Hello Friends!

Here are two more pages in my homemade van Gogh journal. I put a black background behind it merely for a better photo.

I have a couple of patterns of washi tape that have patterns from some of Vincent’s paintings. I love the color of the blue in them.

First I painted the pages in acrylic reds and oranges.Then I put the blue washi tapes on the left page and added the stars and circles. Next I added the birds and other washi tape patterns on the right page. I also painted over the print of Vincent’s self-portrait. That was fun! I love his self-portraits!

Lastly, I added four words which are going to be my words for this year. I don’t normally do that sort of thing, but I wanted to focus on more positive things. So my four words are: Lessons, Love, Gratitude and Connection. I love them!

Have a wonderful day! 😀

CLOSE-UPS

Hello Friends!

Over this past weekend I wrote this poem as I was thinking about all of the people I know who identify as LBGTQ, or Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Queer. I have talked to several people in the last few years who have had or still have valid fears about coming out to their friends and family. Many go through dark periods of depression, identity crisis, and rejection from loved ones. And I just find this sad.

I have always felt sad for people that the so-called “normal” society sees as “different.” I grew up in Georgia in the 1960’s, and although I was born in 1960, I saw enough racism in those few years to leave the impression on me of how wrong it is to judge a person just because of the color of their skin!

But throughout my life I have seen too many other injustices. I could go on and on and this post could turn into a book! My mom always taught me that people with different beliefs, physical or mental struggles, or different lifestyles is THEIR business, not mine. They are the way they are whether or not by choice. However, in spite of this, I chose to go through many years of my life picking and choosing who to accept or “shun.” I admit this to my shame!

This is just not right. And I don’t hate people who may disagree with me. But I do hate the way some choose to treat others simply because they see others as “abnormal” or not living up to THEIR standards! For me, this is simply unacceptable. In the past, I was one of those who didn’t listen to others who live and believe differently than I do. I acted like I “tolerated” them when what I really did was avoid getting to know them! I don’t believe this is right!

Lately, I have been desiring to use my art to speak out to these issues, but I haven’t come up with how I want to do it yet. In the meantime, I am still working on this journal, and still stand in admiration for the person that Vincent van Gogh was. He loved people. He drew and painted those in his society whom others looked down on or ignored. He was treated like an outcast himself because of his mental struggles. He was ridiculed and rejected. Artists who were selling their work made him feel like his paintings weren’t good enough to sell. And although his brother, Theo, helped him as much as he could, even he couldn’t convince art curators to accept Vincent’s work. And yet, now each piece is WORTH millions! What has changed? Nothing, really. Yet, back then no one could see that Vincent’s work was brilliant and lovely, and that IT WAS HE WHO WAS INVALUABLE! 

I don’t need others to agree with my thoughts about any of this! I just want to say that have decided that I am not going to be the type of artist who only creates what society says is ACCEPTABLE or HAS TO SELL TO BE WORTH SOMETHING. I am worthy! I love and accept myself. I give what is inside of me freely, because that is what I have always desired to do. Would I love to make money from my art? Sure! But if I don’t, I am okay with that, because…I love what I do. And if I love what I do, that is all that matters. And I appreciate others who love what I do. That is a bonus!

If you are a creative person in any way, I hope that you see your own value and how you can enrich others with your creativity and how you can help others see their own value.

Have a wonderful day! :-)

Hello Friends!

Here is another journal page spread. I wanted to have them be a contrast of monochrome and color. The photo of Vincent on the left-hand page is said to have been taken of him when he was between 16 and 20 years old. And even then his eyes look intense to me. The surrounding pieces of text are from various places in his letters. I have a book of many of his letters to Theo. Last year when I was working on another project, I copied some, and “aged” them by painting tea over them and letting them dry. They wrinkled some, but not all of them look as aged as I would have liked. I need to do some more at some point.

On the right-hand page I painted the page with acrylics first, then glued one of his self-portraits and some random ephemera on there along with a another photo of Vincent when he was about seven years old that was in the book. And again, he looks so intense! Perhaps he didn’t want his picture taken that day! Ha ha!

I will have more journal pages to come for some time since there are many pages left. So I will share the journey here. I already have the next page planned which is something I wrote and drew. Stay tuned and stay safe and well!

Have a wonderful day! 🙂

Hello Friends!

In my last post I showed a video of an art journal I began making from a book I have of Vincent van Gogh’s portraits. I had read it many times and thought it would be a great book to make into an art journal!

So the other day I began by gluing this colorful tissue paper over the copyright page. I like the way the print shows through a little bit. Then I used white Liquitex Gesso to cover some writing under the page with his first name. I decided I wanted to paint a quote of his underneath it which says:

“I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say ‘He feels deeply and tenderly.'”

I love his words. Vincent was such a beautiful soul. He may have had what doctors now call bipolar disorder. He certainly went through long deep depressions and was hospitalized a few times. But he did not cut off his whole ear like some still think; he only cut off the tip! I think that story has been embellished ever since it happened.

I love reading his letters to his brother Theo, too. I feel sad, though, that although Theo supported him financially, he was never able to sell any of Vincent’s art. It seems like the art curators at the time just didn’t take Vincent seriously, and judged him for the state of his mental health. So he was just one of those brilliant souls who didn’t “fit in.”

Lately, I have been thinking that I really want to get back to creating what I feel is in my soul, not just doing the assignments in my art classes. Although, I am grateful for them, and have learned a great deal, I just don’t feel like I have to do every single assignment in both of my classes this year! So I have decided to pick and choose and to do what inspires me.

I am here to also encourage and inspire others to follow your heart and create what YOU love!

Have a wonderful day! 🙂