Hello everyone, Tuesday has gone and we are one day closer to the weekend which for me is a long weekend and I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to that! Today I have another journal page to share with you as part of my language theme. It features more recycled packing tape, this time with some Spanish language and lots of crafting tools pictured on it.
As you know, I am Guest Hosting the May challenge over on Art Journal Journey this month and my chosen theme is…
Language!
We are in the last week of this month but you can still find a nice list of ideas about language inspired pages in my introduction post just click here, should you want to join in.
For today’s post, I was inspired by a few things that came together to make the page. Before I switched rooms a few weeks ago I knew where everything was, and then I didn’t which was a bit frustrating. I had stored some stuff in a couple of sturdy boxes that had come from Crafteilier (an online shop based in Spain) but as I was reorganising I decided I no longer needed the boxes but I wanted to make use of the cute packing tape they used on them so of course they had to go on a journal page.
The packing tape has all kinds of arts and crafts represented in picture form plus the name of the company – Craftelier – and also the words Mi Tienda De Arte, which means “my art shop“. I pasted all the pieces of tape onto my page. I like that it’s the kind that has the thread embedded in it.
Next I sketched out a rough outline of a woman’s head and shoulders and then gessoed over it so it would be easier to colour instead of on top of the kraft tape.
That’s where I left it last night, so today, I started to work on it some more, drawing in some details of her face etc. I wanted her to have flowers in her hair, maybe a flower crown or something but not sure yet. Hair up or hair down, undecided.
Still not sure on her hair so I started on her face, colouring it with polychromos and watercolour pencils.
Now it was time to give her some hair, so I painted in some hair with white gesso to give me a good base to add colour.
Before colouring her hair, I painted on the flowers with heavy body acrylic and some paint pens. Then I used an “orange” neocolour II for her hair. It looks more golden yellow than orange so that was perfect.
To finish off my page, I used part of this poem by Mary Oliver, and wrote it on with a white pen.
The poem is called Starlings in Winter and you can read the full poem here.
As this is a language of poetry page, I thought I would also include these quotes from Mary Oliver, about language and poetry.
The three ingredients of poetry:
the mystery of the universe,
spiritual curiosity,
the energy of language
– Mary Oliver
The comforts of language are true and deep
– Mary Oliver, Evidence, Poems
I hope you feel inspired to join me at Art Journal Journey this month. Language is all about communication, and I would love to see you communicate using language on your pages, in whatever form you choose. I have a lot of ideas for language-inspired spreads to share with you over the course of this month, so do keep checking back if you need some inspiration or ideas, or even just to say hi! I can’t wait to see what you do with this month’s theme and I will be dropping by to see all your lovely creations.
As it is also Wednesday, I have a photo of my desk to share with you all. It’s looking a little yarny as I am trying to decide what to make for an upcoming birthday so I started pulling out various yarn options but that’s as far as I got lol. I have four balls of this Tina Tape yarn in a lovely teal that I think she might like, but I also found some hand spun yarn that also might be good for something, as well as my drop spindle and some interesting bits and pieces in the bag along with the spindle. I was wondering where it had got to, so I’m glad I found it again.
The other gift option I am considering, is a version of the painting I did last week, but a much smaller version!
You can see the step by step in this post if you’re curious. So maybe a much smaller version of this, or even a card version, since she likes gardens and flowers, or something yarn-related or both maybe if I have time! Other posts in the last week are linked below if you are curious what has been happening around here.
Let me know what you think in the comments. If you have any questions about anything in this post, just ask. As always, thanks for reading!
Ingredients
My handmade art journal, recycled Crafteilier packing tape from box, matte medium, gesso, polychromos, watercolour pencils, neocolour II, heavy body acrylic, paint pens, pitt artist pens, white gel pen, white acrylic ink
Challenges
Art Journal Journey – Language – May Challenge For the language theme I chose Spanish language for the background and poetry
WOYWW #625 – Here I am linking up and showing what is on my desk today (I’m number 35 in the linkup) Happy WOYWW!
Kraft+ Challenge – Focus on faces and Kraft – kraft packing tape background,
Raspberry Blue Sky – Week 21 Face
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wow what fabulous wrapping up tape!! I think, well, I know I would’ve done the same, can’t let something like that get chuncked in the bit when you can turn it into a master art project!! Stay safe, Happy very VERY late last weeks WOYWW!? see to on tomorrow’s woyww I hope!((Lyn)) #9
Hi Ellie – I’ve only just spotted your comment on my blog. Thanks so much for visiting. That is a stunning journal page and how creative to use the packaging tape for your background! Happy belated WOYWW! xx
A stunning page Elle. poetry and a beautiful lady is a wonderful combination that tells its own story.
Sorry I am late catching up.
Yvonne xx
What a great background the tape made! Love this – your drawing is beautiful, Hugs, Chrisx
I loved following along on this magic journey with you as you explored yet another great Language post. Thanks for the inspiration at Art Journal Journey using your theme. I also like your yarny desk, too. It is filled with lovely yarn and such. Happy belated WOYWW from # 3.
Wowzers! I can hardly believe it’s the same painting! I love how all the colours pop against the dark background. Stay safe and keep smiling, Lisa-Jane #8
Such a stunning art journal page Elle. Love the idea of using the packing tape as the background. Last week’s page turned out stunning too. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #2
I love what you did with the canvas from last week, it’s turned out really beautifully and not what I was expecting – I think the base colours made me think of the sea but it’s just stunning with the flowers. I also love the painting you did on that amazing packing tape – you certainly saw the potential in it when so many people would have put it in the bin!
Hope you have a great week,
Diana xx #25
Elle – how stunning to see your work in progress – just beautiful and inspiring – thank you! I hope you have a fabulous week – Cheers Maurs xxx WOYWW #38
Wow, the painting went a different way..I’m not sure what I was expecting at all, so don’t know why I’m so surprised by the florals! It’s lovely. Like the process involved in your journal page too, my word there’s a lot to it!