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

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

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…

(Pro)Found Poetry – Art Journal Spread Complete

If you have been following my blog for the last few days, you may know that I had a breakthrough, of sorts, through my art journaling practice.  See my original post here, where I talked about the inspiration for the pages I am about to show you.  This is a bit “raw” and more than I usually reveal on my blog, but I can’t help myself.  It just feels right to share this.

So, when I last typed, this is what my spread looked like:

 

 Through the process of “found poetry”, these are the words that came together to form my poem.

So, off I went…I grabbed my Dylusions ink sprays in happy colors, and began adding to play.  I had previously covered the “found” words with removable frisket, which masks them, to keep them from getting inky and painty by the layers I planned to add.  I tried to remember to take photos along the way, but I found myself in a bit of an art trance, so I didn’t get very many.

The image below was created with black gesso and a stencil (by iStencils):

The words were added with a stencil by Stencil Girl.

And, that’s it for the process photos.  The following photos are the finished spread.  I added some Tim Holtz rubons, stamping, wood veneer shapes and words (colored with Zig Wink of Stella glitter pens), doodles, etc.  Then, I removed the frisket to reveal the poem. 

So, despite being initially inspired by an Inspiration Wednesday lesson, I definitely went in my own direction, and the final spread looks nothing like Donna’s lesson.  Sometimes that happens, and I’m totally okay with that!  The point is to get inspired, right?  🙂

Online Classes – What I’m Taking and My Thoughts…

 I thought I would share my plans for online classes this year.  I’ve tried to be more selective this year, and not to over-commit, but it’s just so darn difficult!  There are so many options now, and I want to take them ALL!  And, because I am not able to play tennis, or work out right now, my art is my only real outlet.  (That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it!).

So, first, here are the paid classes I’ve signed up for:

***NOTE – I am NOT affiliated in any way to any of these artists or classes.  I am not being compensated or paid to support or promote them.  My opinions are just that…my opinions… based on my own experience with some of the repeat classes, and with the artists’ past teachings.***

I’m taking my friend, Effy Wild’s class – Book of Days, which is all about (for me) – painting faces and getting messy in my art journal.  I also love Effy’s style of teaching, and consider her one of my best artsy friends.  We have met, in real life, as she lives only about an hour’s drive away from me.  She went through quite a difficult 2014, too, so I really want the best for her in 2015! ♥

I signed up (again) for Lifebook, with Tam (Willowing) – this year-long class starts on January 1, and I have no doubt it will be amazing again!  She has a fabulous lineup of artists again this year, and I can’t wait to get started.  Honestly, even though I do this class most years, I have never completed all of the assignments.  I watch ALL the videos, and download them.  I do some of the lessons, if I have the time, and if they inspire me.  And, I’m totally okay with that!  It’s good value, in my opinion, and the online communities (both on Ning, and Facebook) are part of the joy I get from this class every year.

A new class for 2015, being taught by the BADASS Wyanne Thompson – You & Me 2015 – is a painting workshop.  Wyanne is one inspirational lady!  She has been through so much, and still, she is happy, and doing art, and now hosting a year-long painting workshop.  Check out her story on her blog.  She went through the same type of cancer that my Mom went through, so I feel connected to her somehow because of this.  However, I followed her art even before she got sick.  She is one AMAZING woman.

Another of my favorite artists, Donna Downey, is bringing back her “Inspiration Wednesdays” for 2015!  I have missed her unique art journaling style so much, since she stopped doing these videos last year.  If you’re not familiar with this series, check out her Youtube channel – there are TONS of FREE videos there.  She is charging a nominal fee for 2015, but, trust me, it is going to be worth it!  I also met Donna in person – I had the pleasure of taking some classes with her a couple of years ago.  She is hilarious!  ♥ her!  🙂

I am continuing my membership in  The Artstronauts Club – a group with Tracy and Teesha Moore.  This is a much different type of class – it’s not really a class, it’s just a private, hosted website with inspirational videos, downloads, and such.  I paid an annual fee to for access to whatever gets posted, and they are very generous with sharing their ideas and skills.  I love Teesha’s art journaling style.

The FABULOUS and FANTASTIC and FUNNY(published author) –  Joanne Sharpe is offering a year-long workshop again this year.  I didn’t participate in her (similar) class last year, and I missed her!  I have met Joanne in person – I took one of her classes at a nearby art studio – and she is exactly as she seems! ♥  “Artfully Inspired 2015” sounds like it’s going to be another great art journaling class, with the focus, in trademark Joanne Sharpe style, on lettering.  I have taken many, MANY of Joanne’s classes, and always enjoy them.  PLUS, I purchased the recommended Strathmore art journal last year, not knowing what I was going to do with it…so, it’s meant to be.  🙂

I just found out that Jane Davenport is running another live class of her famous “Supplies Me” class!!!  I am already a member of this class (membership in Jane’s classes are now FOREVER!).  I highly recommend it, for anyone who loves art supplies as much as I do.  She teaches you how to use so many different supplies, that I couldn’t possibly begin to tell you.  Her classes are so JAM PACKED with content…LOVE Jane!  (I met her when I was in Australia in January, 2014…she is AWESOME! <3)  AND, she has a new book coming out VERY soon….can’t wait!  ❤

And, a couple of FREE classes I plan to participate in:

The Documented Life Project 2015.  This is a free class being run by a group of artists that call themselves “Art to the 5th”.  They have changed things up a bit this year – I think it will be more art journaling, and less planning.  It is quite an active group of artists!  Last year they posted the prompts, etc., primarily on Facebook.  But, this year they have moved things over to their academy here.

Another free class – being run by Suzi Blu – Paint and Chronicle – sounds like it will be more focused on writing/journaling, and less arting.  Suzi has been around FOREVER, and is a published author, and known for her whimsical faces. ❤

There are so many classes available now!  I want to join them all, but obviously that’s silly lol.  (is it?)  I would love to hear your thoughts on any classes you are participating in!  PLEASE leave me a comment.  I really do want you to!

But, for now, I’m going to go make some art.  REALLY!  I am going to make some art.  Watch me… 😉

2014 – The Good, the Bad, and the Sad

I know I haven’t blogged much lately, but I do plan to change that!  2014 was VERY difficult for me.  I am so very hopeful that 2015 will be a much better year.

I did have a nice, quiet Christmas, spent with hubby, kitties, and hubby’s family.  Santasteve was VERY good to me.  I am one grateful girl.

Even though we – 1.  took our dream vacation (a whole month in Australia!), and – 2.  built a new BEAUTIFUL home, 🙂 – I also suffered a serious back injury, in May.  And I lost some very special people. 😦  As a result of my injury, I lost an entire summer season of tennis.  That is the first time that has happened in about 25 years.  Not only is my tennis fantastic exercise, it is also my primary social outlet.  I am also unable to exercise, and that depresses me even more.  Secondly, as a result of our move, I wasn’t able to do much art.  These are the two things that keep me grounded, and help me deal with the stress of life.  I’m still not recovered from my back injury, unfortunately, but after months of waiting, I finally have an appointment at the local Pain Clinic on February 6, so I am hopeful that I can find a drug-free method of pain management (at the very least).  I lost my Mom, unexpectedly, in November, and I am still so sad about that. RIP Mom.  😦

BUT, my art studio is now complete!  I am so excited, and grateful to my fabulous husband.  I now have the most awesome space in which to create!  I still need to do some organizing, but I am working slowly on that.  🙂

Here is what it looked like on December 3 – sorry the photos aren’t the best quality, but you get the general idea.  It’s changed a LOT since then.  When it’s “finished” (will it ever be?) – I’ll post updated pictures.  It’s a HUGE room in the basement, with large windows, and tons of storage, horizontal workspaces, excellent lighting, and a cork floor!  I have been creative most of my life, so I have managed to accumulate quite the collection of supplies.

Here are a couple more, taken a couple of weeks ago:

And….more progress:

And, the centre island worktable is installed!  This is the only picture I have taken so far.  Wilson likes it.  😉

This blog post has taken way longer than I had anticipated.  But, I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into my life.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I have another post almost ready to post – I will be talking about the online classes I plan to take for 2015.  Since I can’t play tennis, and I have this awesome art studio, I REALLY want to do tons and tons of art!  So, check back tomorrow….ta ta for now!  🙂

House Update and #29Faces

Hello friends! How is everyone out there in Internetland? First, I’m excited to share an update on our new house.  We move in less than a month!  🙂

And, on to the #29faces challenge that I committed to participate in.  I haven’t exactly kept up, as the idea is to complete 29 faces during the month of September.  BUT, I’ve been doing my best, given my current life’s circumstances. My first girlie, officially #2, is a paint-over collage ala Tam (Willowing).  I struggled with her, but I’m gonna call her done.  She’s in my art journal, so I will be adding some color and journaling around her.

This next one – officially #3 – is just a little sketch I did while watching TV the other night.  I’ll add some paint to her.

These next three (yep, I’m these as 3 faces lol) – are on canvas.  They are totally inspired by Michael Lang, whose Youtube channel is keeping me up at night.  He is one talented artist.  My goal is to learn his style of painting.  Since I have no plans to sell these pieces, I totally copied some of his faces so that I can follow his video to learn his painting methods.  I find this to be the best way for me to learn a new technique.  The next step in my learning process will be to use my own original drawing, and his techniques.