Thursday, August 14, 2014

Back To Reality...

 After a really fabulous 11 days at the beach and being unplugged it actually feels good to be connecting and arting again. I'm still editing photos but you can see a few in my last post. I had every intention of getting through more of my drawing lessons from the Draw Your Awesome Life class but with good friends and perfect weather I just couldn't bring myself to do any of it. However, I'm ready now!




 I combined several challenges to create this page including Art Journal Journey-for this month's challenge of Frida kahlo; Mix It Monthly-for this month's theme of Crazy Dresses; and the Simon Monday Challenge for the theme this week "Scratched Up-embrace imperfection and get grungy". I'm also linking to Art Journal Every Day and Paint Party Friday.

 I was fortunate to get to a special exhibit showcasing Frida's art at the Philadelphia Museum of Art back in 2008. This exhibition was brought in to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the birth of this Mexican artist (1907-1954). The art was incredible to be able to see up close and there were over 100 photos of Frida and her circle from her personal collection. Truly a memorable experience.

 For the background I layered on a thick coat of gesso with a palette knife then made marks into it. Once dry the DTP technique was used using Distress ink pads (Ranger) in assorted colors. Frida and butterfly images are from ARTchix Studio. I made the dress from a gelli print paper and stamped the pens (Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection-Artful Artifacts over it. Edges of image were sponged with black ink before gluing to the pg. Flowers, fabric bit and gold glitter glue(Ranger) were added to embellish. Rubber stamp (Hero Arts International Skyline) was stamped along the bottom. Quote(Stamp Camp) was stamped on white card stock and cut apart. Once glued in place I smudged charcoal pencil around the words and image for depth.

 While at the beach I did mange to watch the video for the August calendar as prompted by JoAnne Sharpe's DYAY class and get most of it finished before I got home:



 The small wings and title are all glittery but I just couldn't capture it. It's a shame because this spread looks so much better in person. The prompt was to use butterflies, fireflies and dragonflies- or any other flying things like bees- for our dates to write in. Linking this to Kate Crane's Calendar Project.

 One last challenge piece is this card:


                       I'm linking this to the Simon Wednesday challenge for the theme of "summer".

 It will be so fun catching up with you and seeing what you all have been up to lately. Please do visit these challenge blogs (some offer great prizes!), be inspired, and join in-you are welcome anytime!

                "Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough."   Emily Dickenson


35 comments:

  1. Hi Linda

    Your beach holiday sounds lovely (I've never had lobster - I don't think I'd know where to start cooking or eating it!!!!) I loved the little starfish in your last post too. I've been playing 'catch up'.

    Great calendar pages - I love the bugs and the colours are so summery :)

    Karen x

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  2. Welcome back, Linda! I just read your last blog post and am catching up with you here to say that I missed seeing your beautiful art while you were away. However, these two posts have made up for it - such fabulous projects you have done. And, BTW, congrats on your win at MFT!!! Yippee for you.

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  3. Your flying Frida is fabolous and the calendar pages are really funny. Love the bees.

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  4. Love your Frida page, so glad ou joined the challenge at AJJ! Valerie

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  5. Your Frida page is just AWESOME Linda ! So happy to have you are with us this month!
    The calender spread is gorgeous as well and a clever way to do such a month!
    I am glad that your holidays were such a success! Great!

    Have a wonderfrul weekend dear Linda and thank you so much for joining
    Art Journal Journey with such a great Frida piece!
    I am happy to see your Art again on your blog after the holidays!

    xxx
    Susi

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  6. Lovely work on your art journal page. Gesso I am finding is a must for an art journaler. Thanks for telling us how you achieved your page.

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  7. I love your Frida image and her wings...and words. I have had some time away too.... I know what you mean about coming back from all that relaxation... I hope it stays...mine is still there..in part:)

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  8. Your Frida is fabulous Linda!
    She has great movement and that great dress too.
    You know we also got to see the Philly exhibit and I even have the brochure AND found it earlier this month....funny to think we might have been there at the same time :-)
    Your August pages are looking super already.
    Happy Friday...
    oxo

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  9. great page and wonderful background! And that calendar spread is again one of my favorites. So happy and light :-)

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  10. Glad you had a wonderful holiday Linda. You've been busy since you got back by the looks of this post! I wondered why there were so many frida paintings in blogland this week! I love your version of her.

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  11. I especially like your Frida journal page today, Linda. The wings and the quote go so well together. And your calendar is great. Glad you had a nice vacation. Thanks for the hints about gelli plate printing. The bucket is a great thought. I had all the acrylic muddy water in my sink when I realized I didn't want to send that down the drain. I had to hand dip it all out.

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  12. I am so glad you had a wonderful time and able to attend the art museum. You have accomplished a lot of art since you have returned so you must be energized from the trip. I love your Frida art. Well done.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  13. Hello Linda, yes holidays are great but it is also fun to come back and see what is going on in Blogland when one has been away (usually lots!) and to make art again.
    What a terrific range of art here, love your flying Frida and I was fascinated to read the details of how you made it. Your August calender layout is terrific, it's a lovely design and I really like the way you have coloured the background.

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  14. wonderful pages and card, enjoying what's left of wonderful August myself!

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  15. Yes, I love the idea of ​​Frida Angel as a butterfly! Wonderful!

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  16. Sounds like you has a nice break. And your Frida and journal pages are fab!

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  17. I love that quote by Frida. She always made fun of her eyebrows and this specific quote applies to her eyebrow. At one time she shaved her eyebrows to try and rid herself of the unibrow look and instead her brows grew back thicker than they were. tee hee. Love your collages and journal pages.

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  18. The sunshine has invaded your art in a beautiful way. Specially love your Kahlo piece as I too adore her art.

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  19. Lucky you to have so much time at the beach. Think it gave you a fantastic recharge. Love your Frieda!

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  20. such lovely work! thank you for sharing it with us at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! - Ashli :)

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  21. I absolutely love your tribute to Frida, because it truly captured the feeling of her work with those bold colors. Your calendar pages are always fun to see and will be a great log to look over in upcoming years. I'm glad you got to enjoy the beach with your loved ones. Have blessed weekend, my friend!

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  22. LOVE ! LOVE! LOVE! your Frida!!!! I need a beach vacation now..... yours looks so dreamy and fun!!!

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  23. lovely work! I love the calendar! so lovely!

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  24. I love your Frida piece, so very different! Great to visit here again and see all your lovely creations!

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  25. Summer relaxing is much needed! Love your pieces. Love the backround texture and colours on your journal page. Loved your August too - real summer colours!

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  26. Glad you had a nice unplugged holiday! LOVE your Frida!! Great color and texture!

    Hugs Giggles

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  27. All beautiful creations! Especially enjoy the August calendar spread. Looks lovely!

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  28. Another sweet Frida with a gorgous dress...and ahhhh now she has wings....too sweet! Thank you for another dress in the fashion show at Mix It Monthly ♥ Conny

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  29. Welcome back Linda, I am glad you had a nice and relaxing time. It is so good to see how beautifully creative you are!

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  30. Ah, butterflies...something about butterflies--whimsical, childlike, beautiful, ethereal, lovely.

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  31. Wonderful and whimsical! Love the quote, too! Happy PPF!

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  32. Nice to have a break to rejuvenate art! Lovely page and nice background too.
    100 Fridas!!! It must be a GREAT one!
    Deepa
    http://www.deepazworld.blogspot.in/

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  33. Wonderful projects! love your summer card with all those fun summer words. Thank you so much for playing along in our Summer Challenge over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog this week :)

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!