Sunday, March 22, 2009

Journal Title Pages and That Annoying Critic




On the EDM email list we had a discussion about beginning a new journal and how hard that was. Is it the blank page that scares us or is it our inner critic that is nagging us? I think it is that nagging critic telling us that we are not good enough to fill those beautiful empty pages. It is very difficult to quiet that critic and nearly all artists have one. Some artists are good at keeping that critic quiet and some cannot. At times my critic is yelling at me telling me that I am not good at all and that I should just give it up. I am getting better at letting my Muse help me to shut that critic up.

The first thing I do with a new journal is to create a title page. At times the title pages are very involved and at other times it is just simple writing. Some journals have two or more title pages. One at the beginning and then another in the middle. This happens when I change my mind or add a new direction of the journal. The top two middle layouts above are in one journal. I like doing fancy layouts using different media to create the page.
It is still difficult at times to start a new journal and I know that as soon as I buy my Moleskine (may have spelled that wrong;-) that critic is going to be yelling at me and telling me that I am no good and to leave that pretty new journal alone. I am going to yell back and just start drawing and writing in my Moly! Because by then I will have filled a drawing journal and my Muse will be helping me.

7 comments:

Stephanie Dammer said...

These are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing these suggestions. I think I will go start a new journal now!

bubblemunch said...

This is a fantastic post. So open and honest. Very inspirational. I've only just gotten over my first moly nerves (after having it for months before I made my first mark!)

The top two pages are great with the mixed media collages. Gorgeous!

(BTW I'm sure I read on someone's blog recently about making ATCs based on their blog word verification. Mine for your site is 'zygopic' I googled it and apparently there's a cactus and an orchid called zygo!)

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see these title pages. I shall try this for myself.

{th}ink said...

Great Posting Rhonda! Thanks so much for your continued encouragement.

Sarah Ketelaars said...

Great pages! I love the flowers. That critic is a pain - you yell right back! Mind you, the lovely pages you've created have helped silence the critic already haven't they?!

Rhonda L. Cooper said...

Yes! That critic does not have a chance at getting to me when my Muse is working to keep her away. Thanks to you all for commenting.

Chris Hack said...

love these. i always wonder whether to do a title page. this time i've decided not to. just to get to the art!