Sunday, January 4, 2009

Art Journal Play


This is a page from my new art journal, inspired by Suzi Blu's cool video. She's got some great ideas and inspiration for anyone who wants to explore their creative side.
I was having so much fun rubbing on the pastel layers and scruffing up the paint layers that I got a small blister on my thumb. Hah! Of course if you want to avoid that, just rub with a scrap piece of paper and go slower.
The tree came up intuitively, while working on the theme, "Why I make art." I recognized it after I was done. We used to have a flowering crabapple tree that would get thick, thick, thick with pink blooms. Once when I was sick of playing with my younger brother, I climbed up into the tree and hid (we weren't especially chummy then, but we got to be pals). He could pass right by the tree and not see me because the blooms were so full. More magical than any fairytale and it forever changed the way I saw the world. The way those flowers were up so close, so intense. The loud buzzing from the bees, the sweet scent. It was one of my eternal moments- you know-those little moments that end up the most important? The pink tree, that moment of close observation, and the heightened senses to the point of euphoria are reasons I make art.
The photograph is of me when I was two or three. Of course that would be the first reason I make art.

18 comments:

Kathryn Costa said...

ah the hazards of art journaling - blisters and all.

Love your page. Suzi is such an inspiration. She brings out the best in all of us!

Unknown said...

Definitely loving your journal...so much more exciting compared to mine :D

Leah said...

beautiful!! I love how it's exploding with fun energy!

MiKa Art said...

Happy new year, Shayla!

What a beautiful tree - and beautiful memory...

Jeane Myers said...

Shayla! is this just one of the best things I've seen on your blog?! i think so!, I love the playfulness of it and it feels really loose! - so loved the story of you hiding from your brother in the blossom covered tree - why do we stop doing these things?

Shayla said...

Kathryn, thanks. Lots of fun despite the hazards ;)

Mary Kate, I'm glad you like it. I'm trying something new. Usually I just write.

Leah, thanks. Your "Creative Everyday" prompt "play" has inspired more work than I've had a chance to post. Yipee!!!

Thank you Mika :) Hope you enjoyed some time off.

Jeane, glad you like it :D Oh, um, I did try getting into a crabapple tree since, and I think the poor little thing prefers 50 lb children. I'll have to find a more substantial specimen.

Jenny Bergvall said...

Awesome, I love it!

Rowena said...

I love your story about hiding in the tree. magical like.

I also sent your link on to a friend of mine who seems to be in hiding from her creative urges. Maybe it will entice her into a new hiding place... like that tree in bloom.

picciolo said...

hello! I love this piece, the pinks are so intense, I'm not surprised you got a blister! How interesting that the tree just evolved as you worked
: )

Tracy said...

What fun...such nice creative play! I like the nostalgic quality of this piece and explosive energy--easy to see you were greatly enjoying yourself with this one! Thanks for sharing...and the link--wonderful ideas! Happy Day, my friend ((HUGS))

jo horswill said...

Shayla...this is so special.
I too have a younger brother and similar story! Except I remember falling out of the tree!!! How I didn't break a bone!!!
Blisters! show enthusiasm :)
Beautiful pink blossom tree...

Shayla said...

Thanks for the feedback, Jenny!

Thank you, Rowena. Oh yes, maybe she could try out a pink tree:) I hope your friend can find a safe place to explore her creativity. How lucky that she has a friend to guide her.

Jane, I'm always surprised when art brings up something from our subconcious. Yah, I'm a fan of pink, like you. I love those pink snowflake ornaments in your etsy shop.

Yes, Tracy, it was a blast. I didn't mean to, but I spent an entire day on it. *Hugs*

That's neat, Jo. Hope the fall didn't blow your cover ;o)

ArtPropelled said...

Such yummy arty pages! I have similar memories of hiding in plum blossom trees on the farm (a few bee stings for my trouble)and later when the plums were out wedging myself up there to gorge.

Rowena said...

YOU'RE the story inspiring the pink tree house!

I lost your link. Now found.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Shayla said...

Robyn, that sounds heavenly. Our crabapple tree didn't produce edible fruit. This bears repeating. Perhaps a visit to a upick this summer.

Rowena, I'm grinning ear to ear! So pleased that the page triggered something for you and that you made that perfect tree house. I LOVE it!!

Anonymous said...

You were 3 just a few days before Reuben was born

Shayla said...

I'm guessing "anonymous" is mom. Hi mom!

Candy Bello said...

what a beautiful layout! love the colors!

:)
candy