"Bring it On!" Winter Coping Skills - Artist Journal Pages by Nancy Laliberte

"Let it Snow"

© Nancy Laliberte

Artist Journal page

acrylic paint, gel pens on paper

It is only mid-November and we already have A LOT of snow. Instead of hibernating, (which isn't necessarily a bad idea, except you would miss out on some amazing winter beauty) I turn my creative journaling mojo up an extra notch or two to warm me up inside and out. It helps me TREMENDOUSLY to have fun playing with art supplies while letting anything and everything spill out while I am also filling my creative cup. 

I've included a few of my "winter coping skills" art journal pages to encourage you to try creative journaling. Even if you live in a warm and tropical climate (journal savoring the sunshine), or will be sporting wool and fleece for the next six months (journal rejoicing you have some awesome wool socks and kick@$$ fleece), fill your creative cup with some art journaling.

"Winter to Spring"

© Nancy Laliberte

Artist Journal page

watercolor, gel pens, stamps, ink on paper 

"Winter Solstice"

© Nancy Laliberte

Artist Journal page

acrylic paint, ink, stamps, gel pens on paper 

"The Journey"

© Nancy Laliberte

Artist Journal page

acrylic paint, collage, markers, gel pens on paper 

You're still with me! Sweet! I love creative journaling and will be sharing my favorite journaling techniques in two upcoming workshops in Wausau, WI, and Stevens Point, WI. Now you do not need to have any artistic skills or prior experience in journaling for these workshops - just an open mind and a desire to have fun while playing with art supplies. The Wausau workshop is this Saturday from 10 am - 2:30 pm at the Center for the Visual Arts, downtown. There is still time to register - let Rose know by Friday - 715-842-4545. The second workshop is next Saturday, November 22, from 12 noon - 4 pm in Stevens Point, WI. Give Nancy a call at the Riverfront Arts Center to register - 715-343-6251. Additional details are on my website.

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See additional artwork at www.nancylaliberte.com

Connect and follow along with the studio on Facebook

Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a class or workshop  

Creative Journaling: Sharing the Love...

"Sweet!" 

© Nancy Laliberte

 ink and watercolor journal page

On Saturday, March 22nd, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach a creative journaling mini-workshop at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. The class was comprised of a very fun and creative group of artists who loved learning and giving their own spin to some of my favorite journaling techniques. Loved it! 

We got our creativity flowing with a couple of writing exercises, moved on to sketching and watercolor techniques, followed by designing our own stencils and learning handy tips and techniques for working our pages in stages, and then put it all together in creating beautiful and unique journal entries during some studio time.  

Here are a few pictures from the class...

 After creating handmade stencils, the fun begins by building up 
layers of shapes, texture and color

Found and hand-made stencils layered with drawing and doodling

Bring on the layers--a journal page with watercolor, acrylics, printing, 

handmade stencils, and purchased stencils 

Tissue paper transforming into painted paper for future collage or journal work

By the end of the day, one of my demo pages had evolved into a journal page. I will add more to it, but so far I am liking the layers and lighter color palette.

I will be teaching this again at a later date in the fall at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau. The dates will be announced on my blog and website, and it will be in the CVA newsletter.  

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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect and follow along with the studio on Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a class or workshop 

I heART Journaling - Mixed Media Creativity

© Nancy Laliberte

Mixed media journal page 

I love creative journaling. It is my artist playground/science laboratory/question and curiosity workplace. Some days I work in mixed media, some days watercolor, and some days it's all about drawing, doodling or writing. Today's post features a few of my mixed media journal pages. The mixed media pages are a "grab bag" of mediums and materials, thoughts and images, often with many layers, and worked on for only 10-15 minutes at a time. The page featured above includes free writing, layers of left over paint, some stencil testing and printing, doodling, more writing and collage. 

Free writing followed by layers of paint and some stenciling

 a plethora of text ephemera

my son's homework turned into collage paper for mixed media work

if your sketchbook doesn't come with a pocket, make one! A fast and easy technique  

is to tear a page in half and tape it along the bottom and side to the next page. 

pockets are a great place for stashing bits and pieces of ephemera and other goodies

I hope these pages inspire you to give creative journaling a try. Just grab a notebook or sketchbook, a pen or crayon, and put down a line or shape, or write a word, and let yourself have fun. Remember, everything you do is right! 

If you want to learn more, I will be teaching a mini-workshop, MORE Creative Journaling for Busy People, this Saturday, March 22, 12 noon - 4 pm, at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. There will be lots of hands-on painting, drawing and writing exercises. Plus, learn how to make your own stencils, mini journal, and tips on working on your journal pages in stages for just a few minutes each day. Register with the CVA by stopping in or calling 715-842-4545.

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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect with the studio on Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a class or workshop 

The Sketchbook Project, Part III by artist Nancy Laliberte

Continuing on with the Sketchbook Project...

To bring you up to speed:  in November 2013, I signed up to be a part of the Sketchbook Project, which is a traveling library of artists' sketchbooks. My book will be traveling in the central US this summer with stops in Chicago, Madison, and Minneapolis. I will keep you posted on dates via this blog and the studio Facebook page. You can read about the previous two posts here and here.

 I pre-painted this page with gouache and added the washi tape right away when my sketchbook arrived. I often do that for a fun challenge to make a go of whatever is on the page when I get to it in the book. It's a great exercise in creative intuition, and not over-thinking about what you are doing. Just go with the flow. When I came to this page in the book, fish was the first thing that came to mind. I grabbed my Pentel pocket brush pen and white gel pen and dove in! ; )  

We have a pet goldfish named Maroon, and it is my 10 y-o son's job to feed it. He's quite good about doing so, but every so often you will hear someone ask, "Did you feed fishy today?"

This page was painted while I was vacationing in Florida earlier this year. Do you see the coastal, beach walk, flowers blooming instead of snowflakes falling influence? The left page was pre-painted with metallic copper paint. Other materials used were gel pens, permanent black pen, and acrylic paint.

From beaches to blizzards! Responding to my environment:  11 inches of snow fell on this day. It was beautiful watching the white stuff fall, but then came the reality of shoveling and snow blowing. Evidently, all that snow made my brain weary as I didn't get a final image of the completed page. Metallic silver paint, snowflake stamps and information on the weather was added after this photo was taken.

A bright and colorful page after the snowstorm. I love practicing painting ideas in my sketchbooks. There is no "preciousness" to it, just pure fun. To balance out the page (and to practice lettering), I added a favorite quote. Some washi tape and a bit of collaged paper was also used on this page.
   

This page features collaged paper with an acrylic painted purple coneflower (echinacea). Birds and butterflies love these flowers as much as I do, so I have them planted in various gardens in my yard. 

Ignoring the cold winter and thinking of summer poppies, that is the way I roll. This page was painted with acrylic paint. Since the paint was a bit thick in some areas, I applied a matte medium over it as an extra precaution to make sure the pages wouldn't stick--which can sometimes happen with acrylic paint. I included a modified page edge and butterfly from my ephemera collection.

The last page:  bright, cheery colors, the butterfly and a bit of inspiration...

The back cover:  Collaged paper, gold metallic paint (sparkle and shine, my friend) and trimmed with washi tape for durability.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about this project as much as I enjoyed doing it. I did not give myself any rules or theme, except to fill it up and have fun doing so, and send it back by the required date. I hope you are inspired to grab a notebook, sketchbook, or even a pad of scratch paper, some fun pens, watercolors, crayons, whatever, and play around with images, doodles, words, anything. Just start by making a mark, a swirl, or even a stick figure, and then go from there. Most of all, have fun and enjoy the journey...  

Nancy
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See more work at www.nancylaliberte.com
Connect with the studio on Facebook
Looking for a Creative Time Out? Join me for a class or workshop 

"Ladies in Red" original oil painting by Nancy Laliberte

"Ladies in Red"

© Nancy Laliberte

9" x 12" oil on museum-quality panel

Sold

Not sure about you, but I am thinking spring! And while the tulips in my yard are still hibernating, my favorite florists and grocers are enticing me with bouquets of my favorite spring flowers. I simply can't choose just one favorite. Like my children, I love them all for different reasons. 
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Upcoming Workshops and Classes

This Saturday at the Center for the Visual Arts in Wausau

"Creative Journaling for Busy People"

12 noon - 4 pm 

A very fun class! Playing with art supplies, eating chocolate, and door prizes...definitely better than cleaning the house on a Saturday. As of Wednesday, there were just a couple of spots left, so don't wait! Details are here; register with the CVA 715-842-4545. 

Next Saturday, February 8

"Playing with Paint"

10 am - 1 pm

Hobby Lobby, Wausau/Rib Mountain

Just in time for Valentine's (Yes, it's almost here!) We will be painting fresh florals in luscious shades of red. Bring a painting buddy or two for a "Creative Time Out." Details and registration on my website, Nancy Laliberte Fine Art.

The Sketchbook Project, Part II by artist Nancy Laliberte

As mentioned in my last post, a couple of months ago I signed up to be a part of the Sketchbook Project, a traveling library of artists' sketchbooks. Today's post is a continuation of the pages I created for my book, "Viewing...from the Heart."

While on vacation earlier this month, I created a couple of colorful spreads using acrylic paint, a permanent ink pen, metallic gel pens (because every day should have a little sparkle in it), and a rubber stamp (which I had put on the page before leaving on my trip). I did accidentally dip my brush in the coffee cup one time, but never in my pie! 

This page started out with a tissue paper background (tissue paper that was inside the box of a recent winter boot purchase), with hand-painted papers and hand-made papers collaged on top of parts of that with matte medium. Some of the hand-made papers had metallic gold (there's that sparkle again!) in them, and as I looked at the page and pondered what to do next, the words to a hymm sung at my church popped into my head. I grabbed my markers and pens and started writing away.

Here is another page spread that started out with hand-made and scrap papers glued down with matte medium, then painted over with Tombow markers and acrylic paints, and then text and a few drawings added with a white gel pen. I've noticed I often use pink and green in my art journaling. And now that I think about, my wardrobe contains a lot of pinks and greens, too...

The center spread--after pages of color, I kept it simple with black and white and a pop of color using Zentangle inspiration and gel pens. 

After all of that ink work on the center spread, there was quite a bit of bleed-through on this page that I wasn't sure what to do about. I dug through my pile of papers and ephemera and found this fiber-y, ochre-colored piece of paper that inspired me to paint a bird's nest on it. The paper covered up most of the marker, and it's color and texture worked well with the theme of the page.

There are still a few pages left from this fun project that I will show in my next post... 

Curious to give this a try, but don't know where to start?

Don't be shy, come join the sketchbook movement! I will be teaching a mini-workshop, "Creative Journaling for Busy People" on Saturday, February 1, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. Cost is $50 + $8 material fee. Just bring a 9 x 12 sketchbook preferably with 90 lb. paper or more, all of your other materials are included making it super easy for you to show up and have fun! Register with the CVA at 815-842-4545. More information is on their website and mine. See you there! 

The Sketchbook Project with artist Nancy Laliberte

A couple of months ago I signed up to be a part of The Sketchbook Project. For those not familiar with it, it is a traveling exhibition of handmade books. Anyone from around the world can participate--you don't even have to be an artist. This summer my book will be hitting the road on the midwest mobile library tour which will include stops in Chicago, IL; Madison, WI; and Minneapolis, MN. I will keep you posted on the dates as it gets closer to the tour. I can't wait to see the incredible books participants have created! 

It has been a fun project as I LOVE creative journaling. In this post I am featuring several pages from my book which is now at the Brooklyn Art Library. (They just emailed me today. Thank you USPS.) More pages will be featured over the next couple of posts including some step-by-step processes of a couple of pages. Some pages were created as spreads and some stand alone. All are a direct, intuitive, and creative response to what was going on in my life--inside and out--at that moment in time. 

Viewing...from the Heart

© Nancy Laliberte

We'll start in "reader's spreads" at the beginning, but this was not the first set of pages I created. I left the inside cover and first page blank until I had something I wanted to say that would set the tone for the rest of the book. In the end, the inside cover page was set up for practicality purposes--handling of the book, and securing the cover art. 

These two pages were done on different days, before starting my regular studio painting practice. Typically, I dig through my mixed media materials and pull out ephemera and paint colors that "speak" to me at that moment. One thing leads to another and a page is completed. 
  

This spread incorporates many layers and materials. The first which included using leftover paint from another project, then stenciling, adding bits of hand-painted collage paper, more paint, ink, and ephemera. Sometimes the text may be a phrase or song stuck in my head, other times the text comes later as the imagery falls into place. All intuitively driven. 

When I first started working in my sketchbook, I randomly opened pages and added whatever paint was left on my palette or painted on a color that I don't typically use--a good way to experiment with color in a fun, carefree way. This page is an example of that. I had also just treated myself to a new checkerboard stencil and used that as a starting point, and then added the chevron washi tape for no other reason than, "hey, a roll of washi tape I haven't used yet..." A few days later I came back to this page and began drawing with my favorite pentel pocket brush pen, added some paint, a stamp, a bit of text, and my daily journaling fix is satisfied. 
  

Loving the pocket brush pen! It makes beautiful calligraphic marks depending on now fast and how much pressure you apply. I was watching a Green Bay Packer game (they won!) during this page, hence the green and gold color inspiration. Other materials used were watercolors and inktense pencils. All fun stuff! More pages to come in my next post...

Curious to give this a try, but don't know where to start?

Don't be shy, come join the sketchbook movement! I will be teaching a mini-workshop, "Creative Journaling for Busy People" at the Center for Visual Arts in Wausau, WI. Two dates are being offered (same workshop, feel free to repeat). The first is this Thursday, January 23, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the second one is Saturday, February 1, from 12 noon to 4:00 pm. Cost is $50 + $8 material fee. Just bring a 9 x 12 sketchbook preferably with 90 lb. paper or more, all of your other materials are included making it super easy for you to show up and have fun! Register with the CVA at 815-842-4545. More information is on their website and mine. See you there!

Yoga + Art

Because you deserve a day nurturing your mind, body, and spirit!

This Saturday, come join me and River Flow Yoga instructor, Heather Van Dalfsen, for a day of Yoga + Art. This will be our second "retreat" combining a gentle restorative yoga practice, a healthy nourishing lunch from Downtown Grocery of Wausau, and a fun and creative painting and journaling session where you splash paint, write what spills out, and just enjoy yourself in the process. No judging. No perfection. Just you being you and loving every minute of it. We've kept the cost super low to give everyone an opportunity to experience this amazing day. 

Email me [lalibertefineart (at) gmail.com] or Heather [vandalfsens.heather(at)mac.com] if you have additional questions, and to register.  

Yoga + Art

Saturday, August 3rd

9 am - 3:30 pm

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Sixth and Edgewood St, Wausau, WI

$50 

Includes two yoga practices, lunch by Downtown Grocery, painting and journaling session including instruction, canvas, and art supplies to use during retreat. (Feel free to bring pictures or found objects that are meaningful to you.)

www.riverflowyoga.net

Remember, the only rule: no rules! Except the ability to laugh, move, breathe, explore, create, and have some fun. 

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Click here for my classes and workshops schedule.

Fun Friday! "Journal Zen" by artist Nancy Laliberte

"Journal Zen"

© Nancy Laliberte

mixed media

Welcome to "Fun Friday!" My new weekly feature loosely based on my kids talking about "Fun Friday" at school--where they are rewarded with something fun and different on Friday afternoon for a job well done during that week. While my two older kids are in college, I still have one in elementary school and he looks forward to it every week. Today they erupted home-made volcanoes with vinegar and baking soda. Ahhhh, to be a third-grader again.

This week is about creative journaling. I can't sing its praises enough. I have soooo much fun with it. I set the timer for 15 minutes (because otherwise I would do it all day if I wasn't mindful of the time) and work on a page or two. If I have leftover acrylic paint on my palette, I will smear it around on a page; sometimes I collage on a piece of junk mail or other ephemera I find interesting, and sometimes I just write. Time stands still for those 15 minutes. I call it "Journal Zen." This weekend, I encourage you to set the timer for 15 minutes, grab a sketchbook, notebook or scrap paper and just play. Don't think about it. Just let whatever marks you make, whatever colors you choose, whatever you write or scribble be whatever it happens to be. And enjoy the Journal Zen.

Art & Soul Creative Journaling classes

Speaking of creative journaling, this Tuesday evening is another session of my "Art & Soul Creative Journaling" class located at Wausau's Hobby Lobby classroom. This session will focus on watercolor techniques in journaling, and keeping a travel journal. All you need to bring is a journal or notebook, and I provide everything else--including "bling" watercolors and chocolate. Sweet! I always have a door prize drawing, too. It is great fun, and the time flies! Details and registration are on my website. You don't want to miss it!

Carrie Waller Fine Art Friday Feature

A HUGE thank you to artist Carrie Waller for featuring me in her weekly Friday Feature artist interview on her blog, Carrie's Creations. Carrie and I met through blogging and facebook. We share a love of motherhood and art, and the creativity neccessary to balance it all. Carrie's watercolor paintings are EXQUISITE! She paints glass and reflections like nobody's business. I love getting lost in the abstract shapes found in her work. Hop on over to her blog and website and see for yourself what I am talking about.  

Yoga + Art Workshop

Last Saturday I teamed up with my yoga teacher, Heather Van Dalfsen of  River Flow Yoga, for a Yoga + Art Workshop at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wausau, WI. It was AMAZING. I was on a Yoga+Art high for two days. We are already planning another one for this summer. Let me know if you would like to get on our list. Below are a couple of images from the day, and more are posted on my studio facebook page. (While you are there, I would love it if you would hit that Like button and follow along, too.)

Every one of these paintings has a powerful story to it. 

Have a great weekend! And be sure you play in your journal or sketchbook!
Blessings, 
Nancy

"O Tannenbaum" and Creative Journaling classes

"O Tannenbaum" 

© Nancy Laliberte

mixed media creative journal page

Another creative outlet for me – combining my love of drawing, painting, stamping, collaging and whatever else just happens to seem like a good idea at the moment – creative journaling! I LOVE it! There are no rules, any "oops" become a part of the process and page. I ended up collaging some painted music sheets on this page because I was working on this AND watching the Green Bay Packers whoop the Vikings and ended up misspelling a word. OOPs! Oh well, "happy accidents" are all a part of the fun! And yes, we still have our Christmas tree up. : )

How about some Creative Time Out?
Creative Journaling Classes
I am  very, very excited to announce that I will be teaching creative journaling starting this Tuesday evening, January 8th, from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Wausau Hobby Lobby. I have more information on my website including paypal buttons to make it super easy to register. Creative Journaling is a great outlet for simply being creative and playing with art supplies. You don't have to be an artist to have fun with journaling, and it's a great way for people who enjoy scrap booking and crafts to take their skills to another level. Come join me and see for yourself how fun it is! And bring your friends, too!

Playing with Paint Classes

In addition to creative journaling I will be teaching acrylic painting on the second Saturday of each month starting this Saturday, January 12th, from 10 am until 12:30 pm. This class is geared for people who have always wanted to try painting, haven't painted in a long time or just want to do something fun and creative and different. It's a great activity for a group of friends or family members. Click here for more information.

30 Paintings in 30 Days

Yes, I am still participating in Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge. And yes, it would be ideal to paint and post a painting every day, however...that keeps the challenge challenging (for me). So I will be catching up on days I have longer studio hours and featuring multiple paintings on my blog posts. Most of my UFO's are larger pieces (not sure what I was thinking there other than wanting to finish them and thinking they wouldn't take long, kind of like a home improvement project but more fun!) 

Also, thanks everyone for the great email, Facebook and blog comments. Your support is greatly appreciated and keeps me motivated to do my best.