Rome and Sparta pages

Roma- I made this spread about a month ago. But, a few days ago, I added to it. I used an ultra fine black Sharpie, a fine black Sharpie, pictures and a map from an old book about Rome, gesso, and walnut ink.

Sparta- I made this spread about a month or two ago. I used watercolors, Twinkling H2Os, a black Sharpie, green acrylic paint, and two poems from a book of modern Greek poetry. After reading one poem by CP Cavafy (one of my favorite poets ever), I was inspired to art journal about Sparta. Writing in cursive is always a challenge for me, as I usually do not write this way. However, I was happy I chose to use cursive writing for this piece.

zendala

Here is my very first zendala! Zendala is a cross between a zentangle and a mandala. I made this zendala early in the morning after a sleepless night. I used an 03 black Micron pen and a fine black Sharpie permanent marker. I would like to thank Milliande at http://www.milliande.com/ for her video about zendalas! It was her video  that inspired me to make my own zendala.

Shape your Happiness spread

Here is a collage I made today. I started with the intention of making a gluebook-style spread. So, at first, I used just paper and a glue stick (and a scissor to cut out the elements). After I made the collage, I decided to place a player of yellow tissue paper over the spread. I used gloss Mod Podge for this. I find it interesting that this is the second art journaling page I've made this month that is yellow. Maybe a psychologist would be able to figure that one out! lol

Art Journal Stimulus Project (with Dawn D. Sokol)

This is an assignment for Dawn D. Sokol's art journaling class. With a permanent marker, I wrote all the nasty emotions I have been feeling and the causes of these emotions. Then, I painted two layers of white gesso and two layers of deep yellow paint. Next, I used a red permanent marker to write all the good things about my day. I also added a quote by Dr. Seuss and three pictures of song birds.

bronchitis and backgrounds

I've had bronchitis that has lasted more than two week! I am starting to feel much better now, and I am back in action with creating art. Two days ago, I painted some backgrounds, some with watercolors and some with acrylics. I am starting to realize that I like creating art journaling pages on individual sheets, rather than in a journal. However, I still use journals, as well. Here are some of the backgrounds I did the other day:

10 minute collage

This is a collage I made a few weeks ago while doing an exercise in Diane Trout's book, Journal Spilling. In this exercise, Trout encourages readers to work quickly and without stopping. I followed her advice pretty well. It took me 10 minutes to make this collage. Here is the collage:

no art recently!

I have not been making much art recently, as I started a new volunteer position two weeks ago. I now volunteer with children at a domestic violence shelter. I've still been writing in my journal a few times a week, but I have not been taking out my art materials and playing with them much. So, instead of posting a picture of my art, here is a picture of Vasya, the orphan from Ukraine whom I have been sponsoring for three years. He is holding clothes I bought him in this picture. If you would like to sponsor a Ukrainian orphan, check out: http://anorphansmiles.org/