Sunday, August 19, 2018

No journal, no sketchbook

I don't do journaling and I don't keep a sketchbook, but I've had that lovely blank book from ZenAgain in November 2016 sitting on my shelf for over a year and a half! 
I had started something on the first page and hated it. It wasn't an opportunity; it was just awful. I stuck the book back on the shelf.
Sometime later I had an idea. I sliced the page out, leaving a couple of centimeters. Then I cut a piece of pale green 'vellum' paper to fit, gave it a fancy edge, and taped it in with washi tape on both sides. Nice! I still haven't dared do anything on it or the page behind.
Finally, in June, I drew on the cover and added some metal leaf. I like it.
Then I attempted one page inside and didn't ruin everything. It's a significant piece of black and white wrapping paper given to me by a friend. I wanted to do something special with it, but it wasn't art-on-the-wall worthy, so... journal! I added all the small tangling including the white Tridots. I like this, too. I’m on a roll!
I was beginning to feel confident!
On another page I began with some circles and washes using three Koi coloring brush pens. I love how they work and I hate that they're not lightfast. But this a book and they'll rarely see the light of day. Then I used a circle template and did the large, evenly-spaced circles to work with. 
So, it seems I have the beginnings of an art journal. More on this later, no doubt.

11 comments:

  1. You go girl. You will be so pleased with the results. It is always fun to go back through journals a few months/years later. I always think "what was I thinking". Still it is fun. Your talent will bring this journal to a beautiful end.

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    1. Thanks Lisa. I think this may be an on-going project for some time!

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  2. Margaret, A sheet of Vellum would be nice to replace the page you cut out. And it would add a different element to the drawing on the following page. I like your ideal and may have to try this in my journal. Love your artwork!
    Terri CZT16

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  3. These are great. I love sketchbooks - but never start on the 1st or even the 2nd page! By page 3 whatever you draw is not going to annoy you everytime you open it.

    Have fun. Val

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    1. Val, that's a brilliant idea. If I finish this book and start another, I'll start a few pages in!

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  4. Well done on your first steps into an unfamiliar realm. Those circles are particular mesmerizing! I'm very surprised you don't use a sketchbook - do you practice tangles or ideas before you commit them to tile - or just dive in?

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    1. Generally when I do basic, classic, black-and-white zentangle tiles, they are my "practice" efforts. When I'm doing capital-A Artwork I just dive in and assume there are no mistakes, just opportunities.

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    2. Thanks for sharing that Margaret. Makes me even more wowed by your results!

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  5. I'm glad you offered a link to this post from your most current one - I had missed it! Oh I have so many blank books/journals just waiting for play! My concerns about 1. what to do - choose a theme? choose a medium? purely Zentangle? collage? - and 2. what if I screw it up? It's permanently in my book! ... have been allayed by your post!! THANK YOU!!! :)

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  6. Wow. Just started looking at your journal. It’s so inspiring. I have done forbidden journals from a friend , I’ve been to scared to use. I think I’ll do something in them now.

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    1. Thanks Mom! :D Happy to inspire! I've recently learned about a few different kinds of journalling, but haven't heard of forbidden journals. Can you enlighten me?
      Don't start on the first page. Start on the third or fourth or fifth. It won't feel so much like it Has To Be GOOD.

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