Art Journal

I decided to start an Art Journal because I needed someplace to put the scraps of paper that I've been practicing on instead of throwing them away or taping them to the wall.

I have to admit . . . unfortunately . . . that this quote describes me exactly.


It's from this book. 

Miso Butterfish

This butterfish was really, really good. Maybe as good as $$$Roy's$$$.



Landon picked it up from Hawaiian Miso & Soy Co., Ltd. It was $$$20.95$$$ a pound.  Lan just broiled it in the oven.

Owls

My sister Didi likes owls. I made these cards for her. After I did the sketches and penned the outline, I printed out copies before painting so that I could make a bunch.







She likes the Cubs too. 

Tombow Fudenosuke Pen

I bought these Tombow calligraphy pens from Amazon. It was recommended on several hand lettering tutorials. You can check it out on Amazon here. 

The two-pack came with a hard-tip and a soft-tip pen. I like them . . . maybe the best of all the calligraphy-type pens that I own.


There was just a slight difference in feel between the two. I think I preferred the hard tip one just a skosh more.
 

Honolulu Aunty has the quote below on her current blog post. I like it a lot. 


LOL, I just noticed . . . supposed to be "under" whose shade. Good thing I still only practicing. 

Vegan Soy Meat

I bought this from Marukai a couple weeks ago.  It was on sale for $5.99.



Landon made this Beef Broccoli with it.  Sorry, no more recipe, but it was goooood.

Bento from Foodland

Wendell and I went to Ala Moana Foodland for the first time yesterday. 

I got this bento. It was perfect for me. I think it was $7.49. It's not on my receipt. Instead there's a Teriyaki Fish for $7.49 that I didn't get so I'm guessing that's it.

Everything was good!


Well, almost everything.

Hand Lettering

Maybe it was just a matter of time . . . it's kinda related . . .  although it's a whole 'nother can of worms.  



Like watercoloring, hand lettering requires practice, practice, practice . . . but maybe not being perfect makes it kinda quaint . . . no?

Simple Pleasure

Geri actually discovered this blue bird at the swap meet and showed it to me. It was $1. She said I could have it if I wanted. 

This is now my window view while I sit at my computer desk. It's pretty amazing to me how such a simple thing can bring me such joy.

Prang Watercolor Set

Does anybody wanna try watercolor painting?

You can have this Prang set. 


This guy gave a good review on it so I got it when I first started my new hobby, but I have a bunch of different sets now so I probably won't be using it.


Let me know . . . JalnaA@aol.com.

Addendum:  I got a taker!!!

Maremi's Small Art

For you, Kevin

Hi peoples!!! I give you one guess what this blog post is about. 

Yup. Painting. You just know how one-track minded I get. All I think about now is painting, painting, painting. Fixing watches? What was that all about?

New paint set!! So exciting! No? This set is by Prima Marketing.


It's actually a birthday present that I got from Leslie. And my birthday is not for another couple weeks! We're so bad yah. That's how we are with each other. We don't even wrap our presents. Hahahaha!


I've made a bunch of these cards. I loooooove doing this design. It's such good practice. And it's so gratifying.


Here's the green first wash layer. It's the easiest part. 


And here's the hardest and most challenging part . . . blending. I do a lot of screaming when things don't work out. But I also do a lot of "oooh"ing and "aaaah"ing when things do.


I had planned to take step-by-step pictures for you but it didn't happen. Along the way, I kinda forgot. Shucks.

Anyway, the title of this post is Maremi's Small Art. "Maremi" is a combined name . . . "Marta" (my new favorite instructor) and her daughter "Emi".  I just love love love Marta and her carefree attitude regarding her art process.  

Marta admits that she is not a painter but a crafter (just like me), and I admire her for her willingness to put herself out there. And I just love how she gets all excited when she makes a new discovery. Her delight is infectious to me. 

Below are three of Marta's videos. I've watched most of her videos several times, not just for the tutorials but also to enjoy her words . . .

"Sit down. Do it. Enjoy it.
Relax about that.
Don't be afraid.
We are who we are." 




"Only by trying you will learn.
Stop it, Marta.
Why nooottt?
You will have a next time."




"Allow yourself to play and enjoy and make a mistake.
You gain so much more when trying to play."




Here is my Marta-inspired card . . . my latest. 


I'll be back to posting again but probably only once in awhile and not on a daily basis. I think it's time I "relax about that".