MORE PLAY WITH GELLI PRINTING PLATE

While printing over magazine pages with my Gelli Printing Plate, I discovered that I can print using two colors at the same time, one dark and one light and achieve a layered look in one pull.   This is how I did it.

First, I brayered the dark color on the printing plate...nice and even and not too thick.  Next, I brayered the lightest paint (something with a lot white in it) on top of the dark color but this time, I didn't mix it up too much because I wanted the light color to sit on top of the dark color...not to mix too much with it.

Next, I used stencils to lift some of the lightest color off of the dark color.  I did this by rolling the stencil over the printing plate to make an impression.

Then I positioned the paper on the printing plate and pulled a print.  Drum roll...please!  Ta-Dah!  Two colors in one pull!

Because I printed on a magazine page....look at all the yummy color and texture!

Look what happens if the darker color is a transparent or semi-transparent color.

Is this giving you ideas???

Happy Printing!!!
Hugs!
Ginny

GELLI PRINTING ON MAGAZINE PAGES

I love to make my own printed paper to use in my mixed media art.  It is a way to control the color and pattern to make it uniquely my own.  Also, I feel that the pieces integrate into my art better than the commercially printed papers.  There is nothing wrong with using commercially printed paper and I have occasionally done so but for my art, I prefer the look of the painted papers.

Having said that, I set out to make some painted pages...with my Gelli Printing Plate and magazine pages.  The first thing that I did was to select the magazine pages that I would use for this process.  I selected pages that had interesting colors or patterns.  The subject matter didn't make a difference as it wouldn't be recognized once the paint layers were applied.

For this project, I used magazine pages from Oprah and National Geographic magazines, Liquitex soft bodied acrylic paint, Amsterdam and Master's Choice acrylic paints and various stencils.  I prefer the artists acrylic paints to the craft paints because they stay wet a little longer and some of the artist paints are transparent or semi-transparent giving you additional color and dimension when layering.

The process that I used was to apply one or two colors of acrylic paint, using a brayer, and then making an impression in the paint by rolling and lifting the stencil over the Gelli plate.  I then randomly applied the paint to the magazine page paying particular attention to the parts of the magazine print that I wanted to cover or leave exposed.

Here are just a few of the Gelli prints that I made from magazine pages.

Now, don't you feel like grabbing your Gelli Printing Plate, a few magazine pages, paint, brayer, a collection of stencils......and having some fun????

Until next time!
Hugs!!!
Ginny

FISH, MERMAIDS, OH MY!!!

This page is a page from my altered "Potpourri" journal.  For some reason it just looked like a fish to me so it naturally became an underwater scene to include mermaids.

First, I have to say that I am not usually drawn to mermaids, faeries or the fantasy world but lately...they have been included in my life...a LOT!  If you believe that all things happen for a reason, that your universe is planned and that there are signs all around you that hint at what is yet to come...then I suppose it was only natural that while standing in the check out line at a HomeGoods Store that I spied paper napkins with mermaids printed on them.  I immediately purchased them... planning to use them on the Random Acts of kindness cards but as you can see...they made their way into my altered book journal.

I make the statement that mermaids and the fantasy world have been included in my life a lot because I recently signed up for the on-line class, Mermaid Circus, given by Jane Davenport and Teesha Moore.  It is all about mermaids, the circus and fantasy!!!  Were the paper napkins a premonition of things yet to come? Do..do...do..do!!! (MY Rod Sterling imitation.)  Anyway, I will post more about my class and mermaids later.

Until the next time,
Hugs,
Ginny

ANOTHER PAGE...

I finished another page in my Altered "Potpourri" journal.  

I could really relate to this quote as I used to love mowing the lawn and really found it relaxing...but I had to give something up if I wanted to spend more time being creative.

Until the next time,

Hugs,

Ginny

WINK OF STELLA BRUSH

While taking a class with Joanne Sharpe recently, I was introduced to 

a new product, Wink Of Stella Brush by ZIG.  

The only way that I can describe them is that it is a water brush 

filled with sparkly watercolor paint.  They are a bit pricey 

but if you consider the fact that they are a good quality water brush and

 that once empty, they can be refilled with a watercolor of your choice 

like Dylusions, Distress Stains, Ranger Color Wash, etc...

they really are a bargain.  

They come in 12 different colors plus a clear that you can use 

over other products to make them shimmer.  

They are deeeelish!!!!

See the accent of the Winks?

Until next time!
Hugs,
Ginny

I FEEL LIKE CINDERELLA....

I feel like Cinderella who had to leave the ball early!  I just returned from St. Petersbutg, Florida where I attended two classes, Decorative Doodle and Whimsical Watercolor, given by the divine Ms. Joanne Sharpe.  It was MAGICAL!!!  Magical because I finally got to meet Joanne in person after taking ALL her on-line classes and magical because I finally feel like "I got it!"  I finally see how to make deliciously loose paintings by holding the brush differently and by seeing the amount of water needed to float the watercolor pigment.''  No scrubbing with the brush!!!  Two very important things that I just didn't pick up from the videos.  Not that she didn't show us how in the videos but for some reason, it just didn't register with me....but seeing it demonstrated in person ...something just clicked!

If you ever get the chance to take a live class from Joanne...jump on it!  You will just love her!!!  If you are considering taking one of her on-line classes...you will love that too!

Here is a peek at what I worked on in class:

Painting with the Koi Watercolor set

Drawing doodles

Trying out different mediums for backgrounds.

Putting it all together.

Well, it has been a little over a year since I took my first on-line class from Joanne and I can honestly say that my art has loosened up quite a bit....and the COLOR...ooooh, the color...it is much, much brighter.  I used to paint in pastels because I was afraid of going too dark.  You can always darken a light painting by adding more layers but it is more difficult to lighten a dark painting once the darker color hits the paper.  I was playing it safe!!!

Also, I must admit that half way through Joanne's on-line classes, I pretty much gave up and said that my paintings will never be loose and whimsical like hers...I am what I am....a former graphic artist who is used to drawing every line and detail with exactness.  An artist who drew with ruling pens and T-squares and was hung up on neat and clean!!!  Now...after taking a class in person, I see HOPE!
I know that with practice I will eventually achieve the looseness that I was hoping for when I signed up for that first class.  Thanks Joanne!!!!!

Until next time!
Hugs,
Ginny

PAGE THREE OF ALTERED BOOK #2

Page three is done!!!!  I hope that I can keep the momentum going.  I have a tendency to get stuck when it comes to adding the text.  I don't know why...it may be because I wish that I was better with speaking from my heart and letting the words flow without feeling that I would be exposing my personal thoughts.

I know that I can use quotes and I DO!!!  ALL THE TIME!  But somehow, by using quotes it seems that the journal page then becomes an art piece...the significance or meaning of the journal then becomes something different..not what I would hope it to be.  I know that I am not alone in this feeling so if anyone knows of an exercise or class that would be helpful...please let me know.   What do you do?  Do you use quotes or do you write freely from the heart?  Also what do you write about?

Anyway, not meaning to get into a discussion of what a journal should or shouldn't be...this journal like the many others that I own and continue to work in has become a place for me to experiment with different art tools and lettering styles.  It is through this practice that I hope to find a lettering style that flows freely from my hand and without triggering my inner critique.

Doodled over the existing art.

Added color using Inktense pencils and Sharpie Glitter Pens

Added quote over Gesso tinted with acrylic paint.

Until Next Time,
Hugs!
Ginny