I didn’t often take my paintings on paper seriously because they felt so easy to create.

But this year for me is all about bliss and stillness, so I’m going with what comes easy.

And I have been painting a ton of these paintings on paper.

They are full of layers. And, inspired by Mindy Lacefield and Alena Hennessy, I am finally adding my words (and not covering them up).

It feels incredibly vulnerable and free-ing all at once.

I found these old, large print, paperback versions of classic children’s book like Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nimh and How To Eat Fried Worms.

I’m always on the lookout for books that I might be able to use as a sketchbook or art journal. And these large-print classics are perfect.

I figured I would gesso the pages and use it like a sketchbook. But instead, I have fallen in love with writing over the book pages, adding paint, then ripping the pages into large sections and pasting them over other book pages to make thick sheets. From there, I add more layers of paint, words and papers.

It’s all made creating even more fun and, like painting on cardboard or art journaling (which we are doing lots of in my online course SERENDIPITY-A Year In Mixed Media), I am not taking myself so seriously and really letting go, which is opening me up to a whole new story of characters and ways of painting.

xo,

……….

ps. If you’re looking to get over your creative blocks and paint more in a style that is unique to you, join us in SERENDIPITY- A YEAR IN MIXED MEDIA, where I am sharing all I love and learn about mixed media the entire year.

pps. Today is the last day my online courses HOW TO CREATE WHIMSICAL ANIMALS and HOW TO PAINT AN OWL 2 are ON SALE (until 11:59PM EST). Usually $139, they’re $119 (with 1 year access to the classroom).

Sign up here.