Instagram and I’ve Got the Planner Bug!

So, two things have happened, that I never expected.  The first one is Instagram.  I always said that Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest, and my blog were enough (it really should be, right?).  Famous last words.  This hashtag thing is such a timewaster fun! LOL!  The next thing I need to do is put my Instagram link in my sidebar here on my blog.  If you want to follow me – I’m @kimmerbe  I’ve been posting (almost) daily photos of my life – my kitties, my art, and … that brings me to the second thing that I never expected – my PLANNER obsession.  I guess it kind of started (for me) last year with the Documented Life Project, (which has changed into more of an art journaling focus for this year).

This is going to be a long post – first one in a while, with lots of photos.  I hope you enjoy!  🙂

I have two “planner-like” journals on the go.  I am using Moleskines for both of them, because it is what I have on hand (a novel idea – use what you have…don’t buy more! lmao).  I’m using one for the “Listers Gotta List” challenge being run by The Reset Girl.  It started in April, and basically there are daily lists to be made.  Well, I’ve done 10.  But, I don’t really care that I’m so far “behind” – I’m enjoying the process.

The other planner is a real planner – a Moleskine too, but I have been using it as more of a memory keeper.  Equally fun.  I do find my Moleskine to be a bit small, though…if I keep the planning up into next year, I may venture into a larger one – I’ve been eyeing the Erin Condren planner.  But, having said that, it’s pretty expensive, and there are so many less expensive options out there.  I could even make my own.  Stay tuned…

Look how thick and chunky my planner is!  I LOVE IT!

 

A NEW Art Journaling VIDEO!!!

I uploaded this a few days ago, but I’ve been feeling poorly, so haven’t blogged about it yet.  This is my final video in this series inspired by Shannon Green’s challenge.  Even if you haven’t seen my previous videos, you may enjoy watching me complete 20 pages in my Dylusions art journal.  I even do a flip-through of the completed pages.

Thank you SO much for stopping by!  As always, I would love it if you left a comment.  🙂

Art Journaling by 5s – Part 5a – VIDEO!

Journaling by 5’s – Part 4 – Art Journaling Video

Journaling by 5’s – Art Journaling Video

Here is Part 3 of my version of Shannon Green’s challenge.  Enjoy!  I finally received my Dylusions paints, and was able to use them in this challenge/video!  🙂

Listers Gotta List…Days 3, 4, and 5

I’m so proud – I finished 3 pages this weekend!  Mind you, my studio looks like a cyclone went through it…lol

#Listers Gotta List and Random Stuff

First of all, there’s this:

Last week, we were having summer-like weather and temperatures, and hubby was playing tennis OUTDOORS!  Today, I woke up to SNOW on my patio furniture.  Ack.  Meh.  Oh well, at least we know it won’t last.

So, this will probably end up being kind of a long, random post, but that’s just the way I roll (blog). 😉

I got a new computer, so had to go through all of my files on my old computer.  Since it’s Thursday, thought I’d share a couple of old photos of family members who are no longer with us.  RIP Bev, Mom, and Nac.  (My aunt, Mom, and sister)

#Listers Gotta List

I came across this new challenge group – Listers Gotta List #listersgottalist (cuz, yep, I need another one lol) – and decided to play along.  Let’s see if I can keep this one up.

It was started by “The Reset Girl” and it’s basically a planner challenge (I don’t really have a planner in the true sense of the word, which makes this even funnier).  I started it because I thought it was something I could do while watching TV at night – “couch art”.  But, I quickly discovered that I can’t really do this challenge without all of my “supplies” nearby.  Cuz, yah, I have a HUGE stash of stuff that I want to use up – (another reason why I decided to do this project).  The photos of these “lists” are all over social media – Instagram, Facebook, Youtube.  It began on April 1st, so I’m already WAY behind, but that doesn’t really bother me.  It’s just about making lists, so I will just participate on my own timeline.

Many participants are using separate journals for this project, but I have so many journals that are partially filled, that I thought I’d try to finish one of my existing journals, which is a Moleskine sketch journal that I used to do a Pan Pastel class with Donna Downey a couple of years ago.  So, I didn’t decorate the cover of this journal.  I did do a “title page” of sorts, though, which is below.

I got the tag (on the left side) from Joanne Sharpe, when I took a class with her a year or so ago.  The “splats” in the background are made with Tim Holtz Distress Stains.

Page 1 – “Reasons Why I Love Being a Planner Girl”.

Page 2 – “Favorite Songs of All Time”.  I just chose 10 random favorites…I have WAY more than that.

And, the two page spread:

That’s as far as I ‘ve gotten so far, but it’s FUN!  If you have any questions at all, or just wanna say “hi”, please leave me a comment!  I always enjoy comments.  🙂

Journaling by 5’s – Parts 1 & 2 – VIDEO!

As promised, another video today!  I decided to play along with Shannon Green’s “Journaling by 5’s”.  It’s quite popular on Youtube, and she even has a Facebook group.  The idea is to complete 20 art journal pages, using 5 sets of prompts, with a 15 minute time limit for each prompt.  Confused yet?  I know I was, until I watched Shannon’s video here.

Well, I’m not much of a rule follower, and I’m a slow art journaler, so this is MY VERSION of her challenge.  I started out trying to give myself the time limit, but found it difficult, and not really enjoyable.  So, I turned off the timer, and just started to play. Then, the happy happened!

I should add that I said in the video that I only did 10 pages, but apparently I can’t count, because I did actually do 20 lol.

Here’s my video.

On to Step 3…

Playing in my Studio – VIDEO!

This is part one of this particular project.  I’m just experimenting with textural mediums and color.  I hope you enjoy it!  If you have any questions AT ALL, please ask!  I would be happy to respond.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I’ve got another video to show you tomorrow, so come on back!  🙂

I Got in Trouble With the Teacher :(

I take lots of classes from many fabulous teachers.  I make videos.  I make art.  I love it all.  I do it all because I love it.  I consider myself an artist, just because I create as often as I can.  Sometimes I love what I make, sometimes not.  It doesn’t matter to me.  What matters is that I’m happy doing it.  I have no desire to make money from anything I create.  If I do, it’s just a bonus.  It’s not something I set out to do.  I do like to PROFIT from my art.  By PROFIT, I mean joy…I get joy from sharing.  I get joy from inspiring (and sometimes teaching) others.  I often assume everyone else feels the same way.  Big mistake.  Where am I going with this?  Let me try to explain.

My life took an unexpected turn last May when I became ill with severe chest and back pain.  The illness and subsequent misdiagnosis, ongoing pain, and frustrating roller coaster of medical investigations and treatments consumed my life.  It took away my joy.  I wasn’t able to participate in activities that I love – including art.  It worsened my clinical depression, affected all my relationships, and prevented me from exercising and playing tennis, too.  It continues to affect me profoundly, but I am trying really, really hard to take my life back, despite the fact that I am far from recovered.  I’m not looking for sympathy here…there’s a reason I’m sharing this.  Stay with me, if you wish…

I have not felt inspired to make art at all, but lately I’ve been forcing myself to get into my studio, even if it’s just for short periods.  When I’m feeling uninspired, I often copy other artists that inspire me.  I have never considered it a problem, because I ALWAYS give credit to the original artist, AND, I am not selling my art, or making a profit in any way from it. I know not everyone agrees with me, but that’s always been my opinion.

Before all this happened, I made Youtube videos, which I also consider creating, and I quite enjoy making them, and sharing them with others.  I like to help other artists by promoting their classes with my videos, and with my blog.  Yesterday, I made a video, a time-lapse video of me creating an art journal spread, as taught by one of my favorite artists.  I gave credit, both within the video itself, and in the description.  I didn’t explain any of the techniques, but I did post the products I used on my blog (I debated even doing that, but figured I would get questions and thought it would be okay).  It took a huge amount of effort on my part – fighting through my ongoing physical pain.  (I even missed watching Gray’s Anatomy!  Don’t worry, though, I PVR’d it…) – BUT IT FELT GOOD.  I was so happy to be making art, and making a video again.  I was excited to post my video, and to inspire the other students by showing “my take” on the teacher’s work.  Although I didn’t really want to, my artwork ended up being quite similar to the teacher’s example.  I wanted to do something different, but, like I said, my creative brain isn’t working very well – so I used different colors, and some different products, but I really loved the teacher’s work, so I wanted to make one like it.  It’s in my journal…I’m not going to sell it. I’m always flattered when people copy my work. (not that it happens that often, lol) –  My intention? – was completely and entirely to inspire others, and to help promote a class that I am enjoying immensely.  I figured any “non-paying” students who viewed my video would want to know more, and may even sign up for the class!  I had no idea anyone would be offended, or that I would “get in trouble with the teacher”.  But, I was politely asked to remove my video, because other paying students had complained that I was giving away something that they had paid for.  The teacher also felt that I had “crossed a line” because my finished project was so similar to hers.  Honestly, I was crushed.  Even though I do (kind of, sort of) understand, it hurt my feelings. (Am I being too sensitive?) I will get over it, obviously, and, in future, I will ask permission before I do anything similar.  It’s weird – I’ve done this exact thing in the past without a problem.  In fact, the exact opposite – the teachers were appreciative of my efforts, and the other students seemed thrilled that I would share my process.  I was told in the past, that I helped to promote classes, and bring new students to them.  I guess this is why I figured it would be fine this time.  Please don’t get me wrong…the teacher did what she had to do, and I know I do believe she felt uncomfortable asking me to remove my video.  I think I’m just taking this way too personally.  *sigh*

So…my video has disappeared.  Yesterday’s blog post has disappeared.  *poof*  Yesterday’s joy didn’t happen.  😦

So…what are your thoughts?  I hope I don’t regret asking for opinions…be kind, please.  I don’t mind hearing opinions that differ from mine…I welcome them.  I just want to hear other perspectives, and see if I’m in the minority here.  I think I am, because so many other artists are making a living from their art.  I TOTALLY GET THAT!  Please understand, that I do get that my situation is much different for that reason.  Does anyone agree with me?