Journal Backgrounds 101

After years of writing in journals, a lifetime actually, I've finally started a visual journal. I'm in good company. Somerset has a publication dedicated to art journaling and there are plenty of books and workshops to help those of us who are trying to convert. I'm taking a workshop that started this week, in fact, taught by the fabulous Pam Carriker. Her background pages look more like art pieces than anything I've ever considered journal. 
It has been a fun first week; I've made several background pages and I'm anxious to see what we'll do next. I have to admit, this still feels a bit out of order to me; I've always started with a thought, emotion or situation, in other words, knowing what I wanted to express. I don't sketch, so aside from an occasional quote or clipping, it has been confined to words.
My first efforts at keeping an art journal several weeks ago involved staring at a blank page, followed by a search through my 'paper piles'  for a photo or quote or some other source of inspiration, gluing, then attempting to fill in the empty space with writing and pastels.  It had never occurred to me to creating pleasing backgrounds for later use, without knowing my intention for the page, like putting the horse before the proverbial cart. So, I'm approaching this with an open mind, and an understanding that my concept of journaling is going to change radically during the course of this workshop. Nothing like shaking things up to jump start the creative process.









Comments

Katiejane said…
Patti, I am so with you on this! I had never decorated pages ahead of time either, and, although I'm enjoying this process, it still feels a little strange. Like you, I have always written, then added a photo, or clipping that represented what I had written about. This year it seems I'm spending more time creating artistic pages than writing. My expression comes out in the form of fewer words. I guess that's what a "visual" journal is about, right? I'm liking yours so far.
Jodi Ohl said…
Lovely background, Patti. This is what education is all about, considering new possibilities and opening new doors. Whether or not you continue on as your instructor has shown you, you will still grow as a result of your exploration of new ideas and new techniques :)
Ragamuffin Gal said…
Good for you Patti!!! Trying new things is what it's all about! Looks like you are off to a great 2009! I like the Once movie soundtrack too ~ isn't it the best? Many 2009 blessings on your new adventures. Love, Katie
Ragamuffin Gal said…
Good for you Patti!!! Trying new things is what it's all about! Looks like you are off to a great 2009! I like the Once movie soundtrack too ~ isn't it the best? Many 2009 blessings on your new adventures. Love, Katie

For some reason my computer is not letting me leave this comment ~ please let me know if you do ~ probably 100 times-LOL.
Karin Bartimole said…
I think your backgrounds are looking really rich. I like the faint writing stamp you used - that will be a cool layer behind any writing/words you might add yourself. It's great that you are opening to a new approach and just doing it, even though it feels all *wrong*! If nothing else, you are trying out techniques and getting experience with planes of color and texture. I hope you find that it frees you, once you go on to your next layers, the way it does for me. I always start with some kind of background laid down - for me it takes away that bright white intimidating blank canvas syndrome (officially known as BWIBCS ☺) which can leave me stymied, at times!! Most of all, I'm glad you're having some fun with it all!
Karin
Jodi Ohl said…
Patti--I went back on my last post and put some simple directions to layer the photos if you want to check it out :)

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