Sara Free

Get Messy Thursdays - Serenity :: Week 3

I was very attracted to red this week. I'm a fan of black and red together, and apparently I wanted both my pages to use these colors. There was mix of trying new things and being inspired by other Get Messians' art journal pages. 

Challenge 4 - try a technique from the Get Messy Pinterest boards

I enjoy the challenges where I can try new techniques. I was inspired by this technique of creating polka dot art. My polka dots were messier and I wanted to use the many letters I have to polka dot around. Since I used some vintage magazine clippings, some of my letters stuck more to the paper than I was anticipating. This caused the letters to tear unevenly since the vintage paper wasn't as sturdy. 

I'm loving the size of the Moleskine. I'm motivated to use both sides of the journal. Maybe next week I'll try to do something more minimal in this journal. 

Challenge 3 - use the #getmessyartjournal to find inspiration 

To find pages that inspired me on the Get Messy hashtag, I snapped pictures that sparked serenity in me. I found I was snapping several pictures of @abstractinspiration. Her pages are minimal and very relaxing to me. I know I am drawn to the less is more in life. Now if I could only live with the blank space on my pages. 

I had some playing cards my kids received as a party favor. Rather than throw them out, I used them in two was. One was to incorporate playing cards into the page. Two was to make stencils out of the cards (I found that idea on Pinterest). I've got more cards, so I hope to make some more stencils soon. 

While @abstractinpiration was my serenity inspiration, I don't believe I attained the level of minimalism I wanted. I just struggled with the glaring blank space. I'll try again soon. 

My playing card stencils, cut with an X-acto knife. 

The school of art journaling is my favorite place to learn and try new things. Let's see what next week will bring to the blank pages!

Get Messy Thursdays - Serenity :: Week 2

Now that I'm on a writing break, there is so much time to get messy. At least there is more time than there was last week. This week serenity spoke to me about the need to find calm in my life.

I've started using my Moleskine journal and so far I am enjoying it. I prep the pages with gesso before I work in them. It was a little strange to see the pages pucker and take on imperfect textures, but I went with it and embraced the messy imperfection. The pages in my Moleskine are my favorite ones this week.

My plan is to do one page on the thicker water color journal and one page on the Moleskine journal. I'll aim for that when possible, more when the flow is good, less when things are just wild in my life. 

Challenge 5 - Use tissue paper

I stamped some white tissue paper repeatedly with the word serenity. The pink is also tissue paper. I thought about how after particularly stressful moments in my life, which tend to happen often, I like to just sit there and do nothing. I totally zone out and catch my breath. I appreciate those tiny serene moments all day long. 

Challenge 4 - print on to non-standard paper

I love finding random books at Goodwill that can be torn up. I tore a page out of a book on water and printed this quote on to the page. I trimmed it down to a standard sheet of paper and it worked beautifully in the printer. The ink smudged so I sprayed it with a matte finish to stop it from doing that. Of course, I discovered a typo after I'd printed it (you instead of your). I love this quote, the picture, the colors -  I love it all. It reminds me I can be in the storm and ground myself in calm.

Challenge 3 - Use a dictionary page with serenity

I was apprehensive to tear a page out of our dictionaries. Those were not Goodwill purchases and I would hate for someone using them to desperately be in search of a word only to find the page missing. Though, with the generation my children are going up in, will they need paper dictionaries?

Instead, I copied the dictionary page in color to maintain the worn yellow goodness the book has achieved with age. I wanted to use my metallic paints that I didn't get to use last week, so those made a appearance on a couple of pages. Again, breathing in that calm - over and over and over again. 

This week was good. I didn't intentionally decide that calm was my underlying them, it made itself known as I thought about serenity. Let's see what decides to show itself next week!

Get Messy Thursdays - Serenity :: Week 1

What a week! I was madly trying to finish up my 50K writing goal for Camp Nanowrimo, so that consumed me. But I couldn't pass up a chance to art journal, so I did one this week, even thought both prompts were delicious. Now that I am finished with my writing goal, I am hoping to give more attention to the art journaling. 

The season's theme for Get Messy is serenity. This is going to be a great theme to anchor me as times are about to get wicked wild again with school starting and the kids activities in full swing. It will be nice to have a place to reflect on how to keep the calm through the madness. 

Challenge 1 - The divine and using fingers to paint

I'm still frustrated with my supply situation. The situation is that I can't locate the supplies I want to use or remember where I've put stuff. It's messing with my rhythm when I want to get a page done. I'm hoping to remedy this problem. 

The finger painting was an attractive and soothing option this week. I find the divine in nature and quiet. They can be together or apart, but I find they both fuel my spirituality. 

Next week I'm hoping to try out a new Moleskine journal I purchased. I'm looking forward to trying a different paper size and weight. 

Now, back to finding the om in my life. 

Get Messy Thursdays :: Week 6

There were so many great adventure prompts this week. I was able to do one. My adventurous art spirit has been a bit slow recently. I think it may mean I am ready for a break. I am also pouring myself into other projects, like trying to write 50,000 words for Camp Nanowrimo. 

Challenge Three - Where is your Paradise Falls? (Up inspired)

My Paradise Falls would be a backpack trip. I would love to hike the Pacific Trail or all around Europe. I would see it all if I could. I used the Up movie balloons to inspire my page and the Shakespeare quote to remember how I long to hear the music the earth has to offer. 

Good night to another season! Can't wait to see what's up next.  

 

Get Messy Thursdays :: Week 5

I went abstract this week. I enjoyed thinking about structure differently and spreading some paint around without requiring precision or a specific structure. 

Challenge 6 - Make a background using abstract painting

I was inspired by the Kahil Gibran quote and thought it would fit well with an abstract person shape. I used my favorite color, aqua blue, and kept it simple. I like my little abstract person. I want to write a story about her. 

Challenge 3 - Cut out letters from paper

Then I saw the abstract painting tutorial on the Get Messy Art Journal site and was inspired to try spreading some paint around and using most of the those techniques. Again, I found a quote that spoke to me about adventure being about dealing with the every day. I don't have a desire to hang off the side of a mountain. Stand at the top of a mountain, maybe. Someone fly me up there please. It was enjoyable to spread paint and watch the colors change when they mixed together. 

One more week exploring adventure in the art journal! I am in need of new art journal as my current one is almost full. Whoopee! Almost finished my first book ever. I will probably stick with this type of journal and continue to develop my creative habit. I love this habit so much. 

Get Messy Thursdays :: Week 4

This week I felt very blahbity-bibbity-blah. I tried a few different things with colors I don't normally use. I went through the motions with a lack of excitement in my step. I figure this is all part of the process and cycling through life as I know it. 

These blahs have accompanied many passions. Back in the day when I was running a lot, there would be days when I didn't want to get out there, but I did and usually felt better for trying. The run may have been slower and the mental resistance high, but I got through the run. That's kinda what this week felt like, fighting through the mental blocks and making something even when it lacked wow factor. 

Challenge 3 - Doodle People

My goal with this was to be as neutral and simple as possible. Even when it was done, it was a challenge not to add more to it. 

Challenge 4 - Hand ripped paper

Looking back at the challenge, I missed the part about using five different types of papers. I went with two. I also worked with mustard yellow and brown which aren't typically colors I reach for but they worked with the color palette. 

I worked through the blahs and got something done in the art journal. I'll consider that a win and hope that my sparkle and inspiration return next week. 

Hope you had great fun making a mess this past week!

Get Messy Thursdays :: Week 3

There were many good prompts this week. I was able to attempt one. My supply situation is still unsettled, meaning there are supplies packed in boxes that I haven't found. I wanted to stamp, but I'm not sure where my letter stamps are at the moment. My heart wanted to do more, my mind acted rational for a change and said one would be enough this week. Always a tough call. 

Challenge 3 - Create a scene with people and objects from a magazine

Magazines were accessible to me this week, since I'm the process of purging a bunch of them. I saw a friend post these words on Instagram and thought they fit well with the images I connected together. 

I adventured many times when I was younger, by myself, with friends. The adventure I am having with my love has been the best, sometimes there have been challenges, but having him by my side has made the adventure far more amazing that I could have imagined.

Maybe next week I'll have located more supplies and have less unpacking to tackle. Keeping up with this adventure has been my mediation, my soul searching, the ground beneath my find in my generally chaotic environment. Art journaling is my thinking time, and I can't wait to see what my mind will latch on to next week. 

Get Messy Thursdays :: Week 2

It's been a super adventurous and fun week with the Get Messy group. Each day we have added an element to a page layout. 

I decided to try two. I didn't go with my instincts when creating the first page. Day one was tear a page from a book. I wanted to use a page from a vintage Ladies Home Journal, but wasn't sure if it fit the criteria for day one. I let myself get bogged down in the details. Making two pages has been rewarding because it allowed me to try things with each element in two different ways. 

These have been the elements:

Monday - tear a page from a book

Tuesday - spread paint on 1/3 of the page

Wednesday - use a mist

Thursday - add a single stamp or a pattern

Friday - ?????

Page One

Page Two

One more day, what could it be? And will it be enough? I do feel like both pages could still use something. Words, a bit of focus some where. I guess we shall see and I am ready to accept the finished product when it is all done. I hope we get to do this again, it's been a different approach and forces me to take it day by day. Stay tuned for the finished product! 

FINISNED PAGES:

Get Messy Thursdays :: Week 1

In theory, I should probably focus on unpacking my house since we were unexpectedly flooded out of our other house. There is lots to do still to get us back to organized and with some rhythm again. But I need to be able to make things, to draw, watercolor, and art journal. It's my current way to gather my thoughts and to mediate on my life. So weekly art journaling is on the schedule and squeezed in on top of packing boxes. 

I did try to keep my art journaling supplies together and in a clear box so I could easily find them. This week I focused on gouache because I knew where my sumi brushes were. It was all about keeping it simple. That's usually where I try to live, it felt especially important to do that as the chaos settles. 

Challenge 1 - Choose a location and explore the senses.

I went with the journaling prompt and choose our new home as the location. I found one word for each sense: see-messy, smell-new, taste-awake, hear-routine, touch-grounded. My heart was a frustrated mess before I thought about how our new home will come alive for us. I'll keep on getting us there one box at a time. What an adventure life has been for me these past few weeks. 

Get Messy Art Journal || Season of Brave - Week 6

As the weeks go by, I learn more about the theme (brave) and how I want to explore it. This week I wanted more words to inspire me. I searched for things on Pinterest. I wanted music lyrics this week and found a new Modest Mouse song that I like so a few of those lyrics were included in a prompt. I am enjoying learning new art techniques and finding new words. Inspiring words and art = my happy place. 

Challenge 2 - Try one of Cassandra's techniques

Cassandra's techniques included stamping images on tissue paper, using gesso to apply those stamped images, and applying a layer on top of these things. I had modge podge and that worked for getting the images down. I also collaged using a 1950s Family Circle. I go gaga for vintage magazines. I used gouache paints for the lettering. I fell in love with the whole process and what resulted from all these pieces. There were many moments of uncertainty in the process as it unfolded but I pushed through with the various steps and was overjoyed with the end result. I want to make more with different colors and words!

 

Challenge 4 - Focus on Shapes

I went on a search for some new brave words and found this song by Modest Mouse. I incorporated a small bit of the lyrics into my art journal. I felt like sewing shapes together, so I busted out the sewing machine and was happy to find it was ready to use. I was also inspired by this Instagram feed where Katherine quilts pieces of fabric together and uses a bit of typewriting. Her work is so cool. 

Another Get Messy season has now come to an end. Next week season 3 will begin. I'm excited to see what comes out in next session. Brave was an awesome exploration! 

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