Art Junk Girl~

moleskine spread

moleskine spread, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Dear Friends:
I'm back! I'm tired and dizzy, but happy that we had a great trip together. I will write about my trip soon! Here is a spread I did during the fourth train delay on our way home....(long story)... I also did some spreads about our trip which I will share here soon (also). I surely missed my blog friends while I was gone!! Talk soon, xo lia

Well, Hello, Hello! Seems like forever....

Dear Friends~
It seems like forever since I last updated my blog...but I think it's been less than a week. I've felt a bit out of touch as I've been busy with things "offline"....lol...and then doing the radio show installments kind of took me away from my usual blog routine. Well, I'm back to blogland and wanted to share a few of my recent journal spreads. I've been in the mood for doing some "color theme" pages from magazine and catalog clippings...Here is "Blue".

This page is in my 4th moleskine. I just love these journals; their quality, versitality and compact size. I know I've said it before and mentioned it on my blog radio show...but it's worth repeating. Y'all should know by now that I tend to get a 'bit' obsessed with things I like.
Here's a close-up of a journal spread I did a few nights ago...

Next week I am going on "break" with the fam. It should be fun. My goal is to journal my trip as I go along. I usually wait until I get home. Mr. Moleskine is coming along for the ride... I will also get a chance to employ the watercolor crayons I never seem to touch. All I need is a brush and water and voila...colorful pages will ensue. I'll post my pages when I get back. Talk to you soon my friends.
xo Lia

illustration friday~"garden"

illustration friday~"garden", originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

"A Little Madness in the Spring Is Wholesome even for the King." ~Emily Dickinson.

Why did I wait so long to take a painting class?

why did I wait so long to take a painting class?, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Dear Friends~
Ok, so, I went to the Saturday Painting workshop and I LOVED it!! I don't know why I waited so long to do this. Oh, yeah, I have been a little busy raising kids, but, you know, I wish I had done it anyway. Fit it in somehow. I learned so much in just one class, plus, it was a very relaxing, fun day to get away and do something I really like by myselves. Well, I was by "myself" because I left my critic and my taskmaster at home...lol.
The class happened to be fabulous because, for one, I had a great teacher. A working Artist/Painter/Teacher. She was very patient and wonderful and I learned so very much about paint and approaching painting, especially as a beginner. I also learned that this may be a little more "spensive" than collage. But, just like a cook needs the best ingredients to make a fabulous dish, so does the painter. So, I bought some real "butter" with my 30 percent off coups they gave us and I am going to be doing Lots more painting.
Thank you all for encouraging me to keep going and not get discouraged. I am glad I got through my "nutty" and now I am pressing on.
I have more things to share, but I am oh so exhausted today from several things I had to tend to today...I will be writing more soon on little things I picked up that have already made a difference in how I'm approaching the whole painting experience. Thanks for listening my friends. For those of you that wrote and said you've been wanting to paint or take a class too...please....do it now!!! Don't wait~it will be worth it!! xoxo lia

illustration friday~ leap

leap 2 view for illustration friday, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Dear Friends~
I have so much to share with you but I am short on time (and I am a bit all over the place in my projects, so it's hard for me to organize them all into one post!)
I have often thought of having a day a week where I discuss one of my many interests. I am starting to expand into more blogs and I'm trying to keep things organized, but it's SO difficult, with so many interests and fun things out there to do!
I started an art journal blog a few months ago as a compliment to my "journal junk" flickr photo group. Lately, I've been adding posts to it and have more planned. This blog is solely dedicated to art journalling resources and will highlight journal work from artist's in the journal junk group, as well as outside resources and vlog pics that I think will be helpful to those starting out (as well as those of us who can't get enough of art journalling!)
So, speaking of new projects..I am also going to start participating in Illustration Friday, ie. following the weekly prompts and posting. I am so intrigued by illustration as well as painting these last several months. I will start sharing the links that have given me the "fever" in future posts.
Last, but not least....I wanted you all to know that I took the "leap" and signed up for an "abstract painting and color" class for this Saturday. It's a day class, and I called the store and got the "last spot"! I can't wait. The instructor is a real one Artist, as my kids say. lol. Ok, that's it for now my friends. I will let you know how the class goes! I'll be back soon to share more pics of my journal and painting.
Off I go. life is waiting....xoxooxo lia

monthly mosaic~learning to paint in '08

february fun~learn to paint in '08, originally uploaded by artjunkgrl.

Dear Friends~
I had a wonderful day painting yesterday. I re-worked the center painting and "played" in my moleskine and smaller pieces (thank you Sharon for the wonderful suggestion!)
Again, I thank all of you for the wonderful advice and encouragement. I will just keep on keepin' on and doing what I love without worrying! I hope you will too. Have a great weekend my friends! xo Lia