Visual Journaling...it's been too long.

These past few days, I've been feeling depleted, and a little defeated...hard to pinpoint why. One thing I do know is that when I feel like this, it usually coincides with a lengthy absence from my studio and creative time. I was fortunate that my sweet baby slept an entire 3 hours this morning. After getting one load of laundry started, I settled in and created via my typical process, layers upon layers of things that catch my eye or just happen to be within arm's reach.  

As I wrote on my page, I did have a vision of a plan...something that would start centrally and work its way out, like a mandala. When I feel the way I felt, I just need to cathartically purge, throw all the pieces together and see what evolves. I did have a note from my dear friend, Elon, that I came upon recently. It used to hang in my creative space, bringing both inspiration and humor to the atmosphere.  She is an inspiring woman, who exudes calming energy and wisdom; her note seemed the proper starting place for this entry.

I've been nibbling on too much of the best chocolate ever! Theo Fair Trade Chocolates, www.theochocolate.com , out of Seattle. We stock it at the store...Danger! Danger!

Layers upon layers. When the page was first covered, it was colorful, as most of my pages are, but too pristine, too neat. It just didn't feel right, it needed more stuff, more scraps, more layers. I have a variety of boxes and containers where I accumulate said scraps. I opened one in particular and it all just spoke too me. And this is the result.

Interestingly enough, as I was just finishing this page, I offered up a thank you, gratitude that B slept soundly for 3 hours. Just as I was attaching a mini thank you note, acknowledging that  perhaps a soothing energy surrounded B, the same energy that knew how vital it was for me to work in my journal today. I lifted my hand from the page, smile on my face, and, right on cue, B woke up. I need to get in that creative mode more often. 

Backyard, Central Massachusets

Visiting family in Massachusetts, enjoying the temperate days and cool evenings, wandering through the backyard and enjoying the details.

 I just love the symmetry, and the layers of patina accumulated over the years.  Apparently a family of woodchucks makes their home beneath the shed; I saw a baby yesterday :)

Weathered hardware details = good stuff

Rusty details of the cellar door.

Growing up in Southern California, where we had attics, basements were always a huge novelty and mystery to me. The somewhat musty smell of my Grandmother's basement in Missouri is a olfactory memory that I hold dear from my childhood. I suspect it has greatly contributed to my love of antique shops filled to the brim with stuff...same smell. This basement talk brings me to cellars; are they even the same thing?  Cellars make me think of creaking, creepy doors that open wide to open a path to the depths and darkness below. Cellars also make me think of wine. We'll go with that.

Sunset reflection and some siding with serious character. Love it.

Beauty All Around

Under my bathroom mirror hangs a little inspiration: "Do something creative every day." I must have found it years ago in a magazine, and I kinda laugh at myself that I still have this random scrap of paper taped to the cabinet. I have always loved photography, even had it as my undergrad major for a while (changed it due to the fact that things needed to be precise and mathematical...you know, before digital days...I switched over to ceramics and textiles where my loose and messy style could flourish a bit more. But I digress...)  These days, I may not have a chunk of time to sit down and journal, paint, collage etc...but I always have my iphone. And instagram. A die-hard photographer might call it all cheating, but I look at it as creating. And it gives me the opportunity to capture moments of 

inspiration in my daily life.  

 My brush jar for painting.

 Water lily pod and cockscomb from this amazing florist in my neighborhood.

www.margueritegardens.com

 Ranunculus mesmerize me.

I came home yesterday to find a pair of sweet birds trapped in the upper stairwell. I just needed to open the window to let them find their way to freedom. This one was sitting so sweetly on the window ledge, and I was able to hold him for a moment and snap a few pictures.  I was psyched with how clear the shot was. The only editing I did was to add a smudgy border. I opened the window and this little guy sat on my finger for a moment before heading 

back out into the world :)

Process

Since our son arrived a little over a month ago, I haven't had a chance to step into my art studio too much. Actually, I have had a few free moments where I could have been creative, but snuggling that little bundle of love won out! However I realized while he was snoozing one afternoon that, in addition to squeezing him to bits, my soul also needs art and creativity. I know this. I always know this. But sometimes I just need to remind myself.

 That particular afternoon was spent in "process"...no particular plan or direction. Just getting colors, lines, shapes, thoughts on paper...and awaiting the end result. I started with a gray-scale topographical map scrap and colored in some squares with colored-pencils.  

 I found a new favorite material: used dryer sheets from Seventh Generation. They're almost like a brown wax paper with a perforated surface. They crinkle and wrinkle in a lovely manner and leave a great texture to work on, when flattened.  I layered on paints, water color pastels, rubber stamps and writing. A little random stitching here and there, and I was pleased with that process session.

Different shots of the layers and textures I created. 

Everything goes into one of my many visual journals.