List It Tuesday - Things That Make Me Nostalgic

I'm so happy that Aimee at artsyville has brought back the fun and fabulous List It Tuesday. I had a blast posting my lists the first time around, and I'm delighted to be able to join in again. So what if it's already Thursday? Here's my list of things that make me nostalgic. Thanks Aimee for prompting this little trip down memory lane!

What a Nice Surprise

Look what showed up in my mailbox the other day. Published? What? I didn’t submit anything for publication. I was momentarily stunned and confused, but ultimately curious. 

 

I ripped into the plastic protector and quickly flipped through this newest issue of Art Journaling Magazine looking for something familiar. It wasn’t until I flipped through the second time that I found the page with my art on it.

The magazine reprinted a page from my Rejectamenta Journal that was featured in the very first issue of Art Journaling Magazine way back in 2009. Now there’s a blast from the past. It was actually because of that article that I started this Lost and Found blog. I wanted to have a web presence like all of the “cool artists” who had articles or artwork published in a magazine.

I guess it's good to take a look back once in a while and see where you started and just how far you've come. I think my lettering has come a long way since 2009. Thank you Art Journaling Magazine for a nice little surprise. Maybe it's time to submit something new and see what happens.

Making Art in the Sink

At our last get-together, Cathy showed us how to make a sink journal--a technique she learned at a recent drawing workshop.

The end result is a simple, fold-out journal with a pocket flap at the bottom for holding whatever your heart desires.

We used white paper, black sumi ink, a paintbrush, and a sink.

We painted designs on the paper, one side at a time, with the ink and a large brush.

I did spirals and circles on one side and scribbles on the other.

When the ink was semi-dry, the paper was held under running water and manipulated to allow the ink to run and spread.

Then the majority of ink was washed off and the paper hung to dry.

We seamed two pieces of paper together and folded up the bottom flap.

Then we folded it into a journal.

Simple, good clean fun!

Sinks aren't just for dishes anymore.

Keep on Walking

"If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking."  
-- Buddhist proverb

I didn’t intend to take such a long break from blogging—it just kind of happened. 2012 has turned into a year of transitions and I’ve been quietly enjoying the changes, living in the moment, and thinking about the future. At the start of the year, we decided it was time to make some changes. We’ve been working hard to improve our eating habits and to exercise regularly. We made this our top priority and have spent a LOT of time and energy walking towards this goal. We’ve tried out healthy new recipes, counted our calories, and logged countless hours and miles walking and hiking. We’ve thoroughly explored our neighborhood on foot. We’ve visited nearby parks and the many trails and paths they have to offer. We’ve spent more time together than we have in years. We’ve learned that we really enjoy being more active and setting and reaching goals together. Luckily, we also had a few major life events that really helped to keep us motivated and on track--our daughter graduated from college in May and our son got married in June. There’s nothing like the thought of shopping for a dress to keep a person motivated! We also planned a long overdue and much deserved vacation with friends in July.

While I haven't spent a lot of time blogging or making art this year, I have been walking in the right direction. Taking a step back from the familiar and exploring new directions has helped me to focus on where I'm going--both in life and in art. I still have a long way to go, but at least I know I'm headed in the right direction.

Found Type Tuesday

This sign might as well be posted on my studio door for all the time I've spent in there lately. Thank goodness for Found Type Tuesday, or I would have nothing to post at all. I DO hope to be back in action a bit later in the summer. Until then, thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Tuesday!

Found Type Tuesday

Sometimes in life your journey is interrupted by an unexpected detour or two. I haven't been devoting as much time as I'd like to art lately, but it's all good. Life is good--detours and all.

Happy Tuesday.

Found Type Tuesday

This seems like pretty good advice to me...although I'm not sure why an old-fashioned car wash would need this sign at the end of the line. Are there really a lot of tense people at the car wash?

Happy Tuesday! I hope you find a little time to relax today.

Work in Progress

My latest project is a small book in the early stages of altering.

The pages were painted with gesso and then sprayed with pigment ink.

The base layer is made from a collection of paper that I call "The S Files." These files consist of old newspaper clippings, memos, letters, reports, and handwritten notes.

The paper has been ripped, sewn, deconstructed, reconstructed, and coated with wax.

I love how the paper becomes translucent and text and images on the reverse side show through. Although this isn't my usual color palette, I do enjoy the muted color of old paper and working in a limited palette is a fun challenge.

I plan to add more layers and texture to the pages now that the base layer is down. I'm not entirely sure where this book is headed, but that's half the fun isn't it?

Found Type Tuesday

This sign marks one of the creepiest little shops I've ever happened across. I know it's occupied the same retail space for at least thirty years. While peering in the window after hours, it was hard to tell if the place is still in business or if it was abandoned several decades ago. I do enjoy the odd assortment of fonts and type sizes used to spell out shoe repair.

Happy Tuesday! Be good to your shoes so they don't end up here.

Found Type Tuesday

I shot this week's photo for Found Type Tuesday at a huge, used book sale held annually at a local university. I LOVE the type and design on this book although I didn't bring it home with me. I did, however, manage to peruse the stacks and bring home a number of small books for altering and inspiration. Don't you just love a book sale?

Happy Tuesday!