I'm travelling into a new way of working, a new country, a new language, and a new hobby which I'm passionate about. Come with me for some of the journey...

Saturday 3 January 2015

Winter Recovery

Hello all!  I had hoped to share this with you last year (!), but things got a bit crowded towards the end of December, so now the January challenges are under way (catch my Artistic Stamper Past and Future ATCs here and my Country View Challenges Velluminaries here) I thought I'd share the second of my wintry journalling pages (you can see the first one here if you missed it - they're definitely part of a series).


As I said in that post, these are the first chance I've had for ages to just sit and play with no external theme or deadline involved... and I'm very much enjoying where they're taking me.  There's still more to come, and I think they're developing too.





We're back in the blues and browns and, as I mentioned, this one takes its inspiration from the Paul Theroux quote I left you with at the end of Winter Growth, the first page:

Winter is a time of recovery and preparation.










I couldn't agree more!  I'm very inclined towards hibernation at this time of year, resenting anything which requires me to leave my cosy den and engage with the wider world.












It's a time for conserving fuel, replenishing my energies, and processing the whirlwind activity of the last few months, as well as allowing new ideas to germinate, ready for when I emerge again in spring.











Of course, you have to keep a few tendrils reaching out into the world, but they have to be sturdy and strong, and well protected.








Again, just a few reminders for myself... if I'm hoping to turn this into a series of canvases, I'll need to know a little bit about what I was doing!





This one started with stippled Gesso, then Weathered Wood Distress Ink embossed mainly in clear, but with hints of white embossing powder in places.












Pastel pencil for the dividing line, and then Raw Umber trickled from the line towards the spine, then a cloth to knock it back. 

Love the texture that developed from the textured Gesso underneath.













Smalt Hue again for the other half of the page, applied with a wide brush and plenty of water, building layers of colour.












Added a much thicker line of Raw Umber to intensify the divide.

There's some Vintage Photo Distress Ink wiped on from the opposite edge, to create a reflected colour tone.











The difference between the two parts of the page - the retreat and the preparation.















Stamping in Coffee Archival (or Sepia?  No, Coffee I think), and some more lids inked with Archival Cobalt and/or Potting Soil.










Tim Holtz grungy stamps for more blottings - Potting Soil/Black for the stamping.














Layers and depth of colour building up.












Distressed layered papers and ephemera, again washed with Smalt Hue to tie them in, and lots of pastel pencil and Big Brush Pen shading around the layers.










Prepped the tag with washes of the same colours used, and stamping etc, and then the little Hero Arts set to stamp the Paul Theroux verbs.














More rusty wire around the tag, and through the top.














Dylusions spatter, dark and light.











So that's page number two in the series... number three will be with you soon.  It's also been ready since last year (!), and we'll just have to wait and see how many more arrive.  At the moment, they're still bubbling in my heart and in my fingertips, awaiting some non-DT time at the craft table.

Thanks so much for dropping in, and I'll see you again soon either here or elsewhere in Craftyblogland.

I'd like to enter this in Blue is the Colour over at the That's Crafty Challenge Blog.




I prefer Winter and Fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show.
Andrew Wyeth

Brenda Brown is offering a Visual Journey Link Up Party to share the journey of creative experimentation. See all the details here at Bumblebees and Butterflies, but this seems the perfect page to be sharing.


59 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

Love what you have made in your journal, and the cool and wintry colours! Happy New Year! Valerie

craftytrog said...

Another wonderful wintry page Alison, love the colours and laying of papers and tags! These pages will make marvellous canvases.
I was thinking of making a series of canvases along the theme of my Gerhard Richter inspired page, I so enjoyed losing myself in the painting yesterday.
Looking forward to seeing your next lovely page!
Alison xox

chrissie said...

This will be a very fine journal Alison. It is so good to see the way you interpret your thoughts on the page. Beautiful as a piece of art, but even more beautiful to know the reasons behind it.

Have a great day

Love Chrissie x

Anonymous said...

Fabulous page Alison, there is a definite wintry feel and a sense of movement across the page. Looking forward to your next one! Sue C x

massofhair said...

Stunning colours Alison, really loving the Smalt Hue it is glorious i could use this all day. Great to see you enjoying being in the moment :-) xxx

Kirsten said...

That is wonderful, I can definitely see it as a canvas.

Unknown said...

A stunning piece of work! Love the browns and the distressing.. The layered pieces are great! I feel very inspired evey time I visit and for that I must thank you! Xxx

Claire said...

Love your page, it's so nice that you are able to create just for you with no pressure. I love the quote and can see how it inspired the rest of your page, it's really beautiful, Claire x

brenda said...

Beautiful work as always Alison, it's always a pleasure to see. Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year.

B x

Anneke said...

This page is gorgeous. Love the vintage look.
Thanks allot for explaning how you made this
wonderful creation. Very inspiring Anneke.

Astrid Maclean said...

A great page Alison, love the colours and the background to all those wonderful layers of paper! Great you found some time to just play! Much needed I am sure between all the other commitments in your busy life!

Happy New Year and may it bring you all you are hoping for!

Art By Wanda said...

I am really lovin' this series!!! And I like reading how you've worked through the page, so very glad for your reminders :-)

Helen said...

I love this page, Alison, and loved reading the process... you have inspired me to get cracking with something crafty today, on this very dull grey day.. only problem will be; is there enough light to craft by!

Rita said...

Hi Alison. What a Fabulous Journal page. I have not started mine and maybe need to do something about it this year. Hugs Rita xxx

Jackie PN said...

Wonderful page coming from deep inside you- it is so nice to see your creations from just taking the time for you! xo

Ellie Knol said...

LOVE it... I always like your color palette, only 1 color here, that's a challenge all on it's own

Redanne said...

How lovely that you found some time to play! Your journal page is so beautiful with all those wonderful layers and cool blues and lovely browns. I have never had much success with journaling but you may just have inspired me to have another go.... Hugs, Anne xx

Nan G said...

An amazing page, Alison. Love the deep tones and layers you've used.

SiódmyAnioł said...

Very beautiful side and wonderful colors! Happy New Year!

Cestina said...

I love the Wyeth quote - and indeed the Theroux.
xx

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Love the words you have chosen for this journal, Alison. they are so.... good :)
The page is totally gorgeous with blue and brown, beautiful wintery look.

Pamellia said...

Stunning page Alison! I love the contrast of your colours and textures, the distressing and antiquing is just perfect! Great quote about winter too! hugs :)

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

What a great artistic page Alison...you must have had lots of fun, making this!
Gorgeous look!
greetings, Alie :-)

Mary W said...

This is so beautiful! It captures the essence of winter perfectly. I also love Annie, the original version with Carol Burnett. I can't wait to try a similar version using your instructions as this is a beautiful way to begin a new journal. Thanks!

Kim said...

Your page is gorgeous! I love the blues and browns and couldn't agree more with you that winter is a time to rejuvenate and rediscover. Thanks so much for sharing your talent...I love to visit your blog.

Meggymay said...

Beautiful page, it does have your special touch and the colours always look beautiful together.
Yvonne x

Brenda Brown said...

Beautifully muted colours and lots of yummy layered collaged elements that create wonderful harmony in the piece. Love it.
Thanks for linking to my Visual Journal blog hop 2015, great to have you aboard.
hugs Brenda xxxx

ElizabethR said...

Fabulous page I love it, I'm hibernating as well with the new Limor Webbor/IndigoBlu stamps ;) . Happy New Year xxx

Dorthe said...

This is so beautiful, and amazing , dear Alison,- ofcourse I love the wintery tones of faded nature, and your combinations of papers and pieces are wonderful. The golden ,rusted tones and paper layers makes me want to touch your stunning page !!
Dorthe, xo

Sandy said...

What a wonderful journal page - beautifully designed. So restful to look at - very pleasing to the eye. I know you are going to have a wonderful 2015 Alison.
Sandy xx

Cinderella Moments said...

I love the tones of this page! It's very pretty, very vintage and very harmonious. I wouldn't expect less than this perfection from you!
Happy New Year!
hugs♥,
Caroline

sally said...

Love love love the results!

Sally

Unknown said...

Beautiful art journal page, so rustic, the colours go together beautifully. You never fail to disappoint, Alison. I love everything you make xx

froebelsternchen said...

That's a wonderful page dear Alison! WOW!

House of Bears said...

Oh my, this is so lovely, the layering adds such interest to the page and as usual your colour choices are fabulous. I love it all. Art jpurnalling at its best

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oh my Alison! You are certainly reflecting the fact that you are going to your journal to relax! I feel calmer just by seeing it on a screen! Such a wonderful way to create a page! Chrisx

Margaret said...

A perfect page for the new year and winter. All of the inky layers look fantastic!

maria's knutselplezier said...

Wow what an amazing project again dear Alison, I just love it!!! I wish you a happy , healthy and creatif 2015!! That all your dreams come true!!!

Greetings
Maria

Etsuko said...

This is another awesome page Alison. Beautiful colours and the tags composition. I love the bubbles, it has resulted a rhythm to this page. xxx

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

I love this piece Alison the letters just faint showing through and the colours like ancient script, wishing you a very happy 2015. Dee x

Mona Pendleton said...

Beautiful Alison! Love the collaged elements and all the inky goodness! Happy New Year!

Tincan Crafter said...

Alison, I am so sorry that I havent been over here in a while. But how lovely it was catching up on all the gorgeous things you have made since. You are so amazing and talented. Everything you make is like a drug for the eyes!! Thanks also for so faithfully stopping by my blog. I always get so excited when you leave a comment because I admire and respect your creative talent and eye so much.

Hettie said...

This is a beautiful journal page Alison. I must get mine out soon and have a play.
Hugs
xx

Ruth said...

I am loving your style in this series of journal pages, whether it's your development and/ or there is some inspiration from your France workshop?...they are just so beautiful, keep coming back to them...can't wait for numero 3. Wonderful Alison. Wishing you a very Happy and creative New Year. Ruth x

Kay Wallace said...

I love the combination of the words "recover" and "prepare," Alison! Sweet art here and in my preferred color palette, too! Happy New Year from Boston!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Talk about bringing in 2015 with a bang! This is AMAZING Alison! Can you tell I love is beautiful page. Love the Browns and it is full of vintage goodness. Can't wait to see the next page. Karen.x

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Most excellent page!!! LOVE the vintage feel!!!! Happy New Year!

Cocofolies said...

This one also is amazing, the atmosphere is simply fabulous, and all these layered pieces of papers and the delicate clear embossing on the background so gorgeous!!! Wow Alison, I would love playing with you and have a try on your techniques and this neutral/vintage palette of colours beside you! Hugs xx

Julie Lee said...

Wonderful, original take on winter! I love how you've used the tags and the colour and texture on this just bowls me over! Brilliant work! xx

Lucy Edmondson said...

Wonderful!

Lucy x

cathylynn said...

So inspiring and love all of the details. You did another fantastic job!
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Silvia(Barnie) said...

How cool, so much depht and texture, a wonderful page.

Tricia said...

This is beautiful! I love the colors and the composition. I used your piece as inspiration for the cover of an altered book I'm working on. I love you series!

Anna-Karin said...

This is another amazing winter page Alison! I love this series of yours. It is absolutely wonderful, the words, all the textures and images and the gorgeous colours.

rosewater75 said...

This is lovely. I would love to see the process via YouTube. Is that possible?

Words and Pictures said...

I'm really sorry but I don't have a YouTube channel, and haven't yet explored filming as I create - not sure it would suit me very well! - but there is quite a lot about how this was done in the text and pictures.
Alison x

rosewater75 said...

Please consider...:-)

Kezzy said...

Oh wow wow such beautiful texture, I really love the blues with the neutral colours you do so well. Amazing as always. Happy Art :-) Kezzy xxx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Oh my ... I adore the intensity of the smalt hue and the percentage of the page devoted to earth to the percentage of page of sky (in contrast the previous piece). And then there is the build up of layers ... wow! Heading to piece # 3. I can't think of a more perfect quote to lead us there than the Wyeth quote. My Dad always loved the dead of winter. He said you could see the details and security of the earth's foundation on which you stood. Things that are obscured by foliage in the other three seasons can now be seen in winter. -- ME