August update

I can't believe it's almost the end of another month. I've been very sick again with a cold that's affected my throat/ears/eyes and I am very over our wet winter. Spring is coming.... Trying to focus on what's giving me joy.  

I finally managed to frame up my abstract landscapes and this one lives on the shelf above my computer so I see it almost every day. 

Even though I've spent quite a lot of time on the couch this past week, I've been able to enjoy my lovely Magnolia outside my window and even more special, 2 Tui flirting with each other 

So amazing to have native birds this close when I live in town. 

I still love my monthly journal and I just got a new device for holding my phone for photos and video so hopefully I'll be able to share a flip through when I finish this one.

I've been playing again with master collage sheets - I played with a couple of techniques on my journal page above

The sheet above will appear in cards and, I expect, in this month's fodder school project. And the sheet below was inspired by a class with Laly Mille called "Art flow cards" - a free bonus if you're part of her online class network. I'll share how I use this later.

When I'm not in my monthly journal, any free art time has been spent on this month's Fodder School project which is a book by Wendy Solganik - take a peek at hers on insta. This is where I've got to so far. 

I'm taking it slow and loving every step of the process. 

Another free 10 days online art event begins 2nd of September. Sign up HERE

Hope it's not so long til I check in with you again. I do share a little more regularly on my FB Artist page and on my Instagram. I hope you are remembering to note the things that give you joy - they may be small, but they add up to increased happiness.

July monthly journal review

Time to share my completed July monthly journal. I chose Blue since it's a Winter month in New Zealand and chilly. Funny that I also chose Blue for January for the opposite reason! I already shared my first 2 spreads HERE.

Sometimes I wonder if I should prepare my journal spreads for the whole month, but it's special being able to respond to what is happening for that week. The below spread was created the day after we heard about the sudden passing of my sister-in-law Sue. In shock and not knowing what do with myself, I was still able to create this simple spread for her 

I wanted to create a piece of art to honour her on that flip out page and she loved elephants. After a bit of looking I found Tamara Laporte's elephant portrait which is now available on Youtube. That link also includes a traceable which I reduced in size to fit into my journal. 

My version is Week 28 below - appropriately the word for that week was Blessing.

My art in this journal is mostly created in response to Effy Wild's Journal 52 cards for 2022. My rules : each piece will include stitch, a found word, and be inspired by the project I've been working on that week or what's lying leftover on my work table. I don't usually overthink these and just go with what feels good in the moment. 

Week 26 : Reflect. Inspired by the materials I used for the Peace catcher I made with Lucie Duclos that week. I love the colours and reflected on how lucky I am to have a creative practice to help me process what's happening in my world.

Week 27 : Certain. I really enjoy doing tags so there are fabric bits that peek out of my journals. I started with an old end of printed watercolour paper and created my own tag shape

Certain that colour, stitch, and time spent making mixed media pieces will always make me happy

Week 28 : Blessing. Watercolour for the initial colouring of the elephant, also incorporating some leftover collage papers from my abstract landscapes that week.

Week 29 :  Resilient

You can get access to the prompts by joining Effy's Wilderhood group on FB or subscribe to her newsletter. 

Farewell to July and a sneak peek towards August - this next cover needs more work but I love the monarch butterfly. 

See all my posts about my monthly journal project HERE and Journal 52 HERE. See more regular postings from me on my FB artist page and Instagram.