Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Artistic Restraint is the prompt for last week for the Journal 52 Challenge. I am almost caught up! I followed some of the prompt suggestions, but put my own spin on it as usual.

journal pages 002

I used purple and added black and white to make the background of my journal page. I used an empty prescription bottle to make the circles. I used the cover to make the more solid circles and the open top of the bottle for the rest. She made tidy shapes and then painted them in different variations of the color. I just played with the colors right on the page and used the bottle to “paint” the whole page. I didn’t use a stencil. Instead I cut out a red circle and made a “Vision Map” mandala. I’m reading Lisa Congdon’s book, Art INC. and am enjoying it very much so far. One big realization that came out of this process is that my next journal will be a watercolor journal rather than an altered book. I have loved making altered books, but I really want to work on my watercolor skills and journaling on watercolor paper will really facilitate that process.

I am also rereading The Fault In Our Stars by John Green for a book group I’m in and I wrote down a quote on the facing page. Then I wrote the word MARVEL all over the page. That is kind of my goal with mindfulness and gratitude, but this quote really summed it up nicely. I may feel like crap, but that doesn’t make life less marvelous. (or something)

Actually today has been a really good day. I went to aquacize and all of my friends are back from travels or medical leaves from the pool. I have been able to read and draw for hours. The fact that the temperature got above freezing and I had my kitchen window open for a while helped to. My cats, husband, son, and abundance are marvels.

What do you have to marvel at today?