I created this piece in honor of our 300th week. I am basing it on F4A9 - Take a Virtual Vacation. I was inspired by Wendy’s invitation to “make a card that evokes memories of some fantastic vacation you HAVE been on.”
I recently returned from the trip of a lifetime – DH and I went on a river cruise in Europe during October. (We were in Paris, and I am grateful for us that it was before the attacks. But my heart really goes out to the victims and the whole country.)
We were in Paris for a few days. We took a river cruise across Germany. And then we spent the last few days in Prague.
My “art journal page” is a tribute to that whole amazing vacation experience. The particular river cruise we were on was a “Castle Cruise.” We traveled along the Mainz river and saw SO many amazing castles. There were vineyards for miles and miles and miles – and because it was October, there was a lovely changing of the season.
The girl is from an old Mary Engelbreit (ME) magazine – ME used to publish a paper doll every month. I saved all of the paper dolls, and I am just starting to collage with them. The 8.5x11” backdrop is from a Dover coloring book about castles. The words in the skyline are a personal affirmation that I wrote and meditate on often. To the universe… “let me be your paintbrush, let me be your canvas.”
This piece took a total of about 5 hours to create. I really got “into the zone.”
I saw art everywhere – evident in the buildings themselves, the paintings, the architecture, even the food. I cried at the beauty of Monet’s Giverney garden (where he painted the waterlilies). The castles were as though they were lifted directly from a fairy tale (inside and out). In France, the Monte Marte district had impressionist painters on the street. In Prague, there were street painters on the famous bridge.
I went to the John Lennon wall where at one time “freedom of expression” was actually not so free. Not to derail, but here is a little bit about that from Wikipedia [sic]…. “Once a normal wall, since the 1980’s The John Lennon Wall, has been filled with John Lennon-inspired graffiti… In 1988, the wall was a source of irritation for the communist regime. Young Czechs would write grievances on the wall and in a report of the time this led to a clash between hundreds of students and security police. The wall continuously undergoes change and the original portrait of Lennon is long lost under layers of new paint. Even when the wall was repainted by some authorities, on the second day it was again full of poems and flowers. Today, the wall represents a symbol of global ideals such as love and peace.”
I learned this on a guided tour. At one point, I HAD to walk away from the group and make my own mark on the wall
I hope you make your mark in a great way today.
Shine on!
Supplies:
Colored pencils
SU! Blending pen
Ranger distress markers
Faber-Castell large pitt pens
Dover coloring book (Castles)
Mary Engelbreit paper doll
SU! Dimensionals
Date: Thursday, November 19, 2015 GMT Views: 1296
Favorited:4
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: October 5, 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 15790
Thu, Nov 19, 2015 @ 7:54 PM
Oh,Lela- this is spectacular!! Love the little doll image with the castles in the background and your hand lettering in the clouds!! Perfect for the fantastic vacation theme and love your description of this fabulous trip!! Just gorgeous and the perfect journal page for your memories- thanks for sharing!! Hugs, my sweet friend!!
Registered: July 12, 2005 Location: Hugging a golden and stamping' in PA Posts: 21216
Fri, Nov 20, 2015 @ 3:59 AM
WOW, Lela, this is amazing! What a wonderful tribute to your European river cruise! The colors are glorious and the dimension on the paper doll looks so 3-D. Love the journaling on the clouds! Fabulous journal page!
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50707
Fri, Nov 20, 2015 @ 4:47 AM
What a fabulous representation of your European trip! I've spent time in Germany and know how magical all those castles are peeking out among the hills and vineyards. And to be there in Fall when the colors are showing their brilliance is a dream....I love how you combined the elements here of the colorful trees, that darling ME girl, and the wonderful journaled clouds....amazing artwork Lela! Sehr gut!
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 75011
Fri, Nov 20, 2015 @ 6:28 AM
What a wonderful journal page. The post about your vacation was so interesting. Now, I want to go on that same trip. I like how you used the Mary Engelbreit paper doll and your writings make it all so special.
------------------------------ My Blog---My Gallery---My PinterestI'm a Punchkateer! (Prez) FOREVERDirty Dozen Alumni2014 CAS Spring DT--- Inspiration Challenge Co- Hostess 12/02/17-12/28/19 Watercolor Wednesday Design Team Hebrews 13:2Brenda
Registered: April 13, 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 178
Fri, Nov 20, 2015 @ 4:43 PM
This is Awesomely Impressive!!! It would make a Fantastic poster! It's not only inspired, but inspiring. The contrast between the majestic strength of the mountain with the very formidable castle, and the petite innocent young child is striking and thought provoking. Your journaling is the "cherry on top" and adds such depth, in many ways. Love it!
I envy your European River Cruise! That has been on my Bucket List for a long time. But my bucket has a leak in it...I can't stand heights, and to get to Europe involves being on a very high off the water ocean liner or being way too high in the air with way too much air between me and the planet. Maybe sometime in the future someone will put a nice long dry tunnel between North America and Europe. I can only dream. So glad you had this opportunity!
Registered: March 29, 2011 Location: Covington, WA Posts: 32470
Sun, Nov 22, 2015 @ 11:26 AM
Thank you for sharing your art journal page. It is so creative and inspiring. I love your writings in the clouds! Your castle cruise is on my bucket list and your story just affirms that!
------------------------------ Carla ~ Proud Fan Club Member and Dirty Dozen Alumni.