I’ve never made a journal with more than one signature. Well, never until today. I used the coptic-binding method and even waxed my own thread! And it worked! It only had three signatures, but I am confident I could do many more if I wanted. It was a little tricky understanding the instructions, but it’s intuitive when you get started. Here is a YouTube video showing the general concept.
I don’t often comment here on public events/news/celebrities but the death of Amy Winehouse has really rattled me. I guess it’s more than the fact that I was (am) a huge fan of her talent. I suppose it’s more because I could see it coming but still was really pulling for her. I was rooting for this tortured girl to beat the odds, to win her battles and escape her demons. I was, perhaps wrongly, optimistic. Still, I was worried for her, as were many others.
I’m mostly disappointed. I’m disappointed that a talented young life was cut short. We have yet to learn the cause of death, but even if it’s not drug-related, it’s obvious that drugs and alcohol were her downfall. That makes me sad. I hurt for her poor, tortured soul. As an artist, I can appreciate, if not fully understand, how her demons may have been what made her so good at what she did. But it still hurts. My condolences to her family, friends, and everyone touched by the loss of her precious gifts.
Another little doodle. I’m liking these – it’s very much a meditation to make them…
Approx. 6″ diameter, ink pen.
Thank you to Connie at Dirty Footprints Studio who is hosting a giveaway, including lots of juicy goodness. She’s asking us to share an art secret. I like to use my art journals to spill my secrets.
“But,” you say, “what if what I write in my journals is a secret I don’t want to share?”
That’s a completely valid question. While my husband has sworn on his word to never read my journals, other people who might come across them have not given me such assurances. Yes, I do have secrets. Everyone does. It’s OK to have secrets. Not everyone is ready or willing to share them with the world. That doesn’t mean we can’t entrust them to an art journal. Here are just a few ways you can get your secrets out but keep them secret.
1. Cover Them – Before you put anything on your page, journal it out. Spill everything in writing. Now is your chance to really let it out. Then, cover the page with a layer or two of gesso, then continue with your paint, drawing, collage, etc. Only you will know what is underneath.
2. Hide Them In Plain Sight – Tear the written secrets up and use the tiny pieces in a collage. You can even keep several different secrets ripped up, mixed together, and stored in a container to use for collage fodder. When it comes time to collage, make sure that no single piece of paper has enough of your secret written on it to clue anyone in.
3. Disguise Them – Instead of writing your secrets down, draw and/or paint them as a metaphor. Use a tree to symbolize yourself. Or a bird. Or the sun. Whatever appeals to you. Tell your story in living color (or even black and white). Nobody has to know what the true meaning is. It’s YOUR journal. You never have to explain yourself in your journal.
Journaling is supposed to be personal. It’s supposed to be meaningful, but only for you. You are not required to share it with anyone, but if you do, feel comfortable doing so by keeping your secrets secret.
I like to have a travel kit stocked with a few essential art supplies that I can take with me anywhere. Whether it’s a session of people-watching at the coffee shop or just getting comfortable on my couch (outside my studio), I want to have the essentials so that I can settle in for a comfortable art session. Everyone has their preferences, these are mine. Your choices are up to you, but you should decide exactly what type of art you want to make on the go; that will determine what supplies you need.
Since I primarily keep an artist journal when I’m not in front of my easel, my supplies are geared toward working in an art journal. This means I carry:
Pencils/erasers
Watercolor pencils (Derwent Inktense and Graphitint sets)
Micron black pens in various sizes
Colored gel pens, including black and white
Moleskine Sketchbook (5″x7″)
Strathmore Visual Journal (5″x7″)
Ruled 5″x7″ notebook
Scissors
Adhesive dot roller
Water pens
Ruler
Ziploc baggie (for picking up ephemera along the way)
This selection gives me plenty of color and inspiration but doesn’t burden me with bulky tubes of paint or heavy equipment.
I actually found my ideal tote in the cosmetics department. A travel cosmetic case is perfect, especially since they are made of materials that resist dirt, stains and moisture, they are large enough for decent-sized journals, they have lots of great compartments and they even have handy elastic loops for brushes and other tools. I’ve tried a few different kinds of “art totes” and this unassuming little bag has been my favorite so far.
This cosmetics case, by Basics™, has two zipper compartments. In the main compartment I can fit three journals (A 5″x7″ Moleskine, a 5″x7″ Strathmore Visual Journal and a regular notebook for writing). I can also fit my generous pencil case in there with room to spare.
In the outer zipper compartment, there are lots of tool loops as well as a mesh zippered compartment for odd-shaped things that don’t fit in the loops. The case is compact enough to travel with and made of nylon to resist stains.
I think the most important thing is to take only those supplies I absolutely love and use. I don’t need extra weight clogging my creative flow.
What’s in your travel art kit?
Featuring President Barack Obama’s long form birth certificate. Mixed Media collage on canvas board.
