The reluctant journaler

I don't journal. There it is. I said it. 

A book artist who doesn't journal? How can a bookmaker not spend hours filling beautiful books with deep thoughts flowing from her pen? I suppose it's like a musician who doesn't listen to her own music or a painter who owns none of her own work. 

One reason I don't is because I think I don't have time. I would love to make artist journals but they are so labor intensive that I prefer to spend my time on other things. I drool over the stacks of books some book artists own and I admire the work it takes and the insight that journaling brings. But even a simple journal would work just as well, you may say. Well then you don't know me very well. I have a huge all-or-nothing aspect of my personality that finds it hard to do anything just a little bit. 

Also all the books I make end up in the hands of family and friends and an occasional customer. There isn't much left for me, but I don't think that's too unusual. It is hard for me to keep a book when I know it will have such a happy life in someone else's hands.

Another reason is because I am a perfectionist. I would spend waaaay too much time getting the pages just right and defeat the purpose of the journal. One book that may help me overcome this perfectionist tendency is Chrysti's latest giveaway.

See her post for all the details and you can enter to win one for yourself. Would a bookmaker encourage such wanton destruction? Absolutely. Anything that will get someone to pick up a book is a good thing.

What is Bristol?

My almost 11 yo daughter was flipping through the latest Dick Blick catalog, eyeing the tempera paints and charcoal pencils and gum erasers. When she got to the paper section she asked me question I had no answer for: what is Bristol paper? I have bought it many times for my text blocks when I wanted a toothy medium weight paper that was good for several different media, but wasn't really sure what made it distinctive. Wikipedia had the answer:

Bristol board (also referred to as Bristol paper) is a heavyweight paper used for technical drawing, illustration, and other two-dimensional art forms. Its basic size is 22.5″ × 28.5″ (572 × 724 mm) and its bulk thickness is .006 inches (0.15 mm) or higher^[1]. Bristol board is rated by the number of plies it contains.

The original bristol board was made in Bristol, England and was a pasted board made of paper containing rags.

Bristol board provides two working surfaces, front and back. This quality separates it from illustration board, which has only a front working surface. The surface texture can vary for different applications, including a smooth plate finish and a medium vellum. Artists working with friction-based media, such as crayon, chalks, or charcoal would use a rougher texture. Smooth finishes are generally more suited to other types of media, such as inks.

Bristol paper is also used for paperback book or catalog covers, file folders, tags, and tickets. Engravers or Wedding bristol paper may be used for formal engraved wedding invitations.

So now that you know you can choose the paper for your next project more carefully. Sometimes it really does matter what paper you use. Mixed media artists love the freedom of working with most anything but sometimes you need the right paper for the right job.

Maundy Monday Nov 3

When I judge art, I take my painting and put it next to a God-made object like a tree or flower. If it clashes, it is not art.

-- Marc Chagall

Gotta love the simplicity of that statement. Nothing more I can add to that but a hearty "Amen." I think many artists (and patrons) today should refer to this quote---often. And for the art enthusiast and art novie--this quote can take the guesswork out of what qualifies as art. Love it.

Maundy Monday Oct 27

I know, it's up a little late. My hubbie is out of town on business and I'm surprised how much his absence throws us off. We are really a team and I miss him when he's not here. :( That said, let's dive into our quote this week (emphasis hers):

It seems to me that the marks of personality--love, communication, and moral sensitivity--which are meant to sharpen as we are returning to communication with God, should lead to an increased rather than decreased creativity. The Christian should have more vividly expressed creativity in his daily life, and have more creative freedom, as well as the possibility of a continuing development in creative activities.

--Edith Schaeffer, The Hidden Art of Homemaking

art by Wendy Allison

I must say that I love that book, but that is another discussion. :) I totally agree that as Christians, looking more like Christ includes increased creativity. It can't be helped. It always makes me sad to hear Christians downplay their talents and dismiss the idea that they possess any creativity. It's dismissing a part of you when you deny your creative self. Enjoy exploring your creative side. Take some risks. Ask the Holy Spirit for some inspiration and get out there and create something!

Maundy Monday Oct 20

A sincere artist is not one who makes a faithful attempt to put on to canvas what is in front of him, but one who tries to create something which is, in itself, a living thing.

--William Dobell

I agree whole heartedly with Mr. Dobell. Even though we use different media, the principle is the same. As a Christian I strive for life in all my work because God is alive and I want Him to be in all of it. He created life, all living things. I strive, as I become more like Him, to also create things with His life. A book, a collage canvas, a clay pot are inanimate objects but when we allow God to participate in our work then it takes on a whole new dimension of life that other artists could not duplicate, not because we are great artists but because we collaborate with the Greatest Artist.

And He is not necessarily looking for me to recreate His creation, but for me to find my own interpretation of His handiwork. I love the impressionist masters' abilities to look out on a landscape and see a whole other world of color, texture and design. I think that sort of individual voice makes God very happy.

For me this takes the pressure off. I am free to be me, using the perspective that God gave me. Together we can create living works that glorify Him on many levels.