Hi everyone. Happy Friday to you.
I was away for a couple of days earlier this week, and even though I was only gone for 2 1/2 days, it's taken me a good day to get back in the groove of being home. Funny how a couple of days with different scenery can get you out of your normal routine so quickly.
Today I have some art to share with you.
First of all, I have a collaged page for Nicole's Friday Face Off.
I made this in a journal that has ledger style pages. I added a piece of Gelli printed deli paper on the right, a black die cut flower, the TH man and this art quote. I thought the man looked like he might be an artist in his cool leather bomber jacket which is why I picked this quote. I also had just a small amount of black paint left in the bristles of my brush when I added these, and that created that smokey tint to the middle of my page.
And for Chris' challenge at Art Journal Journey, I have the following page.
You probably know, but this month the challenge is When We Were Young.
For this page I used the same Dylusions stencil as my journal page from Monday's post. I traced each of the children's figures on some polka dot paper, and then I fussy cut them out.
Childhood shouldn't be so dark, so I added some bright colored "art by Marlene" punch outs and also the quote.
My page was inspired by the idea that young children are truly themselves, and only as they grow and then become pre-teens and teenagers do they start to change a bit to fit in with others. Of course, not all teenagers care if they fit in. And even when kids conform with the clothes they wear or the games they play or by doing something their friends are all doing, they are still individuals. I remember when I hit junior high or what they now call middle school, the pressure to conform was crazy. I was never one of the cool kids, but I didn't want to be the odd duck either.
Thank goodness that as we get older we can be ourselves again, even if we lose so many wonderful things that were part of childhood.
I'm also linking up my post to GIllena's Friday Lunch Break.
That's all for me today. Have a great start to the weekend.
22 comments:
Nice pages. As a teen/young person it's a hard concept to understand we keep reinventing ourselves throughout our lives. Enjoy the weekend.
Nice creative pages, Erika. Yes, the fist love affairs are made, as well as many other things during school time. My first "big" attraction 🤹of a boy on the upper class was at the middle schoo - and he liked me,too 🥰
Enjoy the weekend 💚🌺😃
You wrote: "a couple of days with different scenery can get you out of your normal routine so quickly" -- I have just been traveling all month, to Iceland and Greenland, and I'm still away from home so I totally agree!
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Both pages are excellent, Iwashere is my favourite though.
Ah yes to school crushes 😊
Thanks for sharing your beautiful art and linking to Art For Fun Friday
Much💖love
Both of these journal pages are beautiful. I love how you treated Chris's theme at AJJ. I like that you added a bit of color so the children didn't appear too dark. This is fabulous.
Being a teen was hard when I was in school. I had one BFF and we did everything together. Not sure how I would make it in today's society as a teen with the internet and social media tugging at and intervening in everyone's life.
Two really fabulous pages Erika! I love the quote on the first one, and those lovely pops of colour you added to the children.
Have a great weekend,
Alison
These are brilliant. I love the mans face. Strong, serious and the look of determination. I do love the second one too. Yes a childhood should be bright with color. Thank you for joining Friday Face Off.
Both pages are lovely, but the first one is really dramatic, love it! Hope you enjoyyour time away. Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
Two super pages in your journals Erika. I do like the first one in your ledger - s9mething I have always wanted to own, an old ledger. Great image of the man who I imagined was a Dutch airman but I see your artist in him.
Recognise those two in the black page, what a good idea to brighten them up give them a lift with some bright happy colours.
Have a lovely weekend - week too.
Hugs, Neet xx
Love both pages!
And your wise words on the second.
Yes, we become like kids again - I wear a short skirt with sneakers cause it´s more comphy - no high heels no more, do I care what others think?!
With that: to a great weekend and hugs :-)
For me, it can be an afternoon at the ocean after which I have difficulty finding back in my routine. But perhaps I don't really have a routine anymore. - Beautiful art journal pages; I agree with what you wrote about the pressure during middle school (and also high school I think) to fit in and not being the odd one out. I don't have particular fond memories of my teenage years apart from a few ones. Have a lovely weekend, Erika.
Lovely pages.
Lovely artwork, and really enjoyed reading your thoughts about social conformity. Beautifully said. Have a great weekend, Erika!
-Soma
Your collages are wonderful. I especially like your ledger collage. The words are beautiful.
Gorgeous pages! Loving the black and white with the pops of colour - perfect 😁. Happy wishes! Hugs Jo x
I like the ledger pages for a journal background and this face-off piece really has a lot to it. The graphic is powerful, as are the words. Love that you are using that for a journal!
Sometimes it seems the older ones are the most concerned about conforming and insisting others conform. It's sad :(
Lovely collage!
I think using these ledger style pages with lines is an inspired move. It adds some weight to the overall picture. :)
Nice pages, Erika, welcome back! Nice thoughts about life, too. I've been ailing and got behind on commenting but am catching up. We are now in a pattern of daily cloud cover, rain and general mugginess, which is wonderful for our land and waterways here, but for me it makes my Arthurs play havoc, lots more pain. I should probably live somewhere arid. The retired accountant in me loves the idea of a journal with ledger pages. The old timey paper was thick and sturdy. By the time I was working and buying it, it turned more crisp and thin but still good paper. Over the years, I had plenty of looks in clients' old ledgers and really discovered the difference there. Hope you are settled back in from your trip by now. xoxo
Wow Erika! I love your pages. The ledger pages look great for your artist's background. The thoughts on childhood ringing true here - one of the teens in our family has a lot to cope with at the moment! What a fabulous way to brighten your children up - a truly lovely page for my AJJ theme, thank you! Hugs, Chrisx
Hi Erika! Yes, I agree! Being away even for just a short period of time, can totally get me out of my routine! And your art work that you shared today is beautiful. I love the first one - yes, the man definitely looks like he could be an artist. The quote goes beautifully here! And your second piece is beautiful, too. Yes, children are truly themselves and they learn to "fit in" as they get older!! The pressure on kids these days is unbelievable!!! I love the message you are sharing in your art. And thanks so very much for your wonderful visit to my blog. Hugs, Sharon
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