Journal along with me.............
I started an art journal last year. Really not knowing where it was going to lead or actually what to do with it. I found some downloads of journal ideas and decided to go to my local art store and buy a hardcover sketchbook.
It was fun decorating the outside, but still uncertain about what I was going to fill the inside pages with.
Using old book pages, doilies, texture paste, hand made stamps, paint, brushes and cut out letters, my journal cover was born.
It took a year to fill the pages, sometimes writing my thoughts, goals and quotes I found. Other times experimenting with colors, designs, class projects and ideas.
On line class project. "She listened to the sounds in her soul."
I found this old children's book, The Beacon Third Reader. I learned how to turn that into a smaller journal to keep on a table side. The binding is frayed, the pages are brittle, but that is what I love about it. It has so much character, inside and out. The illustrations add to the pages.
Take a glue stick, masking tape and gesso. Glue three sheets together with your glue stick, giving more substance to the worn pages. Use masking tape or washi tape to tape torn pages. Gesso on top, as little or as much as you want to cover. Thus, creating great pages to paint on. I love the feel of the old and the gesso together, creating a nice surface for watercolors. Even the tape adds an interesting element. After painting the feather onto the cover, I drilled a hole into the back cover, attached my leather string and wrapped it around as many times as it would go.
Just one of the latest pages, while studying style.
I have added a few other journals since, smaller ones to carry with me. I also like to find old ones like this
fabric one I found at an estate sale. The pages are lined and slightly yellowed. I decorated the front and back with collage papers, added stickers and a name plate to the inside covers. Using a scrap of watercolor paper, I created my own book mark. The "Stay Creative" collage piece is a note pad from our room at Howard Johnson's Express. You never know where you will find inspiration. Old mail, postage stamps, letters, and so on.
Fun journaling across the US on our way to Florida earlier this year. This is a cheaper sketch book I found at the craft store, but it works for sketching and experimenting. Watercolor pencils, brush, pen and ink. Love the brushes that hold water, great to take along!
Just added this 1927 spiral sketchbook to my collection. It's a 9 x 12 and most of the pages are blank. It will make a great journal and oh the history. A few loose pieces of art were tucked inside. What a delight!
By starting my journal, I gained insight into my soul, art and life. This was the beginning of a new chapter for me. I may not add a page each day, but when I need to express, try something new or get an idea, I know just where to go. Marking pages for future art designs.
I also have a fine art one where I can put class projects or more complicated designs.
Hope you enjoyed our journal time. These are just samples and insights into mine. I hope you create your own stories, words and pictures.
Put your whole heart and soul into it!!
See you soon.
xxoo
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L
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