11 where I get my images thoughts and ideas

If this project is a success, the criteria will be creating my own elements, embellishments, and papers to use in my artwork. I want it to look like me. By that, I mean combinations of what I find interesting and beautiful and my own explorations.

Sometimes that may mean using printed scrapbook papers, Especially if they are dark or on sale.

I love cut paper. It is hard on my hands, so I use a combination of hand cut and machine cut.

I love Fraktur and Pennsylvania Dutch hex art, Mexican folk art, and all decorative painting.

Another way this project will be a success is to try color palettes that I  am not normally drawn to. I want to stray off the beaten path of the color wheel, or a least explore it more deeply.

It takes time to put the elements together and finish things. A lot of behind the scenes work is trying things together lots of sketches and camera note taking.

10 Taking notes

Right now I am basically taking notes with my camera.

Creating pieces to combine with other pieces.

Lots of words, lots of looking.

9 painted papers

Painted paper edition

I pulled out the paints and my favorite substrate 

20lb regular ordinary bright 

printer/copier paper and paints.

I work fast and use whatever colors 

are left from the last time.

I separate them in color curated batches and 

use a few for morning pages.

The good ideas and insights tend to spill out at 

about a page and a half.

8 one hundred days, really?

I am calling this 100 days project. I work every
day, but the work is transitional, ephemeral,
evolving, and part of a larger project and
I am only seeing glimpses.

 In the spirit of Austin Kleon "Show Your Work"
I will spend 100 days documenting my work.

I am working on getting a better camera, and better lighting.

Before the end of this, my goal is to provide inspiration, tutorials, and tools.
There will also be finished projects and new downloads.

7 ephemeral work

 

My work at this point is very ephemeral. 

The short-lived and transient meaning. I am following a 

thread, and at the same time playing 

with creativity, the muse, the imps, fairies, and spirits of joy.

I'm playing with things from yesterday, and the day before.

The words are Valentine's day words. 

They are printed on coffee/tea dyed printer papers.

These papers are dyed with strong tea and placed in the oven to dry 

(very low heat).

They are steam ironed flat. I iron them in one pile. 

They flatten and smooth each other.

I love the aged crinkle effect. I adapted this YouTube video to my set up. Mrs.Cog's stove area is a lot like mine.

There are many others. Many techniques and styles that can be adapted to your set up and supplies. 

I don't have a picture for it, but I applied walnut ink crystals on the tears and some of the edges.

6 morning pages

  

Morning pages is a big part of my creative process. Only I don't do them in the morning. I get effective results from doing them when I get to the studio.

I take a pen and paper and write. Sometimes it's painted papers or tea dyed papers. Sometimes It's scraps or old papers lying close at hand.
Then I cut them up.

More playing

Sometimes they look like this:

They are not going to stay like this, although some 

may end up like this.

5 purple tag detail

More details on the purple tags

From the last post here is the painted tag process.

They are painted and cut. The edges are aged, and 

a hand cut trim is glued to the bottom.

#10yearchallenge

Daily work 10 years apart

2009

2019

These are both from January. The 2009 sample is drawings on shrink plastic. The 2019 samples are handmade books.

4 paint cut glue

Today's studio fun as painting on printer paper.
Here I used 20 lb 92 brightness regular printer paper.

Supplies are acrylic paint, old brushes, and water.
I am using freezer paper to cover my surface with
the shiny side down.

I use a paper trimmer to cut the pieces into size. 

The size I chose is: 3" w x 3 1/2" l

I cut out a scalloped edge. I started using scrapbook scissors

but I find that I like random uneven scallops, 

and I enjoy cutting them. 

I glued the scalloped edges on, and some hearts and

images from my artwork. These are printed on glossy photo

paper. I protect them with translucent contact paper.

3 cartoon bubbles

 Cartoon bubbles!

Oh how I love capturing my thoughts or affirmations inside a cheerful little frame!

Sparkle on your thoughts!

What to do with coffee/tea dyed paper

Vintage thoughts! Pull them out dust them off, think them again!

I realize that some people call them speech bubbles.
I love comics and cartoons, these will go in my journal.

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Links to all 100 day project are here

2019 joy

One of my favorite books is: "Living with Joy" by Sanaya Roman. I was re-reading it, and it was like I never saw it before.

Orin - Sanaya Roman "Living With Joy"

Today attention is said to be our most valuable commodity. That makes it difficult to choose what brings you joy. Often times the next thing to do, when it comes to priorities, is either whatever catches my eye, or what I "should" be doing. I rarely choose joy.

This is really going to be an experiment. In the midst of unbelievable fear, inertia and heart ache I am going to play with building a life of Joy!

Edit: I also wanted to say that sometimes joy wells up and I miss it. I want to pay attention. Think of what I could miss! That's why attention is so valuable.