Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 14 - Pattern

Todays word is Pattern. I came across this piece of wood in a fence that had partially gotten wet and loved the way the wet made the grain pop. For my journal, I glued on some wood paper to my page and did a technique called Zentwinning (something I learned from another Zentangle teacher/artist). I used a micron pen, Zentangle Tangles, Inktense pencils, and my very favourite Derwent Graphitint pencils. Fun prompt.

Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 13 - Night

Todays stroll word is Night, which makes it difficult to photograph and post during the day…..Also, this is a long weekend in Canada, which means fireworks tonight. So I'm starting with my journal page, and will add a photo of fireworks later if we get out to see them. Journal page is covered with black gesso and Golden Interference Violet, and a stencil.

Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 12 - Trash

Day 12's prompt word for the Stroll Challenge is "Trash". It's a cold, achy,rainy day, and one of those days I want to just nap, drink tea, and, unusual for me, I don't feel like doing art. Just no motivation, and some days I have to give myself permission to do what "needed" to be done then just let it go. When I saw the prompt was trash, the first thing that came to my mind was something that drives me nuts - cigarette butts! I really, really hate that it seems to be acceptable to just toss them wherever! (I've never been a smoker, hate the smell and look of others smoking, and the smell on clothes and hair if I'm around smokers… plus, I personally think it is the ugliest habit anyone can have…) I think you get the point. I didn't have to go far to find a butt - right on the sidewalk in front of my house, by my beautiful phlox. I couldn't decide what to do with the journal page so just broadly followed the design and colours. I wanted to add further but there was no inspiration. So it will stay as it is, or someday I may go back to it.

Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 11 - Sign

Its sunny but quite cool today. Today's prompt word for our stroll in the 'hood is "Sign". I love these prompts because they really give me a focus to look for on my walks and I see things I've never noticed before. I've rarely looked closely at signs to see what interest they held. There are lots of signs - street signs, road signs, construction, advertising, lost animals…. This sign in front of a popular restaurant/pub nearby caught my attention. I love sitting outside in the patio here on a nice day but today was too cold, and it was too early for a glass of wine… though I was tempted to order a mimosa! My journal page was quick and simple today - it's a long weekend and there is oh so much to do (fun things, of course). I used black gesso, and a "new to me" resist (which was very cool and I'll be using it again), General pastel pencils, and some stickers.

Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 10 - Wildlife

The prompt word for todays Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge is Wildlife. The only photos I had a chance to try for today were birds in the distance, and that didn't speak to me. So, from a past collection, this is a hawk (or falcon? or some other bird of prey..) that perched in a tree in our neighbours yard, over a year ago. He was there for quite a while, and of course all the other birds disappeared. I've started a journal page with a photo transfer, which I think turned out quite well, and some acrylic paint. It's a page to add to at another time, but not tonight!

Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 9 - Plantlife

The prompt for todays stroll challenge is "Plantlife". I have a small but fabulous garden, and this year the tulips have been incredible. I didn't take photo's this year unfortunately because there are probably double what you see in this compilation photo from last years garden. I have these wonderful tall yellow tulips that change just a bit every day and end up quite orange. For my journal page, I played with acrylic paint and a sponge to create the background, then acrylic brush strokes and tombow markers for the tulips. The quote from Socrates is: "The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new"

Artful Adventures Stroll Challenge - Day 8 - Ground

Todays prompt word for our stroll challenge is "Ground". I took several photo's on my walk, but purposefully walked to a place where I had seen this awesome driveway. I want one! It is better environmentally because rainwater soaks into the ground instead of all running into the sewer system. And, I think it looks great. (I would probably weed it, though the dandelions look pretty today, but that's just me….) For my journal I used acrylic paints and a stencil then went over some of the lines with a Fabriano pen and Tombow marker. I should have done a base coat in grey then topped it with some green, but I am rather happy with this - I think at some point it will make a cool background.