Friday, January 7, 2011

Inspiration Avenue Challenge: Color

This week's Inspiration Avenue Challenge was created by my friend Stephanie. Had it been anyone else, I might not have played. I've been in a horrible slump since Thanksgiving. I got a few things made because I forced myself to meet Christmas deadlines, but for the most part, I've been wholly unsatisfied with anything I've made or even started. If you are an artist, you have been there. It happens to all of us. You aren't looking for sympathy, but you know you simply can't create during these times.

The only thing I could think to do for this color challenge was to whip out my sewing machine and see if I could put together a cohesive semblance to this challenge. Since I've always admitted I have trouble with composition, but color has always been my strong suit, I thought I might be able to whip up a few pages to go in my visual journals that would satisfy the challenge this week. I began by thinking about what color meant to me and how I used it to my advantage.


When I think of vintage, I pull out my soft pallet. It is primarily creams, with touches of pastels.


One way I make color pop is to start with a neutral background, then let the embellishments and even the stitching, like on this one, add the color.


Sometimes I start with a strong background, and add a neutral picture for contrast.


Monochromatic is always a fun color scheme to create.


I found that black always makes a great background, whether it is on a journal page, or a collage.


Colors across from each other on the color wheel, like green and red, are complimentary and always go well together. I find I use this color scheme without even thinking about it.


I like to use whites and beiges when I don't want much color, because they go well with any color that sets them apart from their background.


Sometimes complimentary colors are subtle.


Sometimes I throw colors together to see how well they play with each other. In a scrappy journal, this doesn't seem to upset them too much.


Of course, there are times when bold colors full of glitter are called for . . .


and other times when splashes of color are needed.

Of course, if I can't decide what color I want to play with, plaid is always a good choice.


Choosing colors to use in scrappy journal pages is like pulling crayons out of a box while you're blindfolded. The more color I add to the pages, the better I like them. So thanks Stephanie for a chance to make a few pages for my journals. Now if I could only find some inspiration when it comes to paint and collage.

32 thoughtful remarks:

Nancy said...

You accomplished a lot in one sitting.. and it's all interesting to look at. Plus you made a small dent in the supply stash. Nicely done.

Dianne said...

there is certainly nothing wrong with your stitching composition! These turned out beautifully. All Life is an experiment...really like that one...so true. Have a great day, I think your 'slump' is coming to an end!

Angela said...

You've done a fantastic job on your pages!
Angela

Halle said...

These are great! I love this line.."Choosing colors to use in scrappy journal pages is like pulling crayons out of a box while you're blindfolded." What a cool way to think about it.

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Looks like the slump has reached bottom and you've started up the other side! Those are really great, color and design-wise. Love the page with the orange heart! Do you stitch to watercolor paper or fabric?

Lynn Cohen said...

I have been in that slump this whole past month or so...trying to pull myself out of it today in fact. Glad you were finally able to do the same!

peggy gatto said...

fabulous collages and wonderful strong designs!!

Anonymous said...

I love these! I am inspired to TRY to make some fabric journal pages!
Xx
Amy

Sue said...

Hi ya hunny
wow your journal pages look fantastic, now you outa ya slump crack on! lol, mind i cant talk no urge to craft a mo! hope to play 2moro, have great weekend hun, sue,x

Steph said...

Nice pages E!!! great techniques to try out too...gotta return to my backlog of journalling....happy weekend!!

Healing Woman said...

Somehow I never would have guessed you to be in that slump because you are so active on your blog. I guess being active on the blog and feeling like working in the studio are two different things entirely.

Colors for those scrappy pages are just as you say, like pulling them out blindfolded. The brighter the better.

Hope you find your creative muse soon!

elle said...

Colour is such fun. Nice to see you playing so well!

Unknown said...

This is a lovely post I hope your messing around has stired your inner artist out of the dark corner. Nice post on colour

Love Dawn xx

~*~Patty S said...

Love what you do "blindfolded" Lady!
oxo

Diane said...

These pages are just as wonderful as painted pages, if not better. Just keep playing, and everthing will come together.

sandra de said...

So this is what you achieve in a slump ... amazing. Must try some fabric pages with a lovely mix of colours.
Sandra xx

Jingle said...

Looks like you had a ton of fun! I tend to do that...just start creating when I am in a slump...sometimes it comes out horrible, sometimes it comes out great...your stuff look great!

Ingrid Dijkers said...

And this is what you produce in a slump?! Good grief, I can't imagine what comes out of you when you are on a roll! Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!
All my best to you and yours for the New Year!
Ingrid

Julia Dunnit said...

See, I can't recommend my slump therapy because nothing you own needs it - a good sort out and tidy up!! Or...a long cup of coffee and a big chair and time to browse through all the magazines that you really only skim over. I do think that is a great kick start for me! Meanwhile, I like these - love to read how you arrive at things...my faves are the ones where the colours shouldn't work together but you MAKE them...great stuff!

donnalouiserodgers said...

Are you still slumped?

Hope your Saturday and Sunday gives you inspiration again...

Maybe you just need something totally New to burst in?

Like me (?), you may just be brewing things in your soul that are hard to express, and our souls have to be in line with our eyes and brains when we create...

let your soul speak - ditch the brains? go for (argh Elizabeth) a bit of chaos and see what comes out, sometimes we think too much, sometimes we need to just Be.

Dx

Scrapcollectr said...

Your journal pages rock. Maybe your muse will get jealous that you created something cool without her and she'll be back in a flash. She's probably just lethargic after the holiday stresses. *smile*
Thanks for dropping by... (I added another Sparky card yesterday...)
#78

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

Hi Elizabeth, hope you're having a lovely day ;-) Love the pages you've created and certainly all the compositions here work for me :-)
Anne xx

Kat W said...

I am very glad you joined in this week because I really enjoyed this post. I love how you use your sewing machine. I have no sewing maching skills but would like to learn so that I can add texture and interest to mixed media pieces like you do.

I hope your slump ends soon. Just try and think of it as a time of rest and chance to stock up on inspiration. Treat and pamper yourself. Try not to get too down; like you said it happens to a lot of us, me included. It too will pass.

Thanks for sharing this post.
Hugs
Kat X

Carola Bartz said...

Wow, this is a lot!!! And I love it! I need to get my color done. Beautiful.

Cath said...

These are just amazing, I love the colour combos.

Cathx

Darla said...

A slump? With all you create? I think what I consider a productive day might look like slump to you. I always enjoy what you show us.

Darla

gma said...

You are there! I love all of the different colors of pages you've made....as well as some tips you included. Keep going!!!

Unknown said...

I love all the selections and descriptions for the various needs for color in our art. This is wonderful!

Judy Goddard said...

My compliments on your compliments! I love blue and orange, myself!

artangel said...

Well now! If this is what you come up with whilst in a slump, I can't wait to see what you'll do when your muse returns! All these are wonderful and very different in the way they use colour, great work!

Janine said...

You made some really cool pages

Priti Lisa said...

You need a Tshirt that says "My favorite color is plaid"
Lol...my Mia's favorite color in first grade was clear. Like glass.
or diamonds.
Really...what else would you call it?
This was a great post Elizabeth, and I am sure you'll be on the upswing soon 8)
Xox