Last week I shared some backgrounds I was working on for my 15 Words or less art journal. I have some of the pages finished or close to finished. Art, like writing, is a constant learning process. There are some things I really like about each of these pages and some things I don’t. There are sections I look at and feel, mostly in my gut, that something isn’t working but I don’t know what. Like I said, it’s all a learning process. If you’re interested in more detail you can click on the picture to see it larger.
I would have liked to do make the pictures move more to the back of the page, like with an image transfer, but I don’t have the energy to do 50 image transfers for this book. So I’m concentrating one trying to blend them in effectively. It works better on some than on others. I wish I had paid more attention to the sizes of the photos before I printed them out but it was another good learning process for me.
I like sharing this in various stages and even if they are less than “finished” because it helps me feel better overall about putting myself out. Not everything I write or make is going to be terrific or appeal to everyone and that’s okay. I started with a watercolor book, painted the pages with various Golden Fluid acrylics. Collaged the pictures and various papers, added more color with my Neocolor II, Portfolio Oil Pastels and walnut inks. I love using the walnut inks but they take DAYS to dry. Grrr. Even with using a blow dryer on the page. I use the Sharpie Poster Paint water-based pens to write on all the pages.
Right now with art I think I am stronger in colors that I believe I am. I think my weak point is composition. I hate my handwriting (doesn’t everyone?) but I wanted the handwritten connection to the words here since this are all poetry warm-up exercises. Nothing to be written in gold or carved in stone or worried about. posts a picture on Thursdays and those who want to play along, write a poem of 15 words or less. It’s a nice way to warm up the writing muscles for the day. I printed out the photos she posted on the days I’ve participated (so far). I may take some of these “warm-ups” and work on them more. Or not. I may take some of the pages and work on them more. Or not. 🙂
Such is the creative process.
Working on these pages is such good thinking time for my writing.
What kind of art making is feeding your soul these days?
They are so lovely! You are an inspiration to me.
Thank you. I hope you’re finding something to fill your soul too.
Susan these are just incredible, love the use of the b+w photos and especially the upside down one..Janet
Thank you. I can’t take credit for the photos. Laura picks out photos and posts them every Thursday and we write to the photo prompt. I just printed out the pictures she picked out.
It’s a really fun exercise and I’m glad I’m going to have them collected in this book.
Satisfaction
It may have been a frustrating day for you, but their “Satisfaction” poem is fabulous. Incredible, wonderful imagery.
These are so beautiful, both visually and in content.
The closest I’ve come to creating art lately other than through writing has been through cooking. I love inventing sauces and marinades for dishes and just seeing how they turn out. I feel a little bit like a scientist in that way, and the results make the house smell warm and rich while I write or work, so that’s a plus.
Thank you, Jeni.
I think cooking is totally making art with, as you sad, a bit of mad scientist. I can’t do it. If it weren’t for hubby cooking we’d be eating a lot of instant stuff. I love marinades.
Love these, Susan. They feel very autumnal. Last one is my favorite. Can’t resist that chocolate tooth!
Like Jeni, for me cooking is a good meditative, mindful activity that spurs creative thinking. There are many similarities to the writing process.
Thanks, Jama.
I really think cooking, for those who love to do it, is exactly that, a meditative process. For me it is stress city. But I am always happy to eat the results.
Did I read that you are working on some food essays?
Wow, these are the kind of works I can gaze at for a long time, and still find more to see. Very beautiful and powerful stuff, Susan.
Thanks, Tracy. I’m having fun.
Love this! Loved being able to hold it and touch the pages. You are so fabulous!!! And so are your art and words! 🙂
Aw, thanks so much. Right back at ya!
It was such fun to share them with you in person.
I love the term “spider hands.”
I especially love the colors on the egg page.
Well it didn’t last very long! I cleaned out file drawers and now I have a giant mess all over again. Wah! I often lose steam just before the end too.
I jumped on it today & added you as a friend in minutes!
🙂
Now…how do I get that spiffy vanity url you mentioned?
I wonder if they would be allowed to continue to meet and write for each other after your class is over? I’m guessing not, in such a regimented setting, but I love the way they cheered for the peer’s poem that really spoke to them.
Even us “experienced” teachers can and do have days where our students just seem to be wild, or angry, or moody, or silent. Some days you can get them back on task, and some days you just can’t. So don’t feel completely bad about it.
Haiku is both really easy and really difficult. Some people get the whole syllables thing, and others don’t. If you don’t know what a syllable is, dealing with structured poetry is really restrictive. And these ladies are already fed up with being restricted and confined. That’s one possible reason why one or two of them might have shut down. And where one goes…
Hang in there.
Susan–I think they are real writers now!
The procrastination, the restlessness, the “can’t I write about something else?” Am I the only writer who finds that familiar? ;-D