Last year I jumped in to a year long challenge project about half way through the year. I completed only two or three of the Mini Art Journal challenges before getting caught up in other stuff and never finishing. Although I didn't follow through with the challenge I really wanted to join one beginning this year in January. I wanted something I could start on time and finish. I haven't found one to join yet and January is slowly melting into February. So, I am making my own.
Quite a while ago I borrowed the book Artist Trading Card Workshop by Bernie Berlin from my friend Heather.
I enjoyed it so much that I bought my own. The great thing about this book is that it teaches a wide variety of techniques that can be used when creating many types of art, not just trading cards. By keeping the projects within the size of an ATC a person isn't overwhelmed by trying something new. Now, that's the way I like to do things! And, not only are the projects small enough to do but the examples are very inspiring. Last night I pulled the book out because I wanted to try one of the techniques. While working, it occured to me that I had found my challenge. I am going to break down the techniques in the book into a schedule that fits into a year. That's roughly one technique every two weeks or so. Then, I will post my challenge and my progress as I go along. I think that by committing to sharing I will keep myself on task. And, I hope to encourage you to participate as well. I think this would be great fun for a group of people to do, even if you aren't able to do all of the challenges or start at the beginning of the year.
If you would like to participate then you will need to hurry on down to the bookstore and buy the book, or order it from Amazon NOW! I will post the first challenge this Sunday and then post photos of the project once it's complete.
Below are photos of one of the techiques that I tried last night, Gesso and Magazine Images. The first three images are the "before" and the last two are the "after." Notice there are only two? One turned out so bad that I didn't want to share. It had something to do with the nose. Noses are hard.
