Sunday, 3 January 2010

Back to normality.....

The Christmas tree and decorations are down, the visitors have all gone, and normal life resumes. There is so much preparation for Christmas and yet it is all over in the blink of an eye. Today I was supposed to be visiting a very good buddy but the snow still falls and the temp is -5 so I daren't risk the journey. I had a little time to play about with some paints and this is the outcome:


A while ago I went on a course (for teachers) called 'philosophy for children' (I have blogged about this before...). It's not often I come away from a course feeling thoroughly enlightened but I really really did this time. One of the things we talked about was allowing yourself to fail, in this case as a teacher, and also allowing children in your class to fail because failure is part of learning. As adults we want to jump in and put things right don't we? Allowing myself to fail on this art journey I am on does not come easy but I have set myself a 'no tearing out' rule in my art journals which means I have to live with the failures. It's good for me! I know you don't all like the gothic images I use sometimes (because you tell me!) but it seemed appropriate in this case. The image came from Rian here. Do take a look, there are some fab freebies to be had :-)
I used Ranger dabbers but I wanted to intensify the colours a bit so I experimented with some Starburst Stains I got from The Stamp Man. I wasn't sure if these would work over acrylics but they did and they added a beautiful intense shimmery glow. Yum!
I don't always use gothic images, sometimes I do 'pretty'. On this ATC I used a Lynn Perella stamp on some asian text (which I burned around the edges),  mounted on some hand-made paper, and stitched mica over the top:

I found this fabulously appropriate quote to go with the stamped image:


And finally, I added the 2010 to my calendar page. The background is still not complete, I'm working on it as I go along.

Byeeeeee for now

Posted by at 19:28

26 comments:

  1. Betsi Goutal3 January 2010 at 19:49

    Love it, love it, and have I mention - love it? Yes, I have, on Flickr. :) But I wanted to say it again, because I like all the other art in this post too, and I had to thank you for the link to Rian's site. I will be giving that a good browse when I have some time! And the Ranger dabbers and Straburst stains may have to go on my ever-growing supply wishlist. Yummy effects!

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  2. Diane3 January 2010 at 19:59

    I love what you say about failing, and allowing yourself to--something I'm having a hard time doing. I have to learn how to fail--love all of your art pieces that you shared with us!

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  3. Kirsti3 January 2010 at 20:29

    That's brilliant words to listen to about failure cos that's what I feel like just now but I will carry on and not get disheartened and like you, even if it's rubbish it will be in my journal... Great link to riandesigns too... Thanks, Kirsti...x

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  4. Sharon3 January 2010 at 20:45

    The quote you have used is really good and so true. Are you a primary teacher Kate? I am, I teach part time in a local school.
    Love your new pieces.
    x

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  5. Kate Creates - a lot of mess, just ask my family.....3 January 2010 at 22:01

    Love it all, especially your use of colour and the gothic images.

    I have to confess I'm behind already with the calendar. I painted a page before we headed to the South coast on new year's day. Back now but no squares yet - I hope it isn't cheating to do few at once!

    Kate

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  6. Sarah Anderson3 January 2010 at 22:07

    That course just sounds like it was so good!! I have to learn that failing at something, or not getting it 'right' does not mean I'm a failure!
    Now there's deep for you ;)
    I've not played with my starburst stains yet! Look great on acrylics.
    Love your 2010, I just cut mine out of the Radio Times and stuck it on LOL!!

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  7. Carolyn Albro3 January 2010 at 22:13

    Oh my gosh!! I just LOVE your date. And as for your darker images... well, it's YOUR journal, if others don't like it they dont have to look : ) You just keep doin' your thang girl : ))

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  8. Sara3 January 2010 at 22:15

    i love that use what you like... some viewers may not like the gothic but you choose what fits your needs/feelings. great pieces - always amazed by your work. ♥

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  9. Erin4 January 2010 at 00:57

    I love your piece at the top of this entry! Words to live by, definitely. Thanks for following my blog Healing through Art Journaling, I have added myself to your blog as well. Saw your spread in Art Journaling! I am also mentioned in there in Samantha Kira Hardings article. Hope to get some art in there soon! Take a look at my most recent project at www.365daysofbeing30.blogspot.com...

    much love,
    Erin

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  10. Terri Kahrs4 January 2010 at 01:56

    Love, Love, Love the message! It takes everything I have not to rip out the "ugly" pages. Looking back on them, they DO remind me of what I've learned and where I am now. We're never to old to learn from our failures!

    Awesome productive day in your studio, Kate! Great pieces! Hugs, Terri

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  11. sharon4 January 2010 at 04:25

    Love your pieces Kate, pretty and goth. Your goth pieces show so much emotion and energy....they are my favorite!
    Great post about the failure thing....you can't win till you know how you lost!

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  12. Sandra Hall4 January 2010 at 06:59

    Kate these pieces are truly wonderful! Amazingly different but gorgeous all the same, the ATC is great. And I love what you've shared about the failing/learning journey that you're on...it encourages me to be less critcal of my own work (and keep it instead of throwing it in the bin!)
    x x

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  13. Kirsti4 January 2010 at 09:17

    In answer to your question Kate about February's piece, it is a wreath made from K&Co papers and an old book cut into circles then made into cones and pinned onto a polystyrene wreath.... thanks for the lovely comments....x

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  14. Mary4 January 2010 at 13:32

    Kate I so love your journal pages!! I purchased a copy of Art Journaling. Your work in it is wonderful. How much fun it must be for you to see your work there, and how much fun for us that know you to say, "I know her"! :) Looking forward to seeing what you create throughout this new year!!

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  15. patcrafts4 January 2010 at 14:08

    Brilliant as usual Kate, in particular I like your ATC, no I don't like it I just LOVE it. Sometimes I wish I had some of your imagination. Your 2010 on the calendar is a fabulous idea. When I was teaching there were no such interesting courses available.
    Hugs Pat

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  16. olive4 January 2010 at 15:47

    got the Craft Stamper to read your article.... fabby dabby stuff, Kate. Really love your stuff, cant wait to see the other parts. You are such a busy girl.... congratulations. Hope to see you soon too at AFTH, Ciao

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  17. glitterBugStudios4 January 2010 at 17:19

    Great message! I agree with letting children fail every so often. I try to do that with my own kids & then turn it into a teaching experience. I love you gothy images! I was the one who got you goth doll matchbox a while ago! Love it & have it sitting proudly on my treasure shelf!

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  18. Rian4 January 2010 at 20:14

    Thanks for mension my site . Very kind of you !!
    You've made a wonderful creation with my freebie.

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  19. Irene4 January 2010 at 21:30

    I would just like to say that I've been looking at this very much,I haven't a blog......far too techno for a thickie like me,but I thankyou Kate for inspiration,have just ordered a moleskine sketchbook,and will be following/doing this along with you all.

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  20. Irene4 January 2010 at 21:39

    I have been looking at this with much enthusiasm,and I would like to thankyou Kate for such inspiration.I don't have a blog,far too techno for a thickie like me,but,I have this very evening bought a moleskine sketchbook so I can folow the year with youX

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  21. craftygirl5 January 2010 at 07:54

    i really love the baby with its eyes crossed over!

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  22. Oxana5 January 2010 at 20:19

    I love your pieces of art!!!

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  23. Kirsti5 January 2010 at 23:45

    Just got my Craft Stamper this morning and your feature is amazing - can't wait to start it... thought I would try out Judy's little 'cherish' box first as a gift box for my neighbour who had a little girl just before Christmas... take care and keep up the fabulous art work... you rock..Kirsti x

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  24. Laura Haviland6 January 2010 at 00:29

    Kate how I love your blog and your art work.
    This piece is so way cool, as always everything.
    I added a link to your blog on my blog today.
    I love what your wrote about failure, so very interesting.
    Thank you for visiting my blog, makes my day seeing you there.
    Again just love your art work, screaming awesome !! LOL
    Happy Creative New Year, Hugs Laura. xoxx

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  25. Anonymous6 January 2010 at 15:53

    sending you a message from Canada...love your colour and whimsy! saw your article in latest issue of Art Journaling...INSPIRING.

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  26. Melissa6 January 2010 at 22:29

    Nice pieces of art! I've mixed up something that is like the Starbust Stain with the Distress Ink reinker and Pearl-Ex powders.
    Smiles-
    Melissa

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