Art Journaling by Leada Wood

Art Journaling by Leada Wood©

During the Holidays I entered a painting in Creative Catalyst's Paint Out and I was one of the winners! I won Ann Bagby's new DVD "The Grunge Book: An Acrylic Art Journal". The DVD was very inspirational and got me fired up AGAIN to do an art journal.
 One of the things I wanted to accomplish this year was to start an art journal and draw and paint in it everyday....wellll...it hasn't happened yet! I have decorated several journal covers but have not until now started the inside of the book. Today I changed all that...I BEGAN my art journal. There is a little preparation in getting your book started but I think it will be worth the effort.

I keep files of words and pictures that spark my imagination and that is what I turn to when I want to play. It is very helpful and gets me going. Sometimes I add a veil of paint transparently so that I can paint on top of that and the words are not so obvious.

Red Rising by Leada Wood©

Red Rising by Leada Wood ©

This is my January challenge for Creative Catalyst. This month the challenge was Bold. I love experimental painting...it takes me places and oh what a ride! When you are one with the painting and  it is speaking to you...life is good!  I love textures, layers, pushing and pulling with the paint until you feel you have arrived at the end. 
Red Rising was done on illustration board and is 16x20. I used acrylic gels and stamped and scratched into that. Then I used charcoal and drew into my painting and began layering paint scratching into the wet paint with my paint brush handle to allow some of the previous colors to show through. It's always fun to sling a little paint along the way and splatter it a bit..so loosen up you can always add another layer! Be CREATIVE and let your inner artist child PLAY!