Life's Unexpected Gifts

Louise Kirby's journal from our small group Sisterhood of the Traveling Art Journals arrived today in the mail. I must say that Helen Lindton's maple leaf is even more impressive in person. I immediately got inspired by the feathers I found in my yard earlier today. I felt so good to just flow. I included three quotes that I love. I will let it rest until tomorrow when it will be revisited to see if I am happy enough to send it home. I think the book needs a bookmark so I am off to create one.

I also think it is pretty incredible how small the world can be. I participated in Shannon Ganshorn's International Mixed Media Postcard Swap where you make 10 postcards and receive 10 postcards. Well, you can imagine my surprise when I got a small envelope made from an old calendar not only filled with a wonderful postcard but Australian postage stamps and paper. Next I got an even bigger surprise. The package was from Pam Parker who just happens to be Louise Kirby's mom! I love it!

Found Objects and Sharpie Pens

I've been pondering why I love found objects so much. I think it must be the thrill of the find. It is always an unexpected gift. One of my favorite finds is feathers.  The only time I am not happy about finding lots of feathers is when it is evidence of the Cooper hawk's dinner, then I am just sad even though I know this is how nature works.

My particular love of feathers has moved into my pottery work. I can't wait to share with you my crow mask. Be patient. The first one fell apart. It's a live and learn thing. I am still finding my way.

On Saturday, I bought a package of colored Sharpie pens (fine point). They were on sale at Staples and I couldn't resist. I'm a sucker for pens. The packing said that they would not run so I tested by using them on the last page of my journal.  I drew the feathers and of course, wrote with them then used water colored over it. Thrill of thrills, it worked! I am so excited. This opens up such wonderful possibilities. Am I the last one to know this?

Thanks to everyone who has become a new follower. I am overwhelmed with the response to my silk giveaway. I promise to do it again. Wish I had enough for everyone.  For me it has been a grey, rainy day which is making the snow disappear so it not all bad. Happy creating!

Jeu de lettres or Playing with Letters

In an effort to get control of all these little bits of paper in my life, I came across this wonderful quote by Gerard Charriere, a Swiss-Trained Typographer and Book Artist.

If you choose a delicate typeface, don't put something with it that will overwhelm; it is a marriage. You can play with letters until they become part of the design. I like them to be very clear, with lots of space, each letter to make a statement. Sometimes I call my work 'Je de lettres" or playing with letters. I arrange them so that each one stands on its own, like in a bunch of flowers, yet never overcrowding. It is a balance. I see it when it works.

On the same piece of paper, I wrote "Pick a letter, set the timer, cut out letters from magazines, quickly arrange." I picked the letter "T," but started seeing some interesting "J's" so they got included too. The entire exercise took an hour. You can find it on the second to last page of one of my art journals. I am sure I will play with it some more because that is what I do.  It was a fun way to jump start my creativity today. What do you do to jump start your creativity?

Thoughts on Words and Art Journals

I am a lover of words especially in my artwork. When my art journal was returned from the first round of our exchange, I realized how different my approach is to an art journal. I use mine to record not just images/art, but words, quotes, thoughts, lists, clippings from magazines, etc. Please don't misunderstand, I sincerely believe there is not right or wrong way to create an art journal. I think of the writing in my journal to be art.

In mine, you will find "sy did glad" which is Danish for sew yourself happy. Which happens to be Lone Schaadt's blog/website name. Isn't it wonderful in every way?

Then there are words that people use that are regional or family words, etc.  "Comeapart" is one of them. Spoken by Jane Burch Cochran and said in her wonderful Kentucky accent and used to describe someone not coping well. Haven't we all had moments of "comeapart."

I am thrilled with the pages that have been created by my partners in this journey-- Helen Lindton and Louise Kirby.

 Helen took on the challenge to improve her drawing. She makes amazing cloth dolls. She also included a quote in my journal so she picked up my love of quotes! "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

Louise also included words- "Encourage each other to bloom."

I can't wait for the next round. I keep dreaming of things I would like to do in their journals and can't wait to see what they do in mine! I am so glad I took advantage of this opportunity. I haven't done a round robin exchange in a long time.

I have had very mixed experiences with round robins. One of my favorites was a cloth doll exchange even with the disappearance of my handmade book that accompanied it. One of my least favorites was a collage exchange. I kept it in a closet for years until one day I recycled it. Still didn't regret the experience.  Do you like to collaborate?

Louise's Journal and Reflections on Life

 Louise Kirby's theme for her journal is "nature studies." We were suppose to right about ourselves so I created a little book (first image) which I added to the beginning of her journal. Next I worked on a few pages. I decided not to finish anything (a recommendation of the organizer of the journal exchange). However, I loved the idea of creating something that connected to another page of the journal. I also wanted to play with words and finally after making lots and lots of lists decided on "grow" and "flow." This was so much fun and just what I needed. Jan's death has shook me up more than I realized. I keep thinking about all the things I wanted to share with her and didn't have the chance. When these things happen, I always look at them as a wake-up call. It makes me reflect on whether or not I am living authentically, doing all that I can to fulfill my potential, both for myself and for the world, am I having enough fun. These were my thoughts as I worked on Louise's journal. Hope she enjoys the pages as much as I enjoyed creating them. And while this is not Friday, Nina-Marie Sayre kindly gives us until Sunday to share in her Off the Wall Fridays challenge. Also if you want to see more of the journals, check out our blog The Sisterhood of the Traveling Journals. My journal is on its way and I can't wait to see it!

You Never Know

I was interviewed today by Joy Davis of the Naperville Sun newspaper about my blog. Of course, she had my heart when she said at the door, "It looks like an artist lives here." It was my art journal that caught her attention and made her want to interview me. She's been making art journals for a number of years. I always find it interesting what speaks to people.

It is a beautiful day so I suggested we sit outside. The wind came up which made the acorns fall onto the table. Do you know that it takes an oak tree two years to grow an acorn? Thankfully the much needed rain held off until we were finished.

journal page ready for words and more art

She asked me if creating the art journal meant I was going in a different direction. For me, it's just a continuation of the journey. I do think having an art journal will continue to be a part of my life. It's just too much fun. However, I don't think I could ever give up working with cloth or making quilts.  I just want to be open and free to explore other art forms. One seed can start a garden. One smile can lift a spirit. One candle can light a room. One conversation can start a friendship. One piece of art can heal. Making art feeds a need in me that I cannot explain in words. I bet you understand.  Anyway, when my interview is post on their website, I'll let you know. Joy only has 300 words so it will be interesting to see what ends up in her article from our conversation. Thanks Joy for making my day!

Thoughts on Putting Stretch Marks on Your Comfort Zone

I have fallen in love with creating an art journal. It has me thinking in some many different directions. Maybe I wasn't ready for keeping this kind of journal until now. I could use the excuse of time but I have always believed that time is a created thing. I make time for what is important to me (or when my house is in desperate need of cleaning). It does show me once again that until we are open and ready for new experiences, it just won't happen.

When I teach, I spend a good part of my time helping people overcome their mean-spirited critical inner voice that tells them "I can't" or "I'm not creative," etc. and pushing them to move beyond their comfort zones. I jokingly call it "putting stretch marks on your comfort zone," but I am serious about how important it is as adults to do so. It took me quite a while but now I'm aware when I'm not pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. And while I don't think that my art journal is pushing much, it is allowing me time to explore, ponder, keep perspective, be curious, lighten up, release and try new things all in a safe place.  This new phase is creating lots of new ideas and I cannot wait to see what happens next! Do you think about your comfort zone and how to move outside it

Art Journal

 I have lots of different kinds of journals--one filled with ideas and random thoughts, one full of quotes, one full of writing, another one for my garden, etc. I have never done an an art. I know it's a surprise. I think a part of me just didn't think I could create something that worked for me. Well that is over! I stumbled upon a book, Journal fodder 365, by Eric M. Scott and David R. Modler and I am in love. There are 12 themed chapters, ranging from Personal Mythologies and Histories to Connections and Relationships (all with questions to answer),  dozens of step-by-step instructions for painting, drawing, wiring and collage techniques, 12 suggested excursions for you and your journal, and 12 exploded views of showing real-life applications of the tutorials and prompts. I've only just begun but I can see this becoming a daily part of my life now.  I can't wait to see where this journal leads! I am curious, do you keep this kind of journal? Do you do entries on a daily basis?