The selection of Natural Elements journals is slowly, but surely being built up. These one-of-a-kind journals are inspired by the simple beauty of nature. The sticks and stones have been picked up on my walks and wanderings and I hope these natural elements inspire your own wanderings.

The journals that depict an image were created using handcarved stamps. A new journal has just been added called Dusk which can be seen below.

dusk
handbound journal
available @ amanobooks.com

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My friend and talented artist Patricia Anders posted this exercise and questions on her blog. This is a great exercise for us creative types and I challenge you to open up your journals and attempt to answer her questions and really try to see your work with a stranger’s eyes. I did it myself and will share my answers in a few days over at my art blog. If you would like, post your thoughts on your own blog and share a link here. Or keep it private in your own written journal.

Look at the work you have currently hanging on your studio wall or work space or in progress on your easel or your work table and pretend that you are someone else. Someone who does not know you and imagine what they might think of the artist who created it. Write those things down and keep them for yourself, to help you determine whether what you are creating is tied in with who you are or what you want to say or express. Post your thoughts.

Do you find that the statement “You can tell a lot about a person by the art that they make” is true? Does this exercise give you some clarity or ability to see your creations differently? Do you know someone who’s art clearly reflects who they are? Is the work you did ten years ago different? have you matured artistically or just improved your skills? Is there a difference? Is the content or the media the same?

It is important to the exercise to look at your work with a stranger’s eyes first. And then move on to answering the questions.

Try it!

self portrait

Art is not so much talent as character.. it’s what you are, the qualities of the person. ::: John Olsen :::

Interesting quote….is this true? This quote may be tackling a whole other issue entirely, but thought it was an interesting one to ponder.

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Last week I added several new mixed media journals to amanobooks. Bound together is the most recent addition to the offerings there.

Bound Together, 6×8 inch blank journal

For this cover, I drew upon a previous encaustic painting that I created last year called Patterns Often Overlooked. I encased the image in wax and pulled out my paints to finish off the rest of the canvas. I often like to revisit an old painting that has already left me and continue the dialogue with it again. See where my explorations take us next.

For this piece I was interested in an issue that I am always intrigued by- our connection to nature seen in the cycles of the moon and the seasons. How life begins with one little seed. But it takes so much to call forth that life. Acceptance, nourishment, cooperation, life; and then ultimately, the letting go, the passing, death. We are all connected and bound together.

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