Blog: Art Journal

If You Have Good Thoughts – Art Journal

NatKalbach_GoodThoughts01

If you have good thoughts, thy will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.

*Robert Dahl*

NatKalbach_GoodThoughts02

This background started out with a mono printed background demoing in a workshop and from there I added layers of layers, hiding, revealing and adding

NatKalbach_GoodThoughts03

There is a lot of texture on this spread. And I used this fluorescent pink , which is a new obsession of mine- LOL. I know some people HATE it …I used to too but somehow it speaks to me at the moment  and I love to explore with which unusual color combinations it can look good with :)

NatKalbach_GoodThoughts04

I hope you have a wonderful day …I am so giddy about the spring finally being here….Cannot even tell you :)

hugs

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

nSupplies



Nat

Comments (1)

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    It’s all about the texture. Nice.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Aligned Stars or … The Whatevers

the WHATEVERS 2 A

Are you ready for the next photo of the Second Round of Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about (basically they are photos that my friends and I found on flea markets etc. and that we give a new life and story) or want to see all the past photos and takes…check it out here.

Click here to see what Cat, Vicki, Martha and Cuchy made out of the photo and which story they tell.

Here is my take on this month’s photo:

NatKalbach_AlignedStars01

 

“They knew their stars were aligned as long as they were able to keep away the evil forces of world politics”. NatKalbach_AlignedStars02

I worked in a smaller art journal this time and also changed the format. I wanted to see how I like it. NatKalbach_AlignedStars04 It was fun – I think it is a different way on approaching an art journal page.

NatKalbach_AlignedStars03

And here is the photo of this month’s Whatever for you :

WhatevernatKalbach

You can play along with us and share your story with the Whatevers- just link it up so we can see it :)

 Loading InLinkz ...

Here is how it works

    • Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Martha and I and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
        • Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.

       

       

 

      • If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!

 

      • There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER

 

      • There is no rules on the length or the form of the story– it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER

 

      • There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER

 

      • Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.

 

      • These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!

 

      • If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.

 

 


Two Button Have a gorgeous day!   Nat LogoBlogSignature nSupplies


Nat

Comments (4)

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I love reading the stories that go along with the Whatevers creations.
    Especially that they are all so different. TFS

    Reply

  • Catherine Scanlon

    |

    I love the Hand Journals — though sometimes find the one I have a bit on the small side. Your colors in the background are great — looks like Winston and your Man coordinated their outfits this month, LOL.

    Love your colors!

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

    |

    Love how you used the new journal…is this story about anyone we might know???

    Reply

  • Cuchy

    |

    the stars and the planets should be aligned for them :)
    powerful colors. I love it!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Artvergnugen: PanPastel WS at The Ink Pad Photos

NatkalbachWSInkPad_Artvergnugen

This friday I had the pleasure of teaching anotherArtvergnugen Workshop at The Ink Pad in New York City. Artvergnugen is an ongoing Evening Art Journaling Class – once a month I teach with a different medium or tool and it is loads of fun. I love our little group of girls! This time I showed all kinds of techniques and ways on how to use PanPastel, a wonderful pastel medium, in your art journal.

NatKalbach_Artvergnugen01

As you can tell I am very enthusiastic about PanPastels and the girls looked at me first as if I am a bit goo-goo..well I am ..but ha- I got them excited too ;) (Thank you Pamela Young for letting me use the picture)

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen02

Soon they were playing and trying all kinds of applications and techniques

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen03

Pamela loved how she could layer all kinds of different techniques to build up a page

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen04

Wendy obviously loved playing with the Versamark Techniques I showed ;)

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen05

Jane loved the Stamping Techniques :)

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen06

Lisa loved playing with Stencils and PanPastel

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen07

Sandra really liked being photographed ;) just kidding- she liked the stenciling best too I think :)

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen08

And Sandy loved the vibrancy of the colors

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen09

Ana loved how you could blend the colors and also the stenciling

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen10

And finally Diane really loved her page with all kinds of different techniques ..and I love it too :)

NatKalbach_ArtVergnugen11

The next and last Artvergnugen is on June 27 – I believe there is one seat left – the theme will be Oilpastels/Artbars – I would love to see you :)

If you would like to learn the techniques and actually many many more  then what I taught in The Ink Pad on how to use PanPastels, sign up for my Online PanPastel Class. 

In five lessons you will learn the basics, all kinds of surfaces and techniques you can use the PanPastels with and I will show you several projects including a nice wooden canvas and a scrapbooking layout using them too. And you don’t have to travel to New York for this…although…it would be fun, right? You can take the class in your Jammies, whereever you are , whenever you want :) More details on the class here

Wishing you a wonderful day

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Leave a comment

Frog Dog Studio May Mixed Media Kit

I was so stoked when Tina Walker from Frog Dog Studio send me an email and told me that she is going to include my StencilGirl Products Typewriter Stencil and my Stampendous! Wired Stamp Set in her May Mixed Media Kit.

May 2014 MM Kit

 

I had fun playing with the kit too – and especially loved trying out the Fresco Finish and the Vellum Book included in the Kit. I used the Wired and the Mish Mesh (not included in the kit) Stamp Stet on both art journal spreads.

NatKalbach_MMDoor01

 

The Journaling says: Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping it will transform into a door…just walk through the door.

NatKalbach_MMDoor02

I used the mixture of my own acrylic paints and the Fresco Finish with my Stamp Templates and stamps. I especially love the matte chalky look of the Fresco Finish.

NatKalbach_MMDoor03

 

I used the Oil Pastels also included in the kit on the dress of this image that I had cut out of a catalogue. I love the mixture of oil pastels and acrylic paints. Just make sure to use the oil pastels last as you won’t be able to add any other medium on top of the oil pastel and journaling wouldn’t work either on there!

NatKalbach_MMQuietly01

 

Journaling: Sitting Quietly doing nothing, Spring comes and the grass grows by itself.

NatKalbach_MMQuietly02

 

I had used the Oil Pastels on a page of the Vellum Book and then cut out circles which I applied with Gel Medium to the my art journal page. I used the Prima Chalks to stamp through the Typewriter Stencil – so easy to use those with stencils and get a nice and crisp image – and I also used them partly on some stamp images.

NatKalbach_MMQuietly03

 

It was fun playing with the kit – you can purchase the May Mixed Media kit including my Typewriter Stencil and the Wired Stamp Set (I also used the Mish Mesh Stamps which are not included in the kit, I apologize, due to a misunderstanding I thought that one was included and did not see my mistake until it was too late to switch my projects ;) – I am sure you can imagine other stamps on the pages too :) ) at Frog Dog Studio.

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Comments (6)

  • katie smith

    |

    I love these! Especially the first one!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Looks like a fun kit and I really like your art journal pages Nat.

    Reply

  • Tina Walker

    |

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! Just love what you created with the May kit! You rock Nat!

    Reply

  • Sanna

    |

    Beautiful projects! I was thrilled to see your stencils and stamps in the kit!!! :) Love, love, love them :)

    Reply

  • Riikka

    |

    Looking really good! <3

    Reply

Leave a comment

Goals & Dreams – Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_GoalsDreams01

 

Once in a while I find it a good idea to write down my thoughts about my goals and dreams…otherwise it is all just big New York Cheese Cake in my head ;) It helps to put things in words…- I just started writing in the swirls of my Arabesque Stencil and went wild where to finish my sentences, connecting things that might not make any sense for others to see.

NatKalbach_GoalsDreams02

 

It was a really nice and fun process- I enjoyed taking the time thinking about this- you can mix up private and business goals and dreams…sometimes they go together anyway ;)

nSupplies



Have a beautiful day

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Comments (5)

  • Nurse Ratchet

    |

    FabUlous!!

    Reply

  • Jackie P Neal

    |

    Your stencil is perfect with your choice of colors Nat! Beauteous!

    Reply

  • Tracy

    |

    I tend to shy away from the fancy scroll/floral stencils and stamps, but the color combination you used is fabulous, especially against the black!

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

    |

    amazing page!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Pretty cool how the spaces worked out just right for little journaling/dream spaces. I picked up your antique car stencil at my LSS last week and I’m itching to play with it.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Become Your Dream – Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_BecomeYourDream01

 

Become your Dream – it’s up to you!

For this art journal spread used layered stencil- like my crackle stencil and the Cityscape Stencil by my friend Julie – on top of each other and used Liquitex spray paints. I really love how the background pops out with those darker colors sprayed on top.

NatKalbach_BecomeYourDream02

 

I sprayed on top again with a lighter color using my Circuit Stencil and also did some marks using markers (they are called markers for a reason, aren’t they? snigger)

NatKalbach_BecomeYourDream03

 

I love the results when you use acrylic spray paints- I am so happy about the weather getting better now so I can use them more.

nSupplies



Have a beautiful day

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Denise spillane

    |

    Love these pages. Great stencils

    Reply

  • Tracy

    |

    A nighttime cityscape, the love the bright colors against the darker background colors. It looks better with just a bit of black, but with blues and greens. Those stencils are incredible!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    The circuit stencil is so much more versatile than I had thought it would be. Nice combo and I love the strong, vibrant colors that you get from spray paints Nat.

    Reply

Leave a comment

Social Media … or Grumpledump Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_SocialMedia01

 

It’s the century of Social Media! We are all so freaking happy and authentic – oh yeah!

NatKalbach_SocialMedia02

 

Don’t get me wrong- I love Social Media as you can tell- but sometimes…sigh .

NatKalbach_SocialMedia03

 

I used some popping Liquitex Acrylic Paints on the Creative Palette and did some mono printing using the templated included in my Wired Stampset. This was a warm up page in my art journal which looked pretty much stupid weird unfinished- but when I sprayed the teal color over it – everything somehow looked fab and the colors popped even more.

That is why I love an art journal – it can be whatever you want it to be. It can be your art mournal, grumpledump book,  encouraging book, experimenting journal, journal journal…or all of it…which is pretty much what mine is  – this page is a grumpledump page ;)

nSupplies



have a wonderful non grumpledump day ;)

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Comments (2)

  • Tracy

    |

    The teal and green are fab together, and I love the stamp print. Grumpledump is awesome, fits purfectly with the mood of the page!! :P

    Reply

  • Linda on the Prairie

    |

    Grumpledump is such a wonderfully rich descriptor, almost as rich as the page!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Artvergnugen at The Ink Pad in NYC – Dates & Themes for May and June are up!

NatKalbach_ArtvergnugenAd

The new dates for Artvergnugen at The Ink Pad in New York City are up for May and June (April is already sold out- there is a waiting list) :

  • PanPastels! – May 9th
  • Wax & Oilbars! – June 27th

It starts the moment you sit down, an experience that is distinctly Art Journaling. A quick exhilaration, a sense of control, the art media’s surprising responsiveness as if they were simply an extension of you.

There is a word for this creative experience: Artvergnugen ! Artvergnugen is what makes your journal a piece of art.

Join Nathalie once a month and play each time with a different art medium or supply. Learn techniques, tips and tricks to take your art journaling further and turn it into Artvergnugen.

You will have to bring basic supplies – list on The Ink Pad Website – while Nathalie will bring the art medium/supply of the month for you to share. Sign up for as many of the sessions you want but be quick – space is limited.

Have an amazing day

nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Leave a comment

The Evil Look or…The Whatevers

the WHATEVERS 2 A

Are you ready for the next photo of the Second Round of Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about (basically they are photos that my friends and I found on flea markets etc. and that we give a new life and story) or want to see all the past photos and takes…check it out here.

Click here to see what Cat, Vicki, Martha and Cuchy made out of the photo and which story they tell.

Here is my take on this month’s photo:

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook01

 

Martha shot her new son in law another evil look just to ensure he understood her earlier whispered message during the rehearsal dinner: “If you ever make my little girl cry…I make you regret the day you were born!”

The little girl and her husband lived happily ever after!

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook02

 

When we saw this photo we all laughed hysterically- I think it is too funny and it reminded me that I actually do have a photo of my great-great grandmother with a similar evil look – she was known as someone who was absolutely humorless – LOL.

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook03

 

I love the little orange here and there peaking through the blue. Loads texture here.

NatKalbach_TheEvilLook04

 

And here is the photo of this month’s Whatever for you :

8679631767_6e963c9135_o

 

You can play along with us and share your story with the Whatevers- just link it up so we can see it :)

 Loading InLinkz ...

 

Here is how it works

  • Vicki, Cat, Cuchy (Carmen), Martha and I and I have made a one-year commitment to each other and picked twelve photos with Whatevers whom we will give a story.
  • Every month – if possible always on the 15th –  each of us will do a post with an individual story that goes along for us with the same photo.
  • If you want you can play along and we will have the photo for you to download and show us your version of The Whatevers. The photo will be posted at the end of our blogposts- not on Facebook!
  • There is no rules to the story itself- it can be funny, sad, uplifting, breathtaking- WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the length or the form of the story– it can be a short sentence, an essay, a poem or a soap opera – WHATEVER
  • There is no rules on the artform you choose – it can be a scrapbook layout, an altered art project, an artjournal page – WHATEVER
  • Here is a rule though: if you take the photo you have to link back to us and show us your story.
  • These pictures are from our personal stash and are for personal use for you only! If you want to use them for a publication whether a book or magazine in print or digital form please ask for permission!
  • If you want to participate we’ll have a linky list for each Whatever Post.
  • You can also join our The Whatevers -Facebook Page

 

Two Button

 

 

Here is what I used for the art journal spread:



Have a gorgeous day- no evil looks though ;)

 

Nat

LogoBlogSignature

Nat

Comments (5)

  • Cuchy

    |

    LOL good advice… or better warning.
    I heard my father telling the same words :)
    Love the “new and colorful porch”

    Reply

  • Vicki Chrisman

    |

    Super fun Nat! I always LOVE how you use COLOR!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Funny how many folks in the older vintage photos look miserable. I guess it was just a sign of the times. I assume that they didn’t have many pics taken so they wanted a “serious” one to display.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      LOL Sue- I think it might be also because they had to wait forever? I am not sure- but I guess I would have looked miserable too ;)

      Reply

  • Catherine Scanlon

    |

    Haha, my husband calls that the evil eye! Love the story and the orange does look GREAT!

    Reply

Leave a comment