Sometimes I am absolutely compelled to have an art journal going. I'm ALWAYS a better artist when I have one going. Laziness prevents me from always having one. Because of the need for high quality watercolor paper, I'm forced to make my own journals AND I like hand made journals better so, it takes work. After fighting with various brands of watercolor paper for a couple of years, I got the ticket on good paper from Teesha's website and, she is right, it is unmatched. Strong and can take a lot of punishment. When watercoloring, one must be able to lift color off the page without it balling up. Yuck. So, I bit the bullet and made a journal. I'm not finished with the cover. I won't keep the word "menu" but I'm not sure what I'll replace it with and I'll add a few more things as I begin to see what it needs. I love the amazing 1951 image of the beautiful woman. Her hands look EXACTLY like my mother's. It's uncanny. Although, Mother usually wore varying shades of pink nail polish. Red didn't really work for her. She was a pink person. I'm both a red and a pink person. Split personality. I have the most vivid memories of my mother's hands. They were soft and beautiful while simultaneously being strong and hardworking. They were warm and dry. Never clammy. Emanating from them was the most comforting touch I've ever felt. I can still see every vein; every little wrinkle. They healed my spirit more times than I can count and they continue to heal me. My mother's hands.
I'm about to begin a project like nothing I've ever done before. I'll be making a custom journal for a wonderful woman who collects arts and crafts. It's similar to working in a round robin book that belongs to another artist, but I will be doing an entire book for her. I'm very excited about this project and will share the process here. I have lots of ideas and I'm putting together a list of questions for her to answer. Sort of a fast track to getting to know someone. If I know her, her family and her past, I can fill the book with her spirit. I already know of her infectious enthusiasm and her immense joy. She brims with a zest for life that comes through in her emails. Hearing from her always makes me smile and the thought of immersing myself in a large project just for her puts me up on cloud nine! Yes, I'm excited.
I put a few more wallpaper packs in my etsy shop so go take a look or scroll down to see what's inside. Some very pretty papers. I never know what to put in a pack. I just sort of grab and cut. Everyone has such differing tastes. I tried to include a little of everything in this pack. From old pink to rich red. I hope you like them. I've never enjoyed working with anything as much as I enjoy vintage wallpaper. I think it has to do with the nostalgia factor. I love anything with a past.
This is such a wonderful idea!!! I LOVE the cover and hope to see some of the inside pages too!! I think this will be a most exceptional book...so inspiring and lovely to look at!!!
Posted by: Barbara | July 29, 2007 at 11:06 AM
I love this journal, i'm a sucker for anything with pompom trim! I can't wait to see what your next move is! You continue to ispire me!
Posted by: Lisa Renea | July 29, 2007 at 12:07 PM
1. Love the journal. Is that little bird a german scrap? So cute.
2. So exciting about your project! How cool is that. Please do, keep us informed. It sounds like a wonderful thing to be engrossed in.
Loved the writing about your Mom's hands.
Posted by: Cindy | July 29, 2007 at 06:40 PM
Very cool Mildred. That's one lucky lady to get a book from you custom made from your heart to her's. I don't think I've ever seen my mother wear nail polish...? She's just not a nil polish mom. Usually just clear coat stuff, does that count?
Posted by: Will | July 30, 2007 at 07:46 AM
ah. its wonderful. and i kinda like menu myself. and that little birdie so sweet. as far as wallpaper and things old and your work - it was meant to be you know. your things with these elements is unmatched and its obvious it gets you where you live :-)
and i love hearing you talk about your mother - it touches my heart.
Posted by: Tracy | July 31, 2007 at 05:31 AM
Donna, you know that I'm no "red" girl but even I, pink lover that I am, find this GORGEOUS journal of yours irresistable! So, so sweet - love it!
Posted by: dawn | August 03, 2007 at 01:17 PM
I allways have a art journal these days, I like to alter books so it's not a problem to find one! :-)
your cover is just beautiful!
Posted by: Hanna | August 12, 2007 at 01:42 PM