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Category: Watercolor Journal

Paint, Finding Inspiration

Paint, Finding Inspiration

Artists can get a little bogged down once in awhile and need the inspiration to paint

Sometimes artists need the inspiration to paint.  Maybe it is because we tend to paint the same subject matter, use the same color scheme, or feel like we are not growing in our art.  One way to get a jump start on the new day ahead is to browse through the latest issue of the Art Journaling magazine.  It is always filled with colorful, edgy, creative art.  I am excited to say that my Baja Journal is featured in the latest issue of Art Journaling!

Paint with Art Journaling
I was published in Art Journaling

This is the cover of the new Art Journaling magazine published by Stampington and Co.  I love seeing the brightly colored orange flower against the powder blue background.  It is so simply painted and with the added splashes of white paint, the artist makes it look loose and lively.  Why not try painting this flower to get you started on a colorful day!  Simple, colorful and fun.

Another idea for finding inspiration is to paint along with an art DVD.  I have several available for purchase with the online shop at the Artful Gathering the online art retreat.  Check it out!

More Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Watercolor Artist

More Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Watercolor Artist

Little watercolor sketchbooks are a great gift idea for artists.  I take mine traveling as they are small and can easily fit in my purse.  I sketch and paint in them while sitting in a cafe or when I have a few moments to myself.  They come in several sizes.  Since I like to paint with watercolors, I get the ones that have watercolor paper in them.  The Moleskine brand is very popular and easy to find.  They are available online but also easily found in office supply and bookstores.  I found a lesser known brand that I prefer.  It is the Pentalic Aqua Journal.  I find that the paper is a better quality and great for painting with watercolors. The Moleskine paper is 200 gm and the Pentalic is 300 gm which means that the paper is a heavier weight.  Watercolor artists will appreciate that!  

“Hope” is the Thing with Feathers

“Hope” is the Thing with Feathers

“Hope” is the thing with feathers
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – 
That perches in the soul – 
And sings the tune without the words – 
And never stops – at all – 
And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – 
And sore must be the storm – 
That could abash the little Bird 
That kept so many warm – 
I’ve heard it in the chillest land – 
And on the strangest Sea – 
Yet – never – in Extremity, 

It asked a crumb – of me.
Keeping a Watercolor Travel Journal

Keeping a Watercolor Travel Journal

 Part of the joy of traveling to new places is to take some time to paint in my watercolor art journal.  This is my first time visiting Lisbon, Portugal.  I am enjoying walking around this colorful city  Here is a page in my journal of the cute trolley car.  This is what I love to do – paint plein air!

Fun Ideas for your Watercolor ART Journal, Part 3

Fun Ideas for your Watercolor ART Journal, Part 3

I am always looking for fun, unique ways to add to my watercolor art journals.  While I travel, I always pick up brochures, free maps, coasters, wine labels…  Then I add them to my journal pages.  I also paint little paintings of what I see along my journey.  These all create a lasting memory more precious than any photo album.

Try these ideas!
· Doodle or create Zentangles.
· Connect your writing and glued items with lines, dots and squiggles.
· Collect and add business cards, tickets, postages stamps, cut out words and photos from brochures, wine labels, paper money and postcards from your travels.
A Beautiful Time – A Peek into our Orvieto, Italy Watercolor Journals

A Beautiful Time – A Peek into our Orvieto, Italy Watercolor Journals

Our time together in Orvieto was magical.  Each day was a new adventure filled with painting, creating, exploring and learning about the rich history and culture.   The Colors ofUmbria, Keeping a Watercolor Journal group was creative, fun and always up for learning new things.  I loved making new friends and painting with our artistic group.  As the week unfolded, our watercolor journals evolved into exquisite memories of our colorful time together.  Thank you to all the wonderful participants of this fabulous time together, laughing and sharing good times! 


Fun Ideas for Your Watercolor Journal

Fun Ideas for Your Watercolor Journal

In the summer issue of PAGES magazine, I give you another fun idea for how to add interest to your watercolor journal.  This article is about how to use black gesso.  I hope you enjoy trying this cool technique!

Cover Art for Art Journaling,

Cover Art for Art Journaling,

I was so surprised and honored to find out that my art was chosen to be the cover art for the spring 2014 issue of ART JOURNALING magazine!

It will be on in stores available for purchase on April 1, 2014.   My article is about using shape to design journal pages.
This photo did not get into the article so I wanted to share it with you here.  Here is what I write about this page in my Patagonia watercolor journal.

One of my favorite journal pages is one where I painted a meadowlark and a vista behind him.  The meadowlarks were plentiful and darted about the brush flashing their red bellies.  I often heard their melody as we hiked.  Instead of just painting a scene with a meadowlark in it, I wanted to try a different point of view.  I painted him much larger than the vista and had him placed off to one side to help frame the page. He is looking back over landscape as if to say he is the guardian of this remote area.  

I hope you enjoy this new issue of Art Journaling!

http://stampington.com/Art-Journaling-Spring-2014


Lots of Wildlife!

Lots of Wildlife!

Did you know that I am an avid bird watcher? Part of going to a new location is the joy of spotting a new species to add to my life list. I thought it would also be fun to incorporate all the birds I have been seeing in Baja, Mexico into my watercolor journal.  Here is a watercolor painting of a Brown Pelican…. they were everywhere!

 This is a photo I took of a Black Crowned Night Heron who was doing some fishing right in front of our restaurant on the water in La Paz, Mexico…. (a painting waiting to happen!)

A Page in my journal showing a map of Baja with a painting behind it

Here is a photo of one of the Whale Sharks we swam with.  Thanks Michi for sharing this awesome underwater photo.  Look at those fabulous polka dots!!!