Saturday, August 7, 2010

Welcomes! and A Peek At My *Doodle~Time*

First things first; we have a few new followers at El Milagro and I would like to extend big and hearty WELCOMES to them! You never know what will be found on these pages; it is about as mixed up a media as you can possibly get! LOL!
Second, I have to thank Roberta at rcs creations~just a girl and her art for the inspiration to start this project. The link above takes you to the page of her journal project.
I had never started an art journal for many reasons...one being I really do not sketch, two being everyone else is doing them (which means I have to dance to the different drummer), three was I had seen so many that looked alike I was utterly discouraged with the thought of it. Roberta's project changed my mind. And that's not easy!
Well, we e-mailed about it, and I thought, hmmmm, I should be able to paste papers into a book, just to clear my head and also use some of the POUNDS of scrapbook paper I have acquired. (dirty little secret.....I love the stuff! I love all paper; that's the problem!)

But when I sat to start, I just stared at that blank journal page and nothing at all happened.
For several days.
Finally one evening, in a fit of pique (or just a good old FIT!) I took a couple of drawers of paper junk, slapped it on the floor, started cutting and tearing and somehow, out of some dark recesses of this thing I call a mind, I made the piece above.
I have called it "Creation" due to the fact that with the Hebrew writing, I was immediately struck by the text in Genesis about the creation of the world and the seperation of light from dark. And that was how I felt getting it done; I had created something and stepped from the shadows back into the light. Click on it to enlarge it to see a bit more detail.
This is not "ART". This is *art*. No pretense, no planning, just letting the creative mind wander and see what it comes up with.

What I used in this:
♦ glue sticks
♦ prismacolor pencils
♦ permanent markers
♦ gel pens
♦ assorted papers (save everything!)
♦ a foil candy wrapper that looks like a coin
♦ a die that cuts the rounded corners like the journal pages

The beautiful thing about a small project like this is there are no rules. You can use tidbits, you can plan if you really feel you need to---I don't. You can experiment with color combinations you like--or ones you normally don't like. You have no obligation to fill the book, though once you start, there is a delight at a page being done and then those scraps for another.....and another.....and another!
If you are in a state of creative block, this is a good, relaxing, nonthreatening way to get the artist skills awake and moving. It let's you attain *the zone* without a lot of effort. It really is a meditative process.
And, it is FUN.
Just plain fun.
So why not give it a try? I dare ya! Go ahead.
HAVE FUN. (and let me know if you do!)

Pax....

33 comments:

yoborobo said...

That list of supplies is my favorite! :) It is so nice to get the time to do something different now and then. I have never done an art journal either. Yours looks awesome! xox!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

It's really a fun thing Pam, and all you need is a little cardboard box to tote the supplies in. Then grab it and run away from everyone! LOL!!!
I have had one page I've worked on for days....I wasn't sure where it was going and while on the phone I started working (not THINKING!) and it has developed close to being done.
Some are simple and some are more elaborate---read that ANAL. ;D
You should try it....

XXOO!!
Anne

Victoria said...

Super-Gorgeous piece..and such a magical energy pulsing to it..and movement..a sense of dance.....I feel pulled into the orbs within the piece....love that!!
...the perfect title...brilliant!
yay..i feel energized..and also aligned in the dance of creation..thankyou!
Kiki~

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Kiki!

One of those *orbs* is the door on a front loading washer! LOL!!! That's why these are fun---taking something and putting it totally into another context.
I guess I like what I can do with a piece of paper that makes it another item visually..... :)

XXOO!!
Anne

studio lolo said...

I always get stuck when I think about starting a journal. And I so agree about many of them looking the same!! If I see one more pointed hat or angels with long necks I'll keel over!

This inspires me. The same way Soul Collages inspire me. Thanks!!
I love this!

Lolo♥

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!!! Hey Lolo,

I guess I have my quirks about everything looking like it came from a magazine. I just want to try and find something I can go back through in a year and say, hey, it's okay.
I am not sure how this will progress. I never could keep a diary and it is nothing short of amazing that I have blogged as long as I have......
So we will see what happens!

XXOO!!
Anne

Karen S said...

Very cool -- sometimes that blank page is so intimidating -- whether writing or drawing -- just doing a little visual brainstorming is just the ticket to get things moving.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

You said it...I don't know why, after all these years, I still have the *blank-page-issues* but I do!
That was why I just started ripping papers and off we went!
Can't go wrong with that---it isn't SUPPOSED to be anything, and if it turns INTO SOMETHING, well, it's a perk! :)

XXOO!!
Anne

Georgina said...

Is that a triple dog-dare??? I used to journal, but I never sketched or painted in them...I just wrote. I'm wondering if I can write, draw, paint, add paper, etc., within the same page. I can be so linear sometimes and having all of that colour and script on the same page may drive me a bit crazy, not that I'm not already there, but more!!!

Well, keep us updated on how it's coming along and I just might be enticed to join you on that journaling path...or not!! LOL

Love ya,
G

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Georgina, it's just a way to empty the brain! Not that mine is not emptied already.....LOL!!!
Just relax---you don't need words. I don't think I have written yet on one page....can't remember though! ha!

XXOO!!
Anne

Linda and Michelle said...

I have always thought the same way as you concerning journals. For me the blog is my journal - it can stay an empty page or I can just delete! But I do love what you have done, and once again you inspire me! But here's my problem......I don't have nearly enough supplies......what will I do.........hmmmmm....

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Linda, you're making me laugh!!!
You just need MORE SUPPLIES!!! :D
Seriously, I bet you have most of what you would need to do one of these. I use labels from food ans, box labels, old papers from books--you can do them without the scrapbooking papers. It's just I had such a PILE that I was getting a very slight guilt moment....VERY SLIGHT!
Give it a try, see what happens.

XXOO!!
Anne

Jan said...

I'm not surprised that you are good at this too. It is wonderful that you found some time to play for a change, it seems as though you have not been able to do much playing lately. It is a good release to do these kind of projects. Plus it gives us an excuse to keep saving all those bits and interesting bobs. Today on my walk I walked through the dried up creek bed. The water stayed so long this year that a lot of slimy moss had grown in the water but now is all dried up and hanging on the brush. I picked a piece of it up, it feels like paper or almost cloth. Of course I had to take a few pieces home, a germ of an idea is forming on how to use this. In fact, I gotta go..........

Victoria said...

Hi, glad i stopped back in to read your comment!

oooh..super fabulous! and oh my..who knew i was traveling inside the depths of a washing machine portal..love it!! how surreal and cool!

yes it is amazing how the context of something changes..translating it into magic and beauty..you rock! shine on!
Happy Creating
kiki~

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan,

Yes, this is my *stuck on the phone* or *too tired to think* work. I can listen and tear paper, stretch out on the floor for the back and use colored pencils......
Your find today sounds completely and utterly intriguing! I can't wait to see what you do with it!

XXOO!!
Anne

S said...

How fun, Anne. I purchased some blank ATC's yesterday (using a coupon of course) and plan on giving a shot at those. :)

Happy weekend!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Sophia,

I love doing ATCs---I have a little box for them that I can grab and run!
They are delightful little works!
Have a good weekend... :)

XXOO!!
Anne

GlorV1 said...

Hi Anne. I think it's great. You did wonderful work for not having done this in a while. I just started doodling too in my journal. Keeping an art journal goes way back. Frida kept a beautiful art journal. It was her communication of lonliness. I'm learning about art journaling and you know something Anne, I am just loving it. I want to find the moleskin pages and see what they feel like when painting on them. Very good work and I look forward to seeing more of your journaling. Have a great weekend.

Unknown said...

Just started a watercolor journal this week. Had to get the right kind of paper for watercolor. I have just been streaking it on, adding salt and letting it spiz, etc. I love this one you just did. I started some vitamins last week and I swear I feel better already. LOL
QMM

di from di-did-it said...

good for you for having an open mind and giving this a go... I'm so glad you had fun once the flow started. art without rules is the only way to go :)

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Gloria,

I have the book of Fridas journals and they are so different (in some ways) from her paintings and in others, so like her. It is a fabulous book, both visually as a book enthusiast and as an artist and fan of Frida.

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi QMM!

Yes, for watercolor, you definitely need paper that will support the medium. It is a good way to get the feel of the paint and also to experiment; just keep notes on what you've done so that later you can use it as a referrence guide!
Go for it!

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hi Di!

Yeah, you know lately, I have felt so bound in by all the *have-tos* that doing the pages are a delight. Do I take too long?
Yepper.
I pick and putter and then suddenly it's done. I have no pace, no time limit---just seeing what diverse things will work together in something that pleases me.
That's it!

XXOO!!
Anne

Silke Powers said...

Gosh! There I go missing from blog land for a day and now just marvel at what I missed. This is so much fun, Anne! Don't you just love those projects where you put your mind aside and let creativity take over? Very, very beautiful!! Love, Silke

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Silke, You know me well enough to know that I love any project I can put my mind aside on! LOL!!!!
Sometimes I think we need those to get the creative sap flowing again.
I have sap, but it's all stuck at the moment! :D

TSUP!
XXOO!!
Anne

Deborah said...

Oh you have inspired me to finish an art photo/journal I started of Alice long ago. This is so pretty. Me like. **kisskiss** Deb

Susan Sager Brown said...

Love your page Anne. Really good stuff. I too am a hoarder of paper, I love all of it, even the junk ! I am also néw to art journaling and find it a wonderful place to purge both my feelings and try out new techniques. I often combine my journalling activity with beer drinking. Teehee. You have inspired me to try some new flavors......and I will gladly alibi u for the whole beer truck debacle....xoS

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Deb,

You should...I bet you would have a lot of fun with it now! Sometimes projects just have to *brew*.....

XXOO!!
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

FINALLY!!!!
Someone to say I did NOT wreck the beer truck! LOL!♥♥♥
Hey Susan, it is funny how attached artists are to papers. I cannot explain it nor do I want to know why. I see pieces of junk, and I see a use in art. It is so odd how we are attuned to collection of *stuff*.
I will be anxious to see the comments on some of the other pages...some are silly, some abstract......parakeets, definitely in them! LOL!!!

XXOO!!
Anne

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I finally have an art journal (sort of). It's so hard for me to get my head around actually defacing a book, even though it's what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing!! I was brought up that you never, ever, never wrote in a book now did you dare to think of turning a page down. Yikes...I was sure the paper gods would come from somewhere and do me bodily damage. A lot like being told that swallowing gum would turn me inside out. Yep, I had a traumatic childhood!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

LOL!!! M.A. it took me a long time to rip into a book. I had to make sure it was an OLD one that had pages missing and was well past it's prime.
Then I learned how much I loved paper. I think from all those years of reverence for books, it makes you appreciate the text even more.
An odd thing, but true....
And did you turn inside out??? Just askin'..... ;)

XXOO!!
Anne

sandy said...

That's a gorgeous image, ..beautiful.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Sandy!

I need to get another one posted....maybe today. They are all so different! :)

XXOO!!
Anne

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