Reflection of My Thoughts

I started by collaging three pieces, in my handmade journal, from one of my photographic images.

 I had seen an image of a man in the reflection of the water. Not an actual reflection of a man, rather a case of pareidolia. I like how the driftwood in the water suggests a collar bone. I painted around the silhouette with a wash of burnt umber and phthalo blue. I also added to the beginning of a heart shape on the opposing page.  A bit of journaling of thoughts that popped in my head. "Sometimes he appeared a reflection of my thoughts. Then a slight breeze rippled the water and he was gone. When images provoke thoughts without bearing."

Journal Page - The Politics of People, The Insanity of Power

This journal page pretty much sums up my emotions on politics.

The Fox - When You Can't Find What You're Looking For

First I collaged bits of "Journal Starters" images leftover from other projects. I wish that I had remembered to take step by step photos beginning with this step. The image of the rooster inspired the creation of a fox. Next I added layers of paint and colored pencil. 

I named this journal page "When You Can't Find What You're Looking For".

Stairway to Heaven - She Flew Instead of Climbing

The alternate prompt for Journal 52 week 3 is "Your favorite song/lyrics". One of my favorite songs is "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin. I chose a stairway from Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1 and collaged it in my handmade journal. I cut away some of the windows and replaced them with sky.

Jill Marie Shulse came over yesterday and we journaled together.  Journaling with a friend always makes the experience richer.

I added the song title and other information.

I chose to add my own interpretation "She wasn't able to climb anymore, so she flew instead."

I drew and added the butterfly but was stuck on what to do next. I spent the rest of the afternoon with Jill collaging with left over "Journal Starters" images from other projects.

The page didn't seem "Arty" enough for me. I came up with the idea this morning of loosely painting the image of a butterfly over the page. A loose interpretation of the sun and another butterfly cut out of paper and it is done!

Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1 - Now in Stock!

Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1 - Is now in stock!

This message is brought to you by Ziggy!

Strange Word of the Year - LUMINARY

Journal 52 Week #1 alternate prompt - "Strange Word of the Year 2016" I was looking for a word that I didn't know the meaning for this prompt. While I was familiar with a luminary as a light I had not heard this definition - One who is an inspiration to others; one who attained success in a chosen field. I hope to be a LUMINARY to others!

I started by cropping a "Journal Starters" image to fit in my journal. I added a vertical piece for design interest. I like write in various spaces following the shape of the photograph. I chose a crow for contrast and as the messenger.

Word of the Year - PERSEVERANCE

I joined a wonderful Facebook group named Journal52, there is also a blog that you can follow Journal52.com

Every week there is a prompt along with an alternate prompt. The prompt for week 1 is to choose your "Word of the Year" and create a journal page to express it. 

I started with a "Journal Starters" page. Since my handmade journal is 10" wide x 7" tall and the "Journal Starters" image was 8" x 11" after I cut it out of the book I had to choose how I was going to use it and the resulting layout is above.

I chose the word PERSEVERANCE for my word of the year 2016. Perseverance - Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. The letters are cut from one of the "working" covers from the book. The white strip was a good place to journal. I was content with the page as it was...

until I thought of googling "animal totem perseverance" and this catches my eye "If seagull has flown accross your path" from this website http://www.spirit-animals.com/tag/perseverance/ I also covered the white space with blue sky to add a pop of color to the spread.

Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1 - Is now available!

I am proud to announce that my book Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1 is now available!

For a signed copy you may pre-order the book here buy clicking on the "Buy Now" button on the sidebar.

For faster service it is available from CreateSpace at https://www.createspace.com/5662268
The title access password is *journal*

For a preview of this book and for more information click on the tab above or http://kimraenugent.blogspot.com/p/journal-starters-sampler-vol-1.html

Your Children - Journal Page

I started with magazine images of a shell, three maple syrup bottles, three turtles, and trees. The color of the images and their interesting forms is what attracted me.

I spent a good deal of time intertwining the images with line work using black and white Sakura jelly roll pens and Elmer's Painters.

"Your Children" was written on the tree magazine page and after looking at the images it seemed appropriate. The turtles are to remind me to take my time and enjoy the process. The cruise ship was part of the shell page. While I'm not interested in going on a cruise I found the image fit with the spread and decided to keep it.

I am disappointed that I didn't remember to take process photos. I really like to look back and see how a page developed.

QUIT SMOKING! DON'T START SMOKING!

I like to explore ideas by using images of unknown people to create scenarios. The unknown images often sparks ideas that I would have never thought to journal otherwise.

I wish that I had photographed the spread before I started painting and drawing over for comparison. In my journaling journey I like to revisit where I came from.

The idea of time "dragging" on and how time could be affected by a "drag" on the cigarette is the scenario I am exploring.

I feel powerless and sad when I see people smoking. Making art gives me some sense of control. 

QUIT SMOKING! DON'T START SMOKING!

PEACE - Art Journal Page

I have been trying to prep assorted pages in my journal to help jump start my creative process. I find that this is a good way to be productive when I'm not feeling particularly creative. 


I chose the main magazine image because I was drawn to the close-up of praying hands. 


Feeling compelled to journal yesterday I flipped through my prepped journal pages and I envisioned an image over the page. 

Do you see it?

I saw a dove.

Praying for -
Peace on Earth
Peace of Mind

The striped images were added later to cover lettering I didn't care for.  I think they add more visual interest and help balance the design.

Art Journal – Pushing Back the Darkness

A frustrated person and a ship set to sail is the start of my journal page. I wish that I had remembered to photograph the spread before starting to paint in the background.

I was inspired to use a ship and paint a skeleton over the image because of the art and theme of Juliana Coles book “The Legend of Juana La Loca”. The gray day and my own style took over next. Passion tea bag tag from my cup of tea was the finishing touch.

Fond du Lac Barcamp & Art Journaling

I attended my first barcamp at Sept. 20th, 2014 at Marian University's Stayer Center in Fond du Lac. I facilitated an Art Journaling session. I think next time I will name it Visual Journaling instead. As “art” seems to imply some type of “artistic” talent needed.

It is an experience hard to describe. To start, this is their facebook description “ …a participant-generated idea swap meet for the infocurious. It's an unconference, folks!”
Here is the link to their website - http://www.barcampfdl.org/

This group of people was very diverse and included computer based technology enthusiasts, educators, visual artists, and performing artists.

From Wikipedia “Although the format is loosely structured, there are rules^[19] at BarCamp. All attendees are encouraged to present or facilitate a session or otherwise contribute to the event.^[17]Everyone is also asked to share information and experiences of the event via public web channels, including blogs, photo sharing, social bookmarking, Twitter, wikis, and IRC. This encouragement to share is a deliberate change from the "off-the-record by default" and "no recordings" rules at many invite-only participant driven conferences. It also turns a physical, face-to-face event into a 'hybrid event' which enables remote online engagement with BarCamp participants”.
Thanks to Mel Kolstad for the above picture.


I jotted down some notes while attending the sessions. Unfortunately I didn’t have my current journal and had to resort to working in my “Fragmented” journal instead. It took several tries to print a quality picture on my laser printer. (see first photo). To waste less paper I printed on both sides. To further lessen waste I added bits and pieces to other journal pages.


Three salamanders crossed my path on the way to Barcamp and another one after I arrived home. They, along with a waste copy of the first photo in this post, were the inspiration for this page.


I added some different shades of gray colored pencils to give a little more depth to the salamanders.


A journal page from my Relief Printing session facilitated by my friend Mel Kolstad and Beekeeping session by http://dsbees.com/.

Journal Page – Transformation

 

This is a journal page about transformation. It speaks to me on several levels. The salamander template was the last collage item added. The page was almost finished and the geometric triangles had briefly reminded me of MC Escher’s art piece with the lizards but I didn’t have that in mind when I let it sit for a few days.

Then, when I seen the salamander template from the previous salamander page I knew where it belonged. The journaling and quotes were added last.

Looking at the photograph, I now want to extend the stems of the dandelions to the bottom of the page. The upper right corner looks a bit bare too! Perhaps something will find it’s way later.

Salamander Journal Page

 

These two salamanders were seen by me the other day.  It’s been quite awhile since one has crossed my path. Whenever an animal interests me I like to research them, look up their animal totem meaning and draw them.

“The appearance of a Salamander heralds transformation. It also announces assistance with this change from a source somewhere outside of ourselves.” http://spirit-animals.com/salamander/ Something to ponder... This is one of many paths of self discovery that I follow in my journals.

First I applied a color wash using a mixture of Nickel Azo Gold and Dioxazine Purple (Golden Fluid Acrylics) for my background. Next I drew the image of a salamander on a piece of copy paper. Then I cut it out to use as a template to trace, making two matching salamanders. I colored the Salamanders with several layers of Prismacolor colored pencils. Finally I added the journaling.

Junk Mail Journal Page – The Realist

 

Another page spread for my FRagMENteD Journal. For more pages in my FRagMENteD Journal type “fragmented” in the search box on this blog. I tend to journal about my journal process. I like to go back in my Journal and read what I was thinking.

The Realist Stereo slide is made with very thin metal, so it works well in my journal.

From this angle you can see the image in the stereo slide.,

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.