Repeating Patterns in Nature and Art - WOYWW #299

Hello Friends and Desk Hoppers,

Once again I am in the middle of trying to keep up with all the art journaling classes and prompts for the week. On my desk is the unfinished Lifebook 2015 project for this week. Also, the mess left over from my Documented Life Project for week eight. I am also working in between on a cool dimensional journal cover I will show in the future. The DLP page for this week was really fun so I am going to show the step out for that one. The challenge had to do with repeating elements and the prompt was 'it's worth repeating'. I decided to rely on what most inspires my art, and that is the repeating elements found in nature. I also found an interesting quote about just that subject in a art book. So here we go...

First my mess of a desk. I am linking up to the party over at Stamping Ground where you can snoop desks around the world today. Thanks to Julia Dunnit for the opportunity. Go check it out. My desk never really gets 'cleaned' per say...I just move one thing off for another. However the other day I did spill my diet coke all over it so I had to actually wipe it and change all the papers. There was some creative words that day!


And now for my Documented Life Project page week 8 :)


The first step was to lay down a background of mixed green colors using my gelatos.I used 4 colors of green and blended them with my finger dipped in water. Then I laid a leaf stencil over the top and used a baby wipe to remove some of the color and leave a pattern.


Next, I picked out a piece of deli paper from my painted paper pile (PPP for short?) These papers come about when I have left over acrylic paint from a painting. I usually just scrape that leftover onto a scrap or a deli paper sheet with a credit card. I cut out some leaf shapes and used both the positive and negative pieces on my page as collage. I used matte gel medium to attach the pieces.


When that was dry, I got my fingers messy and applied some acrylic paints in turquoise, yellow, and white to highlight areas and patterns. 


Then I got out some leaf stamps to add another layer. I used white acrylic paint with the smaller random shape and black archival ink for the more detailed leaf.


Now I decided I had enough of greens and wanted to add a pop of a contrasting color. I picked hot pink acrylic paint and added it with a smaller leaf stamp.


Next I went in with my obsessive contrasting doodling technique (OCD for short :) I used the same pink paint with a small brush and then my black and white Posca paint pens.


Now for the top layer of elements. I first printed out my quote on white printer paper, but I thought it looked too stark over the page. So I next taped a piece of deli paper to a sheet and printed it onto that. I applied it to my page using matte gel medium. I WISH I had laid down a translucent layer of paint with a brayer under it first...but it was already stuck..oh well..next time. Then for the other side of the page I decided to make a vine. I had my leftover white paper quote, so I cut it into leaves for my vine and collaged those on. Never waste anything I say :)


My last thing to do was to add details to my leaves and stem with black Posca pen, and then to add watery shadows with my black Stabilo all pencil blended with a aquabrush.


I hope you enjoyed my page this Wednesday. Leave me a comment or a +1 if you did!
<3 Shel




Comments

  1. Oh my! I love your pages! And thanks for showing your process of getting to the end product! I also find it hard not to have my drink where I'm working. Mine usually is on the computer desk but the keyboard slides underneath so is protected (usually). Thanks for popping by! Happy WOYWW!
    Carol N #50

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    1. Thanks for the visit Carol :) Yes, we need to drink as we craft...but that oops can be a big on at a computer desk..lol

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  2. I love your bright, beautiful pages - the greens and yellows are so fresh, and the piece of work on your desk is quite striking - I'm looking forward to seeing how you develop it. Hope you have a great week,
    Diana #33

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    1. Thank you Diana :) Stop by tomorrow as I think the page on the desk will be finished and stepped out right here :)

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  3. Thanks for your visit, Shel. Your project is amazing! I enjoyed following along with the process --- so many steps and so worth it. It's truly beautiful. I could never have imagined the end result from looking at the first step.So well done, my friend.
    BTW, My niece is in Arizona at this moment, and I'm so envious of both of you. ;) Hope your day is wonderful!

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    1. Thanks Nannie for stopping by my desk :) I am glad you liked the step out of my page! Your Niece should be warm around here...the weather has been pretty perfect..not to hot or cold!

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  4. I find it so interesting to see all the various stages the pages went through. Lovely work. Thanks for stopping by today.

    Fiona #35

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    1. Thank you Fiona :) I enjoy showing the step outs of my projects to try and help others get inspired.

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  5. Oooh, thanks for the process photos - I LOVE seeing how artists take their 'steps' and how they think... (I showed process photos for DLP 7, 'covering up the good stuff' in a former post, if you're interested it's here: http://www.maritspaperworld.com/blog/cover-up-good-stuff/ ) Your page turned out beautiful! Thanks for stopping by my blog this afternoon, happy woyww and a big hug from Holland. Marit #41

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    1. Thanks Marit :) I will check out your step out from the other week..I bet its awesome as usual!

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  6. Love what you did here, Shel! The leaves cut from deli paper look so great and all that layering is so fun! The leaves stencil is awesome too! I always pick up some good ideas from your posts! Happy WOYWW!

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    1. Thanks Zsuzsa :) Glad I can help inspire you sometimes! You do the same for me my friend :)

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  7. Thanks for your visit earlier! Your pages are so beautiful--I have those brand of paints that are on your desk too. I've been using them with gelli printing. So, the little box on my desk you asked about...it is ceramic, it has two little compartments inside so I use it for bits and bobs. I bought it at Pier I Imports about ten years ago. Hugs! Sandy Leigh #48

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    1. Hi Sandy and thanks for stopping by :) Glad to clear up that mystery box. I think its a great addition to your desk.

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  8. Wow I love your journal page it looks awesome and I did enjoy reading how you created the layout. Nice little pile of M & M's on the desk, bet they wont last long.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Hugs Eliza & Yoda #52
    Happy WOYWW

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    1. Thanks so much Eliza :) Good eye :) Yeah, those M & Ms are history..and the bag is empty :( Guess I will have tea today instead!

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  9. Your page turned out great. Happy WOYWW!

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  10. I love all the bright happy colors in your journal, and it was great seeing the step by step progress of a page.

    Thanks for visiting my blog and for the nice comments. :-)

    Happy creating and happy woyww,

    Sandy #34

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    1. Thanks Sandy. I enjoy showing my progress for people who want to play along with me :)

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  11. What a luscious page, Shel - layer upon layer of deliciousness!

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    1. Thank you Win :) If you are color pig..I must be a layer pig LOL

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  12. I looooove that journal page, Shel! I makes me feel sitting in the jungle. Wonderful colour combinations also. Super job!
    Thanks for showing the progress photos, always love to see that.
    Thank you for visiting earlier
    Hugs
    Gabriele 3

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  13. Your page is fabulous - love it and enjoyed reading/seeing how you achieved it!! Thanks for visiting me. Anne x #28

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    1. Thanks for coming by my desk Anne :) I love to get positive comments!

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  14. A very interesting read! As I'm not a paper crafter, I don't have a clue how to start the process, so it was good to see the progression of the patterns and colours. I like the text too! Clever you :-)
    Hugs, LLJ 26 xxxx

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    1. Thank you Jan. A few more times visiting my blog and you might have decided to start up with paper :P

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  15. What fab pages in your Life book - love the big leaves and the green is so vibrant.
    Keep enjoying what you do.
    Hugs, Neet 24 xx

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    1. Thank you Neet :) I am having fun with all this art journaling!

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  16. What a lovely page. Thank you for showing the process. Is deli paper the same as freezer paper. I have just managed to source some freezer paper from the US. It's plastic coated stuff. Is that the same as deli paper?
    Have a great week,
    Lisca#25

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    1. Hi Lisca :) Deli paper is a bit different then freezer paper. It is what they wrap sandwiches in here in the states. Freezer paper has a thick waxy coating on one side so wet media won't go through where as deli paper is more like tissue paper but is alot better at handling the wetness. If you want to email me your address I can send you some deli paper :)

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    2. oh and I don't know if my email is here on this page somewhere..lol..pretty new to G+ and blogging. If not, its emperessenigma@gmail.com

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  17. Love your page, green is always a goto colour for me. I have been trying to keep up with challenges and journal prompts too... Not so easy at times, and so hard to choose what to leave out!
    Thanks for popping by earlier, happy WOYWW
    Kristiina #17

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    1. Thanks Kristiina :) I know what you mean..it gets tricky keeping up with everything sometimes!

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  18. Oh Shel... Everything you do makes me GIDDY! thanks for sharing and the AWESOME pictorial tutorial (hey That Rhymes!) I am not doing The DLP this year, Lifebook is enough... grin... but I am absolutely going to try out your technique - I had forgotten about using babywipes with gelatos... YOU ROCK! Lynne #70

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    1. Oh my goodness thanks Lynne :)) I am so happy that what I do is what people like!

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  19. What a lovely mix of colours.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Happy WOYWW
    Sue #30

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  20. Love the journal pages, gorgeous collection of colours and images. Have a great woyww, Angela x 60

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  21. Gosh I keep seeing all this arty work - I've got so stuck on card making lately, really do need to spend more time getting messy. Thanks for your visit, Happy WOYWW, Cindyx

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  22. What a beautiful page, Shel, and it was great seeing how you built up the layers. Thank you for your lovely encouraging comment - interesting about the coded socks! Walking about is going to prove a problem for me because I have M.E. and can't walk many steps unaided, and I am hoping they won't push that aspect too far! The nurse told me at my pre-assessment appointment that they are accustomed to nursing patients with problems like mine and always make allowances and tailor the physio accordingly.

    Happy WOYWW,
    Shoshi #42

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Shoshi :) I am sure those nurses will know how to handle whatever comes up. They do it everyday and so I think we should trust them.

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  23. What a great journal page! I never would of though to add the pink but it works just perfectly! You are doing a great job keeping up with all your journaling projects.

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  24. Oh, my I love your page! Thank you for explaining and showing the process! I would love to do this kind of thing. In fact I have all the "stuff" including the book, and have played a little! :) Thank you for your visit. I just wanted to tell you that the person who enabled me to want my iPad deck chair was Julia herself! LOL She told me where I could get it when I asked, and then I asked for it for Christmas! So, she is the enabler! #27

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  25. Beautiful journal page. Love the colour combination!

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  26. Thanks for calling by at mine yesterday.
    There is nothing quite like diet coke for helping with dusting and cleaning up a workspace is there :-) Coke will actually put a shine on most surfaces lol
    Hugs,
    Annie x #19

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    1. LOL..You are right Annie. I have heard of people using a bottle of coke over night in the toilet to clean it even... makes you wonder what it is doing to your tummy.

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  27. Love, love the green pages. Thanks for the steps.That yellow green really makes a person feel energetic. Thanks for your visit.
    Judy # 12

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  28. Stunning page, the colour combo is so fresh and vibrant. Perfect for your journal page. I have spilt so many glasses of water/cups of tea. Finally switched to a drink bottle! Duh!! Now I rarely clean up:)
    sandra

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  29. What great pages you have created in the journal! I love the colors! Thanks for sharing and happy WOYWW!
    Glenda 45

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  30. Some beautiful design and colour work going on there - love it! Chris # 21

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  31. Stunning! I enjoy following your 'step out' details. It is always interesting to see the steps from the beginning to the end. Do you have an idea of how your page will end up when you lay the first colors on your page? Your finished product is amazing! love the colors, the inclusion of leaves in a variety of ways and...the quote. :)

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    1. Thank you. No, I usually have a little idea then I just mess with it until something comes on the page lol

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  32. GIRL!!!! THOSE ARE FANTSTIC JOURNAL PAGES!! Super great tutorial on how you achieved them too.
    So late in getting back to visiting for WOYWW, had some internet problems that finally got fixed....yea!!
    Thanks for visiting me this week and the nice comment.
    Krisha #1

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    1. Thank you Krisha :) Glad you got your internet back! It is so frustrating to have those darn problems.

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  33. Loving your journal pages and ALWAYS love a good step by step - thanks for that :)
    The piece on your desk now looks interesting too!

    Thanks for stopping by to see me already!

    Carmen x #46

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    1. Thanks Carmen for coming by and for your sweet comments :)

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  34. wonderful work, Shel always love the stages .. did get around to returning your visit eventually Shaz in Oz.x

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