Sunday, 25 July 2010

International Journal Swap - Mythology #1

I've finally gotten around to starting on the journal from Helen on the theme of Mythology. I've been thinking, deliberating and procrastinating for a couple of weeks now. One of the themes I was mentally kicking around was mermaids and when Helen said that she liked mermaids my decision was made. I started by making a background collage of sea themed papers, atlas pages, vintage sailing book, a song about the sea, and a vintage travel book about the Tropic of Capricorn.

I then used watersoluble crayons and gesso, together with acrylics, stamps, stencilling to add interest to the background. I've just started painting the mermaid and have a ways to go yet. I'm so glad to be off the starting blocks. It is so seemingly difficult working in someone else's journal, will I make a complete mess of it and ruin it, etc. But once I was working I suddenly realised that I was not thinking about what I might do, but about what I was doing. So the moral of the story is to just get going, doing something I'm familar with - collaged backgrounds and let the rest flow.

7 comments:

  1. Shaz,that is so beautiful! You`re so lucky to be so talented in such a medium. I can`t even draw a tree! I`m sure Helen will be absolutely thrilled when she sees it - how could she not be? I`m the Queen of Procrastination at the moment - and it`s brilliant! Take Care x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very nice mermaid shabby chick.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And what a great job you're doing! Love the color of the pages & the mermaid looks like she is indeed under water!
    I do know what you mean about someone else's journal...I always worry that my work just isn't up to par, and I've let someone else down.
    However, you have the right attitude & it shows in your lovely work!
    p.s. Have fun with Postcrossing! I've loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW Shaz, it's so beautiful already, you're so flowing in the right direction. :-)
    I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one that is procrastinating because of working in someone elses journal. But it is on the table now and I will folow your example and just go and enjoy it. Thanks for sharing.

    Love, Toos

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah yes, I agree. It's very hard to actually start a journal page. Looks like this is going to be a great page though. I have one to do in someone else's journal and so far I'm doing a great job of avoiding it!
    By the way, you asked about A4 Moleskines - I got mine here:
    www.mojolondon.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this kind of work, so interesting to see where you began and the layers you added to the pages, gorgeous colours, although I am a little biased towards blues and greens! fab! Margaret

    ReplyDelete

A big thank you for taking the time to pop by and comment, I really do appreciate it. Hope to see you at your bloggy home soon!