The Blank Canvas Blog Hop: How I Deal with a Blank Book Page...

Hi, It's Monday, September 15th, and it's Day 8 of the BLANK CANVAS BLOG HOP! I'm Virginia Simpson-Magruder and I am a jewelry, collage, and altered book artist and I'm here to share with you my tips for conquering the BLANK CANVAS! 

Up until a couple of seconds ago (this part was written Sunday morning) --- this post was my BLANK CANVAS. I've been sitting and staring at this screen for 15 minutes, and cleaning out my inbox for 20 minutes! All the while thinking about what I'm going to write about, letting all my thoughts mull around in the back of my mind, including my anxiety about possibly failing. 

So spelled out, this is usually how it goes before I get enough "juice", "umpfff", "spark", "mojo" to start a creative project: 

1. I think about the general subject matter or get an inkling of desire (to paint, to draw, to start and altered book, to write)....
2. I do something else (clean dishes, do laundry, call my mother, lay on a blanket under the tree, make some coffee)...
3. I berate myself and think I'm going to fail...
4. I pray for the divine energy to intervene...
5. I finally sit down (or stand up) in front of the "intended" project or art piece and...JUMP IN!

Can you relate???I bet some of you can!

Here are a few things I try to remember:

1. Don't punish or berate myself, or be critical of my procrastination: It's part of the creative process!
2. Give myself permission to wander around, go for a walk, put things away in my studio: It's part of the creative process!
3. Don't be afraid of making "bad" art, "ugly" art, "not good enough" art: It's part of the creative process!
4. Keep my intention to create in the back of my mind as I participate in my "non-making art" activities: It's part of the creative process!

The most important thing in approaching your BLANK CANVAS is to get into your right brain mode of thinking. The right brain is where creativity lives (versus the left brain which is where our analytical thought processes live) -- and one of the ways to get into that mode is to play with color, images, textures, words.  

MY TWO FAVORITE TECHNIQUES FOR OVERCOMING BLANK CANVAS PARALYSIS

I do one of two things to get warmed up and get the juices flowing. I start working in a SMALL or TINY book or journal. In the flip through below I show one of my altered journals, "Tiny Green Book". It is filled to the brim with images, color, and ephemera. I didn't think hard about what this book would contain except to select images, paper, ribbons, and text that have to do with the color green. Working in a small book or journal gives you the opportunity to complete a page easily without much thought. Focusing on a color and all its different shades and tones also stimulates the right brain. And as i am working in my studio -- if I come across an image or papers that i think will fit in it -- I'll stuff them in between the pages to glue in later. After working in a journal like this for 10 for 15 minutes I'm often ready to jump into a BLANK CANVAS.

To see my Tiny Green Journal Flip through Video go here.

Another technique I use and suggest to my altered book students is to have one altered book that is devoted solely to Playing or Experimenting with color, media, and techniques. Play with color, play with magazine images, play with art media, play with ribbons, play with glitter. Again, try not to think about what the end product is going to be. These play books often end up being my favorite altered books and journals. The more you fall into the color, shapes, textures -- the more you'll be accessing your right brain and you can follow that flow right into your BLANK CANVAS.

GIVEAWAY: Before you go -- be sure to participate in my Blank Canvas Blog Hop giveaway. If you go to my Wild Spirit Pendants' Facebook Fan Page and "Like Us", and then join my Kentucky Girl Designs e-newsletter list (click on the blue button in column to the right), you will have a chance to win my Wild Spirit Jaguar Pendant:

 

This hand-soldered collage pendant celebrates the Wild Spirit of Jaguar. Wear this pendant to reinforce the creative passion within you!

Have fun with these BLANK CANVAS tips and come visit me at Kentucky Girl Designs for more and a list of my workshops and upcoming e-courses.

Earlier Participants!
1. Sept 8   Karen Friedland 
2. Tuesday Sept 9   Lezette Markham
3. Wednesday Sept 10 Cynthia Patton
4. Thursday Sept 11 Jennyann Carthern
5. Friday "Frenzy" Sept 12  Kiala Givehand
6. Saturday Sept 13 Jan Blount
7. Sunday Sept 14 Effy Wild
8. Monday Sept 15 Virginia Simpson-Magruder
9. Tuesday Sept 16 Dariana Cruz
10. Wednesday Sept 17 Susan Miller
11. Thursday Sept 18 Grace Howes go here
12. Friday Sept 19 Tori Deaux
13. Saturday Sept 20 Kiala Givehand go here
14. Sunday Sept 21 Martin Arkenstone go here!
15. Monday Sept 22 Nicole Piar

The Blank Canvas Blog Hop!

Are you familiar with that feeling one gets as you're facing a task and you just don't know where to begin? Well artists aren't any different from any other person who hasn't a clue of where start a new project!

It's often a scary place -- especially when that blank canvas, book, piece of paper, quilt, chunk of marble is just sitting there! For an artist this can be a terrifying place to be. Doubts loom and often a litany of self-criticism rises to the forefront. The Muses have left the house. What if they don't come back? 

Luckily after many years of dealing with the Blank Canvas -- or in my case the "Blank Book Page Spread" (since I primarily alter books) -- I've learned a few tricks on how to get the creative juices flowing. And so have 16 artists in the Blank Canvas Blog Hop. Each of these artists share experiences on how they jump start their creativity PLUS each is having a drawing for a giveaway. So hop on over to the first artist, Karen Friedland on Monday, September 8th. 

And return to my blog on September 15th to see what I do to get myself moving in the flow -- and to enter for a chance to win one of my Wild Spirit Animal pendant necklaces!

BLOG HOP ROSTER for ARTISTS -- Follow the links to each day's artist to get tips on addressing the Blank Canvas and how to participate in their drawing for a free gift! And if you come in late to this Blog Hop you can go to any of the earlier artists' pages to see their tips and enter their giveaway contest (Sept 8-22).

Earlier Participants!
1. Sept 8   Karen Friedland 
2. Tuesday Sept 9   Lezette Markham
3. Wednesday Sept 10 Cynthia Patton
4. Thursday Sept 11 Jennyann Carthern
5. Friday "Frenzy" Sept 12  Kiala Givehand
6. Saturday Sept 13 Jan Blount
7. Sunday Sept 14 Effy Wild
8. Monday Sept 15 Virginia Simpson-Magruder
9. Tuesday Sept 16 Dariana Cruz


TODAY'S BLANK CANVAS ARTIST!  
10. Wednesday Sept 17 Susan Miller go here

Next in Line!
11. Thursday Sept 18 Grace howes 
12. Friday Sept 19 Tori Deaux 
13. Saturday Sept 20 Kiala Givehand
14. Sunday Sept 21 Martin Arkenstone 
15. Monday Sept 22 Nicole Piar

When you return on Sept 15 to here my tips on dealing with Blank Canvas Paralysis, you'll also have the opportunity to participate in my Wild Spirit Pendant Giveaway. First Like my Wild Spirit Animals Facebook Fan Page, and then Sign up for my monthly newsletter by clicking on the blue button in the column to the right of this post.

Wild Spirit Animal Pendant

Back in the Saddle Again

All Her Pretty Horses (Altered Book): "You Have to Open the Door to Let the Horse Out of the Barn"

It's been a long time since I felt the desire to write in this blog. Looking at my last post I see my last entry was dated October 26th, 2012. My personal, creative, and business side has been busy and full so I've been utilizing my Facebook Fan Page -- Kentucky Girl Designs  -- just to keep interested friends updated with my creative output. But for longer posts? I just haven't had the energy. 

I started this blog four years ago to see if I could determine whether or not I really was an artist -- or at the very least a creative person. I had an agonizing need to claim this for myself, but the fears, self-judgement, and self-criticism was so great that I couldn't find my way down the path. I couldn't get out of the barn. I would start something then drop it. I would look externally for validation and if I didn't get it I'd quit. Heck, I would quit anyway. I really didn't need a reason. But somehow I got the gumption to do something about this split. I saw all over the internet art challenges. And I got to thinking, why don't I challenge myself? Let's see if I have what it takes to create something -- anything on a consistent basis. Let's see if I can keep myself pinned down when I get bored, anxious, nauseated, distracted. Let's see if I can create ugly and beautiful. Let's see.

So I started my blog in Jan 25, 2009 to record the exploration of my creative process. And to throw the gauntlet down for myself, I started a personal art challenge of creating one journal page a day. Collage would be my medium. Then I'd scan my pages and post them here. And my goal was to stick with it for one whole year, 365 days. I figured at the end of it I'd know whether I had what it takes to be an artist, a crafts person, a creative.

The good news is that four years later I can say "Yes!" to all of the above. And even though I've stopped doing my everyday pages (I stopped at page 1061) -- or haven't come here to talk about my creative process or struggles -- I am now creating every single day. Yes, my mane still blows in the wind, and I'm loving the freedom I found to express this essential part of myself.

Express Yourself! Workshop: Re-Kindling Your Passion

Sheridan's Pocket Page: Adding Beads to the Warrior's Headdress

 Sheridan recently retired from a long career of working with troubled children. She realized that her heart had gone out of something she had enjoyed doing and therefore took early retirement to renew her spirit. She is now in the place of deciding where to journey to next. This summer Sheridan won my altered book, "Finish This Book", which I created for this summer's Marin Museum of Contemporary Art's benefit auction. She enjoyed the book's theme and particularly liked the little bag of "tools" I had attached to the book for the reader to use to finish the AB. Now that Sheridan's retired she's been exploring art -- specifically collage -- and wanted to sign up for some art classes, including my workshop.

Sheridan's Finished Pocket Page

 At first Sheridan was a little hesitant -- my first exercise is a very simple one, but often people have trouble jumping into it. Lots of times it's because we're taught not to deface books. With Sheridan, she asked me halfway through, "Is this what you want?". That's an example of the inner critic that sometimes comes into play when first starting out with AB's. But really, this is such a normal reaction  -- who isn't a bit cautious in a new situation, a new media, a new teacher? And making art or creating is a very intimate process, you are taking a risk in expressing yourself. But once Sheridan got her feet wet, she literally took off! Goodness -- she's one powerful creative woman with a strong color sense, and a willingness to experiment with different images. The word "atavistic" kept jumping into my mind when I looked at her pages and her creative process -- primal, ancestral, and also with a touch of humor.

First Spread: Lots Happening Here

A Re-Awakening of Creativity Through Altered Books

Sybil's Altered Journal Spread

The first woman to sign up for the first Express Yourself! Collage/Altered Book workshop I held wasn't able to attend that class due to work conflicts. Sybil was unfortunately also not able to make up her absence at any subsequent workshops due to scheduling issues. Usually I don't allow makeups, but because she was the first one to sign up I reexamined my policy and offered her a makeup at my home studio at a time convenient for both of us. Something just told me to do it and I am so glad I did, because I got a chance to see and reaffirm what altered books can do for a person.

When Sybil came to my house she said that a long time ago she did collage quite a bit, but over the years because bored with it and let it fall away. As I she shared with me her old collages (which were professional, beautiful, and humorous) her description of her process was so familiar to my own. I too had created collages and assemblages, been in shows, then had become bored with my art, and stopped creating. When I discovered altered books some 15 years later, a whole new world of creativity opened up for me. As Sybil began altering her book I watched a similar transformation take place. It was thrilling to see and recognize. I hoped that she would continue on her new journey. A few weeks later she sent me this photo of a beautiful altered journal spread, which she had created, along with these kind words:

"A single private lesson with Virginia inspired me to sit down at my art table and PLAY, after a dull and tedious period. The experience was quite extraordinary. She immediately encouraged a more care-free attitude and sparked my creativity and sense of adventure through her altered book technique. What's more,she shared materials and resources that provided new tools and fun possibilities. Now, I simply say, 'Why not?' and carry on."

Thank you, Sybil!

The Collage Cafe -- Downsized!

Collage Cafe "Downsized"

I only had two registrants for my January Collage Cafe. I could have been very bummed out with my desultory January workshop attendance levels -- it seemed like almost everyone contacted couldn't make the scheduled dates. I had to keep telling myself that everything has a rhythm. As it turned out I had two people who did want to come, so I asked if they would come to my home studio in Novato. They did, and it was wonderful -- we had a grand, creative time! The altered book process continues to delight me, and I am fascinated and intrigued as to what emerges from each participant. France, who has attended some of my previous Collage Cafes, worked again in her large format Edward Curtis book -- transforming it into a separate work of art concerning the Polynesian Rice Gods.

France's Rice Gods and Sioux Horses AB Spread

Brooke -- a collagist -- but new to altered books -- worked in a large format Time-Life volume (I believe from the History of Civilizations series) that she had brought with her. She was quite architectural in her cutting and slicing of the pages, creating multiple layers in multiple spreads.

The Making of Brooke's Red Bowl AB Spread

Loved it! And I enjoyed the intimacy of working closely in my home studio with fellow artists.

Manipulating Photos: Blending

MizAdventures Altered Book: Rose Explosion

I have been experimenting today with a second technique from the course Manipulating Photos By Hand -- blending to integrate the cut edge of the photos. L.K. Ludwig showed us one way by running pencils around the edges; if you use Stabilo pencils, chalk pencils, or china markers you can then smear the color into interesting lines (if using other media -- oil and chalk pastels, neocolors, etc. -- use colors that mix in with your journal page background). Here I used two photos of roses in my garden. I cut them out of the original photos. I used some acrylic paint on the edges, then iridescent chalk, then oil pastels on top and smeared the heck out of them. Fun baby. This is an incomplete spread in my MizAdventures altered book.

Time Travel: AB Spread -- Leopard Sonata

Our Lady of the Grotto Altered Book: Leopard Sonata

Studio Time Challenge -- Day 6

Earth in Balance Altered Book: Where We Live

Well, I shamefacedly admit that I haven't met my challenge for a week. I could blame the holiday weekend, a number of social events, my enrollment in a month-long Musical Theater workshop. But the truth is I just didn't feel like making the time. I even got behind on my Daily Journal Page Challenge. Part of me has been gnawing on myself for not sticking with my goal. The other sees it just for what it is -- a slacking off from doing something that I really like to do. There are a lot of expectations I put on myself around creating. Around being responsible. Around doing things "right." Man, there are too, too many voices. And the voices just make things muddy. I just didn't want to go "in there". But today I stepped over my inertia and I spent my 2 hours in the studio. I seemed to spin my wheels a lot today, but I caught up with my journal pages, and I did one spread in my Earth in Balance altered book. Earth may or may not be in balance; I guess that's true for me to. But I'm keepin' on truckin'.

Dear, Deer Island...

I had another magical walk on Deer Island this morning. It was one animal appearance after another. First as I emerged out of the little woods, there was a huge coyote about 5 yards off the trail standing on the grassy hillside. I stood still and looked at him for 5 minutes. I would move a little down the trail path and he shadowed me on the hillside. But nothing threatening -- we just were checking each other out, and if you believe at all in animal shamanism, well there was an energy exchange, I can I tell you that! Our little "conversation" was rudely interrupted by two Red-Tailed hawks that burst out of the neighboring trees, calling up a storm with their sharp, short voices. I called back to them and scared the bejesus out of the coyote. He stood there in shock while I made my get away. Next I saw deer, then on top of the ridge (where I can see Rocky Ridge and far away Mt. Diablo to the east) a big Harrier swooped down near me. Off in teh distance I could hear the calls of White-Tailed kites and Sparrowhawks. The only thing missing was a bobcat -- maybe one day! Here are photos on Flicker of my altered book Deer Island Odyssey. Have a wonderful, magical, day!