Ozaukee County 2016 Art Show - Blue Ribbon Awarded to My Visual Journal

I won a ribbon at the 2016 Ozaukee County Art Show! This is what the judge, Alice Struck wrote about my journal " I am drawn to this type of continued, creative work. Personal meaning, courage and emotional honesty enrich the textured pages of this hand created book. Its tactile presence is extremely appealing, hinting of mysteries, hopes, secrets and very human ups and downs. This book seems to prove that "art makes life special." It is always special to win a ribbon, and a bonus to read the interpretation of one's work, by an artist you admire, Thank you Alice Struck!

What Are You Saying "YES" to in 2016 - Making Money

I'm saying "YES" to - making money!

Journal52 week 2 prompt "What are you saying "Yes" to in 2016.

I first wrote "Travel and discovering new paths" because for some reason that seems more humble than asking for money. Sure I would like to travel and discover new paths. I'm not sure why I have such a hard time justifying the money-making part of business though. I'm happy and willing to do the work, just asking for monetary compensation is hard for me. When I added the seagull, he first said something clever "Where's the beach?" Then I had him say what I really was thinking "Don't forget to include making money."  After 35 years of marriage and being supported by my husband I want to help. I want to "Make the Money!" All my life I've saved money, I've thought of doing things, so it didn't require a lot of money, I've even found things for FREE on my wish list just because I was willing to wait for them. I have everything I need so it has felt greedy to want to make money. But now I want to earn a "good" income. I want to take the burden from my husband. I want to make some money! So I am saying "YES" to making money.

This page was made using a "Journal Starters" image from my book Journal Starters: Sampler Volume 1 (My intended "money" maker.)


Perhaps I should make another page with my intention loud and clear...


Added 2/19/2016 Second page with intention clearly stated -

I decided to make a second page. While at first glance it is not a "showstopper" page, I had a marvelous time adding only collaging bits of photocopied of money. For rules on using images of money look here. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/usage-money-images-advertising-64067.html

Look closely and you will see faces and words from the 150%+ bill incorporated into the forest. The feather and inkwell is also pieced from the photocopied money.

What are You Saying "NO" to in 2016 - Self-Doubt

 I am saying "No" to self-doubt in 2016. I started with two leftover pieces of the driftwood image from my "Word of the Year" journal page. http://kimraenugent.blogspot.com/2016/01/word-of-year-perseverance.html I placed the "Journal Starters" image parts on the upper right and lower left corner of the journal spread. I often find I am more creative when I have less to work with. I mixed a blue color to mimic the blue in the water. I extended the design with paint. Then let drips flow through my self-doubt.

I found the bear in the paint and driftwood image and coaxed him out with colored pencils. The bear is a symbol for confidence.

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!

Adam’s Apple

 

More fruition from the cabin retreat. This collaged journal page is title “Adam’s Apple”. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions…

Fortune Cookie Inspired Journal Page – Seahorse

My journal page from yesterday 7–1-2012. I just notice that I dated it July 31, hmmm….

A fortune cookie was the inspiration for this journal page.

The fortune cookie reads You will soon be crossing warm waters for a fun vacation. I looked in an old atlas for a place that had "warm waters". The coast of California looked like a "fun" place that I would like to "vacation". I collaged a portion of the coast of California with the claim ticket and fortunes from my take-out meal. The next challenge for me was to decide what to draw. My first thought was a turtle but I couldn't find a picture in my picture file that I liked. Since I wanted to sketch outside I didn't want to use my computer for a reference.

A picture of a seahorse caught my eye. In the description it said that they live in "warm waters". I used colored pencils to draw the Seahorse. I like colored pencils for collage work because you can vary the amount of imagery (In this case a map) that you allow to show through. The armour plates covering the Seahorse’s body was difficult to replicate. Then I painted a wash of raw umber and pthalo blue Golden Fluid Acrylics.

Now that I see the above journal page posted, I feel that I need to go back and add some more journaling and finishing touches.

Finished journal page below!

Collaged Journal Page

 

I made this collaged journal page at the cabin yesterday. It was a near perfect day except for the ticks that I found crawling on me. So I drew them on this character’s face. You can click on the picture to enlarge it and see more of the detail. I really was able to lose myself in the process once I gave up on preconceived expectations.

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 page

 

A continuation of artistic exploration and discovery.