An Homage to the Woosa Work

I'm officially on Art Journal #8 but the truth is, I think I've been cutting out paper and saving it in one way, shape, or form for my whole life.

As 2013 ends, I was paging through these books filled with glue and paint and took photos of my favorite pages. 
You've seen some of these if you follow me on instagram. 
But...here's an "homage" to my woosa work for the year. 

A link to the video if you can't see anything; HERE.

**Credits** 

Flipagram App--it's free! And super easy to use.

Music by "Commes Des Enfants", Couer de Pirate

Deep breaths

 

Thought for today via the artjournal--when you don't have the time to roadtrip but your soul is screaming, "Get me outta here."

 

4 syllables for you today: Sab-bat-tic-al.

 

Whatcha' Been Doin'?

I was reminded today, since the high is only 68 degrees, that summer doesn't last forever around here. I've been trying to stay outside and enjoy the sun. Trying to remind myself that there is more than enough "studio time" when the air turns frigid and the skies dark.

 

But if something is in our nature, it's hard to go against it.

 

Taking this class , so after the bike rides, coffee on the patio, sunny activities, etc., (PLUS a 50 hour big girl work week) are done for the day, I paint patterns.

 

 

Sketchy Sunday

It's been a long few weeks over here so today was my day.

Spent a few hours filling up pages in my journal--thought I'd share.

Coloring is good for the soul...

Not all people find peace in art, but some of us do. This reminded me that I used to spend hours coloring away.

(Source)

And I still do. Every night (that's the goal anyway..) I try to doodle one page in the art journal. Most recent is this one....

I just have to say...

Attention Winter:

 

I've had it up to here with you.

Doodle by me. 4.9.13

Love,

ME

 



Jacked up on Coffee & A Day Off

Procrastination in my gig--there are a few preferred methods, but the old doodle bug makes the top 10 list of ways to NOT do the laundry.

I'm on a PTO today (a glorious day of paid time off) and after I've consumed an entire pot of coffee  and read through my blogroll, naturally, the only thing left to do was draw.

(Really? The 1/4" inch of milk in the frig was maybe a good indicator that the grocery store may be more of a priority today but hell, no one is starving in this house.)

I doodled my sister's family to give them for a housewarming gift: I don't cook well so art vs. a casserole is a NO-BRAINER.

 

 

And then, well, I was on a roll:

 

 

The library is my own personal nirvana. Books are the ticket to paradise--I can think of only a few things better than curling up on a cloudy Sunday with a good book. This doodle is destined for more, but the idea is still percolating.

 





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Random Thought #2

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This week at work we had a "Creating Your Legacy" workshop. I tried to keep an open mind, but it was slammed shut after:

 a.) listening to a panelists of "leaders" talk about their jobs. My job and what I leave this world, do not co-exist--other than financially and in a lesson to those after me to please listsen, "Do NOT do anything JUST for money."
and
 b.) then we were asked to volunteer to share our work.

And this girl is, Done.

I take this self-reflection crap seriously and frankly, an introspective exercise should not be made into a group project if you want to do it right.

But, I was reminded that these books I'm filling up with my thoughts/words, might just be considered something of a legacy.

Nice. I've left random thoughts & partial pages. Your "mom/grandma/great grandma" is not a fan of mass gatherings. Your "dad/grandpa/great grandpa" is a smartass.

Your "mom/grandma/ great grandma" hates her hair, nuetral clothing colors, and being cold.

 

& Your "mom/grandma/ great grandma" considers self-inflicted violence to deal with irritation.

Yep, nice. Really nice legacy.

Pattern Play: Journal Inspiration

First, I always, always, forget this. (Does journaling help with memory loss?)

 

 

Second,if the music doesn't work (or if it inspires you), something I do when I need to create and just am lacking inspiration is to replicate something.

 

In the below instances, I ordered a scrap bag of vintage wallpaper on Etsy awhile ago, and sifting through them, I was inspired to try copying the patterns, substituting colors that I love. Bring on the paint....

 

The left side is the actual wallpaper sample, the right is my doodle.

 

Forgot the actual, but you get the drift..

I think it would be fun to paint a large canvas with a pattern ---maybe I'll put that on the to-do list.

Oh, and if you don't know what a "kiki" is--you don't watch Glee, do you? Plus I'm completely inspired by SJP's dress.(You can see it here.)

Flow, Ephemera, & Teachers

 I felt like career counseling in 1992 consisted of selecting one of 4 paths; lawyer, doctor, teacher or psychologist. I had no desire to be any of these.

 

 When I think about it, I often hear my dad's voice telling me, "You'd make a wonderful teacher."

Blah. I had no desire to play referee to a bunch of kids who HAD to be in my classroom. It takes a special patience to do this day in and out. Patience I don't have.

 

 I never took even one art class in high school--why? Because I was too busy trying to be a psychologist? Three letters for you: W.T.F.

 

There is some crazy freedom in creating for me; a calm in the crazy. Do others crave this? I have to believe that they do.

 

Remember we talked about the spirit of "Woosa" for 2013? Part of that, for me, is to help others find it. Sometime this year, I'm going to teach (Yes, Dad. Teach) an abridged art journaling class. 4 week, 1 hour sessions.

 

I like to plan & prepare so I started building the prototype for this class. A hodgepodge of techniques I've learned and a twist of crazy.

 

{Cover}

 

Zee Junk Journal---full of crap from my life.

{the inside cover -you can download & print this very bookplate here}

 

{the inside}
 

{the title page--a must}

 More on this later, but if you are intrigued, stay tuned....

Since we are talking about paper love, I have to share this very fabulous magazine I came across at church (er, Barnes & Noble) the other day...Allow me to introduce my newest favorite mag:

"FLOW"
 

The quote and this graphic had me before I even opened it

 

 This is the first international version of this Dutch magazine--If I were an editor, THIS is exactly what I would create. The pages themselves are also a delight- they are printed on mixed media. Glossy and matte paper makes turning every page seriously fun!

Big Girl Coloring Pages; you've got to be kidding me?

Free paper!! These wrapping paper samples are full-size! Someone, pinch me!

The Table of Contents




All this paper AND talk of mindfulness? SOLD!

 

If you're a paper whore, this magazine is worth every penny....Plus serious material for your junk journal. 

Journal Junking

Happy New Year! Spent the Christmas holiday break trying wanting to cram in every last art project I've been dying to complete.

Only,I just couldn't find the mojo--so I cleaned my studio instead. And lo & behold, these patterns kept bugging me--pages of random patterns & neon paint; my apartment in Paris has this very wallpaper in the bedroom.

(That is if I had a Parisian apartment...but what the hell as long as we are using our imaginations...)

Instead of sewing a replica of SJP's ballgown (I swear some day I will recreate that damn minty thing, and WEAR it. ), I tried to journal every day. Some days it was one page, others 3 or 4. Regardless, I find (found) the "Woosa" everytime.

The word of 2013: "Woosa"

(I don't do resolutions 'cause surprise, surprise, I never finish them.That list thing sends me over the edge staring @ me to complete it. Blah.) 

Instead I'll choose a magic word-a reminder word, a conscious state of mind to revert back too.I vow to find the "woosa" in every day. 

(It's a verb, but I've deemed it a noun for this year.)

One of the things I've also learned (but have a hard time practicing) is summed up by this: "Your light cannot shine brighter unless you share it with other people." 

Just to start practicing the art of the share & the almighty woosa that was attained while doodling, You can click HERE.   to see more journal pages.

No judging and if you are, I simply don't want to hear about it. I swear and I scribble. Enough said.

Which leads me to the last of my 2013 awareness challenges; to be a dynamic woman who owns her shit, deals with it, and stops apologizing for it. 

Get your word of the year ready...we've got some growing to do.

The Journalista Shares

Still visual journaling--or trying to every day. This stuff is like my very own version of crack--I've got 2 pages left in this one. If you're trying to start, I'll share with you some journal ideas (and how they look in my little book.)

 

1.) Doodle over a black and white photo. Color parts of it in.

(You can find this exact photo right here.)

I used a favorite quote by Nelson Mandela..It begins, "Your playing small does not serve the world."

 

2.) Make a 2 page vertical spread. Another B&W and a Martha Beck-ism we've talked about before.

 

3.) Try some calligraphy.

I've been obssessed with learning it. I love this page too for another reason. I made a run to Office Max and found oodles of paper to use in my journaling. This paper is a page from a kids "learn to write" notebook. I brought my stash to the checkout and the clerk asked me, "Are you an art teacher?" No, just a paper hoarder.

 

4.) Draw what you ate today. Try replicating the font from the packaging.

 

5.) Journal one of your own life Aha moments.

I use this mantra to make decisions all the time.

 

6.) Draw what you wore today. This is a standard for me. I love to create outfits and then document how they make me feel, where I got the pieces and why I chose them. 

 

7.) Use those paper bits you've been hoarding. I ordered free samples from here just because they were pretty and used them to create a spread.

 

And just because I can't stop practicing, here's another quote from my stash:

 

If you've been the statue for awhile, break out your supplies and start drawing. You'll feel better in 2 minutes.

 

Art Journalista Full Tilt Boogie-ing

I believe I have found my happy place--full of scrappy paper, markers, and books. I believe I am thoroughly and untterly addicted to creating and filling Art Journals. It's like the messy hair version of scrapbooking (of which I've never been a fan).

Obsessed with  doodling, drawing, thinking, and creating, I have found my place. If you need an island of creative peace..I'll share a few "boats" to get you there.

Art Journalista E-Workshop: The bottom journal is this photo is made from this class. Using an old magazine, and bound with just glue this journal's pages are BIG. A challenge for me sometimes to work in, but a great size when inspiration hits.

Like this page founded on the outfit of the day. A full size doodle fits perfectly.

Found & Bound E-Workshop: This was the very first class I ever took. (By my talented girl again.) This journal uses a composition notebook and the binding is sewn. I really like the size of this one. I've almost filled it--a few pages from here:



(BTW, have you heard of the Fire Starter Sessions? A great book if you're struggling in limbo of your career life. I'm still there, but this book is full of good words. See photo on the right--inspired by this book.)

Full-Tilt Boogie: This has been the best workshop. She teaches a ton of different types. The two other journals in the above photo are from this class (and that's only one sewn binding she teaches.) If you are a paper hoarder, these are great to use up that stash. (I love the way Maryanne teaches--no measuring..my kinda girl.) At first, after I made her journals, I was disappointed that she didn't teach specific pages. But then, I found that doing it my way was wayyy liberating. (I'll share some pages from my first Full-Tilt journal another day.) There is something very therapeutic about just gluing bits and pieces. The pages create themselves--it's amazing really.

And here's an every Thursday page tutorial if you need some inspiration:  Every Day is a Holiday.

More later, after I unstick myself from this keyboard. (My fingers are so full of glue and paint right now.)

Do your art. Now.