Happy Wednesday, Everyone! Today's Wednesday Stamper theme is "Diva", and this is perfect for me! As most of you know, my first love is drawing and painting. Throw-in some layering, stamping and collage images, and I am in *heaven*. So I took a workshop from the wonderful Kelly Kilmer last Friday with the idea of jump-starting my leap back into paint, and she had us do a day-by-day book. Mine, which is still a work in progress, centers around. . .you guessed it. . . Divas!!
Here's the first two-page spread. I wish I could tell you the name of the stamps used, but I can't remember. There are three of them: The raven on a branch, the leaves next to the raven and the flowery-snowflakey thing that is in a couple of places in the background. The rest is paint, doodles and magazine images.
My second 2-page spread has no stamps, just paper, paint and doodles, but since there's another Diva, I thought I'd throw it in.
The third 2-page spread uses Tim Holtz "X" stamp all around the background. The eye and lips are my doodles. I used to think, "Who'd buy a stamp of X's, when you can just draw them yourself?", but then I used it. Whoa! An entirely different experience and look than hand-drawn. The question is not: which is better, drawing or stamping? The answer is simply: Both are great! - - and even better when combined!
This is 2-page spread #4, and again, I cannot credit the stamp. I just picked it up and used it, and if I'd had a brain for anything other than the delight of creating these pages, I would have bought all the stamps I used! But alas, I was not thinking of shopping at the time! And digressing just a bit, in case you have DHs who like to count pennies, you can pass along my experience if you like: Just tell them that art is so fulfilling that it makes you forget to shop! That should give them the push they need to support your habit!!
And last but not last--because the work is in progress and there are more pages to come--here is 2-page spread #5. Thank you to Nordstrom's department stores for hiring such a fabulous artist! This little Diva (actually, just part of her) and the surrounding leaves and berries are from Nordstrom's magazine ads. If you can get your hands on a current American Vogue magazine, you'll see some truly inspired illustration in the Nordstrom ads! Again, here is that little snowflake/flower stamp, and I wish it was in my collection so I could just read the label (and use it over and over), but it was part of Kelly's collection, as was that great Japanese tape that runs down the spine of this page and makes my "1" in spread #4.
Have a great, artful day!
Unbelieveable! WOW!
Posted by: Kris Dickinson | May 07, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Barbara, I am blown away by all your diva art! You are really something else! Your 5 2-page diva spreads are wonderful. They remind me a little of Traci Bautista.
Posted by: faye | May 07, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Wow this is unbelievable. So amazing colors. Love it.
Posted by: Sandy | May 07, 2008 at 09:44 PM
WOW, love all the spreads, they are gorgeous.
Posted by: Hermine | May 07, 2008 at 10:18 PM
You know, I have just spent ages looking at your pages and then became completely absorbed in Kelly Kilmer's blog... I absolutely LOVE what you have created here... Are the blocks for journalling? What sort of journal did you use? Sorry... questions, questions...!!
And I would NEVER dare nick the Queen's hat! They still throw you in the Tower of London for that you know!
Posted by: Rosie | May 08, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Love these spreads - so bright and inspiring. Your Divas are all great and you've got me thinking about combining stamping and drawing....might have a go at that!
Posted by: netti atkins | May 08, 2008 at 12:45 AM
beautiful work!!!
Posted by: femmy | May 08, 2008 at 01:45 AM
What great pages. Love all your painting and doodling.
Posted by: Dymphie | May 08, 2008 at 08:22 AM
Wauw, the are stunning!
Posted by: Janny | May 08, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Thank you for you oh so nice comments on my Magpie's Nest Barbara! I've had lots of fun catching up with you and your always wonderful artwork! Each piece is a delight along with your stories that go along with! I'm hoping to stay home for awhile now and get caught up hahaa!
Posted by: ~*~ Patty | May 09, 2008 at 07:46 AM
Fabulous pages! Love them all!!
Posted by: Viola | May 09, 2008 at 12:01 PM
very artistical and cool!
Posted by: enjoy | May 09, 2008 at 10:18 PM
Fabulous pages!
Posted by: sija | May 10, 2008 at 02:29 AM
Great artwork!
Posted by: Willy | May 12, 2008 at 09:27 AM
kelly is fabulous and i am happy for you you got to take a class with her. no, make that jealous :) love your pages, they sing diva, play and fun :) the images are sooooo funky
Posted by: Belinda | May 12, 2008 at 10:26 AM