Handmade Journal

I absolutely loved making this journal. The covers were made from Arches 140 lb. watercolor paper dyed into a warm and rich brown using a concentrated solution of tea decoction. A little bit of contrast was created using gesso. The end papers on the inside were from a 1950s history book.  I bound the journal using whip stitch. Apiece of handmade paper made out of plant materials was used as the backing for this image from the Graphics Fairy.  The overall effect is one of warm earthiness.

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Peacock Plumes Aglow

Commencing the Peacock Dance

Flamingo Garden, Ft. Lauderdale

Art and Freedom: Melange July Challenge

A quote from Albert Camus, "Without freedom, no art; art lives only on the restraints it imposes on itself and dies of all others" is used to create this mixed media piece which is a response to Etsy Melange's July Challenge appropriately themed Freedom. The background was created using stamps, acrylic inks and glazing. The quote was handwritten by me and as a final touch I added a Forever sticker from the USPS.  If you look carefully, there is a lot of red, white and blue here but the sentiment expressed in the quote is universal.

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Tag Art: Colors of Summer

Lately I have been working to improve my skills at making tag art. To make the tags above, I used left over printed paper (with Buddhist text in Chinese) from another project. I painted over the paper with lovely Dr. Ph. Martin India inks. On one of the tags, I drew the design using white gel pen (love them!). On the other, I colllaged a tree and a bird using hand made lokta papers. Finished off both with a layer of transparency and chip board letters. I like the way they have turned out.

Etsy Melange June Challenge: Grow

This matchbox collage is created as a response to Etsy Melange June Challenge. To complete this piece I used several of the materials I received from the Melange swap. To know about the swap read here and here.

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Carving a Stamp: Auspicious

What do you do when it is chilly and raining outside and you are cooped up inside? Try a new skill perhaps? That was what I did yesterday. I tried my hand at rubber stamp carving.   This being my first attempt  I wanted to create a stamp with the OM symbol (which I do not find in the craft stores). A few days ago I had purchased a Speed ball lino cutter and a carving block. I watched two videos online (both were only slightly helpful for what I wanted to do).  After three attempts I got something that was moderately satisfactory. It might have been easier if I had started with a large image like a leaf instead of a symbol in high relief. But then, it would not have been an "auspicious" way to learn something new. Next project: a stamp with Om in Tamil script.

Zentangle Challenge #25: Zendala Magic

This week's challenge at I am the Diva is hosted by Genevieve Crabe and is called Zendala Magic. It is a fusion of mandalas and zentangles. It is a challenge right up my alley since I tend to incorporate many manadala designs (also known as kolam or rangoli in India) in my tangle art. So, I enjoyed doing the challenge especially since I was kind of feeling blue and needed something to lift the spirits up. And it did. Thank you.

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