Art Journal

Yesterday I played with my Art Journals. No sloppy, share who you are, for me. However, I did come up with an idea and am exploring possibilities.

Here is a detail photograph of a background section:

DETAIL FROM ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT JOURNAL PAGE (In Process)

This is original art work done with Renaissance tapestries in mind. Now that I am painting again, it is hard to stop.

Two More Journal Pages

Images and Pages by Elisabeth Bacon 2008

All Rights Reserved

Supplies are important. Back when I was studying with Jack Flynn (a watercolorist), he stressed the importance of supplies. If your paper and/or paints are inferior the results will most likely poor as well. That advice stayed with me.

As a photographer, "good glass" is primary. A good lens will last a lifetime if treated well.

The pen I bought back in the 70s still feels good in my hand. The Hasselblad I saved for and finally got during the 1990s changed my life. Having good equipment makes a person work harder to live up to the equipment's standards.

Of course, when starting out, I was thrilled to be taking pictures. However, as you progress keep in mind...garbage in, garbage out and think twice about what supplies and equipment you want to invest in to enhance your talent.

Getting the best you can afford is worth the wait.

P.S. Also, remember...a good photograph is the result of the person holding the camera.

Playing with "Sloppy" Journal Pages

While creating a sloppy art journal page, I discovered several things...the main thing being: I don't like doing them. I have trouble being "sloppy" with my art and my work. So, it is back to Photoshop for me. In Photoshop, I can clean up my handcrafted journal pages and make them better. Too many years have been invested in learning how to do things well. I will continue to draw in my journals and write down ideas as they surface for use later. However, doing a sloppy ART JOURNAL is not going to happen any time soon. Excellence and quality are primary around here..."sloppy" is out.

Page and Images
© Elisabeth Bacon 2008

All Rights Reserved

Living Room Sunset and Other Observations

I redid last night's experiment to show sunset and reflected light as seen through living room windows.

Photographs by Elisabeth Bacon 2008

All Rights Reserved

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Last night after viewing several Art Journal demonstrations, I realized what bothers me about this new journal "art." One of the demonstrators said, "You have to be sloppy," and that sums things up pretty well. I do understand the need for folks to play, to experiment with techniques and to release emotions through art. However...as liberating as all this "artistic" venting may be, high-quality work may not be the result. No matter how many times one says, "my work is good" doesn't make it so. Sorry about that fellow journalists. There is nothing wrong with having fun and enjoying the process. I say: Go for it...and while you're at it, how about taking an art course, or two...or even three? Knowing the rules is important...then how one uses that knowledge is limitless. Knowledge truly is the door to freedom.

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Alternate "Art" Journal Titles: My Journal, Thoughts and Feelings, Rantings, Letting Go, Day by Day, My Emotional Self, All About Me, Playtime, Love, etc.