The Gathering-Art Journal Page

THE GATHERING

I've been playing with fluid acrylics, gesso, textures, and patterns again in my Moleskine art journal. It started out as a background for collage or an ink drawing, but by the time I got the 4th layer on, these figures had emerged with the heart (or wings) over their heads, and I was fascinated with them. I have decided to leave the page as it is. I think.

I started by dropping large drops of white gesso on the page, then brushing it out into thick ridges making a waffle pattern. I used a blow dryer to speed up the drying time. Then I added drops of red and yellow fluid acrylics and brushed them all over the page, mingling them together. When that was dry, leaving an orangish color, I decided it needed a peeling paint effect and applied some vaseline around over the page and brushed on some thickish magenta acrylic all over, including the vaseline and let it dry. I wiped off the vaseline with a paper towel, taking much of the paint with it, until there was no greasy film on the page. This is when the figures emerged. Can you see them?

I thought it needed something else, so green-gold fluid acrylic was dripped around, then spread and lifted off in vertical swipes to add another layer. I'm thinking I may add some gold leaf paint to the green to tone it down some.

The above picture scanned brighter than it actually is, so I darkened the one below to see if it looked better. The actual page colors are much better than either version here, but this gives you an idea of what I've been playing with.

I love the surprises that pop out when you just let go and play! Don't you?

Go ahead! Do some exploring and playing. It's good for you...and it's fun! :)