Friday, February 27, 2015

Blackbird sitting in the old oak tree

Today I'm joining Moo-Mania and More, whose fortnightly theme is Blackbird, and also Art Journal Journey, whose monthly theme for February is Birds, Beasts, and Humans.  Although I normally show my Journal 52 entry on Friday, I wanted to get this in before Art Journal Journey changed their theme.

That blackbird is rather large for the scale of the tree, but I still had to use it for this theme.

I enhanced the bird by adding "feathers."

I played with the wording of a song, and called this "Blackbird sitting in the old oak tree."

I used a painting technique known as sgraffito to "carve" the initials in the tree. Sgraffito is a technique where a top layer of color is scratched to reveal either a color, glaze, or part of a surface underneath. The term comes from the Italian word sgraffire meaning (literally) "to scratch."

I knew I wanted a swing and this is the best my limited drawing skills could muster.

Here's one more look at the full spread.

Thanks for joining me at Moo-Mania and More and Art Journal Journey for my take on this blackbird.  I'm always appreciative of your comments and visit.

12 thoughtful remarks:

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

Very nice!!

massofhair said...

Greap page, the blackbird looks good to me, sat on his branch contemplating his world...

Second time i have read about the S technique, not sure if this has been used on Stampboard, i have a very scratchy tool which can remove the layers of clay from the surface.

Love your swing!!! :-) xxx

ps TY for your lovely comment, am trying to use my stash so i don't have to throw any away! Have been saddened by how much i have had to discard from my glitter pastes etc, need to use my stuff while it's still useable:-) xxx

TwinkleToes2day said...

Another inspiring page. the swing is fun and the blackbird big and bold. Have a fabulous weekend :o))

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful page, thanks so much for joining us at Art Journal Journey and Moo Mania and more! Hugs, Valerie

johanna said...

you are evoking spring Feelings with this journaling! awesome!

froebelsternchen said...

Love your page Elizabeth!Your drawings skills are fab.. don't know what you mean?! That's just practicing - I see this, the more I dra the better it gets - love the scratched heart on the oaktree and want to take a ride on that swing.. makes me think of spring --but it snows outside at the moment here.. grrr!
SO thankful that you support both the challenges in once!
Have a great weekend..hope you feel much better Sweetie!Take care of you!
xxx
Susi

Halle said...

I think this page is wonderful!!

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Lovely page! The sky is very dynamic!

Lisa Graham said...

Wonderful Elizabeth. I thought of the song by the Beatles called Blackbird.

Divers and Sundry said...

I love your swing! I want to join the blackbird & have fun in that tree :)

Rosie said...

A wonderful page.

Thank you so much for joining us at MOO-MANIA & MORE.

Have a lovely Sunday

~*~Patty S said...

Your painted black bird pages look great E!
The swing you added is just perfect too along with the heart "carved" in the tree. I like the bits of text showing thru in some places as well.
oxo