DY NA Altered Book Workshop, Blending Exercises #1A.

Some paint blending done on index cards! Posted on the Daisy Yellow Novel Approach Altered Book Facebook Page. I'm enjoying this do it yourself online workshop by Daisy Yellow! Link for more info: http://daisyyellowart.com/vividlife/new-art-journaling-workshop-novel-approach.

DY Art FB Page and Website

DY (Daisy Yellow) Art is a wonderful website, full of free ideas and prompts presented in a mix of written articles and videos. There is an accompanying Facebook page where you can peruse the work of others and, if you wish, post your own art work. The website has excellent prompts with encouraging ideas for doing art journaling/artwork. There's also a special area for children and teenagers, since young people are paramount in the life of the owner, Tammy Garcia, who has teenagers of her own. Although the website is available to the public, and you can sign up for periodic emails, you need to request to join the Facebook group, read the pinned post to view the guidelines of the FB page, then just jump in to this wonderful place! Tammy Garcia is a patient, kind person who ensures that this is a positive place to be. She also teaches online paid, do-it-yourself classes that help you get motivated and she sells beautiful, prompt cards and zines on Etsy.com. She's completely involved in the FB page and provides personal assistance as requested. The link is http://daisyyellowart.com/

Here's the link to the Facebook page. It's a closed group so, as I mentioned before, you must request access to join. The focus is art journaling on paper using prompts and info from the DY website. 

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

Every summer, DY conducts a 2 month event called "Index Card A Day," with a different FB page where participants are encouraged to complete art on an index card every day and post their efforts - it's tons of fun! 

 Here's an excerpt about one of the two prompt series.

Prompt60 is a series of journaling prompts that will challenge you with sparks, ideas & quotes. My goal is to inspire and gently nudge to do something creative in your journal. The challenge will help you strengthen both your art-making & writing practice. The series contains a mix of thematic, art, creative & writing prompts, plus ideas for how to get words into your journal.

Mixed Media Morsels FB page

Great new Facebook page! Some great artists post videos with mixed media art techniques and you can view the videos and peruse the posts or follow along and try them then post your photos! Wonderful, positive feedback - a great way to learn more about mixed media or share your own talents! This group uses a small notebook or index cards or small paper to test out techniques.

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

To join this FB page, click join after clicking on the link and seeing the FB page. Once you've been approved to join, go to the page and click on info, then files (last item) on the page. This will give you tips on what it's about and links to the videos.

DY NA Altered Book Workshop, Exercise #10: "93 Million Miles"

I based my 2-page spread in this second hand book from the thrift shop on a quote from a song called Beautiful Boy by John Lennon! This workshop provides an excellent introduction to altering books, setting up a workspace, and using acrylic paint. Highly recommended for beginners and experts alike. Lots of flexibility to add details - or not, so you don't need to be able to draw to do this and there's no prior knowledge of painting or collating required. Its pure fun applying paint with tools or your fingers! It's an online, self-paced workshop that will help to de-stress your day or make a great day even better! The link to Tammy Garcia's Daisy Yellow Workshop is at this link and there's a Facebook page to display your work or just look at work posted by others. Lots of personal attention if you need it, but very laid back and relaxing - no pressure: http://daisyyellowart.com/vividlife/new-art-journaling-workshop-novel-approach

DY "Novel Approach" Workshop - Blending Exercise #1

Here are some index cards where I tested colors and blending. I added some stamps and other decoration. I'm lovin this workshop by Daisy Yellow! Link: http://daisyyellowart.com/vividlife/new-art-journaling-workshop-novel-approach.

Link: http://daisyyellowart.com/vividlife/new-art-journaling-workshop-novel-approach.

DY "Novel Approach" Workshop - Vision Board

I'm lovin Daisy Yellow's (DY) "Novel Approach" altered book workshop! Link: http://daisyyellowart.com/vividlife/new-art-journaling-workshop-novel-approach.

I've learned many different art techniques but never got my hands into acrylic paint as much as I have with this workshop, often literally using just my fingers to apply the non-toxic, quick drying acrylic paint, although I could use a brush, if desired. It has been fun finger painting - it's given me a great sense of freedom! 

This no-stress, fun workshop is suitable for beginners as well as advanced artists because Tammy Garcia patiently takes you from an explanation on supplies through blending exercises, collage techniques and adding stamped designs. No previous knowledge of drawing, painting, collage work, art composition, or doodling required. She provides easy to understand videos accompanied by written guidance on each element of the workshop. She also lends personal assistance, encouragement and inspiration, while binding the group together in an easy to use Facebook Page and Flickr Group.

She is kind and patient and everyone feels at home on the Facebook page, whether or not you choose to post photos of your work. It's an amazing feeling of inclusion that is as warm and wonderful as her other events, such as the "Index Card a Day" (ICAD) event which occurs every summer. No one's required to post their work on Facebook or Flickr, but whether you post or just look through Tammy and others' work, it's fun and easy to do. 

The workshop is very flexible and everyone's free to perform techniques and add-on elements that personalize each piece if they'd like - there are no rigid rules, just great guidance. Tammy also has many helpful tips and articles about art and art journaling on her Daisy Yellow website, much of which is free of charge! There's an option to have her emails sent right to you periodically, even if you don't pay for a class. There are also a couple of sets of prompts that are perfect for inspiring all of us! 

The photo here is my "Vision Board" for this workshop. I've never done one of these before, nor have I done collage work or much art journaling. Since this is a self-paced class which we'll be able to have access to until 2017, there was no problem with me thinking about this for a while and then using many little snippets of fun art that I collected to make it. I immediately learned what a valuable creation it is as I referred to it when deciding what colors I would like to use for my first piece as well as what my theme for the collage would be.  It helped me narrow down my many interests and focus on the project, then complete it.

This fun workshop is reasonably priced for the lessons, encouragement and new-found friendships I've developed with other women all over the world and I highly recommend it to everyone, regardless of how much or how little your experience in this field.