WOW...Just Wow!

I have been totally blown away by all of the wonderful, warm comments you guys have left me on my last entry here. Even after I wrote it, those pangs of not being good enough and not having anything to say or share. I’m working hard to quiet that horrible, mean internal voice but it’s a struggle. and may always be one. 

But I will keep trying.

So, here I am again...

I think I’ve talked about lettering enough for now. I thought I’d share some of my favorite mark making tools. You know, pens, markers, crayons, shaders, etc. I’ve tried about every marker and pen on the market so my list of favorites come from a slew of purchases and trial & error.

Markers-these are such an important part of my art journaling. I use them for lettering, doodling, outlining. and generally embellishing my journal pages. My favorites are:

1. Sharpie extra fine pen/markers. 2, 3, 4 are all Sharpie waterbased paint pens with different tip sizes and colors. 5 & 6 are both Elmer’s Painters, they’ve just changed the look. 7 is an opaque marker pen made and sold by Michael's. What I love about each of these is how well they write or mark on every substrate and they’re not easily disturbed by water, glue or gel medium.

Pens-Oh my, what a love affair I have with pens! I’m always open to trying out new pens. The one thing that a pen MUST do is write on any surface and not skip. That is a deal breaker. So, here’s my favorites:

1 & 2 are both Pentel Sunburst gel pens. 3 & 4 are my old standby Correction Pens...they will write on things when NOTHING else will. 5 is a Uniball Signo UM-153 and they come in all the basic colors. 6, 7 & 9 (yeah, I forgot #8. I had a little ditzy moment. LOL) Anyway, 6,7 & 9 are all gel pens by Sukura of Japan; Soufflé, Gelly Roll, and Tiaras These pens are the love of my pen adoring soul. If you don’t have any of these, get some. Oh my, will you love them!

Other Stuff- When it comes to adding color, we all think of the standards: acrylic paints, watercolors, inks, craft paints, etc. As for me, I love all those...but I also love:

Caran d’Ache water soluble crayons, Portfolio oil pastels, and Pan Pastels. These are such wonderful products and it is amazing, the color they impart. There are many other ways to add color, these are just my favorites and what I’m focusing on right now.

Do you have favorite pens or markers or other mark making “stuff” that I don't have listed here? If so, share it with us...I’m always up for learning about a new (to me) mark making tool.

I have favorites of everything, tools, techniques, paints, color combinations, ephemera, brushes, BOOKS, omg at the number of art journaling books I own. I guess what I’m getting at is that if you have questions, things you just can’t figure out, ask me. If I don’t know the answer, I will find the answers for you.

Hope your week is going great. Mine is getting better, thankfully. :)

Peace & Love,
Barb

Back in the Saddle

Have you ever just felt like giving up in everything? Felt like nothing you do is good enough...that, in fact, you have failed at every single thing you’ve ever attempted?

I have.

That’s why I threw my hands up a few months ago and pretty much gave up on everything in my life. Especially my art. I have loved my art journals and art journaling in general so deeply for so long and even it hasn’t been able to raise me from the depths of my pool of self pity, from my fear, from the search for my muse.

I’ve had nothing. There was nothing inside of me so certainly I’ve had nothing to give.

Today, this very day, I felt this little stir inside me. Something was pushing me to break out my art journal (the one covered in dust that I was afraid would never be opened again) and I just tried to let whatever was in me to just flow. I watched episode after episode of Saving Grace on Netflix to keep me from thinking too much. And it happened.

After months, it finally happened.

This happened...

It’s by no means the best work I’ve ever done but after such a painful drought, my gawd this felt so good.

So, why am I back here? Because I know I’ve let each of you down. I feel like such a piece of dog poo about it, too. I have just had absolutely nothing, nothing whatsoever to give.

I’m sorry.

And I want to let you know, I will be opening up and sharing things on a much deeper level. I believe this may help me to not shut down the way I have done in the past. I know that I have got to be gentle with myself...and each of you need to remember to be gentle with yourselves, too.

WHEW....

Now, let’s get back to where we were before I so abruptly exited, stage left...

Lettering. I love lettering and exploring different forms of lettering. I came across this on Pinterest today and fell in love with it. I also knew I needed to share it with y’all, too.
First, I don’t have any idea who’s work this is (you know how Pinterest can be), but I would love to give credit to the right person, so if you know, please tell me.

Now, look at the wonderful lettering here. There are so many great examples to take inspiration from...3-D letters, script, printing, big letters, small ones...just a feast for the eyes.

I will be trying a few of these out tonight. Hope you will, too.

Until next time...

Peace & Love,
Barb