introducing journal the fourth

 

I've been experimenting with watercolors lately and trying to make more time for painting every day. I don't have any end result in mind, just to practice with a new medium and build some skills with my brushes. I even made a new journal just for watercolor experiments, and I'm loving every minute we spend together. There's something natural and appealing to me about working in a book versus loose pages. It feels more like a record of my progress. And I've already started turning some of my experiments into daily journal pages.

 

I've had the bare bones of this journal for a while (watercolor paper, 4 signatures, recycled book cover) but couldn't decide on how I wanted to bind it all together. I finally decided on a simple sewn binding technique I learned from this book and added my painted papers as colorful signature wraps. I love how they peek through the spine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is interesting to me how certain motifs and images will pop up and repeat themselves in an artist's work. Right now I find myself obsessed with little 5-petal flowers and cadmium red and gold dots. I used to try to suppress these urges to repeat certain design elements thinking, 'Ok, I've done that now let's move on'. But I've come to see the value, even the necessity, of letting these little obsessions play themselves out, to do what they showed up to do, and without overthinking it. Eventually, their purpose will make sense or it won't, but it's all part of the learning and self-discovery process.

Speaking of self-discovery, there's nothing like pure, childlike wonder to get your mind working and those creative juices flowing. In case your holiday season needs just a little less rush and a little more wonder, go get yourself something yummy to drink, settle in for a few uninterrupted minutes and wonder at this amazing video. You can thank me later.

Comments

[Darlene]

I love the little flowers. :) So cute and pretty.

[Sharon MLS]

Lovely! Nice little details.

[Darlene]

Oh...and I was thinking about it. Watercolors are easier to write on top of as well.

[dawn]

i LOVE your flowers. i was thinking how fun and cute they are as i was scrolling through the photos. you have quite a good hand at watercolors already. lovely.

[Kim Mailhot]

luscious...the pinkish ones look like cherry blossoms in the spring. Thank you for the beautiful eye candy and the inspiration...

[Misty Kirkland]

I always enjoy the pictures, like taking mini vacations of Colorado. We hope you guys will get to come in eventually.Joey made some rum balls for you before we found out you weren't coming in.Just as well b/c they were so potent that you couldnt have passed a breathalizer-lol. He'll make them again for you though, we'll just keep eating them until you do...Love you guys!

[debbiejl]

I love your journal! I am curious as to what you used for the tapes? Thanks for sharing!

[pilar]

Your journals and art are always so inspiring! I look forward to see the evolution of your watercolor work. Wishing you and yours a very happy and blessed New Year!