Barefoot Wanderings

GPP Crusade No 17 - Pandora's Box

I know it has been a while since I participated in one of these and as they are fun, and this month is easy, I thought I'd start again.
This month, Michelle is asking for crusader's to make a journal kit so they can be ready to go at a moments notice.
Why this crusade is easy is because I already have one of these together .....AND I already did a post here....and have posted Journal pages here...and here...

So instead of doing the same thing again, and as that may not be considered to be in the spirit of things I thought I would also share this one......

I now have another more recent 'kit'.
Can a pencil and book be called a kit?

Nothing beats the simple basics.

Anyway, this one fits inside my handbag and is always in there. (I have to admit that I am really not a handbag kinda gal, but whenever I do take it at least I know I have this kit with me.)

When I saw this book I couldn't resist it, as it has a different quote on every page all related to the 'explore' theme, there were other themes but I liked this the best, and better still is the fact that the pages are not ruled.

Here is a recent page in this journal......OK, I'll admit that it is the first and only, but it's a start!

I did this when I was a little early for an appointment last Friday and the leaves caught my attention. It was then that I thought it was a good time to start using my new georgeous book. I had some fun doing some rubbings, (I even  kept the leaf). I am really trying to take time in noticing more of what is around me, and being in the moment.

As I was limited by time I thought that I would also capture the scene with a few photos. I only had my phone

With all of these together I thought I might create a piece in the studio....now wouldn't it be great if I had a finished piece to show.....that would just be too good! Especially since I have been busy doing a studio overhaul, I'll post "The Reveal" soon.

Journal Pages

Neglectful?
Yes, I have been a bit neglectful of my blog lately. I haven't really been checking emails or visiting other blogs either. We went away during the school holidays and since coming back I have been a little busy and will admitt to enjoying time away from the computer.

The journal pages in this post were both created in my 'Travel' journal. That is the journal I take with me, not necessarily on holidays nor is it about travel!

The blue page was a piece of 'Car Art' that I finished in the studio with the stamping of the beautiful swirls.

The Black & White page was mainly done in the studio as a warm up. The background is a crossword puzzle that I have gessoed over. The swirls and tree image are all stamps.

Car Art

I have continued to do a bit of art in the car whilst waiting at school pick up.

Day One: Select something from a magazine: eyes. Stick it down, paint background (this took a while with such a small brush).

Day Two: Outline in the flower and paint it in, in white.

Day Three: Use pencils to colour flower. Cut & Paste word from Magazine.

Tips: Have a water bottle and wipes (moist towelettes / "Wet Ones') in the car.
Also, it is better to have a magazine you have already read or are not interested in reading so as not to get distracted by the articles!

Making Art Everyday

I have read many articles in Magazines & Zines discussing how people try to make art everyday, even if it is just for 5 minutes. This has always amazed me. Where do they find the time? How disciplined are they to do this? I have also read many articles on where people make art, and the ones that always amaze me are the ones that carry bits around to work on wherever they are and find they have time to spare - at work, coffee shops or waiting at traffic lights in their car. I admire their confidence to create in public.

I have been a little frustrated lately not being able to make a lot of art, it has felt that the only time I seem to be getting to the studio is at night when I am feeling too tired. I know to improve my skills and techniques I must practise, even if it is a little every day. It got me thinking about the articles I read. If these people can do it, how can I make it work for me. Then it came to me, 3-4 days out of five I have to wait in the car for school pick up for about 10-15minutes. So I swallowed my awkwardness in creating 'in public', packed a bag of supplies and decided to give it a go.

I know that I am not creating masterpieces. It is not about the final out come but about the process, and for me this is where the greatest lessons are going to be learnt...I hope! Just getting something down, letting go, creating for fun and trial & error, it is so freeing. Now if only they can make a car attachment for a heat gun!!