Transform

Mixed media journal page with grungy papers

It feels like there continues to be so much going on, too many pots on the stovetop reaching a boiling point. There is a lot of energy swirling around as battle lines are reinforced, rhetoric is yelled louder, and outdated ideas are being finally invalidated. Cultural change takes a long time and a lot of energy, but hopefully the world can become a better place overall.

“Maybe they’re the same thing.”

Mixed media journal page using stenciled and stamped papers plus lines from a book. (Never Coming Back by McGhee)

“Never Coming Back” by Alison McGhee is an amazing book filled with beautiful passages. I can across it as an ARC and then got the published copy for my library. When I find great passages I like to see if I can work them into a piece. Years back I did a show combining many of lines like this one with old photos. I am always adding to my word bin from magazines, books, and my own printed or typed ones. At the rate I gather them I won’t run out any time soon.

2020 clip

Mixed media with newspaper pages, stamped tissue paper and book pages.

This is almost the end of the old April 2020 newspaper I had wrapped something in. The headline was Pres. has faith Coronavirus will be defeated soon. Ahh those heady days on lockdown, working from home, classes at home, watching birds and dog walkers. Such an odd moment in time. It seems so distant now in spite of the many Covid variants that have appeared. Humans always underestimate the power of viruses and bacteria, we foolishly think we are top of the food chain. The best we can do is hope for a good life and some faith that tough times will pass quickly.

Keep an open mind

Mixed media journal page with “keep an open mind” text.

My journal is nearly full, when I started it I thought I would not be able to fill all the pages. I took it one day at a time, letting ideas come to mind at will. Luckily I only did one sided pages as someone bought a page that caught their eye to give as a gift of encouragement to a friend. I like to work single sided so I can make notes on the back, but am open to filling both sides too. I will be creating a 30 day journal course next month to encourage those just starting to explore their creativity. These days I think people are looking to be creative, but are unsure where to start. And unsure about what supplies they really need to get started. When I make my videos I try to keep things very simple for just those reasons. Art shouldn’t be about amassing every single supply, trying every technique at once, or making something perfect the first time. It is a process, a journey, a chance to see yourself grow and develop your style. And that is something that keeps happening with each bit of creative time that gets claimed. Now I need to get started making this course!

Friday flavor

Mixed media with paint and decorated papers and pages.

The closing days of July are here. That pretty much covers it all, the days are just sliding by without seeming to create a ripple. It could be the heat that makes it seem that way, I really don’t know what it is, but it is. I am squeezing in as much studio time as I can around the necessities of daily life. This piece was just a quick bit of creativity before I headed to work. Sometimes just creating for the fun of it is the best!

Summertime days

Mixed media journal page with “Life is full of great adventures” text.

There is a poolside feel to this piece that was an unexpected result of the shapes and colors. Midsummer is here with the appropriate heat and humidity we expect. The occasional thunderstorm bringing much needed rain. Keeping my plants watered is a twice a day task given how dry it has been. Life moves on in dry and wet spells. This summer I haven’t had any adventures yet, time seems to be slipping away at a faster rate than I can comprehend. But on my list are a couple museums to visit, farmers markets and outdoor concerts to enjoy. Though the hot days seem long, the season is fleeting.