Mixed Media Art Journal Page Colour Me Positive Prompt #1 - WOYWW #344

Hello Friends and Desk Hoppers :)

If you don't know about weekly desk hopping...check out the lovely Julia Dunnit's blog at Stamping Ground :) So, I told everyone in my last blog post about my art plans for the year. I mentioned I was going to join the group at Colour Me Positive and follow along with the art journaling prompts they are offering. Well..I have made it through one whole week so far! Last year I made it with the prompts from Daily Life Project all the way until the first week in May, so let's see if I can go farther this year! Here is my page I made for the prompt 'gratitude'.

I did my best to take process photos as I was filming for those who prefer the step out of my projects :) I started by getting out my Dylusions paints. I had rather forgot about them and I wanted to play with the super vibrant colors again. I had no concept or idea for this page I just planned to fake it til I make it :) I smeared around three nice cool colors with a make up sponge until I liked the effect.

Next I got out my archival black pad and stamped the word 'gratitude' with a set of stencil looking stamps from Stampin' Up!. I should have done this later but I was just playing trying to get an idea.

Next I decided I wanted some pattern on my page so I got out a leaf stencil and diluted some of the green paint with white to stencil on some leaves. Then..I had to touch up my stamped letters LOL. I also collaged on the quote which was offered as part of the prompt from Colour Me Positive. 

Next I decided to do some journaling about the things I was particularly grateful for in 2015. I didn't want these very personal words to be read by whomever maybe see my page. They are only for me...so I did the writing using a Wink of Stella marker. This has just clear ink with some tiny glitter so it is barely visible..but I know it is there

Next I decided I needed some sort of focal point for the page. I was thinking to myself..what does gratitude look like visually? I came up with the idea of a person with their hands over their heart and eyes closed as if contemplating. This pose to me says 'thank you'. So I drew her on mixed media paper and cut her out. But dang it! my sketch was too small. So, instead of redrawing it...I scanned it and printed it larger. That totally worked! I collaged her on and then colored with Neocolor II water soluble crayons :)

The next thing I did was to use my Stabilo all black pencil to make shadows around the girl and the words. I also Added some highlights with a white Posca pen at this step but its not in the photo.

Then to fill in that blank space between the girl and the quite I added some stamped flower heads with a stamp from Stampin' Up!. Then I drew stems and leaves with a black Fude Ball pen. I colored my flowers with a brush and the Dylusions paints. I added highlights to these with my white posca pen.

I think my girl has a very serene looking face. She looks full of gratitude for all the blessings of the past year and hopeful for 2016.

I hope you enjoyed this mixed media art journal page :) If you did leave me a comment below!

<3 Shel