As you can see in my latest spread in my art journal "Process of Becoming" pages 7-9 at first glance looks quite simple and yet it is perhaps to become one of the most challenging pages I tackle to complete.
I started the page by laying down some beautiful bright warm Golden fluid acrylic paint "Hansa Yellow Medium". While the paint was drying I went exploring in my stash for some collage papers and images that would complement the background. Sounds simple, right?
Well - as you can see the images that caught my attention that made their home on this sun filled page spread are that of the Devil in all his glory pitch fork in hand (I cut the fork off to make the picture more inviting and less scary, providing a sense of vulnerability to the figure since the image size was so big in comparison to the small angel in the right hand corner playing her horn). I perched the Devil figure image over a row of nameless people's pictures (yearbook style photos) so he can do what he does best (pass judgment). Below the row of photos I decided to add a row of bright healthy green colored trees (a little play on the garden of good and evil and the tree of wisdom). Remember I am setting up these pages to later add my personal thoughts and views (journal text) based on readings and verbal discussion with my church book group.
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Art Journal "Process of Becoming" spread - pages 7, 8, and 9. Collage, Golden fluid acrylic paint and black 3M Vinyl Electrical Tape. |
So, what do you think am I setting myself up for a MIGHTY Journal Entry … details (text to follow in the coming days) thus, the title of this post “The devil is in the details. What appears as an overly simple layout with abundant room to journal is going to become a process of major reflection for me in my thoughts, beliefs and ideas of what I interpret as sinful and God like – good.
There’s a lot of open spaces (yellow background areas) for me to journal on – maybe too much… they say “give a man enough rope and he will hang himself” maybe I’ve given myself too much free space to journal. Only time will tell what will become of this page and my thoughts as my church group moves forward in our reading of the book “Discovering God’s Will For Your Life” foreword by Sheila Walsh. For now let’s just enjoy the pretty yellow color;-)
Enjoy,
Sandra
Believe it or not this was the first time I had heard this saying...very interesting. I love quotes, sayings, proverbs, etc. Always great to hear new ones. Your page is well-thought-out. I laughed when you wrote about giving a man too much space...That's what happened to me when I once worked in a very large journal. Your new layout is awesome and I am sure you'll fill it well. Have a fabulous weekend!
ReplyDeleteI like the bright yellow and having lots of room to write is good. If you don't fill it all you can always collage more :) More fun right?
ReplyDeleteCome visit my blog sometime
I LOVE this spread! The red, yellow and bits of green are really wonderful and eye-catching!
ReplyDeleteIf what you write becomes part of a discussion, maybe you could add parts of the discussion back into the page later? Just a thought. My pages are always open-ended, so adding-in later is no big deal to me, but I know some people want finished to be finished, and that's fine too!
Sandra, you can always add more "stuff" if you feel there is too much writing room. But often as I write, I add things, then write more--it's like a dance that goes back and forth. It would also be interesting to add your thoughts on the book you are reading with your church group. I'm sure all kinds of things will come up as you work and read. And I like what Barbara said about adding parts of the discussion back into the work.
ReplyDelete@Maggie
ReplyDeleteI am glad you could find the humor, I sure did;-) I am a Virgo and we tend to sometimes overdo the analyzing of things and begin problem-solving before the problem has been plated to us. LOL.
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend as well. Thanks for commenting I look forward to hear what you think of my new post for Day 9.
@Barbara Hagerty
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. I added the green details last to calm the imagery down a bit and create a sense of neutral color balance. My process is to lay all the collage images, papers, details, and so on down first without gluing to test out the composition and color dialogue to determine if its capturing the effect I desire (complimentary, contrasting, harmony and so on). I play around with repositioning some items and when I’m happy with it then I do all my gluing.
I also threw in a bit of whimsy with the green party hat on the Devil image – although I love deep discussions I try to add some humor when appropriate;-) and although this art journal is about some very serious topics and discussions I am having with my church group I hope my readers (including you) will not be offended when I include some humor for irony (it keeps me awake and interested in the discussion and if my work in the social services has taught me anything it is that you need both empathy and humor to live well in this life of ours).
The bits of green peeking in from the right side flap were a nice accident. I prepared my art journal page for Day 9 on Day 8 knowing that Saturday would be hard for me – so I bought some drying time by painting the page in advance. So when I got in this evening to play in my art journal I just had to play with images and collage layout. The color bleed was a nice surprise – I love how the green hugs the edge of the rough cut page.
I love your suggestion to add parts of my discussion from my group (my thoughts and ideas only to keep confidentiality in the group) in my journal. I was already planning to add chapter titles, quotes and proverbs from the book which leads our discussions but adding some of my reflections, insights and queries would be fun too. I like the idea of the journal never being done – fits into my belief that the “Process of Becoming” is just like a life lead as a life learner … there is no end until your last breath. I love to read stories of how people tackle life’s questions, which is probably why I am falling in love with this blogging community. So many stories not enough time to read them all;-(
I also like the idea of adding pages (either by sewing, stapling, or paper clipping) to this journal as time goes by and my life unfolds with new insights and reflections of the many questions that have no one true answer. THANKS BARBARA for the suggestion you are wonderful!
@shawn
ReplyDeleteShawn, thanks for your comments on my blog page.
You are correct, adding more collage details is a fun alterative to adding more text to an oversized empty space on a jouranl page.
I love the colors you have combined and the music paper! Look forward to seeing Day 10.
Sandra
PS
I tried to post this to your blog as a comment to your Day 9 post but I could not do it - I kept getting kicked off LOL..don't know why. I also could not become a follower (page loaded with some errors) must be on my end I've been having internet ups/downs. I'll try again tomorrow for your Day 10 post.