You don't have to like it

I've spent a very long weekend holed up in my home with my family. They call it snowmageddon and there's a reason for that. In central CT we received a good 35-40 inches of snow. This is not including snow drifts. I haven't seen a winter like this since I was four and I lived in Queens, New York. That. Long. Anyway, all this free time has allowed me to revisit my old love of paint and collage. My schedule normally is so tight with all of my normal responsibilities that pulling out the paints and other goodies I like to create with is just not possible. (A girl has got to sleep and if you're wondering, I'm not doing much of that either.) So, for this small reprieve I pulled out all the goodies and whipped up some pages using tried and true techniques that have molded my style in the past. I'll be back to the easy peasy world of ink/fountainpen and watercolor soon enough.

Pretty, Ugly or Real?

Leave it to the mouths of babes to bring up a subject that makes me blog.  My daughter wondered whether or not the use of magazine images and the "pretty stuff" she seems to like when we go to Michaels makes her journal something other than an art journal.  This seems to be echoed theme and topic lately in forum threads, twitter feeds, Facebook updates and Flickr accounts. 

For the sake of my daughter and anyone else who reads this blog, here is what I think and what I wish for you to take away from here:

Art journaling is about finding a satisfying , personal creative outlet.  How you choose to express it is up to you. Whether you use commercial papers, stencils, embellishments or you create them yourself the only thing that matters is what you think of your own work. I never want my children to feel that their way of expressing themselves is "less" than another person because of the presence or lack thereof of any element or style in their journal.  

While there is nothing wrong with being part of a community and finding encouragement in a groups feedback, remember that most of the time true fulfillment creatively comes from taking what is inside of us and finding a way express it visually.  At times this means that you're going to do things that are not current or trendy.  It may mean that people won't get it or like it. The question is: Do you like what you do?  Would you still do it even if the only person who ever saw it was you?  Are you creating for yourself or for an audience?  

Understand that while there is nothing wrong with a creative person profiting from their ideas or style, the motivation behind what one puts out for a commercial endeavor is different than what we create for our own personal enjoyment.. Personal expression is just that - personal.  Don't allow anyone to make you feel as though your version of expression is less authentic but in that same vein, refrain from judging or labeling another person's choices.  Their path and evolution is their own.  Encourage and appreciate the diversity but feel comfortable with the differences. I think if you can find that level of comfort in yourself it won't matter if it's pretty or ugly, process or product. All that will matter is that it is real and that it is all You.

My Journal's Manifesto

My journal is ephemeral by nature. It waxes and wanes with each phase of my life. It is mercurial in it's temperament. It is a journey that claims a destination before one is actually found. By its very nature it is transient - betwixt and between the thoughts that compound themselves in my mind.  It is a snapshot of a moment and that moment is fleeting, fading the moment it has come into being and gone before one can truly register and reflect on it's existence.  This then is the crux of my mission when I journal. To quickly record a visual representation of my thoughts and feeling and to add words that then give a key to my personal code.  Later on, if I choose, I can then go back and reflect on the moment or close the book on it and move on. In the end it is all the nature of life that we are in constant flux and so why should our journals not be the same as well?  Let them patina with time and display the signs of wear and tear.  I want my life to be well lived and so why not my journals as well?
Don't worry about what will happen when you've reached your destination. Instead, why not enjoy the journey?

The Radiant Child

"I don't think about art when I'm working. I try to think about life." - Jean-Michel Basquiat

"EARLY MOSES" - 1983

I am convinced were he alive, Jean-Michel Basquiat would have been enamored with the sudden surge of people creating art in their journals. Truly ahead of his time Jean-Michel combined words, color and bold imagery that hinted at a deeper meaning. Something to scratch at until it bled. In the movie, "Basquiat" there is a scene where he approaches Andy Warhol in a restaurant and asks him if he would like to by some, "ignorant" art. When questioned, he responded, (link) "you know, like stupid, like ridiculous crummy art." This made me laugh as on the surface it seems self-effacing but if you think about it, how freeing is it to already say to yourself, "I'm going to create crummy, ridiculous, stupid and ugly art."  The pressure is off, there is no expectation to create some masterpiece just the void left where true expression can bubble forth.

While I find the movie a little pretentious it still has its moments but if you really want a wonderful view into the man they called, "The Radiant Child"  I highly recommend you watch the documentary that was released about two years ago by the same name.  I found myself charmed and fascinated by an artist that I never truly paid attention to before.

"Boy and Dog in a Johnnypump" - 1982
 

So open your journal page, better yet, get some canvas, paper, board or piece of wood and create a journal page you can hang up on your wall.  In the end, your expression - your view of the world and your place in it - should be seen and felt even if the only person who sees and feels it is you.

"What is it about art anyway that we give it so much importance? Artists are respected by the poor because what they do is an honest way to get out of the slum using one's sheer self as the medium. The money earned, proof, pure and simple, of the value of that individual, the artist. The picture a mother's son does in jail hangs on her wall as proof that beauty is possible even in the most wretched. And this is a much different idea than fancier notion that art is a scam and a ripoff. But you can never explain to someone who uses God's gift to enslave, that you have used God's gift to be free." - Basquiat Movie

New year, new endevours

I’ve been quiet for the last few weeks. Lots to do with the coming new year: Children off from school, my own job becoming hectic as well as some personal issues that resulted in getting myself hooked up to a heart monitor. (I’m fine, if you’re wondering). Anyway, lots of reasons why it was best to put the blog on an impromptu hiatus but I’m back and ready to kick off the New Year with some pretty cool things to share.  Two of these things I can’t currently share as I have to wait for the people involved to give me the okay but let it be said now that it is full of art and positive vibes and I’m excited to be part of it.

One of the things that I can speak on that I will be doing this year is hosting something on my blog as well as artjournaling.ning.com that will involve creating an art/visual journal out of a composition notebook. This of course is not a new concept but it’s been a long 7 month process of answering the question: Do I really need all this “stuff” to create something that holds meaning and is aesthetically pleasing to my eye? 

This is something I hold close to my heart.  When I asked the question, I was actually answering it for my daughter, who is a very creative soul. How can I look at a 10 year old and say, “Well, you’re going to need some gesso and some golden acrylics and if you’re going to get watercolors best to get the Winsor and Newton ones.  You can ask your parents to buy them for you, right?”  Obviously that’s not exactly encouraging or motivating. The same can be said for adults who perhaps are not brave enough or financially secure enough to justify buying expensive artist grade supplies. It’s a scary world out there, when certain industries have picked up on the fact that there is a market for those who enjoy journaling visually and have decided to make bank on it! What is a person to do?   I’ll tell you what you do – Ignore them all and do your own thing!  And that, my friends, is what I hope to encourage others to do.   So, stay tuned it’s going to get interesting up in here.

Daisy Yellow: Building a Rainbow - 5 Days of Color: White

Welcome my color acolytes (this is going to have to stop. I'm going to run out of  witty ways to welcome you. *laughs*)  Once again I am hosting a color for day five of our Building a Rainbow Challenge hosted over at Daisy Yellow. When you're done here, check out the Daisy Yellow blog to see my partner in crime for today, BLACK.

White is an interesting color as it is in fact the absence of color.  It is the symbol of purity and cleanliness. In some cultures it is the color of mourning. White can elude to the delicate, the gossamer and ethereal. It is the mist between worlds and the shorud that hides you from dreams. White is an alpha/omega color. It can be whatever it is that need it to be.

It is also the bane of my exsistence. Now, I have seen gorgeous, fantastic minimalist work done by photographers, artists and journalists. They are masters of the powerful message white can deliver when used correctly.  It's just not my color of choice.  So, this page was a true challenge for me.  I thought: What did I want to convey with this journal page? What feelings did I want to invoke?  I decided upon layers. I wanted to stay white on white but that the interest would be texture and layering.  I am not sure if I accomplished it to my satisfaction but I have to say that I did like the outcome.:







Some amazing inspiration via Flickr:

1. White Flower / Flower White / Macro / soft macro/, 2. White Daisy / Daisies -, 3. White Lotus Flower Macro / White on white / Lotus, 4. White Flower / Flower Macro / close up flower / closeup / nature / white / : IMGP4921, 5. Soft Macro - White on White - Azalia: IMGP6955, 6. White on white (on white), 7. nights in white satin, 8. white, 9. White, 10. white, 11. White shells, 12. white on white, 13. white sphere, 14. White blossom close up - IMGP6556, 15. white on white 06, 16. WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK

How did you incorporate white into your art today?

Daisy Yellow: Building a Rainbow - 5 Days of Color: Aqua

Welcome my color sentinels of the watery deep.  I am here once again to host a color for day three of our Building a Rainbow Challenge hosted over at Daisy Yellow. When you're done here, check out the Daisy Yellow blog to see my partner in crime for today, GREEN.

My entry for this color:

Oh, AQUA , How I love thee.  You are the color of my dreams floating in the ether. You are the waters of the Caribbean that beckons me in fantasies and the the patina of ancient stories that like to play out in my mind. I draw you out in intricate scrolls and elegant sweeping flourishes.  You are the roar of the sea as it crashes upon the shore and the cool smooth porcelain of my favorite tea cup. You are clam and serenity and my affection borders on obsession at times.  I might stray and find myself in the playgrounds of other colors but to you I will always return.  I just can't help it.

Do you love a color in this manner?  Let me know.

1. {121/365} aqua, jodi aqua, 2. Free Little Girl in Turquoise Sea Creative Commons, 3. aqua crinoline hazel atlas teacup, 4. aqua metal, 5. Aqua, 6. Aqua door - Trinidad, Cuba, 7. turquoise bricks, 8. Tiny Flowers, 9. I'm All Alone & It's So Cold, 10. aqua fence, 11. Aqua Skies , 12. Aqua, Green Wreath, 13. Rusty Bell, 14. Orange Koi ~ Turquoise Tile, Um Hmmm!, 15. i don't sleep, i dream, 16. purple martin

This is one of my favorite journal spreads from the lovely Ms. Juliana Coles. Her use of aqua with lavenders, greens, and sepia colors makes me think of an Atlantis where the sun dapples the watery deep.

Daisy Yellow: Build a Rainbow - 5 Days of Color: Yellow

Welcome color warriors to day two of our Building a Rainbow Challenge hosted over at Daisy Yellow. When you're done here, check out the Daisy Yellow blog to see my partner in crime for today, ORANGE.

Below is my own entry for this challenge:

What do you think of when your read the color YELLOW? When I think of the color, the thought  of the summer sun filtering through lush green leaves that stretch out into an expansive deep blue sky comes to mind.  I think of the way the sand radiates warmth against my skin or the tang of lemonade as it refreshes me on a hot day.  Colors are more than a visual. They can morph into sensory triggers.  A touch, taste or memory of something that lingers in the back of your mind.  So, today when you express yourself using this color - in whatever form it takes -  think of what it represents to you and then explore.  In the end, you might be surprised as to what comes out.

A little inspiration in the form of a photo mosaic courtesy of Flickr:

1. Yellow Rose - IMG_8490, 2. Yellow, 3. yellow 2, 4. guthrie theater yellow room minneapolis, 5. Yellow Pear Tomatoes 012, 6. Yellow Earth, 7. yellow river, 8. Yellow, 9. Yellow Pepper Redone, 10. Yellow sunshine, 11. Yellow multitude, 12. Yellow tulip quintet - Subtle changes, 13. Yellow is a smile, 14. yellow strings, 15. Yellow Wagtail 110418-081, 16. Yellow Fever

I find that yellow isn't a color I see with frequency lately in the land of art journals but look at how vibrant they are when used:

Page by Irmute at Flickr

or how they add the right amount of "pop" to a simple yet lovely spread:

Page by Lady Reynolds at Flickr

Technique Spotlight: Mirror Writing

Continuing on from yesterday's theme about incorporating your writing in ways that other people cannot easily decode, I wanted to show something I do on and off to great effect: Mirror Writing.

Mirror writing is formed by writing in the direction that is the reverse of the natural way for a given language, such that the result is the mirror image of normal writing: it appears normal when it is reflected in a mirror. It is sometimes used as an extremely primitive form of cipher. The most common modern usage of mirror writing can be found on the front of ambulances, where the word "AMBULANCE" is often written in very large mirrored text, so that drivers see the word the right way around in their rear-view mirror. (Cited From Wikipedia)

A famous example of this was Leonardo Da Vinci's journals. While no one truly knows why he wrote in this  manner some have suggested it was to hide his ideas from rivals. 

I love the concept of mirror writing and I do it regularly in my visual journals.  Below is a page I did a few months ago.  The mirror writing coupled with gesso gives the text an worn antique text feel..  This is another great way to add journaling to your visual pages when you're not comfortable writing. Tomorrow  I'll discuss another way to add your journaling into an art journal page in a way that isn't obvious.

Journal: Ideas Are Plentiful

As I have mentioned in another post, I love weathered, antique looking things.  I hints at an untold story waiting to be heard.  This spread, I was inpisred by this past weeks journal inspiration.


On this page  I prepped my pages with a base layer of collage ephemera covering it with a layer of off-white craft paint. To make the page even grungier looking, I spread flexible modeling paste here and there making sure to allow for uneven peaks where my burnt umber glaze could settle into.I then added splashes of green/blue acrylics around the page and printed pictures off of my android phone (the app I love using is called Retro Camera) which lent itself to that vintage look I was looking for.  I then journaled about my thoughts on how I wanted to be more consistent with my blogging and how I would accomplish that.

When gathering inspiration from somewhere else, ask yourself, "What do I like about this page?" this will pull you out of trying to replicate someone's work and instead have you focus on your own aesthetic voice allowing you to then apply it to your own work.

Blast From The Past - Sweetest Girl

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

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.

State of Emergency

The title for this page came from the fact that I was listening to Bjork's Joga on continuous repeat the whole time I was drawing.

Once again, I found an old sketch to redo and refashion. I took three days to complete it and am pretty happy with the result although let me tell you, the process was flippin' fantastic too. I redid the girl in acrylics, then her face with colored pencil. The background though was where I got stuck. What to do? Keeping that in the back of my mind, I decided to tune into Blade (The Artistic Biker's) Ustream when I began to doodle Mehndi designs with my micron pen. I got so lost in the process that I didn't even realize I had spent two full hours just doodling various designs against the teal background of my newly painted muse.

A prompt for your own page: When you journal, take your sweet time. Take not one but two or three days to complete. Do it in stages. Fill every corner with something small, new and interesting. Then let it sit for another day or two. Then look at it, does it feel done? Then it probably is.

The Good. The Bad. The Second Chance.

One of the things that I had to learn with Art Journaling is the fact that not everything has to be pretty or even finished. I can stop mid page, decide I'm not feeling it and move on to the next. This is liberating, this is creative freedom. In my mind, art journaling doesn't have a destination in mind, just a journey to take you on. Lately, I've been looking over some unfinished sketches and abandoned ideas and making them into something new. Old thoughts creating a new creative path.




The above page was done over a year ago. I was experimenting with my water soluble crayons and antiquing technique, throwing a quick but utterly uninspiring sketch up there for good measure. Then, I was done. I moved on. Over a year and a half later (by my estimation) I was flipping through that old moleskine (now about two/three years in the making) and found many old sketches and abandoned pages that I was beginning to see with new eyes.




Imagine if I just said, "Well, can't do anything with this. It's been over a year and what's done is done?" Yeah, I can't either. I'm very happy with the result and am now looking into recreating a few more pages just for the fun of it.

Lesson to take away from this: It's not over until you say it's over. Don't limit yourself just because you put it away. Find inspiration in old ideas and refashion them into something new. You'll be glad that you did.

Sparkly rainbows and gumdrops am I

I started a new journal. Well, started in the usual ways I start things, which means that I have two or three in the process of being finished right now. In an attempt to be a little more autobiographical (I'm never good with "writing" things down in my art journal, which is why I let my imagery speak for me.) So, I decided to make the writing more like a short but cryptic snippets of the thoughts in my head at any given time. I should warn you that sarcasm is a huge part of my internal monologue. Oh wait, you'll figure that out for yourself, real quick. Never-you-mind.

(Other pages in this journal)





1. 07_31_10, 2. 07_30_10, 3. 07_28_10, 4. 07_29_10

30 Journals 30 Days Interview

How long have you been Art Journaling?
I have been art journaling for a little over three years now. I had to take a small break from it when I moved to a new home but picked it up again recently.




How has Art Journaling impacted, changed, or enhanced your life?
Art journaling has been a wonderful experience for me. Due to past experiences, I'm always reluctant to write my thoughts down in a book, afraid that someone will not respect my privacy and read them. With Art journaling, my message can be hidden or blatant. Simple or complicated. I can write a whole page of feelings and then just paint over it. Art journaling has basically freed me and allowed me to express myself fully. Another wonderful side affect is that it has strengthened my creative voice and has made me more confident in my desire to paint and draw.





What are a few of your favorite Art Journaling materials to use?
I fluctuate. When I first began it was cheap colored pencils, crayons and craft paints. As I began to really get into it, I continued with collage and extended paint elements, personal illustrations and more expensive paints. When I began my move, I pared down again to just graphite pencil, watercolor, and micron pen. I'm back to using some collage elements in my work once more and so I'm always changing up the arsenal.




Who are some of your favorite Art Journalers?
There are so many! I am in love with the work of:
Teesha Moore
Milliande
Ink Smear [2] [3]
Pam Carriker
Willowing
Recent Finds:
Marizateria
Comfortable Shoes Studio




What kind words of encouragement would you say to an Art Journal newbie?

Art journaling is about process not results and it is a personal expression of self. Don't worry about getting your pictures up on line, making videos, buying the latest and greatest just because someone said so. Start simple. Begin with glue stick and collage, add doodles .. give it a soft wash of color with some kiddie watercolors. By keeping things simple, you really begin to define and project your very unique creative voice. Also, learn technique not style. Style if something you personally identify with, it's what makes your art or your journal pages authentic. Technique is what allows you to express your style. Don't work on making your pages look like someone else, instead, use inspiration to propel your own style forward.



Where can we contact you...give us some link LOVE!!
Blog
You Tube
Flickr
Twitter
Esty





Short Bio.

I am a 35 year old mixed media artist. I have absolutely, positively no formal training in fine art. I have a creative and artistic 9 year old who is my muse and reason for finding the joy of self-expression in art.

The majority of my artwork and journal entries are heavily influenced by my daughters daily life and my personal insight on my life. It is my opinion that art is an important and viable form of expression available to ALL. It strengthens and refines your artistic voice and becomes a snapshot of your life at any particular time.

My artistic statement is that art is life. Circular, it is a wonderful give and take. If you find inspiration in what I do, that in turn inspires me. Art is not an elite club that you are shut out of but an open invitation to your own unique voice in the world. You are valid. Let your voice be heard.

I really need to

Work on my blog and my networking. *sighs* I am so not cut out for this.



1. artjournal_07_20_10, 2. 07_18_10, 3. artjournal_07_17_10, 4. 07_05_10, 5. 07_07_10, 6. artjournal_07_10_10, 7. artjournal_07_09_10, 8. Painted papers 4

Serendipitous

Journaling is not about the destination but the journey it took you on to get you there.