Create an Abstract Art Journal - Creative Team with Kristin Van Valkenburgh

"What goes on in abstract art is the proclaiming of aesthetic principles ... It is in our own time that we have become aware of pure aesthetic considerations. Art never can be imitation. • - Hans Hofmann

It’s Creative Team Thursday!  I hope this finds you happy & well!

I've been on a bi t of an abstract kick lately: the idea of working with form and color, without the necessity of a focal image or specific message, has freed me in a way I haven't felt in quite a while ...



It began with a trip I recently took where (unlike my usual schlep of a hundred supplies), I limited myself to just a few pens and washi rolls, one fabulous stencil, a small bottle of gesso and a tin of watercolor paints. My only other companion was an old art journal that I dug out of the bowls of my studio for the purpose.

Although I didn't start out with the idea of "Abstract Art Journaling," as I allowed myself to just play with pools of color and shimmer, I found myself feeling really inspired. Thing is, like most of us, my head is constantly swimming with artsy projects, plans, and ideas. And when I sit to create, I dig into one of those projects, plans or ideas and go with that - instead of just having fun anymore. But that all changed when I rediscovered the joy of letting go and just being with my journal. Splashes of bright color, tiny pieces of tape, and little bits of stamps and stenciling became bigger and more important that they would have before. And the color white became the central focus, highlighted by small moments of happy around it.

Here's a quick video on YouTube so you can see how I created these art journal pages.

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A childhood obsession with Hollywood starlets led to an early life in the theater, where Kristin Van Valkenburgh spent many happy days on set and behind the scenes as both an actress and makeup artist for the stage. Kristin has a passion for all things mixed media and loves to create whimsical pieces with lots of layers, bright, poppy colors, big eyes and positive affirmations. Her work has been featured in numerous Stampington publications including Somerset Studio, SomersetStudio Gallery, Somerset Life, Somerset Apprentice, Artists’ Cafe and Art Journaling.  

You can find Kristin on her blog, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

THANK YOU KRISTIN!  To see all of the Creative Team posts, click here!

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How to Make Cards Using Stencils and Paint with Video and Giveaway

Here's another post with one of my new stencils from Stencil Girl Products! 

Today I'm excited to show you how I made some cards with my new "On the Farm" Stencil!  I designed this stencil to so that the elements could be mixed and matched.  I love moving the elements around to create cards.

I experimented with tracing some of the elements lightly onto watercolor paper, and then painting with acrylic inks (although watercolors would do fine too!).

I experimented with stenciling some of the imagery, and then doodling over with Posca markers and Gel pens.

As you can see, I moved the stencil around on my paper to get the arrangements I wanted.  Here's a video to show you the process:

You can also watch Making Cards with Stencils on YouTube.

Comment to win an "On the Farm" stencil.  On Tuesday, I'll go back and update this post with the winner, so remember to check back!    Also... I'm on the Stencil Girl Talk Blog tomorrow sharing a how to for creating your own coloring pages with stencils.  So make sure to check it out!

THE WINNER IS LINDA! CONGRATULATIONS.

If you haven't already - please connect with me here:

InLinkz.com

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

If you are entering a GIVEAWAY, please add your email address in the event I need to contact you.

To avoid SPAM, please write it like this: jessicasporndesigns (at) gmail (dot) com

Thank You!

Art is You Mixed Media Retreats 2015 Recap

Another Art is You Mixed Media Art retreat has come and gone.  As always, it was heartfelt and wonderful.   I taught a class called "Masked and Unmasked: Stencils and Silhouettes."  (Thanks to Suze Weinberg for taking this picture!)




My adventurous students explored mediation, and exercises in letting go and working with abstraction. Here are a few of the "underpaintings", in which we explored line and color.

We did lots of gelli printing with the Gelli Arts Printing Plate, resulting in spectacular papers. Several of the women had never used a gelli plate before.  Of course, it was addictive!

We hand cut our own silhouettes and stencils. Of course, stencils from Stencil Girl Products were in the mix too.

Everyone's final canvases were breathtaking.  Some of these are still works in progress.  I look forward to getting pics of the final creations!

As always, the best thing about Art is You is the camaraderie and support among the staff and attendees.  Seeing old friends, making new ones, and taking care of each other is paramount.   

It was great hanging out with Marjie Kemper and so many other wonderful friends.

Terry Favo, who has attended some of my Meetup classes, is having severe problems with her hands.  Many of us altered gloves or recreated our hands for her.  The presentation of a beautiful garland with all of the helping hands was one of the most touching moments of the weekend and so symbolic of sisterhood and love at Art is You. 

The deep connections start at the top, with fabulous organizers Sallianne and Ellen, and their wonderful staff.

Do you have an art retreat or class that has touched you deeply?  I hope you'll share it in the comments.

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.

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Big Fat Art with Jane Davies

WARNING! Long post with lots of eye candy!

But first, let's pause for a brief infomercial to remind you,that I am teaching at THE INK PAD in NYC on Saturday, April 5, and there are just a few spots left!   Here's the video teaser, and you can also watch Stencils & Silhouettes on YouTube:

OK - back to the regular post: On Thursday, I set out from my little town in Glen Ridge, NJ on my Road Trip to Big Fat Art with Jane Davies.  

Months ago, friend Judy Shea and I decided to do this workshop together.  We had each taken classes with Jane before and wanted to study with her again, and how better than to take a class together.


Since, in my challenged knowledge of US geography, Vermont sits on top of Massachusetts (NOT), I planned to stop at Judy's overnight "on the way."  I figured that driving 4 1/2 hours to Newburyport and stopping there overnight would break up the drive.  Plus, I'd get to hang out with my good friend.

As it turns out, it is actually farther from my house to Judy's, than it is from my house to Jane's!  Rupert, Vermont, is north of Albany, NY, which is north of where I live.  But no matter, I was thrilled to see Judy's new home in Newburyport, and also have dinner with friends Corrine Gilman and Kay Wallace.

 

 The port of Newbury port

  

 The town square at night

  

I loved this tribute to war victims in Iraq

Judy, me, Corrine Gilman and Kay Wallace after a great meal!

Judy's home is beautiful.  Her studio is gorgeous and filled with Judy-goodness.  And when she writes on facebook or on her blog that she lights candles for people, she really does! Here is her beautiful candle holder where she lights her candles.  Seeing this really touched my heart.

On Friday morning, we were off by 8:30 for the four hour drive to Rupert, VT.  

We were lucky enough to have fantastic housemates:  Adele and Linda - both wonderful artists and smart, observant women! 

Adele makes beautiful mixed media work combining her love of calligraphy and mixed media materials.  

She has a fabulous series where she actually dries slices of fruit and uses them as substrates.  Check out her website!

Jane is a very generous teacher; I highly recommend taking a class with her.  She was funny, kind, and very quick to call me on my anxiety about abstract work (remember this recent collage challenge with Julie Balzer?) and my desire to create symmetry and recognizable forms.  

 For example, at the end of Friday, I couldn't resist coaxing an owl out of one of my "starts."

But Jane challenged me to push out of that comfort zone and take my "starts" (first layers) into an ugly, awkward second, third and fourth layers, before beginning to calm them down into work that approaches a finishing stage. 

Here are some of those starts and awkward layers...

Can you spot Stencil Club stencils in this piece?

 I used Dots and Dashes, and Circles and Squares stencils as I worked on this piece.

Through the workshop, Judy and I sat across the table from each other and agonized together.  We also took pictures of each other taking pictures!

All of the women in the workshop were incredibly talented and fun.  Here are pics of some of them and their work:

Marilyn and Wendy going over Marilyn's technique of rubbing off layers with alcohol wipes.  She achieves amazing depth and texture this way.  I don't have pictures of Wendy's work, but it had such a light, playful feel to it, and I loved her color sense.

These beauties were made by housemate Linda, who had the neatest workspace I have ever seen.  Her talent for making order out of chaos definitely translated to her work, which had beautiful balance and line.

I don't have a picture of Sharon but happily I have this picture of some of her artwork.  She definitely has an urban feel to these pieces, and I love the angularity and her varied use of strong and delicate marks.

Lou is a therapist and journalist who uses her art in her practice.  She loves bright colors, so no wonder I was attracted to her work!

Loved working in a firehouse!  These are Kathy's pieces.  Sadly, Kathy had to leave us early because of a scratch on her eye.  Hope you're doing better Kathy!

Unfortunately, I wasn't diligent about taking pictures of everyone and their beautiful pieces.  But trust me, they (the women and their work) were amazing!  And Jane has a great video up on her blog with some of the beautiful hands at work. 

And on Sunday, I began to feel like I was "getting it..." a little!  I worked hard on one of my pieces, and felt like it came to a conclusion.  Using my Medallions stencil really helped pull it together.

Before leaving, I had to paint a picture for Jane - and as she LOVES her chickens, that's what I turned one of my big fat art pieces into.  Here's the before and after!

And although I'd painted something figurative on a piece of big fat art, Jane was pleased!

So do you gravitate towards figurative work, or do you lean towards abstraction?  And what happens to you when you are forced out of your comfort zone?  I want to know!

Your comments make me so happy and let me know you were here. I read and treasure every comment and will happily answer any questions as soon as I can.