My 31 Art Studio Essentials - Acrylic Paints

Acrylic Paints

I have a range of acrylic paints that I use for different types of work.  With the Folk Art paints I usually use this in my journals, although some of the better quality paints will give your art journal a great finish, so it is worth having a play around.

I would mostly use my main acrylic paints when I am creating paintings or art where the quality is important.

If you don't feel like painting, playing with your paints is another option.  You could spend time creating color swatches, or order your stash

Check out the Video

Art Resources to check out (click on the images)

Daler Rowney System 3

Winsor and Newton Galeria

Winsor and Newton Artisan mixable Oil Colour

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 82 - Hot, Hot, Hot!

Gratitude's and celebration Journal

Well, we are finally here, in sunny Barbados!  We have been here for 2 weeks so far and it feels like months already.  I have promised to keep another blog going with the transition, but I have been distracted, with all the newness of everything, and by the time I think about getting round to it another day has passed!

I still do want to share for those who are interested in the journey and so will have to set aside time to start writing and it might be a daily post until I have caught up, so bear with me!

We have been in the throws of unpacking and putting things where we feel they should go, there has been some negotiation needed when we decide on the shared areas.

All my art supplies so far have turned up and I have been arranging my new studio, I have more space than I dreamed of and it will take a while for it to operate exactly how I want it to with all my supplies to hand.

My new studio taking shape

 I am grateful, so very grateful.  I take stock on the journey that we have made so far and have yet to make, one full of adventure, risks, uncertainty, new environments, tastes, smells, creepy crawlies every now and then, friendships, and hot sun to top up my vitamin D deficiency and a new flavor to my art and creativity.

I also think about my family and friends and celebrate the deeper connections that we can make even if we are a plane ride away:)

Gratitude and Celebration Journal - Mixed media art

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Gratitude's and Celebration Journal - Week 77 - Health

Every so often I get an urge to turn my health around, usually prompted by some ache or pain and it pushes me to take action.  This time round was no different, but it was also coupled by the desire for all round change.  I found a Groupon voucher recently that enables me to take 10 swims at a reduced price and that is what I've been doing, I have tried to go daily, having to be at the pool between 6.30 am and 9 am really has challenged me to make the effort to get to the pool.

I am always surprised at how much I take my health for granted and going swimming 3-4 times a week has really made me value the health I have.  There is always some weight to loose and a eating habit to either break or cultivate. It has meant that I am eating healthier as well.  I make a smoothie full of fruit, seeds and vegetables and this keeps me going until around 2pm.  I want to start adding more raw foods to my diet.

There are some illnesses which we are susceptible and also impact on family so where possible it is vital that you take steps to avoid mistreating your body and look after yourself.

I celebrate and I am grateful for another opportunity to do something about my health now, that will affect my health tomorrow.

Take a moment to think how you can impact your health in a positive way and see what steps you can take today.

I am on a creative journey in my journal and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

I am enough - Journal Page Process Video

I am enough 

Art Journal Page and process

You are the Light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to every one in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.  

Matthew 5:14-16

We can often get lost in worrying about what other people say and think about us.  We grow up having so much spoken about us from very young.  Even if you have grown up with positive reinforcements, as you go into mainstream school there are those whose environment wasn't as encouraging - from other pupils to teachers, and it takes a toll on your self esteem and confidence and you constantly look for approval from those who are just not able to give it to you.

As you get older you can find that a mindless negative comment spoken to you in childhood still shapes how you feel about yourself today, and you unconsciously prevent yourself from moving forward, and I thought I would remind you that there is so much to your life that you have yet to see and experience that right now, right where you are at this very moment you are enough!

As you unravel the negativity, and the cruel words that were spoken over you, start speaking encouraging words over your life.  Recognize the accomplishments that you have made, how you have taken a step forward despite the obstacles, and made it through coming out the other end. 

Think about all the people that you have encouraged, and when you are feeling 'off' remember that you are loved, treasured and you are enough!

You are a light in this world!

Stay blessed and be a blessing!

Fly - Art Journal Page and Video

Here is some inspiration for today. A while back I shared this page that I had done in my art journal.  

I have just got around to editing the video for it and thought you might like to see the process I used to create it.  I hope you enjoy it and are blessed.  This is my first video of this kind:)

Here is the finished painting, thanks for watching!

My Color is Beautiful Art 2015 Workshop – Blog Hop Day 1

My Color is Beautiful Art 2015 Workshop – Blog Hop Day 1

Come and Create with Us

Alright, it has officially started, today is blog hop day 1 for ‘My Color is Beautiful Art’  2015 Workshop and we are raring to go and I know that I am really excited to be sharing with you!

Today Tiare is going to be giving out general information about the workshop, you can download a PDF of each of the instructors that will be taking part.

Several of the instructors will host a GIVEAWAY – so you have plenty of chances to win a spot, I will be giving away a spot and you have to come back tomorrow to see what you have to do to be in with a chance of winning it.

Each day during this blog hop, you will get to meet a different instructor.  This is the perfect time to meet the team and learn more about them.

Here is the schedule for the Blog Hop

Nov 1 - Tiare Smith (TODAY)

Nov 2 - Amanda Trought - That's me!  (come back for the GIVEAWAY)

Nov 3 - Martice Smith II

Nov 4 - Mystele

Nov 5 - Aysha Livingston

Nov 6 - Trina Willis

Nov 7 - Kiala Givehand

Nov 8 - Carol Porter

Nov 9 - Tiare Smith – Blog Hop Finale

Come back tomorrow (Sunday) and I will let you know what I will be teaching, I will also be running a GIVEAWAY, so one lucky person will be in for a chance to win a spot.

Looking forward to seeing you on the Blog Hop, Good Luck!

Sing your Song - What untold stories are waiting to be told?

Singing your song

‘it’s time to sing, let it out, lift your voice as you tell your story and the hear the song - let it be told.  Listen to the sound of your voice’...Realityarts

This painting started off as a journal page, but then it took me in a different direction.  I had been thinking about all those untold stories that we have within us and how art and creativity can say so much, without words, using texture, colour and imagery.

We all have a story to tell and often so many of the stories go untold.  If we are fortunate we will have the chance to look back over old photos, or in a gathering someone remembers something and you get to reminisce of those times.  Our stores don’t always tell of happy joyful times, but of sadness, trial and hardship, but they are our stories.  

When I look at my mum I know that she has within her untold stories of her journey, her fears, her love, her life before she became a mother, and then later as she started a family and saw them grow.  It is hard to capture her thoughts on her life now as she is unable to use the words she wants, she still tries to communicate how she is feeling, disjointed unrelated words flow out of her mouth, and you see her listening head leaned to one side.   I sometimes wonder if it’s like talking to someone in a language they don’t understand and the frustration that can come as communication is difficult and the other person doesn't know what you are saying...

But despite this she still has songs of joy, there are still so many stories to be told and what we have to do is take time to listen, piece them together and share them.  As I tell my own stories I want them to be passed down the generations, to be remembered. I have to remind myself to listen to listen to what my heart is really saying, to not get lost in the stuff, the circumstances and doubt, but to hear the songs of promise, grace, understanding, peace, love, trust and truth.

Let your voice be heard, tell your story, sing your song and understand your journey.... Blessings

Sing your song - tell your story

Gratitude and Celebrations - Week 56 - Trust, and more!

Sometimes you need to let go of your expectations and go with the flow, trust and embrace the change.....

I have been away on holiday for 2 weeks, which took me out of my normal environment into one that was sun filled with sand, sea and beautiful environment.  The preparation to go seem to come really quickly and then we were waving goodbye to the UK and saying hello to BARBADOS!

There was so many things that I had wanted to complete when I was away, and somethings that I managed to complete and put into place before I left, but with anything as always there will be something that gets left.  For me it was my blogging schedule, I didn't get to do the posts I had wanted to include during my time away and our internet connection and my internal clock was in a different zone which meant that by the time I was able to get myself into gear it was time to come back and here I am with the lesson of being in the moment and sitting where you are and enjoying the experience. 

I think that we all can relate to those things that seem to drive us from one point to the next, that we feel we should be doing which is all well and good, but we can also miss out on the very things that we should be focusing on.  I decided to go with the flow, enjoy the time at the beach, with family, making new friends, travelling around the island, knowing that when I came back I could more appreciate all that I had left behind.  We can so easily miss all the important moments with worrying about what should have been done, and when we let go of expectations the magic can really happen.

I am so grateful for the time spent away, for the new friends that I have made, for the surprise upgrade on our return journey which gave us extra leg room and 'real cutlery' on the plane!  I am even grateful for the jet lag, and the tiredness which beacons me to sleep even though I can think of a million and one things to do. I celebrate the changes that are yet to come and trust that as I embrace the change new opportunities and doors that will present themselves.

As you ponder on your week and look forward to your weekend, think about what you need to let go of and those things you should start to trust and embrace.

I look forward to the journey and hope you come along and join me. Why not start your own journal, keep it as simple or complex as you wish, but do something!

Gratitude and Celebration Journal

Recycled Projects - 'John Lewis' art Journal

How many times have you come across a catalogue that you were not really interested in the products, but the paper that it was made from?  Not to say that I don't like John Lewis products, but when I came across this catalogue I thought that I would put it to use.

You can make a journal out of anything, putting the pages together for yourself and creating to your hearts content.  The fun lays in taking something made for one use and totally changing it, and seeing what each page will eventually become.

My use for this journal is as a jump start to get my creative juices flowing using some of the pictures as inspiration and for when I have a limited supply.

I first set out to decorate the front using paints, stamps, modelling paste, and markers to remind myself that its purpose was to inspire, not get overwhelmed with what I wanted to create, but just play.  

On the back cover I wanted to create a painting but it also had to be durable as it would be taken around, thrown into bags and experience rough and tumble.

Using tissue paper glued randomly to the back, applying paint and then sealing it all in means that it is a journal that will stand the tests of time, or there about.

I proceeded to stick several of the pages together to create a strong surface that would take paint well, and then I see what images inspire.  Each page has a selection of beds, bedding and household furniture and I either use the room settings as the basis for the page, or draw something totally unrelated. 

Here is a page that I chose to do create a scene with, after it is chosen and I start to draw round the items I want to keep in charcoal. 

I get a sense after a while of the characters that may be present in the room, and this young man found his way in the room, and decided to jump all over the bed.

Using gesso I block out those areas that I don't want to keep and think about either adding additional characters or thinking about paint.

This little girl couldn't resist joining the little boy to jump all over his parents bed, and so that's how I have been using the journal to think about ideas and stories about the lives of the people that join me on the pages of the journal.

I have yet to finish this page, but finishing is not the main objective or motivation, it is to continue to take the time to be creative if possible every day.

Here are a few other pages that I have started, and work on bits when the mood takes, and I look forward to working on them.

On some of the pages I have been working on, stories waiting to be told.

Some stories tell of hope and looking to the future.....

thinking about the past, and being present.......

But most of all working in this journal has been a fresh way of looking at things, often those things that we see day after day and making something new.  I really do encourage you to look at some of the things that you can recycle and use for creative purposes.  Check out some of the other Recycled projects that I have made.  Over the next few weeks I am looking forward sharing other recycled art journals, and ones that you can also make and bind yourself.  Until then stay blessed!

Recycled Projects - Tissue Paper

Recycled Projects - Tissue Paper

What do you do with the tissue paper that comes either with a gift or wrapped around an item of clothing - throw it out? reuse it to wrap something else? or use it in your creative projects? 

Well I thought I would show you a couple of great uses for them that involve a bit of creative thought and a mind to play, and are always going to produce really great results!

Firstly, the tissue paper can be used to create texture in your creations.  You apply glue to the surface and then add the tissue paper, once it is dry you can paint it in your color of choice, adding additional layers to your work.

Secondly you can use the tissue paper to clean your gelli plate once you have got all the prints off.  You can build up a number of layers of paint, then use the tissue paper in your work in that way to create a background.

What I have been finding really useful is using either shop brought stamps or making your own Handmade stamps and applying to the tissue paper you can create transparent layers to use within your art work.

selection of tissue paper that has been stamped

Here is one of the stamps that I created 

Here are some of the handmade stamps, check the link above to see how to make some of your own.  They are easy to make and you can get your own unique designs.

Once you have decided which design you want to use you cut it out and apply it to your art.

Here are a selection of stamped tissue paper that I used within some of my art journals.

Handmade stamp flower design

From the brought stamps I used quite a few bird designs

As well as butterfly wings

Once applied I painted them to the color of choice.

Wings and the word inspire was stamped onto the tissue paper

Armed with a few ideas, I am sure that you will look at tissue paper in a different way.  Try it for yourself and see what you can come up with.  You can reuse and recycle it, and create so many things, let me know what you decide to do, and share your images!