Fabric Collage Paper

Recently, I cut up a bunch of paper grocery bags. I wanted to used them to create a new journal. I was planning to make it large, so I cut the pieces about 11 x 17" - thinking this would make a nice page size when folded in half.

I am not sure where the idea came from, but I decided to add fabric to the paper for visual interest, so I mixed up some very diluted gel medium and began collaging fabric scraps onto the brown paper bag "pages".

It was actually really fun to do and it seemed to be working. I did six of them and left them to dry. Since the fabric overlapped the paper edges - it held everything flat against the work table, so they dried nice and flat. I liked the results so much that I did the same to the back of each page.

I have now trimmed the pages so they are somewhat uniform and have done a bit of stitching on them with my machine.

I have a couple of ideas for them - one is to put the 5 signatures together into a single journal. I could fill one of the fabric sections each day with a little note or picture, and by summer's end - it would be finished.

Alternatively, I could use each one as a cover for a smaller booklet and put paper pages inside.
Hmmm. Can't quite make up my mind and I guess I won't until after the wedding. I am trying to get things picked up in anticipation of lots of company and activity in my house.

Visual Journal Cover

Last winter, I started keeping a visual journal. I created a page each day. The book I used was a gift from Linda MacDonald - I was lucky enough to get her gift in the WAV Christmas gift exchange for 2008. She created this wonderful quilted cover:

Which is fun from front to back!

My finished journal has 110 pages.

I am really proud of myself for sticking with this and creating something visual in this journal every day even when I had a lot of other distractions. It was a really good creative outlet - and something I did just for myself!

Visual Journal Page #19

You may notice that these pages were created a month or so ago.
I can't really bring myself to post them when they are so fresh and feel so personal.
After a while, I seem to lose my personal attachment and it seems OK to share.

Visual Journal Page #25

Visual Journal Page #26

Visual Journal Page #20

This page was created the day we left for Seattle to celebrate my father-in-law's
98th Birthday.

Visual Journal Page #31

I have started coloring the black and white faces with a Copec marker.
Seeing this one in black and white makes me realize I need to color it in, also.
The fish is a hand cut rubber stamp, and her tail is made from my hand painted papers.

Visual Journal Page #18

The vintage faces I have been using are from a 1920's high school yearbook.
The wings - from a diagram in a 1920's college textbook.
My research indicates that things printed before the 1920's are safe to use as
far as copyright. However, this Visual Journal is for my own use. I am not selling
the images so I don't think it is an issue, anyway.

Another page from my visual journal.

Visual Journal Page

Another page from my Visual Journal.

Visual Journal Page #30

This is a screen print from a photo I took in our neighborhood
after a wildfire destroyed two houses and many acres of forest and grassland.

Visual Journal Page #33

I've been numbering the pages in the journal. This gives me a small sense of satisfaction, seeing the numbers increase. I am almost to #50. More to show in the next few days.

Visual Journal Page

I am really proud that I have been able to maintain my commitment to create a visual journal page each day. The visual journal page is my first studio task of the morning.
I know some people sketch, but I am not really a sketcher, so I am using collage techniques.
I have a couple of ground rules:

1. images may come only from things I have on hand -
this may be junk mail, sales catalogs, brochures, maps,
etc.
2. I try not to overthink my designs or spend too much time
on them. I am working quickly and intuitively, but I hope
to strengthen my design sense and especially the creation
of a focal point for each page.

Visual Journal - Another page

Visual Journal Entry #5

This is one of my favorites so far. Can you identify the face in the photo? I tried to make certain he would not be recognizable.

Visual Journal Entry #4

Visual Journal Entry #3

This one is kind of silly.
Please recognize that my visual journal pages are not intended as
"works of art".
Rather, they are a creative outlet and expressive opportunity.
I am trying not to over think. Playing it loose and not spending too much time.
I am working very intuitively.
I am also trying to flex my artistic muscles and develop some of my (perceived by me) weaknesses. Primarily - I am working on the development of a focal point.
I tend to create works with a lot of repetition, balance, and rhythm - often lacking a focal point.

Notice the borders on this piece - cut from the sewn, dyed, painted, and printed paper from this entry.

Visual Journal Entry #2

This page reflects upon the 3 months of construction labor I have been involved with - constructing an addition to my daughter's new home.

I wrote my entry with a gold pen that smeared when I sealed the page with collage sealer.
I am learning lots!

Visual Journal Entry #1

I've decided I will begin a routine of visual journaling.
My plan is to work first thing each morning in my visual journal.

I have really been enjoying it. The opportunity to begin the day with a quiet meditation in my studio is a most welcome reprieve in these cold dark winter months. It is usually dark when I get up, so this is something to look forward to each day.