I've been working on many projects

Here's a peek at some of the art I've created lately. Right now I am passionate about my art dolls. They are called Snippets of Soul Stories. Each one has a story. And the stories are snippets from my past. I'll be teaching a class on how I make them soon. To see more, see my facebook page at tarasartcamp. Hugs! xoxo

Pages from another journal

I work in several journals at the same time. I really like this journal, the size, the format, the pages etc. I hand bound it, and created the journal myself. I'm on a roll with this one so I'll be working in it the next few days.

Has it been so long....

since I last posted?!    Time does get away from me!

I was fortunate enough to be invited to an art retreat in Port Townsend a couple of weekends ago. It was so fun to be with wonderful creative women and spend time creating art and laughing. Pure bliss. I'm back at rediscovering old journals and re-working them. I've had this one a long time, and I feel it needs an update. I love working over all my old stuff. They are ever evolving and ever changing. I'm feeling an urge thou, to create in a different medium,,,maybe fabric...we'll see.

Journal, Lobby, Dobby, and Lou

This is the cover of my latest journal. The painting is fondly called Lobby, Dobby and Lou. If you can see the little characters on the right hand side,,,,they are images from "Stuffed Magazine". I created those little guys out of old sweaters. My article on Lobby Dobby and Lou was in the second issue of "Stuffed". This journal is all 140lb watercolor paper with lots of fun inserts in side.

Making art in Moleskine journals

I am revisiting old journals and getting inspiration from my previous work. I've decided to start another moleskine journal and will post soon. The first step is to get the cover ready. I never start a piece of art on the first page. I start somewhere in the middle. I find that my work continues to grow and I hardly ever like the work I started on the first page. I'll post soon.

Have a great day!

Painting the blank page, and a guy in my journal

This is another page I created recently. I used collage papers in the hand bound journal that I made. I start all my pages by creating a watercolor wash on the pages so I am not faced with the overwhelming "blank page". Sometimes I am happy enough with all the pages painted in brilliant, vibrant colors, and I don't need to paint anything else on them! I find plain white pages a little intimidating to start work on.

New art journal

How I make my journals

Making a new journal

I have been working on a new journal. I created the cover with canvas boards. This one is from an old one that I am redoing. I have been redoing a lot of journals lately. I like the revision and new concepts of my art that I try in my new ones. That way if I don't like an old style I can rework them and they don't sit packed away in a cupboard. I have another one in the works that will be a little larger. The face is created with acrylics and measures 5 x 7 inches.

What do you do with your old journals or paintings?

Have a lovely day.

Artist journal, (again)

This journal is all made by hand, the covers, the binding, everything! I am working over an old journal and re-doing it. I love how some of the old elements show through. I have ripped, torn, and re-figured the pages, adding new work as I go along. I use acrylic paints and the backgrounds are watercolor washes.

Journal, artist journal, Sketchbook

I never seem to have the time to write a nice thoughtful blog posting. But I thought I would show you what I've been working on. This is my hand made journal. I have been slowly adding art to the pages and experimenting for a new idea that I have.

Complete

She waited and waited for him, but he never returned. Her hair did grow longer, and she was grateful.

Journal pages, my best friend

This is a small journal I carry around in my purse. I used watercolor, graphite, and collaged an old photo. When I create the text, this will be about my best friend who has helped me through difficult times.

New work in a larger journal

I like this larger format, it measures 9 x 12 inches. Most of my current creations wear masks, but for some reason these characters don't even mind that they are not wearing masks! I created this piece with watercolor, Pitt Pens, and used collage elements from an old anatomy book.  I'll try to get a better photograph when it is not raining outside!

(update,,,,,,,I was able to photograph these in better lighting)

Old ledger journal

I often use just what I have around the house to paint in. I got this old ledger journal at a garage sale for .25 cents. I love the lines in the background. I think it adds character. I don't mind that the pages wrinkle from the watercolors, it gives it personality. Plus the pages will probably lay flat when it has been closed for a long time.

Created in a vintage journal ledger, water color, pan pastel, graphite.

She waited patiently...

My collab with Syd

"You have my heart"

  created by talented artist Syd

If you have been following my blog for a while you will see that I am doing an art collaborative journal with my friend Syd. I am so lucky to have her work in my journal. We have been working in our journals since last year. It is really fun, no stress of time frames, we just create in them when we can and exchange them back and fourth every couple of weeks. When something comes up in our lives, the journals go on the back burner, but we have no expectations of each other, or time deadlines, and that just works out so great for me. I am on "task" now, and will be sending my journal to her every two to three weeks. That seems to work for us! Syd is so talented but, you really have to know her to know that. She is so busy with life, but her artwork shines through. Xo...to Syd.

Mr Fox

My dear friend Mary sent me a little stuffed fox. This is my painted interpretation with a little hand written note attached to the page. So sweet, I love it.
This is the journal I am re-creating over old pages. I like how some of the old text and drawings show through.

More art journaling

I created this little owl in my small leather artist journal. I am using a few rubber stamps to add just the right touch. The words "take note" is a rubber stamped image. I used gesso to cover up the old design.

I am using a small face as part of the design on the right for this page,,, a small element that doesn't take over the whole drawing. I like that!  I added some journaling thoughts after I completed the drawing.

I incorporated my rubber stamped image in the design of this drawing, see how her hands are part of the rubber stamped image?

I am still working in my small leather journal. (see previous posts) Adding lots of new elements, gessoing over the old, and painting new images. My favorite art supply right now is gesso!  I am really loving the way my new/old journal is turning out!  More pages are coming soon.

Artist Journal

I keep several journals going at one time. I made this one by hand, including the covers which are made from canvas board. Each page is torn individually to fit into the journal. I add color to all the pages, then they are hand stitched and bound into the book. I am available for teaching this wonderful technique in 2011.