I Wonder Art Journal Page by Guest Artist Kasia Krzyminska

Today’s post is by Guest Artist Kasia Krzyminska. Somerset Place would like to thank her for her contribution and her amazing artwork, which was originally featured in Art Journaling Summer 2015.

Sometimes simplicity is all we need. I love working with layers and mixed-media techniques, but when it comes to everyday art journaling, it’s just so nice to use only a few favourite supplies. I also found out that very often it’s easier to express myself with simplicity. A limited colour palette, balanced composition, and a few words make it so much easier. I can concentrate on what I want to say which is sometimes the hardest.

This art journal page was made very quickly, but still it helped me to express exactly what I wanted at that moment. Limiting myself with time and the amount of supplies I’m using helps me to switch off thinking for a while.

Supplies:

• kraft paper
• random ephemera and pages from old books
• staples
• Prima Marketing cotton tape
• white acrylic paint
• Catalyst silicone brush
• nib
• Bombay ink – black
• Glimmer Glam – Blue Suede Shoes
• Prima Marketing Say it in Crystals

Directions:

I worked on thick craft paper so I didn’t have to worry about priming it. I simply stuck a few pieces of paper and ephemera with glue and staples. I always try to use papers of different density which also creates texture.

Using a silicone brush, I painted with white acrylic paint here and there to add some light.

The next step was my favourite — the colour. I grabbed one of my favourite mediums in gorgeous deep dark blue — Glimmer Glam — Blue Suede Shoes. As I chose a central composition, I decided to add colour only in the middle of my work.

I followed the same rule while sticking little crystals and scribbling with black ink.

The last step was to find the right words to put on my page. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it can take hours. This time I was lucky though and words were expressing exactly what I was thinking about.

I know that the page is done and that it doesn’t need anything more when I feel that I said what I wanted to say with it. I really recommend trying simplicity from time to time to all of you who work with mixed-media every day. If you don’t know how to start, simply collect some treasures in a neutral colour palette and add one or two of your favourite paints. Sit down and give yourself no more than 20 minutes to create. I hope you enjoy!

Kasia Krzyminska is a mixed-media artist from Poland. She has been published in Art Journaling and you can see more of her journal pages at czekoczyna.blogspot.com.