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Oh my..what a wonderful 4 days in Taos with 6 other adventurous women! We had an amazing time enjoying the beauty of the area and responding to the crystal clear air, the natural beauty and the ancient Pueblo life. I really wanted the weekend to balance art work with exploration of this place. There is so much to see; every little path, alley, cloud, shadows; all beg to be remembered (photographed, sketched, written about). The time flew by and was so satisfying to hear that everyone wished for a few more days in the atmosphere of creative expression and gentle challenges. I just love it there, and I love working with a group of fun, focused folks who are generous with their energy, humor and Taos spirit. Thanks to Ann, Kate, Jill, Devera, Mary and Susie...and Mabel, Millicent and Graham (as in Graham's Grille)! On to New York next month! What a contrast in location...
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 What a lovely morning in a magic garden at the Zook Cafe today! Thanks to our hosts the iced drinks were perfect and the food yummy - the conversation and sharing of our journals was terrific! If you are looking for a really nice spot for a true adventure journal experience check this place out. They are located in the Highlands neighborhood in Denver, part of the wonderful Puppet Theater space. Susanna shared a way to create unique stamps/prints using craft foam, for more info check out Clothe, Paper, Scissors web site. A few of the participants mentioned the need for a "sketching for journal pages" class - I am working on dates and location for an August workshop so please check back in a few weeks (workshop page). Our next meet-up will be in Niwot in July; join us! (all the details on the workshop page)
In this tutorial I am trying to show ways to prep the blank pages so it is easier to get going in a new journal book. I am guessing many folks have loads of beautiful journals, often still blank just because the thought of actually starting those first pages is terrifying. The materials I am using in this video are simple as possible: a glue stick, some text from a discarded book (or newspapers, or paper bags, dictionaries, etc), an old tooth brush, some watercolors, some odd things to use as stamps (old erasers, corks) and stamp ink that is washable (dye ink). That is it! Just start playiing and you will find the pages are much easier to work with if you try the layered approach. I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Here is the third tutorial; thanks again to Carol Ann Waugh - that is her gorgeous fiiber work on the walls. To see more of her work or her workshop schedule go to the link on my "favorites" page.
If you are going to try the technique on this video, here are a few more things to keep in mind: After you sand the photo (wet or dry) the exposed paper will accept watercolors easily. Try sanding on texture plates or cement for a rough, spotty effect. (I have tried this on coins, bricks, and other rough surfaces.) Be sure the photo is completely dry before you attach to your journal. Check back here to see the journal page examples up close - I hope to have those included in my gallery soon! If you want to be notified of the videos that are uploaded by email, just subscribe; you will get email notification thru Youtube. Enjoy~ I welcome your feedback!! Helpful hints for this crayon resist technique:
* if you are working with watercolor (or any other wet media) directly in your journal you might want to put some waxed paper under the page to keep the moisture from seeping thru. * if the crayon is not resisting the watercolor to your satisfaction check a few things: press down hard with the crayon, be sure the paper is thick enough (it does work best on watercolor paper) *another trick to try - after the crayon has been applied dampen the paper first with clean water before applying the actual watercolor sometimes this will help the "resist" *try contrasting colors! try a colored crayon that is basically light in shade, then apply a dark, contrasting watercolor * this technique also works with walnut ink which will respond the same way as the watercolor when applied over crayon *this technique also works with oil pastels instead of crayon I have gotten such nice feedback from freinds and former students who are using the videos as a reminder of what we have played with in classes. Allison G. and Katie L. suggested I add the writing prompt to the video, so it is included in this crayon resist tutorial. Any other suggestions are appreciated! Took a trip to Englewood Civic Center today - oh my! There is an amazing show at the Museum of Outdoor Art (www.moaonline.org) called "Cabinet of Curiosities" that will knock your socks off (and then you will want to display them in a cabinet!). On the brilliant suggestion of Alma, one of my mixed media students, we toured this small but awesome show. I was struck with how these strange cabinets draw you in then challenge you not to touch everything. The Lewis Carroll room is pure magic. Go check it out and let me know what you think. Excellent journal possibilities, including inviting benches outside the museum surrounding the outdoor sculptures - or the near by coffee shop (Mile Hi).
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AuthorJudith Cassel-Mamet Archives
May 2020
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