michelle my belle

Bird Girl Painting

Here's a small canvas I finished the other day. I haven't dialed in a title for her yet, so if you have any name ideas please feel free to pass them on. I love how her wings imply her strength.

I did my first Mock Workshop (practice workshop) last night. I'm too tired right now to do a post on it but I do have pictures to show and tell.

Hope you're doing well. That you're not burdened down by others expectations of you. Sometimes I just feel like you can't live up no matter how hard you try. There are days where I seem to let someone down every time I turn around. I encountered this rut in my gut at least three times today! ugh.

So, tomorrow... I'm going to ride my bicycle and go golfing! Maybe I'll even shut my cell off... probably not.

Goody Giveaway #3 Winner!

Thank you all for all your wonderful comments, newsletter sign-ups and linky action! I've been struggling with a few things lately and seeing all your kind words coming through on my email has been a big boost.

So, with no further delay I just want to say Congratulations from us here at Allen Designs Studio to the winner... Sarah D'Amico with the below comment! yippee! (i used Random Number Generator to come up with the winner)

The Creative Soul

I've been on a mission to "nurture my creative soul". And it feels SO good! Color and art supplies are a gift from God! : )

Dreams, aspirations... things I'll never get to. : ) I'm referring to all the lists I write in my journal of things I want to do or ideas that I want to expand on. I try not to beat myself up on the things I don't get to. I figure it this way- it's better to dream big/shoot for the moon and accomplish half. Than it is to not dream much at all and accomplish probably only half of that.

Talking of "dreaming big" made me think of my friend Amy Peters who makes fantastic pewter jewelry. I have one of her necklaces that says "dream big". Love it! I took this picture of her in NY about a month ago, the color of her booth looks so good on her doesn't it?

Art Journaling Group! Yippee!

Our first meeting! I got lost and was a half an hour late. What a LOSER! I have got to get better at the whole time thing! I always underestimate time and everything takes way longer than I've allotted for. uhg!

In the end I did make it and it was fab. I can't wait till our next meeting cause Karen (pictured above) is going to teach us how to stitch and bind our own journals! So EXCITING! I've been wanting to learn for a long time. I've even bought books on binding but for some reason have never brought myself to reading instructions and doing it. As artists, I think most of us are visual and just learn better by watching and doing.

On the left is Teri who so kindly invited me to be part of this creative bunch. Teri just invigorates me by her passion and excitement for art journaling. I love being around people like her who have a zest for life, who don't hide their excitement behind a "cool" front.

This is our generous hostess Lani, the woman with ALL the COOL JOURNALING books! She made me feel much better about my own addictions to art supplies and art books! She is the veteran of the group! I'm looking forward to getting to know her better and learning from her experience.

Lani had a plethra of art supplies for us to use! It was like candy land for an artist! (we ended up chatting the entire time getting to know each other. but i'm sure they'll get put to good use soon!)

Lastly, look at this beautiful painting that Lani had on her mantle! I'm loving these butterfly wings and the girls red hair. I can't remember who Lani said the artist is, but it's a self portrait of her.

Art Journaling Process

A little disclosure statement: I'm a hacker artist. I have no formal training. I have learned and continue learning daily by doing things that don't work! Sometimes over and over again much to my frustration. But, thanks to my new found love and passion for journaling, IT DOESN'T MATTER!

Art/Creating is in the process, part of the journey. Relax and enjoy it! (i'm talking to myself here)

So, saying all of that I'll carry on and you'll know what I mean.

In the top photo I started by putting some layers of acrylic paint down and a few pieces of misc. collage items. Then I used a piece of metal I found and dry brushed some paint to create a pattern. I think I should have used lighter paint, but oh well... Then I proceeded by using Golden Fluid Acrylics and some glazing medium to go over the whole thing to mute it down a bit.

Added the pretty face from a magazine, which I cut down to a circle shape and some black ink around the owl.

Loud red hair and a shell I found in a magazine for her dress. A stamp on her hat and lipstick. Some random shading and touches of color mainly done in acrylics. I also enjoy using oil sticks, especially in browns, and rubbing them around for shading.

A few more pieces of collage that I've collected here and there. The scooter is a business card for PaperWings Studio which I adore. Some journaling about the days events. And, wa la.

If you look you will see that most of the initial layers are almost completely covered up by the end here. Again, just part of the process. That's what's so wonderful about acrylic paint is that if you don't like something, just paint over it! Happy Journaling!

Green Journal Pages

I probably spend too much time in my journal, I should probably spend more time on actual paintings. The thing I like most about journaling is that there is such a freedom to be random. I don't have to think about the composition or if anyone will actually like it enough to buy it. I am always trying new things, new techniques, new color combinations. I'm loving these green/yellow colors and my new @ stamp! So much fun! I'm gearing up to teach my first little workshop here within the next few weeks. Yikes! Communication isn't one of my strong points so this will definitely be out of my "comfort zone"!

One of my sources of inspiration lately has been this book by the amazing Lotta Jansdotter! It has several simple, fun printing techniques. Her designs are simple yet fabulous!

Hot Summer Days-Journal Page

I came up to the studio tonight after the rest of my family went to bed with all intentions of working on the "remodel/reorganization". My journal was laying there on my desk tempting me and finally I gave in. Once I began I just couldn't stop till the page was finished and I felt that joy that comes from creating and playing with wonderful colors!

Love is the greatest refreshment in life. -Pablo Picasso

Cupcakes For You! Journal Page

Yesterday was such a brutal day I just had to spend time creating something/anything with color and fun. Do you know who's eyes these are? Hint: I ripped it out of a magazine and she's on the telly.

You can see in my journal page where the sketch started for this piece, Cupcake Kitty, that we've turned into art for our Removable Magnet Cards.

Hope you're having a Fantastic Friday!

Goody Giveaway

Don't forget to enter in our Goody Giveaway. You have till Sept. 23!

Another Day-Art Studio Remodel

Part of needing to work on my studio space is because I have a new obsession for collecting treasures, or as some (my hubby for one) would say "trash". In defense, I collect with the intention of recreating not just to clutter my surroundings.

I love this Judie Bomberger piece I got several years ago at a show. I love her whimsy and playful style.

I will be finishing my art studio remodel soon cause I have a wonderful guest (it'll be a surprise) coming next Wednesday and I must have my studio back in working order. I can't wait to unveil my new organized space. (to you and to myself!)

Thank you for your comments and entries into my Goody Giveaway! Remember you have till Sept. 23 to comment and enter : )