« May 2008 | Main | July 2008 »
Above are some of the interesting textures I have captured lately whilst out with the kids walking or bike riding, the latter giving little time to think just point and snap as I run along to catch up!
Having a theme certainly helps to focus and actually take photos. In getting down to detail, in just this short amount of time, I am already seeing more.
Thismonths crusade is all about Resist, that is doing wax rubbings and then applying a wash of acrylic paint over the top. For great instructions (as always) visit GPP Street Team.
My results were hit and miss. I think the lighter crayon with dark wash worked best. Here is a journal page I started using the papers I created:
Sorry about the poor image but it was the best one I could get.
An update on GPP Crusade 17 - Pandora's Box, which was all about putting together a Travelling Journal Kit. 
After this crusade I received a copy of Art Escapes by Dory Canter as a gift. Whilst I have not ventured far into the book the first chapter is all about assembling your supplies in seperate kits so they are ready to grab at any time - the same message Michelle was conveying. What I liked was that it suggested to have three tool kits, one each for drawing, watercolour and collage. That way you could take one, two or all three depending on what your needs were at the time. Add to this a sketchbook/journal and packet of collage papers.
So after I collected my kits together (she does suggest what to put in them) I thought it would be great to put them altogether in 
this 'Bag/Box' my sister had given me. Once I had put in the 3 kits, a journal, and a packet of collage papers, I still had quite a bit of room left, so I filled it with extra bits and pieces (such as small acrylic paints, stamps,) and made my collage kit a little bigger, after all I can always take things out!
This is all still fairly contained as the Travel Kit Box/Bag measures 28cm x 23cm (11inches x 9inches) and is 15cm (6inches) high.
Now I am ready....I just need to organise somewhere to travel too!!
Still a way to go but I see improvement which is a step in the right direction.
Since returning from the retreat I have not really had a chance to put anything I learnt into practice. One of the things in my ife that I am grateful for is that I am involved in an Artist Book Round Robin with a group of fabulous and talented women. Most of the art I have done in the past year has been in these treasured books (which is one reason not much art has appeared on this blog!). The theme of the book that I currently have is 'Faces'. So I thought that now was a good opportunity to have a play and try out what I learnt in Misty's class.
Of course, it is so much easier in class with a tutor on hand! Remembering how things were done didn't come easy, if at all, and the notes I took didn't always make sense but I decided to muddle on... I thought that it would certainly be more 'my style' that way.
I wasn't going to post this piece but one of the reasons I started a blog was to keep a record of how my skills and art progress. So keeping true to that here is what I did.
This is far from perfect. I could do a long list of all the things I see that are wrong need improving. Instead, I choose to be pleased that I have taken my first steps and that I finished the piece. I will definately keep at this as there is a long way I need to go. As for the book, I will definately stick with my original ideas that I have already started!
.......................................
Just thought I'd share a little tip/trick.
This is great if you like to press textured paper into paint. Provo Craft make Cuttlebug embossing folders. Of course they have a machine you could buy to use these in but they work fine in a Sizzix machine with the converter in place. I actually read on another blog (sorry I can't remember who's but it was on a GPP Crusaders) that they use these just fine with a rolling pin! Anyway, they have some great designs.
I used the Textile design on the piece above.
.......................................
Here is a close up, you can make out the texture in the paint (it is not the darker stamping).
