Thursday, July 22, 2010

Journal of Dreams -- Words/Art

I've been thinking a lot lately about the way I journal, wondering if relying mostly on visual images is a cop-out, a way to avoid writing about feelings.  Well, maybe I'm kidding myself, but I've come to the conclusion that the opposite might be true.  I'm actually very comfortable with words and writing and maybe in journals I choose my words a bit too carefully.
When I work in journals, my own or any of the collaborative ones I'm involved with, I don't over think....until it's time to add the words.  My art, I believe, is more emotional and more honest than my words. 
And this little debate I've been having with myself is what has led to the pages I just completed for Tracy's Journal of Dreams. 

Page One:
Page Two:


What I did:   the backgrounds are very layeredI started with some Adirondack Color Washes (stream and lettuce) on watercolor paper, then bits of color-stained paper towels, ledger paper, old dictionary pages.  More color added with Portfolio water soluble oil pastels and some copper and green glazes.
The head and class picture in the corners of page one are transfers done with stamps and clear contact paper (head) and clear packing tape (class picture).  The head is a Tim Holtz stamp, the class picture is from Red Lead. 
I stamped Wendy Vecchi's artchick head on white tissue paper with black Archival ink (which is what I also did with the kimono), cut it out and attached it to the page with gel medium.  Works a lot like a transfer but minus the heartache transfers often cause (for me).  
Some bling, lots of glaze pen doodling, some more stamping, even a few subtle stencils, and done.  LOL!  That makes it sound like instant art, but actually this was one of the few things I've done that I actually worked on for several days.
With two page spreads, the second page is where my journaling usually goes, and that's when I started thinking the thoughts voiced at the start of this post.  Normally I'll google a theme and search for quotes, or (rarely) just write a few sentences about what I've just created.  
This time, if you read between the (sparse) lines, my journaling is just telling me to shut up and let the art speak for itself.  And that really tickles me.

15 comments:

Celeste said...

Absolutely beautiful piece of art...

Valerie Brincheck said...

Truly well said. I have the same problem about putting words on my art. I think the art should speak for itself but since it is a "journal" I always feel it has to have words. The funny thing is that the last set of pages I did, which happened to be for you, had no words on them.

Kerry said...

Eileen - it is beautiful! I honestly feel your work speaks volumes with or without you adding words to the piece. Your colors, the use of stamps, fibers, the subtle placement of each item you add to the piece tells the story itself. And you are a master at that! I am so lucky that you are taking the time to share your experiences in AB - I can hope that some day I'll be able to tell a story as you do. Thank you for sharing these two pages.

Tammy D said...

Wow this is has such a interesting texture. Very cool.

Angie Hall Haviland said...

BEAUTIFUL Pages, Eileen!! I've always tried to explain to myself why I don't journal...and I love your and understand your explaination so well!!! Sure I clip out whitty and cute text...but I never get personal with it or use my (horrid) handwriting.

SusanK said...

What a fun piece! I've not done much of this kind of work but now want to try it asap.

Maria Guzman said...

Beautiful pages...love the use of so many layers.
Maria

Elena said...

What great pages Eileen!! I know that Tracy will LOVE them! I've never done stamping on tissue paper. It sounds like it would look awesome. I'm going to give it a go.

Lori said...

Hmmm, these pages are lovely, the backgrounds are to die for awesome, as for the words, I agree, but.. dealing with feelings?? Ewwwwww.... lol. Great way to express it though. And I think that's why we make art, to express ourselves as we might not normally.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love those pages.......You know I don't journal much either as much as I would like to get in a habit of it.......

Vic said...

Your art always "speaks" to me! The pages are beautiful.

WendyP said...

amazing pages - love the texture, content - love it all !!

Sherry Goodloe said...

and still MORE fabulous work from you! :)

sue young said...

Eileen:LOVE this !Tracy's going to love themas well.But...once you tampd the tisue paper with black archival ink,wht then did you color the kimonio with?Sue Y.

Salut15@aol.com

Diann said...

Love these ART filled pages...I'm sure they will be treasured pages for your friend!