A Bright and Colorful Art Journal Page That Inspires

 Hello there friends! Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I have a question for you.

Do you ever find yourself "un-inspired" 

to be creative?

Happens to me frequently. Whether it be a distraction of something going on in life, OR just feeling blah.

What to do, what to do.......

In those moments, I generally reach for an art journal.

I look at an art journal as kind of a personal "diary", recording in an artful format, what may be inspiring me at the moment, or to help me move into creativity.

Todays design team project share for Rita Barakat Designs, is created  and inspired by  

her Heart Wings & Dream Chaser Art Foamie Stamps.

To begin, I used a light coating of white gesso over the outdated calendar pages, that is now one of my art journals.

I covered it lightly as I wanted "peeks" of the calendar to come through the design. Once the gesso had dried, I added pieces of Tim Holtz Melange Tissue Paper, in random areas of the pages using Mod Podge Paper Medium to glue into place.

I then chose some of my favorite Distress Oxides, and used distress sponges to apply the colors, and lightly spritzing with water in between each color application, and allowing it to drip & dry.

I also used the Distress Oxides to apply color using stencils & punchinello.

I then

used a star designed rubber stamp from my stash, in a random pattern before adding the main  stamp designs, Rita's Art Foamie Stamps, using Staz-On Ink to apply them all.

For even more color detail, I used coordinating shades from Faber-Castell Gelatos.

I LOVE the results! I look at this art journal spread, and it brings my heart such joy!

And just like that, my creative juices are flowing again!

So if you have never tried art journaling, or find yourself feeling that creative block, grab your journal and create!

Check out Rita's Art Foamie Stamps at her Etsy store at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat

For even more inspiration, join Rita every Monday evening for Mixed Media Monday on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1/

There is more!

Join Rita & arsty friends in the 

"Rise and Shine With Rita Barakat"

Facebook book group for DAILY inspiration & fun!

 https://www.facebook.com/groups/201214940814883/

Thanks so much for visiting today.

I hope you will visit again soon, as I am getting ready to amp things up around here!

And check out my YouTube channel, where I am beginning to add to and grow!

Until next time......

Live Life Inspired!

Colorful & Magical Sentiment Canvas

Hello Creatives!

Welcome to INSPIRE!

Today I am sharing with you my first Rita Barakat Designs

project for the month of May, using one of her Art Foamie Stamps & 

a delightful die cut from Rita's Magical Creatures Collection.

My base is a 5x5 pre-gessoed canvas board. 

I chose a variety of gorgeous bluish paints & mediums from Plaid,

as well as a selection of Distress Oxide inks from Tim Holtz, to color the canvas with.

But first, I used Rita's Heart Wing Foamie Stamp along with Tim Holtz Resist Spray, applied directly to the surface of the stamp using a foam "brush".

I then placed the wing image over the unpainted canvas surface, 

and dried using my heat tool.

Then I began layering the colors to the canvas, first using Plaid Watercolor Paint, heavily watered down, and applied in layers over the canvas.

As I was waiting for the paint to set, I began working on the wings to be attached to the die cut.

I used a small sheet of acetate, stamped the Heart Wing image using a very light blue ink archival ink. Once the ink had dried, I cut the wing design from the sheet, and began layering color & dimension to the wings, using the Heart Wing Stamp with each layer.

To add definition to the wing design, I used Distress Ink in Chipped Sapphire, applied to the Heart Wing Stamp, and finished with a layer of Plaid Glitterific. 

I also added a layer of Plaid Extreme Glitter Medium to the die cut image, because as we know, EVERY  Magical Creature should have some sparkle!

To complete the  

coloring of the canvas, I applied a couple of layers of Distress Oxide Ink, applied with a blending tool, and to bring out the "resist" wing design.

I used a double sided foam square along with Beacon 527 Adhesive to add the wings to the die cut, and the die cut to the canvas.

And every Magical Creature should bare an inspiring sentiment, so, I used letter stamps along with archival ink, and applied the quote 

"DON'T STOP BELIEVING"

directly to the canvas.

Finishing touches were adding some blue Seam Binding and some dangle lace trim I had pre-colored with ink, so that it can be a delightful wall hanging to inspire!

For the Rita Barakat products I used in this project,

please visit her Etsy store at:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaBarakat?ref=shop_sugg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/684523447/unicorns-pegasus-magical-creatures?ref=shop_home_active_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/567580575/rita-barakat-heart-wing-stamp-artfoamies?ref=shop_home_active_47

Be sure that you are following Rita Barakat by subscribing to her blog, to stay up to date with new product releases, and FABULOUS project inspiration!

https://ritabarakat.com

You can also find Rita Barakat on Instagram and on Facebook, and don't forget to join the "Rise & Shine With Rita Barakat" on Facebook where you will find a host of inspiration and ideas on a daily basis.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/201214940814883/

On Mondays, join Rita on her Facebook page for Mixed Media Mondays, as she shares great inspiration for your next project!

https://www.facebook.com/rita.barakat.1/

Be sure to check back tomorrow here on INSPIRE, as the Rita Barakat/Ken Oliver Colorburst collaboration blog hop will be in full swing!

Stop in, follow the links that will be provided, and check out all the inspiration created by the uber talented Rita Barakat Designs DT, as they share how they used the Ken Oliver ColorBurst products to create their art!

Hope to see you tomorrow!!!!

Leave some love, please comment and let me know what you think about this fun project!

Until next time.......