Blog: Art Journal

Does it really matter? Art Journal

In the end the question always is…will it matter in 10 years?…and most often the answer is NO even in 5 years.

Thoughts that went through my head about something that didn’t work out the way I would liked it to work out- I was actually really disappointed but to be honest …it really won’t matter even in one year …so I will get over it ;) LOL

I played with spray paint and tried to keep it just to teal, beige and purple. I used my Toledo Stencil and sprayed over- then flipped the stencil to also get the reverse pattern transferred to the background.

The journaling and sketch on deli paper was done with acrylic ink and a bamboo sketching pen and I added some marks by dipping the end of a pencil into paint and stamping with it.

It was a freeing page to do :) Sometimes art journaling just helps you to get some stuff straight ;)

Here are some of the supplies I used


Nat

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Forget the rest – Art Journal

“Don’t stress. Do your best. Forget the rest.” A good mantra …I will do my best but not stress to remember- LOL

I kept the background simple by stamping alternating the positive and negative Manhattan Foam Stamp on the left- and then doing the same on the right with the Mini Manhattan version. It is fun to not only use the two stamps in the sets on top of each other or each on their own, but to also create fun pattern by using them alternating and in different directions.

 

I painted over a lady from a catalogue with acrylic paint in red and orange for some pop and added the journaling with a Fude Pen – quick and easy yet fun to create. I am in this weird mode of trying more ways to do less with more breathing space in my art journals – maybe a part of my reorganizing, purging urge right now.

Here is what I used for this spread:


Nat

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It’s getting interesting – Art Journal

“Anytime an impossible appeared she knew things would get interesting. ”

I pretty much feel that way- LOL – and sometimes that is a struggle. Like oh wait- that is a hard way and then I go ” oh …let’s go that path”

I wrote the journaling using black ink and a bamboo sketching pen, going over it again with a white signo pen later.

The Maiko is a little sketch I did, I cut it out and then painted inside. The background in blue was created by rolling out thin a think layer of teal and blue  as well as white acrylic paint with a brayer.

Using my Art Deco Wallpaper Stencil I sprayed over with some orange first and then moved the stencil slightly and sprayed over with white again to get more dimension but also to knock the orange back a bit.

And that was it- it was a fun and fast page …not impossible- LOL- but maybe still interesting ;)

Here are the tools and supplies I used for the spread:


Nat

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Trapped – Art Journal Spread

“See, I’m a person who wants to do a lot in a body of a person who wants to sleep a lot.”

LOL- so true! This was the beginning of a demo at a workshop and then I finished up the page -it is a bit weird- but I kind of like it. Noticed her mittens …that is what happens when you screw up the hands…you just add mittens ;)

Played with Stabilo Woodies, Ink and stamps

Here are some of the supplies I used for this spread


Nat

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Start Over – Art Journal Spread

“You don’t have to wait for spring to start over”

Cherry Blossom inspired this journal page …my cherry blossoms are gigantic- hahahaha

I played a bit with my Art Graf Graphite, which comes in a tin – I like it and had totally forgotten it …As I mentioned before, the Reorganisation of my studio totally reminds me of all the treasures I have.

I also used some black ink on top of the graphite and for the blossom centers – I like the soft look of the graphite versus the very defined ink.

We have a lot of those trees in our street and I love the short time everything is a pink spring festival – for me it could last just a tiny bit longer ;)

Speaking of Studio Reorganization – I destashed some wood mounted stamps and stencils which are some of my super favorite designs and you can find them in my store in the Flea Market section :

Check it out- maybe you find something you would love to give a home!

And here are the supplies I used for the art journal spread above:


Nat

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Be Yourself – Art Journal Spread

“Very few people do this anymore. It’s risky. First of all it’s a hell of a responsibility to be yourself. It’s much easier to be someone else or to be Nobody at all!” Sylvia Plath

Loved using up some washi tape and washi paper which I “collected” for a while. the lady is from a sketch I did and I cut it out of a paper and then colored the image in and adhered it on top with Gel Medium.

I stamped the building stamps onto the different patterned washi paper and cut them out. I adhered them as well as the washi tape with Gel Medium. Even thought the washi tape has adhesive the adhesive won’t hold to long, so better just glue it down.

Some journaling and some stamping – love how the pattern and color mostly comes from the Washi.

Here are some of the supplies I used


Nat

Comments (2)

  • Sue Clarke

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    Glad to read about using the gel medium with washi tape as it doesn’t hold very well on canvas or over paint.
    Nice page and quote Nat.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Sue! Yes – gel medium is the way to make sure that the low adhesive will keep on sticking. Washi tape will eventually even come loose from plain paper if not reinforced.

      Reply

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Speak Love – Art Journal

“In a mumble of hate speak LOVE” – by yours truly Nat Kalbach ;)

In the attempt to use more of my horded stuff, I used some older letter stickers, which I placed on top of the page and then sprayed over with black spray paint, then used my Manhattan stencil and sprayed over it with white spray paint.

Last I peeled off the stickers to reveal the masked off area as part of the mumble background.

For the Love sticker I used a red marker to go over to make it stand out a bit more.

Here are the supplies I used for the spread


Nat

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Be Kind – Art Journal

“In a world where you can be anything…Be Kind! ”

For this art journal spread I once again used some prints of my painting which featured the Liberty State Park train station.

I stamped some buildings in between as well as the Statue of liberty and colored the images in with acrylic paint.

The family was sketched with sumi ink. I like how this came together. I really love using parts of my paintings with the the stamped areas – still exploring this a bit more.

Here are some of the supplies I used


Nat

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On my way – Art Journal

I am on the task for a major studio redo and part of it is going through piles of stuff – so I am using finally some things up that I have had forever. Including some old calendars which had prints of my paintings from a while ago.

I sketched the lady and made her some city clothing with my Stroll stamps and collaged the prints. I also stamped some windows into the left building to tie it more together with the rest of the page. I also used some of my hoarded washi tape…I mean …how much washi tape can you store forever? – LOL

The whole studio redo is a long process because I have been traveling so much- but a plan has surfaced and right now before I move furniture and get new furniture, the first step is to purge and to get a grip on how my work flow actually looks like. I will keep you updated on the whole process …I ‘m on my way ;)

Here are some of the supplies I used for this spread


Nat

Comments (8)

  • Sue Clarke

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    Great page and words Nat.
    I too have tons of washi tape…why did I feel the need to save it???
    Crazy how we can be about supplies.
    Currently purging as well and much of the paper and embellies are going to the local elementary school where I work. The kids just love the items.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      right? LOL- I cannot believe the copious amount of stuff :) Love that you are giving some goodies to an elementary school – it is always wonderful if they can use some supplies!

      Reply

  • W Evelyn

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    Be sure and take before and after photos to see how much you accomplished.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Evelyn- I will – promised. As I am also looking for a new desk it is taking some time to change …on the one hand that is good as it provides the opportunity to be very thorough on the other it just doesn’t end

      Reply

  • Jean Goza

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    Really like this layout.

    A studio makeover can simultaneously be frustrating and invigorating. Have fun with it. It’s always an adventure!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Jean! Yeah – I hear you – it is quite an adventure- LOL. Let’s see where it leads

      Reply

  • Janene

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    I am envious of your spring cleaning/purge effort. I have way too much stuff and it’s actually inhibiting my ability to work in my space. I’m cheering you on and I will be watching to see how your space transforms into something new!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Janene! I know exactly what you mean about inhibiting the ability to the work- same here.

      Reply

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