If you're new to Art Journal Every Day, there is a short introduction here. All of the previous posts can be found archived here. There is a flickr group for sharing right here. Remember, it's just ten minutes of nourishing your creative self every day! No need to finish anything or even like it. If you've done some art journaling this week and you've blogged about it, or put it on flickr, please leave a link in the linky list at the end of this post. Thanks!
Today we have a guest post from Michelle Remy. I found her blog through the linky list and stumbled onto a post she wrote about making an effort to generate her own imagery for her art journal. I was fascinated and wanted to know more and I thought that you might too!
Making My Mark
I remember the surgeon saying “I can’t guarantee you’ll ever
do art again.” After nearly two decades
of severe hand problems and six surgeries, it had come down to this and I had a
decision to make: get my right wrist
completely fused and take the chance my soul’s work would be impossible to
pursue or face a lifetime of deteriorating bones and constant pain.
In 2007, I chose the fusion surgery and began the long,
arduous rehabilitation journey in which I ultimately surpassed everyone’s expectations. However, as I documented this battle in my
journaling, I began to wonder how best to represent myself in my journals. I found myself struggling with magazine
images, frustrated at the amount of time it seemed to take to find something
that spoke to me. I had never amassed a
large image stash in the first place and I was constantly haunted by copyright
worries. More importantly, I felt that
by using others’ images, I wasn’t representing the “true me.”
Here I had traveled this scary and terrible road and I was
using my gift of hand function to wield a glue stick. It didn’t feel authentic. So I decided to move away from using others’
images and try and make journal pages using things I had created on my own or
tools that could be easily altered to represent my personal style.
There are so many things you can do to generate personal,
unique imagery for your journals. For
collage material, I create my own collage sheets as well as make color copies
of previous journal pages. I spend a lot
of time at Staples’ copy center!
Whenever possible, I like to feature my own handwriting.
I carve a bonanza of stamps.
I cut my own stencils.
I take pictures of drawings I did…
…or take close-up, detail shots of old journal pages which I
then feature in new journal pages.
Photos of places and events around my hometown are great
too.
When my hands aren’t feeling up to a bunch of detail work, I
spend time in the studio making serendipity papers which get used on my journal
pages.
As an inspiring illustrator, I try to include my own doodles
and drawings as well. Just push past the
fear and let your imagination take the lead!
In addition, I try and use commercial tools that are not
heavily pre-determined. In other words,
I focus my stash-building around generic supplies that support the expression
of my personal voice rather than feature a specific copyrighted image
drawn by another artist. Pattern
stencils are among my very favorite tools!
(Thank you Julie for some of the best on the market!) I also adore found object stamps. I have several boxes around the studio
devoted to my collection of mark-making tools!
I still use found images from time to time. I tend to use images I can heavily embellish
and alter, especially classic paintings or copyright-free images from Dover. Nowadays, a commercial image really has to
call to me to find its way into my journals.
For me, it is important that I make my mark, that my hand be visible in
all I do. I fought long and hard for the
ability to do so and I feel I am at my most authentic when I honor that journey.
Here is this week's linky list:
About Michelle:
I am best described as a multi-media artist who lives and
works amongst the beautiful redwoods of the extreme Northern California
coast. I have one grown son, one bird,
two cats, and at last count, 14 fish. My
most current art passions are illustration and sculpture. I love creating characters in every medium
imaginable! My biggest dream is to write
and illustrate children’s books. Please
come visit my little corner of world at http://lostcoastpost.blogspot.com.
What an inspiring story. Michelle – I love your work and am a longtime follower of your blog. Julie – thank you for featuring Michelle!
What an inspiring story. Michelle – I love your work and am a longtime follower of your blog. Julie – thank you for featuring Michelle!
What an inspiring story. Michelle – I love your work and am a longtime follower of your blog. Julie – thank you for featuring Michelle!
What an inspiring story. Michelle – I love your work and am a longtime follower of your blog. Julie – thank you for featuring Michelle!
What an inspiring story. Michelle – I love your work and am a longtime follower of your blog. Julie – thank you for featuring Michelle!
Thank you for sharing your creative journey Michelle.
I love your fox and hope that he may “star” in a book one day.
Thank you for sharing your creative journey Michelle.
I love your fox and hope that he may “star” in a book one day.
Thank you for sharing your creative journey Michelle.
I love your fox and hope that he may “star” in a book one day.
Thank you for sharing your creative journey Michelle.
I love your fox and hope that he may “star” in a book one day.
Thank you for sharing your creative journey Michelle.
I love your fox and hope that he may “star” in a book one day.
What a beautiful story. Julie, thanks for sharing it. Michelle your work is beautiful…
What a beautiful story. Julie, thanks for sharing it. Michelle your work is beautiful…
What a beautiful story. Julie, thanks for sharing it. Michelle your work is beautiful…
What a beautiful story. Julie, thanks for sharing it. Michelle your work is beautiful…
What a beautiful story. Julie, thanks for sharing it. Michelle your work is beautiful…
I am totally inspired by your response to the challenges of your surgery. Your work is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your story and your work with us.
I am totally inspired by your response to the challenges of your surgery. Your work is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your story and your work with us.
I am totally inspired by your response to the challenges of your surgery. Your work is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your story and your work with us.
I am totally inspired by your response to the challenges of your surgery. Your work is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your story and your work with us.
I am totally inspired by your response to the challenges of your surgery. Your work is fabulous. Thanks for sharing your story and your work with us.
Hi Michelle! Great to see you featured here! Rock on girl!
Hi Michelle! Great to see you featured here! Rock on girl!
Hi Michelle! Great to see you featured here! Rock on girl!
Hi Michelle! Great to see you featured here! Rock on girl!
Hi Michelle! Great to see you featured here! Rock on girl!
I’m completely in love with the fox who looks totally unimpressed with his party hat – I’d love to see him in a book!
I’m completely in love with the fox who looks totally unimpressed with his party hat – I’d love to see him in a book!
I’m completely in love with the fox who looks totally unimpressed with his party hat – I’d love to see him in a book!
I’m completely in love with the fox who looks totally unimpressed with his party hat – I’d love to see him in a book!
I’m completely in love with the fox who looks totally unimpressed with his party hat – I’d love to see him in a book!
I’ve been thinking about this lately, including more of my own stamping and drawing in art journaling and this was so inspiring. So talented! It’s very good that your hand is still going strong!
I’ve been thinking about this lately, including more of my own stamping and drawing in art journaling and this was so inspiring. So talented! It’s very good that your hand is still going strong!
I’ve been thinking about this lately, including more of my own stamping and drawing in art journaling and this was so inspiring. So talented! It’s very good that your hand is still going strong!
I’ve been thinking about this lately, including more of my own stamping and drawing in art journaling and this was so inspiring. So talented! It’s very good that your hand is still going strong!
I’ve been thinking about this lately, including more of my own stamping and drawing in art journaling and this was so inspiring. So talented! It’s very good that your hand is still going strong!
Hi Michelle
I’ve been following, and commenting from time to time, on your own blog for a while, but it’s nice to see you pop up somewhere different – and I see you brought that cheeky Mr Fox with you, he is one of my favourites of your animals 🙂
Your message in this post really resonates with me, I’m trying to draw and paint more on my pages and not rely on collage or stamps etc. The trouble is I worry that, because I’m not that great at drawing, that my resulting work just isn’t as good as it would be otherwise. Especially if I try to draw from my imagination. My best results have come from copying someone else’s drawing, or at least taking heavy inspiration from it. And that takes me right back down the unoriginality route.
I figure it just takes practice though and I’ll get to where I want to be eventually
All the best
Hi Michelle
I’ve been following, and commenting from time to time, on your own blog for a while, but it’s nice to see you pop up somewhere different – and I see you brought that cheeky Mr Fox with you, he is one of my favourites of your animals 🙂
Your message in this post really resonates with me, I’m trying to draw and paint more on my pages and not rely on collage or stamps etc. The trouble is I worry that, because I’m not that great at drawing, that my resulting work just isn’t as good as it would be otherwise. Especially if I try to draw from my imagination. My best results have come from copying someone else’s drawing, or at least taking heavy inspiration from it. And that takes me right back down the unoriginality route.
I figure it just takes practice though and I’ll get to where I want to be eventually
All the best
Hi Michelle
I’ve been following, and commenting from time to time, on your own blog for a while, but it’s nice to see you pop up somewhere different – and I see you brought that cheeky Mr Fox with you, he is one of my favourites of your animals 🙂
Your message in this post really resonates with me, I’m trying to draw and paint more on my pages and not rely on collage or stamps etc. The trouble is I worry that, because I’m not that great at drawing, that my resulting work just isn’t as good as it would be otherwise. Especially if I try to draw from my imagination. My best results have come from copying someone else’s drawing, or at least taking heavy inspiration from it. And that takes me right back down the unoriginality route.
I figure it just takes practice though and I’ll get to where I want to be eventually
All the best
Hi Michelle
I’ve been following, and commenting from time to time, on your own blog for a while, but it’s nice to see you pop up somewhere different – and I see you brought that cheeky Mr Fox with you, he is one of my favourites of your animals 🙂
Your message in this post really resonates with me, I’m trying to draw and paint more on my pages and not rely on collage or stamps etc. The trouble is I worry that, because I’m not that great at drawing, that my resulting work just isn’t as good as it would be otherwise. Especially if I try to draw from my imagination. My best results have come from copying someone else’s drawing, or at least taking heavy inspiration from it. And that takes me right back down the unoriginality route.
I figure it just takes practice though and I’ll get to where I want to be eventually
All the best
Hi Michelle
I’ve been following, and commenting from time to time, on your own blog for a while, but it’s nice to see you pop up somewhere different – and I see you brought that cheeky Mr Fox with you, he is one of my favourites of your animals 🙂
Your message in this post really resonates with me, I’m trying to draw and paint more on my pages and not rely on collage or stamps etc. The trouble is I worry that, because I’m not that great at drawing, that my resulting work just isn’t as good as it would be otherwise. Especially if I try to draw from my imagination. My best results have come from copying someone else’s drawing, or at least taking heavy inspiration from it. And that takes me right back down the unoriginality route.
I figure it just takes practice though and I’ll get to where I want to be eventually
All the best
Wow – this is soooo inspiring! Thank you Michelle, and Julie!
Wow – this is soooo inspiring! Thank you Michelle, and Julie!
Wow – this is soooo inspiring! Thank you Michelle, and Julie!
Wow – this is soooo inspiring! Thank you Michelle, and Julie!
Wow – this is soooo inspiring! Thank you Michelle, and Julie!
What a wonderful post! Thanks, Julie, for featuring Michelle and her story with all of us. There is so much to be learned from it.
What a wonderful post! Thanks, Julie, for featuring Michelle and her story with all of us. There is so much to be learned from it.
What a wonderful post! Thanks, Julie, for featuring Michelle and her story with all of us. There is so much to be learned from it.
What a wonderful post! Thanks, Julie, for featuring Michelle and her story with all of us. There is so much to be learned from it.
What a wonderful post! Thanks, Julie, for featuring Michelle and her story with all of us. There is so much to be learned from it.
Wow, great post and timely for me. I’ve been trying to incorporate more of my own hand in my work lately. I find it challenging since I don’t draw well or like my handwriting. Thank you Michelle and Julie!
Wow, great post and timely for me. I’ve been trying to incorporate more of my own hand in my work lately. I find it challenging since I don’t draw well or like my handwriting. Thank you Michelle and Julie!
Wow, great post and timely for me. I’ve been trying to incorporate more of my own hand in my work lately. I find it challenging since I don’t draw well or like my handwriting. Thank you Michelle and Julie!
Wow, great post and timely for me. I’ve been trying to incorporate more of my own hand in my work lately. I find it challenging since I don’t draw well or like my handwriting. Thank you Michelle and Julie!
Wow, great post and timely for me. I’ve been trying to incorporate more of my own hand in my work lately. I find it challenging since I don’t draw well or like my handwriting. Thank you Michelle and Julie!
Thanks Michelle, this was great.
Thanks Michelle, this was great.
Thanks Michelle, this was great.
Thanks Michelle, this was great.
Thanks Michelle, this was great.
very inspiring-and the art is FABULOUS!!!
very inspiring-and the art is FABULOUS!!!
very inspiring-and the art is FABULOUS!!!
very inspiring-and the art is FABULOUS!!!
very inspiring-and the art is FABULOUS!!!
LOVE this post – sometimes it can be hard to find your true “voice” and I love your approach to it – your handcarved stamps and handmade stencils make me want to do more in that direction myself. Thanks for sharing your work!
LOVE this post – sometimes it can be hard to find your true “voice” and I love your approach to it – your handcarved stamps and handmade stencils make me want to do more in that direction myself. Thanks for sharing your work!
LOVE this post – sometimes it can be hard to find your true “voice” and I love your approach to it – your handcarved stamps and handmade stencils make me want to do more in that direction myself. Thanks for sharing your work!
LOVE this post – sometimes it can be hard to find your true “voice” and I love your approach to it – your handcarved stamps and handmade stencils make me want to do more in that direction myself. Thanks for sharing your work!
LOVE this post – sometimes it can be hard to find your true “voice” and I love your approach to it – your handcarved stamps and handmade stencils make me want to do more in that direction myself. Thanks for sharing your work!
Great post…and very determined artist.
Great post…and very determined artist.
Great post…and very determined artist.
Great post…and very determined artist.
Great post…and very determined artist.
I enjoyed this article. I am a fairly new maker of art (not necessarily art journals) and I am just at the beginning of wanting to make as much original stuff as I can. Or making my own simple supplies to use in my stuff. So, this was a great article to read. I love Michelle’s work – my first time seeing it.
I enjoyed this article. I am a fairly new maker of art (not necessarily art journals) and I am just at the beginning of wanting to make as much original stuff as I can. Or making my own simple supplies to use in my stuff. So, this was a great article to read. I love Michelle’s work – my first time seeing it.
I enjoyed this article. I am a fairly new maker of art (not necessarily art journals) and I am just at the beginning of wanting to make as much original stuff as I can. Or making my own simple supplies to use in my stuff. So, this was a great article to read. I love Michelle’s work – my first time seeing it.
I enjoyed this article. I am a fairly new maker of art (not necessarily art journals) and I am just at the beginning of wanting to make as much original stuff as I can. Or making my own simple supplies to use in my stuff. So, this was a great article to read. I love Michelle’s work – my first time seeing it.
I enjoyed this article. I am a fairly new maker of art (not necessarily art journals) and I am just at the beginning of wanting to make as much original stuff as I can. Or making my own simple supplies to use in my stuff. So, this was a great article to read. I love Michelle’s work – my first time seeing it.
Love the inpsiration! Thanks for sharing!
Love the inpsiration! Thanks for sharing!
Love the inpsiration! Thanks for sharing!
Love the inpsiration! Thanks for sharing!
Love the inpsiration! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, so many stamps! Such an inspiring idea to journal about your personal story. And so many techniques and tools you’ve used to express it. Thanks for sharing so much beauty. 🙂
Wow, so many stamps! Such an inspiring idea to journal about your personal story. And so many techniques and tools you’ve used to express it. Thanks for sharing so much beauty. 🙂
Wow, so many stamps! Such an inspiring idea to journal about your personal story. And so many techniques and tools you’ve used to express it. Thanks for sharing so much beauty. 🙂
Wow, so many stamps! Such an inspiring idea to journal about your personal story. And so many techniques and tools you’ve used to express it. Thanks for sharing so much beauty. 🙂
Wow, so many stamps! Such an inspiring idea to journal about your personal story. And so many techniques and tools you’ve used to express it. Thanks for sharing so much beauty. 🙂
Thanks Michelle for sharing your journey.
Thanks Michelle for sharing your journey.
Thanks Michelle for sharing your journey.
Thanks Michelle for sharing your journey.
Thanks Michelle for sharing your journey.
Michelle, your stamps are amazing, your fox is amazing what a treasure trove of goodies you ahve created.
Michelle, your stamps are amazing, your fox is amazing what a treasure trove of goodies you ahve created.
Michelle, your stamps are amazing, your fox is amazing what a treasure trove of goodies you ahve created.
Michelle, your stamps are amazing, your fox is amazing what a treasure trove of goodies you ahve created.
Michelle, your stamps are amazing, your fox is amazing what a treasure trove of goodies you ahve created.
Very inspiring, Michelle! Thank you, and thank you, Julie, for sharing!!
Very inspiring, Michelle! Thank you, and thank you, Julie, for sharing!!
Very inspiring, Michelle! Thank you, and thank you, Julie, for sharing!!
Very inspiring, Michelle! Thank you, and thank you, Julie, for sharing!!
Very inspiring, Michelle! Thank you, and thank you, Julie, for sharing!!
This is such a informative post with such lovely art! It’s coming at a great time as I try to develop my stile. Thanks for sharing this!
This is such a informative post with such lovely art! It’s coming at a great time as I try to develop my stile. Thanks for sharing this!
This is such a informative post with such lovely art! It’s coming at a great time as I try to develop my stile. Thanks for sharing this!
This is such a informative post with such lovely art! It’s coming at a great time as I try to develop my stile. Thanks for sharing this!
This is such a informative post with such lovely art! It’s coming at a great time as I try to develop my stile. Thanks for sharing this!
Gosh thank you so much for sharing this totally generous and inspiring list of ideas, Michelle. I am such a believer in the importance of using my own personal imagery, and this post really kick-started some new ideas. -sus
Gosh thank you so much for sharing this totally generous and inspiring list of ideas, Michelle. I am such a believer in the importance of using my own personal imagery, and this post really kick-started some new ideas. -sus
Gosh thank you so much for sharing this totally generous and inspiring list of ideas, Michelle. I am such a believer in the importance of using my own personal imagery, and this post really kick-started some new ideas. -sus
Gosh thank you so much for sharing this totally generous and inspiring list of ideas, Michelle. I am such a believer in the importance of using my own personal imagery, and this post really kick-started some new ideas. -sus
Gosh thank you so much for sharing this totally generous and inspiring list of ideas, Michelle. I am such a believer in the importance of using my own personal imagery, and this post really kick-started some new ideas. -sus
What a wonderful journey! I so agree with using your own creations and drawings. I’m starting to work on that aspect myself right now. Thanks Julie and Michelle!
What a wonderful journey! I so agree with using your own creations and drawings. I’m starting to work on that aspect myself right now. Thanks Julie and Michelle!
What a wonderful journey! I so agree with using your own creations and drawings. I’m starting to work on that aspect myself right now. Thanks Julie and Michelle!
What a wonderful journey! I so agree with using your own creations and drawings. I’m starting to work on that aspect myself right now. Thanks Julie and Michelle!
What a wonderful journey! I so agree with using your own creations and drawings. I’m starting to work on that aspect myself right now. Thanks Julie and Michelle!