'I am free...' Guest Design spot at 13@rts and my very first art journal spread

Hello girls...I hope this post finds everyone well and enjoying the weekend...

I was invited by Aida and her creative team to Guest Design for their latest challenge over at 13@rts this month. The moodboard is a mixture of deep rich forest greens, gold, and black, perfect for the month of March.

'I am free....'

Well...here it is...my very first art journal spread.....When I first saw the moodboard I knew what I wanted to do. I went looking for some paper for a layout and couldn't find any that matched....I then eyed a beautiful old book that I had bought some time ago with the intention of starting to art journal, and just decided...today is the day! LOL...so be kind dear readers.....this is just a start! 

Here is the gorgeous moodboard to get those design wheels turning...

For more info on how to enter the challenge please go here.....

As you know, I love 13 @rts products so to visit their on line store please go here.....

Here are some close ups...

I started by gessoing two pages of this old book, and then added some texture with some heavy white gesso through several 13@rts masks. I used one of the masks on the two pieces of Blue Fern Studios wing chipboards before embossing them in gold. 

I then used a black watercolor pencil to draw some large circles and then went over them with a little water...I love this effect. Now I know why I want those new Prima watercolor pencils so badly....

I used a photograph of Frida Khalo, a famous Mexican painter who used creating art to help her cope with her life's tragic circumstances. 

After the gesso was dry I applied several different color of 13 @rts mists with a paintbrush, added some stamping, and then used 13 @rts gel medium to apply some gold micro beads.

I know I will be doing more in my art journal, it was fun! 

I hope I have inspired a little today to just go ahead and try.....

Thanks for taking a look, 

I appreciate every visit so much....

Lisa xo