Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Mixed Media Book Cover - inspired by Felicitas

The first thing I would like to get behind me is apologizing about or explaining or qualifying my art.  I am only recently discovering my creative self and though I love seeing what I can make, I probably am never going to sell a piece of my artwork.  I'm totally okay with that, but for some reason I keep feeling like I need to say that before you look at anything I've made.

So,....let's just get past that part, okay?  No, I'm never going to be an 'artist' in the career sense, but I am going to call myself an 'artiste' (the same way you say you're going to Tar-jay instead of Target,...yeah, like that).  And I'm going to just get past the 'is this any good' issue and focus on the process.  K?  K! So,...moving on.



Felicitas from See My Crafts has the greatest mixed media step-by-step tutorial.  She has superb photos and explanations, including what supplies to use.  Fabulous.

I decided to give it a shot and here's how it went:

Super ugly notebook

 White wash (3 coats)

Watercolour pencils

Oil pastel crayons

Stamping

Acrylic paint splatter

Book page hearts and oil pastels
Words

Finished product

 I have a goal of writing a novel by June 30, 2013, and this notebook is what I plan to use to get started, formally, on my plotting.

I have downloaded a book by K.M. Weiland called Outlining Your Novel: Mapping Your Way to Success.  One of her first suggestions is to start with an avalanche of "What-if Questions".  What if my heroine finds out her father isn't really who she thought he was?  What if someone from her mother's past is out to get her? etc.

So this is what I am going to do with this writing notebook.  Big thanks to Felicitas and K.M. Weiland for getting me started.

What's your favourite technique in Felicitas' tutorial?

This is where I'm partying:


12 comments:

Kei said...

The notebook looks great! :D I love the different layers to it. Have you seen the artwork of Viggo Mortensen (the actor)? He does mixed-media stuff; it's pretty nifty!

Tina Bradley said...

The acrylic paint splattering looks like so much fun! Will have to try that... Love the finished product!

Mindy said...

I literally just said out loud, Hey - there's her hydrangea!
Um, clearly the point of the post was lost on me when I saw pretty flowers in the background. I'm like a crow. Or something like that. Next time, hide a piece of cheese in a photo and I'll try to spot it.
Where am I even going with this, for the love of God.
Okay, I'm walking away from this comment.
Oh yeah, I like your notebook. :)

Magic Love Crow said...

First of all my friend, don't worry about your art, or calling yourself an artist! Create from your heart and you will never go wrong! I have had no professional training! I just pick up my brush and go for it ;o) I love what you did with the journal page! Your goal is fantastic! I wish you all the best! I know I couldn't write a novel!

Gloria said...

I don't know which part is my fav, but I do like the oil pastels, the hearts, and the words- it all looks terrific.

Best of luck with your goal ♥

Paper And Ponder said...

Terry, Thank you for sharing your new journal (the words you wrote are inspiring!) and best wishes to you as you write your novel! You're tapping into your creative energy & expressing your creative ideas, so I think that makes you an artist. No apologies needed! : )

Anonymous said...

wow, love this page! Thanks so much for your kind words to my tutorial. It's really great to meet such friendly creative people and you really don't have to overthink the artist thing, ok?

hugs from Germany
Felicitas

Tina said...

OH Terry I love your notebook! I would by your artwork.

I am following you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Unknown said...

Oh Terry it's beautiful!! I love the water color pencils and the oil crayons. I didn't even know they made stuff like that!! Great job! I love to see you creating things.:)

Kara at Petals to Picots said...

Very cool! And you are an artist!

Unknown said...

Your writing notebook is absolutely stunning -a true for of art!

And good luck with the novel - love the writing, indeed!

Annie said...

Your notebook is beautiful!