An "Inspired" Project

Img_0322


This is what I made in Tena's Clearly Beautiful class. My album ended up being a great little collection of personal "beautiful things" and included the bits and pieces of goodness I created in Kal's class.


Here's some thoughts:


1. The album was a great jumping off point. Tena created a classic structure that was really open for additional "stuff" and modification. Love that.


2. Working with Tim's Alcohol Inks was a really cool experience. I am not much of a "color blender "so I went with single drops onto the acrylic album pages to create the polka dot pattern (the inks dry super fast). The idea of drops came about as Tena told us some of the other cool things students had done in earlier classes.


3. I loved that I felt the freedom to play. I used less words than normal in this album and I like how it became a glimpse into my creative life right now. I like that there are miscellaneous marks here and there. I like that it is colorful. It was the perfect environment for experimentation.


4. I finished the album in class.


Here's a look at the entire album:


Img_0323


Img_0324


Img_0325


The photo overlay was a technique from Kal's class using a thick piece of plastic (can't remember the name, Kal?),
tracing the subject of your photo, and embellishing with pencil crayons. Added words cut from a random piece of paper for my title. The
clear acrylic album we used is similar to this one.


Img_0326


Collection of slide mounts from Random Arts. Photos adhered back to back on the acrylic pages.
 


Img_0327


Img_0328


Man, I love acrylic albums. Damask sticker from Heidi Swapp.


Img_0329


Pencil crayon drawings from Kal's class. I just cut them up and added them right onto the background patterned paper. This is probably my favorite spread.


Img_0330


The canvas piece is a graphite transfer (technique from Kal's class) from an old photo of me and my bike and colored in with pencil crayons.   


Img_0331


Img_0332


Old black and white photo (laser copy) that I had brought along to potentially use as a photo transfer.


Img_0333


  Img_0334


Img_0336


The paper on the right side is one I have had forever. It has little metal "beads" that add great dimension and texture. Anyone know who makes it?


Img_0338


Img_0339


Another playful piece from Kal's class. Pencil crayons on cardboad.


Img_0340
   


Thanks again Tena and Kal. I loved this experience. If you ever have a chance to
take a class from Tena or Kal I highly recommend it. Both have such a great mixture
of technique and heart.


Also, check out the newest issue of my newsletter here. Today's topic is "getting real."

Related Posts

Sign in or sign up to comment.

51 thoughts

  1. rainbowocean says…
    04/17/2008

    It just gets better, Ali. Totally cool stuff.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Jen says…
    04/17/2008

    I love how you mix it up! Totally eclectic yet it all comes together so nicely! =) Such an inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Molly says…
    04/17/2008

    Ali: I love how this book is so personal and incorporates bits of the hand all over the place with tons of playfullness. thank you so much for sharing it. I was pretty disappointed at not being able to work out some scheduling conflicts to attend inspired, but am working toward attending the Squam artist workshop in Sept. instead. The newsletter really grabbed me today. You inspire!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. jenn says…
    04/17/2008

    Very cool!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. violetkey says…
    04/17/2008

    Awesome book! Makes me want to try a clear album.
    I have seen the paper you're talking about with the metal beading and i picked it up at a local art store that considered them selves suppliers of fine art materials (so not Michael's or the like). I doubt that helps but there you have it =)

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Nicky Anderson says…
    04/17/2008

    Love the book - the variety is awesome and so inspiring!!
    Nicky

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Erin says…
    04/17/2008

    what a wonderful little book. i'd love to hear more about your ink drops on the front-what kind did you use? thanks for sharing, erin :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Jana says…
    04/17/2008

    Good job taking bits from Inspired and using them together to create a memento not only about you, but also about what you created there! So often projects from workshops or classes just get tucked away, never to be viewed again----I love what you did here. More inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Grace says…
    04/17/2008

    Gosh Ali... what planet did you came from? You're super super TALENTED... CREATING A PIECE OF ART OUT OF JUNK MAILS, USING STICKER STORAGE TO USE FOR PHOTO, etc..now this...YOU'RE A GENIUS. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Irene says…
    04/17/2008

    Thanks for sharing such a wonderful album. O, how I wished I had been there! But it was a bit of swim (being in Europe) so no chance for me actually getting there.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. jamie says…
    04/17/2008

    ali
    not sure if it just me, but the photo of your layouts spread out the table in the newsletter covers your text. can't read the paragraph underneath. am i the only complaining they cannot view your newsletter fully?

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Amy K in FL says…
    04/17/2008

    Very cool Ali. I think that plastic piece at the front of the book might be mylar...? Can't wait to try the pencil crayons.
    Amy K in FL

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. sue Treiber says…
    04/17/2008

    I love all the interesting little bits you have incorporated. Super cool.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. christen says…
    04/17/2008

    WOW! what a great creation...thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. cathy says…
    04/17/2008

    killer. love it. completely jealous. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. amandagibson says…
    04/17/2008

    Very cool. Your lifeart is always cool and inspirational - makes me want to go home and make something.
    I've been wanting to make an acrylic album for a while but I haven't found one I liked..........and I really like the one you used - can you tell me the brand of the album? Thanks!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Jeanette says…
    04/17/2008

    I hope Kal chimes in with the name of the clear plastic we used on top of the photo as I'd like to know too.
    All great projects and I admire the direction you took with your album. I wondered how I'd incorporate what we learned from Kal into an album. And now I know.
    Thank you. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Jenny W says…
    04/17/2008

    Loved the idea about drops of ink. My experiments in mixing them have often ended less than satisfactorily, so I look forward to trying it your way :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Michelle says…
    04/17/2008

    Ali,
    I think that Kal mentioned that the plastic was calendar plastic - the type that would cover larger desk calendars. Can't remember where she said she picked it up.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Rollie says…
    04/17/2008

    That is great how you took Kal's class and combined it! I just might have to do some of that myself.
    I have to 2nd that motion on taking a class from either of them would be a treat anytime.
    Rollie

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Sarah says…
    04/17/2008

    Hi Ali,
    I've been reading your blog for quite a while. I always enjoy your entries.
    This one, in particular, is very inspiring. I've resisted the acrylic album but may have to break down and try it now. I love your work on this.
    Also, really love your newsletter about getting real. I've been thinking about these things as well.
    -Sarah

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Kal Barteski says…
    04/17/2008

    DUDE!
    Your stuff turned our sweet.
    CALENDAR VINYL is the name that I found the plastic as. At an art and architectural supply store. I will try to get a better link for you. It's hard to find BUT WHEN YOU DO - it's worth it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. psmullican says…
    04/17/2008

    very cool techniques. stupid question-hen you say pencil crayons you don't mean colored pencils, right?

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Michele says…
    04/17/2008

    The paper with the little metal "beads" looks similar to some paper that I've had forever that is made by Provo Craft. It came in a "collage" pad of paper.
    I love your album! :)
    Blessings,
    Michele :)
    www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Sandy says…
    04/17/2008

    Wow I love your book, you're so creative.

    Reply 0 Replies

Sign in or sign up to comment.