Saturday 31 July 2010

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT ...

... OK I'm completely HOOKED on this art journal thing! Why didn't I discover it before, where has it been all this time?? Waiting for me of course, I've finally found the one thing I really REALLY want to do (well apart from sewing, scrapbooking, making ATCs and writing obviously). This is my latest page - and if you've read previous posts you may know that I'm in kind of a rough patch lately: I'm not usually this negative, honest! But making this page helped a lot - I hated it at first but it sort of grew on me as I went along. It feels finished and I'm trying to resist the temptation to fill in the empty spaces just because I can ... well because there are empty spaces in me too right now. I need to explore other ways of making backgrounds because the Distress Ink ones are feeling a bit samey, but my experiment with paint didn't please me at all. Think I need some of those water soluble pastels or whatever they're called? Somebody please tell me what they are called so I can google them and buy some??

So many people advised me to try A4, and I was a little frustrated with the 6 x 4" that I'd been doing, so this is the second of my A4 pages and I do love the freedom of it. I also made myself my first ever journal - only simple, some covers made from recycled odds and ends, and book rings hold it together for now. Eventually it will be spiral bound, but not until I decide its "full".

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I am LOVING this page!!! It is great! Google Caran D'Ache watercolor crayons. That may be what you are looking for. I use those alot in my journals.
I also think we all go through "funks"...where things just don't seem to go the way you want them...or, there is absolutely nothing in you at all to create...just keep going. You are off to a great start here...
You are right....we seem to have a whole lot in common. I am a quilter, scrapbooker, stamper, all kinds of things, and when I found art journaling, well, I found my home. My safe haven, where there are really no mistakes...just freedom to create. I would love to see your page with your experiment with paint. I have also found that we are way more harsh on ourselves...and the work is quite beautiful in spite of what we think....its a journey...keep going, you journal page is awesome!!

Jacqueline said...

Know what you mean Rosie - feeling pretty fed up myself. I need someone with a shoulder to cry on -or maybe I should start my own journal - it seems to be helping you through the tough times. Take care - Jacqueline xx

Julia Dunnit said...

I'm finally here for WOYWW and so thought I'd leave my comment here as I got to see two posts for one click! Loved seeing the pull back photo of your room - and under the circs am glad tha tit is all your space. You're right about journalling - it was waiting for you to find it and I wonder, when you've worked your way over this 'life hump', how pricelss a recording of the changes it will become to you. Meanwhile, it is beautiful art, and no doubt a great way to express yourself.

Unknown said...

I think this is lovely, even if the sentiment driving it isn't. (I hope you are feeling better today). You have tempted me to start. I have followed you over from UKS so I'm back there now to find out if anyone has left you some links.

ally said...

hi, found you via uks, your page is beautiful. I love my art journal but i am never brave enough to share.

Muckypup said...

Where to start!? Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment - it's nice to know that someone likes to look! I LOVE your journal pages - they are bright, vibrant and funky - even if you don't always feel that way. The Caran d'ache crayons are called Neocolour II and they are lush - just don't give up on the paint yet - it's still my fave. I don't know why you didn't get on with it, but I find it's much easier for journalling because you can write over it better than most things...

Kaz said...

Rosie I know exactly where you're coming from with the ziggy zaggy words - I feel the same about the mankyness of ME xx

Linda Vincent said...

You really have got this off to a fine art Rosie...and you're doing it for all the right reasons (and it seems to be working for you).
Great stuff my friend :-)
**Hugs**

Cath Wilson said...

Love this page - it's great. You're really inspiring me cos I'm new to this journalling lark. Will have to follow to see where you go from here...

thekathrynwheel said...

I hope you are feeling a bit better ..... however, your journal page is fab :-)
Not sure why you didn't get on with paints - they're my fave. Hmmm, maybe you haven't got the right paints - some are definitely better than others, and they're not all chalky!
Love your journaling ...