Step by Step Journal Process

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” 
― Walt Disney Company, Mulan

Most times when working in my journal I just start spreading down paint...not really having a direction...just letting my mind wander...waiting to see where it takes me. 

This page started out a bit different.

This is the last week of our Mind.Body.Soul "Take Three Challenge" and Sherry's challenge this week was to use stencils and paint and the Word FRAGILE. 

Stencils and paint are my art journal staples so I was excited!

I began with four stencil and three colors, using a make-up sponge to apply. I did swipe my pages with gesso before starting.

The Word Fragile, however was not a word I felt very inspired by.

I was equating the Word with being weak and scared...topics I don't usually cover in my journals.

Next I added some book pages, pattern paper and neon pink paint around the edges. I also added one more stencil:)

But the more I built my background the more my mind let go. 

I began thinking about my vintage girls...the angels in particular.

I use wings with my "girls" more times than not so I grabbed these and glued them down.

As I cut each image out I thought about my sweet, kind and very talented daughter, Emma.

She had said something to me just a week ago that was beautiful...

"Mom, you know I have two angels that watch over me and one of them 

is Grandma A."

After I laid the girls down I took my black and white gel pens and added a few doodles/outlines.

I then thought about ALL my sweet daughter has been through the past four years and how HARD she has worked to HEAl and then it came to me...

"My fragile heart is given strength by the wings of others."

My thoughts were pouring out of me as I stamped a few images

on the background for depth and shaded each angel-girl.

I have always been inspired by this gorgeous girl...this time around I put wings on her.  She represents Emma.

I first stenciled the wings with gold then used a stabilo pencil and white gel pen to highlight

Here are my finished pages.

I am linking up with Anything But Cute, Mixed Media Monthly and Stamps & Stencils!

Stop by my FB group for MORE fun challenges!! Mind.Body. Soul.