Today my page celebrates one of my best friends who sadly passed away last weekend after battling cancer; it’s heart breaking, she was only in her forties and it seems so unfair that she left this world so early. She was a shining light of love, kindness, enthusiasm and positively, which I hoped to have captured on my page!
My friend loved colour so I painted the background using my Kuretake watercolour paint set to create a rainbow effect; by wetting the paper with water and then applying Lemon Yellow, Orange, Cadmium Scarlet, Red, Rose Madder, Colbalt Violet, Turquoise Blue, Ultramarine, Viridian, Sap Green Light and Yellow Ochre paint in stripes vertically on the page letting the paint blend together where they joined. When the paint was dry I used two Carabelle Studios Art Stamps to stamp the letters and also some thistle heads using black Versafine Ink. To finish, I added some appropriate wording which are Kaisercraft stickers; they read “love you”, “forever and always” and “The language of friendship is not in words but meanings by Henry David Thoreau” the latter being mounted onto some pink design paper.
It’s been an emotional week and my garden has helped by keeping me busy, here are my “pretties” (mesembryanthemums) that I grew from seed; I love their multi-coloured flowers which seem appropriate as they only open when the sun is shining!
I would also like to apologise to my blog friends for my lack of visits this past week, I look forward to catching up with you again soon. Thank you, Jo x
Challenges
I’m pleased to join the lovely Chris from pearshapedcrafting and her We’re all/going challenge over at Art Journal Journey as we’re all bright and colourful today.
I’m joining in the Make Your Own Background challenge over at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge with my watercolour background art journal page.
There is still a few more days to join the Colours of the Rainbow Challenge over at Try it on Tuesday too!
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Kuretake Gansai Tambi Japanese Watercolour Paint set (Lemon Yellow, Orange, Cadmium Scarlet, Red, Rose Madder, Colbalt Violet, Turquoise Blue, Ultramarine, Viridian, Sap Green Light, Yellow Ochre)
- Tsukineko Versafine Ink (Onyx Black)
- Carabelle Studio Art Stamp (Background avec des Lettres SA60233, Dans la nature, il ya … SA60175)
- Kaisercraft Sticker Book (Antiquities SK807)
- Craft Sensations Design Pad (Bright Colours CRO730/R)
- Stix2 double-sided tape
Let's Art Journal 
Jo, this is such a lovely tribute to your friend! The rainbow of colors is glorious and bright and a lovely way to remember your friend. So sorry for your loss, hugs, Maura
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It’s a beautiful colorful journal, Jo, I’m sure your dear friend would love it from above. Have a lovely day!
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Oh Jo I a so sorry to hear about your friend. I can relate after losing my sister-in-law. I hope you are holding up ok! I do love your art today. Your flowers are really pretty and I love the colors. Take care! Hugs-Erika
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So sorry to hear about your dear friend Jo! Your page is beautiful, with wonderful colours and words. Gorgeous flowers too.
Hugs,
Alison xx
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So sorry to hear about your friend. Your page is a lovely tribute to her.
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A very loving tribute page bursting with gorgeous colors. My sincere condolences on your loss, Jo. I hope you gained some peace in the creating and you are blessed to have that magnificent garden to busy yourself with. I imagine it soothes your soul, hope so. Keeping you in my prayers for strength and peace. xoxox
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So sorry to hear about your friend, Jo. You have created a beautiful page to celebrate your friendship. I know your friend would love it. Your colourful flowers are certainly cheerful. It is always lovely to grow things from seed and to watch them grow and bloom. I hope the coming week is a better one for you. xx
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I can truly relate to your loss, dear Jo. This was painful for me to see this journal page, since it brought up memories of my friend I also lost to cancer. She was even younger than your friend. This won’t be quick or easy, but the art you created in her memory is a true blessing and a joyous tribute to your friendship. I hope in some small way it helps you heal. So glad you also shared it with us at Art Journal Journey, too.
I’m also glad you have your garden to distract you. It’s a blessing in disguise, I believe. Let me know if you need to “talk.” I truly understand what you are going through.
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Oh Jo i’m so sorry to hear of your loss of your good friend. I know there are no words I or anyone can say to help heal the feelings felt right now so i’m sending a (((Hug))) to let you know you are in my thoughts. Your bright and colourful tribute along with your choice of words speak volumes. Take good care of yourself & give yourself time.. Deepest sympathy to family and friends.
Hugs Tracey x
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So very sorry to hear your sad news Jo. I think all that Tracey (comment before me) said – sums up everything I want to say too… Thinking of you and sending lots of hugs .. Gill xxx
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😥
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So sorry Jo to read your sad news, there are no words that can take away the pain you must be feeling.. You have created a beautiful page to remember your friend. Remember the good times and look after yourself.
Yvonne xx
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I am really sorry to hear this Jo. God always takes the good ones first. So, so sad. Your page is so utterly
beautiful and a wonderful tribute to friendship and lost. Artists can heal lost through making art. This is a benefit! And those flowers are so beautiful! Thank you so much for joining AJJ again dear Jo with your art, always such a pleasure to see what you create!
Happy TioT!
Big hugs
Susi
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So sorry for the reason for this page, which is surely a fabulous tribute to your friend! I’m sure you found some brief solace in your garden and in making this page! Thank you for linking this poignant page to Art Journal Journey! Hugs, Chrisx
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I’m sorry for your loss but happy to hear you’re finding some comfort in your garden.
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Dear Jo, So sad about your friend. Your very colourful art is a happy reminder of the good times you had with her, it’s a lovely piece.
The mesembryanthemums are wonderful but as they only open when it is very sunny they are not very good here (but maybe with global warming that could change, I last tried them in the eighties in the last century!).
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A lovely page Jo and I hope it brought you comfort as you made it. It’s always hard to loose a close friend, especially when they are in their prime and should be enjoying all that life has to offer. Your page is full of positivity and love an is a lovely tribute.
Hugs, Avril xx
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Love the journal page as well as your lovely flowers. Makes me smile that you grew them from seed! *high five*
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It’s an absolutely gorgeous page, Jo. One can feel all the emotions of love and even joy remembered that you poured into it. So sorry for you loss. Eileen xx
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I am very sorry about your so good friend Jo !! I know it is a big lost for you, receive my condolences. I´m sure she would love this so lovely Art page, with all these happy colours as a tribute to your great friendship. ♥
Your pretties are very beautiful, love them.
I wish you a nice Friday, and send you big big hugs,
Caty
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