"WHAT ART OFFERS IS SPACE--A CERTAIN BREATHING ROOM FOR THE SPIRIT."
JOHN UPDIKE
It defies description TO EXPLAIN what an ART JOURNAL is all about.
It seems that EVERYONE is working in his/her art journal.
For some it is a keeper of inner secrets and wishes,
others, a "diary of sorts" filled with the minutia of the day or weeks events,
a place to explore, confront deeper fears, let loose joy
and explore.
It is WHATEVER that person wishes it to be.
For me an "Art Journal" is simply a
a marking down,
sketching, doodling, drawing the silly and the pompous, messing around with various mediums, trying new ways of approaching a subject.
It is a BIG MISH-MASH OF UNTIDY PAPERS!
...Loose sheets, purchased journal, handmade....it matters not...
It is just good to have some decent paper around when inspiration jumps in.
Two weeks ago I joined the Faces: 101 Class given by Carla Sonheim. You patiently viewed my little, teeny-tiny sketches....it was great fun...but ever so small.
For me I need BIGGER PAPER!
Here are a few things I have done since.
Charcoal on 300 lb. watercolor paper, heavy use of fingers!
Really big piece of paper!
Journal pages/watercolor paper, two page spread.
Handwriting, ink, pastel, acrylic, pencil
and a HUGE DOSE OF FUN!!!
Heart Thought: did you ever keep a secret diary? Mine was a sickly lime green with a bent latch that popped opened. I remember writing in pure shock seeing a cousin smoking behind his home! What did you write about? Think your diary was really a SECRET??????
Sharon - your works always fill me with joy and amazement at your talent for capturing so much personality in your drawings and paintings. There is such a feeling of freedom in your strokes and your color choices. The charcoal drawing - what can I say? This is such an individual - I feel that she is ready to speak to me. Love the hairstyle and the asymmetry of her face. This is a real woman.
ReplyDeleteLove the 2-page spread! Yes, I did have a diary and mine had a little latch and key. I wrote about being 11 or 12 years old. I even remember writing "Dear Diary". I wish I had that now to see what was going through my mind at that young age.
ReplyDeleteLove what came out of the small little sketches. Such beautiful faces! And - I'm a big journaller - both as an 'art' form..and also a 'record' of my daily life. Can't imagine what I'd do without...
ReplyDeleteThese pages are beautiful...so bright and energetic!!
ReplyDeletethank you for the new year reminder and great images of the year of the dragon.
oh yes, I had a secret diary...filled with BOY stuff.
x..x