It has taken me about ten days to complete this page - generally I do one in two days at the most, but having one or two other things on my mind has meant I haven't have much time just to "play".
I rarely do anything fancy in terms of background because I know that I will be covering it up - and the picture below shows just how simple it is! Just acrylic paint - the ordinary kind you can buy at hobby stores. In this case I didn't even bother to go right to the edges of the page, because I wanted to do a collaged border.
So because I tend to stay in one colour range I then dragged out my drawer of orange/yellow/ gold/brown elements. Its a very simple technique to create a border in this way and to be honest right now I can't really manage anything more complicated. I don't worry about my collage pieces being the same width, because a varied edge gives it more interest.
You may notice below that I've added a shadow and a black line around the inner edge - I hope you agree that this makes a substantial difference to how the page looks? I found this Modigliani lady among my images, and thought she looked kind of reflective, or wistful even, as if she might be looking back - and that's why the writing tells her/me not to!
The rest of the page was added here and there, as I had a few minutes to spare, and is of course (as always) a message to myself. We're in a new place and have left all but a few special friends behind, so life can feel a bit lonely and isolated at times. When I get to feeling that way I remind myself not to look back, but to look ahead to a time when we've made new friends and become better established in the area - we HAVE only been here one month!
Still there's no doubt that life feels a bit quiet and our social life is distinctly limited for now. Maybe that's why I feel disappointed that while almost a thousand people have been by in the past week, only ONE person opted to leave a comment. Now I am NOT a comments junkie, and that's not why I keep this blog up faithfully, but right now it would be nice to know that you're out there and that I'm not just talking to myself - so say hi if you have time and tell me whether the blog helps you. It would be so nice to know its making a difference to someone.
17 comments:
Hi Rosie
I am so sorry not to have left a comment sooner . . . my only excuse is that my own difficult times made me reluctant to get involved in anyone else's.
Anyway I have got here and yes your blog is helpful . I think mainly the words are helpful cos my type of art is so different from yours, but the little comment about the uneven edge being more interesting this time is something I will remember
I love the way the words just come into your head and flow out onto the page along with the visual stuff.
Are you able to tell us which part of the country you are in now? Did your husband have to change hospitals?
I do hope the next months pass kind of quickly for you to feel more part of your new place. Going away and coming back to the new home also helps.
lovefromjuliet
I love your blog it always inspires with the way you journal.
While it's not he same, we've become snow birds leaving NY for FL for 5 months.... meeting new people isn't easy but it will come in time. Your pages inspire me because of the way you use color... Thanks for continuing to post, so many blogs have disappeared so I cherish the ones that remain. Emie
Rosie, I've never left a comment because (very lame reason) I read it in my blog reader and it's complicated to get to the comments. But I read every post, and find a huge amount of inspiration in your work. I've just moved recently too, and still learning how to be a widow too. I'm not looking back! Mareena
Awww... sweety i daresay its just the time of year... everyone is busy with the Holidays... But i'am guilty.. I always come by and view your artwork but i do not always take the time to comment. We too are in a new place... We've been here months and have met a few people...but sadly no one we'd like to invite into our lives... Oh well. If nothing else hubby and i are an island, we sustain each other.... life goes on. I love how you start with simple backgrounds and then build up. You get my creative juices flowing. :) Still working on the house... everything still packed away in boxes including my craft stuff.... uuughh... Hugs! deb
Hi, here i am, walking by ever since a few weeks and i am always inspired bij what you show me. I am not a commenter, but i really enjoy your blog, and this message is to let you know that, and to encourage you. New friends and adventures are waiting for you!
Hi Rosie, hope you and himself are both reasonably well. This is a difficult time of year for making new connections, I guess. Are you with family for Christmas?
Love and prayers for you both, Barbara x
I'm HERE! I'm HERE!! I don't always comment either but I DO stalk your blog!! (Wrong term, I guess) Believe me, it's NOT easy to make friends but your artwork SPEAKS for you!! Maybe tuck some HM Christmas cards in neighbors' doors OR present them in person?? I can NOT get in the Christmas spirit this yr but making my HM or painted cards puts me in the spirit. NOW I need to bake some HM goodies for friends & the MAILMAN!! We have the BEST mailman in IL. He's a jewel.
I'll be thinking of you during this Christmas holiday & New Year!!
TFS
Grandma Nancy in central IL
I found your blog not long ago and enjoy reading it. Love the shading at the border, it seems to float above the page! I tried it on the spread in my altered book yesterday and it worked great! The spread is not my blog yet, but if I share it I will of course link to this post to give you credit for the inspiration.
I love looking and reading your blog. I think it is the only one I follow. I hope you don't mind, but I have tried copying some of your pages and have been delighted with the results. I send up prayers for you every now and again too. Hang in there and keep being arety. Thanks Claire
I am a little late in arriving, Rosie, but so pleased to see that others have become visible and connected up with you. Your lovely page has inspired me today - the message is one I really need to hold on to. So thank-you!
Hello Rosie,
I was looking through past heART Journal magazines & I saw your article & came here. I like how you write, how it connects with the colors & images you use & how you connect with God. I wish you and your husband a blessed Christmas. I hope all goes well for you both with his cancer treatments. Thank you for inspiring me with your art.
Ellen in VA, USA
Dear Rosie
I hope you will find a certain peace and joy this Christmas Day
lots of lovefromjuliet
Hi Rosie, I've only just read your blog post and I must tell you that I love everything about your artwork and I do comment when I can. I do hope things get easier for you and your husband. Best wishes Deb.xx
Your work is always so inspiring, and I love visiting your blog.
I just found you today on Pinterest and I really like your work! Thanks for showing how you make your pages - seeing how you did them will likely help me when I get back to art journaling (I hope!). I've bookmarked your blog and will be back soon! I hope you and your family had a nice Christmas and that next year is good to you!!
I just found you today on Pinterest and I really like your work! Thanks for showing how you make your pages - seeing how you did them will likely help me when I get back to art journaling (I hope!). I've bookmarked your blog and will be back soon! I hope you and your family had a nice Christmas and that next year is good to you!!
Post a Comment