Documenting me now
Mon, April 23, 2012 at 10:59PM “My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”
John Green
working in two journals at once {left is the altered hardback, right is this page in the exacompta} so while one dries i can keep going
the last page and inside back cover of the 5.5" x 8" exacompta journal
golden fluid acrylics, ephemera, photo, hand drawn mandala, neocolors, washi tapes, white marker, frisket to create the curves on the right side, gelly roll, stitching
just me, inside more creative than outside
It seems like a lot of artists look like artists. They dress with style and flair, describe their work with words of fluorishes and swirls. I'm sort of an incognito artist. I'm uncomfortable doing a page about myself, and even moreso sharing that page... so I am pushing some limits here. It's kind of like... why do a page about myself when I am me, I know who me is. Does that make sense? But then I realized that 10 years ago I was a different me and in 10 years I'll be yet another me. So this documents the me now.
This is the second page I've done as a self-portrait or self-description. The photo started the theme, then I added a mandala, a photo of my watercolor palette, photos of light, etc and writing.
Reader Comments (7)
That was really inspiring! Thanks for sharing it!
I totally get this. Self portaits! I forget sometimes that there are people looking at me. I forget to brush my hair or not wear the same jeans the second (or third) day. I guess I'm just not that interested in the physical aspect of expression. Maybe because I feel it is so over emphasized at the expense of other aspects of women in particular. But self portraits can reveal a great deal, and our physical presences are a jumping off point. I'm glad you included so many aspects of yourself! What a good challenge. I'll have to think about this.
I think our work itself is a self portrait, when we really are creating from our own heart for no one does it like you or me or her, you know. But documenting on a real tangible level does take guts because it tears down the vail and all the nuances are reviled in the harsh light of day. Sometimes that kind of beauty is shocking. I love the deep color pallet on the exacompta spread. I love the idea of working more than one thing at a time to keep the flow going. You are an art warrior and I so appreciate your honesty and your sharing.
Peace~
Dawn
incognito artist made me laugh. I tell myself the story that says "i can't be an artist because I don't have tattoos or piercings or funky clothes or wild hair." there's nothing particularly edgy about me. so I like this idea that I'm an artist in disguise as a soccer mom. lol. thanks for going out of your comfort zone and sharing this. consider it part of your noticing journal - you're just noticing and documenting things about you instead of your world.
The colors on these pages is just juicy...love the purple! I enjoy taking and using photographs of everything BUT myself--but do think this is a really great way to document, as you said, "the me now". Very cool.
Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us Tammy. You know you're dedicated when you have two journals on the go at once so you don't have to waste time waiting for drying! xx
You are just an artist who is an introvert. Me too :).