Wednesday, August 18, 2021

4 Inches of Art Space

I have watched some art play by others in a space of 4 inches.

I wanted to give it a try.



I found only one place to obtain materials/supplies for this size journal.  That is at Joggles.com.  It’s a great journal system.  The pages and disc binding can be purchased together or separate.  There are paper choices and sizes of mixed media white and black and watercolor paper.  What I love most about it is that I can work on a page outside of the journal then add it in so easily.  Or even remove a page so easily.



My first page was successful and that was so encouraging to keep going.  The background is Distress Inks and Oxide Inks.  Black Distress Spray Stain sprayed through a stencil and modeling paste pressed through a stencil.  The butterfly is punched adding a key hole and brad body.  A small talk sticker completes the page.



(The next two pages were not so loved, so they are languishing in a drawer.)

But these next keeper pages turned out okay.  Such sweet Tim Holtz paper dolls children.



Then I had some ideas that are even more to my liking in style.  I’d gotten some new background stamps.  
The flower is a die cut painted with various colors of Distress Inks.  The man was stamped on tracing paper then cut out and glued to the background.  Ephemera pieces glued to his coat.



I love me some black and white and red.  The heart is die cut then stamped and embossed in white.  I added a Washi dots strip, Washi butterfly and Washi hearts.  White dots made with a Posca pen, black dots made with black acrylic ink and shading with the black Stabilo All pencil.
The facing page is all stamping with some shading with the black Stabilo All pencil.



I’m hooked.  It’s been quite fun playing with this size art page.  And the ease of use of this journal system is a dream.  The pages snap in and out so easily.  The mixed media paper is a good quality.  I definitely can recommend this system.  The discs come in a variety of sizes.  My journal is starting out with the smallest discs but can so easily grow and the discs can be changed to accommodate a growing number of art pages.



I’ve been surprised at the amount of art that can fit in a 4” space.  I’m not sure personally that I’d want to go any smaller.  This is a nice, fun size to work within.

I’m linking my little journal project to:
 Creative Artiste Mixed Media Anything Goes

25 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

I love your little journal, and the system looks good, too. You have made some fantastic pages. I need to work larger these days, as my fingers don't do small anymore, too clumsy! Thanks for joining us at More Mixed Media, much appreciated! Hugs, Valerie

My name is Erika. said...

These pages are more than alright Annie. I really enjoyed them. You've created some great pages. How do you like these journals from Joggles? I shop there sometimes but haven't tried one of their disc bound journals. You look like you had fun with this project! Happy mid-week Hugs-Erika

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

4" is about the smallest I would want to work with too. It's like a postcard, only without the extra 2" in the other direction and we all know you make great postcards Annie, so I wasn't surprised you would be able to create some great art on 4" square.

Ramona said...

These are all wonderful. Are you still doing your journal pages too?

Caryl @ cinnamon holiday workshop said...

You are having so much fun.....wonderful pages! 4" is really small and you sure packed a lot on those pages!!

Chrissy said...

WOW, look at all your cute 4 inch panels, I love them all..great colours and textures, love the layouts and design..fabulous work on such tiny spaces..

Luv CHRISSYxx

Tammy said...

All of your 4x4 pages are gorgeous Annie! Love all of the different textures and designs, looks like you had so much fun putting these together and you filled each page perfectly!
Tammy x

Judy1522 said...

Wow! As usual you have blown me away with your art.

Aimeslee Winans said...

Gorgeous little book full of mixed media yumminess! Happy for you that you like your binding system. Important thing is that each person is happy with what they use. I use plain old ordinary book rings as temporary, start out with smallest I can and change out to larger as it grows, but I also have an old wire binding machine called a Bind It All that I eventually use once I get enough finished pages to fill an altered book (I make little coffee table altered books.) XOX

Lin said...

What a great idea that little book system is. 4" is a nice size to work on too. Super pages. xx

sheila 77 said...

I can see why you like the first so much that you carried on. Even although it uses a variety of different techniques the art has a soothing simplicity, beautiful soft and varied colours and the final touch of the yellow butterfly. I just love the painted backgrounds on the next two and the painted die-cut flower on the black patterns on the next. The red heart set is a stunning contrast to the first page, serving to showcase your ability to paint such a variety of subjects and colour schemes.
Just to add that I love this size of sketchbook and what you have created here.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Wow! You really know how to pack a LOT of creativity into a small canvas, Ann!!

jenclair said...

Wonderful journal in 4x4 format! I expect this little gem will grow and you'll be adding larger rings to accommodate the pages!

quiltingbydawn said...

These are great little journal pages, Annie! That is quite small scale but you still was able to pack it full of creativity!

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

This little journal is stunning! LOVE the idea of such a small space to create grand things on. NICE!!!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

You have certainly made this little journal your own Annie. It is definitely YOU! I love all the pages you created, They are fun and have such great texture. One of my very first journals which is much larger than yours, has that disc binding system. I hate to mention how old it is, but I think I got it in 2004! I know you are going to continue to love yours, too.

Ina G said...

OMG Annie I don't know how you fitted so much amazing eye candy into such a small size. You really are amazingly talented and I love all those fun filled artsy pages. You sure have a super eye for Mixed Media.
PSI wish you had a Follow by email so forgetful me would get notified when you post. don't want to miss anything. Hugs.

craftytrog said...

Wow! Your pages are amazing Annie! Those final white, black and red ones are so striking, definitely my favourites.
Alison

pinky said...

Inspiring me again Annie. Been ages from I made a journal but seeing this gorgeous creation is making me want to get going. You have such an eye for detail and each page speaks volumes!!

Let's Art Journal said...

Such beautiful pages! I've been enjoying creating in my mini journal too and your designs look amazing - love them 😁. The butterfly page is my favourite, loving the colours and how you combined the different textures of the stencilling with pretty butterfly with the metal body - perfect! Thanks so much for joining us at Creative Artiste and wishing you a happy new week! Hugs Jo x

Ruth said...

I love your little4 inch art journal, your pages are so packed with detail; You have so much in such a tiny space.
You have you have sparked my interest in paper art. I went to your Joggles link and I am ordering a little 4 inch journal. The idea of doing something small appeals to my need for a new creative outlet. Thank you again for all the details about how your pages progress.

Andree said...

An absolutely delightful mini journal Annie. You've packed so many gorgeous textures, fabulous mediums and wonderful details onto each little work of art page.
Thank you for joining in with our August challenge "Anything Mixed Media Goes" at Creative Artiste Mixed Media. Good luck x

Judy McKay said...

Lovely little book. So pretty. Thank you for joining us at Creative Artiste this month. Hope to see you back here again soon. Judy DT

Carla said...

So cool. I love your work

Tera Callihan said...

These are all absolutely amazing!!! I love your mini journal pages!!!