Prairie Falcon Journal Page in Progress

 

A journal page that I am currently working on. It started with stickers from the prescription that I took that day for my migraine and a ticket stub for my airline ticket from Denver to Milwaukee that was used, on the day that the Prairie Falcon stopped by. I still have journaling to add and perhaps some other ephemera. I think that I am happy with the bird as it is but I never know. Often when other items are added or I allow it to sit awhile new details become apparent to me.

July Sketchbook Challenge – Circles

 

I know, I know, I didn’t work on this page in my journal until October, and I am not posting it on this blog until November…but I did finish it!  Well almost, if you look closely I don’t have the month written in because I was unplugged from the world at the cabin and couldn’t look it up. I only knew that one of the theme’s was circles. There, I just finished it    J   U   L   Y.

Wow, and now that I look at it here, there is some powerful symbolism tied to the cabin and my Dad that I didn’t consciously place. I often find that if I photograph my work, I see it from a different perspective.

What I was thinking about, while creating this piece, was of course the theme circles and developing a color palette that I like. I consciously thought about adding some straight lines to balance the curved ones and their placement. Incorporating collage was also one of my goals.

For some reason I really like how the one torn edge of the collage paper looks. Perhaps because it is different or maybe because the page itself has torn edges.

I don’t usually work in abstract, but I find working in other styles helps to make my art stronger all around.

Bleeding Hearts Sketchbook Watercolor Study

 

My favorite flowers. A watercolor study in my sketchbook with colored pencils. After seeing it on my blog draft…I think that I need a bit of pink someplace on the background.

January Sketchbook Challenge – Doodling

I am a bit behind on my sketchbook challenge posts. January’s challenge was “doodling” and it is already March.

As you can see from the dates on my journal pages I did complete these in January. I used the paint from my prize winnings from the December Sketchbook Challenge. More information from that post here. I am quite happy with the selection of Luminarte Radiant Rain colors that I received.

I admit that I haven’t even started to work on the February theme, but I did put it on my to do list. I’m looking forward to trying the twinkling H20’s shimmering watercolors next.

I like the contrast in the first doodle more than the wash of colors in the second one. It’s my journal, experimentation rather than perfection is the goal.

Sketchbook Challenge - Prize Winner

I am fortunate to be a prize winner for the December Sketchbook Challenge. All you need to do is follow the Sketchbook Challenge Blog and post 1 photo of sketchbook art on their Flickr site for a chance to win. Prizewinners are picked randomly. They host a different challenge each month. Included in my prize packet from Luminarte is a set of twinkling H2O's in Pearlesque colors and a set of 4 Radiant Rain Color Concentrate. Plus a sample pack of ready cut Watercolor paper by Strathmore. Thank you Sketchbook Challenge! I am looking forward to trying out these new products in my journal. Click on the badge above for a link to the Sketchbook Challenge Blog.

December Sketchbook Challenge

The theme for the December Sketchbook Challenge is "Trashed, ruined and decay". Not a real strong tie to the theme for me other than the stamps I saved from being trashed.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize is my title for this art journal page. I worked the design by drawing the image of a trophy over the face of my daughter Brook. I painted around the trophy with gesso trying to maintain a balance between the trophy standing out without covering the image of my daughter entirely. To further support the theme, I inserted a blue ribbon into a slit that I cut in the page. The writing chronicles some of the recent wins showing dogs that my daughter has accomplished.

Project 9 for - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking

This is one of the projects that I have done from Jill K. Berry's book - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking. I am fortunate to also be a contributing artist for Jill's book. (I won't be posting my art that is included in her book on my blog). The project from her book is called Pop-up Memory Map.

I am interested in totem animals. On May 20 on our way home from the cabin Mark and I seen these animals cross the road in front of us in the order indicated on the map. I looked up the meaning on the internet for each of these animals and included that on my map.

After some time away from the map and looking at it with fresh eyes I realize that these animals represent the stages in my married life:
Rabbit - Ability to procreate, fleetness and movement by leaps. This certainly describes the first years of my marriage. I had three children within four years of my marriage. We went from renting an old farmhouse to an apartment to our starter home ...
Deer - a new innocence and freshness is about to be awakened - Getting to know my husband and children and what I am capable of doing.
Squirrel - Balance within the circle of gathering and giving out - This certainly describes what being mother and raising her children is all about.
Snapping Turtle - Honor the creative source within, longevity, ability to grasp opportunities. Now that my children are all grown up and out of the house this is what I need to work on. And Mark, sorry for snapping! (It's just a phase I'm going through).

What if I had seen the snapping turtle first in my married life?

The process of creating art is like that for me, it heightens my personal awareness. Jill's book is a wonderful way to jump start your creative journey!

Project 11 for - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking

This is one of the projects that I have done from Jill K. Berry's book - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking. I am fortunate to also be a contributing artist for Jill's book. (I won't be posting my art that is included in her book on my blog). The project from her book is called The Right Place at the Right Time. While mapping out our pets, my family and I enjoyed reminiscing about all of the animals that have lived at our place. Creating this map provided a nice trip down memory lane!

I decided to map out the pets that we have had since living in our present house. It was always a dream of mine to live on a hobby farm. The gold colored shed is the first shed that we had. We actually moved it from our previous house which is less than 1 mile away. This shed housed 1 chicken, 2 cats and six goats. With our expanding herd of goats we built the gray pole shed. The increase in shed size led to an even greater increase in goat herd size! The most pets we have had at one time including house pets was 25. This was when my kids were younger and lived at home so was the "right time" to have many pets. Three of the goats were rehomed but I found that I didn't have the heart to break up anymore goat families after that. All of the rest of the pets have lived out their lives here. I think that it is important that if you buy a pet or are responsible for bringing them into the world that you should look out for their welfare until they pass on. This month our last goat passed on. I am sad!

My hobby farm is currently composed of one of the original cats and the original chicken. They are both 16 years old. I'm not sure what my dream is now! The current plan is we are done with outside animals for now. We also have 4 boston terriers who are house dogs. They don't even like to venture outside in the Winter!

Next I want to map the pets I had as a child and the houses we lived in prior to this one.

Thanksgiving Art Journal Entry

My journal entry after getting together with family for Thanksgiving. I drew a robin rather than a turkey. I must be thinking about Spring...

Art Journal Page - Andy Warhol Quote

I found this Andy Warhol Quote:

Don’t think about making art…just get it done…let everybody else say whether its good or not…and while they’re deciding…keep making more art.

I found this quote to be so relevant to my creative journey that I have placed it at the top of my side bar.

My first idea was to find a picture from the Shaker book that I have, illustrating someone making art. These two ladies fit the bill. In serendipitous journaling behavior I found Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell Soup Can art in the American Craft magazine that I have been collaging from. This art was the inspiration for my tomato red color. I don’t use the color red very often so this was leading me out of my comfort zone. I like the combination of red coral and turquois in jewelry and decided to play with these colors together on my journal page. While flipping through the magazine later, looking for more inspiration, I found the tiny Campbell Soup Can image. An "M" with a brush caught my eye because of the color. After tearing the "M" out of the magazine I found it upside down on my table and seen a “W”, for Warhol. I admire the craftmanship of the Shakers but decided to “shake” things up a bit and add some bright colors and quirky designs to their clothes and décor.

Art Journals

 

My art journals that I have gathered together so far. Why am I compelled to record my thoughts, ideas and artistic journey?

FRagMENteD Journal Entry

Another entry to my FRagMENteD Journal. It is hard for me to believe that this painting started with a photocopy of myself. My intent was to paint loosely, with simple designs and bright colors. I gave myself permission to not maintain an exact likeness of myself. This was quite freeing.

It did not turn out like the artists’ whose work I admire. It still looks like my art. My art holds no mystery to me. Time away from the piece does help - to look at it with fresh eyes. Can you see me underneath all of the paint?

Assemblage Art Journals in my Etsy Shop!

 

ALBERT EINSTEIN

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that a life size portrait of Albert Einstein has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. A photograph of Albert Einstein's actual eyes has been place under a vintage pair of glasses similar to the ones Einstein would have worn. In the cutout is featured Einstein's quote
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere". Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955.
The 8" x 10" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 72 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums.

For Sale in my Etsy shop.

 

TUNING INTO CREATIVITY

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. Bolted on to the cover is a vintage radio dial that actually turns, so you can "Tune into Creativity"!
Enclosed is a side view of the book to illustrate how much the handle projects from the surface.
disclaimer: I personally find the inspiration of this journal to more than compensate any hindrance the knob causes. There is a hairline crack to the right side of the logo on top of the dial which isn't noticeable unless you are looking for it.
The 6 1/4" x 8 1/4" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 96 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy shop.

 

DISCOVERING CREATIVITY

This original art assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted brass and copper plates that has been hand-drawn, stamped and then etched upon. Bolted onto the brass plate is a vintage door escutcheon plate with a vintage engraving of an eye encased in resin.
The 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Ten signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 120 pages enables you to use a variety of wet or dry mediums.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy Shop.

 

THE STANDARD

This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a vintage brass plate. "The STANDARD Not genuine without this signature Nathanial Baldwin Salt Lake City, Utah".
The 5 1/2" x 5" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Four signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 64 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.

For sale in my Etsy shop.

FrAgMENteD Journal Pages

Additional pages from my FragMENteD Journal.

Do you ever wish that you could create art like someone else? My FrAgMENteD self often sees other peoples art and wish that I could create like them. In reality I want my art to reflect who I am. Teesha Moore is the inspiration for this journal spread. I had something very specific in my mind when I think of Teesha's pages but when I looked at her journal page site I was reminded of the variety of art that she creates. Teesha's style has been copied many times before but I can always tell that it isn't actually her art. She often uses vibrant colors and doodles over the top of her collage and her figures are often composites.

I used my face as a starting point, after all this journal is about me. I added big lashes and rosebud lipstick. How do you think I look? I never wear mascara as I tend to rub my eyes a lot. I found these cute little tights with herringbone socks. I would wear this outfit (ok, maybe just for halloween) if I ever attained my ideal weight. Circular shapes in the American Craft Magazine caught my eye. A theme was developing without even thinking about it, which is the wonderful magic of working with collage. Call for entries describes all of the shows and magazines that I have submitted to. Yes I have been making art for years. This was fun! Now what style should I experiment with?

How many ways can I illustrate FrAgMENtaTioN using the same old face? The grid of squares represents order and precision to me. This only lasts so long and then life starts to fall apart. Ideas break away and are lost. It is hard to think. There is no organization. The world is gray. On the outside I may show a smile, while inside I am fragmented. Don't feel too sorry for me. I have a wonderful life, migraines are my challenge!


After seeing the above page my sister suggested I explore this idea using circles. The round shape reminded me of a warm, sunny and bubbly atmosphere. I suppose a person can be both FrAgMENteD and happy.

Sometimes a person shouldn't say everything that they are thinking.

Evidence of a checkered past with some flourishes, wink. This page isn't completed yet.

October Sketchbook Challenge - View

The October Sketchbook Challenge is “View”. While sitting at the studio in Cedarburg for Arts Weekend I decided to journal. This is the “view” looking outside the window from the 3rd floor. A view of the rooftop of the stone building across the road. The heavy dark line in the middle of the page is from the wash of Golden acrylics that I applied before drawing in colored pencil and was too shiny for the pencil to adhere.

Assemblage Art Journals

#1 TUNING INTO CREATIVITY

A couple of years ago I started making these art journals for myself. I wanted to incorporate some of the jewelry making techniques I have been using to create a one of a kind journals. Although I have made myself other journals, this is my first one of this type. The cover started with the top and base from a wooden cigar box. The radio dial was the inspiration for the theme and style of the cutout brass plate. These are my everyday journals. I continually struggle with the desire to use a different journal for a different style of art or purpose. I have found that I usually didn’t have the right journal convenient when I needed it. This is the first journal that I have fully completed, other than a specific event journal that covered one topic such as an art retreat or vacation. I find the 6” x 8” journal a very comfortable size for me to use. The book is filled with 140# cold press watercolor paper that has been torn down from larger sheets and held together with coptic stitch binding. COMPLETED

#2 TUNING INTO CREATIVITY

A larger size cigar box dictated the 8” x 10” size for this journal. I continued the “Tuning into Creativity” theme but also included my name and the year into the etched brass. I made this journal shortly after creating the first one. Unfortunately I estimated my start time incorrectly and instead of 2009 didn’t begin working in the Journal until February 2010. COMPLETED

#3 FOCUS ON CREATIVITY

A shutter from a vintage Kodak camera was the inspiration for this journal. Focusing on creativity is definitely something that I am trying to accomplish. Incorporating my name and the date permanently on the cover adds and extra quality of personalization. I also added a piece of leather from a vintage suitcase that was beyond repair. Size 6” x 8”. COMPLETED

Close-up showing face from an antique engraving covered with a sheet of mica.

#4 JOURNAL

This is the journal that I am currently working in. I used a door escutcheon with an antique engraving of an eye in the bezel filled with resin. Beneath the escutcheon I placed some handmade paper and a vintage ticket for added texture and interest. Size 6” x 8”.

#5 CONFESSIONS OF A SINNER JOURNAL

As mentioned earlier in this entry it is challenging for me to work in one journal at a time. For the most part I want to be able to share my journals. I try not to write anything in them that I wouldn’t want anyone to read. This journal is an exception. I wanted a place to record my feelings about spirituality and organized religions. I replaced the Virgin Mary with my face in a brass icon, not because I think that I am Virgin Mary or even like the Virgin Mary but because I am “trying to understand”. The title “Confessions of a Sinner” was inspired by my experiences in parochial school and church. Size 6” x 8'”

#6 FRagMENted JOURNAL

Journal #4 wasn’t done yet but I had an idea for this journal and the pages inside of it. Yes, I am FRagMENted! For more information on this journal see this post.

Pages in my “FrAgMEntEd “ Journal

I decided to incorporate and journal about my first and second prototypes for the cover to show how my idea developed.

I had a lot of leftover parts from the journal cover so I decided to create another collage of myself. I like the idea of repurposing less than “perfect” copies for journaling.

Yes it is true, I don’t work in my journal in an orderly fashion. After creating the page above I decided that I needed a different cover page so I pasted in another piece of paper. A circle cutout gives a peephole to the next page.

Now that I have this art journal that I love I need to start working in it. I put in just what I am thinking about “Looking for Inspiration”. To add literal meaning and an interactive component I make my eyes moveable.

Yes I do look a bit crazy! LOL!

My New Art Journal!

I have been trying to complete my journals before I start a new one but I just couldn’t resist. This journal is about me. Yes I am “fragmented” which only further explains my inability to complete a journal before beginning a new one. So information from this year will be found in multiple journals. Also, I have the habit of not writing in my journal on consecutive pages. This happens when I want to work over a previously painted page and the next one in my book isn’t the color(s) I want to draw or journal on. Perhaps I am happy and want to write on a sunny yellow background so I skip the Pthalo blue/ Burnt Umber page.

The idea for this fragmented picture came from an article that Angela Cartwright had written in one of Stampington’s publications. In that article she had collaged a face from various photos of herself from different ages. I have been wanting to explore that idea for years. It takes a lot of prep work though. First you have to find a variety of pictures of yourself at different ages, then scan them into the computer and print them out in the sizes you want.

I came up with the idea for incorporating the apple slicer while creating one of my assemblage figures (Which I’ll blog about in the future.) Each slice captures different moments in time in my life.

First I etched the title of my journal, them I torched the copper to give it a nice patina. I love the rich colors that copper can have! I only applied the antiquing solution to the title area. Then I sprayed on a glossy clear coat to protect the finish.

Being creative and organized doesn’t work together for me. When I am in one of my most creative moods I like to work quickly to keep the ideas flowing. Being organized is a hindrance for my creative self. Then when the creative flurry is over or I can’t stand the mess anymore I organize. My creativity and organizational skills are fragmented. But in a way I use creativity and organization both to help defragment myself. Getting ideas out of my head and onto paper helps to declutter my brain. Organizing helps to compartmentalize and put ideas and memories in their place.

So what if I’m fragmented! THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF ART FOR ME IS TO KEEP CREATING! It also helps my organized side that I date each journal entry.

I made this journal with coptic binding. The pages are torn down to size from sheets of 140# watercolor paper. The cover is a bit bulky with the apple slicer but doesn’t seem to hinder working in it for me. I find the journal to be very inspiring in itself and have all sorts of ideas to fill it with.

Another Art Journal Page

I drew this last night on a prepainted page in my journal. The face is larger than life so that was a challenge for me. I am not used to drawing such big eyes.

Sketchbook Challenge - Every Day Objects

It occured to me today that August is almost over and I hadn't done my Sketchbook Challenge for this month. Here is a cup and saucer from my every day set of dishes. My granny Eleanore had these. I never seen her use them but I thought they were pretty and I liked the quote on the back of the dinner dishes. There are only 4 dinner plates left, but I have plenty of cups for tea.