Bird Monday

Despite the chilly, rainy weather we've been experiencing,  birds have been singing and chirping to bring joy to my day.  I really enjoy the birds that perch at the very tippy top of our neighbor's pine tree and just broadcast their news :-)

It's therefore no surprise that birds make their appearance in my art journal.

Flying -

Graphite sketch

And imaginary -

Mixed media

Word play and an out of control pattern :-)

I love to write words and phrases.  Sometimes the words have special meaning to me; or the way the letters come together of the sound of the words themselves are appealing.  These words and phrases often comprise my doodles.

I thought I would share some recent ones:

Not a terrific character trait, but pretty perky visually :-)

I like the simplicity of this one.

I sometimes think memory isn't such a great thing.

Might be the cover of an art journal...

This last one is a pattern from my art journal that overtook the entire "Draw" section (!):

Oy.

Art journal entries - a sketch, and a MOO, and some word art :-)

This sketch of a bear's head and the following MOO are from an art journal page from a few days ago:

Graphite

I like to capture expression in a quick sketch :-)


This is how a MOO (My Own Opinion) begins - a thought roughly written out, usually with some color:

Ink, Copic markers

And some just-for-fun word art, this:

Ink, Sharpie markers

I think it's funny given how wary I am of most flying insects :-)

Making the first mark... easily :-)

I've been making a daily entry in my art journal since early November 2015.  I love having a lot of random thoughts and images gathered in one place.

Every day when I open up my art journal I begin a ritual to make the first marks on the page easily.  I use a black 02 Pigma Micron pen to create the four corner marks (a random shape) and then draw horizontal and vertical lines to connect them.  From there I divide the page into specific sections of "Draw", "Misc", "Ideas/To Dos", and an area for journaling some thoughts.  Boom, I am on my way :-)

These are straight out of my daily journal:

word art -

Copic markers, ink

Acrylic line art -

"Buddies"

MOO -

Copic markers, ink

Jackdaw and a MOO

I have drawn ravens and jays but never a jackdaw... until now :-)

Graphite

And more from my art journal, this MOO:

Copic markers, ink

CRD - no stress, just fun

I love creating patterns and also this kind of thing:

Reds Oranges Magentas

I describe it as a Controlled Random Doodle :-)


Here is another one from my daily art journal:

Moody Cabernet

Creating a CRD is involving and freeing at the same time.  No stress, judgment, or concern for the outcome.  How fabulous is that :-)

Two tree paintings

I love trees; they are so varied and beautiful.  Late last year Carla Sonheim offered Diane Culhane's online class, "For the Love of a Tree".  I signed up immediately :-)

One of Diane's assignments was to create two small 5" x 5" paintings focusing on value. 

The first painting began with a warm base color to which was added its complementary color:

Blue-violet overlaying Yellow-orange

After much layering of opaque and transparent colors, the finished painting:

The second painting began with a cool color which was overlaid by its complementary color:

Vat orange overlaid with cobalt blue.

Final painting:

I enjoy the spontaneity of this approach.  I have to suspend judgment and to go along with what happens, respond to the previous mark or color, allow for accidents - very liberating :-)