My First Journal Page

Every post I've ever written about my artwork has something negative in it. I need to be less drab, loosen up, have some fun, live with making mistakes and keep pushing on. I covered a composition book some time ago, wrote some things-to-do type notes in it, and then ripped out those pages (and the then the loose ones on the opposite side). It's now perfect to experiment with. It's somewhat thinner than it was so there's plenty of room for collage.

This is my first page using some tried and true, no talent required, quick journaling prompts: My first name, a blind contour drawing of my hand, an outline of my hand, some doodling and some splattering. Can you find the unintentional snail image?! Over all it's too still drab, constrained and boring but it's a start! Click image for a larger view. Some notes on the process so far:

• Just do it.
• Use a cheap marbled compostion book.
• Collage the covers and inside covers. Or do it later... Or not at all!
• Join the Yahoo! Group CompositionArtJournals
• Make mistakes and keep going. Do not rip out the page.
• While work on a page protect the opposite page and the next page with wax paper.
• Go beyond the edge of the page.
• KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. Do not over work the page.
• Gel pen ink is waterproof.
• Pages will buckle when using watercolor (and probably gouche too).
• Live with buckled pages and waves around watercolored areas.
• Or... iron the pages to flatten them and have fine waves around the watercolored areas.

Tags: Calligraphy, Composition Art Journals, Composition Books, Journaling, Journals, mischievousmary, Mischievous Mary