I’m going to start with one of my own journals. One of my favorite things to do when traveling, especially to some place warm and beautiful, is to paint the sunset. Since this can be daunting, especially to me who is not a painter, I limit myself to quick 5 minute paintings and only use a cute, tiny watercolor kit. Allowing myself only 5 minutes per painting frees me from feeling like the painting has to be perfect, my colors painstakingly correct, or in any way finished.
What it does let me do is focus on the sky and the moment, quickly capture the colors in the sky, and focus on how the beautiful colors. It’s amazing how fast the sun goes down when you’re doing 5 minute paintings. It’s also amazing how you absorb the sky and the colors when you’re really focusing on it.
This page is from the journal I took with me to Costa Rica in February 2007. Aaahhhh . . . it was warm there.
8 comments:
What a fun idea! And a nice alternative to taking photos--somehow it mades the sunset more your own.
Barbara
Great ideas--both with the quick paintings and the theme for more postings. I'm looking forward to more journaling ideas from you....
great idea for your journals! love your quick little paintings :)
i love this theme! i must confess that i LOVE making journals, but i'm not very good at keeping one. thanks for the great idea of the five minute paintings...very freeing!! :)
Great idea. Looking forward to more! Do you do collages too?
Great blog post, and great artist's advice too; I may try your suggestion of allowing myself only a limited time for creating something. I think the approach would work well with writing, too... maybe even book arts!
What a great idea! You could even build a little pocket or flap to hold the watercolor set into a journal. I love your sunset impressions- I feel like my husband and I are always fighting over the good camera on vacation, this looks like a great alternative. Keep up the good ideas!
Thanks, everyone! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Post a Comment