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Friday, July 09, 2010

Art Journals


I have been watching my friend Deb and other artists on YouTube create art journals. Most of the journaling I have done, with very few exceptions, are written journals or sketchbooks filled with notes, composition ideas, etc. I love book arts and even took a class, a perk for the instructors at the folk school where I was teaching. The booklets I made in class remain empty as I considered them art without my embellishments. However, making an entire art journal was not something I considered. I had to make a living with my art and to put my time and creativity into a small book was not a luxury I could afford. Only in the last year have I given myself permission to create just for myself. Now I am thinking about creating one. Who knows, maybe my children and grandchildren will also enjoy them. Because of my thinking, my Yupo paintings have taken on a collage like appearance. I have even considered cutting some of the good areas out of the failures, spraying them with an acrylic coating and using them in an art journal instead of wiping them off for another painting. Beyond that, I had this crazy idea that an art journal would be a good way to use up all the art supplies I have accumulated over the years. Of course, that has turn into a joke, because I have found myself looking for and buying the materials recommended by the artists on YouTube. :O)

15 comments:

  1. Beautiful composition. Art for yourself - a gift indeed.

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  2. This is very lovely, and that you are going to make art, just for YOU! roxanne

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  3. It's a beautiful start! And your ideas are great- using up supplies and bits of other paintings. I've always loved the idea of an art journal- but have never been able to commit to it. Perhaps I'll get to enjoy yours here.

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  4. > Leslie, thank for commenting. It was hard to give up on competing, but it's fun forgetting about the judges and awards.

    >Hi Roxanne, I appreciate you stopping by and your comments. Yes,I've been playing all afternoon in my studio.

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  5. Hi Pamo, you sound like me. I tend to make mountains out of molehills so an art journal, for me, is a real commitment.Thanks for your comments.

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  6. I hope you create one--I've been thinking of it, too. I have actually bought journals but have the habit of saving the good stuff; then drawing or writing in steno pads (one in each room).

    And I have untried Yupo--I'm saving that, too.

    Your work is wonderful.

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  7. Doing something for ourselves takes a last priority most of the time and it is great that you will be able to do that with your art journal, I am sure the later generations will treasure it.. well, this is another of your well made abstract, nice composition and variety of textures there!

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  8. > Hi Hallie, I can relate to the unused journals in every room. I can't resist buying them. My Yupo laid in my studio for a couple of years before I got the courage to try it. I even took a weekend class, but the slippy stuff still intimidated me. I'm really enjoying it now. Thanks for the comments.

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  9. Padmaja, I agree about how we make ourselves the last priority. As for the journals, I have to quit thinking about it and start!I appreciate your comments.

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  10. I bet when you cross over, you'll have a brush in your hand. You always amaze me.

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  11. Ha, ha, Doug. I sure hope so :O) Think there will be astral computers too? A great digital artist like you deserves one. Maybe we'll just visualize what we want. No brushes, paint or pixels, just thought.

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  12. I love the collage elements of the journal - are all your journals put together with the yupo paper or is that just the cover? I was given a journal made by one of my artist friends (several years ago) and the pages are 140 lb. watercolor paper, still blank because I am afraid I will ruin it!

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  13. Robin, thanks for the comment. Actually this is too large for a journal. The idea of journaling inspired the motif of the painting. I was considering collaging pieces of failed yupo paintings in a journal. However may make a journal out of yupo. I understand about not wanting to paint in a beautiful book :O)

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  14. Hi Eva...Your Yupon paintings are delicious...the subtlety of colors and patterns suggest tremendous competence and bold restraint. No sign of imtimidation has leaked through.

    The topic of journaling always makes my antenna go up. I have been creating visual journals without a break since 1968...I have 146 volumes.

    They started out in college ruled notebooks as part of the first steps of toward the healing process and have always contained a blend of writing and drawing albeit through the years I've turned to buying cases of 14x11" hardbound vooks from Utrecht... in these painting, writing, drawing and collage all come into play.

    I absolutely love them ...I consider them my bread crumb trail as well as my laboratory.

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  15. Oh my Donna, I'm blushing! May I quote you in my resume? Rarely have I had such praise. Coming from you doubles the honor! Thank you, thank you.

    146 journals? Unbelievable!!! I just received an order from Utrecht. They have a small store in Atlanta, but they don't carry Yupo any more. They were having an online sale. This journal thing has got me going in all sorts of directions.

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