Often times, when I go to photograph recent journaling to share here on the blog, my favorite photos are those that show bits of the pages. I don't love the way I capture full pages or spreads; they lose something in translation. I know this is true, because people who page through my journals in person tell me so as well. It's a good challenge, as there are many journal artists that do photograph their pages and spreads and are able to express the soul in them. I'll keep working on it and in the meantime, I'll indulge my desire to hone in on favorites parts.
(above- if you click on the photo, it will become almost full screen, that seems to help)
I love these pages right now, as is, and may choose not to add to them any further. Then again, maybe I will...
More close ups. Many of these pages began as class demos.
This page below left was done by my nephew Jack. When I was teaching I spent the night at his house in between class days, and begged him to draw in my book. The left page is self explanatory, the right page is with me adding to it. He drew a very geometric shape, and when I asked him to tell me about it, he said, "I just felt like it". Perfect answer. But I didn't love it, so permitted myself to paint on top and turn his geometric design into a flower. A joint effort, and I love it for that very reason.
These three close ups belong to the spread below them.
Above it is in progress. It started it's life as a class demo of many different techniques, and later, at home, turned into this:
I snuck in a lot of journaling time this past month. Teaching forces me to allow the time, just like it does everyone else. And I am always happier for the time spent playing, even if I don't love the result. I can always find a pleasing close up to focus on after all :). It really is about the journey, the process, the discovery.
