Friday, November 13, 2009

Multitasking at its best


My name is Lisa and I am a multi-tasker. (Is there a 12 step program for this? Maybe all steps at the same time?) I rarely do one thing at a time. Right now I'm typing and listening to a favorite CD thinking about lyrics I can use for a photo journaling assignment. I can't just cook dinner. I have to have a book to peek in or a pile of mail to go through while the water boils. I don't watch TV, I watch TV and have a magazine or book or computer in my lap. I have to listen to podcasts while I walk the dog. It's a sickness.

This has been a week of multitasking and my art room shows it. It's buried. I can't stand it any longer. (Notice there are no pictures of that!) I'm glad I finished up a few projects because now I can clean up and get ready for the next round. I've been thinking about making a page inspired by the Teesha Moore videos I watched. Of course I had to make and paint 4 art journals first. (Teesha shows us how on one of her videos.) One group talked about lettering and challenged us to a practice. An ATC example is above. A few more groups threw out some journaling prompts that sounded like fun. Well, I want to do it all!


My first project was inspired by the prompt "Up up and away!" and involves a hot air balloon. I collaborated with my 8 y.o. daughter. She needed something to work on so I gave her the task of making the balloon out of watercolor paper and paint. She added her family to the basket, including the dog. I did the background and details and the lettering. Let me tell you, my heart was pounding right before I put the first mark down! That's the thing about journaling... I'm so nervous to write stuff down because I'm afraid I'm going to ruin the picture. I'm over it. I did it. I made the first mark. And now you can't stop me. The whole page is above, here's a detail of the basket:


I think it came out nicely. I love working on art with my daughter. She's so free and uninhibited.

My sketchbook project group was posting some pages they did a'la Teesha Moore style. It looks so fun. I love her style, the colors, the funky faces and her lettering. So I whipped up a page. If it doesn't make sense, it's OK. It makes sense to me... and that's all that matters, right? (But it would be nice if ONE person found some humor in it!) Here she is... this is Irma.


I saw the cupcake picture with the word "Friday" on it and it all fell together. As for the lettering...I just did it. I wasn't even nervous. I
was anal enough to lay out a piece of tracing paper to space the words, but that's about it. I think it turned out quite nicely.

Next up... my sketchbook should arrive soon and I can start working on my pages. I completed one whole spread that I will tip-in, and started a few more pages to add to the book. I will post that soon. I am taking an online photo journaling class with L.K. Ludwig. It's starting slowly but I really need to put some pages together. I'll keep you updated on that too. I've got a lot of work ahead of me... it's a good thing I can do five things at once, eh?

10 comments:

  1. Love the mother/daughter collaboration Balloon and Family. Great lettering! Friday and Irma gave me a good laugh! Delightful page!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lisa, I am so glad I popped over here to your blog...it's fantastic! I will rave about your balloon over at OTW, believe me! But I'm so glad to know I am not the only one who worries about "messing up" a journal page when it comes time to do the lettering...lol! I totally get that.

    And I've never seen the Teesha Moore style you mention....but I am so taken with your Friday cupcake page! Hilarious!!! And it does look like a fun style to put together.

    This was just a marvelous visit for me here! delightful!

    (and btw....no 12 step programs for multi-tasking that I know of....if you find one, please let the rest of us know...*giggle*)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am that way, too -- I can't stand doing just one thing! I have to keep my brain busy at all times. It shows in my art work, though, because I have a hard time having the patience to sit and do it! I'm also afraid of lettering. I keep telling myself: If I just find the right pens. I'm enjoying your artwork! Very inspiring for a beginner like me.

    ReplyDelete
  4. irma is fantastic. it is nice to have cupcake fridays...or any other days. i like that your art is so colorful. making art with your daughter will definitely help keep the colors in your life. her balloon and family are so lively and very good for someone her age. she definitely got the art genes.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your artwork is awesome... and your daughter did a fabulous job!! WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love how your lady turned out. She is so sweet and sassy! (Don't tell but I like her better than the one on the video). I haven't drummed up the courage to do an altered person yet. Fridays are definitely cupcake days. (At my daughter's house it's the one day in the week the kids get to have a soda and candy). They are the time to let go for the weekend. I think its a wonderful page. I can't wait to see more. I think if I make a page like this myself, I will NOT show it to my husband as he will not get it al all!

    ReplyDelete
  7. After reading from you on BJ...I had to skip over here.....

    ....aren'tcho the most inspiring person in my blog travels tonite!!! Just adore your pages! You go girl even if you are doing the multi-tasking stuff....seems to be working for you.
    I find it interesting (and I see this often when teaching!) how your little girl so readily jumps at the chance to create with Mommy with no fears, no inhibitions, no nerves...she simply jumps in and starts flying. As little adults ( I never call them kids anymore cause half the time they know more than me!) they do so without any knowledge of what could stop them from creating. Our fears, our inner critic, our search for acceptance from others are all learned behaviours that we heap upon ourselves as we grow up. Sad eh? Sometimes our wee little ones will inspire us to motivate us away from listening to our inner voices. Your daughter gets it, you get it, we get it....the ones that don't get it??? too heck with them all....they aren't the ones having the fun!!!! Your daughter has done a great job painting her balloon and the little people including even the little dog....smart chickie you got there. Oh and Mom? your lettering is sooooo awesome.
    Stand up and take a bow please Lisa!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm giving you an Over The Top blog award. See my blog for details!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, these are both great pages! I totally understand about multi-tasking too. I think we just don't want to let a single moment get away from us. Great job on the lettering, too!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your artwork, Lisa. That balloon is fabulous! It's so awesome you let your daughter help you out with the artwork -- so many people I know would be afraid to let anyone else touch their creations and yet you share --interesting! Anyway, it seems to work, because it turned out lovely! xo

    ReplyDelete

I am so grateful for every single comment you leave. Thank you for hearing me.