Pages

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Art Journaling 4 x 6 sized

Today has been a wonderful sunny day. I´ve spent most of my day sitting on my balcony, reading a great book. In the afternoon, I´ve listened to a band playing great songs from the 70s just beneath my balcony, being part of a cultural event in my hometown. Then in the evening I´ve been watching "The other F word", a wonderful documentary about aging punkrockers, and I finished my Saturday with a documentary about Ozzy Osbourne ... What a happy day this was!
But be honest - when did you ever write a good poem on a happy day? I know I never did. I´m old enough to know that I need sadness and darkness to be creative. That´s why my postcard sized art journal page for this week´s SPA challenge celebrates the dark side of my life. Obviously I didn´t make it today ...
For this card I used a watercolour background on watercolour paper, then applied a magazine photo that I then altered in any possible way - I sanded it, scratched it with a knife, smeared gesso over it, painted and drew over it to make it my own and to intensify the broken look and make it all mine. Then I stenciled the theme, stamped the raven and wrote a few words in black at the bottom and in white around the face on the left ("Why do I feel that broken?"). Quick and easy, but very intense, this "page" will always remind me of the necessity of those days.
Maybe some of you prefer bright pages with uplifting messages, affirmations and such - but what´s an art journal for? It´s for YOU, and if you´re not feeling optimistic today, why should you hide that? Make art from the feelings life gives you every day, and it will be good art, and it doesn´t matter if anybody else will have a look at it and will be able to read your words or not. That´s art journaling, and I can´t wait to see what you all come up with for this week´s challenge. I´m planning to make more postcard sized pages and then bind them in the end - and you?

14 comments:

Deborah said...

A fantastic journal card, Marion, and I found your approach - and opinions - on journaling really thought-provoking.

Deann said...

Great picture Marion that's what art is for expressing yourself good days, bad days, blaw days any day...great words too!

OhSuz said...

Really love this, Marion; I agree, we should all feel free to let our true feelings come out in our art. Well said & well done!

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Wonderful piece Marion, and great blog post to go with it. Someone once told me we tend to remember moments in life of intense emotions, not times when we were happy and at peace.

Lori Saul said...

Brilliant expression through both your art and words Marion!

peggy gatto said...

Powerful and simple!

Rachel said...

Very interesting images. Love the colours.

johanna said...

ha, genau das dachte ich auch: ich mach mehr davon und werde sie irgendwann (lochen?... und) binden! war eine tolle idee, das thema dieser woche, und dein beitrag ist wieder ein prachtexemplar!

Rosie said...

Ein großartiges Werk ist das geworden, Marion.

Ich wünsche Dir noch einen schönen Sonntag

Linda Gibbons said...

I love this card.

I am trying to understand journaling, but don't always get it. Your comments are helpful. Thank you

Julie S said...

Really beautiful. I love the images you chose to use and the colors.

Electra said...

This is wonderful!!

Sandra said...

so sieht's aus. und dann kommt auch sowas großartiges dabei raus. toll.
und wie bitte, ein toller, sonniger tag? pffffffffffffffft. wir wohnen scheinbar wirklich in unterschiedlichen wetterzonen :):)
liebe grüße,
sandra

Liz said...

Fabulous card Narion, the colours are winderful. I completely agree with your views on creativity