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Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

While art journaling, this scar wasn’t a mistake, it was an Oops (Outstanding Opportunity Presenting Suddenly). And it had a very strong message for me.

Scars aren’t always seen but every person has them.  Maybe they shouldn’t be hidden but shared instead.  Maybe they aren’t something “ugly” but a reminder of the journey.

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

 

Random stenciling with my Verbage stencil created a foundation of action, words that are all about taking charge of your world, your life, your future.  The edges have a touch of Distress stain.

 

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

 

Using up leftover paints to add some paint here and there.  Absolutely no plan here and it shows in how randomly paints are placed.

 

 

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

Decided to add a woman to the page.  That’s when  then came the Oops.

The stencil stuck to the damp paint and created a tear in her forehead when I lifted it up.  Is she disfigured? Not in any way!  She was sharing the message she had for me.

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

 

I muted down the paints in the background bit with some white paint while I listened for her message.  Once I had that message, I knew what word to stencil with the Vintage Typewriter Alphabet.

 

 

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

She has a scar. Front and center on her forehead.  And she is proud of that scar. That is a scar she earned standing up for what she believed in, for what was right.  It wasn’t easy but it is a reminder of her strength.  A reminder of the battle she won.

 

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG message

As her story and message became clear in my mind, I scribble journaled out my thoughts with a fine liner filled with paint.

 

By the time I finished this art journal page, I had a new respect for scars- both in myself and in others.  Once again, my life is fuller and gentler because of art.

Step by step art journaling a stenciled face with a big Oops with a BIG messageSupplies Used

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Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn DubeDownton Abbey has me under its spell.  I have avoided it until recently and now am an addict devouring seasons as quickly as life will allow.  While listening to the video of Downton Funk- okay, watching the video while pretending to straighten up the studio- I ended up with an art journal page instead of a clean studio.  So I called it a good day!

 

http://youtu.be/IO7t7fRk4IU?t=3s

 

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 

Leftover paint on my brushes led to this…couldn’t bear to waste a drop of paint.  I know, Downton Abbey tends to have more muted colors but the characters are oh so colorful.

 

 

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 

 

My 1700’s Building stencil jumped out at me as a manor so I let my imagination run wild that it was Downton Abbey.

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 

 

 

I did not have a stencil that said Downton so I used letters from other words on my Verbage stencil to create what I needed.  Just some little Post it Notes for some quick masking.

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 

What would Carson say!  My letters weren’t perfectly spaced. I always chuckle when I see him with the ruler measuring the spacing of place settings.

 

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 

I covered up the stencil breaks with a little touch of white paint…had to keep things prim and proper in honor of Mrs. Hughes…

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 

 

But I can’t keep things too proper…there had to be even more color. Oil pastels added bits of color here and there with some messy smudges.

Downton Abbey Inspired Art Journaling with a Stencil by Carolyn Dube

 Supplies Used

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Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

Today, I share with you a very personal art journal page that came about because of the loss of my oldest and dearest friend recently.  I share this with the hope that others will be able to use art to heal their wounds.  The only way my soul can begin to process this is through art.

My art journal gave me a magical gift today – a way to talk to my friend, a person who had accepted me so completely for who I am, warts and all.  I have no idea if it was really her, my subconscious, or something else, but what I do know is, it helped me move one step forward in the healing.  Here’s how it went…

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

Letting go of control and letting the art guide me.

No asking why because there is no reason that makes sense as to why it was her time to leave.  Following the impulses with messy, sloppy stamping with acrylic ink.

 

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

Pops of color added here and there as I remembered our exploits together.

Slowly adding the yellow color while letting the good memories of our adventures as roommates in college come through like sunshine.

 

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

Hurt. Loss. Anger. Grief.  All captured with layer after layer of color.  

Feeling the pain, getting angry, and letting it all out in finger painting.  I kept adding layers and colors until I began to hear her trying to tell me something.

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

 

But I couldn’t make out what she was saying.   It wasn’t clear what message she had for me yet, so a hazy touch of script stenciling.

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

 

Her message appeared softly to me.  I could hear her in my head as she gently spoke to me, helping me find just a drop of peace.

 

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

 

I will remember.  In fact, I will never forget the grace she brought to this world, the power of her determination, and how she generously shared her smile with everyone she met.

 

But it wasn’t her she wanted me to remember.  She didn’t want a fuss made about her.  She was telling me to not be afraid.  To not be angry. Once again, she was trying to give to others.

As my way of honoring her, I share this very private art journal page with the hope that this process offers others a way to begin to find peace.

Healing through art journaling - I share a very private page from start to finish

Supplies Used

A Colorful Gelli Print Party will return next month.

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