Almost Spring #10 - 12 Works In Progress

 Almost Spring #10

 

 Almost Spring #11

Almost Spring #12

Almost Spring # 7 - 9 In Progress

 Almost Spring #7

 Almost Spring #8

Almost Spring #9

Almost Spring #4 - 6 In Progress

 Almost Spring #4

 Almost Spring #5

Almost Spring #6

Almost Spring Series #1 - 3 Works In Progress

 I've added some printed circles in Raw Umber and some screen printed branches to a few of these.  I have decided to call this series "Almost Spring" and I have numbered them 1 - 12.  I do not think these are finished yet, but they are getting closer.  I often discover the next step by photographing the work and looking at it on my laptop screen. 

 Almost Spring #1

 Almost Spring #2

Almost Spring #3

Up Close and Personal - Works In Progress

More White Over Spring Colors

White Paint and Print

Here is the series, now, drying on the floor after I have added white paint brushed on and lifted and block printing with white, as well (reverse letter printing block).

Lift Papers

I wanted to show the papers I use to lift the paint from the collage (after it has been applied with a brush).  The paint transfers to the paper and leaves a nice semi-transparent surface on the collage.  I like using these papers for further work.  I will use them to lift many different colors, perhaps, and then maybe I will print over the top.  Or maybe I will tear them up and use them in a collage.  Or maybe they will become pages in my visual journal.  Lots of options and I really love working with them.

The Spring Colors Series In Progress

 I snapped a few pictures of the group of 12  collages as they lay on the floor to dry.  I wanted to demonstrate how they are all similar, but each is different.  They work as a series and now I hope to make them work as individual works. 

Up to now, my decisions have been more general - in terms of colors and choice of implement, etc.  It will get more specific from here on.

A Closer Look

Here is a closer look at one of the pieces in the series.  Just a little assessment before going forward.....You can easily see what I have done with all of the layers I have shown so far.  The mark making is now barely visible.  The music and text parts are covered by paint and print.  The magazine paper is now an element in the background...The block printing speaks, but not too loudly.  I continue to be happy with the way things are going on this series.

Blue on the Mixed Media Collage Series

I got a little off my color idea with the red, but now I am back on track with blue.  This time, I used a studio acrylic - a thicker paint.  So it is a bit more opaque.  The blue introduces the color of the sky to my color palette.  I am using the colors of early spring in Montana.  Browns, Ochre, and blue.  The red is just a fantasy.....but I do crave color!  (and the red is a compliment to the blue).  No changing it now - on to the next thing!

Next Color - Red!

Back to the collage series work in progress.....I decided to warm things up a bit with some red.  I used a fluid acrylic, brushed on and then I lifted some of the paint with a hand carved stamp (row of circles).  I printed onto another area of the paper with the color that had been lifted.  So far I am happy with my color choices and process.  (I seem to always be happy when I am using a printing process!)

Adding Ochre Paint

For this next step, I have added the colors of the dry grass that is all around outside, right now.  I have a mix of Indian yellow, Ochre, and white.  The paint is brushed on and then lifted with a printing block and/or another sheet of paper (which I will use to make collage papers).  I want the paint to add color, but also reveal whatever is underneath.

Adding Color Strips

Here is the series all laid out on the floor of the wet studio, where they will stay until they are dry and I come back to add the next layer.  I decided to try for a neutral color scheme.  I was thinking about the colors outside this time of year.....Lots of brown everywhere, but a little color starting to show here and there.  So - brown strips of hand painted/printed papers and magazine pages are now collaged in place.  I have a dozen in this series.  I will do something similar to each one of the series. 

Hand Made Collage Paper Organization

 I have been making papers to use in collage.  I especially like using old copy paper that has been printed on - old emails or documents that are no longer needed.  Junk mail, magazines.  These all go into one pile in the wet studio and these are the base for further painting and printing and mark making.  Once I have a batch of them - they go into file folders according to color or type and these are filed in a filing cabinet drawer.

When it comes time for some "one of a kind" papers - I have lots to pick from.  I find I like working with my own papers far better than using magazine pages.

Adding Black and White Collage Parts to Series

Here are two of the pages now that I have added some collaged papers from my stash.  I now keep everything and am also mining old piano books, letters, magazines for interesting bits.  I am attaching with gel medium.  I really like the Blick gel medium, but I have run out and am now using the Utrecht Artists' Acrylic Medium - Matt.  I bought both together to do a comparison - the Utrecht being the recommended brand.  But I am not a fan of the Utrecht.  It reeks of ammonia.  It has a great flowing texture that is very nice indeed - that is why it was recommended.  However, I can't deal with the odor, so next time I will just order a half gallon of Blick Gel Medium - affordable, and no odor.  The Blick product is a bit thicker, but I think that is a good thing for my process. 

Visual Journal Bird Pages - Scanned

 This page is essentially the cover. (above)

The writing I did in the journal is all connected (no spaces).  I am not necessarily writing anything that would be interesting or inspiring to anyone - so no need to make it legible.  I am just sort of filling in some background with another layer that makes it personal (with my own unique handwriting).....doing this cursive writing is my least favorite part of the whole visual journaling thing I am exploring right now (partly because it hurts my hand!)  I may try creating a journal with no personal writing,  but as I work on the pages - I find the pages without handwriting are less interesting to look at.

Scanned Visual Journal Pages - Mixed Media

 There are many layers to these pages.  I probably should have taken more pictures as I developed the journal, but honestly, I was not sure it would turn out well in the end or be worth sharing. 

Additionally, this is supposed to be just a personal thing I am doing for my own artistic development.  It seems sort of invasive (and stifling to the creative process) to be taking process pictures and thinking about sharing it with the world.

 We saw SO MUCH of this vibrant and beautiful Fireweed on our travels through Canada and Alaska.  It was literally along every roadside of the trip.  As we drove along, I really thought a lot about what imagery from the trip would make it's way into my work and I knew I wanted to work with Fireweed.  I spent a cloudy afternoon in Chicken, Alaska (our last stop in Alaska) taking pictures of the Fireweed up on a hillside so I would be able to come home and make Thermofax screens of Fireweed.

 The Swallowtail Buterfly image below is a Thermofax screen converted from a photo I took of a butterfly on my iris!

I am quite satisfied with the way this journal turned out.  I feel it has a lushness and depth that is visually gratifying.  It inspires me to do more.....

Visual Journal - Birds - The Opposite Side

Journal Spreads - Inside the Bird Journal

 These are the interior pages of this first visual journal.  This set of pages - I feel is a bit too dark.  However - I suppose another way to look at it - it is visually rich....?  At any rate, I am pleased with this first visual journaling attempt for 2015.  It inspires me to do more.