Lost and Found

Last week, I received a comment on a forum where I have my art
in galleries. When I went there to look to what page the comment
was referring, it turned out that it was the very first ‘Chronicles
spread’ I ever made. Some lady said she really loved it!

I had not seen this spread myself for a while (the page is from April 2010)
and looking at it with fresh eyes made me see how joyful and whimsical it
is. Here’s that old spread:

The Chronicles of Marit 2010 – Week 17

I also remembered how fun it was to work with all kinds of small images,
journal pads, stamps and doodles. I did that a lot on those first pages…

Later, I changed my ways and all kinds of spreads were made since then,
but this week I decided to go back to my ‘old ways’ and make a week-spread
similar to this one.

… and did I had fun making this page!
I combined lots of things here…

The Chronicles of Marit 2012 – Week 45

So – let us see what is on this spread.

• The drawing: I had a disturbing dream in which I was a ‘detective’
  (yep, too much CSI, Criminal Minds and NCIS on TV) looking for
  a lost teenager. I searched a house and when I pulled back a curtain,
  I found her in the book case that was behind it – bonded and scared.
  This image stayed with me for almost three days – until I sketched it
  in my art journal. An art journal is such a nice thing to  get rid of
  feelings or, like here, scary images. Bring them out in the open (that
  is: on to the page) and your mind is free again!

• The background is coloured with Caran d’Ache watersoluble crayons,
  water and a brush… I love those crayons and the effect they give!

• Cut out images: eyes, bird, hearts, collaged figure with fish-head, legs.

• Photo of Autumn landscape – transferred with mod podge

• Left over paper I experimented on with spray ink (bottom left page)

• Cut out text: on the paper scrap – bottom left page

• Washi tape (top and bottom)

• Sticker (accolade) from my stash

• Stamps: corner stamp, lace stamp and clock (I received the latter,
  along with more stamps and a Tim Holtz flourish mask in a package
  from Glenda. Thank you so much dear!)

• Last but not least: writing and doodling with all kinds of pens/markers.

I’m already looking forward to the next spread – I think I will work in a
similar way as I created this one – I had so much fun with it! It felt like
I found back a lost item that completely disappeared out of my mind.

Do you ever re-discover an old way of working or a technique that you
almost forgot or put aside, and get enthusiastic about it all over again?
What was it? Let me know in a comment!

Oh – and don’t forget about MIXED EMOTIONS
ONLINE ART JOURNALING WORKSHOP!
I am teaching it with Michelle LaPoint – Rydell.
Classes start on February 4, 2013 and we are going to have
tons of FUN!!  Click on the badge in the sidebar, or click here
to find out more. We’d LOVE to have you join us!