There have been many trips I’ve taken where I didn’t even open my sketchbook. This holiday I made a deal with myself to find time, and I’m so glad I did!
If you caught my last newsletter you’ll have read about my holiday sketchbook, and the thoughts behind these images.
(And if not you can sign up below and I’ll send it right to you!)
Over the years I’ve been honing the optimum ‘studio away from home’.
It’s a perpetual work in progress, but every time I take a trip away I feel more able to capture my ideas on paper. This is what resulted from a visit to one of my favourite parts of the world last month, Cyprus.
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Sharing a sneaky peak into the first 100 pages of the GINORMOUS sketchbook!
Every week since the summer of 2020 I’ve been adding a new double page spread to my ‘Book of Days’, this 600 page sketchbook.
Periodically I update the progress with flip through videos. Picking up at page 94 where I left the last flip through, here’s a look at the next few pages.
Collections include a mix of painted, printed & dyed papers ranging from vintage book pages and sheet music, art experiments, printed papers, maps, wrapping paper, wallpaper, magazine pages, envelopes and cards.
Multi-layered, irregular shapes, cut outs & torn edges, textured by crumpling crunchy paint layers and piercing. Some pieces have little bits of stitching and fabric.
Each piece already has a rich history in its layers and is ready move on to its next life in your art journals, mixed media art and collages.
*Introductory Prices all month!*
Bundles of ~30 pieces are just £5.00 all through August.
5 Large Pieces approx A6 / 3″x 4″ / 8cm x 10cm 10 Small Pieces approx A7 / 2″ x 3″ / 5cm x 7cm 15 Mini Pieces ranging 1-3″ / 2-8cm
My next collection launches in the autumn – sign up for my newsletter to get first dibs and special discounts as a thank you for supporting my art ❤
Hot on the heels of last week’s flip through from the Book of Days, I bring you Part Five
I often talk about the tidal quality of creativity.
There are times when the ideas and energy to dive into their exploration is abundant.
Other times we feel beached and deserted with all that wants to be made, written and invented all the way over there on the horizon.
Following this analogy, I’m welcoming the inspiration back after a long spell of nothing but metaphorical driftwood and dry seashells to play with.
Hot on the heels of last week’s flip through from the Book of Days, I bring you Part Five:
Be first to see these flip thru vids + find out more about the ideas behind the art in my monthly-ish studio musings newsletter 🙂
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Brand new flip thru + 2 exciting secret projects to be revealed this weekend! Are you signed up?
It seems like forever since I last dropped by with a studio musings newsletter, so this weekend I’m relaunching with some exciting news!!
To celebrate the re-launch of my studio musings
You’ll be first to see the next installment in the Book of Days flip thru series 🙂
Plus read about TWO secret projects I’m dizzy with excitement to launch later this summer!
Yikes!
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Can’t remember? it’s been a while since I dropped by your inbox! Send me a message or reply to this post and I can see if you’re on the list 😉
You’ll get an email to confirm you signed up and are human. Sorry, only humans (and their cats) can join. Check your spam folder cos sometimes the good stuff gets swept in there by mistake. Also check with your cat.
In July 2020 I began this enormous sketchbook, with a new double page spread every week. I posted a few flip throughs in the first year, and although the project is still merrily trotting along at a spread a week, I fell out of the habit of posting updates.
Today I set myself the task to root about behind the metaphorical sofa in my mind and show you some of what’s been going on in my world of art making. Beginning with a flip through of the enormous sketchbook.
This brings us to page 73, although in real time I’ve already clocked up >100 pages, so I’ve more to show you yet. *Watch this space!*
On top of this, it’s been a reeeallly long time since I posted a studio musings newsletter, apologies for radio silence, this is on the list to be revived in the next few days!
You’ll get an email to confirm you signed up and are human. Sorry, only humans (and their cats) can join. Check your spam folder cos sometimes the good stuff gets swept in there by mistake. Also check with your cat.
I had a really clear idea what I wanted to do with this book from (almost) the outset last year – a rambling whirl of doodles, a stream of consciousness running through the pages.
The Sketchbook Project
It’s been a while since I checked in with you guys on this project, I’ve had to overcome a few obstacles along the way.
I had a really clear idea what I wanted to do with this book from (almost) the outset last year – a rambling whirl of doodles, a stream of consciousness running through the pages. Then I got ill, and the heavy duty pain medication I had in hospital inspired me with a really clear visual I wanted to recreate. As best I could, two-dimensionally on paper.
I began the line work back during Inktober, and looking back I remember at the time being aware of just how thin and flimsy the paper is in the book. I mean, super thin. It would hold up well to gentle care but I’m heavy handed and (because it’s all I had to hand and impatience is my biggest motivator in all I do) I used ballpoint pen. So my pages were already crinkling from the indentation of the lines.
That’s cool – it adds character – it’s my ‘style’ – go with it, I thought.
Then the holidays, then life, then I finally began.
this paper soaks up watercolor like a sponge.
Oh. My. Days!
You do NOT wanna use watercolors on this paper. Of course if I hadn’t been so hung up on the combination of:
This Sketchbook Project + These Colors + These Paints = Exactly What I Want To Do
then perhaps I wouldn’t have been temporarily blind the reality of:
This Medium + This Paper = A Certain Soggy Mess.
Soaked right through to the other side 😦
Damnit!
Ok, I’m an adaptable kinda person, I pride myself on being able to change direction, to adjust and adapt.
Acrylics, I thought. Acrylics are the answer. They will sit on top of the paper and give it a bit more substance as well.
Look at that paper curl! It seems I have angered the book now.
Nope. Not only is it a streaky mess, but the pages are actually curling up in disgust.
What do they want from me? light, delicate pencil? Do they know me AT ALL??
I heard a distant memory jangling about in the back of my mind – are there rules on what media we’re to use? – checking the website: sure, acrylics & gesso are discouraged because the pages get sticky and … yes, yes, I know all this…
So, my first plan of watercolor was back on the table – because, when I read on – we are allowed to rebind the book. I can use actual watercolor paper!
Now that time was getting squeezed, that forever-away-distant deadline was getting closer… I decided that keeping it simple was the best way forward. The elaborate plans I had to begin are on hold for a separate project later in the year, meanwhile I’m back with what I know best for the pages of this book: the idea that is fuelling my creativity and has done for a long while now: an adventure in 12 colors!
After all, it’s my thing, right?
My pages are complete and ready for binding, I’ll show the finished book as soon as I get some good light for photos – then it’ll be winging it’s way off to Brooklyn Art Library
If you want to be first to see what I’m making, and get exclusive discounts on these things, clickety-hop aboard my email list right here.
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The 12 colors: 12 months project of 2017 plays back in the last 12 days of the year. Today:Yellow-Orange
Twelvty-Twelve: Yellow-Orange
The Gorgeous Golden Glow of Yellow-Orange, Ochres, Ginger, Saffron & Spice
“All that glitters is not gold.” ~ Shakespeare
All through 2017 I’ve been exploring the subject of color in a year long visual adventure: one color each month. Over the last 12 days of the year I’ve shared a little insight into what I made through the year, and today we reach the end of the journey, the circle is complete.
Each month I continued adding more single color doodles and collaged ephemera to the pages to this art journal, these are the closing pages.
Wishing you a fabulously colorful new year! Much love to you X
If you’re interested in understanding more about color, get my ebook A Year full of Color as well as regular monthly updates on my latest colorful antics, delivered right to your inbox:
Your email is utterly safe to me. It will be guarded by the deity of your choice and a small dragon.
TWELVTY is adventure you can join too.
By exploring the color wheel and each of the 12 colors, I share my creative process plus a feast of resources about color I’ve collected for you.
You’ll learn about the history of how color has been used, not just by artists, but as part of different cultures around the world. You’ll discover the meanings linked to the colors, how there are connections through the ages and around the world.
There are even playlists of songs and music relating to each of the colors! (I said it was thorough, right?)
In 2018 I’m introducing a new element to TWELVTY – a shared creative project that we’ll work on together as we traverse the color wheel.
The 12 colors: 12 months project of 2017 plays back in the last 12 days of the year. Today: Orange
Twelvty-Eleven: Orange
Juicy citrus shades of marigold, maple & mango
“Orange is the happiest color.” ~ Frank Sinatra
Color is an integral part to all types of creativity, it influences our moods and emotions, it’s linked with memories. Colors have been assigned meanings and connections throughout history and around the world.
When we tune our eyes in to notice the colors around us, life becomes brighter and more vibrant.
Through 2017 I’ve been exploring these aspects of color in a year long visual adventure: one color each month.
Each month I continued adding more single color pages to this mixed media art journal.
Over the last 12 days of the year I want to show you a glimpse of this project.
If you’re interested in understanding more about color, get my ebook A Year full of Color as well as regular monthly updates on my latest colorful antics, delivered right to your inbox:
Your email is utterly safe to me. I’ll bring it tea if it wakes up, then sing it back to sleep.
TWELVTY is adventure you can join too.
By exploring the color wheel and each of the 12 colors, I share my creative process plus a feast of resources about color I’ve collected for you.
You’ll learn about the history of how color has been used, not just by artists, but as part of different cultures around the world. You’ll discover the meanings linked to the colors, how there are connections through the ages and around the world.
There are even playlists of songs and music relating to each of the colors! (I said it was thorough, right?)
In 2018 I’m introducing a new element to TWELVTY – a shared creative project that we’ll work on together as we traverse the color wheel.
The 12 colors: 12 months project of 2017 plays back in the last 12 days of the year. Today: Red-Orange
Twelvty-Ten: Red-Orange
From auburn to brick, rusty rouge, browns & burnt orange.
“The sky takes on shades of orange during sunrise and sunset, the colour that gives you hope that the sun will set only to rise again.” ~ Ram Charan
Color is an integral part to all types of creativity, it influences our moods and emotions, it’s linked with memories. Colors have been assigned meanings and connections throughout history and around the world.
When we tune our eyes in to notice the colors around us, life becomes brighter and more vibrant.
Through 2017 I’ve been exploring these aspects of color in a year long visual adventure: one color each month.
Each month I continued adding more single color pages to this mixed media art journal.
Over the last 12 days of the year I want to show you a glimpse of this project.
If you’re interested in understanding more about color, get my ebook A Year full of Color as well as regular monthly updates on my latest colorful antics, delivered right to your inbox:
Your email is utterly safe to me. I’ll bring it tea if it wakes up, then sing it back to sleep.
TWELVTY is adventure you can join too.
By exploring the color wheel and each of the 12 colors, I share my creative process plus a feast of resources about color I’ve collected for you.
You’ll learn about the history of how color has been used, not just by artists, but as part of different cultures around the world. You’ll discover the meanings linked to the colors, how there are connections through the ages and around the world.
There are even playlists of songs and music relating to each of the colors! (I said it was thorough, right?)
In 2018 I’m introducing a new element to TWELVTY – a shared creative project that we’ll work on together as we traverse the color wheel.
Color is an integral part to all types of creativity, it influences our moods and emotions, it’s linked with memories. Colors have been assigned meanings and connections throughout history and around the world.
Color is an integral part to all types of creativity, it influences our moods and emotions, it’s linked with memories. Colors have been assigned meanings and connections throughout history and around the world.
Mixy's Art Blog 