It was my darling husband who once told me that I “always go through this” when I haven’t painted for awhile. Scowling (and in a very bad mood), I asked what “THIS” was. According to him, every time I’ve been away from painting for a bit and try to get back into it, I seem to, well…get crabby, think I can’t paint anymore and nothing goes right, feel lost and procrastinate like heck.
He says that it takes me 2 or sometimes 3 days to get over this stage. Hmmm…I thought about this. By gosh if he wasn’t right (I hated to admit it).
This info was invaluable to me because now I could see it was my pattern. It’s just the way that I deal with getting back into the swing of things! Because I could see the pattern, I could deal with it.
Now, I allow myself to go through this stage. It’s still not fun, but I know it won’t last. And as I said last week I find some way to PLAY and be creative to get myself over that bad place. At times it might mean to simply clean my studio and do some rearranging. These journals are another way I’ve found to get myself over the hump and into painting. It works like a charm.
And guess what? After doing the journals last week, look at what I’ve been doing! These are five of the batiks I’m working on. Yep – all at the same time. If you’ve never batiked, it’s great fun. I’m having a blast, but it was tough to get going. Thanks to all of you for the kind words you sent me to help with the motivation. I’m supposed to be motivating you! So you guys are the BEST!
Here now, are instructions for how to finish your journals.
Step 1: Decide what sort of journal this will be. If you want simply to draw or write in it, use drawing paper. If you want to paint in it, I suggest 140 lb. watercolor paper. So many choices!
CUT THE PAPER to fit inside the journal. You’ll want to cut it a bit smaller all the way around, but remember that you’ll be folding the paper in half, so allow for that. Here you can see that I have cut two pieces of paper and fit them inside each other (This is called a “signature”).
Step 2: CHOOSE YOUR RIBBON. I like to put three signatures (Two pieces of paper each for watercolor paper. You can do more if you use thinner paper) into my journals. You will need a piece of ribbon for each signature that you use. In this case, I’m using three pieces of ribbon.
Step 3: TAKE ONE RIBBON and string it through the center of the signature, hold it snugly at the bottom of the journal and tie a knot. This is what holds your paper in place!
Step 4: STRING THE SECOND RIBBON through second signature, placing it either on top or the bottom of the previous signature. You’re stacking them up. Again, tie a knot at the bottom of the journal.
Add as many signatures as you’d like, using this same method.
Step 5: ADD THE BEAD FOR STABILITY. I love adding a bead!
As you string the last ribbon through the signature you add, wind it around the other ribbons at the top of the journal, then string it through the bead and knot it (again winding around the other ribbons to keep them all in place) just underneath the bead.
Then the ribbon flows down the journal and ties into the knot at the bottom, just like all of the other beads. There! It should be stable and ready to use.
Step 6: VELCRO THE OPENING. I find that the only Velcro that works is the ‘Industrial Strength” stuff. Now, I can’t say if they have it at the fabric store. I bought some there and it was too wimpy – so I went to Home Depot – ya! I could stick my cat onto the wall with this stuff. It has a self-adhesive, so you just peel off one side, stick it on…peel off the other, stick it on…and you’re done! Easy, which is just how I like it.
ONE OTHER THING: I love to embellish the journal before I even begin to put the pages into it. There are times when I think that these pieces need some added color. Remember that I’m using old, even unfinished paintings. For example, here I am adding some colored pencil to the tjap batik I’m using for a journal. But use anything that strikes you – acrylic paint, ink, marker, collage. The world is yours! Remember, this is your tool for getting yourself moving. Put on the music, get a glass of wine and HAVE FUN!
I’d love to show off any of your journals that you’d like to share with me. And thanks to all of you who have already shared yours. The photos will be shown on Thursdays.
Thanks once again for reading. I appreciate the time you give me out of your very busy day. Please SHARE with a friend if you’ve enjoyed this.
Now go paint!
Kathie xo
Hi Kathie
I was so surprised when I read that you feel like you can’t paint any more and get bothered by it. I feel just like that until I get into a picture again. Something to do with that creative process. Go Kathie. You are the best.
Kathy
Reading your blog is the next best thing to visiting you in person!!! Love you.
I can really identify with your “stalling” dilemma. I can find a million and a half things that must get done to avoid getting out to the studio. But once I get there, it’s hard to tear myself away. It’s nice to know that other artists have the same issues. Thanks for your openness. I LOVE your journals. I just spent a day at Karen’s house and she showed me how to do them so it’s fun seeing your reinforcing blog.
Kathy, I think many of us are more alike than we know. Have you ever read the book, “Van Gogh Blues”? Anyway, the important thing is to NOT GIVE UP when we feel like it. We have to plow through because the feeling won’t last. By the way, I sure miss seeing you once in a while. It makes me happy that you read my blog! xo
This is a neat way to do the binding, Kathie! No sewing required! Can’t wait to try it.
Kathie, What a great pep talk!! I am feeling the same way, trying to get back into painting after the holidays but just can’t seem to get it together. And I have so much to do between now and May!! My creative juices just don’t want to flow. I have been busying myself by organizing my room a bit and that helps. I invited my neighbor to come and make the journals with me. We both love your posts each week! “YOU” are the best!!! Keep those great ideas and inspirations coming!!! Miss you! Kathy
Love your blogs and how you inspire all of us. What do you think would be the maximum number of watercolor pages one could put in the journal?
Love it
Thanks Kathie…I too procrastinate and don’t really know why. Sometimes I just seem to get a mental block, so I really appreciate your blog. It gives me ideas and helps jump start a new project. It’s good to know others have the same problems at times. I really appreciate you sharing of you thoughts and ideas with us. Linda
I may have to make one of these for our trip this spring!
Fantastic ideas. Thanks for the jump start! As always, your Tuesday Tips are inspiring and very helpful.
Love your samples! The batiks look great on the covers. Thanks for the tip on the Velcro. Did you see the movie “9 to 5?” What those women could have done with a supply of that stuff. Sorry, I’m evil, but you know that. Xoxoxo. Kathy
Kathie,
Just got my beautiful new Tjaps so can’t wait to use them. Thanks for the inspiration and for posting the detail about making the journals. I tried one but forgot some helpful things like the bead.
Just officially gave up one of my my jobs so now I have more time to paint…no more excuses. hugs.