Friday 13 April 2012

LIVING SIMPLY

I'm really pleased with how this turned out - not sure if you can see how the metallic lines shimmer so you'll just have to take it from me that they do. I did them with my new metallic Promarkers ... which are delicious!

Anyway, as usual I've taken stage pictures and you can see below how the page looked when I had rubbed on the Caran d'Ache crayons - I rub them at an angle to the page, sort of sideways, rather than using the point as this covers a bigger area quickly.
The photo below shows the difference when I have added water to the left hand side of the page and you can see how intense some of the deeper colours become.
And then this is the whole page once brushed with water, and some shading added to deepen some areas. I often make pages with these swirling bands of colour - for a start it tends to encourage me away from writing in straight lines!
And here it is when I've done a bit of work on it - there was quite a gap between finishing the background above and knowing what I wanted to say. Often I finish a page all in a few hours, but not this one. Just realised that the writing is pretty much in straight lines AGAIN, although later I did do some more journalling sideways on - can you tell it doesn't come naturally? I'm just one of life's straightists.
I picked out this face to add because it is so serene - it has the kind of calm peacefulness I aspire to, even if I don't often achieve it. I do try to tell myself that there's no point in kicking against the way things are - and perhaps even turn it into a positive. Am still working on that one and will let you know .... The lady in the bottle is there to express the feeling I sometimes have of being trapped behind glass (eg these 4 walls) and I try to remember that with modern technology the world can come to me even when I can't manage going out.
Here is the finished page and you can probably tell how much fun I had doodling away on it - kept me quiet and happy for hours! A lot of the wavy lines I drew were done with metallic Promarkers, which have given a lovely glimmer to the page. The smaller white dots were done with my Uniball Signo pen, and larger ones with my Posca paint marker.

Its surprising how much of a blessing not just having to but choosing to live simply can be - my day to day existence isn't complicated or difficult, many decisions are out of my hands, there is a straightforward set of "rules" I need to live by, and I don't need lots of money because art journalling doesn't require much in the way of materials. I try to keep those things in the front of my head, but of course I kick against it sometimes. Like when I see courses advertised that I can't afford to go on, but then realistically I probably wouldn't have had the energy anyhow, so no point in regrets anyway!

What I am thinking of doing next is offering AJ courses here at home (Preston UK) - I have a lovely studio with a big table but would only take 2/3 people at a time so attendees would get lots of personal tuition. I've taught a few classes already and LOVED it, and of course I've been teaching card-making and scrapbooking for years. If you might be interested just let me know ...

7 comments:

Ali said...

I love your page and I think your art journalling classes would be a huge success - you always make such beautiful, thoughtful pages and have such an inspiring outlook on life.

I'd certainly consider taking a trip across the M62 one day, though it would more than likely have to be a weekend when DH could have the kiddies! :lol:

Ali

Madeleine said...

I really love your page, it's so beautiful!Great doodles & lovely colors ( I.m a fan of 'blues')

Deb Fortin said...

I am sending a link to your blog to my best friend who is living with chronic cancer. She loves to craft but feels she has little talent. I think your art journal pages are phenomenal, and will show her how to put her thoughts and dreams to paper.
thanks for sharing your pages.

ireneinhetatelier said...

I think this is a very good idea: 2 or 3 people in a workshop would mean you can give them a lot of attention and help. Plus this would be something you would be able to do. So sorry I can't drop down - living in Holland. I can dream about it though! In the meantime I keep looking at your wonderful pages and learn from what you tell about them.

roc said...

sounds like you have a wonderful idea to have classes in your home rosie! i hope that works out for you. i think you would have a lot to offer!

Maureen said...

Just stumbled upon your blog, and I must say, your work blows me away! I adore your journals... what a wonderful style you have. Your ATCs are incredible; I have just started to create some and I have a long way to go to find my own style... but am learning as I go.

Adding you to my blogroll now so I don't miss a thing from now on.

SeasideKaren said...

Rosie,
I've admired your work for so long, and often think "I wish she could teach me to journal like that!"
So, yes please, I would LOVE to come to a journal class. Please let me know the dates when you've worked something out...I work in a school, so can do weekends and school holidays.
Ooh I am looking forward to meeting you!