Here's my fourth canvas for Kelly Rae Robert's Mixed Media Mantras e-course and the first one that felt effortless.  I didn't critique every move, continually wonder what I was doing wrong, or question what I should be doing instead.  My self doubt gremlins were in check.  Progress!    

I started this one entirely with collage.  While I've hidden most of the collaged background, I love the dimension it continues to add to the painting.  I incorporated flower doodles, doilies, and stenciled and tinted modeling paste, which continues to meld my art journaling and scrapbooking elements into my painting.    

Here's my second July layout for Scrap Our Stash's challenge.  I'm still scrapping Kaua'i pics, because I can't get enough.  The photo on the bottom is a new favorite photos.  I used subtle mixed media on this one with hints of modeling paste stenciled on and kept white.  The background papers were already pretty busy so I didn't want to do too much.  I also like the repeated sentiment of "now" on the journaling card, title, and flair.  

I never would have thought to cut a photo in half. Or to use a second photo at an angle down on the botto corner. That's the beauty of using a sketch. I always turn to them when I'm stuck or looking for new ideas. For me, sketched help inspire new layout ideas more than anythign else. This one was no exception, as it was full of ideas!   Link up your entries by July 29th, 11:59 PM (PST) for a chance to win this month's prize.

Close-ups! 

Here's my third canvas for Kelly Rae Robert's Mixed Media Mantras e-course.  I appreciate that these are mantra paintings and reflect how we're feeling or the messages resounding inside of us at the time.  Truth be told, this week has been hard.  There have been a couple days where I've just wanted to come home, crawl into a ball, and cry.  And maybe I did do that one night.  But the last two nights I've decided to write, listen to loud music, and paint instead.  The one word mantra that keeps coming back to me this week has been "resilient".  I may bend, but I don't break.  You know, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?  Yeah, that.  I'm grateful for the timing of this class and the inspiration it continues to provide.  

During all three canvases I've gone through the following stages: 1) Early on, I grow to love the background - paint, texture, collage - it all seems to work.  2)  Despite Kelly Rae's urging to stay unattached, I struggle to circle back and add more for fear I'll mess it up.  I keep adding to it and then feel I've gone too far.  It's become an ugly mess and I can't imagine how this will evolve.  3) I follow her next steps, let got of expectations, remind myself to enjoy the process, and it comes together.  Every time.  

My second canvas for Kelly Rae Robert's Mixed Media Mantras e-course!  While I still struggle with moving quickly and find myself over-thinking e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, it's getting easier.  For example, I'm normally very particular about my stamp placement and making sure it aligns perfectly, but I challenged myself to loosen up.  I am growing to appreciate the inconsistencies and happy mistakes.  

I made a bunch of my own stencils and borders (thank you cameo die cut machine!), but I need to find old books and images for collaging.  And I need more paint.  One thing at a time.  I just love this process so much.  It feels like the perfect transition from art journaling and scrapbooking.  

This layout for Scrap Our Stash's July challenge is in celebration of the SCOTUS decision last month for marriage equal.  While I recognize the queer community has a lot more work to do towards equality, this was HUGE and felt very validating.  We went to the marriage rally in Portland the day of the ruling, and while there was much celebration, the sentiment "We're not done" was loud and clear.  Also, I've never been so happy with social media as I was that day.  My Facebook exploded in rainbows and love.  

I was pleasantly suprised to see how well my rainbowed Facebook profile photo printed. I enlarged and welded the background flowers together with my cameo before die cutting them on white cardstock. I wanted a watercolor effect so I painted the flowers with clear gesso. Then, I used an array of inks and mists applied liberally in some areas and lighter in others. I dug through my stash to find patterned papers to match each color. I die cut the small petals and randomly taped them behind the flowers. I finished with ink splatters and embelishments that corresponded to each color.  

The items I used from my stash to represent PHOTO:
P - Purple flower, paper, enamel dots, and ink
H - Heidi Swapp color shine ink 
O - Orange flower, paper, enamel dots, and ink 
T - Tag, ticket 
O - Odd number of photos (1)

Link up your entries by July 29th, 11:59 PM (PST) for a chance to win this month's awesome prize.

I've completed all the lessons in Kelly Rae Robert's Mixed Media Mantras e-course and made my first painting.  I loved the background, but moved between frustration, adoration, and dislike for this finished piece.  I feel like I added too many small collage elements, I really wish I would have done a different placement with the mantra, and the balance is off.  However, as the day progressed, I gave myself permission to be imperfect and reminded myself several things: I'm still learning, stay unattached, this is only the beginning.   

It's a million degrees outside, Jayden is making strawberry shortcake, we're watching Orange is the New Black, and I've just spent a day painting, painting and painting some more.  Yesterday I got fantastic news that I'll share soon.  Life is sweet.  

I've been reflecting on the last year a lot.  One year ago at this time I had recently finished the Brene Brown e-course, which transformed my life in so many ways.  The one way that still resonates now is my creative expression.  An art journal lead to discovering mixed media, to a renewed passion for scrapbooking, to the creation of this blog, to entering (and winning) many design challenges, to being on three design teams, to getting my work published for the first time.  

Now it feels like I'm on the next step of this journey, taking Kelly Rae Robert's Mixed Media Mantras e-course.  I feel awakened once again.  I spent the last week writing my stories, peeling away the layers, and developing my mantras.  During one of the exercises we thought of two people we admired and answered several questions before reflecting on our answers.  Here's what I wrote in my journal:  This was a challenging and revealing activity for me. I chose two folks – my dear friend and Brene Brown. I think they both have a lot in common, actually. Above all, I appreciate how they both encourage joyful, passionate, genuine, and heart centered living. It’s not a life without challenges, as both have weathered criticism, embraced imperfection, and shared their vulnerability. However, they both seem to live in the light, whatever shade that may be at the time. Thus, my mantra: Authenticity in a prism of light.

Today I started painting and could hardly stop.  I spent hours on my (now sore) feet.  It was worth it.  I did the entire second section of the class, which focussed on the layering process.  Before starting, I gave myself permission to unleash and be uninhibited.  I'm always so restrained, worried about being messy and wasting materials, and thinking ahead.  I wanted to let go.  

Here's the scene when I first started painting my layers.  I used my quilting table and repurposed on old vinyl tablecloth that I sewed years ago for our dining table.  So many of the tools I use for scrapbooking have come in handy for mixed media painting, including my spray mists, inks, stamps, paper, and stencils.  

Here's my stopping point for today.  Layers, layers, layers.  I have no idea what's next, but I am excited to see where this goes as I finish up the videos.