Wednesday, January 20, 2010

art journal



As the past 6 weeks unfolded, I kept thinking that I should make an art journal to help me think through and process all of that hullabaloo. I started this one last week and I love it.

The base of the journal is a mini scrapbook my sister gave me for my birthday. The pages are made of chipboard and I covered each page with ripped up dictionary pages that I coated with Modge Podge to seal it. Ripping up the dictionary pages felt great! Nothing like a little creative destruction!





Then I went through my scrapbooking supplies and pulled out a few things that I thought worked well together and that I could use as repeating elements to give the whole little album a cohesive feel. Because, when you are processing hard, emotional content, it's important that things look nice and coordinate. ;) Actually, that stuff does end up being important to me. I want to like what I am working on and I want to like looking back at it.



And this is what I've got so far. After I made the base for each page I painted white and pink splotches here and there. I thought that I would write directly on the splotches with a Sharpie, but I didn't end up liking the way that was working. So, the splotches are now just nicely decorative.






I am about half way done, so you might see more of this at some point. But not a bad start, right?

7 comments:

Maria Ontiveros said...

It's terrific! I've been wanting to do more art journaling that has a diary/journal feel to it than a sketchbook/samples feel to it. I think that starting with something other than a blank canvas would be really helpful in that regard. Thanks for the inspiration.
Rinda

debs14 said...

This almost made me want to cry, and I hope that by opening up on these pages, you are continuing the healing process. The medical problems you had must have left you tired, confused and emotional and to have to deal with major changes with Andrew too must have taken every last ounce of strength. It seems like you have to hit rock bottom sometimes in order to move upwards and it seems like you have now turned that corner and I hope that 2010 is so very much better than the end of 2009 was.

scrappyjacky said...

This is just wonderful....I love the fact that it's so much more than just an art journal.....that it's all about feeling as well.
Your photos of how you made it are so helpful as well.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh, Robyn, I love this! I'm so inspired...wish I could drop everything and make one of these myself. I really like the torn pages you used as a base. Great idea!!!

Tara Whalen said...

I love the black sharpie edging on each page. This is great. Glad it came in handy for you ;)

Kirsten said...

What a lovely inspiration for such important memories and questions. I wonder how it will feel to read this in 5 or 10 years!

JIW said...

wow, Robyn, this is just wonderful. What a good way to be creative and reflect on the last month or so. I, too, hope that 2010 brings more wonderful than anything else!