Blog: Art Journal

Rules Schmules or… New Art Journal Page

Are you guys also covered over the ears with stuff to do ? I bet you are. Crazzzzyyy times. At least a new Art Journal Page

NatKalbach_rules1

 

I was checking out a color combination in my art journal for a CHA Project – I love the blue, purple and vibrant green.

The Quote by Claude Debussy reads: Works of art make rules, rules do not make works of art!

NatKalbach_rules3

 

 

That is why I enjoy art journaling so much. Don’t get me wrong…working on CHA Projects with super-secret-not-yet-revealed-stuff is super fun…but there are also a LOT of rules. What you can use, what you can combine, what you can make, how big, how small… etc. And that is why this quote came back to my mind…so time to throw it in my art journal and move on ;) Get these projects done…oh…and CJS14…and Christmas Shopping and …Cleaning of the house… I bet you can relate :)

NatKalbach_rules2

 

In any event- I hope you have a couple minutes to do something creative and play! Take them :)))))

Have a wonderful weekend!

Nat


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Nat

Comments (9)

  • Pam in New Jersey

    |

    All the best for a wonderful holiday and new year in your new home!!

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

    |

    I am up to my ears in wrapping presents right now.
    I love the blue and purple together and only recently have added this neon green to the mix. I like it and so does my 11-year-old son.
    I can only imagine just how busy you are right now Nat.
    “New” country, CJS 2014, CHA and all the rest.
    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and yours.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too Sue! huge hugs
      nat

      Reply

  • kat82ren

    |

    I love them, and the color is amazing!!!

    Reply

  • ddhurlbut

    |

    I really love this art journal page, colors, texture and quote combined to make me say AHA this morning 4 days before Christmas! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas Nat! Thanks for ALL the inspiration your share throughout the year, YOU ROCK!!!

    Peace,
    Donna

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Awww- thank you Donna! Merry Christmas to you too! huge hugs Nat

      Reply

  • Kathy P.

    |

    What a perfect quote for this time of year! Running, running out of time, running round in circles! No time for creativity—-but that makes Dec. 29, when everyone leaves and I can kick back, so much sweeter! For me, January is total crafty time!
    And I love that color combo!
    Have a very merry Christmas, Nat—your very first living here in the States!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

      |

      Merry Christmas to you too Kathy! Hope you can stop the circle running just a little bit this weekend :) huge hugs, nat

      Reply

  • Wilma Voermans

    |

    You are so right with this quote! When I have to make something with a lot of rules, my inspiration flys out of the window…and I sit there thinking about what am I allowed to use and what not? But he…there is always the art journal to loose frustration ;)

    Reply

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Whatevers Round 2 #6 …or Undercover Cross-Dressing

the WHATEVERS 2 A

Are you ready for the 6th photo of the Second Round of Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about 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:

NatKalbach_EasyHide01

 

Journaling: Detective Henry Millera and Detective Stewart Fisher knew exactly that the more flashy they would dress the less it became obvious that they didn’t belong to the Women’s Club Fighting for Equal Rights. It was almost too easy to hide.

NatKalbach_EasyHide02

 

For the background I used Liquitex Paints  and also Claudine Hellmuth’s Foam Stamps .

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

8674828378_9f599432e4_o

 

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

 thank you :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (8)

  • Ursula

    |

    Mensch Nat, das ist Voodoo – wir haben Advent ;))
    LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Vicki Chrisman

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    Oh… I love how you think! Awesome page!

    Reply

  • Martha Richardson

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    Oh you didn’t go there…lol! What fun and now I want to know the rest of the story!!!

    Reply

  • Catherine

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    Ha Ha, when I was working on my page I thought they looked like men — this is so funny! Super cute page Nat.

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

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    I so enjoy your stories for the Whatevers Nat and this reminds me that I need to upload the LO that I did for the last photo.

    Reply

  • Maria Luisa Naval

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    I love this page! Very Cooool

    Reply

  • cuchy

    |

    Much better these neon coats LOL
    Cool contrast with the black background

    Reply

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Photo Painting Technique

CJSUberMediaOWSLOGO

Those of you who were part of the Creative JumpStart 2013 saw the videos that me and my artist friends posted on my website throughout January 2013.  The videos are not available here anymore, since CJS 2013 was only available till June,  but I thought it would be nice to repost my 10 technique videos over the next couple weeks- so that you have access to them whenever you want and see what CJS 2013 was all about.

And now let’s jump to the 7th video in my Über*Media Creative JumpStart 2013 Workshop which was the Photo Painting Technique :)

If you have no external speakers on your pc – turn up the volume a lot (the audio is very low in this video)

CJS 2013 Technique 7 Photopainting from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

As you might have seen I just proposed Creative JumpStart 2014 !

CJS2014Lable

It will work slightly different this year and has some major improvements like a forum and an easier access- and I can tell you already the line up of artists and the videos are AWESOmE!!! For 20 Dollars -that is less than 1 Dollar per video (23 videos by 21 artists) it is a great deal! Check out the information here :)

I would love to have you!

And here are my supplies I used for the Photo Painting Video above:

nSupplies

Have a gorgeous and wonderful day!
hugs
nat
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Nat

Comments (2)

  • Sue Abell

    |

    This is great news Nathalie! Thanks so much for doing Creative Jumpstart again, I can’t wait! Have a wonderful Christmas, see you in January!

    Reply

  • smokeysmom

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    I’m signed up for CJS2014! I can’t wait for it!

    Reply

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New Class Series at The InkPad in NYC

NatKalbach_ArtvergnugenAd

 

So excited about this new series of once a month Art Journaling workshops with different topics which I will teach at The InkPad in New York City.

 

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 below – 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.

  • Session One: Stamps – January 31st
  • Session Two: Monoprinting – February 20th
  • Future Sessions to be Announced

Required Supplies:

  • Art Journal (your choice- I use a Ranger Dylusions Art Journal)
  • Acrylic Paint (3 colors, plus black & white)
  • Brayer
  • Old Credit card /or plastic card that size
  • Scissors
  • Bristle Paintbrush (1 medium flat)
  • Paper Plate or paint palette
  • Container for Water
  • Baby Wipes
  • Rag/Paper Towel
  • Heavy Matte (or gloss) Gel Medium – I prefer Liquitex
  • Gesso – I prefer Liquitex
  • Apron -optional
  • Heat Gun, extension cord, power strip – optional
  • Cosmetic Wedge Sponges
  • Favorite Stencils – optional
  • Magazine (fashion would be best) -optional
  • Black Journaling Pen
  • Water Mister
  • Whatever you feel is a must have in any of your art journal pages
  • Watercolor paper – just 1 or 2 sheets for trying things
Cost: $ 45.00
 

 

The other topics and dates will be announced soon . We have planned about six in total so far :)

Have a gorgeous day

Nat


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Nat

Comments (5)

  • cheiron

    |

    I’m all signed up! Can’t wait for class to begin.

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

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    Ahhhh…lucky New Yorkers!! Don’t think about it..SIGN UP!!! Nat is FAB!!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Oh to live in NYC! Looks like a fun ongoing time Nat.

    Reply

  • jenny

    |

    That’s great Nat
    congratulations on your classes they look like so much fun

    Reply

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We’ll all Float On Anyway …or Art Journal Page

NathalieKalbach_Float01

 

I love how the background for this page turned out – it was very bright and wild until I covered most of it with black and that made it for me.

NathalieKalbach_Float02

 

Embossed with my old stamps I designed for Sultane and Stampendous Aged Green Embossing Enamel  – love that stuff!

Have you used any older Supplies you “found” again recently?

Have a gorgeous day

Nat


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Nat

Comments (2)

  • amyomalley

    |

    my watercolor crayons – I hadn’t used them in years (and I had the old BIG set of the ones from Stampin Up – I’ll never run out of colors!) Agree that it is fun to shop in the stash!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    Wow, really different colors for you Nat.
    Somehow the black lends itself to the words.
    I’ve been purging my supplies and re-discovered my colored water pencils. It’s always fun to “shop” in my own stash of supplies;-)

    Reply

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Brayer Background Technique

CJSUberMediaOWSLOGO

Those of you who were part of the Creative JumpStart 2013 saw the videos that me and my artist friends posted on my website throughout January. The videos are not available here anymore, since I have to make room for new fun things to come ..still thinking ;) …but I thought it would be nice to repost my 10 technique videos over the next couple weeks- so that you have access to them whenever you want.

And now let’s jump to the 6th video in my Über*Media Creative JumpStart 2013 Workshop which was the Brayer Background Technique  – one of my faves :)

If you have no external speakers on your pc – turn up the volume a lot (the audio is very low in this video)

CJS 2013 Technique6 Brayer Background from Nathalie Kalbach on Vimeo.

This and the other techniques are part of some of my Über*Media Online Classes.

They are there to free your creativity with techniques and how-to’s that go beyond one certain project. I want you to learn something new that you can adapt to your own style and can use for many projects to come.

Über*Media classes are dedicated to different kinds of media that cross a variety of materials.

I do have several Über*Media Workshops available right now for example Über*Media -PanPastel, -Acrylic Paint, -Gesso, -Acrylic Ink and -FoamStamplifier.

For my Creative JumpStart Über*Media Workshop I showed some of my favorite Über*Media Techniques that can be used in your Mixed Media, Scrapbooking, Altered Art and/or ArtJournal Projects.

 

And here are the supplies I used in the video:

nSupplies

 

I hope you enjoyed todays technique :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (4)

  • Amante del Papel

    |

    i love this technique, thanks for sharing

    Reply

  • Kathy Gledsdale

    |

    Oh yay I can see it now and how pretty it is too!

    Reply

  • Maggie M

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    I agree, a 2014 Creative Jumpstart video series would be AWESOME! I loved the 2013 series:) Hugs and Happy Holidays Nat.

    Reply

  • Christine Szekeres

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    Will there be a Creative JumpStart 2014?!? I had a wonderful time learning and playing this year so I’m hoping there will be! Thanks for sharing these with us again!

    Reply

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Brain vs. Kool Aid or …New Art Journal Page

4 days…no post…what??? I tell you…I am so sorry….but I am over my head in work…and hey…an upcoming housewarming party and hosting Thanksgiving this year is not helping either ;) I am working on several things at the same time…frantically and I know that some things might be totally up your alley and you will love love love them…so…BEAR with me! (Did you notice..I got it…I no longer write “bare” with me….I was so embarrassed when I learned what this means when I write it wrong- LOL). I had time for a quick art journal page – the foundation of it was made in my Class at the Ink Pad demoing.

natkalbach_koolaid1

 

 

It is always great to have some backgrounds ready to go in your art journal- so if you need a quick artfix that only takes a couple minutes- you are ready to go …

natkalbach_koolaid2

 

Here I also used another background page that I did and cut it up in circles which I used on the art journal page – I love it. It is one of the rare occasions where I actually have a lighter background and darker spots on top – usually I do darker backgrounds and lighten everything up with the embellishing features.

natkalbach_koolaid4

 

I used the Circuit Stencil I designed for StencilGirl Product and using a Versamark Pen I traced the pattern and then heat embossed with Stampendous Aged Enamel Powder.

natkalbach_koolaid3

 

and Mr Brain …with the dirty face (note to self: clean your fingers in between before you are fiddling in someones face!)…with a nice blue shirt to contrast the orange background ….fun

nSupplies


Nat

Comments (7)

  • Jackie

    |

    Hi Nat,
    First off- don’t take on too much! If you stress yourself out over the holidays you won’t have FUN1 And we need more fun! heehee
    Secondly, I’m in agreement with Jeanne, I kinda like the “dirty” look- mmm sexy! Gobble Gobble! xo

    Reply

  • Jeanne Kelly

    |

    I don’t know…..the dirty face makes him look a bit more mysteriously sexy…Mmmmmm!

    Don’t worry about your English…sadly there are plenty of Americans that don’t know the difference between “bear” and “bare” !

    Reply

  • Nurse Ratchet

    |

    Tis the season to be busy!! Be nice to yourself!!<3

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

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    This is fun! Good look with your upcoming events!

    Reply

  • Micki

    |

    Nat, I love your page and actually love the “dirty face”, because I do that all the time. Don’t feel bad about not posting every day, you have a life and having just moved…… I think you are entitled :-). (Of course I’m saying that because then I won’t feel so guilty about my lack of posting, wink!)

    Reply

  • wilma Voermans

    |

    I really like this page. For me it is a working man , dirty and all who takes a thirsty break.

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

    |

    It is a busy time of year, no worries about posting Nat.
    I am hosting Thanksgiving for the first time ever…busy as well.
    How did you do the man on this page? Photo, drawing, pic from magazine? He’s very handsome;-)

    Reply

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Whatevers Round 2 #5 or Good Advice

the WHATEVERS 2 A

Are you ready for the 5th photo of the Second Round of Whatevers? If you missed what the Whatevers is all about 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:

_NatKalbach_GoodAdvice01

 

Journaling: Mother told them to be proud of their legacy! Being born into a circus family was special and most of the time people would be very interested in them and their life. But sometimes they were treated like outcasts. Mother said: “Chin up, straight look, shoulders up and onward…Leave them behind.” It was good advice!

_NatKalbach_GoodAdvice02

 

Loved using  Liquitex Heavy Paints and Spray Paints as well as my Elephant March Stencil for StencilGirl Products.

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

NatKalbach_Whatever2_5

 

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


thank you :)

Nat

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Nat

Comments (7)

  • cuchy

    |

    the stencil, the perfect fit.
    A good advice indeed. Clever, mother Esmeralda LOL

    Reply

  • Gerd Andersson

    |

    Your art journal is so beautiful and both the Elephant and the Arabesque stencils are so suitable for your story!

    Reply

  • Laura

    |

    Love this as a journaling piece.
    Having spent a bit of time with a traveling show, I can relate.

    Reply

  • Catherine

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    Love the bright colors and how you incorporated the stencil into the story — super cool!

    Reply

  • Jean A Marmo

    |

    I just love your story! And that stencil is perfect!

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

    |

    Perfect story for using your elephant stencil Nat.

    Reply

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Do More of What Makes You Happy or….The InkPad Workshop

NatKalbach_InkPad01
I taught a class called Über*Media Backgrounds at The Ink Pad in New York City. It was a bit different in format as I did this class in two parts- the first part was at the end of October and the second yesterday.

NatKalbach_InkPad11

 

The first part was dedicated to creating with all kinds of background techniques and making your own paper for an later art journal. It was loads of fun.

NatKalbach_InkPad09

 

We used lot’s of different media

NatKalbach_InkPad14

 

NatKalbach_InkPad03

 

and played a lot with my StencilGirl Product stencils

NatKalbach_InkPad12

NatKalbach_InkPad08

 

NatKalbach_InkPad06

 

the second part was about layering and taking the backgrounds even further and of course finally using them – in this case for an art journal

 

 

NatKalbach_InkPad13

 

NatKalbach_InkPad15

NatKalbach_InkPad17

 

NatKalbach_InkPad04

 

 

 

NatKalbach_InkPad02

 

NatKalbach_InkPad05

 

NatKalbach_InkPad16

 

NatKalbach_InkPad10

 

NatKalbach_InkPad07

 

I had a blast and loved the colorful creations of the girls. I also like the concept of an ongoing class – it gives you so many possibilities and is a great way for everyone to deepen the learned stuff and then take it further. And on top- I met “my girls” again . This might be something I will be doing again ;) – who knows ;)

What kind of classes do you prefer: One time and in person, on-going and in-person, online and just a short block or an ongoing online class?

Have a gorgeous day

Nat

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Nat

Comments (11)

  • Jackie

    |

    WOW! What fun Nat! It would be So Cool to be able to create with you- therefore I’d like an ongoing face to face! When can we schedule it for?!! LOL Wish we had somewhere around us that you could come teach at- no privately owned stamp/scrapbook stores within 75 miles from me :(
    Seriously, I would prefer face to face with instructor, on-going for sure or ongoing online. Thanks for sharing with us! hugs xo

    Reply

  • Sue turchick

    |

    Definitely in person! Love connecting with everyone elses’s energy and creativity. Nice meeting you, Nathalie!

    Reply

  • Madeline Rains

    |

    I like both online and in person. I’ve only had in person once! It was a few weeks ago in Charlotte when Julie taught there. I loved doing it live with the teacher’s inspiration right there. But there is something to be said for taking your time in your own studio, pausing when you need to and rewatching when necessary. I’d love an ongoing class.

    Reply

  • petyvic

    |

    I prefer online classes as i can enter the classroom whenever i want to check and/or refresh forgotten details. There are so many techs, that is impossible to remember all!…Thanks for your time, Nat!

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

    |

    I really like in person and have never had ongoing but might like it.
    That being said, online means that I can go back and look over tuts again.

    Reply

  • Ursula

    |

    Beim schmaddern bist du in deinem Element *lol* Aber die Ergbnisse gefallen selbst clean&simple Anhängern wie mir ;)) Und die Adresse von diesem “vielversprechenden” Laden ist natürlich schon gespeichert – ich muss zu ggbner Zeit ja auch irgendwo shoppen gehen ;)
    LG Ursula

    Reply

  • Denise spillane

    |

    Looks like fun

    Reply

  • Amante del Papel

    |

    awesome!!!

    Reply

  • Rob

    |

    The classes sound great Nat. Love the concept of ongoing classes. It gives people the chance to explore what they do in the first class before moving on to the next step. I’d love to have that stamp shop near me, LOVE all of those wood mounted stamps in the background.

    Reply

  • Seth

    |

    Looks like it was a ton of fun Nat!

    Reply

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