Faith Journal

This is a cheap watercolor pad I am turning into a journal. It was five dollars at Spotlight and seemed a good deal. 

Nice thick paper- (bluish tinge to it- which doesn't matter, if like me you are going to paint over it. It is sturdy although the top layer of the paper is a bit sensitive to water..hmm not really doing what it was designed for..but still ok. I am a bit rough. And as you see it has survived remarkably well under the pressure of repeated dye, ink and paint.

So for its price I would recommend it. It can be altered successfully. You do need to glue or tape the insides a bit. I am attempting to introduce a little more collage as I always draw. I have decided I needed to learn alternative methods of expression as not everyone is comfortable with drawing. 

This journal was sparked off by a group on 6degrees of Creativity,  'Mindful Studio practice.' By Hannah Klaus Hunter.

Creating a Mindful Studio Practice                             

Instructor: Hannah Klaus Hunter

Many of us long for regular studio time...but find our lives too frantic to create it. Words like compassion, kindness, gratitude and awe can sound theoretical at best. This workshop will focus on creating a daily art-making practice.

Through a combination of themes and prompts, we’ll embark on a 21-day commitment, cultivate a feeling of positive and playful engagement and create an art-making practice within the safe community of 6 Degrees of Creativity.

Website:http://hannahklaushunterarts.com

I have used it to pay attention and create each day to encourage a healthy habit. So far its working. 

I tend to journal in bursts. This practice has made me more consistent. 

I hold it in my head in a good way and am starting to pay more attention. It is having a spin off benefit as I am also reading more too in order to have something to bring to the page. 

It is a mixture of deliberation and intuition. I usually just ride the sub-conscious approach and do what the page tells me. So sticking to a theme is interesting and a challenge. 

I am beginning to see that faith runs through everything, which I knew but forgot. Does that make sense?.. its all starting to feel natural. 

All through doing this journal ( the 21 days Hannah talks about) and then writing about it..I am always amazed at what comes out of application. Julia Cameron would approve.

More in a few days.....

Collage ideas from Kelly Kilmer

I havnt been very active on my blog lately and sometimes other people say it so much better. Kelly writes and communicates well. She has some great ideas for a different way on working that are very accessible.She has posted some simple information on working with a collage stash and links to how to start collecting and a description of her extensive journal bag:-)

Extract from Kelly's blog  
 http://kellykilmer.blogspot.co.nz

Thoughts on Collage Work




I've often said that I don't just randomly glue stuff down solely for the sake of covering a page. I've been doing this long enough to have amassed a decent size collection of ephemera and stuff that's relevant to the way that I work. In other words, I know what colors, images, symbols, patterns, etc... that I am drawn to.

Usually I tell my students to start by collecting a small pile of background papers and a few focal images that appeal to them and to place in their pile whatever catches their eye. From that selection, you can start to create a page.

When I go to create a page, I don't worry that every piece of paper has a meaning. I've already established the importance of the paper (to me) by placing it in my stash and sorting it aside for using NOW. It's something that happens without me even being conscious of it.

As I start to select my papers to use to create a page, I tend not to worry about anything other thanchoosing what I like to reflect my current mood and what I might want the page to say. In other words, I start by picking what I like from my now stash..."

http://kellykilmer.blogspot.co.nz/2012/09/thoughts-on-collage-work.html?

Check out this link and read on..click on her how and what to collect links and her Journal bag Contents. Pretty awesome stash of tools

My first love is paint and drawing. Putting down a painted background and working into it with water colour crayons (carrran d'ache). So a foray into collage could be fun I think. I havnt been using too many words either and I think they can grow a piece. My pens are not the best for writing over paint. So I am thinking I may glue some paper down or leave some blank to write on..wee bubbles of air to capture my words. Looking forward to some play.