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...

Sunday 21 December 2014

Winter Growth

Hello all, and welcome.  I'm here with some more wintry journalling today (after a frosty page over at PaperArtsy), and for the first time in months it's something that just happened as opposed to having to fulfil a theme or deadline for a Design Team.

Furthermore, it grew from something that's been itching under my fingers and in my imaginings for an age.  It suddenly found its way out in a wintry way, and it's opened up a channel to a series.  This is the first of a trio at the moment, but I think there are probably more on the way up from wherever they're coming from!


The colours are not going to be a surprise to regulars here, but these particular shades speak strongly to me.  I've used Golden paints - Raw Umber and the most glorious not-quite-blue called Smalt Hue.







There's a sense of roots reaching down into the earth...

















... and old growth still reaching up into the sky.











Somewhere in between, we hope, are the seeds for new growth.














There are certainly bubbles of hope...















... and an energy in the splatters and blots.

I got these large Canson books (9x12 inch pages) in Blick's in New York, very reduced.  It's good thick paper, but I still started with white gesso across the page.








I'm just going to add some "creation jottings" to remind myself of the journey.  Feel free to skip to the end...

Layering up ephemera and paper scraps.

Pastel pencil to create the horizon line.

Coffee Archival stencilling.













Lots of Raw Umber drippage.













Smalt Hue painted onto the sky in a thin wash.















And more Smalt Hue added into the earth to create reflected colour tones...












... and washed onto the paper layers to distress them and tie them into the colour world.














Stamping in Coffee Archival - the branches...














... and the ink blots.






Cobalt Archival and some lids to create the bubbles.












Lots of shading with pastel pencils to create depth and dimension around the papers.

Some indecision about the final layer, but none about the words needed.














Rusty wire tied through the tag...










... and around the end.  (I'm so thankful to have found a new source of rusty wire at It's Crafting Time in Shepreth.)















Spatter with Dylusions, dark and light.











I'm already thinking of creating a version of this series on canvas.

And I'll leave you with the quote which is already at the heart of another page in the series.  That one will be along soon... 

Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.
Paul Theroux







I'd like to share this at Art Journal Journey where they are playing a theme of Collage this month.
And it's months since I've managed to join in at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge, but it's Anything Goes so I'm in!
It's also an Anything Goes theme over at the That's Crafty Challenge Blog - the first time I've had a chance to play along there, I think.

47 comments:

Helen said...

What a fabulous looking journal - love this page, showing its signs of new life and old growth. Your favourite colours suit it perfectly. I can't wait to see the rest of the series!!

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

This is a cool post! Thanks for sharing all of it.
I like the found BINGO card, and the keep growing tag!!!!!!!!

Amanda said...

What a beautiful page Alison your rhetoric brings this page alive even though visually it supports itself magnificently. Love it!
Love Amanda x


chrissie said...

Beautiful ! Everything has a meaning and a place on this piece and your enjoyment in making it shines through. I love the bubbles of hope :)

Can't wait to see more.

Off to do some 'Preparation and then hopefully some recovery afterwards' Winter would be just as The Words Today say if it didn't include Christmas.

Have a beautiful day

Love Chrissie xx

Evelyn Walter said...

What a meaningful page, full of depth and thoughts, dear Alison! I think, this would be a very stunning series of canvases, including this quote.
Have a wonderful day!
xxx Evelyn

massofhair said...

Smalt Hue is a beautiful blue grey and reminds me of the colour of some peoples eyes, so soft and gentle.

Gorgeous page, very reminiscient of France Papillons creations, the drippage and the rusty wire and then the placement of the papers. Love this very much.

Looking foward to seeing the rest of the series:-) x

Inky and Quirky Designs said...

Now this is beautiful Alison,the composition and the feeling behind it all is wonderful. I love rusty wire,always gives everything such a great vintage vibe

Big hugs
Donna xxx

Valerie-Jael said...

A beautiful collage Alison, and thanks for joining us at Art Journal Journey. Valerie

Gaby Bee said...

This page looks gorgeous, Alison! Love the grunge look!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Creative New Year!

Hugs,
Gaby

sarascloset said...

Alison,
First I would like to thank you for all your sweet comments you have left on the three of my most recent blog posts! I've been sort of feeling like I've lost my um...mojo...so your words were very uplifting to read. I appreciate that more than you will know. I'm hoping I will be able to create something special as a future guest designer on Country View Crafts in the upcoming month. You've given me the courage to try!

Secondly, I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to view this wonderful journal page you have created! I love the entire thought process and the theme of growth in spite of withering foliage in the winter.It touches my soul, because as I age, I see the exterior withering and the kids are preparing to leave the nest. But I must remember that inside there is still growth and much more to give. This entire piece is wonderful to look at, as well, and I think your idea of doing it on canvas is spot on! This would make a lovely piece to enjoy on the wall!

You have inspired me to have a look at art journalling in the New Year! Bravo!

Claudia N. said...

This is beautiful, Alison,

and I am glad it finally found its way onto a journal page. Loads of growth on and around the page and I love the bubbles of hope...because when there are no roots that keep us grounded there can be no hope either, right? The dripping looks awesome and the subtle shading around all the ephemera makes such an impact!

Love this - and I think it also shows the urge and need of the artist to express something from deep inside.
I wish you a wonderful Christmas and lovely holidays and that 2015 will bring more time for growth and creating projects that emerge from deep within.

Wishes,
Claudia x

Anonymous said...

SO very beautiful, as always!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

May said...

Beautiful journal page Alison, Love the layers, depth of colours, each piece is just perfect. Love it.
Merry Christmas & a Happy creative 2015....Hugs May x x x

froebelsternchen said...

This is such a fantastic page Alison and I really enjoyed your whole post and all the pics and I am glad you even added a fab tutorial to it...
WOW!

Thank you so much for you fantastic e-card Sweetie.. so lovely from you!

Thank you for joining us at Art Journal Joureny!
Have a blessed Christmas and enjoy the days with family and friend!
If we don't see us in blogland before 2015 I also wish a Happy New Year to you!
xoxoxo
Susi

Jackie PN said...

Such a wonderful page Alison! I could feel the energy of the growth coming from the roots as I looked through the photos- the colors and elements of this really speak to me as do the thoughts behind the making of it! Looking forward to what is still to come!
Merry Christmas and creative wishes for the new year! xo

Mona Pendleton said...

Fantastic art journal page Alison! Love the collaged pieces and inky background! Happy Holidays!

Shirley said...

Brilliant Alison, the collaged page is a beautiful piece, can't wait for the others

Thank you for your e-card is was so magical and enchanting.

Warm crafty hugs from Shirl x x x
ShirlsCards.

Sandy said...

Gorgeous Alison - after the first of the year, I want to star art journaling - it really excites me so that must be telling me something. I thank my lucky stars for all of your posts as they teach me wonderful techniques!
Merry Christmas Sugar!!
Sandy xx

cathylynn said...

Alison you have created something very moving and lovely here. I love the way you used your techniques, colors and stamps. All very inspiring and I'd love to see you do a canvas. I love it all!!!! (can you tell?)
Hugs, Cathy-Lynn

Anna-Karin said...

This is so beautiful Alison! Love it! The design, colours, roots, circles and all the details are perfect together. Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog! I have a lot of catching up to do after the move. We are starting to settle into our new place. Now just the wait for the container with my supplies! I hope you will have a wonderful Christmas!

Meggymay said...

Gorgeous page, the design and textures are amazing and all the details are so meaningful.
Yvonne x

Paper Profusion said...

Wonderful piece Alison. So glad you are having time to play as well as delivering according to 'duties'. Looking forward to all to come in 2015. Nicola x

pearshapedcrafting said...

This looks as though you really relaxed into this - your favourite colour palette and going with the flow(or drip) and what a fantastic page you ended up with - definitely looking forward to seeing more! Hugs, Chrisx

Almo said...

What a wonderful page Alison I really like the bubbles of hope and the raw umber drips ooh and of course a little rusty wire finishes it off beautifully. I wish you a very happy Christmas and a super new year. Mo x

Sandie said...

Thank you, Alison, for the worded guide as you shared your steps along the way. Your collaged piece is ever so inspiring for me ~ colors and textures used! Sweet Christmas blessings....~Sandie

Andrea Ockey Parr said...

This is so amazing! You really are one of the most original and inspiring artists I know! It's a joy to see what you come up with in that clever mind of yours. This piece really is incredible and I stared at it for a long time just soaking in the details. It evokes such great emotion-- like a sense of vintage things that still have value and something to say to the world. I don't know how to explain it, but just know that I love your art and the way it makes me think and feel!

Karin said...

Wow love this page its gorgeous!
Happy holidays!
Groetjes Karin

Kathy, die Stichmücke said...

I like this collage. The colores are really great! Happy Christmas!

Pamellia said...

Wow Alison! I am never disappointed when I visit you, this is incredible! Thank you for all the inspiration you have given me this year, I just wanted to pop in and say A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOURS, big holiday hugs Pamellia :)

Lisa Minckler said...

Can you imagine an entry way above a rustic old table, there on display, canvassed artwork of this new inspiring series?? Oh what an earthy fabulous sight!!! I could decorate my house with your beautiful visions of artwork.
Thank you so much for the gorgeous animated Christmas card too. That was so much fun to watch and listen to. You're wonderful! Hugs to you Alison,
Lisa x

Cocofolies said...

WOW! Fabulous page Alison!!! I didn't manage so far to read this post, and it so well deserved taking the time to see and read all the details that I really don't regret to have waited.. I really enjoyed your whole post and all the pics, this is a wonderful wintry page! I will be glad to see the following!! Hugs, Coco xxx

Terry said...

Stunning details on this collage, Alison! Love the drippy effect and the little "keep growing" tag! Great reminder! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! Hugs!

Ellie Knol said...

Gorgeous, I had to look twice whether this is really yours... different yes, but beautiful!

Meihsia Liu said...

Such a gorgeous page, Alison. Love the beautiful layers and colors. Thank you so much for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge. Wish you a merry Christmas and happy new year :)

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

Gorgeous art journal page...love the layers and drips!

Kasia said...

Beautiful page, Alison!

I wish you a wonderful Christmas!!! :)

Lucy Edmondson said...

Wonderful, Alison!

Lucy x

Hettie said...

Gorgeous Alison. Well done.
xx

Marjie Kemper said...

Beautiful! Love the collage work, the layering, and the drippage.

Kjersti said...

A gorgeous collage Alison, love the colors and how you have layered the papers! Thanks for sharing the tutorial too - so exciting to see how you work with the page:)
Hugs xx

Margaret said...

I love the earthy and rustic feel you have created on this page! The process is so inspiring for this time of year as well!

barbarayaya62 said...

Beautiful page! Love it! barbarayaya

Kezzy said...

Wow such a gorgeous journal page, full of emotion and hope. I have struggled with my art recently, after being on a very large DT for a large company which took over a year of my art after I left in November I have felt truly lost. This journal page speaks to me as it's something I have been thinking of a lot. I have also started taking the LifeBook 2015 course, which I am hoping will help in finding me and my art. Kezzy :-) xxx

Art By Wanda said...

Fabulous!!! Love what you've done and all the meaning woven into it!!

Brenda Brown said...

Truly wonderful Alison, it's so different for you and yet it has Butterfly stamped all over it. Love the colours, the drips and wonderful layers. Great job.
hugs Brenda xxx

Etsuko said...

What a lovely page Alison! Beautiful resulted the sky and the underground by the Canson paper. Wonderful winter atmosphere creatures to preserve the vitality. xxx

Mary Elizabeth said...

Yes, I know I don't have to comment; but how can I stay quiet. Yes ... I feel this one. Love the roots going down deep into the earth. There is some old growth remaining to keep the land from being too bare. One of the little things about this piece that visually hit me was that in the depths of winter, with white, gray, black and brown ... hope bubbles in cobalt blue :) Keep growing ... yes, that's it. I'm looking forward to the next piece given the Theroux quote -- ME