The final week of June at A Year of Color was about inspiration and journaling. This made me slightly panicky. Picture me sitting in a classroom and the teacher calling for someone to create an art journal. It's not that I'd run from the room but more that I would sit there with my eyes down, maybe pretending to be busy on something else, hoping that I wouldn't be called on. That kind of panic. But I was called on anyway...
So, with very little time and an aversion to journaling, I created a digital collage. I don't love this collage at all. But I did it anyway and it got me thinking about a few things. Why don't I like journaling or making art journals? The answer to that question turns out to be pretty simple.
1. By nature, I'm kind of sarcastic and that doesn't mix so well with inspirational phrases. 2. I'm not all that reflective...more of a "just the facts" girl...love the graphics of symbols, numbers, and letters...just not the words. I have to ask...is this just me?
I was still thinking of this last week (maybe I am a little reflective) while walking with my ipod and heard one of the song lyrics in a whole new way. Maybe I could use that. Maybe I'll try it before the inspiration goes away. Maybe I'll still not like it. Either way, I'll share it here.
Your post is interesting because I have the very oppisite problem. I love quotes and inspirational sayings, I often ponder and reflect upon the deeper meaning of things. But when it comes to adding images I am at a total loss. I don't know where to begin or how to make it look as though it's art. Weird huh!
Posted by: Pamela | July 02, 2009 at 03:26 PM
jane i just stumbled onto your blog from a google alert on "art journals" I find inspirational quotes trite and cliche inside of an art journal. just my opinion. ordinary life is far more interesting to me. your digital collage is LOVELY. you could potentially do something just like that in an art journal.
nice blog :-) i'll be back
Posted by: mary ann | July 03, 2009 at 11:39 AM
julie, how rude of me to call you "jane" i was staring at the category JANE'S APRON when i committed that faux pas. ha ha ha
Posted by: mary ann | July 03, 2009 at 11:58 AM
I have the same problem with art journals and usually just do alot of images, maybe some random words but not really inspirational quotes. Different people find meaning in different things, I guess. Perhaps you are just more of a visual person?
Posted by: Cherish | July 06, 2009 at 02:50 PM
I found your blog while caring for my father-inlaw who passed away on July 20th. Every night I would look to see what was new and spark my creative mind. Enjoyed all your other links also. This was my first venture into this world called "blogging" and was a great release in a time of need. Thank you
Posted by: Regina | July 31, 2009 at 10:27 PM