Monday at the Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat

The Monday morn began crisp and grey, but following the delicious-ness of Chef Izzy’s fresh lemon-blueberry scones, fresh fruit & steaming scrambled eggs, we were bright-eyed and ready to work. We’d skipped our mornin’ yoga because of moisture & chill. Following presentations from both Jean & I on our viewpoints and process of journaling, we all dug into our first hands-on assignment, “Words with Molding Paste”.

Under Jean’s direction, suggesting we select a word to illustrate in conjunction with two various types of molding paste. One is the “Soft” version, and the other a more “Coarse” paste. These pastes adhere to paper and create an interesting absorbent medium. Here you see my page “harmony”. I played with the two pastes, in my mind thinking the two would start out separate and contrary, but come together (bottom right) in ‘harmony’. Using our trusty dictionary, I detailed the definition of harmony and playing with various pigments and wax crayons attempted to “flow” into a glowing concert. If you look closely, you’ll see the word “h-a-r-m-o-n-y” carved into the paste medium and lettered in black. I have to admit my favorite part of the entire experiment was JudiKins, “MicaGloss-Metalli Effects Ink-Chocolate”. The dark granulation coupled with the coppery sparkle “made” my page.

After Izzy's "scrumpous" lunch (Arugula, celery heart leaf, chive, shallot and almond salad with strawberry balsamic viniagrette), we ventured more into the world of watercolor. With a loose suggestion of painting an image that represented “you”, each individual participant, conjured up a sort of “self-portrait”. This took on many meanings, some were idealized by their relationship to animals, special relationships, etc, – and – we were to interpret our feelings in that portrait. We could include fabric, found objects, anything we visualized as an accurate expression of our feelings.

Intitally, I began cutting out fabric to use in the dark values. As I progressed with my watercolor and wax crayon self-portrait - I was so pleased with the quick painting, I couldn't cover it with the fabric. So, just to honor the original idea, I glued on the fabric - it definately captures part of my ole' "hippie" generation personality :)

With evening upon us, we are treated to another savor meal. Izzy has crafted up Whole wheat pesto pasta with herb-infused cherry tomatoes and braised kale. Then, she topped it off with this elegant Challah bread . . . to die for. Round and very siatiated, we relax into comfy women's conversations . . . then, slumber.

Kids in Creek ~ Playful Journal Page Demo

The was a fun assignment I gave myself. So, of course, I chose one of my favorite and most playful images. This happy image came from a combining of several photos from children playing in the Ashland Lithia Park Creek. I was doing a purely demo class, illustrating some of the techniques we'd be using at my upcoming Women's Journaling Alpine Retreat, hoping to entice anyone interested.

To prepare for the class, I did start early. I applied some "Light Molding Paste", a medium by Golden to add dimension to the upper green leaves (see the dimension in this angled photo?). With this product you can build up absorbant layers. I've never used more than one layer, since I'm primarily working in my journal, but it is fun, flexible and dries spongy yet, holds shapes. I tried to replicate some leaf-like textures in the upper left and top of the image.

I'd created the stamp earlier too, thinking "what would the children be playing with?". I loved the simplicity of the toy boat and specifically selected colors of joy and colors that would unite the entire double-page spread of my open journal. I did apply the stamps very last to my page, when I could see where my text ended and how much visual space I had.

When class finally conviened, I worked from the large blown up image, so the class could see from what I was working. First, I establish the whites, with my wax crayons, that are to be solid or rather scumbled in effect for the water reflections and some on the highlights of rocks. Next, I work in strong yellows to add glow behind the leaves and the brilliant colors of the clothing. While some of the yellow is still moist, I begin dropping in leaf colors in that Molding Paste area. Only when the yellow is dry do I glaze in delicate transparent layers of orange and pink of the children's outfits. And thirdly, I work up the water, it's reflections (cuz I already have those greens on my palette), rock detail and lastly, the final touchs to the wee-ones playing.

I loved the effect of everything together, feeling it absolutely represented the spirit I felt when I was watching those silly kids parade and play in the creek, coupled with the outrageousness of my Elinor page (see previous post). What you think?