Mixed Media Challenge

To encourage all of you to explore your creativity, promote yourselves as artists and have some fun, as well as winning a great prize, we have started up Monthly Mixed Media Challenges on our website.

This months challenge is

JULY THEME

Create a journal page using Misty Mawn techniques learnt at Art Journey Retreat.
These techniques can also be found in Cloth Paper Scissors issue 7 and issue 13.

DETAILS

PAGE SIZE - 8.5 x 11" in landscape format with 1" on left hand side being for binding.

PRE REQUISITES
Page front is to be painted and decorated using images, freehand or clip art images in theme.
Back of page painted and suitable for journalling.
Using 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour paper (Smooth or rough)
Predominantly Using Golden Products.
Each page must be initialed by the artist with the month and year in the lower right hand corner of front page.
Each page must be accompanied by a signed disclaimer.
You may enter as many times as you like

The completed pages will be compiled in to journals that will then be offered for sale, with challenge participants having first option.

Below are examples of a completed journal made by Jacky.
And a page front from within the journal...


And the back of a page.As you can see, both of these pages have room for journaling. What a wonderful gift this would make, or a lovely journal to keep for yourself.
Our aim in these challenges is to promote the artwork of the many talented artists that we know are out there!
This challenge is open to all artists of every experience level. Please do not feel daunted if you have not tried this art form before, it is a great way to learn and expand your creativity. We encourage each and every one of you to have a go!

For more information, check out our website here.

New from Stampington

It's on days like this that I wish I was at the shop... delivery days!!!
Just arrived today and hot off the press

ARTFUL BLOGGING
I have not had a chance to have a look through these, but from Jackys 'ooohs' and 'aaaahs', they sound pretty good! The cover looks beautiful doesn't it?
ALTERED COUTURE
I just looove the colours used on that 'bustierre'(??) on the cover.

And Somerset Home for all of you who like to create things to accessorise your home, or for gifts.

Just arrived today as well is this gorgeous Earth Textures, we have received a beautiful range of colours and they should all go online tomorrow.
Here is the spiel from the company

Go Green With Elements Earth Textures
Take your art to a higher level of natural balance
with the deep rich hues of this exciting new medium.

Elements are organic components, grown or produced by Mother Earth and manipulated into a variety of shades and shapes. Create and embellish college pieces, wood, ceramics, sculpture, tone metal, gourds, decor items, glass, paper crafts, and even fairy habitats.


The below artwork is by Barbara Trombley.


And the Vintage Glitter glass will also go online in the next few days!
Sample of one of the colours we have ordered below.
On a final note, my Mother-In-Law, Jan is very unwell at the moment. She has suffered three strokes in the past week. I hope you can all keep her in your thoughts, it is a difficult time for my husband and his family.
Keep dry, warm and safe.
Jo

Not much further ahead...

Finished one canvas and almost finished another, but have not had alot of time for painting the past few days. Feeling like I want to be doing something else, maybe it is because these canvases are so small, yet require so much concentration to paint. I got some new bezels yesterday so might have a play with them.
I did do some scrapbooking last night, they are posted here if you are interested.


These have not photographed too well, it is rather dim here at the moment so I had to use the flash.


In other news...
ART JOURNEY RETREAT 2009
Jacky and I are doing ALOT of behind the scenes work for Art Journey Retreat 2009. This includes talking with some incredibly talented artists, revamping the retreat website so it is more attractive and easy to navigate, planning loads of activities, demos, treats and surprises. I tell you, I am so excited about next years retreat that I wish I was a delegate myself! We have learnt so much over the past two years and that experience is really going to show next year. I wish I could tell you more but there are things that we really need to keep hush until it is all up on the website. Stay tuned, you will NOT be disappointed!

I love Mondays

I just love Mondays, I don't know why. Maybe because it is usually my only 'free' day. Usually the kids are all at school, hubby at work and I have the house to myself. Even today, with the kids at home, I am enjoying this Monday.

Have had a little creative time over the past few days and have been working on some mini canvases. The images were inspired by artist James Christenen. I love all the detail to his work and could not imagine even trying to get all that detail in my own work! But, still I thoroughly enjoyed doing these pieces, the small scale was a bit of a challenge!
This piece below is mostly coloured with the Caran D'Ache crayons.
I love the richness of the colour on this one below. I primarily used the Golden fluids on this one.
This last piece is again using the crayons. Still in a state of near completion. I think I prefer using the fluids and that is what I will use on my last two pieces.

It has taken my way too long to get these necklaces photographed and put on my blog! Every time I go to photograph them, the girls are wearing them!
This piece below was made during the 'stone soup' class with Nina at the Melbourne retreat. I made it for my eldest daughter Samara.
It took my ages wiring on all those little beads using the wonderful 'Nina Knots', but well worth all the work. The large stone pendant is a piece of greenstone, very kindly given to me by the lovely Corinne Davis. All the way from the beaches in New Zealand!
I really enjoyed this class and learnt so many techniques. I just loved making the ribbon wrap beads and learning all the knots and clasps and so on. So much to digest in one class, but sooooooo much fun!
Not a very good shot, but a bit of a close up.
And I was so inspired by Ninas class that I started working on this necklace that same night! This is for my daughter Jessica. I bought the Celtic charm pendant on our last day in Melbourne and finished the necklace the next night when I got home to Perth.
The beads actually have a pink and cream tone that seems to have washed out on the photos, but you get the idea!
I really enjoy making the jewellery and though they will never be as good as Ninas, I have fun making them
I actually have a couple more necklaces on the go, just waiting for the right time to complete them.

And finally, my poor baby girl. She was so sick over the weekend, with severe stomach cramps, nausea and a high fever. She finally crashed on the lounge chair about lunch time yesterday and slept the rest of the day away. When she awoke at 8pm, she was feeling so much better and rearing to go! Kids seem to bounce back so quickly! Love you sweetness. xoxo

I did a little scrapbooking last week. Finished pages on my other blog.
Jo

Recent...hmmm... developments???

I have thought long and hard about posting any of this on my blog, still not sure if I will hit the 'publish' button when I am done typing???
I have just been discussing certain matters with Mum, my husband and my kids and feel that I need to defend myself. My sweet 11 year old daughter was quite indignant and told me I should always stand up to bullies!
I despise rumours!!! Hate, hate, hate them with a passion. They are started with the intention to cause harm and hurt behind the anonymity of computers.
Do these people think about the ripple effect that these rumours cause? Do they understand that they are not only hurting the people that the rumours are about, but their spouses and children, their business that they have worked long and hard to establish?

Over the past week we have had so many phone calls from the most amazing people offering much appreciated support, thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
Today my baby girl is very ill and that has made me realise that I need to stop worrying about all this other rubbish and concentrate on those closest to me, my beautiful daughters, gorgeous husband amazing parents and loyal friends.

So, I have decided. I will publish this post and then no more. It is over and we are moving onward and upward!

I have just paid my deposit to do this workshop with...... SABRINA WARD HARRISON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited and what anamazing venue for a workshop, it is going to be so incredible. Just over three months to wait and I will spend that time constructively making an art journal!

I think they are starting another workshop the following weekend as this one is full. Check them out here to find out more if you are interested.

And guess what? I think I will also be doing the Bali retreat with Anahata Katkin in March next year!!! Hoping to go with Di and Mandy... Fingers, toes and everything else crossed!!

Back to painting now....

A bit of art

As mentioned in my previous post, I have been doing a fair bit of painting. Thought I would share a few pieces, most of which are 'works in progress'.
I found it is easiest to do a whole heap of pieces at each stage, ie. loads of backgrounds, then images, then lastly, the finishing touches.

This piece I am really happy with, a little bit abstract. Still needs the finishing touches.

The following two pieces were inspired by Mistys work, practise, practise, practise.


I am sooooo happy with the next two. Still need to paint the beret on this one and add finishing touches to both.
Hubby thinks this one looks pissed off. Hmmm.....

The following two have had the images sketched in and awaiting painting. Hope to work on them tomorrow. Spending today scrappin photos of kids. Need to get back to what is most important to me, my kids and family.

Hope you are all enjoying school holidays. My kids have been amazing, such good kids.