I like abstraction, simple materials, finding ways to create stories from thin air. Although that's not a rule! I'm also trying to avoid - as much as possible - buying art supplies which I can find substitutes for. At the moment, I still sometimes use bought journals, but I have also made my own from recycled magazine, newspapers and brown paper bags. (Later, in other posts, I will share these).
So materials used: Strips of torn pages from books and magazines. Glue stick and/ or modge podge Old mags and/or books White and black pens. The background, which you can see bit of in the upper right, is actually the journal book created by Sabrina Ward. (P.S. One day I hope to publish a book like that). I don't always know how the page will end up. I work with the composition first I play with placement, moving the strips of paper around. Changing my mind about orientation and position, and I sometimes end up excluding a scrap of paper I previously thought was great (but I don;t trash it. I have a box for these unused bits - they get a new life in a new work). I work fast usually. I stop and look to see how they pieces work together and what possible stories could come up. Once I'm happy with the composition, and a story formed, I glue the pieces down. Finally I added the black and white pens which integrate the pieces together and pulls in the final story - I won't come just because you waited. Share your own journal pages on my Facebook page here I created this page in Sabrina Harrison's journal which I bought at a bookshop (she created this journal with background images using her art). It's a good exercise in not being so precious about the backgrounds you create and braving thtough into layered work.
I used gel medium to glue the collage images to the page. Tip: if you tear out the images instead of cutting them with scissors, you get really interesting soft edges that are easy to blend into the background surface. Another tip is to layer images and words so that they touch or even cover bits of each other. Helps the work look more complete and integrated. I added - with my fingers - white acrylic or gesso around the edges and let it cover bits of the collaged images. Finally I added text with my black uni pin fine line pen. It's perfectly fine that you can't see the original background any more or, if you can, you can no longer distinguish it from the compelted work. If you like, share your own art journal pages here. xxx Fadwa My body remembers everything You say, you do; you don't; you are; you aren't; but mostly, every ruffled feather you stroked. Pages from my art journal. جسدي يتذكر كل ما قلته، كل ما فعلته، كل ما كنته، كل ما لم تكنه، والأهم، كل لمسة لونت حياتي. صفحات من دفتري I forgot how much I love sketching.
Simple breakfast with a touch of laughter. Scenes from Cyprus Pages from my art journal. #IAmWhatIArt #PLAY ستجدني هنا. صفحات من دفتري. #انا_فني_وفني_انا The address was no.5. so we stood in front of this house wondering how to get in. Our taxi driver refused to leave until he was sure we were at the right place. What a sweet guy. He waited 30 minutes with us and made calls from his personal mobile.
I was sketching. Turns out it was not the right place after all. |
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I Am What I Art(c) Copyright Fadwa Al Qasem 2024
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