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Tuesday 24 April 2018

Birthday Blues (and Browns and Greens!)







Hello all, and thank you for stopping by today.

There's been altogether too much pink around here lately, so I wanted to revert to some of my more favoured colour tones for my birthday (yes, today).

So here are some glimpses at work in progress inside the Dina Wakley Media Journal which I ordered at a bargain price from Joann's while I was in New York recently.

And since we're taking a bit of an art journal journey, I'd like to share the first and last pages at Art Journal Journey - somewhere I always mean to play along far more than I manage!














There's not much that is in any way "finished", except perhaps the first page, with its ripped teabag texture and finger-painted circles.  You can now see it in more detail here..













These are mostly just beginnings and backgrounds and works-in-progress.  But that's what an art journal is for, isn't it?  Exploring, and following your instinct, and not trying to force anything to be pretty or perfect or complete.













You can certainly see some of my art obsessions playing themselves out over these pages... the colours, the textures, the motifs.













I love working in the Media Journal - it's an inspiration in itself with all the different substrate surfaces.














And I will be back to add more to these pages in the future...















... but there are various "deadline projects" which need taking care of before I can have some more playtime to myself again.















These pages reflect how my New York crafting seemed to work - I would sit down to have a play, reach for something I loved, start something off, and then get completely stuck.














My creative attention was needed for my theatre work at the time, but I think these snatched moments of sticking and brushing and dripping helped to keep me sane in some pretty stressful circumstances...













.... even though they didn't necessarily lead anywhere at the time.  The burlap is so exciting to work on - a whole different way of thinking.













The blues and browns and greens are definitely part of my crafting happy place, as regulars here will be well aware.















And I'm never far from some texture paste or crackle paint, or some vintage script or ephemera, or from grasses and meadow flowers or other elements of nature.














My new and already much-loved Walnut Drawing Ink certainly got an outing amongst the finger-painted circles and splatters and splashes (aaaahhh, splatter!).














I love how the various pages in the Media Journal already have their own qualities - even the "plain paper" has a wonderful texture.












I've got plans for somehow incorporating these tags on the first of the canvas pages.  They're lightly taped in for now to keep them in place while my imagination comes to the boil.















Not quite sure how it'll go yet, but there'll be paint and mixed media and I think some interactive flaps or inserts.














And sometimes I just have to have almost all my favourite things in one go...

I've been enjoying incorporating my "proper" watercolour paints into the mixed media backgrounds, along with all the ephemera layers.













The colours make me so happy.  Who needs a focal point or a finished page?  With this one you just need to let the fingertips go wandering over the texture...











So, as I said, I hope I'll be back before long to share the first completed page in detail, and I also hope I'll be back to develop some of these backgrounds soon, or just start lots of new ones.  I'm not going to put any pressure on myself either way.







Thanks so much for stopping by today and indulging me in my birthday treat of some of my favourite things - even though most of the work is unfinished.  I hope the week is treating you well, and I'll see you all again soon.

Happiness is not a finished product, it is a work in progress.
Khang Kijarro Nguyen

With the ripped teabag papers providing texture and shadow in the first page here, as well as all the collaged ephemera in the final one including some old book pages somewhere under there, I'd like to share this at Art Journal Journey, where the fabulous Craftytrog - also Alison - is looking for pages which Recycle and Collage

38 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday!! what beautiful blue/brown art you've created. Even unfinished it looks wonderful. Have a very lovely day xx

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  2. *Happy Birthday Alison* so generous on your special day sharing a handful of foundations in your mixed media journal. Whether they are finished or complete it's wonderful to see so much energy and favourite things all in one place.
    I look forward to following it's journey.
    Wishing you sunshine on your special day Tracey xx

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  3. Happy Birthday, and thanks for sharing your wonderful creations. Hugs, Valerie

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  4. Who needs a focal point indeed! I am fascinated by the pages along, so much variety and so much lovely texture on each page - the burlap one is so lovely. If it was up to me I would leave the pages as they are, they are all beautiful, but I have no doubt that you will add your special touches and make them even more special! Huge Happy Birthday wishes, I hope you have the most wonderful of days! Anne xxx

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  5. Happy birthday Alison, I loved looking at your journal and look forward to seeing the finished pages.
    xxx Hazel.

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  6. Happy Birthday Alison, I hope you have a lovely day.
    Your media journal is going to look fabulous. The pages you have shared so far in their creation are looking awesome..
    Yvonne xx

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  7. Happy bidthday Alison, your journal looks absolutely beautiful,

    Lucy x

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  8. Happy Birthday Dear Alison-I am singing it out loud so hope you can hear me-well perhaps better that you don't.

    Wonderful colours and such amazing ideas as always. Look forward to seeing more of the journal.

    Have a great day

    Love Chrissie xx

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  9. Všechno nejlepší k narozeninám! xxx

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  10. ♥♥♥H♥A♥P♥P♥Y♥♥♥♥B♥I♥R♥T♥H♥D♥A♥Y♥♥♥♥
    D E A R A L I S O N !!!!

    I love your flip through this amazing Mixed Media Journal pages - sharing your thoughts and your textures with us!
    And I love this wonderful muted first page so artsy and thought provoking!!!
    I am really happy to see this fantastic post and pages linked to Art Journal Journey! It is wonderful to have you with us - even though you have so much DT projects and work to do!
    Keep your playing in the journal - it brings you awareness and relaxing and you can always find peace and happiness while creating! Hugs, Susi

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  11. Hi Alison, ofcourse I want to wish you a happy birthday too!
    I think your work is so so beautiful and very inspiring.
    I started last year with art journaling and you gave me new ideas. Thank you so much!

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  12. Happy Birthday, Alison! I know your journal will be fabulous when it is complete because it is off to a wonderful start.

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  13. Wow, how fabulous! Such delicate markings, luscious combinations and tantalising textures. Happy Birthday Alison. Xx

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  14. Happy Birthday Alison! Hope you are having a lovely day. And your journal is wonderful - love love love those gorgeous blues! Jennie x

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  15. Every good wish for a spectacular birthday darling Alison! I'm thrilled to see your latest journal work in your (and my) favorite palette! Stunning inspiration! Have a wonderful day my friend! Hugs, Autumn

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  16. Happy Birthday Butterfly! I hope you have a wonderfully stress free day to enjoy and relax! Hugs!! The pages as they are are beautiful works in and of themselves.

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  17. Happy birthday, Alison. I hope it's a perfect day.

    I am impressed with what you have started in your art journal and it shows what can be accomplished when you have limited time to create. These beginnings will be the foundation for your later art, and if they are anything like the completed page you shared with us at Art Journal Journey, each will become a masterpiece in its own right. We are delighted you chose to join us today, your special day, at Art Journal Journey.

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  18. It is nice to see how you just mess around in your journal. Who knows what will happen? I hope your Birthday is a very good one!

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  19. Wishing you a very Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns too Alison and hope you're having a lovely day.
    Gorgeous artwork too and in the colours I most associate with you too. Beautiful textures on there and love the burlap element.
    Fliss xx

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  20. Dear Alison
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY , I hope the sun shines at you, today :-)

    That journal, is a wonderful buy, sounds fantastic with the different pages, throughout it ,and you surely know how to make them even more interesting, when starting to add paints,stenciling, crackling and much more. Beautiful blue and brown creations, which I would love to see more of .
    Have a wonderful day !!
    Hugs, Dorthe

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  21. Wishing you a very Happy birthday Alison and your project with those gorgeous blues and textures is wonderful..

    Luv CHRISSYxx

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  22. Happy Birthday Alison, and a real treat for us seeing the beginnings of your pages, can’t wait to see them finished. I’ve had my DW art journal for ages and am struggling to start it, I need to just go for it and begin.
    Love
    Amanda x

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  23. Such a beautiful array of textures, textiles and nature in your art journal pages. I love how you kept to your normal blue/green/sepia color scheme and your love of nature. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Happy Birthday, Alison,
    Kate

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  24. So happy that you have shared these beautiful collage pages with my challenge at AJJ Alison!
    And a very happy birthday to you too!
    Alison xxx

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  25. Happy Belated Birthday, hope you had a lovely day.
    These journal pages look very interesting. Looking forward to seeing more.
    Avril xx

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  26. Always a delight to see the "vintage Alison " Colour collection! I'm watching this space to see what comes next.....

    Sally xx

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  27. Incredible page Alison! There is always so much to see and admire with your designs. So many techniques and amazing layers of mixed media products. This is no exception, completely beautiful and full of texture and interest!! Hope you're having a great week, sending hugs :)

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  28. Happy Birthday Alison x Have a wonderful day x Totally love your journal pages and the wonderful details you have created. The finger painted circles look great and really lift off the page...love the colour tones too

    TFS and huge hugs
    Annie x

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  29. I have been getting stuck lately on projects and have a few unloved and unfinished works... Playing with the supplies you like, as you did, seems to do the trick and open up your creative inspiration.
    Happy belated birthday !

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  30. Hiya there! Belated birthday wishes! And oh my - what a stunning piece - this is fabulous! Off to see what else I've missed! Hugs rachel x

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  31. A very happy birthday. These journal pages are beyond wonderful. All the little details, the soft colors and that texture! Yeah.

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  32. Belated birthday wishes dear Alison! This is a real treat to look thorough your pages! There really is some amazing texture going on and I just adore the colours throughout! I might be able to justify getting A Dina journal one day!!! Hugs, Chrisx

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  33. I loved seeing each and everyone of these pictures Alison and they all look like they could stand alone. Bravo!
    Sandy xx

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  34. I hope you had a very happy birthday Alison, Your journal looks fabulous, and the different types of pages will certainly give you lots to play with. Have fun! xx

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  35. Oooo.... I'm SO sorry. Missing your birthday. How could I do that?
    The worse is, if I well remember, that I received your virtual card the same day! And just thanked you for my birthday... only that.
    What can I say?... I hope you will forgive me. Please. I'm so tired and busy, this is the main reason.
    I hope you have had a great day though, full of cards and gifts and messages from some very GOOD friends! :)
    This page is also beyond wonderful xxx

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  36. Oh my dear sweet wonderful friend! I feel absolutely terrible that I missed our birthday!
    Dear Alison, I do hope your day was in every way as special as you are, I mean this from the bottom of my heart!Lovely wishes for many more happy birthdays to come sweet friend!

    As for indulging you...heehee this is just what I have been doing since my left hand stopped cooperating! laying down paint and texture and putting down the layers,to be finished another time! good to know we have another thing in common!
    Sending much love and hugs!
    Jackie xx

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  37. What a stunning pages Alison, You had a lot of fun with it. I listed my wish list too!! xx

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Thank so much for taking the time to stop by. It's lovely to hear what you think - every comment is so much appreciated.