Balzer Designs

Art Journal Every Day: July into August 2018

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here.  All of the previous posts can be found archived here.  Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day!  No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek.  Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. 

I can tell that July and August were stressful and eventful months for me without even looking at the journaling on the pages.  One of the things that I love about my art journal is that everything in it is a reflection of what is happening right now.  The type of artwork I make -- the style of the artwork -- it's all part of my mood.

I often write myself a note, and you can see that in the large text on the page:

The face on this page is kind of both fascinating and repellent -- a combination I like.

Above is a peek at a stencil coming your way in January!  (Notice that I prototype stencils more than 6 months before they appear for sale!)

And another really big message to myself.  Also note the huge gaps in my journaling -- the jump from 5 to 8 on this page, but the jump from July 16 on the previous page to August 5 on this page.  That's another way that I know my life was insane and out of the control during this period.

I tell people this all the time, but it's hard to hear: Lettering doesn't have to be perfect or cookie cutter.  I think it's great when it reflects you and it's a bit wonky.

I like this big hairless head.  It's kind of alien and weird but still appealing.

Note that my coloring is not neat or clean or precise.  Yes!

I love to mix my media -- there's paint and marker and colored pencil and pen -- whatever I can reach from my chair!

So there you have it, another peek into my art journal.  I hope your weekend will include a little bit of arting too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Art Journal Every Day: Gelli Journal Pages!

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here.  All of the previous posts can be found archived here.  Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day!  No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek.  Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. 

Today I'm sharing the last round of pages from the Gelli Journal I took with me on my crazy travels in October and November.  These are doodles and drawings done in a journal that was "base coated" with monoprints from a gelatin plate.

Take a peek:

And for the last page in the book, I let everyone know it was the end:

I really ought to draw men more often.  It's fun to explore what makes a face more stereotypically masculine rather than feminine. 

If you'd like to learn all about this kind of art journaling, please check out my online class on the subject.  Here's what to expect from class:

• There are more than 30 HD instructional videos.
• What you see in these photos and video is just a tiny taste of what awaits in the classroom!
• The online classroom is packed with written tips and take aways.
• You can leave comments and questions and interact with other students, just as you would on a blog.
• The first half of the class is all about gelatin printing directly into a sketchbook -- how to make sure you get the crack, how to fix problems that occur, how to create layers of color and pattern, how to keep pages from sticking together, etc.
• Whether you're an experienced gelatin printer or you've never ever tried it before, this class is for you.  Experienced printers will proceed through the gelatin printing section quickly and less experienced or brand new printers will take their time going lesson-by-lesson.
• The second half of the class is all about creating pictures in your printed journal.
• You do not have to know how to draw.  I share methods for creating pictures by stamping and stenciling -- there's even a video on creating a stencil from a photograph!
• If you want to try drawing, I share how to combine simple shapes to create wonderful pictures.
• I share my tips on embellishing your pictures with gel pens, paint markers, and more.
• I focus in on correcting "mistakes" (aka happy accidents) and getting the results that you want.
• Take as much time as you want or need to complete the course.  Once you purchase "Gelli Journals," you have lifetime access.

PLEASE NOTE: The first four videos of this class have some auto-focus issues and so they go in and out of focus, as you can see in this YouTube video.  If the bouncing bothers you, do not sign up for class.  No refunds will be given.

Thanks for stopping by!

Art Journal Every Day: More Gelli Journaling

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here.  All of the previous posts can be found archived here.  Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day!  No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek.  Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. 

I've got more pages from my Gelli Journal to show you today!  My Gelli Journal is a journal that I prep by printing directly in it from a gelatin plate.  Then I take the journal on the road with me to sketch and doodle in airplanes, on trains, in hotel rooms, etc.  It's a great travel project and I have to confess to sitting in one too many hotel rooms Netflix bingeing while I play in my Gelli Journal!

You can probably tell, I sketched this first figure from a lingerie ad in a magazine:

I did this tree sometime around Halloween.  It's appropriate for the holiday, right?

One of my favorite sayings and something I believe to be true.  The question is why everyone doesn't feel that way?

And finally, flowers, flowers, flowers!  I will never tire of flowers -- drawn or real.






As you can see, I draw faces, do lettering, doodle flowers, and have a good time in my Gelli Journal.  It really can be anything that you want.  It's super flexible.  My online class about the process begins tomorrow!

Here's what to expect from class:

• There are more than 30 HD instructional videos.
• What you see in these photos and video is just a tiny taste of what awaits in the classroom!
• The online classroom is packed with written tips and take aways.
• You can leave comments and questions and interact with other students, just as you would on a blog.
• The first half of the class is all about gelatin printing directly into a sketchbook -- how to make sure you get the crack, how to fix problems that occur, how to create layers of color and pattern, how to keep pages from sticking together, etc.
• Whether you're an experienced gelatin printer or you've never ever tried it before, this class is for you.  Experienced printers will proceed through the gelatin printing section quickly and less experienced or brand new printers will take their time going lesson-by-lesson.
• The second half of the class is all about creating pictures in your printed journal.
• You do not have to know how to draw.  I share methods for creating pictures by stamping and stenciling -- there's even a video on creating a stencil from a photograph!
• If you want to try drawing, I share how to combine simple shapes to create wonderful pictures.
• I share my tips on embellishing your pictures with gel pens, paint markers, and more.
• I focus in on correcting "mistakes" (aka happy accidents) and getting the results that you want.
• Take as much time as you want or need to complete the course.  Once you purchase "Gelli Journals," you have lifetime access.

PLEASE NOTE: The first four videos of this class have some auto-focus issues and so they go in and out of focus, as you can see in this YouTube video.  If the bouncing bothers you, do not sign up for class.  No refunds will be given.

Class begins December 1, 2018 (tomorrow).

$200 
Early Bird Pricing (Nov 1, 2018 - Nov 30, 2018) $125 - today is the last day!!
To get a $75 discount, use this code: EarlyGelli

Thanks for stopping by!

Art Journal Every Day: Gelli Journaling

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here.  All of the previous posts can be found archived here.  Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day!  No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek.  Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. 

If you follow my vlog or my instagram feed, you know that I have been traveling like a crazy lady for the past few weeks.  Other than the frequent flyer miles, one of the upsides of all of that travel is that I have been making a lot of art while up in the air or sitting in a hotel room.  Today I thought I'd share some of the pages I made in my Gelli Journal while traveling. (I looked it up and the last time I posted about my Gelli Journal was 2015! And I actually have made too many pages in the last few weeks to share in one post, so I'll share more over the next few weeks!)

One of my favorite things about my Gelli Journals is that you prep the pages at home and then take just a few supplies with you to create amazing mixed media journal pages!  It's really cool.  And, my online class about the process begins on December 1, 2018.

Here's what to expect from class:

• There are more than 30 HD instructional videos.
• What you see in these photos and video is just a tiny taste of what awaits in the classroom!
• The online classroom is packed with written tips and take aways.
• You can leave comments and questions and interact with other students, just as you would on a blog.
• The first half of the class is all about gelatin printing directly into a sketchbook -- how to make sure you get the crack, how to fix problems that occur, how to create layers of color and pattern, how to keep pages from sticking together, etc.
• Whether you're an experienced gelatin printer or you've never ever tried it before, this class is for you.  Experienced printers will proceed through the gelatin printing section quickly and less experienced or brand new printers will take their time going lesson-by-lesson.
• The second half of the class is all about creating pictures in your printed journal.
• You do not have to know how to draw.  I share methods for creating pictures by stamping and stenciling -- there's even a video on creating a stencil from a photograph!
• If you want to try drawing, I share how to combine simple shapes to create wonderful pictures.
• I share my tips on embellishing your pictures with gel pens, paint markers, and more.
• I focus in on correcting "mistakes" (aka happy accidents) and getting the results that you want.
• Take as much time as you want or need to complete the course.  Once you purchase "Gelli Journals," you have lifetime access.

PLEASE NOTE: The first four videos of this class have some auto-focus issues and so they go in and out of focus, as you can see in this YouTube video.  If the bouncing bothers you, do not sign up for class.  No refunds will be given.

Class begins December 1, 2018.

$200 
Early Bird Pricing (Nov 1, 2018 - Nov 30, 2018) $125
To get a $75 discount, use this code: EarlyGelli

Thanks for stopping by!

Art Journal Every Day: End of June 2018

If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here.  All of the previous posts can be found archived here.  Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day!  No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week, use the hashtag #artjournaleveryday so that we can all take a peek.  Even if you're not on social media, you can see everything (from twitter, pinterest, instagram, and facebook) that uses that hashtag here. 

I definitely go through periods with my art journal.  Sometimes I hate the pages -- but I just keep going.  Sometimes I love the pages -- and I just keep going until the good ideas run out.  And the cycle continues.  This is a good stretch.  I love all three of the journal spreads I'm sharing with you today.

To me, this portrait is the epitome of the phrase, "grotesquely beautiful."

I love the lettering on this page too, though I do wonder if it's overkill and the portrait should be the only focus of this page?

This next page is very un-me and yet I absolutely love it! (I really must develop my vocabulary.)

I find the graphic simplicity of this page absolutely striking.

This last page is also graphic and simple.

I'm trying to think if there are some similarities between these three pages I love?

• They're all fairly unified with strong focal images.
• The "backgrounds" are all in the pastel family and yet still pigmented.
• There's an asymmetrical balance in all three pages.

I find that analyzing why I like my own work can often help me create more work I like.  The next time I sit down to art journal, I can think of the three things in the list above and focus on those!

Thanks for stopping by!