Diana Trout's blog

Ziek's Journal , Part 1

What an honor to share with you pages from Ziek Paterniti's journal. See here for a look at Ziek's book. This book represents six years of journaling. 

Here's what Ziek has to say about her pages.

In the above page ... "My daughter was graduating from special educatioin boarding school and it was time to explore possibilities for her adult-living situation. At first I was connecting with the word "Investigate" but that felt to clinical. When I came across the little dictionary definition sticker (lower left of the page) that said "Explore" I decided that it was much more in harmony with my intention and after that moment, the page took off!

The background is acrylic paint stenciled with Adirondack Ink and a stippling brush. The images came together from various collage collections, magazines, etc. 

I love the tentative, almost tip-toeing girl. This page speaks volumes of the careful first steps of a new direction . 

When Ziek's daughter came home to live with her parents ...

"The background is acrylic paints and the border was built with magazine papers. I stamped the background with flourishy stamps. You will see the fairy princess flying in from the west (PA) toward the couple in the little "house" (my husband and myself) with Lady Liberty in our back yard. There are dancers on the left page and children playing on the right page, as well as birds and flowers scattered around. The flowers are made from stacking two sizes of flower punches and accented (as is the rest of the page) with Stickles."

The joy spilling out of this page is infectious. I can feel the happy party and the prospect of new beginning. 

 

"At the time of this page I was feeling a great need for trust -- trust in God, the Universe, Spirit -- to be on top of our situation. The images are from magazines, including one focal figure representing meditation and prayer. There is a leaping dancer (Leap of Faith) and hands plating a seedling in the soil. Birds feature prominently in my art - there is a lot of symbolism there -- nesting, mothering, nurturing, flying free, even pushing the babies out of the nest, trusting that they will fly on their own. Dogs feature prominently too -- for me they represent home, security, loyalty, protection, etc. They relate back to the seedling being planted -- one seedling producing many flowers --natural abundance!"

Ziek has "go-to" techniques that are comfortable and fun for her to work with. She's also worked with her personal imagery and developed a meaningful vocabulary of symbols for herself. Her ability to go with her intuition ("investigate seemed too clinical a word") and let her feelings unfold is powerful. 

More tomorrow. Thank you Ziek!

 

160 Blank Pages

There you are with a brand new journal and a table full of art supplies. 

Blank Page Syndrome x 160 (or whatever).

Here are three tips to get you going

1. Use that first page to write down your contact information. I usually add a pithy little plea: "This is my annex brain/heart/soul. If you return it to me, I will be forever in your debt."

2. It is a bit overwhelming to make art on that first page so open your new book to any blank page and make your art there. This is a good way to start to get to know the paper in your new book. Try to keep in your mind that every single sketch or journal page will not be picture perfect. Some will be dismal, sad, messy and pure cr*p. Try to not care about that. 

3. Sometimes, I write a little note to my journal (see 1st picture in this post). The note is expanded upon and embellished as I get to know my new journal better.

OK, your turn. Do you have any snippets of advice on starting a new journal. Add to the comments!  

Journal Full

Evidence that a journal that is worked is indescribly beautiful. This is Ziek's journal.
She brought it along to The Ink Pad class last Saturday. I went a little nuts to be holding such a object. 

To have had an hour to savor this book, just in itself, would be worth another trip, Thank you, Ziek.

A Rumpus in NYC

We rocked the West Lake Community Center on Saturday. 

Here are some of my students goofing around on the piano.

Every time paper dolls are on the syllabus, it is another round of pure fun. There is a huge variety. 

I "forgot" to make stencils for my students. After an initial "we can't draw that," I pretend to hurry about making the stencils while they all draw "that." What is even better is that they all draw that body originally, whimsically and with a low stress factor. 

And it is a true reflection of themselves. 

My students are always top drawer: willing and more than able. I love you all. And it is an honor to teach. One that I take pretty danged seriously.

After a day like Saturday, it is evident how lucky I am. Even with all of the planning, packing and carrying of a suitcase full of supplies.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Here is a picture of some of my students taking pictures of their dolls. It was a huge photo opp and we were all trying to get pictures. It was lovely to see them all joking, laughing and just having a blast. That is Anna on the left, owner of The Ink Pak. 

Flower Sketches in April

Thank you all for you good birthday wishes! 

It hit me a bit, the "56" sounds like a pretty big number all of a sudden. Never gave age much thought so that caught me off guard. Your warmth really cheered me. Better today.

I treated myself to some new art supplies for my birthday.

A set of 12 Letraset Aquamarkers, here, on Dick Blick. These twin tip markers are filled with ink. When you brush over them with water, they bleed. Very nice. Since they are ink (not watercolor) they are permanent when dry so layers can be added without disturbing the dried layer. My only (small) complaint is that I wish the marker tips were gentler on the paper. They beat them up a bit.

Inktense Blocks, here, have been on my list for a while as well. Again: ink not watercolor and they behave just as the Aquamarkers do. If you've used the Inktense Pencils you know! They look like watercolor pencils when you lay them on a dry page but, oh my, when you wet them they explode with really intense color. I suggest using these materials on good watercolor paper.

The stack of colored papers in the upper right corner is awaiting small drawings. Imagine my surprise! Packing for my class at The Ink Pad in NYC this Saturday and discover my business cards have run out. Drat. You can see how I've handled this in the past by reading this post. I scrounged in my drawers and found some watercolor sketches to cut up. Tonight will be fun. I think these personal little drawings are much appreciated and so it goes. 

Walk in the Woods

A Haiku (of sorts) ... 

This last bloom fades

bluebells ring.

Then wild turkeys ...

sensed my thoughts of cranberry sauce.

I hope you laughed. 
Happy 56th Birthday to me today. Born in 1956. This will be an easy one to remember. 

Sewn by Hand

I've been looking through a lovely book, Sewn by Hand: Two Dozen Projects Stitched with Needle & Thread (Amazon link). What a treat to make myself the sewing kit from felt, thread, some fabric and a woven piece I made some time back in Jude Hill's class.

So convenient, with a pocket for scissors, needles packs and bobbins of floss, a marker or pencil

and a pincushion built right in. What a treat: both to make it and now to use it.

Sneaking in some stitching time to make something just for yourself feels like a luxury, doesn't it? I think this book goes on my wish list. In the meantime, I'll borrow the library's copy!

Embroidery: Stitching Flowers

Painting deadline: Met. Unfortunately, I can't share them with you right now but that is ok, I will paint more. In the meantime, my brain needs a rest and I sit with my threads, a sunny bit of hand dyed cloth and the flower shapes I've been working with.

The texture of this cloth is beautiful: loose and worn in and the frayed edge is delicious.

A day of peace, rest and messing around with my journal today. Happy weekend to all of you and I thank you for reading my little blog and for your lovely comments.

Wrangling the Critic, Art Journaling

I've been scarce here as I wrangle the voices in my head. They start up whenever I paint on canvas. 

I love painting. Until the voices start. 

I spent some time over the weekend with my journal and just cut and pasted and had a fabulous time.

I spent some time with my pen and that was good too.

Monday, I go back to the paintings. One of my teen journalers told me about a game they play with the iPod. Put the iPod on shuffle, ask a question and whatever song comes on next has your answer.

I ask: Will I ever get over this painting block?

Weary Blues is the song that comes on.

I sit down with my notebook and pen and write.

I make a list: 10 things I love about these paintings (which I will show you at some point).

I keep the list on my table. Whenever I feel the creepies coming back, I read the list. It helps.

Taming the Critic is not for pansies.

Help! Which Sketchbook Should I Use?

There are so many brands and sorts of sketchbooks out there! I get emails and comments frequently asking about which sketchbooks I like. A video is order and here it is. I hope it helps you make a decision. Gosh, I have a lot of sketchbooks don't I? How about you? Which one(s) do you like best?