Jan Fox Designs

52 PlayDATES blog

2012-01-01T08:00:00.037+11:00

Hi everyone, due to the large number of people who have signed up, I have decided to open a 52 PlayDATE blog here Please run on over now to play!

Come play with me

2011-12-15T08:16:00.004+11:00

Wanna come play with me in 2012?? I'm going to be doing a post every week of the year on art journaling with a new background, technique, idea or prompt. (Yeah I KNOW! LOLS, however for me, next year is all about committment). So it's going to be perhaps a step by step, maybe a video, maybe a link or two to something cool. A learning experience and adventure in mixed media. I have set up a separate blog for it here. Would be appreciated if you could spread the word. The more the merrier and the code for the 52 PlayDATES button is at right.

Tropical dreams........

2011-11-19T19:33:00.000+11:00

Another piece from a still life setup of orange lillies. I used a lot of artistic license here, as you can see, comparing it to the photo. It was fun to just use it as inspriation and I like the tropical feel of the finished painting.Getting to like this still life thing.....

Still Life

2011-11-17T09:21:00.001+11:00

I have never been very interested in painting still life. It is, after all ........STILL and ummmmm.....boring?? LOL. However have recently been encouraged in a group I attend to expand my mind, drawing and painting skills by starting with a still life setup and working though the whole process to a finished painting. To my surprise I found it very satisfying and even fun! This is the result of my first ever effort at this exercise which I am actually pretty pleased with. Nice surprise and good reason to try something at least once! Now encouraged to do more......

How do you feel about still life? Have you ever worked from your own setup to a finished painting? Did you enjoy it or decided it wasn't for you?

Treasure Hunting..........

2011-09-21T23:00:00.018+10:00

So I promised you a little about Public Domain, didn't I? As an artist, this is something you really NEED to know about - trust me! If you need to, Google the subject to find out all the finer details, however basically, Public Domain is material where the copyright has expired and is now the domain of ....................you guessed it! - the PUBLIC. So how does that help us artists? Well, if you do altered art of any kind and use ephemera, it's a virtual goldmine. Images and interesting text abound in the form of old paintings, old books, postcards, photographs, etc, etc. Just check out Etsy to see how popular these types of images are. There are even some instances where modern media can be Public Domain (NASA photos for example).

So, if you are into Vintage or Retro, all you need do is find, copy and use (like I did here). That simple! If your taste is more contemporary, there is still a wonderland of information and reference material, out there for free, which can be adapted to modern day tastes. If you didn't catch it, take a look at my previous post to see what I mean.

So here is a list of some places I have found to get you started. Some of these use Creative Commons license which is a variation of PD, where you need to credit the source. Please check these details for yourself before using. Also, please be a Share Bear and leave any links YOU find in the comments section.

So much to talk about on this subject, so more coming. Be sure to follow me here, on Facebook, Twitter (#jan_fox) or mailing list so you don't miss out!

Artist down......

2011-09-20T23:50:00.003+10:00

I have been sick all week with the flu. Yuck! It's ages since I have had such a bad dose of the flu and I'm guessing I got it from the grandkids, as they have had it off and on all winter (remember I'm an Aussie!). So day 6 and I'm feeling a bit better and wanting to create. Don't want to get into the studio. Don't want to clean up paint, paper or glue. Don't feel like sketching...............ummmmmm, what's left? Aha - play with digital! Yes, I can stay all warm and cosied up with my laptop and do some creating - perfect!

I decided to use some copyright free public domain images I downloaded to play around with. The public domain is an awesome FREE resource if you are willing to spend some time looking (another subject and one I just might share soon, so keep tuned!). I had even managed to find some images of my favourite subject - dancers. Add some Photoshop and voila, I'm Dancing in Paris.......

I also managed to get an unexpected but (to me) very interesting silhouette image while playing with some of the settings. I really liked this one which did require a bit of cleanup along with some freehand additions but I think has a more contemporary feel. Trouble is I don't really know exactly how I did it! LOL One of those "press buttons until something happens" magical incidents that I would LIKE to repeat, but so far no joy.....

So do you have a favourite?

Olli

2011-07-06T09:52:00.000+10:00

Lastest portrait. My little grandson Oliver............

Grandma LOVE

2011-05-31T16:20:00.001+10:00

Did I tell you that I'm a grandma again? Yes, my beautful daughter has presented me with another TWO grandbabies, making three gorgeous boys under 18 months! Ashton Mathew 7lb 6oz (right) and Jasper Christian 5lb 13oz arrived just over 6 weeks ago, so what else to do but paint their portraits? I decided my newest love - pastels would be just the thing to use for them and I'm pleased to say, it worked out well. I was happy and daughter loved it! I guess I may have to do another to ensure they both have one....LOL and also one for big brother Oliver.

Gallery

2011-05-07T10:29:00.001+10:00

Some of my recent artwork in the gallery at a newly opened local healing center.

The Journey

2011-05-07T10:21:00.000+10:00

Another large 30 X 30 inch intuitive painting. This one had a very large heart which I tried and tried to hold on to but the composition just wasn't working. So, it had to go and VOILA, the whole painting came together then. Ha! Will I ever not be surprised by that? To me the heart energy is still there anyway, just not visible. Unfortunately there is a bit of flare from the varnish as I forget to photograph before finishing.

Purrrrfect FUN

2011-04-20T19:35:00.001+10:00

Been wanting to take pastel classes for a while now and finally managed to get to my first class this morning. Have played around with soft pastels a bit myself, but wanted to learn how to use them properly. Just finished my first piece - cat study in values. First time I have ever used pastel paper too. Really liking how forgiving this medium is!

Art LESSONS (or rather life lessons thru ART)

2011-04-15T09:41:00.003+10:00

Still very inspired by my workshop with Flora Bowley. Apart from the many cool techniques I learned (such as using FINGERS - LOL. My new favourite tool, who knew??) the weekend expanded my confidence in tapping into the intuitive part of my myself that knows exactly what needs to go on that blank canvas. Her method involves much *letting go* of preconceived ideas of what things should look like and what I (or rather my EGO) thinks I want or *should* paint. I have the most difficulty with this as I don't like to let go! It feels scary and I start to worry, like most of us that I will just end up with a mess rather than something *worthwhile*.

However, although that is always going to be a possibility, it hasn't (in my opinion anyway - LOL) happened yet. Thus I am slowly learning to trust the process of letting the painting emerge without judgement and allowing the possibility that the outcome will be better than what I could have achieved through conscious planning and effort.

"PROUD" is my latest painting and my biggest lesson in trust yet. As I started to cover the canvas with color in a random way, I started to *see* peacock feathers. I LOVE peacock feathers - the colors, the fragility, the beauty.......{{{sigh}}}. I started to feel excited about painting these and was already anticipating a finished beautiful painting and deciding to paint in the image of the bird, as well as the feathers.

I painted a peacock. I knew it sucked! LOL I researched peacock pictures and tried again. It was WRONG. I changed the position, the stance and the angle. It still sucked! I felt frustrated and was fast losing interest in my painting. THEN I realized how I was trying to force it to happen instead of just trying to let go and allow the painting to emerge. I knew I needed to let go of my preconceived idea of painting a peacock, but I didn't want to! I had gotten really, really attached to the idea of a peacock painting. LOL

However, ultimately (and if I am honest, in frustrated surrender), I took a breath and my largest paintbrush and slapped random colors and strokes over the images I had just spent the last hours making. It actually felt better than I thought. It was kind of satisfying to obliterate the images and not keep trying to literally *bash my head against a brick wall* to make something work, when clearly it wasn't. However there was a part of me that also felt defeated. What now?

So I stepped back from the work and while looking at the mess in front of me, finally started to listen to my intuition. It was telling me to turn the canvas. It was on the second turn that I *saw* it. MY PEACOCK! The whole shape of his head and beak was just there, like magic! It felt as if he was laughing at me as he manifested in front of my eyes, and could almost hear him saying "of course, I'm here and I'm BIG and PROUD"!! And indeed he *was* so much larger than I had been trying to paint and in a totally different position on the canvas. The *perfect* position, in fact, to allow me to be guided to paint in the riot of feathers that have become his plumage. Once again I needed to let go my idea of what was a feather or not. None of the areas I had first seen as feathers ended up staying.

So I ended up with a peacock painting after all. Nothing like what I imagined when I first started, but so, so much better. I really love it and I love this process!!

Flora's magic continues

2011-04-04T08:10:00.006+10:00

At left is an *in progress* shot of my second canvas from the Bloom True workshop with Flora. Still tweaking, but amazed at how it has transformed from how it started last weekend (pic at right). I just wasn't feeling the flower at all.

Now "Cosmic Path" is feeling like an evolving, living, breathing prayer............

FABULOUS Flora

2011-03-29T08:41:00.005+11:00

Attended a most AWESOME workshop on the weekend (called Bloom True) with the wonderfully talented Ms Flora Bowley! Flora, who hails from Oregon USA is currently in Australia holding workshops to teach her uniquely *Flora* intuitive art technique. I can't believe this lady has only been teaching since September last year. She is just a totally natural and wonderful teacher, as well as an amazing artist. An incredible and rare combination which left me feeling amazing gratitude for the experience and TOTALLY INSPIRED. I want to paint like Flora! LOL I laugh because I have so heard that statement over the years from my own students and know it's IMPOSSIBLE and not even desirable to be a Flora (or anyone's) clone.... {{{Giggle}}}

So, did I come close on the weekend? Well......NO...... . I did not capture her colorful abstract, simplified shapes and graphic style nor her windows of yumminess that so enchant me, but I certainly did tap into my own intuitive style of painting. I WAS able to learn and use a whole toolbox full of new techniques and am very happy with what I produced. However I am still going to try and absorb a little more of Flora and continue to practice her technique of simplifying chaos (as she describes it). I am NOT all that good at simple, nor at letting go - which is another of her key elements. She is incredibly good at letting go of any or all elements of her paintings at any stage by simply painting over them. Non attachment to what is, in order to gain something even better than what was. A great philosophy on life too, don't you think?

This is the piece I finished (we worked on two). It's LARGE - 30" X 30" and was a challenge for me after not painting at an easel for 6 months since that shoulder thing. I will share the next one when it's finished - NOT looking good at the moment but promise I will take progressive pics anyway!

Flora's piece in the painting stage (above) and finished at right.

Thanks Flora! Thanks girls! It was an amazing and enjoyable weekend that I would repeat in a heartbeat. Stay posted for more of my Bloom True adventures, but in the interim, hope you enjoy some of my pics from the weekend

Water Soul

2011-01-13T17:53:00.001+11:00

The Strathmore workshop I mentioned in the last post has really helped kick me out of the artist's block I have experienced since breaking my shoulder 4 months ago. Now I can handle small pieces again, I am loving creating A4 size pieces, although I am not really following the workshop instructions. LOL I do love Pam's work, but my own style just gets in the way. First pic is how I started the piece with some collage pieces, mainly my own work recycled, but some eyes and mouth cut from a magazine. Second pic shows the finished piece.

FREE Art Journaling workshops

2011-01-03T10:25:00.004+11:00

For anyone interested in ART JOURNALING, Strathmore is running FREE online workshops which have just started. The current one is with Pam Carriker. Go here to sign up

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2011-01-02T17:12:00.001+11:00

Well it's indeed Happy New Year for me, as after over 3 months of pain and rehab, I am finally able to paint again. Yahhhhhh!!!! Still have a ways to go with physio twice a week for a while yet, BUT I have enough movement and strength to do some art, so I'm happy, happy, happy.......

This is a piece I did today called *Feather in My Cap* and is my vision for 2011 piece. Painted and collaged from pieces of original artwork of mine with art journal techniques used to pull it all together.

And the original b/w sketch at right is how the girl started out before I added color/paint to her

OMG! Art can be dangerous

2010-09-18T08:06:00.000+10:00

Had a fall 10 days ago in my studio. Slipped on damp floor after cleaning up some spilled paint and broke my shoulder in 2 places. First ride in an ambulance, a week in hospital and a metal plate and pins in my shoulder and it's my PAINTING hand!!!! Ugghhhhhhh....

So just a little warning guys, do be more careful than I was! Pleeeeeeze

More Ballet

2010-09-02T09:40:00.001+10:00

Yet another ballet piece, fresh off the easel. Acrylic and pastels on canvas. Hasn't got a name yet as *Swan Lake 2* just doesn't do it. How about *DEAD Swan*? LOLS

Postscipt - Dead Swan wasn't a popular choice LOL so I called it *Finale* instead. It's entered in an art comp and exhibition this week, so fingers crossed.....

Tell me what YOU want (and WIN a prize)

2010-08-28T13:47:00.002+10:00

Hi everyone, trying to do some housekeeping and would really LOVE to know what you would like to see more of here on the blog. Please help me by ticking your interest and pushing the VOTE button below. AND If you also join my newsletter list - sign up at left (or are already a member) then leave me a comment to tell me so and you will go into the draw to win this beautiful ATC, designed by me. I will send it anywhere in the world, so don't be shy. Poll will be up for about a month.

Swan Lake

2010-08-26T12:14:00.003+10:00

I learned ballet when I was young and dreamed of becoming a ballerina. Sadly I had to give it up at around 13, but still love ballet. So elegant and romantic and yet takes such discipline. So I painted this one for a local art competition in acrylic and pastel.

Sketching on the Right Side of the Brain

2010-08-20T16:24:00.005+10:00

I have been taking part in a sketching group recently and reacquainted myself with the method of sketching from the book *Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain* by Betty Edwards. While Betty has written a whole book, essentially and quite simply this method involves drawing UPSIDE DOWN! No, silly! not YOU!! (Visual of everybody standing on their heads and attempting to draw here! LOL LOL). Simply by turning the subject matter upside down and sketching it from that perspective produces amazing results!

It is based on the theory (for those of you with inquiring minds) that the left side of the brain is the *smarty pants* who *knows* what a chair, a nose or an apple looks like and bosses you around when you place marks on the page that don't match it's stored version (which does not allow for such things as foreshortening or the odd shapes that perspective or shadows produce). It's also this very precise side of the brain that keeps time and is good at lists!

However when the left brain cannot easily recognize or label a subject, the right (or creative) side of the brain kicks in and just sees the shapes and angles without trying to turn them into *something*. So, by working upside down and simply seeing those shapes and angles and repeating them, we produce a strange *map* which sometimes makes little sense until we turn it right way up. VOILA!!! Suddenly those ugly shapes become perfect shadows on a face or landscape. It's (almost) magic!

Of course it does have it's limitations as we can't turn a fresh vase of flowers upside down to sketch it, BUT we can take a photo and work from that, and over time, one develops the ability to be able to switch that pesky left brain off and work in right brain mode without the need for upside down subjects.

So I challenge you to draw something upside down TODAY and post the link here for us to see. Go on, surprise yourself!

FREE e-book especially for all you ARTISTS!!

2010-08-07T13:34:00.014+10:00

Recently, while reading comments made regarding some of my free video classes, especially the How to Make and Use you own Alcohol Ink, the word FRUGAL kept coming up. I must admit I was a little surprised, because my intention in making my own ink was not actually to save money, so much as have easy access to a product not readily available to me. I actually ENJOY finding ways to duplicate products, methods or techniques I see around me and often get much more pleasure from working out the HOW TOs, rather than just going and buying it. Call me crazy, but I just love finding the answers to the *what if* questions!

So anyway, it occurred to me that I have collected or invented a whole bunch of money saving ideas relating to art, craft and general creativity over the years and decided to put them all into one place in the form of an e-book THE ESSENTIAL ART BOOK FOR THE FRUGAL ARTIST or How you can be an artist and still EAT! This book contains 11 pages of helpful, creative and money saving tips for just about everyone who creates, paints or crafts with tips ranging from organizing a studio or saving your favourite brush from certain death right up to making your own glitter mist.
There are even links to those free videos I mentioned at the start on how to make your own alcohol ink.

To get the book, simply click HERE Please SHARE this with your friends

Interview

2010-08-01T17:39:00.006+10:00

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to tell you that Connie over at DirtyFootprintsStudio is interviewing a group of art journelers over on her blog and has asked us to all share our own stories. You can see the rest of the interviews HERE, and my interview is below. Enjoy!

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ART JOURNALING?
Ummmm..... about 2 1/2 years I would say as it became part of my creative routine while studying for a Holistic Art Therapy diploma

HOW HAS ART JOURNALING IMPACTED, CHANGED OR ENHANCED YOUR LIFE?
Well it is a totally new and very FREE way of expressing my creativity with NO RULES. It allows me to write what I want, paint or draw what I want and then cover it up and start again if I wish. Splash paint, stamp, scribble, doodle, experiment without the restriction of needing to repeat, explain or justify it as art. It is just for me unless I choose to share and it helps me process feelings and situations.

WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR ART JOURNALING SUPPLIES?
Love, love LOVE gesso!! A little used material up until I started to journal, I now use it to base coat, cover up, stamp on, stencil to create texture, write or scratch into, etc, etc, etc........ Also love my watercolour crayons, copic markers and white gel pen!

WHAT WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD YOU GIVE AN ART JOURNAL NEWBIE?
PLAY, PLAY, PLAY!!! Take the pressure off yourself to create art and just experiment and practice going with your intuition. The more you do it, the more reliable it becomes and you end up with something better than you ever could have planned or imagined. TRUST yourself!

WHERE CAN WE CONTACT YOU - give us some LINK LOVE!
On my website www.janfoxdesigns.com
Facebook
On my blog

Digital Magic

2010-07-21T19:29:00.004+10:00

I like to play around in Photoshop too so decided to alter the original handpainted image below into ATC format at right. What do you think?

Tin Shrine

2010-07-20T21:13:00.003+10:00

Playing round with a old sardine can and made this shrine which I have named "Grace Has Wings". Very textured piece with collaged hand painted papers, lace, oils, embellishments, metallics and wax. Had fun with this and think I will do some more....

Serene Power

2010-07-10T16:42:00.004+10:00

Another on my goddesses. I seem to be *collecting* them and I envisage them as cards in the not so distant future. I think I have about 8 so far now. This one is *Serene Power* thus named as she reminded me a bit of a lioness with her mane of hair, but oh so calm and serene.........gentle power

Nana Luv

2010-06-26T17:52:00.002+10:00

Did you know I started my teaching career teaching stretch sewing? Mmmmmm...used to whip up those tees and track pants in a jiffy. Obviously a LOOnng time ago now though as I just spend an hour fighting with my overlocker to get it threaded and working. I lost! Grrrhhhhh!!!! Gave up and painted a whale on a purchased suit - made me feel much better! LOL

Try before you BUY

2010-06-25T08:22:00.002+10:00

I always want everyone to be happy with anything they purchase from me whether they be goods or classes. I have had the unhappy experience of signing up for classes online that have disappointed and it's a tricky deal I have to admit. So, I have decided to offer a TRY BEFORE YOU BUY *taster* class for my ARTBOOK/Journal 101 class which gives you a very good idea of the quality and content of the rest of the class. No guesswork! Simply visit my website here, click on FREEBIES and scroll down to the free class. Enjoy and I hope to see you in the full class!

More bang for your BUCK

2010-06-24T09:18:00.003+10:00

Thanks Bev for reminding me of this very *Aussie* expression which is just perfect for this post. I told you I was going to use crops from my last painting to produce more artwork and so I have. Here are two miniature pieces I have just completed in the ACEO/ATC acceptable size format of 2.5 X 3.5 inches. Both are Butterfly Goddesses with BLING! LOL The single butterfly is silver foiled and the multi butterflies are 3D barely kissing the surface, both with diamonds (real of course! LOL - not!). i will be selling these beauties on Etsy

Do you crop??

2010-06-22T23:12:00.008+10:00

This is a pic of my latest mixed media piece *Keeper of the Birds*. It is mostly acrylics and pastels with some of my papers collaged into the background. It is a largish canvas so after taking my pics, I went into Photoshop to resize. I then decided to play around with cropping some areas to ATC size (2.5 X 3.5 inches) just for fun and to see how many different pieces I could get from the one finished painting. So far - SIX! The original large canvas and five ATC size works. I am planning on printing these out and using them as a basis for more works just to see how far I can take it. At my age, I need to work smarter and not harder! LOL

Tweet tweet

2010-06-07T13:21:00.004+10:00

Since becoming a grandmother 7 months ago, I seem to be drawn to birds. Particularly baby birds so have been painting, collaging and even making 3D birdies. I am also much more aware of recycling in my studio for a couple of reasons. Firstly - ROOM! LOL I love collecting and hunting for new treasures and supplies in the thrift shops, stores and markets, etc. however the thrill of the hunt is addictive and I now have far more than I can use stored away in drawers, boxes, bins, shelves and now the floor!! Secondly I am even more aware of the drain of resources on our planet and want my grandson and any potential brothers and sisters to have the best possible planet of the future. So this little birdie is almost 100% recycled - made from security envelopes, rescued stuffing, wire and vintage wallpaper and trim, along with a few scraps from my art table. He is in my ETSY shop at the moment. What do you think?

DO YOU LOVE COPICS?

2010-05-26T12:04:00.006+10:00

I LOVE these markers and use them mainly with my airbrush for spraying. Have you seen my Youtube video on how I do this?? (BELOW) Anyway if you too like these pens, would you like to win a set? I know I sure do!! So Karen (a fellow Aussie) at Karen's Doodles is GIVING AWAY some wonderful blog candy INCLUDING 24 Copic Ciao markers!!! So click here to RUN over there now to vote on which of her cards you like best and learn how you can get your hands on this wonderful set.

Personally I just ADORE pop-ups of any kind and Karen's pop-up card is just ADORABLE. I love the way she has several different layers coming forward and the leaves on the tree! Well done girl!

art journal backgrounds

2010-05-17T11:33:00.000+10:00

fold it FLOWERS

2010-05-14T09:21:00.006+10:00

In the process of preparing pages for the aforementioned online class, I made some COOL paper flowers based on some files made by the talented Ms Penny. There is definitely a trick in folding these little beauties and I didn't have enough fingers to begin with! However I kept on going and with a little help from the video here the penny (Ha, ha- no pun intended!) finally dropped! It really is quite easy, once you know how. Isn't that always the trick though? I didn't end up using the flowers this time, but know they will end up on something special soon. Thanks again Penny.

Playing with Paint and Paper

2010-05-14T09:06:00.006+10:00

Been busy preparing for my ONLINE Art Journal/Mixed Media class. So much fun playing with paint, paper, crayons, stitching and embellishments. Kind of makes me feel like I am a kid again! LOL I missed out on going to kinder so making up for it now.

This page is using gesso, washes and various other techniques along with some of some rose art. Very SHaBBy I think. LOL

The Making of Heart Strings Art Journal

2010-04-19T08:03:00.001+10:00

PART TWO

PART THREE

Art Journal cover

2010-04-18T09:00:00.003+10:00

This is how the page I was working on in the VIDEOS worked out

part TWO

2010-04-17T15:56:00.002+10:00

MAKING YOUR OWN ALCOHOL INK

2010-04-17T15:54:00.001+10:00

Paint a simple Flower

2010-04-02T17:25:00.003+11:00

Find more videos like this on Jan Fox Designs

FREE vintage mag

2010-03-31T23:18:00.001+11:00

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Artella! And they are so generous too. Enjoy the free magazine and look out for more here in the future. Download a FREE copy of the Artella eBook, Artella Mae's NEW Altered Ancestors!, a 58-page eBook overflowing with ideas and techniques for using vintage photos in your artwork. Download your copy here!

FIRST YOUTUBE video

2010-03-31T19:12:00.006+11:00

Yahhhh!!! I worked out how to share video on Youtube. Here is my first one! You can get more details about this online class here

More Art Journalling

2010-03-22T19:17:00.004+11:00

I call this page Love is...

The face painted over part of a magazine page with the printing still showing. Added collaged rose and borders, penwork, acrylics and watercolor crayons. Fun!

After the Storm

2010-03-19T22:35:00.002+11:00

Had a *mad* day yesterday - literally! I was MAD about all sorts of things and did a bit of stomping, yelling and even punching pillows before i decided to take it out on some craft materials. In NO mood to do pretty, pretty acrylics or soft pastels, I got out my WIRE, beads and paper and scrunched, tore, bent, cut and generally had a great time being MAD. LOL who knew it could be such fun! Anyways, after I was done I decided to create something out of it and change the energy. Result is this prayer scroll necklace. I think I might have a MAD day regularly!

Mixed Media Fun

2010-03-02T14:18:00.006+11:00

Been having lots of fun with mixed media lately. Lots of layering and glue, paper, paint, pens and MESS! Just need to find someone willing to clean up after me now and I will be in heaven. LOL

So this is the before and after pic of my latest project. As you can see, I left some areas, painted over others and added more painted roses to match. I have a challenge going on over at my Ning site to follow my lead and do a Rose related mixed media piece incorporating collage so if you would like to join in the fun, hop right on over there now. You will need to join if not a member, but it is free. There is a prize up for grabs too!

WHO KNEW??????

2010-02-24T07:59:00.005+11:00

I have just found out about subscribing to RSS feeds. Mmmmmm....you say- behind the times!!. Well, sometimes it takes a while for me to catch up, LOL but I LOVE this discovery. For those who DON'T know, it's a way to keep up with all your favourite blogs and newsgroups in ONE place. I have a lot of lovely places I like to visit for inspiration, ideas and just cause they make me happy but I often forget, lose track or just simply don't have the time to click on each page and check what's new. So this solves that problem for me. Yahhhh! I simply went to Google Reader and signed up, then visited my favourite blogs and clicked on the subscribe link to add them to my Reader page (sometimes it's a text link and other times an orange logo thingie). Now I simply visit that ONE page and all new posts are collected there for me to read at leisure. And if I forget to visit, it is of no matter- I can catch up on a whole week at once if I want. Happiness, happiness! LOL

Want to add this blog? Scroll to bottom of page and click on SUBSCRIBE TO POST link. Then choose Google. It's that simple! Have fun........

Art JOURNAL fun

2010-02-22T18:29:00.003+11:00

Just getting into art journals and having so much FUN! This one is mixed media with a couple of collage borders. Learning to do the funky lettering is cool too!

For ALL artists - take the time to watch

2010-02-21T18:23:00.002+11:00

Paper Roses

2010-02-01T08:43:00.000+11:00

Toooooooo SIMPLE Tutorial by Dozi Design which I thought you all might enjoy.

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Draw a spiral on a 4"x4" square sheet of paper
2. Cut out spiral along the lines you have drawn
3. Begin rolling up the spiral from the outside
4. Keep on rolling until there is no more left to roll
5. You're done

PAINTING CLASSES

2010-01-19T09:00:00.003+11:00

Hi everyone, hope you are all having a fantastic start to 2010! I have finally launched some long awaited online painting classes. I was doing these *live* a couple of years ago but everyone is so busy these days, it's hard to get everyone in the same place at the same time (particularly when I am in Australia and everyone else is .....well everywhere else! LOL) So I have designed these classes to be *on demand* where you work at your own pace, along with video and other instruction. You can join in at http://janfoxdesigns.ning.com/

Sketching

2009-12-26T10:18:00.008+11:00

I am a *backwards* artist I have realized. I started to paint before I could draw, but this year have become more and more interested in drawing as a means to better express my moods and feelings in my work. It seems to have added more depth and expression to my paintings. This is one of my latest sketches and I think you can guess I was feeling sad while drawing this one that I have chosen to call "Missing You". Was good therapy....

Laptop BLING

2009-12-24T07:05:00.003+11:00

Decided to *bling* up my laptop for Christmas! LOL It doesn't show well in the pic, but I cut the name from holographic low tack vinyl - neat eh?

Christmas is HERE!!

2009-12-10T17:49:00.024+11:00

Been having fun with some pop up Christmas trees. Aren't they great and such a lovely surprise when the card is opened! I would love to get one of these cards myself so I hope my friends and family like them as much as l do. After 2 years, sorry this is no longer free and the digital cutting files are available in my ETSY store. I do have other FREE cutting files on my website.

If you wish to cut by hand and need the pattern got to the instructions link below.
Instructions for putting it all together are here (thanks Carol!)

Tweet Tweet!!!

2009-11-27T21:57:00.008+11:00

Can't get birds out of my head. Wonder if it has anything to do with becoming a grandmother. Nesting???......LOL Anyways playing round with these tiny 3D birdcages and pretty pleased with the result. Have some for sale in my Etsy shop.

STORE'S OPEN!!!

2009-11-07T09:25:00.004+11:00

Yep, finally got some files I have been promising and opened a paper related store on my site. Cutting files, digital PDF's, projects and freebies. Hope you like and please visit often as I am constantly designing and need an excuse to keep it up! LOL This is BABY CHINA - isn't she cute? She has a sister too and lots of relations screaming in my head. LOL LOL
Click here to visit store

I'm a GRANDMA!!!

2009-10-29T08:32:00.003+11:00

Yes, yes YES, finally I have a new status in the world - GRANDMA! Oliver Anthony Black was born on 23rd October 2009 at 2.22 am. 8lb 11oz and mother, father and baby doing so well. Not sure about grandma! LOL So lots of changes in my world AND I am a cat's whisker away from opening the PAPERPLAY section of my website, so stay tuned!

PUTER MELTDOWN!!

2009-10-01T13:31:00.007+10:00

Hi guys, a few days ago my computer kinda had a breakdown and required a whole reformat of HD!! Scary stuff as I have never reformatted before and it was unsettling to press that button which meant saying goodbye to EVERYTHING on my HD. Yes - EVERYTHING!! So goodbye to all my programs and a LOT of other stuff. Fortunately I had my most of my data backed up and most programs on disk, so I didn’t lose those files but did lose a lot of surfed sites/images/info and all my stored emails. So that's why I haven’t posted on my blog for a few days and I am sure you all understand.

The challenge has had it’s benefits though because the little beastie is now WAY faster for not being bogged down with 3 years of *stuff* LOL AND while browsing to reinstall bookmarks, etc, I came across this REALLY cool addon for Firefox. Perfect for artists, scrappers or just those that like to collect stuff! This neat addon stores all bookmarks as IMAGES!! YEAH!!!! How often do I have the image of the website in my head but the name means NOTHING! Lol Problem solved…. You can d/l it here https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/5721

I found the user info a little confusing, but worked it all out in the end, so here's what I learnt . You can right click on any webpage and save to FAST DIAL. If saving to folders, there is the option of saving to your list. As far as setting up folders, control T to open Fast Dial bookmark page and right click on any empty box and choose Add - Folder, then name it, etc and click OK. Repeat as many times as you need folders. As mentioned you can then save any web page to your chosen folder BUT how to get any stray bookmarks into a folder?? (Most confusing to me! I clicked, I dragged, I swore LOL - under my breath!). Finally found the answer buried on a site somewhere - CONTROL, click and drag bookmark into the folder. Simple when you know how! LOL

Some sites won't allow right click so you will end up with some bookmarks you will need to place manually. Right click on empty box and choose Add - bookmark then copy in URL. It will appear in a few seconds and then you can do the ctrl drag thing to place it into your folder. I feel you can probably save it to the folder directly, but I haven't been able to work it out. If you do, let me know! To see your visual bookmarks, Control T opens a new tab and voila - there they all are! Click on the black arrow in top left corner of any folder to see contents.

BTW if you don’t use Firefox (maybe you should – NO cookies or spyware gets through) I also found 2 online sites that do a similar thing http://www.picamatic.com and www.pict.com

Meanwhile - enjoy!

More rose freebies

2009-09-26T23:18:00.002+10:00

Gorgeous aren't they? Enjoy

Rose Card

2009-09-23T18:26:00.003+10:00

This time I decided to modify yesterday's give away to a unique image to use as a card or similar. If you are good with Photoshop or similar, you can add a greeting before printing or use as is. Either way, it will make a special occasion even more special

More roses

2009-09-23T11:14:00.004+10:00

This a reference photo for your paintings or print it out for inclusion in a card or collage. Hope you are enjoying these....

another freebie

2009-09-21T22:32:00.004+10:00

On a roll! LOL This one is a vintage image from my *found images* collection stash - for your personal use. Are we having fun yet?? Click and save.

rose freebie for you

2009-09-20T22:18:00.006+10:00

Rose freebie for your personal use. Would look great matted on a card or in a small frame. Click on pic and save to hard drive

Digital Play

2009-09-04T08:49:00.003+10:00

A friends sent me this gorgeous pic of her grandaughter and I couldn't resist playing in Photoshop. My friend is ill at present so I hope this cheers her up a bit

Paper cuts

2009-09-01T14:13:00.007+10:00

More fun with the KnK cutting machine with these mats I designed. They were fun and I would never have had the patience to cut them out myself! I popped a wedding photo onto the daisy one, just to show how pretty they look as a mat. Dragonfly design is also shown. Would make any note very special too - or use in your journal. If you have a computer cutting machine, you can download the FREE files here and here. Enjoy!

2009-09-01T12:16:00.002+10:00

Part of an assignment I did for my Dip of Art Therapy where I decided to make a *game* board. Spin the top layer and it reveals the collaged messages in the window. One *window* is shown above but the combination is endless as it depends where the wheel stops.

2009-09-01T12:08:00.000+10:00

More mixed media, this time another surprise box. A tiny pyramid which opens to expose several layers

2009-09-01T12:02:00.000+10:00

Hey everyone, been busy creating LOL and TRYING to update my website. Of course I would rather be creating than updating, so it is a slow process. So anyway here is some of what I have been doing lately.

At left is a multi media piece which includes acrylic painting, stamping, collage, texture paste, gel pens and transfers. FUN!

New Obsession

2009-07-17T11:23:00.000+10:00

Well I have a new craft obsession! LOL I purchased a KNK personal computer cutter and have been having fun learning and coming up with ideas for using my new toy. I have plans to use it with my art too, so keep coming back to see what I have been up to and perhaps grab yourself a freebie cutting or painting file.

My first efforts are the butterfly explosion box and tiny (1in square) star book shown. These will be for sale soon at my website but in the meantime, I offer my first freebie cutting file. It is the lovely lace fringe pictured at top of post in KNK or SVG. If you need a longer length of fringing simply copy, paste and weld until you have desired length. Please enjoy!

2009-03-14T19:56:00.000+11:00

I also spent last Sat night painting - or rather playing with pastels. The result is this *kinda* self portrait. It wasn't meant to really be me, but rather the *essence* of me, which those that know me say I have captured. Love to read your comments.

smiles

Jan

2009-03-14T19:46:00.000+11:00

OOOch...another month gone and no posts. Sorry guys. So what's news? Well clearly I don't have a life as I am sitting here on a Sat night writing my blog! LOL Actually it's pouring rain and I am quite happy to be doing just that and might just do a little painting too soon.

Real news is- I am going to be a grandmother!!! Yes, my beautiful daughter Kristie announced she is pregnant and due around October. Another wonderful new phase beginning in my life. I was playing round in Photoshop with Kristie's photos. She is gorgeous in any colour, don't you agree?

Til later

love and smiles

Jan

2009-02-05T10:30:00.000+11:00

Happy New Year everyone - yes OK I am a month behind! LOL Busy start to the year and lots of creative things happening. I have started my Art Therapy Diploma with my first day last Monday. Looking forward to lots of fun, learning and personal growth. Finished my daughter invitations and she was pleased (phewwwww!!!) Pic here. Three layers tied with raffia. I printed the top layer on my color laser printer including background hearts design (my own).

Painted a submission for a convention here in Oz later in the year and will post pic once it is public. Multi media piece which was a lot of fun...... Which leads me to my latest art experiment which is transferring digital art from my printer/s to canvas. I am very excited about being allow to do this and use completed works as parts of new ones. So I am playing with different methods and have found that the one I describe below is the best result so far. For those without laser printers, I imagine a color photocopy would work well too.

1 Print out laser copy

2 Coat receiving surface with gel (I use Matisse but I am sure Golden would be good, (if not better)

3 Place copy on receiving surface (gessoed canvas forme) and burnish well with heat tool. I use a tiny *iron* designed for quilting but useful for this and encaustic wax art too.

4 Once you feel it is stuck, take nail polish remover and rub onto back of copy. It will turn paper transparent. Burnish with fav tool and then carefully peel back.

5 Remove any paper adhered with water and finger roll method. May need to do this twice with a rest to let it dry again inbetween.

Result below- pretty pleased...

love and light

Jan

FOLLOW ALONG

2008-12-19T09:29:00.000+11:00

Don't miss out on a post or a free offer by joining my fellow travellers. Look on left and click *follow this blog*.

I really appreciate your time in looking and will always answer any questions you might like to leave.

Namaste
Jan
xx

Goddess Majinka

2008-12-18T10:07:00.000+11:00

Here is a pic of my painting *Majinka - Goddess of the Rose and Gardens*. I am studying Holistic Art and recently completed a Holistic Councilling diploma which has introduced me to all kinds of spiritually based art. I am loving the exploring, experimenting and discovery of how I can express my feelings, desires and nature through art, collage and mixed media. Majinka is an acrylic on canvas but I plan to reduce her to a 6"X 8"card as part of a collage for my Soul Deck. Will post the result here. Smiles, love and light Jan

My jewels

2008-12-16T10:45:00.000+11:00

Emerald (Emmy for short on left) and Ruby - my beautiful girls. Three months old at time(now 4 1/2), they are Springer spaniel/cocker spaniel cross. They have THE most gorgeous green eyes and are just a joy. Did you know Springer spaniels are called that BECAUSE they spring??? I didn't! lol

Welcome

2008-12-16T09:48:00.000+11:00

Welcome to my blog, a long time comng, but I made it! Being such a creative person with such diverse interests, I confuse myself at times. Currently I paint, design and teach art, am making art dolls, just discovered Zen doodles and am studying for a diploma in Holistic councilling and art therapy. My beautiful 28 yo daughter just got engaged so am also designing the invitations for her and playing mother to my two 4 1/2 month old cocker spaniel/springer spaniel cross puppies. Busy, you might say? LOL, well yes, but I like being busy......and now I have somewhere to share all my interests, so keep coming back! In the meantime, enjoy my first Zen doodle which I have named "Musical Musïngs" (click for larger image and right click to save for your personal use) or visit my website http://www.janfoxdesigns.com/

hugz Jan