Altered Books

So I've found a new obsession! When a friend of mine showed me some of her sketchbooks made from old discarded library books, I was instantly hooked! She had paintings and drawings and color. In a book!

I went straight to Goodwill and bought some books to try on my own.

It's super easy and I love that there are no rules, so its hard to feel like you messed up a page (although if you truly disliked it, taking an exacto knife to cut it out is super easy). Plus I bought 5 books for $1 (sale at Goodwill oh yes!) so I definitely consider them cheap sketchbooks. I'm also finding that these books are a great small exercise in getting some creative juices flowing. No pressure. No fear of the ole blank canvas. 

This particular sketchbook I've begun using for sermon notes. Yep I lug the book, the pencils,  the pens, watercolor pencils and pastels to church (yeah I'm that person who takes up two chairs with my junk). I listen, I write, and I sketch. As a highly visual person this helps me remember what was taught Sunday to Sunday while also letting me be as creative as I want. Yes, in church. Long ago I realized that God and art definitely go hand-in-hand. Letting one inspire the other has always been good for me. 

Right now we are in the books of Acts

Vintage sewing pattern tissue paper, scrapbook paper, a receipt for some earrings Justin bought me, even letting the book page show through

 

When I start a new page I usually focus on color. I glue at least three pages together to make them sturdy enough to hold paint and whatever else I stick on the pages.

I prepare the background ahead of time at home in the studio, so that all I have to do is take the notes come Sunday. My backgrounds consist of paper I like, gessoed pages, paint, and sometimes I even modge podge regular drawing paper to just cover the words and give me a blank page to write and draw on. My favorite backgrounds are monoprints of abstract color.

(an example of a mono printed background, great for texture!)

This one has sandpaper, mono printed paper, and drawing paper.

I begin during the service and then finish when I get home in my studio (mostly acrylic paint because that would get messy to take with me).

Pictures, newspaper, scrapbooking paper, even tea tags!

Altered books are more about putting together what you like and find inspiring. There's no wrong way to do them just put whatever you want in them and have fun!

To see some more art journals/altered books go to: 

http://anahataart.com/#/gallery/1/20 and check her work out! It's amazing!

Beginnings

First off,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope everyone had a great time bringing in the new year!

 I spent it with friends and my husband. Just a chill mellow kind of group, but lots of fun with fireworks!

First outfit of the new year! 

shitr-Banana Republic, scarf-Urban Outfitters, skirt & boots- Charlotte Russe

So about 90% of my outfits are literally based on color. Maybe it’s the painter in me that just craves certain color combinations, but that is what draws me to some pieces. These colors are really some of my favorite (especially that turquoise blue) It’s amazing what two colors look like next to each when you wouldn’t generally think of putting them together. Usually everything starts with color for me.
I digress….

Any way love this outfit and I have a feeling it will transition well into spring with some great sandals.
Have a great new year! 

Cate

Autumn, the only time leaves are flowers too

All photos taken by me.

1. Sketching trees

2. Moxie enjoying fall

3. Outfit from last week

4. Butterflies attracted to the plants in my yard

5. Autumn spread 

6. Fire pit with family

7. Progress on my painting

8. Sweet gum tree, from when I was plein airing

9. Father-in-law's old 68' Ford Galaxie

Yeah it's been awhile. I've been painting and working. Feels like I'm perpetually inspired. Mostly by other artists, they do the same thing I do and yet have completely different results. Entered a local art show and walked the aisles of the wide range and variety of work and wondered in amazement how each piece differed from the next. And lately I've been truly thinking about where my place is within the art realm. What is it I want to do? To say? Where do I want to go with it?

LOTS of questions. But I'm ok with that, I need to just paint. To work. And let the work speak for itself. "It's enough that it is."

Just a few things that have been inspiring me lately. Colors, textures, and surroundings.

Park days and the last bits of a fading summer. Still feeling it's warmth but change is in the air.

Around the Studio

Just thought I'd share something new I'm starting in acrylics. It's a nice change from my normal watercolors.

This is a fountain I saw on my trip to Rome a couple of years ago. I've been meaning to start a painting of it and just recently came across the photo I took of it and was inspired. Here's also a look into my studio space. 

 

My oil paints

Acrylics. Running low....

Some finished pieces

My art book collection. Definitely could add alot more to it.

My favorite flower

Here's something I've finished lately. I feel like I'm on such a roll with my painting. I think it has a lot to do with my new studio making everything so convenient, but I've just been furiously painting away. It's amazing how much you can accomplish when everything is at your fingertips!
I have so much space now! Our new house is closer to Justin's job and we are so overwhelmingly thankful for our new place. We are renting from an artist I know so he already had a studio he built out behind the quaint two bedroom house. I seriously don't know what to do with all the space I have. Definitely a great problem to have.

This watercolor painting is the second one I've done of these coneflowers (I've done a print of the same piece in acrylic) and these are a close second for my favorite flowers (first being poppies!).
I worked with a new color and I'm definitely happy with the results.
I'm enjoying this spark of creative energy (I told Justin I was being "productful" ha!)
Have a great weekend everyone!

Summer Blue

dress and boots: charlotte russe,  scarf: rue21, belt: not sure... bracelets: F21

 

Wore this the other day to work. Love love love this dress. It's so easy to just throw it on and walk out the door (instant put-together-ness lol). These boots keep it from being to girly and toughen up the look which I like. My dog Moxie couldn't help from being in some of these (I don't think she's ever been on my blog before, I'll have to do a post on her sometime) Anyway...

Hope your 4th plans are awesome this weekend! I know I'll be hanging out at bbq's and watching fireworks at the beach!
Cater