Grocery Bags and more!

The more I delve into mixed media the more I look around me for things to incorporate into my work.  I have several art journals that I am working on but that doesn't seem to be enough.  I had some paper grocery sacks in my craft room from doing an ATC card and I thought, hmm..why not.  So I took a few and cut them and folded them.  That is when thing got exciting.  How fun to paint/journal one side at a time and them when finished sew them into a journal!  This is awesome on so many levels.  First, you have freedom to move your page around.  Secondly, once you cover with gesso, your page feels just like the inside of a store bought journal.  And last but not least, huge cost savings!!!!

Down the road, maybe soon, I will be giving a class in art journaling.  What an inexpensive way for my students to get their feet wet without a huge investment. 

Here is my first page.  It was inspired by a layout in the book, Art Journal Freedom by Dina Wakley.  I just love her!   I am inspired by so many artists out there and she is definitely at the top of the list. 

I painted over the sack with Gesso and then set aside to dry.  I then cut out four 31/2" squares out of an old manilla file folder.  I painted, stenciled and stamped them similarly but not exact.  The using one of my Pitt Pens I journaled a few thoughts and then added a cutout to the bottom square. 

For the background I did a wash of light blue paint.  Then I added some of the green color that I had in my squares as well as some stamped images.  This was to bring it all together.    I then outlined the squares and some of the background with my Stabilo pencil.  I blended it in with a tad of water and then sprayed with fixative so it wouldn't run anymore. 

I am kind of happy with the results.