October 31, 2009
So many shoulds, time enough to follow through.
There are many things I should blog about, like the ten yards of fabric that came to my door on winning the Nature's Best contest, THANKS to you! Or the fabulous review of my book in Machine Quilting Unlimited, or the fantastic blog I found this week.
But instead I want to talk about the Recycled Journals I am now in love with. Have I talked about this too much already? I used some original pages from the book, Dreams their Meaning and Significance and layered them into signatures of 140 pound cold press Fabriano watercolor paper. See the texture? I could bite my tongue.
I already, sort of, messed the book up. I have to learn about end paper. I think they need to be stiffer than the paper I chose. And because I chose a paper that was floppy, I tried to substantiate it by painting the wrong side with white, panicked, glued something on top, panicked and well, you get the gist of it. Now the end paper in the front of the book is glued to the first page. Covered that one right up. It isn't that bad, a little odd, but. So am I (I was giggling through the writing of that last paragraph- it is good not to take self too srsly).
Have I said how much I love 140 pound watercolor paper? I learned to love it in school, Fabriano in particular. The brushes, the paint, the way the water lays atop the page ready to be reworked until it isn't anymore? Totally different than painting on cloth, but still such satisfaction.
And we all know how much I love to draw and wish that every person who had an inkling of even wanting to draw would start now. Right now. It is so graceful, paper and pencil, that it all you need. Painting is just an extension of drawing. And every artist, even if they don't use every tool in the box should have an understanding of the basics. It is so meditative.
I wish my first journals were available to me now, (they are in storage). I would show you. I sucked. We all suck when we start out, that is the way it is. I still have a ways to go, I want to learn to have ease with hands and feet, for instance. But when you are new, just tell yourself to turn the page and don't look back. Not right away, anyway. Now I can look back as some of my early journals and see the raw beauty and the gems among the mundane. See where I was stretching to see myself further, trying. For the most part, I love the progress I have made. But I do see it as a journey, not a destination.
Arrow, beautiful, white and black Arrow. Head tucked, smiling. He knew I was looking at him and kept murping and coming to attention and asking me to pet him.
Posted by Melly at October 31, 2009 9:38 PMI love your painting of Arrow. Congrats on the fabric!
Wish I could make journals with you-looks like fun!
I have to show you the adorable little watercolor journal I bought from Strikebooks (on Etsy). Too cute.
Love the recycled journal.
When Juan wanted to learn to draw (at 18) he asked his dad (an artist) to teach him. His dad handed him a sketchbook and said fill this with hands, when it was filled Juan brought it to his dad and his dad handed him another and said fill this with feet, the next was faces and it continued from there. That got him started and comfortable with drawing and became a regular habit. Our favorite restaurants are always the ones with paper over the table cloths, the surface soon covered with images of nearby diners and crazy hangman games.
Posted by: Judy Coates Perez at November 5, 2009 2:17 PMGetting the end papers right is so difficult- its good not to take yourself so seriously. Enjoyed your post.
Posted by: stitchworks at November 5, 2009 11:07 AMThanks for sharing the link to Ann Wood's site. Lovely pieces.
Have to say I've never really had any inkling to draw. Collaging has always been more up my street.
Arrow looks like a great friend to have.
I loved your post! I loved your mom's comment even MORE! That's just so great! My mom has been gone 9 years now, but I hear her voice in your mom's - so tell her thanks!
Posted by: Kelly at November 4, 2009 4:08 PMHave you met Ann Wood? Her art is too cute! Birds - right up your birdhouse:)
Keep on keepin on!
jo
One... no, two... more things I would add to your list of things to draw: pencil sharpener and... eraser! I love art-gum, and my teacher in college taught us that erasing becomes part of the composition, at least I think that's what he said! It's been eons!
BTW, I LOVE your portrait of Arrow. He reminds me so much of my Bubba, especially the pink toes!
Hmmm .... you never sucked at journaling, even when you first started. You have always been extremely creative. A quilted, beaded vest when you were 9 years old? Great short stories at 7 or 8, drawing the front cover of high school programs, etc., etc., etc. Well, you get my point.
Posted by: mom at November 2, 2009 6:12 AMMaking watercolor books is so much fun. The first one I made I used plether (couldn't afford real leather) as the cover. I'm anxious to try using an old book. I bought a couple of interesting looking old books at the library sale recently because you blogging about making these books. It's on my to-do list.
It would be wonderful if you could get your beginning journal out of storage so that we could all see what you consider "bad."
Congrats on the 10 yards of fabric! What a great prize!
Posted by: Lisa at November 1, 2009 7:30 PMCongrats on all that fabric! I too have tried a handmade journal with watercolor paper. I made one to take on vacation last summer, and it's not full yet. I love it!
Posted by: Holly M at November 1, 2009 6:43 PMOH MY! I love the owls and the boat with the little birdies! Thanks for sharing Ann Wood's blog. Thanks also for the pep talk on drawing. Since the Fabriano paper is cotton and cellulose, could you use dyes also? Dang I wish I had taken art classes in school! Hope you had a fun filled weekend. Cheers!
Posted by: Jeannie at November 1, 2009 6:30 PM