GOING BACK TO WHERE IT BEGAN

A very happy new year to you all and I truly hope 2023 will bring us all peace and prosperity.

As I look back 2022 was a year of reflection for me. I spent a large part of the year either trying to work out where I was going or longing to create something wonderful but not quite knowing what. I think this must be a result of calling myself a mixed-media artist. I want to use everything all of the time and procrastination is my worst enemy.

At the beginning of last year I challenged myself to create at least one large canvas painting which I’d be proud to hang on a wall as well as to fill a sketchbook with drawings I could use in future paintings. However halfway through the year it became obvious that I had neither the urge or the time to create a daily sketch, or even a weekly one and the canvas project was looking less and less likely too. As time passed it became harder to get back into a creative habit. The sketchbook is half way filled and I hope to fill the other half this year.

I’ve decided to scale things down quite a bit as a result and so the shop has gone. This cuts down on the admin side of things and leaves me free to get back to the thing I love which is making art. I’ve opened an Etsy shop again so I can still sell my creations as well as a few supplies. I do hope you’ll visit me there as I start to fill it over the next few days. It’s called simply BASEMENT STUDIO LUXEMBOURG – to the point.

Etsy is where I started my journey all those years ago so it’s appropriate I should go back to where I began. I’ve learned a lot since those days, gained confidence and a bit more self belief. The next few months will be exciting as I explore the possibility of new ideas so I hope you’ll join me from time to time and we’ll see where this path leads.

Jaine xx

New year, new projects

We’re well into 2021 by now and here in the studio I’m trying to focus on anything which takes attention away from the on going pandemic blues.

My morning forest walks with Cooper are helping immensely and give me time to reflect and imagine new projects and ideas.

These New Year cards are in the shop at the moment in packs of 3 and are the perfect way to stay in touch with people who you can’t see right now. You can find them here by following this link.

Last summer I made this cute little art journal from a pile of geli prints but since then it’s been on my shelf and admired but not added to. I’ve decided to put that right this year and add a quick collage or piece of artwork once a week. Being so small it’s the perfect place to create something quick and with the backgrounds already painted, less intimidating and satisfies a need for me to create art in some way. I recommend it to anyone, get out your stash, make a mini journal and keep a few scraps in a box for collage, add a sticker and it’s done!

Stencil production has resumed in the studio and these have gone out to Paper Pen and Plan to use in their monthly subscription boxes. If you fancy a mini bullet journal stencil why not visit Paper Pen and Plan on Etsy and sign up for the next box? Just follow this link.

rbt

Well that’s all for now, as it’s Wednesday I’m working on new things for the shop and right now I’m making memory albums for Valentine’s Day.

Have a great week

Jaine xx

Going Back To What I love

Firstly, a very happy 2020 to everyone, I’ve had a tummy bug for the past 24 hours so not a great start to the year, but hey on the bright side I’ve lost those extra Christmas kilo’s! There’s always a bright side.

Remind me next Christmas not to bother with a December journal, even the smaller format didn’t help. I failed dismally and it lies unfinished (unstarted actually) in my box of Christmas crafting bits. I’ve closed the lid and put the box away not to be opened until Christmas 2020! Some you win, some you loose, just as long as I learn from it!

I think maybe this was why I took a long hard look at my planners and decided what it was I really wanted out of them and for a while now I’ve had a longing to go back to using an art journal. I’ve missed it as it used to be such a big part of my life. So in the above photo, on the left is a brand new Dylusions square journal all ready to be inked and painted in. It’ll probably take me a while to dirty the first page but once I have I’ll be off like a rocket.

Next is a bullet journal for every day planning in a rose gold cover I made for it from some amazing paper fabric. The Simple Stories travelers notebook has two Moleskine sketchbooks in as the size is perfect for them. The pink case has a Basement Studio planner to keep me on track, and after that is a hand bound watercolour sketchbook for a bit of watercolour play as the Moleskine isn’t really up to the job. Next comes my calligraphy practice book. The last two books are an A6 bullet journal in a hand made cover for carrying around in my bag and a brand new itty bitty mini travelers notebook just because everyone should have one!

I’ve started the every day bullet journal and had the chance to use my Hearts stencil I designed for Paper Pen and Plan and their January Kit Box. I created this graphic design by simply masking with washi tape and using Distress inks through the stencil. I love how it worked out from such a simple design.

Well that’s all from me today, have a lovely weekend and I’ll be back soon trying to break out of my usual colour comfort zone!

Jaine xx