Exploring - By Lisa Oxley Curated Collective Creator 2025

A dreamlike fusion of light, texture, and curiosity, this mixed-media art journal page titled ”[EXPLORING]” captures the spirit of adventure, introspection, and the magic of the unknown. With vibrant painterly skies and vintage textures, the piece invites the viewer to step into a world of imagination and gentle wonder.

 Key Visual Elements

1. Ethereal Sky and Water Reflection

The background bursts with horizontally blended strokes of vivid colour — pink, orange, gold, and deep purples — mimicking a rich sunset sky reflected on rippling water. The layered brushwork and colour blending convey motion, emotion, and transition — symbolising the journey of exploration.

2. Silhouette of the Fairy Girl

In the foreground, a small figure with delicate green wings steps into a glowing pool of water. Her silhouette stands in stark contrast to the saturated background, drawing the eye directly to her form — a representation of innocence, curiosity, and courage.

   •   The wings suggest a fairy or magical being, adding an otherworldly narrative.

   •   The placement in the water implies a moment of initiation — stepping into the unknown.

3. Vintage Ledger Integration

On the right-hand side, a beautiful torn edge reveals a handwritten vintage ledger page, grounding the ethereal scene in a sense of history and timelessness. This juxtaposition between fantasy and archival ephemera gives the piece emotional and visual depth.

4. Title Typography – “[EXPLORING]”

The word [EXPLORING] is stamped in bold black over the middle horizon line, enclosed in brackets for emphasis. Compass rose motifs flank the title, reinforcing the theme of navigation and personal discovery.

5. Mixed Media Collage Touches

   •   Ink blending & dry brushing to create transitions between colours and borders

   •   Ink splatter & texture stamping to add energy and break the smoothness

   •   Grunge effects around the frame for a weathered, timeworn quality

Mood & Message

This piece captures the quiet, brave act of stepping into the unknown. The fairy girl is not flying — she’s walking. She is grounded, reflective, and full of potential. It’s about intentional wandering, emotional growth, and quiet bravery.

The mood is both vibrant and gentle — a powerful contrast that Lisa Oxley executes beautifully, allowing for the magic to speak softly and profoundly.

 

"The best things" - Art journal, by Amanda Hartmann

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to be here to share today - using my first ever real Dina Wakley journal. It is one of the new release blue journals and this is just my second page. I already LOVE the paper weight and textures. Can't wait to do more over the next few months. Very exciting for a "scrapbooker"!

I started by swiping some Dina Wakley Acrylic Paint (in Magenta) with a credit card on the page.

Next I sprayed some Dina Wakley Gloss Spray (in Fuschia) through a stencil.

Then I fussy cut a Jane Davenport Washi girl and stuck her to the page with Gel Medium.

To finish the page I added some random stamping, highlighting and mark making. I used a black posca pen as well as the new Pilot Pintor pens in black and green.

Here is the final page in my journal...

I added plenty of highlights and marks with my paint pens.

And included a sticker from my Art by Marlene sticker book.

Thanks for looking. Can't wait to create more and share more.

Amanda

Epic Adventure

Hi everyone,

back again with another share inspired by this month's mood board.

I started by adding what I thought would be a little black paint to some Colour Blast Just Blue paste.   I've learned a little black paint goes a very long way but decided to use it anyway.

I added some watered down Dina Wakley paint in Lapis.

I matted my photo with some Teresa Collins Urban Market patterned paper.   

I then busted out the Cocoa Vanilla ranges I had been hoarding.   What I like about Cocoa Vanilla is that every range just works together.

Life is Beautiful alphas

You Rock enamel shapes

Totally Rad stickers

Unforgettable Ephemera

And a Heidi Swapp sticker to complete my title.

Thanks for stopping by.   Happy crafting

Tracey

Birthday Cards - With Karyn Schultz!

Hi Scrapping Clearly Lovelies!!

It's Karyn here, and today I have some cards to share with you made using various products available in the Scrapping Clearly Store.

I'm also playing along with the December Moodboard Challenge. We would love for you to join the challenge and be in the running to win a Scrapping Clearly voucher. You have until December 31 and you enter by uploading your photo to the album in the facebook group here.

I used the colours and textures in this moodboard as inspiration for my cards.

I've used white cardstock to create my card bases and cut 2 backgrounds for the bases measuring 13cmx13cm. On these backgrounds I've painted with DMW paint colours (black, marine, elephant and ancient). Once this was dry I added splatters of each colour as well.

For my first card I matted the background on a Heidi Swapp Wolf Pack "Zodiac" (reverse).

I then added some tags and flags cut from the Heidi Swapp Wolf Pack 6"x6" paper pad.

I added some diecuts, burlap offcuts, and a birthday sentiment.  Lastly I added a Finnibair rustic knob.

For the next card I matted the background on a Heidi Swapp Wolf Pack "Woodland".

I then added some strips and flags cut from the Heidi Swapp Wolf Pack 6"x6" paper pad.

I added some diecuts, burlap offcuts, and a birthday sentiment.  Lastly I added a Tim Holtz Muse token embellishment.

Thanks so much for stopping by

Crafty Hugs xx

Karyn