The Documented Life Project-The Journal-Week 9

February's theme for The Documented Life Project - The Journal is "Layers You Will Love!" with this week's art challenge, "Using at Least Five Layers" and the journal prompt, "Give Me a High Five."

The past two weeks my journal pages have been a little too busy for my taste, so this week I made a conscious effort to create a simpler spread.

Layer one was created with various papers, torn and adhered to the journal. Layer two was a wash of acrylic paint; ivory, aqua and burnt sienna...a favorite combination, and one I find rather calming.

Layer three consisted of mark-making with ink through punchinella and bottle-cap printing with acrylic paint.

With layers four and five I added pieces of vintage dictionary pages and printed on top with star shaped punchinella.

The final layers include FIVE collaged and outlined birds on a HIGH wire; numbered of course, and some rubber stamping of the word and numeral five.

I'm happy with the end result. Not too busy; feels calm; more my style. Thanks for visiting.

© Nancy Lefko

The Documented Life Project-The Journal-Week 7

February's theme for The Documented Life Project - The Journal is "Layers You Will Love!" with this week's challenge, "Cover Up Good Stuff" and the prompt, "Going Undercover."

My initial layer was coated with red and pink from Inktense blocks, then bubble wrap and heart-shaped punchinella designs were added. Already this page was not typical for me...I RARELY use red & pink as a color scheme for a journal spread; but it IS St. Valentine's Day, so "when in Rome..."

Stamping fleur-de-lis with a foam stamp was the next layer.

Next up, tissue and a little bit of doodling around the fleur-de-lis.

Now comes the part where I'm covering up much of the artful goodness I created so far. I used tissue from a special Valentine's Day gift. (Thank you, Miss E.)

A little collage work further covers what lies beneath.

The finished page is really a departure for me. Not only a very different palette, but far busier than my usual spread. But, hey, I was up for the challenge. How did I do?

© Nancy Lefko

The Documented Life Project-The Journal-Week 6

February's theme for The Documented Life Project - The Journal is "Layers You Will Love!" with this week's challenge, "When Not to Stop" and prompt, "Don't Stop til You Get Enough!"

No one has to tell me twice to use layers...the more, the better. Layers are what my journal pages are all about. In fact, one of my articles for Art Journaling Magazine was entitled, "Seamless Layers." I like to create layers that work so well together that you cannot discern where one layer stops and another begins.

I began this week's spread with a variety of papers

followed by an application of Pam Carriker's sheer acrylics.

Design elements were added with floral decorative napkins

and rubber stamped images. I always enjoy that serendipitous moment when something from the background can work as a focal element in the completed journal page. Such was the case with a couple of the words from my initial layer of papers.

A dry brush application of cream colored paint brought a subtle quality to the page and again, as a pleasant surprise, worked well with my theme of layers of snow.

The page was finished off with a layer of text, mark-making with paint & markers, and lastly ink around the edges.

As you pass your time through the remaining weeks of winter, and its accompanying snowstorms, grab your art journal and brighten up your day!

Thanks for visiting.

© Nancy Lefko