David K Small, art-journal blog

28) Journal #3, Studio Plan / Furniture

2011-09-15T16:11:00.000-04:00

Live / Work Studio Space.

Floor plan and furniture - once again Dick Blick Art Supplies, and Ikea.

Double page spread. Each page 9" x 11"
catalog cut-outs
acrylic markers

Click image to enlarge.

27) Journal #3, Studio Tools

2011-09-14T15:45:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Dick Blick Art Supplies, just about everything I need to set up a studio can be purchased at one place, with the lowest prices.

This is some of the equipment for mine.

9" x 12"
catalog cut-outs
acrylic markers

Click image to enlarge.

26) Journal #2, Party of One

2011-08-23T14:21:00.000-04:00

Party of One... Table for Two.

I think everyone can relate to this message at least one time in life.

8-1/2" x 11"
acrylic background
cut-outs from magazines

Click image to enlarge.

25) Journal #3, Money Cliches

2011-08-18T09:45:00.000-04:00

A conversation with someone reminded me about these old cliches. I have heard them used throughout my life so thought it appropriate to journal about them.

This is a 9"x12" page. Watercolor paper, markers, pen/ink, computer prints.

Click image to enlarge.

24) Journal #3, Dance

2011-05-08T12:46:00.002-04:00

I know this is more of a collage than a real art journal page (lacking much text) but I am going with "a picture speaks a thousand words" here.

I have always liked to go out dancing - to a club for instance. I also think it would be fun to learn specific dance forms, such as tap or swing.

Although I chose a ballet image here, it is not a form of dance I ever want to learn. I do appreciate it as art and acting "silently in motion."

acrylic background, 9"x12"

Click image to enlarge.

23) Journal #2, Sacrifices

2011-05-06T22:52:00.003-04:00

I don't think I need to explain this one.

acrylics, 8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

22) Paper discovery

2011-04-20T09:24:00.002-04:00

I made a paper discovery today that I just have to share.

I have been experimenting with various supports for these journal pages. I had concluded the only support that wouldn't warp terribly was the canvas pads I mentioned this in Post 19. Yes I know there is a certain charm in a bit of warping... lord knows I am a bit warped myself. And yes I know one can iron some of the serious warping out of a support like watercolor paper (if it was only that easy on myself). But, the less warping to begin with the better I think.

For those of you who are not artists, what I am talking about is when you wet paper, it gobbles up the moisture and the paper bubbles up, warps, whatever you want to call it. There are techniques to help prevent this, such as "stretching" and yes I have done that too.

I used up the canvas pad I had so once again have tried whatever I had handy. Today it was Strathmore 140 lb. 400 series cold press, watercolor paper - in a 9"x12" block. Block form (the entire pad glued around all 4 edges, and you remove a sheet after painting it) helps to keep the serious warping to a minimum, if at all. However there were only two sheets left so I separated them. I expected major warping when I painted them - having used sheets of this paper before (but not block form). NO WARPING!

The paper "moved" some - slightly pulling up off the table around the edges, but dried FLAT ! Both sheets. I will be buying a full block of this for further testing.

21) Journal #3, Friends

2011-04-19T15:00:00.003-04:00

Since I am on the prowl to make new friendships, I am conscious of the difference between Friends and Acquaintances. Both are important but it is also important to distinguish the two. I have said many times that I'd rather have a few Quality Friends than a Quantity of Acquaintances.

The text in the box states, "good friends love you for who you are, despite the differences. they are honest, loyal and dependable. they lend a helping hand, or a kick on the ass when needed."

I really liked the background I painted for this page. I have included a scan of it for those who would enjoy viewing it. I had a lot of fun altering the people with different heads - all from magazines.

actual 9"x12"
(more border than you see here)
shown cropped by scanner 8-1/2"x11"

Click images to enlarge.

20) Journal #3, Procrastination

2011-04-18T00:00:00.043-04:00

I goofed... I grabbed what I thought was an 8-1/2"x11" paper, to make this page, that turned out to be 9"x12" when I went to make a scan of it for this blog. Opps. But now I have an excuse to create a nine-by-twelve journal, which I will call Journal #3 here.

I had been waiting for just the right piece to use this backwards clock on (note numbers) and here it is. Procrastination certainly doesn't help to go forward now does it - no. So the monkey on the guy's back is procrastination. One can not hatch possibilities being a couch potato.

The little bit the scanner cut off from all four sides (not actually) are nothing important to the page... just more gorilla (I know he isn't a monkey), border dots and a bit of egg.

shown cropped to 8-1/2"x11"
actual 9"x12"

Click image to enlarge.

19) Materials / Techniques

2011-04-17T00:00:00.047-04:00

In response to those who have emailed similar questions:

I have created a stash of letters cut out from magazines, separated into alphabetically arranged Ziploc baggies.

To avoid air bubbles when "gluing" letters (or any cut-out images) to the support, I spread acrylic gel medium to the back of each, then apply them to the page. Putting a medium onto the page first seems to attract those pesky bubbles. Do not rub the letters any more than you have to in order to smooth them out (especially with sticky fingers) because you will damage them (abrasion hurts friendly delicate letters).

I arrange the letters on a piece of card stock for layout / design purposes until I am satisfied, then affix them to the support page.

For supports, I now prefer canvas "paper" which is lightweight canvas in pads that has already been coated with gesso. Watercolor paper warps too much and I like my pages to lay as flat as possible so as not to distract from the design. They also lay better when in book form too. Also, I will iron (dry heat) the back of my pages if they need flattening.

I make the dots, found on most of my color pages, and some text, using Painters by Elmer's. They are inexpensive acrylic paint markers, come in sets or individual markers, are opaque, acid free and permanent. I have had trouble with all gel pens and other similar pens / markers that I have tried not working smoothly (or at all) after using them only a couple hours.

For fine writing I use Staedtler pigment liners which are also permanent and acid free. I love them more than any other black pens since they have always worked faithfully without any issues.

As far as binding the loose pages marked as Journal #2, I have just been collecting them in a plain binder, in clear page protectors, until I decide to do something more with them. They may not all end up together either. As I make more pages I may separate them according to themes and bind them separately. Right now I am just having fun experimenting, learning and simply playing with ideas, materials and techniques.

18) Journal #2, Whatever

2011-04-16T12:41:00.000-04:00

This is probably self explanatory.

Around the border is written:
Statements of the times...
Common quotes of this age...
Words people say a lot...
Expressions meaning more than the words...

In black, so as not to jump out, is written between the expressions:
So often we say things we don't mean literally to express emotions or feelings* we have no words for. They can be misinterpreted sometimes.

8-1/2"x11" (*Redundant, I know.)

Click images to enlarge.

17) Journal #2, About Me

2011-04-13T14:48:00.003-04:00

I created this "blank" page to write Things About Me. For example, one thing will be that I have worn a gold signet ring on my left hand ever since my mother gave it to me in 1990.

I haven't decided all that I will write, but just in case I write something I don't want published on the Internet, I want to at least show the page as it is now.

Since I ran out of the canvas sheets I was using (and will again), I made this page from Strathmore Aquarius II Watercolor paper. The labeling states, "This lightweight paper (80#) contains a unique combination of cotton and synthetic fibers allowing the sheet to resist bucking, There is no need for pre-stretching." That is not true.

When I painted it (acrylics), it warped. I was able to iron it flat again. It warped when I added the magazine cutouts - putting the acrylic medium on the back of the cutouts and then placing them on the page. Ironing again helped to flatten it some.

8-1/2"x11"

Click images to enlarge.

16) Journal #2, Goals

2011-04-12T15:27:00.000-04:00

I was reminded of this principle recently and although have been applying it to my life, I thought I would make a page for it anyway. Perhaps I will need the reminder one day or someone who sees this will be jolted into action.

I think I will make a companion page (two page spread) to go opposite this page in the journal book which will list goals I have or have had. Perhaps like a check list.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

15) Journal #2, Art Studio

2011-04-08T18:20:00.000-04:00

This is more what I wanted for a journal page representing what I do in the studio, instead of the page shown in post 12.

I am sure I forgot some things and will be adding to my interests so I made sure I left room on this page so I can add to it some other time.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

14) Journal #2, Music

2011-04-06T11:38:00.001-04:00

I am amazed at how quickly music can alter my mood.

I am one of those people who enjoy a wide variety of music... from classical to pop / dance. It is easier to say what I do not like - rap and hard rock, electric guitar.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

13) Journal #2, Wants/Needs

2011-04-05T11:09:00.003-04:00

There is a very big difference between Needs and Wants. Most of us are fortunate enough to have all of our Needs and should feel Blessed. I think many people would be happier if they realized this and did not confuse the two.

Some of us do not have many Wants. I am one of them and feel double blessed.

There other things on my lists of Blessings. What is illustrated here just touches the surface.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

12) Journal #2, I Love Art

2011-03-31T17:53:00.000-04:00

I don't like this page.

There, I said it.

But I am keeping it because it suits the purpose.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

11) Journal #2, I Love Dogs

2011-03-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

The "people" I have ever had the strongest lasting, never failing relationships with have always been dogs. Some can not understand this affection for a "pet" but they obviously are missing out. There has been a dog in my life for just about all of it at one time or another... some too briefly.

If dogs don't go to heaven, I want to go where they go. I wear a dog tag on a chain (jewelry quality not military) which has engraved on one side the names you see here. On the other, "The names on this tag lay next to my heart. I pray to be reunited when I too depart. dks"

Regarding this journal page, what is that they say about wearing your heart on your sleeve?

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

10) Journal #2, Heart/Home

2011-03-29T15:29:00.000-04:00

Text reads...

"They say 'home is where the heart is' but what if I moved and left my heart behind or live in a fine house but its not a home or if I closed my heart or just gave it away and lost it forever? Does that mean I may be homeless or always have an empty chest?"

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

9) Journal #2, Leo

2011-03-28T11:57:00.001-04:00

I am a Leo. Hear me roar (grin).

I do not follow horoscopes nor go around asking, "What is your sign?" However I have always found I am very well described by many Leo characteristics. Here are some.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

8) Journal #2, Human Breeds

2011-03-27T11:24:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I see or hear about individuals and what they have done or believe and I think, "I have absolutely nothing in common with that person." At such times I wish humans were divided into different breeds, like dogs. I just do not want to be associated which such people. I want to be able to say, "Oh that is a (insert breed) and I am a (insert breed)." That is what this page represents.

This is also the first page I have done on canvas. I was very frustrated with how the papers I had been using warped and bubbled so much when I painted them and when gluing bits down. So I grabbed a pad of Fredrix acrylic primed artist canvas sheets and loved it. It curled a bit when I first painted it but then dried flat, and stiff enough to be a journal page. I think this is what I will be using primarily from now on, at least when creating separate unbound pages.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

Note: I do understand the way I used the term breed is incorrect scientifically.

7) Journal #2, PTSD

2011-03-26T20:26:00.002-04:00

Not much going on here but it is a page I knew I'd have to make so have been cutting out blurbs from magazines as they hit home.

8-1/2"x11"

Click image to enlarge.

Link for PTSD

6) Journal #2, Page One / Beginnings

2011-03-24T10:48:00.004-04:00

My first multimedia full-color art journal page. It is 8-1/2"x11" and made on 120# Canson watercolor paper (normally I use Strathmore papers). I used acrylics (to paint the background), paint pens, and cut-outs from various magazines (glued with acrylic gel medium).

Cut-out letters read, "Time For New Beginnings" and other text reads, "Endings are just chances to start anew" and "Step by step new doors open."

I used a butterfly because they are often symbolic of a metamorphosis. Included a clock for Time. The stairs indicate the "step-by-step" process of Life. They say when one door closes another opens, but sometimes we need to seek them out and be willing to open doors to the unknown. The man opening the door to a cabinet indicates that sometimes new doors lead to contained beginnings - not everlasting. The cow (his expression) reminds me some doors lead to big surprises.

This was a lot of fun to make and quite the learning experience.

Click image to enlarge.

5) Journal #1, What Goes Around

2011-02-15T18:32:00.000-05:00

For no particular reason, I scanned this page as I was creating it. Again, not sure if it will be colorized. I often say, "What goes around comes around." I have found that to be very true and that is what this page represents to me. *(Click images to enlarge.)*

4) Journal #1, Strong Individual

2011-02-14T18:01:00.001-05:00

Here is another page with the pen and ink completed. Whether I colorize it (or any other pages in this particular journal) is still undecided.

I am a very strong individual. When I hear, "You should do this or that..." or "You have to do it this way..." as a command, I cringe. So this page reflects my determination to live my life as I see fit.

In the "columns" is verse by Henry David Thoreau... "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

(Click image to enlarge.)

3) Journal #1, First Colored Page

2011-02-12T18:38:00.002-05:00

Today I took one of the pages from Post 2 and added color with Prismacolor (artist quality) colored pencils. Although I find it fun playing with color, I am not sure I like it better now or as it was - a simple pen and ink page.

Granted the scanned image isn't as nice as the actual page, but I still have my doubts. Perhaps it is the color choices, or that I used too much color. Maybe I should use color just as an accent to the pen work.

The good thing about this particular journal (wire-o bound) is that I can easily pull out the page if, after thinking about this, I decide I want to keep it all pen and ink work.

(click images to enlarge and view sharper)

Original Pen and Ink

Now with Colored Pencil

2) Journal #1 Begins

2011-02-08T23:40:00.020-05:00

This little sketchbook is what rejuvenated my desire to make art journals. I have a small collection of glue-bound hard cover journals but when I saw these with the double wire-o binding at Borders, marked down to $3, I bought every one they had. The pages are 8-½” x 5-½”. With that type of binding the hard cover and pages fold to the back, for a nice flat work area. I decided the small size would be less overwhelming for my “clueless as what to journal about” mind, and convenient to carry around in my backpack.

I decided I needed to give myself some journaling parameters - to narrow down the possibilities. Without that I would want every resource I have (I am moving and studio is packed) and that might deter me from working on the wonderfully blank pages. So for this particular journal, which I am calling Journal #1, I will only use what I have kept readily available - pen and ink, and colored pencil art stuff, all in a backpack. I started with these guidelines:

Artwork will be limited to pen and ink, colored pencil, no gluing or cut-out collage work, no paint, and no page altering (folding, cut-outs, etc.). Sound boring? Maybe but I choose to see it as challenging. These guidelines are just for Journal #1, not others.

So to start, I began by making borders and other “background” pen work on pages as ideas came to mind. I didn’t want to feel I had to finish a page before I could work on another. This isn’t a chronological journal. Two pages, as shown below, I have added text to. My first thought on this journal was to limit myself to just pen and ink. After having these two pages filled in, I can hear them crying out for color, which I will add and repost.

Just the simple doodling of pen and ink borders and backgrounds has been so much fun, relaxing, that I am totally hooked now. Once I set up my new studio in a few weeks, I will begin another journal with no creative limitations. Journal #1 will stick with the above parameters. I like having the creative boundary to work within on some projects.

(click images to enlarge)

1) Very first Art Journal Page

2011-02-05T15:56:00.008-05:00

This post is taken in part from posts on my studio art blog. This journal page was created in May 2010.

My idea was a page that encompassed some strong memories from the place that was my first home. My oldest memories.

(Click image to enlarge.)

I was going to do it in colored pencils but since one memory was specifically about black and white cartoons, I thought color wasn't appropriate. That actually led me to using a printer for the text and pen & ink to illustrate it. I am very pleased with the way the text runs through the entire work as opposed to a caption format. To me it makes the work a whole and not drastically segmented.

This page is meant to be the first in a three-ring binder journal, with each page put in a clear archival pocket sheet protector.

Edited to fit in the open spaces, the text reads: I lived in Lynn, MA until I was 5. I remember being sick and lying down on a blue couch and watching TV cartoons with Mickey & Minnie Mouse and also Clarabelle Cow in black and white when they looked like this. On top of our TV was a small bowl with a green palm tree where my turtle Joe lived. I named him after a TV commercial with Josephine the Plumber. When he died Mom put him on the kitchen window sill and said he turned into an angel and then flew away. We also had a blond Cocker Spaniel dog too. I played on my swing set a lot and Mom took me to the beach a lot too because we lived very close and could walk there. I slept in a stroller on the back porch sometimes. We lived on the third floor.

I find it interesting I remember the living room details but nothing about my own bedroom. I can still clearly see stick figure cartoons in my mind. (Illustration above from a Disney cell.) I was totally convinced Joe gained wings and flew to Turtle Heaven. I sure hope even though he took the route by toilet (a shocking revelation in my twenties) that is where he ended up. He died because those old TV's were hot, and his water bowl and thus he dried out. Mom absolutely adored our dog. I have a picture of me in a small rocking chair with the dog sitting on the floor beside me. It was our Christmas card that year. My swing set memories are of me swinging as high up as I could before jumping off at high-swing and sailing through the air. No memories of landing so can't say how that turned out. As an adult I have been back many times to that beach, always looking in the tidal pools for star fish. My playmates lived on the floor below us (I remember the parents first names but not the two boys names) and as to the first floor residents... no clue.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse dancing and Clarabelle Cow are from actual Disney Cells. The designs for the silhouette of the boy on the swing, the turtle, the starfish, and the dog are from royalty-free clipart. I have no problem with the design references being clipart because this isn’t a total work of original art as much as it is collage. These elements, and my name, I did in Pen and Ink.

I did the illustration of the building in CorelDraw, over the original satellite image for accuracy. This was printed on the watercolor paper along with the typed story. I did add the ground dots around the building by hand (stippling) which eliminated the “floating in a box” look. I don’t mind that with the dog head as the imagination fills in the body.

To position the type to fit between the illustrations, I faintly outlined each element where I wanted them (on a CorelDraw page, 10% grey lines), then added the type to fit. Once the page of type and building illustration was printed, I then did the Pen and Ink work over the outlines. I thought of doing the ink work first, scanning it for type placement… but one mistake and I’d have to do the ink work over again. This I know because I tried it with hand draw outlines and opps, the stock didn’t feed perfectly straight through the printer.

I boxed in the building because as a hard-lined illustration it wouldn’t look right with the others, being more iconic. I boxed in the dog because it needed to be defined in its location. Unlike the starfish for example which looks fine integrated with the water and sand.

I chose watercolor stock in case I changed my mind and wanted to colorize it later, and I like the weight (110#) and linen texture.

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