Wednesday 13 July 2011

I'M SO PLEASED WITH THIS ONE

Well I probably shouldn't say that (blowing one's own trumpet being generally frowned upon) but I AM pleased with this - which turned out exactly as I wanted it to. Can't say that very often!! A couple of weeks ago I wrote this "psalm" and wanted to include it in my current journal. I knew that (unusually for me) I'd need to do a double page spread, so began with this Basic Gray paper as a background. Being so focused on the motherhood of God idea, I wanted to express that visually, so began to sketch a pregnant mother ....
Then I started to give her some colour and (I hope) personality. I used my Promarkers here - I'm loving them more and more as I slowly learn how to use them to best effect, and must also say that they're wonderfully fast. Now that might not be an important attribute to everyone, but to someone with a sieve brain such as myself it means I don't forget where I was trying to go while I'm doing it!
The next stage was to write out the words and gradually add more decoration. The gold pen I used here seems to add a whole new dimension, and I used some more of that fine gold mist too but you can't see that here - it gives the figure a very slightly twinkly look.
Then it was time to start working on the other side - again by writing out the verses, and I knew I wouldn't have room for much more illustration. Focusing on the words allowed me to see how much space would be left for decoration, and once I'd drawn the leaves and flower I went back and added some of these to the left hand side to link it all together.
And this is the finished product, and as I said for once I'm very pleased with it. Some days I like what I've done, and others I don't, but then just occasionally I pull off something I didn't think I could do .... and this is one of them.
You may of course be happy with the image of God as Father, and the idea of mother might seem positively alien? Both are entirely legitimate, since God is neither male nor female, but we can find understandings of God's nature in the best of human nature and experience, whether of men or women. There is a redemptive aspect too for me in a motherly God, since my own mother was pretty deficient in that direction ....

Please tell me if you like it, or how you respond (or not). So many of you follow but so few comment, and sometimes its just nice to hear from you and remember that you're out there! I'm grateful for all feedback.

15 comments:

Aisling said...

I can understand that you're happy with how this page turned out, for it's ab-so-lu-te-ly gorgeous!

Alix said...

i like her rosie. and i like it when you're having a good day. and i like when you do stuff in pink :0)

Sarah said...

you are right to be pleased with yourself, this page is fantastic

I LOVE her hair - I would love to have that hair :)

As for whether the higher power is male or female , being a sad ol' hippy I tend to think of it being more of an energy than a being, so kind of neither. But the act of creation has always felt feminine to me.

JaneH said...

Wow, Rosie...you've really done it this time! The page is fantastic (I wish I could draw like that!) and the colours fit the page absolutely perfectly. So beautifully done!

Little Button Girl said...

Rosie, this is lovely, I agree with the other comments, you definately have reason to be happy with this1 The colours are fabulous. Lea x

Juls said...

wow wow wow!!!!! this is sooooooooooooo AMAZING!!!!! LOVE IT!!!! HUgs Juls

SeasideKaren said...

Rosie, it's a wonderful page, and the words of your Psalm are beautiful. God for me is male, but maybe that's just because that's how He was portrayed to me from a very early age, so I've never given much thought to His gender or non-genderness, if that makes sense?
Either way, it made me think, and I found the words both lovely, inspiring and reassuring so well done x

Valerie Johnson said...

Absolutely lovely in every way Rosie..you are an amazingly talented lady!

Diane said...

So beautiful--both the artwork and the words....

Muckypup said...

so you should be! Lovely!

Linda Vincent said...

Having seen them in real life I can vouch for the stunning beauty of these two pages.
The words - and the illustrations - are just wonderful Rosie.
XX

suzieq23 said...

I have been thru your site many, many times. I feel like I just have to write to you to tell you how much I love your "style" of journaling. I just took an art journaling class on line and have started my book but I am not happy with most of my pages. I keep looking for "my" style. Not only am I writing to you to compliment your phenominal art work but to ask if I may use your "style" as my inspiration. I dont want to CASE, but perhaps use some of your layouts for my words. Maybe I will find my way. Thanks so much for sharing. suzieq23

alexa said...

Lovely words and imagery, Rosie. I can think of a few psalms which this could happily and beautifully replace!

The Dolphin Inn said...

I am inspired by your pages in an artistic manner, they make me want to try new techniques and ideas, the figure is beautiful and soft and the writing is thought provoking, the whole religion thing is something I have yet to explore fully in my own mind so would not feel comfortable commenting on that side, all that said, the journalling is obviously one of the main components and the words themselves are flowing and a pleasure to read, sorry for sitting on the fence xxx

Beacee said...

Rosie, thank you for sharing this - both your words and the art that complements them so beautifully. I can so understand why you are pleased with your work. Barbara