Heads up and other words of mystical wonder

I'm going to be trying something new since this poor journal is so neglected it served me with divorce papers.

It is my hope that I can share with you some of the things that inspire me as well as my own work and thoughts on the whole creative process. Currently, I have a number of lovely creative endeavors that make me feel great. Writing (which I never and I mean never do enough of), visual journaling, fine art and crafting (which again, I do not do enough of).

Hopefully I will keep this up and then my poor blog will be happier for it.  So, keep on the look out as it is my hope to begin a certain pattern of posting that will allow me to do so with more frequency. Then again, you just never know, I might fall on my face and you'll get to come along for that ride as well.

I remember when I first was introduced to the world of visual journaling I was hungry for information. I scanned and viewed every youtube video, read every blog post, joined creative artjournaling communities on livejournal and tried to gleam from every journal "process" video all in an effort to learn and grow as I embarked on this creative journey. At the time there wasn't as much information available as there is now. There were no on-line workshops and in order to experience it you would have to have the time and money to attend on in person. This made for a lot of experimentation, exploration and discovery on my end. Eventually, people figured ways to make their teaching ability pay online and before you knew it, workshops were popping up everywhere. Now, do not get me wrong, I'm not anti-paid workshops. I believe they can be a great way to expand your knowledge in a nurturing environment of like-minded people. I just feel that we need to remind those who are just starting out on this journey or whom may not have the resources to shell out 30-60-90 dollars for a workshop that they can do it on their own too. There is a plethora of free information out there that will start anyone who is curious about this type of journaling on the right path and keep them there for a good long time. So, this is where you will see the bulk of my posts going to.

So, if you're new, welcome. If not, welcome. At the end of the day my house is open to you and your curious mind.

I hope I don't disappoint.
Jazmin

Photography Sunday: Sunset

Sunset, a photo by sirens_idyll on Flickr.

Sunset

Personal Creative Style: How can I get it?

Today’s blog post is brought to you by the letter C for cranky repressed creative person. I’m drinking some delicious pumpkin pie liqueur as we speak so I’m sure we can dump the repressed crank in a tick but while I am here in the land of pucker face, I’d like to make a disclaimer: This is only my opinion. It is not the only one on the topic and there is a possibility that it will not even be the opinion you agree with. I’m okay with that. Take what I say with a grain of salt.

One of the things that I continue to see over and over again in the small little art circles I currently frequent (and for those of you not in the, “know” this circle would be of the art journaling aficionado type) is a concern about having your own style or as I like to call it, “uniquism paranoia” How do I find my own style, how do I retain the knowledge I may learn from others and yet not have it make what I do a replica of their creative voice? Well, these are all very good questions my fine creative flock of creatives and I find it is not a topic talked about at length.

First, let us get this out of the way: You’re going to make art that looks like someone else’s at some point in time. This is inevitable. It is part of the learning process, it is the part of the discovery and in all honesty, it’s perfectly normal. Perhaps it is even something that you will enjoy doing for a long while before you move on to other things. That’s just fine and as long as you’re happy and if it brings you joy, then you’re doing it for the right reason. This post is not for you.

On the other hand maybe you’re wondering how you can make your pages a little more authentic, something that is easily recognized as yours. That can be hard, especially if you filled your head with the teachings of every type of art journaling/mixed media guru out there with a book, product or philosophy to sell. So how do you assimilate all of this information and visual stimulus without going into technique overload? Here are a few ideas that may work for you. Try them out and sleep on it for a good week. If they’re not a good fit, throw them out and start over again. That’s the fantastic thing about art. You can always smack some titanium white (or gesso) and begin again

. 1. Try things out without reading up on how others are using it. 
            A good friend of mine who happens to be a successful fine artist use to say that he was inspired by    those who had no idea what they were doing because they were uninhibited and free. Trust your instincts, sometimes being educated in a technique can inhibit you. Personal style for the most part is distinct quirks and imperfections that are unique to the individual. Embrace them, they’re yours.

2. Step outside of the community box. 

            It’s easy to see what people who share your interests are doing. It’s also easy to fall prey to the nasty inner critic who tells you that whatever it is you do will never be as good as what you’re currently seeing in the community. Venture out and find inspiration in other areas of art. Ask yourself questions as to what you like or dislike about what you’re viewing. This will help understand your aesthetic and inspire you to try new things that appeal to that creative eye.

3. Learn and technique and then forget it.
           This was something I left as a response on artjournaling.ning.com to someone new to the community. Supplies, techniques and community can easily overwhelm you. Take whatever it is that you've gleaned so far and throw it out the window. Just don't even think about it. Then open your journal and picking a few things that immediately call to you and do something -anything. I assure you, all the stuff you've been soaking up is in that mind of yours ready to be used but slightly altered by your memory so that what you found important stays with you. That’s the true secret to doing your own thing. It’s learning and filtering that education through the soft gauze of memories.**   That way the heart of the technique is there but it has been altered to meet our needs.

There you have it folks. Nothing earth shattering or mind altering but I hope it is helpful nonetheless. The point of the matter is there is plenty for you to do and say without having to following anything currently out there. A little confidence and trust will take you a long way in the road of self-exploration and creative endevors.

** Of course this might be difficult if you have a photographic memory. To you my snapshot minded friend, I am not sure what to say. If you have any ideas of your own, I’d be happy to hear them.

Mother Nature is not happy. WIP

Mother Nature is not happy., a photo by sirens_idyll on Flickr.

Mother Nature is not happy.

Back in Black

Hello everyone. Instead of boring you with excuses of why I haven't written anything here, I will instead direct your attention to more positive things: Mainly what I am up to this summer. The first thing I'm doing is participating in Index Card A Day project for the summer. I love the concept, I think it's a great way to jump start your creativity and get yourself back into the habit of doing something every day. Check out more about it at Daisy Yellow (link) While the official date has come and gone to join her group, I say you should still do it for yourself and enjoy. Here are all of my cards to date. I began June 1st.




1. ICAD #1, 2. ICAD #2, 3. ICAD #3, 4. ICAD #4, 5. ICAD #5, 6. #ICAD 6, 7. ICAD #7, 8. #ICAD 8, 9. ICAD #9, 10. ICAD #10, 11. ICAD #11, 12. ICAD # 12, 13. ICAD #13, 14. ICAD # 14, 15. ICAD # 15, 16. ICAD # 16, 17. ICAD # 17, 18. ICAD # 18

State Of The Union

I have a confession to make. I’m web 2.0 illiterate. Okay, well perhaps I’m not really that illiterate on the networking front. How about I’m allergic to it? That just sounds terrible doesn’t it? I know it does to my eyes as I read it. Words have always been difficult. Not in terms of expressing myself. I’m good at that. I have a vernacular that can go on for days. My problem is that even for all of my outgoingness, I’ve always been someone inside of my own head, keeping my thoughts and innermost feelings encapsulated in an air of aloofness that all but proclaims, “Nah, it’s all good.”

Words are difficult because they make the expansive ideas on my head small and invalid. I can’t fit everything I feel and think in a paragraph or two or hell, a novel for that matter. I’m not sure how this came about. As a child I loved writing in diaries and as a tween, I use to write elaborate stories in a composition books with my cousins. Then things happen (like parents invading your privacy and others belittling your literary efforts into non-existence). This has all but carved my path on the creative front. I am more comfortable expressing myself in a creative manner that doesn’t involved words, than I am speaking or writing. This is probably why my art journal entries are less words and more art. A small quote and a meaningful visual create a secret language of the heart that only I can decipher. The fact that people can feel and relate to something in that nature is a bonus. I mean is that not the reason we interact on the world wide web?

But getting back to my point.

I’m a horrible at networking and this is something I need to work on. I have intentions of swimming in more turbulent waters artistically and begin selling my artwork. This is both an exciting prospect as well as a frightening step toward gaining confidence in my creative journey. I cannot do that though if I do not create an online presence. The business of Art, as they like to call it, is a necessary evil and one I know I need to master. The problem is, I don't want to create what is a hard sell. Do you know what I am talking about here? I know I hate it when I feel that people are only trying to sell my something. It turns me off. There are a few people I’ve stopped following because of this. I want a sincere connection with someone and I wish to convey that as well but how do I do that?

*SIGHS* See where I'm getting at? In the end, the visual is great but to connect to the artist you need the words. Words are the bridge you need to tie the experience together. It is what allows the reader and watcher to say, "I get it, I get you" and once that happens, you're on your way to truly saying something.

So, I’m here to say to you dear reader this: Perhaps you’ll see more of me around. I hope you enjoy what I have to say, I hope you connect to it on some level and that you take this journey with me into the unknown.

Cause you know, I need someone by my side to help me read the map since the last time I went left on twitter, it took me months to find Blogger again.


Such is life. Live it.

-Jazmin

Until such time

As I can actually write something intelligent, I leave you with the music that's been playing on repeat for me in the studio.