Textured Art Journal Pages for ITAC17

Although I have been remiss in posting, I have not stopped creating!  I love sharing with all of you but writing blog posts has gone by the wayside lately.  I apologize for that but you can certainly find lots of my art on my Facebook and Instagram Accounts.

Seth Apter introduced me to The International Tournament of Art & Craft 2017.  I’ve been a Paper Crafter for 20 years and I discover new artists, techniques, events, classes and online opportunities to view and share art every day!  I thought it would be fun to participate.  There were so many times I would allow myself to be intimidated by the incredible talent out there but I’ve come to realize that we are all on different points in the evolution of our talents and it isn’t about the finished product as much as the joy in creating so…here ya go!

I began by adding White Gesso to the pages of my Art Journal, then used Tim Holtz’s Lattice Die to cut a few pieces and added them to the page.  Next, I added White Texture Paste to the pages with a spatula in short motions to mimic old plaster walls.

I used a Blending Tool to apply Distress Inks in Vintage Photo, Evergreen Bough, Rusty Hinge & Walnut Stain and blended them with a Baby Wipe.

I used various Stencils to add interest to the pages – TH Mini Stencils: Crocodile, Burlap, Numeric, and Typo with Ground Espresso and Jet Black Archival Inks.

As part of the ITAC First Challenge, I incorporated a face; letters; numbers; lace and textures into my project.

I have a box of actual postage stamps that I always think about but never actually use. LOL – I don’t know what I’m saving them for!  I layered two of them over some of the specialty papers I’ve had stashed for quite awhile.  I absolutely love how they look!  There’s something about using authentic ephemera that makes me feel like a “real” artist (Whatever that means!).

I layered Lace over two different colors of Burlap and snuck a little piece of a Cheesecloth-y type paper I used on the other page and added an Idea-ology piece and “Get Lost Somewhere” from 7 Dots Studio over the top.

Then…I had to stop myself from going and going and going!  Thanks for stopping by! 😀