Off to the Beach!

And we're on our way in about 45 minutes! A week at the beach - bliss! Thank you all so much for your comments on my "remarkable discovery".  I am amazed how much we artists have in common. It's a comfort to me to know that we all think so much alike about things.  I and my lined writing journal will have lots to share when we get back I hope!  Until then... have a great last week in June everyone!

A Remarkable Discovery

I have made what, for me, is a remarkable discovery. Simple, yet remarkable. I’ve been studying Cathy Johnson’s CD “Drawn from Life – An Artist’s Journal”. She talks about how consolidating her journal into one book where she keeps lists, both grocery and to-do, sketches, notes, thoughts about her day, like a diary – everything all in one place. Well for years (as long as I can remember) I have had a writing journal, a sketchbook, and I would make lists wherever I could find a piece of paper and then they’d end up in my purse and I’d throw them away after they were completed. I write quotes and Scripture verses on index cards and they are all over my house. I keep a separate written journal for sermon notes that I take to church with me. So you can imagine the books and books of this and that taking over my house.

I’ve tried to make lists in my “sketchbooks” and use them for writing and everything, but I can’t do it. Sometimes I get something in my head and I write pages and pages and pages until I get it resolved. Sometimes a Scripture will strike me and I write pages and pages on it. I could not and still cannot write in a “sketchbook”. It just doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t have lines and the paper is too heavy and expensive feeling for something as simple as writing. I also can’t seem to freely sketch and make messy sketchy notes in a sketchbook – what with all the books on journaling and the whole idea of making a journal page with collage elements and mixed media, etc. I can’t bring myself to do a gesture drawing on a page. I can’t seem to do a page without adding color. If it’s in a sketchbook I feel like it has to be a piece of art worthy of sharing with the world. Then I do my “Heart Songs” on the 5x7 pieces of Stonehenge or watercolor paper that I carry around, always wondering if they are true “art”, or just doodles since they come from my imagination. It has really become overwhelming and quite ridiculous. The more I look at other people’s work and read the more overwhelmed, disjointed, and inadequate I feel.

Then I read how Cathy (Kate) Johnson keeps everything in one book and how her life feels whole because of that change. I can’t figure out how to go about doing this. “No. I can’t give up my writing journal,” I tell myself, “because there are days when I write many pages.” So I had given up the idea and told myself I had to have several books for each activity.

Yesterday after writing in my writing journal about this “dilemma”, I went to lunch and I was so tired from all the thinking and pondering I’ve been doing about what to take to the beach – which sketchbook, what art supplies, which books, etc. – that I was sick of the whole mess. I didn’t even want to pull out my art supplies and sketchbook at lunch. I sat in the park in the car under a shade tree.

I pulled out my writing journal deciding I only had the energy to write. I pulled out a sanguine Faber Castell Pitt Pen and I began to write.

Then I looked over at a couple sitting under the picnic shelter. I thought about the book by Charles Reid, Pulling Your Paintings Together, and how he draws the contour like a dot-to-dot. I began to draw the people.

They were, as you can see from the photo, very rough little drawings, but I was totally relaxed doing them and it was just in my writing journal so it didn’t matter…

I did another page of their different poses; then I saw a groundskeeper and began to draw him too. I filled up a page. I drew the pine tree. It wasn’t great, but I kept working – it was, after all, just in my writing journal. I kept working and then it began to dawn on me…

I was free – I was sketching! I was drawing! I was writing! I was making myself notes in the margin! I was relaxed and having fun! I wasn’t trying to make a good page!

I had never thought of it. I was thinking of it all backwards. I was trying to make my sketchbook combine with my writing, when instead, I should have been combining my writing with my sketching. I can do all of what I do in the lined pages of my inexpensive writing journal. I just couldn’t write in my sketchbook – so there you go! I would make my writing journal also my sketchbook.

Suddenly I realized what I’d been struggling to achieve had been achieved without my even realizing what was happening!!!

I wrote in my journal: “Finally, Cathy (Kate), I get it!! Good grief… I’m a writer and an artist; I’m a list-maker, a note-taker. Why in the world do I have to carry around so many books and supplies!…I’ll make my grocery lists here. Write down random thoughts and things I need to remember. Quotes from books and Scripture verses, anything I want to write! I can also draw anything and everything I see! I can doodle and dawdle and noodle and dabble! And do it all right here in YOU, sweet Journal!”

So now I know what I’m taking to the beach – my sweet journal and some pens, pencils and watercolor crayons. Then I’ll also take my new 11x14 Aquabee sketchbook for back at the beach house when I want to paint with my watercolors and gouache and explore those sketches further! How perfect! How freeing!

Seems also quite elementary, but I had to EXPERIENCE it before I understood it!

Nothing Like Something New!

The beginning of summer, a new sketchbook, a new pen - and voila you get the pages above!

Spot o' Tea anyone

Same image - I used carbon paper to transfer it onto another piece of Stonehenge paper. Then I used Prismacolor Markers, watercolors, and colored pencils to color it.

Heart Songs

Okay, Timaree, with your permission, I'm launching my HeART Songs! Above is the card I designed to put with the basket of "HeART Songs".  I'm taking them to a local coffee shop today at lunch to display them for sale.  This name is perfect - because I've continually said that they make my heart sing! Thank you so much Timaree for coming up with the perfect name for them!  No longer "doodles" they have risen to the level of "HeART Songs!" 

Revised New Little Illustration

Here is the revised, finished version of the illustration in the previous post. Our ladies' Bible Study group at church visited a church member at the nursing home tonight and I gave her this to cheer her. She had a nasty fall and broke her hip, arm, and elbow. Hopefully, prayerfully she'll soon be well!

A New Little Illustration

I am excited about a pending trip to the beach. I've been perusing Cathy Johnson's CD "Drawn from Life - An Artist's Journal" - it was published in 2006 and contains so many of her sketches. I have packed a small kit for my watercolors and sketching pleasure while at the beach, and I hope to come back with a journal to share! We leave this coming Saturday.  (I'm already packed, I'm so excited!)

 I did this little illustration this morning. I used Pigma Micron and Prismacolor Markers and colored pencils to color it. I love it! I think it might need a blue watercolor background - or cobalt violet.  What do you think?

BOOKS! Bibliophilia or is that Mania!

Books, books, and more books; never enough books!
This is only a portion of the books on my one little skinny table next to my favorite spot on the loveseat. It is piled with books on ever inch - including some in a large basket on the corner that I left out of this sketch. They're also stacked as high as possible on the bottom. This is in addition to an overflowing large bookshelf, several chairs, tables, and the floor. Books are everywhere! Bliss!

Sketches from my Weekend

Sharpie Pen and Watersoluble Graphite in Handbook Journal

Simplicity...
Subtle shading and sensuous lines - I love the curves of this pitcher and cup. I found the cup at a consignment shop and it's one of those "oooohhhh" moments when you know you HAVE to have it.

To Be or Not to Be - a Doodle

Not journal pages, but 5 x 7 doodles. I once was told by a fellow artist that when I called my art "doodles" that it cheapened them. I have struggled since with what to call these little 5 x 7 pieces of art, because to me they are just that - "doodles". They are done with total ease and abandon and I am simply playing on paper - doodling if you will. I do these at work during a break, a phone call, or maybe at lunch in the car at the park. Cheap or not, art or not - they are simply my doodles. And they make my heart sing!

An Attempt at Continuous Line - a Sad Attempt

Freebird left a comment on my last journal page post asking "Could I make a bad journal page?" Well here it is, folks! I was tired today and not really in the mood to do a "good" journal page; I was also very inspired by Jennifer Edwards' very beautiful and lyrical continuous line drawings.  I decided to attempt my own.  With a pen I don't like. While I'm tired and in a rather blah mood.  Not a good idea. But I decided to post it so that I could say, yes, Timaree, I have done a bad journal page LOL!

Picnic Pictures

Painted glass and china - I used Liquitex Glossies and then oven set the paint. The picnic turned out well in spite of rain.

June 3 and 7 Journal Pages

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. Illness and busyness has kept me from my blog. I have been working on painting glass and porcelain pieces - cups, saucers, glasses - to use as centerpieces for the annual employee picnic which is scheduled to happen tomorrow. I don't have pictures yet unfortunately, because my camera was accidentally left in someone's car weekend before last. I'm beginning to feel rather lost without it, but I'm sure it will be returned soon. I had to scan these journal pages, which I don't think works as well as taking a photo.

I was in AC Moore recently and met a lady, Beth, who had just been to the doctor for a bone marrow test - facing the possibility of leukemia or, if not, something going on with her brain - she didn't specify what that possibility was. She was talking on the phone to her husband and, as she was in the same aisle as I was, I couldn't help but overhear. I turned to her after she hung up the phone and said, "Sounds like you're having a rough day." Obviously an understatement. I asked if I could give her a hug and I did. I asked her name so that I could pray for her. I have had her on my mind every day since and I am praying. She has a supportive husband and small children, and a sister who is a phlebotomist and is very supportive - these she mentioned, I am sure there are others who support her as well. I'm thankful for families and that God puts the right people in our paths when we need them. And I continue to pray for "Beth" and wonder how she's doing.



Saturday, June 12, I will be at a local festival displaying and hopefully selling my painted porcelain and glass pieces. Cheap Joe's (http://www.cheapjoes.com) just sent me a $1 shipping coupon, and I'd love to be trying out those American Journey watercolor sticks this time next week :-) I also need a new Aquabee. I like the Handbook journal a lot, but there is nothing like an Aquabee Super Deluxe Sketchbook. We have a beach trip planned in a couple of weeks, and well, one can never have enough art supplies; right? tee hee...

My daughter has a friend who is going with her to the beach this year, and I'm so excited. They're old enough to give a small amount of freedom, and with her being an only child I've always had to entertain her, but this year - mama can paint and read to her heart's content!!! Yippee!!!

I'm resting up for a long day tomorrow - hope to have pictures soon of my glass pieces - you can see them in action as centerpieces at tomorrow's big event. Good Tuesday night all!