Art Journaling Pages

I've been doing some art journaling lately- all downstairs away from my studio because I'm tired and need to keep my feet up often to avoid water balloon feet.  It's a lot of doodling on pre-painted backgrounds, but I did get some new backgrounds made using Angelo's watercolors (they're actually high quality paints you have to mix), some water color pencils from his Faber Castell Modern Masterpieces kit and his Crayola marker air brush.  Not that you can see any of these right now because I've not put most of the pics on my computer.  There is this one that I got going before the swelling got too bad... and this one too.  Since I can't really show you more right now, I thought I'd share this interesting slide show of Orly Avineri's work.  Enjoy!

Halloween ATC's From the Darkside

These are the other ATC's I made for another one of this month's "from the Darkside" swap- "Halloween" of course.

These ATC's started out as regular playing cards, were sanded and then color washed with acrylic paint, then stamped with a Tim Holtz stamp.  The witches are vintage photos I altered in photo shop, siloutted and then adhered.  Then, the final details were added; glitter glue on the top one and glitter marker on the bottom one.

Check back tomorrow for another Halloween report. :)

Masters of the Macabre

These ATC's are for a swap I'm participating in and just sent out:

As you can guess, the theme of the swap was Masters of the Macabre and of course, I chose Poe as the Master of choice.

Mod Podge papers, vintage paper*, ink, Stickles and a journal stamp and Raven sticker* made up these ATC's.  (*on the second card)

In other news, A has recently changed his mind about what he wants to be for Halloween (or forgotten his original choice), and his new choice is a LOT simpler, so that has freed me up to work a little bit on my Folk Art witch.  Tonight, I sculpted the head- something I'd never done before- and so far so good. It has to dry for a few days.  Next, I'll tackle the hands.  Whether I actually finish it before Halloween or not, I'm not sure, but considering I'm not sure where the book is, I'm impressed I've gotten this far.  I may have to make up the clothing patterns, but all this just means my witch will have a more individual personality- great by me!

Vintage Car Assemblage

Just a peek at the assemblage I made for my friend from way back, Jimmy.  So many of these pieces I found laying on the street or in a parking lot and didn't know exactly what I'd use them in, but now they've found their homes.  

The full details of how I put this together and some more photos will be in my e-course/e-book whenever it comes together.  Baby steps will get it to completion... :)

Have a great weekend!!

Castle and Mermaid Tags

This is a castle themed tag I made for a recent swap.  The background is an acrylic mono print I made with metallic paints on water color paper, stamped with metallic pigment ink.  The stamped castle image (oops, stamp way upstairs and can't remember who made it) is colored with chalks, Prisma pencils, glitter gel pens and glitter glue.  The metal spot at the top is vintage.  Stickles around the border.

Something I rarely do, but am happy with the way it turned out: I added adhesive foam squares for a 3-D pop.

This tag was made for a fairy/fantasy swap.  The background was made the same way as above, but a different stamp was used and it's a vintage button vs. metal spot.  The stamped image is from Enchanted Gallery and was colored with Prisma pencils, chalks and highlighted with Stickles.

        

I thought I kept the image that showed the details best, but it's a bit blurry at the top.  :/


Next, I'll be able to show you an assemblage I'm working on.  It's close to complete and I'm pretty excited about it.  It's one I've had in my head for a while, so it went together fairly quickly.  A friend really liked an assemblage I made for my Dad and requested a piece of mine for his gallery of local artists, so it is loosely based on that one, but has its own distinct theme and details.  

A pile of fabric has arrived for some Fall sewing projects- all for Angelo.  I'm hoping the fact that I won't be able to use the sewing books for him next year (his current size is the largest in the books) will motivate me to get on that ASAP.  That and the fact that Halloween month is already here and the boy needs his costume!!

Hope you are enjoying the creative energy that comes with the season!!

Glamor Girls in Jewel Tones

This is a piece I did in my 4 x 4 art journal.  The first couple layers were made with brushes that had a little paint left over and needed used up somewhere.  Then, I sprayed some mica ink, added an Art Chix image, some paper from the Mod Podge "Podgable Papers", a couple paper flowers, some iridescent ink over the paper and flowers and some fiber from novelty yarn.  The edges are inked with metallic pigment ink.

Thought I'd show it next to the initial layers of the background next to it (sprayed mica ink), just because I liked it.

This is a spread I did in a new altered book- another themeless one since the themed ones can end up too much like work or at least make me obsess over what I can do in the theme and I lose sleep.  The first layer is "Broken China" Distress Stain (Ranger), followed by some "classic teal" Claudine Helmuth paint (nice stuff).  Then, I added some dictionary page pieces, another Art Chix Glamor Girl, some mica ink spray, drops of iridescent ink, Stickles and novelty yarn.  It isn't finished.  I have a few ideas about where I want it to go, but it will be what it will be.

Beginnings of a background: some "classic teal" paint and a couple colors of mica ink spray.

 

Another background beginning: bubble wrap stamped "classic teal", some sprayed and some swiped mica ink.

It felt good to get back into making things with no goal or "purpose" other than feeling good.  

Art Nouveau Artist Trading Cards

copyright 2012 Narah Kimberly A. Minardi  all rights reserved

copyright 2012 Narah Kimberly A. Minardi  all rights reserved

After working so long on my Art Journaling workshop, I finally signed up for a couple of swaps.  One was for an Art Nouveau ATC swap.  Enchanted Gallery made the stamps I used for the main images and for the swirls on the 2nd ATC.  The floral background on the 1st is from a stamp by Stampfrancisco.  The very first layer (on the illustration board ATC form-which I love- so sturdy!) is a wash of acrylic paint, followed by the stamped background using solvent based Staz-On ink.  Then, I covered the cards with a piece of mesh fabric that Angelo picked out- a wine gift bag he picked up and said, "Mommy, you can use this in your artwork!"  He was right, of course! :)  Next, I adhered the Inktense and water color crayon colored images (color blended with a damp brush), that were accented with glitter marker and dimensional paint. Last came the gold ribbon and gold glittered dimensional paint around the border.

Lest you think I'm somehow not obsessing on Halloween still, today I picked up some polyester stuffing and am one step closer to creating my Folk Art witch.  Also, my dining room mantel is already decorated with Halloween festiveness. 

My belly dance class at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Educational Center starts in 11 days!  We moved the time up so people working downtown wouldn't have to kill so much time between work and class.  

Hopefully, my next post won't be so long in coming.  Hope you didn't suffer too badly while I rested. ;)

You're Reading the Blog of a Published Artist!

Really!  For real!  This morning, I walked out the door to take Dana on her walk and there it was- a large envelope from Stampington and Company.  Of course, that delayed the walk for a few minutes while I looked for my artwork.  Seeing Edgar Allen Poe on the front of Somerset Studio Magazine, I knew which piece it was, but seeing it there on the actual magazine page was something I just had to do!

It's very interesting to me that this is the first official art magazine I'm in when Halloween mania is in full swing 'round here (and never officially goes away).  How could I not enter this challenge, though?  Edgar Allen Poe!!  I'm a fan. :)

This issue isn't available on newsstands yet, but when the September/October Somerset Studio magazine is out, be sure to pick up a copy!

The cover of Somerset Studio Magazine

The middle image to the far right is mine!  Yep, right there on a magazine page!

And because it's hard to read my name (My Name!) and the description due to the spine, here's a close up.

This is my original scan of the art before I sent it off.  If you know Poe, then you'll understand the words.  :)  BTW, I would be flattered if someone shared this, but please credit the original source and note that others should do the same.  Thanks!

I do realize I'm being a bit of a geek about this, and I am perfectly ok with that. ;)

So, the news about the magazine was this morning and then this afternoon I found out that we have enough people registered for my Art Journaling workshop to hold it!!  There are still spaces left, so if you'd like to take a workshop with a published artist, be sure to sign up!! :D

I am overwhelmedly grateful. :) 

On Art, Business and More with Kelly Rae Roberts

This really felt worth re-posting here.  Originally on the blog Smart Creative Women, here are both parts of the whole interview.  It seems applicable to any creative career.

Unfortunately, there was no option for embedding the second part of the video interview, but you can check it out by clicking here.

HEALth and HEALing

In my last post, I showed you my Sanctuary... my Studio.  Since I went on my mini art retreat, I've really prioritized yoga with meditation, doggie walks and art time.  This post I wrote in a local Pittsburgh Facebook group (for local folks with thyroid disorders) sums up my experience since then:

"In the spirit of encouragement, I thought I'd share some great things that have been going on with me. Over the last week, I've been doing chakra balancing yoga including meditation in the morning and another meditation (sometimes chakra focused, sometimes not) in the evening before bed and my body, mind and spirit have shown wonderful healing signs- like my nails are in better shape than I saw them after the cleansing fast [I did this fall], which I thought was amazing and I'm more patient and joyful. I'm better able to center myself. I know it's really difficult with kids to get the time and space to do these sorts of things, which is why I haven't been as consistent in the past. But, the more I do yoga and meditate, the more results I see, and the better able I am to adjust to all the things that get in the way or break my concentration, like Angelo running his cars over me or throwing a fit in the middle of my practice or sitting in my lap while I [do pranayama] [or the doggie sings her "omg you're in the floor song in my face and/or licks my face]. I'm better able to accept that this is what a Mother's yoga practice looks/feels/acts like. I've also made sure to do art journaling almost every day, whether I can get some "just me" time or not. (Anti-perfectionism!!!) Surprisingly, all this has led me to do a little more cooking and managing the laundry better. Or maybe that shouldn't be so surprising. :) I often think as our energy system as a bank that you have to make deposits in to have anything to withdraw. :) Hope this helps!"

Then, in response to someone asking me how I stayed active and whether it was easy or just a great habit I said, 

"I've been active most of my life, but definitely been through periods of time where I'm sluggish and tired and just not motivated to move. Moving to Pittsburgh where there's a huge variety of classes to take really helped. I LOVE to dance, and have taken belly dance, hip hop, and stiletto fit classes. Also some yoga classes since I always practice longer and do a bigger variety of poses in a class than at home because someone is making me. Even though the cost and the hassle getting there are concerns, I made the commitment to keep going to classes and if I didn't go to class then I was more active at home. No, it wasn't easy at any point when I had to force myself to go to class when I was/am tired. Repeating "remember how good you feel afterwards" helps get me there. Since going on my mini art retreat, I remind myself of all the benefits I've reaped so far and that helps me to keep walking the dog and fitting in at least some yoga before/after even if I have to do only standing poses and plank in the kitchen while the eggs boil (did that this week some time). I really think meditation and art help give me the peace of mind and therefore extra energy to keep going. Also, I can _really_ feel it when I go too long without yoga. My body hurts [when I go too long without yoga]. I used belly dance and yoga to heal after several car accidents years ago, so experience tells me that it's going to "put me back together". A friend of mine talked about her method to motivate herself to keep walking: she said "just don't think about it. Just put on your shoes and go." It's a way to keep from talking yourself out of it... which I've done on plenty of occasions. Also, walking the dog is easier to motivate for because I know she needs it to be healthy too. She also lets me talk out any issues I have or problems I need to solve. I've had many "Aha!" moments on our walks; guess they are like meditation too. So, I guess to sum up (ha ha), I just keep remembering all the benefits and focus on that."

Currently, I'm not taking many classes, but I do consider them the boost I needed to motivate myself on my own.  The past few years have been relatively unhealthy ones for me (among my "periods of time where I'm sluggish and tired and just not motivated to move").  After having Angelo, many things (not always  directly related to him) "went haywire" among the people I love and am close to.  My Dad having strokes and being in and out of the hospital was part of that.  Because I had a small child, I really shut down parts of myself so I could keep going.  But that method really caught up to me. A little over a year ago, I was really not healthy despite eating pretty healthy foods and not being a _total_ couch potato.  I tried, but I needed to try harder.  I felt pretty beaten down.

Now that I'm on the other side of that, I can share what has helped me and hope that it helps someone else.  Along with the commitment to eat healthier and moderate portions, exercise, meditate and do more art- generally honor and nurture my Whole Self- I recruited help.  There were people who helped me push along the path to better health.  

First I saw a massage therapist 2 weeks after I miscarried last June.  She urged me to do a detoxification program, which lead me to see the naturopath.  He encouraged me to journal and that renewed habit lead me to call the really amazing psychic I saw at the beach when Angelo was 3.  She confirmed something that was in the back of my mind- that I should talk to a life coach- someone who listens to what you are going through/pondering/trying to figure out and helps you find solutions and clarify your goals.  Michelle Ward, the When I Grow Up Coach, helped me to sort out many things I needed to let go of and stop doing just because I felt obligated to.  (If you sign up with Michelle, which I highly recommend, tell her Kimberly Minardi sent you, please!) This freed up energy to start looking into my heart and forgiving (myself and others) and letting go of a lot of Pain I was holding onto.  An excellent book that I read to help this process is "Unconditional Forgiveness- a Simple and Proven Method to Forgive Everyone and Everything" by Mary Hayes Grieco.  

My vision board had goals on it that only my heart understood at the time (my mind kept saying "I'm not sure why I'm choosing this), but because it was too closed I couldn't see or feel what they were.  Now when I look at it, I'm amazed!  It really helps support the idea that if you trust even the quietest whispers of your intuition and collect and collage images that speak to you, you can push your life forward in the direction of your choosing.  Truly, truly amazing!  

Speaking of collaging images that speak to me and health and healing, here are some sneak peaks into some of the art journaling I've been doing:

When I scheduled the Art Journaling Workshop with Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, I knew it would make me focus much more on art journaling than other creative efforts and I am so so glad that I did.  I am really excited to share this process at the workshop, so if you can make it, it will be so worth your while, I promise!  :)  If you live too far away to come to the workshop, I am working on getting some materials together to be able to offer an ecourse or perhaps an ebook.  No idea when it will be ready, but just wanted to get people thinking about it.  Feels scary letting people know my plans, but it really feels like something that just has to go out into the world.  :)  

Thanks for hanging in on this long post.  I hope it is useful for you. :)

Sanctuary

Originally, I meant to have the studio ready (tidy, presentable) for a big reveal at the end of February since I posted teaser shots of it in progress last year.  However, when I go up, I tend to jump right into creating or clean up a little so I can create more easily (or do yoga, etc).  Even my 2+ hour cleaning efforts a few days ago barely put a dent in it.  Clearly, that tidy and presentable space won't be happening any time soon and if I took pictures, you wouldn't have any idea what you were looking at. ;)  Since I am a recovering perfectionist, I'm not going to wait until the space is "perfect" to show it to you.  I'm posting these pictures I took a couple of months ago after we had a cleaning service come in (didn't have them come back because, though the job was OK to good, it was expensive enough that it should have been Excellent-Perfect IMO.  Not sure if that really happens with cleaning services.)

If you would like to see full progress, first see this and then this post.

Stairs leading up to the attic.  There are some amazing pictures on Pintrest that show painted/mosaic tiled stairs and would love to do that here.  My "Peace, Joy, Freedom" reminder at the top so I see it every time I go up. 

The belly dance and yoga space.  The mirrors and foam floor tiles are from the public studio I ran in Morgantown (Earth Movement Studio).

Shelves of distracting supplies.  It's great having them open and available, but I often have trouble being present with my practice thinking of all the things I want to make.  Maybe a curtain or sliding closet doors are in the future here?

View looking towards the stairwell.  Do you see that pocket door sawn in half?  I don't know who did that, but it breaks my heart.  (There's additional storage behind the mirrors, so that corner gets oversized and spill over items.)  There's a bathroom to the left.  Very convenient for washing brushes and palettes. 

View from the belly dance and yoga area into the mixed media and sewing area.  That's Josephine wearing the witch hat.  Her dress is to the right.

The mixed media area.  Just a couple of days ago, I started re-arranging things here to suit the way I am currently working.

Closer look at the really cool vintage shelves my husband found for me.  I think it's made of cut up wooden crates.  It looks like words/advertising on the bottom inside of those cubbies. My boxes of paint sit on top of this beautiful chest my brother-in-law carved and he and my sister made as a bridesmaid gift.

Sewing area with the cutting table in a regular state of piled up stuff when I'm not sewing.  Angelo's easel and art table are here too.  A fabric organizer will go on the wall to hold more of his art supplies; yes, yes it will.

When I walk into this sacred space of mine, I am washed over with happiness.  I just love being in there.  Even just going up to get something or drop something off makes me smile.  In here, I know my Soul gets to speak, and I am so grateful.

Another post is coming soon!  Some Art Journaling sneak peaks for ya!  Have a great day, my friends! 

Self Care/Self Love

My temporary workspace for the last 2 days.  I really like the desk and may change my worktable for a desk with drawers.

Though I remarkably restrained myself, I felt in the spirit of full disclosure that I should tell you I requested a room with 2 double beds so I could have the surface area to spread out. ;) 

Two days in a hotel by myself with some art supplies and "no obligations".  Sounds like heaven, right?   Well, for me, it was kind of difficult to jump right in due to missing my guys and my pup... even though the whole thing was my idea (and the hotel was about 10 or so minutes from home).  I chanted to myself on the way, "this is an act of great self-love", "how else am I going to get in the meditation time I crave so much right now?", "Do not go home".  After checking in and setting up, I glued one thing.  Then I ate and watched TV.  It wasn't even good TV.  Then I glued another thing and checked Facebook.  Really, I needed some time to decompress before inspiration hit. About 9:00 I finally got the paint out and really got going.  About 10:30, I called home and almost cried talking to Angelo.  He picked up on it and was sad. :(  *Insert best guilt releasing I could muster* More art making. A little "Soul of Healing" meditation with Deepak Chopra before bed and I slept peacefully.

The next morning, I meditated again and did some chakra balancing sun salutations.  By then, I was feeling so peaceful, I wasn't bothered by the fact that I had to eat, shower, etc. and wasn't using my art time to maximum efficiency.  Yes, I managed to work some guilt in about not doing what I loved enough in there the first day. Started art journal entries in the afternoon and by about midnight, I was still going strong. Then, an abrupt awareness that I needed to pack up if I wanted to do morning yoga before checkout made me sad.  Nothing is ever an experience with just one emotion, though, is it?  Even though it was only 2 days, and in some ways "not enough time", I was excited to get back to my family and eat in my own house.  But, it was so good and I'm so glad I did it.  Maybe there's a state park near that rents cabins??

Then, at home, I answered an email where I backed out of something I committed to because "it wasn't an absolute yes" (so it was a no... forget where I heard that, but it's good to remember.)  After sending that email, I was greeted by a newsletter from SARK that started by asking me "Do you ever feel guilty or worried about taking time and energy just for you? Most people do. Do you happily and easily change or cancel plans that no longer feel good? Most people don't.
Many people are motivated unknowingly by what i call *FOG or *PUS- or both! 

Fear

Obligation

Guilt

Pressure

Urgency

Scarcity


Copyright 2012 SARK. All rights reserved. Even though we are not.;-)"

That hit home on both accounts! 

Then, I found this post by Michelle Ward, the "When I Grow Up Coach" on self-care.  Seems there is a Universal theme going on!  

Also something I found recently that you may find inspiring and related: How to love yourself in 17 Ways  a post by Evelyn Lim.

Wishing you much Self Love and Self Care!!

Feeling Grateful

My Mother's Day gift to myself.  Thank you, Self!!

We didn't know until we were in the car which museum we were going to that day.  We "by chance" went to the art studio first where these kind Tibetan monks were and sculpted alongside them.  I don't know if Angelo fully understood what an amazing thing this was (which is great in it's own way), but I am so grateful that we were able to hang with these peaceful guys who laughed so easily.

After the monks left, it was on to the museum playground, which we hadn't been to yet.  I am so grateful that we have places like this so close and can fully explore each one, one trip at a time.

Busy Busy With Art Making!

Oh my.  Has it really been over a month since I last posted?  Well, here's some of the projects I've been working on while I wasn't posting- altered books!! Almost all the images came from other books- novels, encyclopedias, vintage knitting catalogs.  Some are my photos- ones I've collected or taken myself.

Enjoy!