Cinnamon Pink

Teddie in his Cozy Nest

I'm always amazed at how our Shih Tzu, Teddie, arranges his sleeping spots so that they are comfy and cozy. Here he is using one of his favorite toys as a pillow.

Teddie actually prefers stuffed animals as big as he is. It's a funny sight to see him running through the house carrying one of these large toys.

Vision Boards & Dyed Papers

Image from Artists Network site

Today I came across a recent post on the Artists Network site on How to Create a Mixed-Media Vision Board written by Jeannine Stein. Jeannine's vision board was inspired by artist Rae Missigman.

My interest was immediately taken by the beautiful images of dyed papers (which you can see above) that Jeannine created using Rae's tips. The papers were made with spray inks and watercolor paper. For more details on dying the papers, check out the complete post.

You can use the colorful papers for art journaling, sketching, book covers, wrapping paper and more. I see a dyed papers project in my future.

 

Positivity Plaques Published in Just Mixed Media! Magazine

My Positivity Plaques have been published in Just Mixed Media! (Volume 2, 2017) magazine. I'm a big believer in positive thinking and I like to incorporate uplifting words and phrases into my art work.

The plaques were made with large paint sticks which I painted with chalk paint. I transferred the words with freezer paper. 

 

Clocks Art Journal Pages

Today I completed this double-page spread in my Moleskine Art Journal.

For the background, I used pages from a store catalog. I then pasted a variety of clocks, and the word AWE all over the page.

Next, I combined DecoArt Traditions Glazing Medium and Golden Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold acrylic paint and spread it over the pages. Then I combined glazing medium and DecoArt Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide acrylic paint and brushed that over the previous glaze.

The layers of glaze unified the images and added a lovely glow to the pages.

Happy Valentine's Day 2017

After a few technical issues today, Teddie is here to say: Happy Valentine's Day. Hope your day is filled with chocolate.

This is the result of the camera person making strange sounds to attract Teddie's attention.

Tips to Boost Your Creativity from Very Well

Via the Very Well site, I discovered this post on Ten Psychological Tricks That Will Boost Your Creativity.

I thought the tip on meditation was interesting:

"Research has shown that certain types of meditation are linked to an increase in creative thinking. Meditation has long been used as a relaxation technique, but recent research has demonstrated that the health benefits extend far beyond relaxation." 

"One study found that using something known as open monitoring meditation in which the individual is receptive to any and all thoughts and sensations without focusing on any particular object or idea, can increase divergent thinking and the generation of new ideas." Be sure to check out the other tips in this post.

On another topic, the laptop saga continues which is why I haven't been online. My first new laptop stopped working so I had to return it. I just purchased a new (second) laptop. Here's hoping this laptop works.

 

Big Ideas Ahead: Art Journal Page

With the purchase of my new laptop, I upgraded to Photoshop Elements 15. Of course, they changed the software a bit. I guess I'll just get used to it.

Here's a painting that I did in my small Moleskine Art Journal. I used the following supplies: acrylic paints, watercolor crayons, graphite pencil and art stamps.

 

Ten Background Techniques from Artists Network

Image from Artists Network site

I haven't posted recently because it's been a hectic few days and a time for a some technical upgrades. I had to purchase a new laptop which necessitated software upgrades. Our neighborhood recently switched to fiber optics too.  All good changes.

Via Artists Network, I discovered this interesting post on Ten Background Techniques written by: Jeannine Stein. I was especially interested in trying asemic writing. Here are the details:

"Use your handwriting to create dramatic backgrounds for collage and other pieces. Jennifer Coyne Qudeen explains,....... 'Handwritten words are a great way to begin the creation of a journal and they add visual texture when creating a background.' Jennifer is a fan of asemic writing, or the suggestion of words without content.

To create asemic writing, she closes her eyes and imagines a story, and writes it with her non-dominant hand. This removes the temptation to throw in a real letter or word, she says, and creates the imperfections she loves. You can also try writing backward to create the look of text." An example of asemic writing appears above. 

Be sure to check out the other nine background techniques in the post.