Art Journaling with Ansota: I love Gouache!

Art Journaling with Ansota: I love Gouache!: In between the ordinary day to day journaling I love to experiment with paints as well. My favorite paints to use for these kind of art ...

Upcycling: What to do with your old vinyl gramophone records.

I have a few of these old outdated vinyl gramophone records lying around and just taking up space. I decided to put them to good use. I used my craft acrylic on fabric and used modge podge to paste it onto the record. I also added odd bits of lace and hessian and now  I have a new wall hanging and it didn't cost me much! Great project to do!

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Upcycling an old gramophone record © Ansota.

Sparrows

Mixed media on canvas panel. This was an experiment to see what I could do with craft paint which is extremely cheap compared to acrylic paints.

Sparrows: Mixed media on canvas panel ©Ansota 2012

Tin to hold all my markers and pens.

Sometimes I just love to sit in front of the TV with my art journal and doodle. I have been looking for something to hold all my markers and pens I need when I do. I tried all kinds of holders and discovered that this little tin is perfect for the job but I didn't like the coldness of the tin against my hands. I decided to dress it up with some crochet, felt and buttons and added a little bling too. You could say 'Oh my word but it's so kitsch!' Well... maybe it's kitsch, maybe it's funky but it's my own creation and I love it! Best of all it's nice and warm and very very handy indeed! :)

Magazine Collage!

 And for something totally different. Magazine collages! It is such a creative and imaginative way to experiment values and shapes. I did these collages by using only magazines and build the faces up with small pieces of torn pages. I know they are not masterpieces by far but it is a way to experiment and create playfully. Give it a try! 

Take care!

~Ansota~

Eternal Traveller

From my Soul Journal

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveller passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.

None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you, and you will be denied the joy that comes from labour's end. 

Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others. Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered.

Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead nurture love within you and strive to be a friend to all. Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds. 

Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself. Cast off pretence and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.  (From the book: Winter Blessings by Patricia Scanlan)

Take care

~Ansota ~