Sunday, April 13, 2014

A Dusty Soul

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.            - Pablo Picasso

It’s the last day of Spring Break.  During most weeks, I might find time to draw or paint or cook for an hour or two on a Sunday.  These past two weeks however (other than a few social engagements) I have lived like a hermit some days not even getting out of my jammies cooking and drawing and painting and painting and drawing and cooking.  It’s been marvelous.  I can’t say I’m looking forward to going back to work tomorrow tomorrow, but I have to admit that this break was a much needed hiatus from everyday working life.  It always amazes me how taking time to be creative makes me so happy.

Since I’m not participating in the Calendar Challenge this year, I realized I haven’t shared my art journal in awhile. 

stuff 427 stuff 428 stuff 430stuff 429stuff 416 stuff 417 stuff 418 stuff 419 stuff 420 stuff 421 stuff 423 stuff 424This has been one of my favorite journals to work in, but it’s finished now.  I’ve started making a new one, but sadly spring break is over.  Maybe I’ll finish it next Sunday.

Anyhow, there are 9 weeks left until summer not that I’m counting.  I think I can, I think I can, I think I can….

12 comments:

  1. With the Art thing being under a cosh can force you to 'get on with it'. But I think doing what you did for a few years can drain inspiration like a slow puncture. It would have been better had they said 12 pieces representing the 12 month rather than the insistence on the diary format.
    Some of those designs are really good, saleable even. R of 1, r of 2, l&r of 3, l&r of 4; l of 5; r of 6; l&r of 10; l&r of 12; are something you might sell as wallpapers for computers/smartphones without too much bother. They're not for me or any man quite frankly and I doubt you'd disagree there, and so while girlie, they are moody too. Yes, I think they are quite good indeed. Consider a long distance pat on the back.

    Dog POed, I was ready to go with her before sitting down to type this. When she heard the tap tap of the keys she flounced off to lay on the bed.

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    1. Thank you. I will respond further after getting home tonight. Moving at a snail's pace this am.

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    2. I've always been fascinated with patterns on wallpaper (real wall paper) and fabric or linens. It would be so much fun to work in surface design, and I've been researching it a bit. I have zero experiencing creating on the computer though and that's definitely the direction that it all goes in. It's fun anyhow.
      The dog walking off in a huff is so funny. You got her hopes up looking like you were ready to go! :) Mine does the same. Although, she's more vocal about it, barking and howling. Or sometimes she crawls on top of the device I'm using.

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    3. I was thinking afterwards about the woodcut process for making wall paper. where you have a wood block for each colour. I've seen them at the V&A in London. The point being making the wallpaper in that way was very laborious and they slimmed down the number of colours and made the areas of the colours bigger. This was the system of hand made wallpaper up to the Arts&Crafts with William Morris. And it's here I making the connection to you. Your stuff is VERY A&C. Very very very. If you look at your designs above and think how you'd print each colour in a block of say 20"x20" or however wide. In that seemingly simply one at the bottom you'd have to use 7 blocks for each panel. Where in a Pugin design 1850s ishy, you'd have two, the complimentary's.
      That's why when I say you have some very good ideas I'm not blowing smoke where it will do you no good at all. (When I heard that American saying as a kid I had a pictured of a donkey and a man with a tobacco-pipe.)

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    4. Yah, aren't idioms funny. We do lessons in school about them - literal vs. actual meanings. The kids always get a kick out of them.
      That block printing is amazing. Can you imagine the amount of time that would have taken to complete rolls of the stuff for a space, weeks at least. I appreciate the compliment. :)

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  2. Wow.. that is a lot of great work.. so much to love. i am especially digging the 'i just wanna make nice things and get enough sleep' me too!

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    1. Right!?!? Such a good quote. I never ever thought I could be someone who didn't get up and go to work every day. Now that I'm old and tired I could TOTALLY do that. :) These last two weeks just playing around, staying up late, and sleeping even later were just heavenly.

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  3. I was just thinking last week that I hadn't seen any journal pictures from you. I like the idea of earth laughter as flowers. So True. Paul called this morning and said to stay in SB because it was snowing. 80* two days ago and snow this morning. I am still coming home. I miss him and the dogs.

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    1. This year's weather has been nuts. Snow!?!?! In the middle of April. Crazy. Even us, we didn't get below 70 for most of winter. Last week it was almost 100, Sunday it was 60, and today it was almost 90. The weather in SB is a bit more mild across the board - not too hot and not too cold. But I bet you'll be ready to go home as well.

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  4. You are such an artist and I love your style! I seldom can draw what I want and certainly cannot paint!

    Sounds like you had a wonderful break...I have mine next week!

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    1. Oh thank you. I enjoy it lots. :)
      The week AFTER Easter for you? I know some are out this week too. You have a late spring break...but that'll help with the later end to your year. Enjoy!

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