Dina Wakely and Samantha Kira are two very accomplished art journalers living in Arizona. And they have hatched a wonderful challenge.
You can read all about it here. Essentially, they are challenging you to get out of your art journal and start playing on canvas! The challenge is to complete two canvases (larger than 8×10) each week. This week I got a good start, completing two 16×20 canvases.
I wanted to bring the same experimental feeling to canvas that I bring to my art journal, so I decided to try a whole bunch of things I've never tried before.
- I collaged book pages to the canvas, but not in the concentrated way I normally do. I left them scattered. And I painted some large words with sumi-e ink and let it run down the canvas.
- I added a figure with her arm up. I don't normally include the body, just the face. And I put her off to the side. My usual composition is in the center.
- I sketched in the face, worrying less about making it "pretty" and more about making it contemplative. I also add some blue dots as body decoration.
- I painted in some large flowers flying across the background, obscuring the text.
- I added some more flowers — but these onese are actually painted on book pages, which I cut out and adhered to the canvas. I also fixed the angle of her shoulder with her arm up. There wasn't enough space. And I also added a variety of greens to create the background.
- I added some clothing, rosy cheeks, a bit of lipstick, and some contouring. And the final result…
Very interesting. I'm not 100% sure that I love it, but I'm pleased with the experiment and I really enjoyed making it. I can see lots of possibilities for future projects. Ideas are bubbling.
Then I decided to try my hand at a real portrait. I worked with a photo of my Mom.
It's not completely right. There's something about the teeth that's wrong. And I don't love the placement of some of the collage elements, but nevertheless it also has me excited about the possibilities.
I'm delighted that I'll have eight finished canvases at the end of the month! Of course, where I'm going to put eight canvases in this tiny apartment is a totally separate question! But this project also fulfills a personal goal of mine: to take more time for myself to try new things. My friend Nat said it best when she said she needs to find some time for Nat Lab (i.e. Nathalie's Laboratory). I'm so glad to have found some Julie Lab time this week!
Thanks for stopping by!
—-
P.S. A little birdie told me that Balzer Designs for TCW stencils are now available for buying here.
These are FAB!! Very inspiring.
These are FAB!! Very inspiring.
These are FAB!! Very inspiring.
These are FAB!! Very inspiring.
I love it when I see artists experimenting! Your canvases are fantastic — I really love the portrait of your mom.
I love it when I see artists experimenting! Your canvases are fantastic — I really love the portrait of your mom.
I love it when I see artists experimenting! Your canvases are fantastic — I really love the portrait of your mom.
I love it when I see artists experimenting! Your canvases are fantastic — I really love the portrait of your mom.
I think this is some kind of marketing move. i have no interest in making large canvases and if i was interested their are many people blogging and such about large canvas. Journaling can be far more interesting and intimate. After canvas do we move to walls?
I think this is some kind of marketing move. i have no interest in making large canvases and if i was interested their are many people blogging and such about large canvas. Journaling can be far more interesting and intimate. After canvas do we move to walls?
I think this is some kind of marketing move. i have no interest in making large canvases and if i was interested their are many people blogging and such about large canvas. Journaling can be far more interesting and intimate. After canvas do we move to walls?
I think this is some kind of marketing move. i have no interest in making large canvases and if i was interested their are many people blogging and such about large canvas. Journaling can be far more interesting and intimate. After canvas do we move to walls?
Amazing canvases! Try your hand at real portrait, is it you first time? If it is you would never know it. Beautiful!
Amazing canvases! Try your hand at real portrait, is it you first time? If it is you would never know it. Beautiful!
Amazing canvases! Try your hand at real portrait, is it you first time? If it is you would never know it. Beautiful!
Amazing canvases! Try your hand at real portrait, is it you first time? If it is you would never know it. Beautiful!
I like the face on your canvas Julie. Off to check the link to your stencils.
I like the face on your canvas Julie. Off to check the link to your stencils.
I like the face on your canvas Julie. Off to check the link to your stencils.
I like the face on your canvas Julie. Off to check the link to your stencils.
A great idea.
A great idea.
A great idea.
A great idea.
Thanks! I have tried my hand at portraiture before, but this is the first time working from a photo (as opposed to a live model).
Thanks! I have tried my hand at portraiture before, but this is the first time working from a photo (as opposed to a live model).
Thanks! I have tried my hand at portraiture before, but this is the first time working from a photo (as opposed to a live model).
Thanks! I have tried my hand at portraiture before, but this is the first time working from a photo (as opposed to a live model).
I think it would be very cool to do a wall! Alisa Burke has a wonderful post on her blog this week where she shows how she painted and doodled a rug on her floor! 🙂 http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2011/08/painted-wood-floor.html There are so many exciting ways to take your journaling skills out of your journal!
I think it would be very cool to do a wall! Alisa Burke has a wonderful post on her blog this week where she shows how she painted and doodled a rug on her floor! 🙂 http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2011/08/painted-wood-floor.html There are so many exciting ways to take your journaling skills out of your journal!
I think it would be very cool to do a wall! Alisa Burke has a wonderful post on her blog this week where she shows how she painted and doodled a rug on her floor! 🙂 http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2011/08/painted-wood-floor.html There are so many exciting ways to take your journaling skills out of your journal!
I think it would be very cool to do a wall! Alisa Burke has a wonderful post on her blog this week where she shows how she painted and doodled a rug on her floor! 🙂 http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2011/08/painted-wood-floor.html There are so many exciting ways to take your journaling skills out of your journal!
Wow, you are incredibly talented! I love them both.
Wow, you are incredibly talented! I love them both.
Wow, you are incredibly talented! I love them both.
Wow, you are incredibly talented! I love them both.
I loved seeing the transformation that the canvas took as you worked through your ideas. The end result is awesome! And the portrait of your mom is great!
I loved seeing the transformation that the canvas took as you worked through your ideas. The end result is awesome! And the portrait of your mom is great!
I loved seeing the transformation that the canvas took as you worked through your ideas. The end result is awesome! And the portrait of your mom is great!
I loved seeing the transformation that the canvas took as you worked through your ideas. The end result is awesome! And the portrait of your mom is great!
Oh my gosh, Julie! How can you not LOVE it! Gorgeous work! I know Dina! She teaches here at The Creative Quest where I also teach and work part time! She’s so sweet and a great instructor. Love her work. Gonna’ check out the challenge….
Oh my gosh, Julie! How can you not LOVE it! Gorgeous work! I know Dina! She teaches here at The Creative Quest where I also teach and work part time! She’s so sweet and a great instructor. Love her work. Gonna’ check out the challenge….
Oh my gosh, Julie! How can you not LOVE it! Gorgeous work! I know Dina! She teaches here at The Creative Quest where I also teach and work part time! She’s so sweet and a great instructor. Love her work. Gonna’ check out the challenge….
Oh my gosh, Julie! How can you not LOVE it! Gorgeous work! I know Dina! She teaches here at The Creative Quest where I also teach and work part time! She’s so sweet and a great instructor. Love her work. Gonna’ check out the challenge….
your art is so very cool!
http://honeybeelane.blogspot.com/
your art is so very cool!
http://honeybeelane.blogspot.com/
your art is so very cool!
http://honeybeelane.blogspot.com/
your art is so very cool!
http://honeybeelane.blogspot.com/
Great work! I am trying to finish up my 2 canvases this week. Although I broke the rules by going a wee bit smaller on one. I also snagged some of the stencils at that site! YES! I’m waiting patiently for the Chevron and other ones to show up somewhere!
Great work! I am trying to finish up my 2 canvases this week. Although I broke the rules by going a wee bit smaller on one. I also snagged some of the stencils at that site! YES! I’m waiting patiently for the Chevron and other ones to show up somewhere!
Great work! I am trying to finish up my 2 canvases this week. Although I broke the rules by going a wee bit smaller on one. I also snagged some of the stencils at that site! YES! I’m waiting patiently for the Chevron and other ones to show up somewhere!
Great work! I am trying to finish up my 2 canvases this week. Although I broke the rules by going a wee bit smaller on one. I also snagged some of the stencils at that site! YES! I’m waiting patiently for the Chevron and other ones to show up somewhere!
Whoa !! I love the portrait you paint.
Whoa !! I love the portrait you paint.
Whoa !! I love the portrait you paint.
Whoa !! I love the portrait you paint.
Gorgeous!
I didn’t know you work!I must confess I’m impressed!Congratulations on your creativity and talent!
;))
Gorgeous!
I didn’t know you work!I must confess I’m impressed!Congratulations on your creativity and talent!
;))
Gorgeous!
I didn’t know you work!I must confess I’m impressed!Congratulations on your creativity and talent!
;))
Gorgeous!
I didn’t know you work!I must confess I’m impressed!Congratulations on your creativity and talent!
;))
Wow! These are stunning! I love seeing the process!!
Wow! These are stunning! I love seeing the process!!
Wow! These are stunning! I love seeing the process!!
Wow! These are stunning! I love seeing the process!!