Monday, October 10, 2011

Sharing my 1st Art Journal spread...

page 1.
This is a step-by-step presentation of the creation of an art journal spread. 
Press 'Read more' below to see more photos...
***
I have created 'art journal' style layouts before, however on traditional 12" x 12" scrapbook paper, NOT in an actual bound art journal/sketchbook. So when it came time to get to work in a sketchbook I faced the dreaded 'white page' - also known as 'freezing up' and not able to produce anything. To stall the art journaling start date, I bought a few different sketch books, and then returned them unused. Then I've taken out (and even read) every single book and magazine on the topic of art journaling; Then I've visited quite a few blogs of other art journaling artists - anything and everything to delay starting.

What gave me a good push to start is a current lithuanian scrapping challenge blog's assignment to make scrapbook paper from art or home supplies - basically to make your own patterned paper.

I figured that I'll just experiment in this sketchbook: Scribble a bit with the water soluble crayons, then spray some paint, then use a stencil and embossing powder. Unlike creating traditional scrapbook layouts where I plan everything ahead of time from the photos, theme, design, and details, this was a very stress-free method of creating of not being attached to the outcome. Interestingly enough, the result made me happy. Lesson learned is that you have to give yourself permission to play and experiment with your art supplies.

page 2

The finished double spread
Journal specifications: 
  • Bee Paper - Aquabee (www.beepaper.com). 
  • Super Deluxe; Heavyweight Drawing Paper for use with Wet & Dry media
  • 12in. x 9 in. (30.48 cm x 22.86 cm)
  • 93lb. or 150 gsm. paper



The title: Willing to go naked, should not be taken literally ;) It's a metaphor for my goal of revealing and being brave enough to share more of my vulnerabilities and daily struggles in my art journal.

Recently I was tremendously inspired by May Sarton's Journal of a Solitude. I've copied so many inspirational quotes from this book.  The paragraph written in orange ink is one of them:

"... And at some point I believe one has to stop holding back for fear of alienating some imaginary reader or real relative or friend, and come out with personal truth. If we are to understand the human condition, and if we are to accept ourselves in all the complexity, self-doubt, extravagance of feeling, guilt, joy, the slow freeing of the self to its full capacity for action and creation, both as human being and as artist, we have to know all we can about each other, and we have to be willing to go naked."

Art journaling appeals to me on so many levels. I will not cease scrapping traditional scrapbook pages, yet I always felt that there's something lacking in that arena for me. Because I have an easy time writing (and actually enjoy it), I found that I frequently have to cut down my writing for design or space considerations on scrapbook pages. In an art journal, I feel more 'at home' to ramble on, vent, and experiment without any expectation of a 'perfect' end result. Also, I've always liked using visual symbolism in my work, thus in art journaling I'll get to incorporate more of my odd collection of stamps and images. 

Thank you for reading about the creation of my 1st art journaling spread in a sketch book!
Irma
***
Supply list:
*Pens: Kuretake ZIG Wink of Stella (Gl. Gold MS-40-101); ZIG MIllennium (Pure Orange MS-03 and Pure Black MS-01).
*Transparency: Die Cuts with a View.
*Journal die cut page: Making Memories.
*Stickers: Jenni Bowlin Studio (''know this'); Hambly Studios (birds).
*Stamp: Stamper's Anonymous (eye), JoAnn Scrap Essentials (date),
*Stencils: The Crafter's Workshop (TCW177 Cherry Blossoms and TCW203 Circle Grid).
*Rub-ons: Basic Grey (floral); American Crafts (alphabet), 7 gypsies (quote).
*Paper tape: Therm-o-web (sewing supply).
*Watersoluble wax pastels: Caran D'Ache: Neocolor II.
*Embossing ink: Ranger Industries.
*Embossing powder: Hampton Art.
*Stamping ink: ColorBox - Cat's Eye Chalk (red); Tsukineko StazOn (black).
*Paint: Plaid 'Folk Art' (color: 904 Lemonade).
*Spray mist: Glimmer Mist by Tattered Angels.
*Adhesive: UHU Stic
*Other: Masking tape and vintage book page.
*Photo credit: Stock.xchng (gmarcelo).

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is so gorgeous!! Thank you for sharing! I'm still sitting on the fence when it comes to art journaling, but I'm collecting ideas to start my own.

Puskis said...

As be zodziu!!! Dekui kad pasidalinai!!! Nerealu, man taip grazu!!!! Kaip minejau, pati dabar domiuosi art journaling, todel labai smagu matyt kad tu jau darai ir rodaisi, super!! Ir dar man gi labai idomu visos naudojamos priemones bei kaip naudojamos. Tai dekui kad pasidalinai priemoniu sarasu. Zurnalas kaip suprantu kazkoks specialus ane? su lapais skirtais dirbt slapia technika, jauciu pas mus tokiu nelabai rasi... gal gali parasyt firma ir pan? paieskociau.
O su kreidelem tuos rutulius darei ar dar ir daugiau, matau kad jos tikrai labai gerai lieja, tokios ryskios, super!!! Gerai labai embosinimas atrodo, nu zodziu tobula!!! Noreciau pamatyt kaip viska darai, labai idomu man :)

Jurgita said...

Kažko panašaus laukiau ir tikėjausi ... Man taip aktualu. Žinant mano padėtį tai vienintelis budas ateity fiksuoti savo jausmus ir išgyvenimus. Pirmiausiai prašysiu vertimo ir labai įdomu: pirmiausiai paruošei lapus ir tada susegei, ar ėmei akvarelinį albumą ? Tekstas daromas apdirbinėjant konkrečiai vieną lapą ...
Žodžiu sintrigavai ... plz prasau labai labai smulkiai.
Grožis neišpasakytas. Kiekvienas lapas, tai tiesiog gatavas paveikslas.
Labai lauksiu tavo komentarų.

Neringa said...

Kaip įdomu!!! Tavoji mums parodyta art journaling pradžia pritrenkiamai atrodo. :)
Kadangi merginos jau prieš mane uždavė daug klausimų, tai nesikartosiu, palauksiu atsakymų į juos.

Živilė said...

Kol nedingo internetas bandau greitai sukurti komentara. Zodziu, man ziauriai patiko sitas tavo art journaling. Visu pirma, pagalvojau, kad galetum buti SB popieriu dizainere :) O visu antra, kad tau labai tinka sitoks stilius.
Pagalvojau, kad man butu labai sunku isdristi piesti tiesiai ant sasiuvinio :)))) irgi turiu ta balto lapo baime :D

Moon Stumpp said...

Fabulous...great layout, wonderful colors, and unique...totally lovely.

Gayle Price said...

Good for you !! I know exactly where you are coming from and exactly how you feel, although I could not express it as eloquently as you . Art jounalling is such a personal thing, it's raw and it exposes us, but it gives us freedom and that's the best part, for me anyway, just let go and let the experimentation and creativity take you where it wants to go. Visually I love what you have done, and what you have written is so true. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. xx

Agneja said...

Nerealiai grazu!

Unknown said...

Oh my word, I can't believe this is your first Art Journal spread!! It is amazing! You are very talented. So glad that you enjoyed it because I can't wait to see more of your art journal pages

Gaby Bee said...

Your first Art Journal spread looks gorgeous! I'm curious for more:)

Hugs,
Gaby

Lawrute said...

tikrai labai zavu:)

sandi said...

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW! I absolutely LOVE this! The entire look of it is just fantastic!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous journalling Irma! I've shared the link on the ZIG Blog: http://kuretakezig.blogspot.com/2011/10/zig-links_14.html
Buffy

laury55 said...

really fantastic journal spread!!!

Veena said...

This journal is so unique and classy. One great work of art!

Miss Marple said...

I am so glad I found your blog, it is such a pool of inspiration and I must say, you completely explained why I art journal. Thank you! ;-)
From Germany - Irma

Olga said...

Very beautiful work! Love the meaning!