One of the most therapeutic art things I do is create journal pages. Years ago I tried off and on to keep a journal. Mine never looked anything like the beautiful journals I saw in magazines and books. They were awkward and incomplete. I was intimidated by all the white pages staring back at me, and felt pressure to do a masterpiece…at least on the first page or two.
All that changed when I took a course offered by Ink Pad NYC with instructor Kelly Kilmer. Not only did I create my own handmade journal that day, I learned a step by step technique for journaling and created several good journal pages. Now I’m addicted to art journaling.
When I saw Gwen Lafleur’s Stencil Girl Art Deco stencil series, I just had to have the one with a triangular design that reminded me of the Chrysler building. I am inspired each time I see that art deco structure, and often pass through the lobby of the building on my way to take the subway to and from work.
First, I gathered my stencil, paints and other supplies. |
Prints of the deco stencils done with acrylic paint on deli paper. |
Following Kelly’s formula, I rummaged through my scrap box and piles of hand-painted and commercial papers and pulled out whatever caught my eye at that moment. I also pulled out some papers that Gwen carries on her website. They were a miss-mosh of colors and styles from several different countries, but that seemed right. I also chose a strip paper from a Chinese newspaper, which added to the multicultural theme. I was aiming for a page about New York, with the many cultures and nationalities living and working side by side, so the unrelated designs made sense to me.
Blank journal pages, with assorted favorite papers and ephemera. |
Final selection of papers, fabric and images for the journal collage. |
For this page, the focal point was the deco stencil print. I carefully trimmed away the excess deli paper around the image, and later, used a glue stick to hold it in place.
Deco image, printed on deli paper, suggesting the top of New York City's famous Chrysler Building. |
Liquitex matte medium was spread on the blank page with an old credit card, and first layer (hand printed in white on blue painted deli paper with a Nathalie Kalbach art foamie set) was added. |
More base layers from Gwen's paper collection were added instinctively. |
The final base layer is finished, with the cutout deco stencil and butterfly positioned, but not glued. |
A butterfly was torn from the Beautiful Butterflies sheet. |
The edges of the butterfly were aged with distress stain and a sepia ink pad. |
When the page was nearly done, I took an old favorite lacy stamp, and, with white printmaking paint, added some soft touches on the right side to represent clouds.
Last, I added a stamped (on deli paper) Dina Wakely quote: “Give the historians something to write about.” It seemed the perfect quote for a journal page about hopes and dreams. The page is a bit autobiographical; 39 years ago I was a bit of a starry eyed young woman, coming to New York to study textile design and hopefully find a fulfilling career. Almost four decades later, I am still inspired by New York, the Chrysler Building and other architectural wonders, and the energy of the millions of people who live and work here.
Close up of Deco Dreams journal page. |
For more information about classes sponsored by Ink Pad NYC, click here.
To find out about Kelly Kilmer's technique, click here.
To see Nathalie Kalbach's art foamies, click here.
6 comments:
Linda this is fabulous! I enjoyed reading about not only your creative process but about your mind set here and how pieces related to one another, and how they fir into this multicultural spread of New York! This is super- I envisioned immigrants and young women of all backgrounds arriving in the Big City to search out with HOPE,the life they would make for themselves! Thank you for this excellent visual journey! Bravo on a beautiful spread!
hugs,Jackie xo
Linda, this is a wonderful page. You have hit the mark of capturing the vibe of the city. I love the way you captured it in a soft way.Love this page! Not only that, but I feel I am getting to know you better. By the way, I am a big fan of Kelly Kilmer myself. The rings of connection just keep coming.
This is a wonderful page, Linda, and I love seeing your process and reading about your thoughts and the meaning of the page. So beautiful!
Just love the way you pulled it all together and layered all the elements! Fabulous and creative!
Linda, what a wonderful page filled with hope yet grounded in reality. How exciting that you go through the Chrysler Building on the way to the subway. Gwen’s design definitely captures that your nervy. Now I really want to learn more about your adventures as a textile designer. Thanks for sharing and inspiration.
This is a gorgeous page- I love the Chrysler building and how you created layers upon layer with patterns. amazing
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