Working With Previous Sketches and Paintings

One of the things I deal with from time to time is asking myself why I bother doing what I do.  I don't sell, show (well outside of sharing on the internet), or compete, but instead, do this for myself with the main reason being therapeutic in nature.  Sometimes, that reason is just not enough to keep me inspired or motivated.

There ARE times I will take something I've done and have it printed off to hang but I'm not real big on hanging pictures on the wall.  Or, I might upload to Shutterfly for coffee cups, key chains, or standing tiles for family gifts.  Other than that, my artwork resides inside journals sitting on a shelf.....seldom ever taken down to look at.

A dear friend shared what she does with some of her work.........creating gift and note cards.  She also makes photo charms (mini paintings in bezel trays and lacquered over) using hooks along with embellishments like beads, buttons, etc.  She finds ways to enjoy and share her work or display outside her journals.

Because I've been in such a funk with sketching or painting, I have struggled setting goals for 2020.  So in the meantime, I thought I could try and do something with what I've already created.  Maybe that might help inspire me into what I might want to do this year.

Inspired by my friend, I have decided to create note cards and magnets using previous illustrations I have sketched/painted in my journals (or Ipad).  Next I want to try my hand at taking printed miniatures and covering in resin (in or out of bezel trays).  Maybe then I can get past this "why bother" mode I'm stuck in and move forward :-)

This is just a very small sampling of the note cards I have created so far.  They are the size of RSVP or invitation cards.  I can use these for personal use and/or give as gifts.  The paper I am using is Hammermill Color Copy Cover 80lb weight paper.  I can fit two note cards per sheet of paper.  Envelopes and sleeves I found through ClearBags.com.

The magnets are being used to decorate file cabinets and personal size refrigerator/freezers we have.  They are ATC size (2.5 x 3.5") placed in magnetic photo sleeves.  Paper I'm using (for now) is Arches Infinity Museum Quality Digital Art & Photo Inkjet paper.  Unfortunately, it's no longer available, which is a major disappointment as I loved the texture of the paper and what I have always used for art prints.  My understanding is that Canson now sells similar paper but it's just not the same according to forums I've read where other people are in search for an alternative to their beloved Arches Infinity.  Thank goodness I have a couple/few boxes of this paper left.  As for the magnetic photo sleeves...........I used to get packages from Walmart but found others on Amazon I think are a little better quality.

Gift Idea - Journal Exchange

This weekend I finished a project started back in April/May of last year.  A very special friend overseas and I agreed to complete a journal to exchange with one another........as unique gifts between art friends.

I never thought I could let any of my journals go but in this case made an exception.  I'm excited about gifting this journal but could I do it again for anyone else?  Probably not.

This journal will be a one of a kind art journal........very different from what I normally do.  There's more writing in it with several pages that are nothing but writing.  It is a combination Art Journal, Diary, and Personal Letter to the recipient. 

So if you ever wonder what you might gift to that special art friend, consider doing something like this.  :-)

Journaling For Someone Special Project

If you've never thought to do this, you might find the idea to be most exciting.....work a journal about your life and send to someone special as a keepsake.

Now, I'm not one to want to let my journals go to anyone....at least not at this point (will go to my sons one day).  I'm very possessive as I figure a lot of people are.  My journals are precious to me so I had to really think about this before committing to the idea.

I finally did and have a very special person in mind.  My journal pages will be very similar to what I do now but will include more personal information I might share with family or closest of friends but not to the public (like feelings, etc.)

To make this even more exciting was getting the recipient to do the same for me.  And he agreed :-)

After we both agreed to do this, I needed to decide on a journal.  I wanted one with lots of pages so I could write more than I normally do with my sketches.  And I wanted one that would accept any media you can put on paper to include a light wash.  I've tried so many different brands and I ended up settling on Global Arts Handbook.

I like the buff colored pages and the paper takes watercolor very well with only a slight buckling.  I paint wet in wet and heavier than probably what the paper is intended for.  But, works out just fine based on books I've already used in the past.  It has 128 acid free pages.

I could have gone with a Stillman and Birn but due to the thickness of the paper, I wouldn't get the number of pages I was hoping for. 

The day it arrived I started right away with the first page skipping the first couple of pages to add a dedication later.  And I've already worked seven pages and have only had it a couple of days.  I'm finding a different feeling..........more enthusiasm knowing I'm doing this for someone versus just for myself.  Of course I plan to continue working my own journals as well.

Because this is a special journal, I will not be sharing online.  To me if I did so would take away from the special gift meant only for my friend we actually see as family.

As for letting it go..............I at least will have scans and can always print them off and put into a spiral journal :-)

Working on Granddaughters' Christmas Card Idea

Both of my granddaughters love my sketching and painting.  They are always flipping through my journals and asking if I would print off their favorites so they have them on hand.

As a personal Christmas card idea to the girls, I worked the following sketches and then a couple in watercolor.

Pencil sketches were sketched in the Generic Sketchbook with a Derwent Light Wash water soluble pencil......used dry and holding where the marks were made with the side of the lead.  Then used the point for the eyes and some light detailing.

Watercolor painting examples were done in the Stillman & Birn Beta journal. 

I haven't quite decided how I want to work their cards.  I may use the birds together as shown below or I might separate and give each girl a different bird.  I might even repaint on individual sheets.........just not sure yet.

Here's one idea using Photoshop Elements to arrange what I have already painted and add wording.  I could use this idea to create a money card :-))

Ideas for your Artwork

Years ago I used to paint the normal size other people paint for displaying on the wall.  After awhile, I found myself painting smaller and smaller.  Personally I like being different so I try to find unique or different ways of displaying and sharing my work other than the norm.

On average, I paint in the 5 x 7" range.  Sometimes 4 x 6" and sometimes 7 x 10 (mainly several cameos on this size)  It's easier to store this size and I maintain portfolios and/or journal books of all my work.

Here are some ideas other than wall hangings for sharing your artwork that I personally love:

Bookmarks make wonderful gifts.  

Books - These were created using Shutterfly Photo Service.  A Christmas gift idea for family.  Also a great way of putting together reference books for yourself.  I have several step by step tutorials and put the collection together in one of these books as a teaching reference for myself.

ATC size prints can be printed off and displayed as shown.  I watch for specials on Amazon for unique ways of displaying photos and notes that can be applied to miniature paintings.

I especially love this idea - Digital Photo Frame

This is one of my favorites but find it very difficult to find these photo wheels.  At one point I could get these and miniature photo wheels.  Made great gifts for my family!

Other Ideas not shown:

Note Cards - Always a wonderful way of sharing your work.

Magnetic Photo Pockets (I get mine at Walmart either in the 2.5 x 3.5 in size or the 5 x 7 in size)  - My filing cabinet in my office/studio is lined with prints of my paintings.  Great for displaying on refrigerators where family and friends can readily view when visiting.

Photo Brag Book - Instead of using a service like Shutterfly, one can print off their paintings and show off or present as a gift in the form of a brag book or scrap book with embellishments and whatnot.

Place Card Holders - There are many unique and beautiful place card holders one can use to display a single miniature painting.  These can be lined up on a shelf or mantle.

Slide show file (using Mac iphoto as just one means) of digital painting images with music and transitions that can be loaded onto iPhones and probably similar idea for other smart phones.  And for a simpler idea......just upload digital copies of your paintings to your phone for sharing when out and about.

I am sure there are many other ideas out there.  It's only limited to one's imagination in how to present and share with other people.

First Love - Cameos and Illustrations

One of the most relaxing, enjoyable, and great source of practice and reference as I continue in my venture is painting illustrations or what I call cameos. "Little jewels" There are times when I might not feel like painting full compositions so instead I paint illustrations.......normally following a theme I happen to be interested in at that time. Keeping journal books of these "little jewels" is as rewarding as completing a full painting that one can hang on a wall. Although I have also found that grouping together, matting, and framing cameos can be just as beautiful and fit in one's decor as can a full composition of a subject or scene.