My sub-conscious artist, or Serendipity

After more analysis, I have concluded I am not entirely comfortable with the idea of a tutorial, yet I want to venture beyond just posting a finished product every single time. The 'before and after' post was a feeble attempt, but not quite satisfactory.

When I got out my old friend, my altered book, is when the step-by-step concept appeared in a little light bulb over my head. So for your viewing pleasure, I will take you through a bit of what goes on behind the curtain.

A new page is so fresh, inviting, and full of promise.

Without having to make many decisions yet,

preparing the surface with gesso is a good first step.

Next, I flipped through some graphics

until I found something that spoke to me.

I have passed over this little girl many times,

but today was the day I plucked her from my file.

Knowing what the focal point would be, I then chose first a background color scheme and the background medium. I decided on chalks because they would not have to dry. Drawing from the picture of the girl, I used three shades of blue, blending from light to dark from the center to the edges.

A few spritz from the mister add texture and contrast.

Circle stamps in blue and silver go on the pages next.

Just for fun, I added some egg shell scraps

still on my work table from a previous project.

A quote...........I needed a quote.......ah ha! There was one

I had scribbled on a post-it note weeks ago

stuck right a eye-level, forgotten until now.

The quote printed with colored pencil directly onto the page.

Okay, now here's the good part......

.........the serendipity...........

even tho' the verse is from the little girl's perspective,

it would seem logical that a flying creature of some sort

would be a literal depiction of the analogy, right?

A butterfly? Dragonfly? A bird!

A young bird near the remains of her newly hatched egg,

A young bird with wings, but still earth-bound..........

Folks, sometimes I amaze even myself!!

A few more details and.........

Almost a tutorial

I just love tutorials. Step-by-step photos, You-tube video, you name it, I love them.

I however don't do them. There are several reasons for this:

1. I usually have no idea what I'm going to do when I start.

2. I rarely ever do the same thing twice.

3. I forget to take pictures of the process along the way

4. I have no idea how to do a video.

5. Even if I did #1, #2, #3, or #4, my methods are so unorthodox, nobody would be interested. (unless to laugh and point!)

Besides, I prefer to just amaze and astound with my sheer wizardy!

(As in bumbling and thumping behind the curtain, crash, rattle, a puff of smoke, and viola!)

In my quest for knowledge, my thirst for tutorials, I found another interesting background idea here. (In case you want a real tutorial.)

It was kind of like going through a cookbook for a new recipe and discovering you have everything in your pantry.

I had all the materials for this project.

I even thought to take a picture of the backgrounds before I embellished them.

Here they are completed. I guess this is more of a before & after rather than a tutorial, but hey--I like those too! It's a start!

Sunday evening creations

Marie might need some eggs to go with that cake.

The background image is from one of

Itkupilli's fabulous collage sheets.

This ATC background is made with a piece of music,

gessoed then chalked.

Next came some stenciling with a dry brush.

Triangles and numbers were stamped across the top and bottom.

This is my take using the techniques in this post.

This little mailboy came from the

Saturday Image Bonus #53 at

Paper Flowers.

Digital Divas

I am finding digital art especially enjoyable when we are away from home.

Because my laptop goes just about everywhere I do.

(what....your's doesn't???)

So when I pack it, I pack all my digital art supplies too!

How perfect is that?