Journaling on the Quick

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This article is written by Debbie Davis

I like to keep a number of painted backgrounds at the ready in my journal books for when I don’t have a lot of time but am feeling the need to journal.  One of my favorite journals is a vintage ledger binder that I picked up from an antique store.  The ledger pages had never been used.  I sometimes keep a few of the pages handy when I’m working on other projects and use any leftover paint on them to create a background.

I had just returned from a beach vacation and was starting to think about all that needed to be done at home and work, but what I really wanted to do was journal.  I didn’t do any art or journaling on the trip and was really missing it.  Since I didn’t have much time, I used a previously created background.

Journaling Image

This background was made by randomly scraping pink, yellow and blue/green paints that had been loosely mixed with some white fluid acrylic paint onto the ledger journal page using an old store card.  The colors were so calming and reminded me of the beach.  I then remembered a vintage photo that I had been wanting to use in my journal for a long time.

Journaling Image

I copied and pasted the photo into a Word document and resized it so that it would fit on the journal page.  I printed, cut out and collaged the photo, along with two little beach cabanas that I had cut out of scrapbook paper, onto the page.  I outlined the photo and cabanas with a Stabilo pencil and lightly went over the pencil with a wet brush.

Journaling Image

Next I wrote some words onto the page with the Stabilo pencil.  The black penciled words were standing out more than I wanted so I took a white gel pen and scribbled over the words to tone them down a bit and give them a washed out look.  This page was so quick and easy, yet I still felt that sense of contentment that I usually feel after getting in some artful playtime.

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Debbie Davis is a mixed media artist living in Morton, Illinois.   She finds creating art to be a wonderful stress reliever and plays in the paint and other mixed media mediums every chance she gets.

You can find more of Debbie’s art and techniques by visiting her In Art Therapy blog at inarttherapy.wordpress.com

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Filed Under: Mixed Media Art Journal Tagged With: , , , ,

Altered Daily Journal Cover

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This article was written by Melanie Statnick

Save time and money by upcycling a notebook cover

I have been looking for a journal big enough to write some reflections down daily. I didn’t want to spend the money. Upcycling is one of the best ways to use your imagination.

Save time and money by upcycling a notebook cover

I used black gesso to cover the front of the journal. I like using black gesso, I find it covers more and leaves you with a primed black surface that is great to use white gel pens on.

Save time and money by upcycling a notebook cover

I painted a wide rectangle of turquoise paint over the gesso surface and added a weekly stencil an Artistcellar product.  I used various stencils to create a quick and easy stenciled back ground. Since this is for personal use only I felt more experimental then I did wanting a clean design.

Save time and money by upcycling a notebook cover

Save time and money by upcycling a notebook cover

I added the year and later went in to outline the days of the week with a PITT pen, then added some detail to the cover with stars and good use of a white gel pen. Looks similar to a chalk board effect.

Save time and money by upcycling a notebook cover

Upcycle Daily Journal Cover

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Author bio:

Artist Melanie Statnick is a Published Artist/Writer out of North Carolina who writes and creates art daily from her private studio. Melanie is also the host of her own program via video and local PBS named The Brush & Pen  a Nash Community College production. Visit her website to learn more.

www.melaniestatnickart.com

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Filed Under: Altered Art Tagged With: , , , ,

You Can Draw Anything

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This article was written by Melanie Statnick

Learning to draw the simplest images and save money on stamps

Learning to draw the simplest images and save money on stamps

Hi I’m Melanie and I’m anArtsupplyaholic. I have everything I could possibly need and then some. Recently I went to a craft store to find yet another pencil with a specific led type that I didn’t need. Do you find yourself in this spot often? Too often?  I know the urge to shop for all the newest toys is on your mind the next time you get paid.  However when you’re on a budget this is the worst thing you can do with your already tight income.

As I looked around at all the new papers, canvases, pens, pencils, stencils, paints, brushes the urge to “just get it”…washed over me. As I looked at some of the coolest stamps I’ve seen I thought “What am I doing buying? I can draw this.”And so can you.  I know when it comes to stamps who can resist getting the cutest one or the one that is just perfect. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard from students “I can’t draw astraight line”.  Or just plain “I can’t draw”.   I didn’t leave that store with anything because I was determined to learn to draw my own images and save the 20 bucks.

Learning to draw the simplest images and save money on stamps

Learning to draw the simplest images and save money on stamps

The simplest stamp of a snowman, a mason jar, pumpkin and more are some of the simplest stamps I’ve seen and we buy them for convenience. I’m a self-taught artist and I believe that I can learn anything. Over the last 4 months I’ve sat with my journals, pens, pencils, markers and watercolors and have been teaching myself to draw. Years ago I didn’t think I could until I practiced every day. That is all it takes. There are so many books on how to draw and websites that have an abundance of inspiration.  But are you any good?  Yes you are.  We have to get past being perfect, realistic and spot on. It would amaze you to know how many people appreciate the imperfect cute doodle.

Learning to draw the simplest images and save money on stamps

Draw out 6 squares in a sketch journal and get your toes wet.  Be fearless with your drawings and learn to let go of how many Facebook “likes” your photo of your drawing gets. What is most important is that you like what you draw and you can draw a straight line. Practice 6 block drawings for 21 days and watch how amazing you become. Stop buying and start drawing.

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Melanie Statnick is a published artist/writer out of North Carolina. Melanie creates art daily from her private studio. Her style is happy and whimsy. Statnick’s artwork can be found in art galleries and shops extensively in NC with international private collections. Learn more about Melanie view her website at: www.melaniestatnickart.com

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Filed Under: Mixed Media Art Journal Tagged With: , , , ,