Finger Painted Blooms Canvas - Wellspring 2020

Another prep lesson for Wellspring 2020, this time by Erica Evans, was to create a canvas of finger painted flowers.  This is about having fun with the materials, not over-thinking the process and seeing where it takes you.

Since it was Mother's Day and my daughter was willing, we did these canvases together.  Hers is the peachy flowers, mine is the purple.  There is a lot of texture to these flowers.  I loved that we spent this time together and that she obliged me and my craftiness.  She actually had fun too!

Finding the Positive - Art Journal Page - Wellspring 2020

Another prep class for Wellspring 2020 was this lesson by Carisa Zglobicki.  The idea is to journal through your feelings and thoughts on a blank page and then cover it up and focus on positive thoughts.  I loved the whole idea of this and plan to do more of it!!

I was able to use my new DW gloss sprays and had a lot of fun stencilling (Donna Downey stencils) and collaging.  This time I used DW's white printed collage paper.  I like it, it's taking some getting used to.  When I collage tissue paper I prefer the paper to blend into the background and become invisible so this is a bit different for my liking.

Connected - Art Journal Page - Wellspring 2020

One of the bonus lessons prior to the May start of Wellspring 2020 was this 'Connected' lesson by Katy Leitch.  In this lesson we are recording our goals on a journal page - personal and artistic.  I used DW scribble sticks and a waterbrush for the colouring and several DW stamps.  I love the brightness of the colours in the circles!!

This was a fun process.  A couple of the circles I almost started over, but I persevered and in the end, whatever little flaw I though was there no longer bothered me :)

Journal Covers - Wellspring 2020

I don't know about you but this Covid 19 isolation has really got me feeling the need to be in my craft room lately and work on art journalling pages so I decided to join an online classroom course that runs for 18 weeks, May to August.  It's called Wellspring 2020 by Artful Academy.  In their words - '18 weeks of uplifting, empowering, thought-provoking, life-affirming art lessons themed around mental wellbeing'.  What could be more perfect for this time!!

As part of the prep work we created a journal cover, the lesson was by Alexa Doebler called 'Make Art'.  I couldn't decide on a colour scheme so I made two!  I loved this sentiment for the front.  On the back cover I stamped 'Wellspring 2020' at the bottom.  I'm really reealllly looking forward to this course!

You Are Sensitive And That is Okay - Art Journal Page

I was feeling restless and wanted to do something but I didn't know what I felt like doing.  And I felt this way even after browsing Pinterest and Youtube for inspiration.  Finally I saw a video with this background technique (applying paint with a gel press) and decided to give it a try........this page actually came together so fast I didn't even take many progress pictures!

For the background I decided to apply paint to a 6 x 6 gel press and water it down before pressing it randomly onto the pages.  I used Dina Wakely paints Olive, Peacock and Fuchsia (I did not gesso the pages so you really see the texture of the paper).  It was quite bold so I toned it down a bit by rolling a brayer with some white paint.

I have been itching to use some of Dina Wakely's tissue paper girls and decided on this one along with a sentiment that really resonated with me that day.  I adhered the tissue paper with matte medium under and over the image.

I almost left it alone just with the images adhered, but decided it needed more.  I added some black washi tape, some colour to her eyes and cheeks and some paint splatter with the fuchsia.  Dina calls it 'the pox' :)  And then I thought I was done, lol.  Actually I was afraid if I did anything else I might ruin it!!

But as much as I loved the pop of black, the more I looked at it, it seemed too harsh against the background and just felt undone.  So I left it for a few days.  I finally decided to add Umber paint (diluted with white paint) through a stencil, some coloured washi tape and then a little more wash of white over everything.  Some Frayed Burlap and Black Soot Distress Ink on the edges for a border, white gel pen strokes over the face and the washi tape and I was done - for sure done!!  Love it!!