comments on my blog this year.

Wishing you a day filled with Giving Thanks!

Cheers! 🙂

Spreading JOY

I am so proud of my nephew, Jerred Mace!

He is a design student at University of Washington and has created coffee sleeves with positive messages to spread JOY!

Check out his website: wjoyproject.com

Jerred is a very talented young man. He wrote a book of poetry that he self-published in High School. You can purchase a copy of it if you are interested, on his website.

If you are ever in Edmonds, WA on a Wednesday, please stop by Walnut Street Coffee for a cup of JOY!

Cheers! 🙂

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! 🙂

Stuffed Animals

I created this drawing based on the words from the assignment I told you about in my last post, “This might be impossible to read but it was fun to make.”

I had so much FUN drawing the stuffed animals and hiding the words.

Here is a close-up of the animals and words so you can read them.

Sometimes I don’t try ideas because I think they may be impossible to do! I’m glad I gave this one a try because I discovered stuffed animals are really quite easy to draw.

What would you like to learn to draw or paint if you didn’t have any obstacles in your way?

I hope you give your ideas a try!

Cheers! 🙂