While at CHA in Anaheim, we had the opportunity to visit Old Towne, Orange Historic District. i admit i have always wanted to be with Lisa Pace when she goes antiquing. i got the opportunity and it was well worth it. She knows what she is looking for, knows when prices are too high, and knows when to snatch up a bargain. While i was there i notice this big beautiful atlas. i was contemplating about purchasing when Lisa saw the look in my eyes. She told me "Buy it now or you will regret it." She was right, just don't tell her i said so. i would miss it if i didn't come home with me. And even better i got it for half off.
Part of the time in California, i roomed with my friend, the incredible Dina Wakley. i had a blast being her roommate with our late night chats and sharing of fun items. i just had to show her my score of an atlas. When i purchased it, i had no idea what i was going to do with it. The answer was so natural to Dina, "You're going to art journal in it." Duh.
The maps are so beautiful and have so much character. i love that they are the base of my new art journal book. (If you ever get the chance, ask Dina to show you her ledger journal...BREATH TAKING). i could see myself adding ink & paints to this atlas giving it a new life in art.
And ink & paint is just what i did. i layered and layered lots of new TCW stencils & inks on the Minnesota Map page. It was so much fun & so freeing just as Dina predicted. Of course i had to use some of her new stencils on the page. It was as if the first page in the book knew it had to be an homage to Dina.
And if i was paying tribute to Dina, i had to go all the way and use her silhouette stencils. Dina was the first person years ago to show me how to use silhouettes. I cannot help but to look at silhouettes on an art journal page and think of her. i layered black acrylic paint around her new silhouette mask letting the image pop in color. Three is a good number since the background is quite large (11" x 14"). i journaled with a white pen on the black and added some words in the silhouettes with a black pen. i also added in bits of white paint at the top & bottom of the page.
i love how the page is a nod to Dina but still looks like me. i love the bits of map popping throughout the background with the saturation of color and i completely adore how it is filled with my words.
Thank you my friends for always nudging me in good ways.



























