Some time away

Hi guys, just a quick post to let you know that if you've noticed my absense a little over the past few days, on yt, fb or replying to your comments I'm not ignoring you, I just need a little time away from the computer. Genetically the women in my family are strong, but suffer badly healthwise with what us women have to go through, this month I've not only suffered excruciating pains and migraines but also sickness, which I've not dealt with since a teenager and it has knocked me for six. I can stand being on the comp, but only for a v.small time, so I'm just going to give in and have downtown away from anything that makes me feel worse. I could be away a couple days or a week or two, I dunno just wanted to give you a heads-up and tell you I'm not ignoring you and I've not disappeared, I just need to get better. And just to make this about art, here's the only art journal page I've done in quite a while:

 - without feeling any more sorry for myself ( :/ ) the title sums it all up really...

See you soon & be sure to have some fun arty time for me, much love

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Felicia Borges

Hi guys, hope everyone's had a lovely Easter, filled with lots of treats and good times? (she says as she sits munching an choccie egg despite it being 11pm! *munch* *munch* *munch*). I've a treat for you too; TWO interviews. Not only is the lovely Felicia Borges, aka 'The Journal Junkie' this week's featured TAT artist, but she's also interviewed me on her blog today too. So once you're done reading her interview head over to her blog if you wanna know a secret I never shared anywhere else on the internet before 'ooooooooooooooooooh!' =D 

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are. 

I live with my husband, teenage son, and three golden retrievers in Sacramento, California. I’ve always dabbled in creative hobbies, but nothing had ever stuck long-term. Then a little over 2.5 years ago I read a book called “How to Live on 24 Hours a Day” and it changed me. I began to focus on making various aspects of “art” a part of my daily life. I read books, I watched documentaries, took classes, and I started watching YouTube videos on different art techniques. It was there that I stumbled across this thing called “art journaling.” The rest, they say, is history.  I believe with every fiber of my being that there are no rules and there is there is no box, except the 25 square foot art studio where I create my mixed media art. I am inspired by abstract, modern, pop, and street art and love patterns and colors found in traditional cultural symbols and art from around the world, graffiti, stained glass windows, and more. Some of my current favorites are Day of the Dead art, Chinese cut paper designs, African tribal masks, and motifs from India. 

I use bold colors, patterns and textures and work primarily in acrylics and gel mediums, inks, paint pens, markers, pencils, and both pan and water-soluble pastels to paint, print, and/or collage on a variety of papers, recycled/altered books, handmade journals, and on canvas. Tools are often found, recycled, or handmade and can range from a drinking straw or bubble wrap to original stamps and stencils. Finished pieces can contain 100 layers or more. 

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it? 

I have made a lot of “ugly” art/journal pages. I’ve been stuck. I’ve been frustrated. I’ve left art/art journal pages (and even entire journals) unfinished in total disgust. I’ve thrown my hands up numerous times. 

But one of the things I’ve enjoyed, and get inspiration from, is being an inspiration to other artists/art journalists, especially those that are just starting out. I think there is a level of fear that we all share (that we don’t/won’t measure up). We decide on some level that we aren’t as good (as a beginner) as someone else (with 5 years of experience). I think part of that comes from our showing people the stuff we’re proud of and keeping our struggles and less than stuff in the shadows. 

I love getting on my soap box and preaching that “There are no rules!” in art/art journaling…except those rules and self-limiting beliefs that we create for ourselves. In fact, I’ve began preparing some content for YouTube videos around this concept…sharing the ugly, examples of what not to do, lessons learned, etc. There are plenty of tutorials of gorgeous art and journal spreads. I want to focus on videos that show that it’s okay to be human, not everything we do turns out the way we want it to, and ya know what, it’s okay…just try again tomorrow. 

Have you ever found anything that originally daunted you as an artist that you can now overcome easily? 

Making the art itself has never been daunting to me. Art, like life, is a grand experiment. But trying to figure out the business side of the arts? THAT is the part that gives me pause. Even though I am a “leap and the net will appear” kind of girl, I still have those moments where everything seems impossible--until I can see that it is possible—then it becomes inevitable. For the last couple of years, especially as I have become more confident with myself and more comfortable with my art, I have had interesting opportunities fall into my lap. At first I would dismiss them as someone just being nice and saying something kind to me. But more recently I have had a mental shift. What if they aren’t just being nice? What if they really are offering me an amazing opportunity? A huge lesson I’ve learned recently is that once I am ready/open to accept an opportunity, it will became a possibility, and eventually a reality. 

Recently I prepared 35 pieces of work (12 of them with custom framing) for my FIRST EVER art hanging at a local hair salon. It was scary and I’m sure I’ve made a lot of mistakes with it, but I did it! I’ve already learned from the experience and now I’m ready to say “Yes!” to other opportunities. And I’m eager to seek out opportunities on my own. I would have never thought that was possible a couple of years ago. 

Tell us where we can find out more about you and your art? 

You can find me at any of the following: 

Website: http://www.feliciaborges.com/ 

The Journal Junkie Blog: http://feliciathejournaljunkie.blogspot.com/

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/feliciaborges

Sketchbook Projects: http://www.arthousecoop.com/users/feliciaborges

Thank you so much Felicia, I love the story about putting all those pieces of artwork in the hair salon, because it reminds me of one of my new mantras (for the lack of a better word) for this year - to do what scares you most! We're always told to do that right? 

What I don't think gets shared enough though is that doing what scares us most is the best (& maybe the only) way to become less afraid. We somehow think that people we see putting themselves out there aren't afraid at all, just because they are doing it - but you ask them and that is usually completely wrong. They're afraid, but they do it anyway...

Here is the first installment of my interview with Felicia (she split the interview into two sections, the second part to be posted later on in week I believe), stop by and say hi =)

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Much love

Jennibellie

DIY Recycled Tortillions

Hi guys, just thought I'd do a quick DIY tut in case you have any of those novelty easter lollies, from which you can make some art supplies, more specifically tortillions (or occasionally known as those 'paper-smudgy-thingie-ma-doo-das'!).

I just have regular lolly-pops, which work fine too, but novelty ones are better as they usually are much bigger & therefore provide nice juicy fat sticks! 

So process is easy-peasy, once the kiddies (or you!) have eaten the lolly, cut the paper stick down to ensure they're clean & free of any yuckiness.

Then use a decent sharpener to create points...

and there you have it, a paper-smudgy-thingie-ma-doo-da ready for smudging your lovely charcoal or graphite creations.

...and remember they can be reused right down the stick, just by cutting and resharpening the point. 

I know paper stumps/tortillions aren't exactly expensive to buy, but they can't be handmade - as to be functional they need to be too tightly rolled for human hands to recreate (I know I've tried it!), so they need to be this kind of machine-rolled paper. Therefore if you have kids in your life (or you're one yourself!) why not get an eco-friendly & free art supply when lollies come your way?

Hope you have an awesome Easter, much love

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Anna Dakin

Hi guys, I'm like ten minutes away (as I type at this moment in time) from this being a Tell All Wednesday so I'm gonna hand right over to a very lovely artist called Anna Dakin, I hope you enjoy meeting her & find her reflections in the interview helpful for you too.

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.

My name is Anna and I live with my childhood sweetheart (my hubby) and our two bunnies and two guinea pigs with lots of character. My “day” job or trained profession as it were is as a photographer and graphic designer. My heart lies with anything creative really and as a small child I played more with “junk” and art supplies than I did with dolls and bears and the like. My Mum always said I was happiest with an empty loo roll tube and some paint and glue and that is so true even to this day. Whatever I can get my hands on I tend to use and like Jennibellie, I am also quite thrifty. I don't tend to buy lots of paper crafting stuff, I tend to do more of it myself as it gives me more of a sense of achievement to do that (not that I am dissing people who do, just for me it doesn't give me the same sense or feeling). For a while I ignored the arty feelings I had and I did what was to me a boring HR job which I hated and it made me so ill and stressed and the creative side just kept on calling and calling. One day I gave into it and I have never been happier. I call my self a mixed media artist as I use anything and everything to create, usually canvases and if I am not doing that, then I am working in my art journal.

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I face is not thinking that I am good enough or indeed an artist. Am I worthy of the label artist or am I just someone who paints and draws? An artist is a label that says you are good at what you do and sells loads of art. At least that is what my inner critic is always telling me! I draw something and then look at it and think “meh” but then my husband says I should stop beating myself up about it and that I am good. I don't think I ever really look at my work and think it is amazing. I look at it and think that is OK for now but I always want to strive to do better and I am always practicing Always trying to push myself. To start with I just created for me and enjoyed that process. Friends and family told me that I should sell some of my work but I didn't believe them as I thought that they were just being nice. Then one day a stranger told me they liked my work and also I recently did a mail art swap with an artist who wrote me a really inspiring letter. I gave in then and thought what have I got to loose so I opened an etsy shop. I still create for me I just happen to then sell it on. I think if you try and create art that you think other people might like then you can't do it as well as your personality and your soul and your energy does not go into the piece. What ever happens I try and stay true to me. I often look at my work and think it is not finished but I have to call it a day somewhere as I could go on and on and I have made that mistake before and then ended up ruining it. Sometimes less is more as they say and that is so true. Knowing when to stop is hard.

What is your greatest personal achievement either in your art, or because of it?
This may not seem that philosophical but my greatest achievement is selling my work because it means that other's believe in me!

What is the best thing / worst thing that art has brought into your life?

Art has definitely bought a sense of calm into my world and also an escapism. Whatever kind of day I am having, art saves me and makes me sane again. I can't think of a bad thing except for wanting to buy more supplies!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?

www.mrsbrimbles.co.uk

Blog: http://mrsbrimbles.blogspot.co.uk/

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MrsBrimbles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MrsBrimble

Thank you so much for taking the time to share Anna, and firstly I have to say I agree with your hubby about stopping beating yourself up, its definitely something that is unnecessary for any of us to do. It is a defensive mechanism that is in our genetic make-up to keep us safe from harm, to stay in our comfort zone but as my recent favourite quote has it 'Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!'...and I believe true art begins there too!

You up for a TATing???

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Much love

Jennibellie

ps I'm running a little behind with TAT responses (or all TAT stuff really, can't you tell? lol), but keep the emails coming regardless, if you'd sent me your interview then you'll be featured! Hoping to find time to catch up more this week, much love xoxo

About Sketchy Girls

I wanna share a new painting with you...

I just want to share...

just because...

so I am....

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE her!

I think her name is Elinor, because something wise & tentative about her reminds me of the Sense and Sensibility character.

She's one of my favourite painting for a while ~ I don't know exactly why, she's just a sketchy girl, but I do adore creating them lately, as I mentioned when I did one in the Organic Art Journal Page Tutorial Video

Sketchy Girl in the Organic Art Journal Page

and I like Elinor so much that as I've not wanted to do anything with her yet, though I made her to use on a journal page, or canvas etc. Do you get that sometimes with your favourite items? Usually I'm not a hoarder of my fav things (I think it's my eco-friendly creative inside me screaming 'everything is for USE! Not just to be stroked' lol), but with Elinor I guess I should wait until I find the *correct* project, if it's forced I can tell I'll be disappointed with the results. So for the mo she is on my inspiration board, and she makes me happy every-time I look at her:

with her sister Marianne!

Here's another I just made today and turned into a journal for my Etsy Shop:

I'm having such fun creating these sketchy girls, especially over collage, so I'm guessing you'll probably be seeing more popping up too, 

Ciao for now, hope you've had a happy weekend

The White Pen Off

Hi guys, I've a new video out which I've done to help answer some of my most faqs: finding that incredibly elusive partner, that exceedingly brilliant match, that impossibly impeccable companion that is...the Perfect White Pen!

The Perfect White Pen is a shy creature, it needs cajoling and coaxing out of it's hide-holes to be put on our art journaling or mixed media work, but once it is the page/project is suddenly set to make everything on it come alive! Here is a comparison of the three white pen categories I use in my art journals, with info on my favourite pens:

White Paint Pens:
A good white paint pen is one of my favourite instruments to use in my art journals, my favourite by far is an acrylic paint marker and my ultimate current favourite is by the brand Montana, because the paint is fluid, opaque and has a good controllable felt tip. They come in three tip sizes, .7mm, 2mm and 15mm.

White Gel Pen:

A fine line white gel pen is again, a staple of my art kit. My favourite is Uniball Signo, because it, unlike many other gel pens, doesn’t seem to have an issue with different surfaces, it is constantly fluid, and constantly opaque.

Correction Fluid Pens:

I wouldn’t say these pens are a staple for my art journals, but they sure are fun. They are cheap, easy to use, always fluid, can cover large areas or create precise dots…and while I say they are not a ‘must-have’ of my supplies, if I had a choice I wouldn’t chose to be without them now ;)

I know I often send a lot of people out to buy a lot of products when I post something new (I know because I get told 'I have to get some of those x', or 'I brought such n' such after watching this' all the time) but it's not intentional selling; it's just that it is impossible to create a piece of artwork without using (and therefore demonstrating) supplies! In this video and blogpost I know do promote actual brands, but again as an FYI I am not affiliated to any companies I mention, I'm sharing them objectively and accurately to my experience, with the hopes that you don't have to waste a ton of money trying to find out stuff that I already did find out for myself!

I hope I've answered a few qus if you have ever wondered or asked me about this, if you have your own favs of white pen lemme know in the comments below =D till next time =)

Much love 

xoxo

Make a Letter Journal

Do you have a penpal, or can think someone you'd enjoy penpaling with? Yes, I know, email is easier, and I too send tons of them every single day, but be honest that feels more like work, doesn't it? Urgent and necessary. Whereas there's nothing like a handwritten letter (and even better when it's a parcel and there's goodies being exchanged!) Well my best friend and I have been writing each other letters for years, since we were 14 to be exact. Sometimes we'd send each other 2 a day (one through the mail, and another we'd sneak into each others bags as a surprise!). Well that's all well and good but 15 years later it kinda leads to this:

Boxes of letters, none in order (and given that I've moved house MANY times during that period I still find long-forgotten letters in unlikely places). 

So I came up with a plan: Make A Letter Journal! 

It solves a whole lotta problems; like the messiness of thousands of envelopes, and the confusion of not having them in chronilogical order!

 It is a simple one signature book. You can make one using any of these tutorials:

The idea is simple: send the journal back and forth, each filling in the next page.

Here's some of our pages:

It means in the future not only is everything in chronological order already for us, but that we will each have our own letters (as well as the other persons) to read back on...and this aspect I LOVE. It makes it much easier to know what on earth we were talking about and what was going on at that time in our lives. The person to fill out the last page in the journal just needs to remember to send a photocopy to the other is all. 

We even use the same jiffy bag to send it backwards and forwards, with whatever other goodies we also decide to send:

meaning all we really have to find room for after a ton of letter writing is one (non-confusing, chronically sound) journal, yippie!!

Go ooooooon, make a letter journal....I know you want to ;)

much love, Jennibellie xoxo

Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Sooz Weissberg

Hello everyone, hope y'all having a great week. I've had a tough week with some of those life decision thingamajigies going on, one of them being an area our artist is going to talk about today: finding time in your life for prioritizing art. If I think about it, this moment in time is the best for me in terms of be able to do what I want; no responsibilities of kids/partners/grandkiddies to take care of, but that still doesn't mean that sometimes it doesn't come down to art over life, or life over art. And when you can put in some art time, but have a million and one ideas you desperately want to do, which on earth do you actually pursue? This alone this week has left me wobbling around questioning, and not actually doing! Ugh for this reason I'm glad Sooz is our featured artist on TAT this week:

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
My name is Sooz Weissberg. I work with books, and fabric. I alter books with paint and collage and I also create books from recycled and painted paper and cardboard. I quilt, too. I make greeting cards from collage and/or fabric bits. 

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I face as an artist is setting aside time from my husband, five household pets, maintaining a household, and making time to exercise and stay healthy. I work mornings from home, and afternoons are not only for housework and meal managing, but also exercise. I can only do art or sew on select evenings during the week, parts of the weekend, and holidays! Being a small business juggling a home means that you work pretty much every day, because you juggled your work to fit into the rest of your life. The only days I’m really, truly, off all day, are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. But I share what I’m doing on Facebook to hopefully encourage other busy women to try a little art, here and there!

What do you love most / least enjoyable about your art?
When I work with book-making, what I love most is getting lost in the moment, pulling pieces and themes from my stash and contemplating what can be added to a page. I love the complex and satisfying textural quality of various kinds of paper, especially when they’ve been painted, or torn. In my quilting, the thing I love most is designing the layout of the colors. I don’t design blocks, but I select my own colors and layout, instead of following someone else’ pattern. Since there is no way to charge enough to compensate for what it costs to make a quilt, I don’t sell them; I continue to make a quilt for each person in my family. I didn’t have children, but I have nieces and nephews. Sometimes, a certain type of design seems to call to me and I work with the colors and fabrics in my stash before I know who the quilt is intended for, but as the work goes along, I begin to see that it suits a particular relative, and then I tend to move into faster gear, because I get excited about giving this gift!

Do you ever lose your mojo, and if so, how do you get it back?
If I ever lose my mojo I use that time to either organize, or to make “original supplies”. I will put away all the bits and pieces from completed projects and tidy up my workspace; fill new or more interesting organizational containers; post inspiration pages up on the walls of my studio; organize my fabric stash and consider donating or trading stash that might have gone un-used for too long. These types of “replenishing” activities never fail to make me feel invigorated to work again!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art?
I am not a professional artist but you can find me on my Google Plus and my YouTube channel https://plus.google.com/108058048926782593631/about . 

Thank you so much Sooz =) one thing that struck me in your interview (but not because you didn't have a ton of good points, but because I am reeeeeeeally bad at this particular one!) is making time for exercise, to me if I do have time, I'm arting because I put a priority on my mental, but not my physical health. It's really bad, and typing this I'm realising that it's one of those things in the closet I try to ignore, but if I did occasionally choose half hour exercise and half hour art, then I might have more time and energy for art. So okay, pledge on here (eek! that makes it seem so 'must do'-able) I will, from now on, choose to look after myself in ALL aspects of myself, which means both creativity and health! If Sooz can do it with all she has going on, so can I! (So there excuses, don't let the door hit you on the way out!).

You up for a TATing???

Email me or click the link to find all the details here =)

Much love

Jennibellie