Thursday, January 20, 2011

Again With The Good News, Bad News Thing!

Well, things have changed pretty substantially since I blogged at the beginning of the year. The bad news first: I won't be attending Jane Dunnewold's Art Cloth Masteries class, after all. It feels awful to even type that, but there it is.

The good news is that I will once again be able to blog at will and read my favorite blogs again, something I had given up simply due to time constraints. But those constraints are no longer an issue, and you should start seeing me pop up in your comments more frequently than I have for the last few months.

I'm still weighing my options for what my future might hold and where I'd like to take my career, but for now, for a few days at least, I've been taking some "me" time.  That's very good news for my sketchbook, as is has been welded to my hand for the last few days.

I'm working through my ideas for where I want to take my stacked journaling design idea, and what better place to do that than in the pages of a good, loyal sketchbook?


The page above was created with Fineline markers and stacked journaling- the word green, to be exact, which is what created the loopy bits to the outsides of the leaves and the great texture in both the leaves and the stem. So far I haven't found any design that I haven't been able to enhance with some form of stacked journaling.
Here, stacked journaling was screened onto a previously painted sketchbook page using a Thermofax screen and black textile paint. 


Stacked journaling was used here to create shapes on fabric which was then mounted into my sketchbook with fluid matte medium and "coffee stained" with fluid acrylic paint.

Creating contrast against a brightly painted background....


More screening of stacked journaling, adding depth to a previously sketched, screened, and painted page...


Stacked journaling on top of the existing text and Notan-like design of an old, yellowed telephone book page, cut and mounted into my sketchbook....


As you can see, I use my sketchbooks to do more than sketch. They are the incubator of ideas which will grow and develop organically, as I work each page in my own particular way. 

I hope you'll come show us some of your sketchbook's "particular ways" at The Sketchbook Challenge.

17 comments:

Quilter Beth said...

I'm so sorry to hear that you won't be taking Jane's class. I know you were looking forward to it. Sometimes things don't work out like we plan, and sometimes that's a good thing. I've missed your frequent blog posts and am looking forward to catching up. BTW, I LOVE the stacked journaling. I love the idea. Where did that idea come from?

Vicki W said...

I'm so sorry that you aren't going to be able to attend Jane's classes. I know you were looking forward to it. But you have to do what's best for you. it will all work out in the end!

Fibra Artysta said...

The stacked journaling is absolute genius. I really love what you are doing with it!

elle said...

ah, Judi, I've missed you! So great to see you back sharing your brilliant ideas. Every cloud has a silver lining, but I'm betting yours will be gold! Yippee, Judi's back. That indeed is good news!

Katrina said...

You are very talented and I know you will shine!
It is very selfish but I am thrilled you are back sharing!

Marlis said...

oh judi, i'm so sorry to hear that you won't be attending jane's class. i hope there will be another chance for you to do it.

Anonymous said...

all of these pieces are fantastic Judi!

Quilt or Dye said...

Welcome Back!

janice said...

Judi
Sorry to hear about Jane's class, I remember how excited you were at fabrications. I am happy that you will be blogging more frequently. I am certain you will continue to grow and we will see amazing things from you.

Jan said...

I'm sorry for whatever it is that is preventing you from being able to take this class. As inventive as you are I'm sure you will be able to teach yourself many things even without the class. I hope you are well. I shall be watching to see what you have to share next. I think you ought to write an article and submit it to CPS or some such, about your stacked journaling.

Gina said...

I'm sorry you won't be attending the class you were so excited about but I am thrilled that you are back in blogland! I've missed you! And your stacked journaling is fabulous. I think you are already on your perfect career path; keep doing what you're doing and it will turn into a freeway.

Julie said...

Jane's loss is our gain but I am sorry that you have had to give up your plans. I'm sure life must have something even more rewarding in line for you this year and we get to enjoy your blog again :-)

Lisa K said...

Hi Judi,

Your stacked journaling technique is so cool! Can't wait to see the graffiti piece you started in class last week!

sweetypie said...

ooh I AM STARTING TO FEEL REALLY EXCITED!about your stacked text---sooo thought provoking, been having a go, really interesting keep up the good work...

Eva said...

I absolutely love this calligraphic piece on a phonebook page! Too bad to hear about restraints, but hopefully art will find its/your way to keep you creating -- as you demonstrate.

Deb H said...

Your sketchbook pages are fabulous!!! I'm eager to see more and glad we will see more of your work :o) All things work out for the best in the end.
Hugs!

Anonymous said...

Use the image of the vine for commercial purposes for your next article.

~your daughter