Friday 28 July 2017

Ambassadors' Art Journeys,Travels & T(r)ips

Hello Lovely Friends.
This month is particularly interesting as inspired by the summer holiday season, this group of superbly talented Artists decided to present their Art illustrating the 'My Journey' theme.
Each of them treated it differently - either sharing their preferences when it comes to creating on the go or telling us their own personal art journey. I'm telling you - this post is an absolute treat (isn't it always?! ;) )!

Please enjoy the stories of
Ambassadors' Journeys, Travels and T(r)ips! ;)

P.S. And if you're still hungry for inspiration, don't miss the brand new Art Recipe on Prima blog!

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I never make art while traveling. I prefer to enjoy the experience and absorb all around me to the fullest.
The most inspired creative time for me is the time right after I come back.
On the waves of inspiration and memories I create albums, minies and other artworks which help me to preserve the wonderful moments I have experienced.

This particular art album is filled with happy memories after a trip with my family to Turkey. We had a real blast exploring the country and bonding!
Such album is very easy to make - just take some large tags and add paint, embellishments, photos and ephemera collected on your journeys.





We all have life journeys, but here I’d like to share my Artistic Journey with you.
 
I dropped out of college and gave up a grant to study art. Years later after my 2nd child was born, I decided to go back to Art and study with a local watercolor artist.
 
 
 
 
This is one of my 1st pieces. Pretty primitive, but I liked it.
 

 
Again, years later, I found stamping through a friend of mine, and jumped in. I loved it!
 
Much easier than watercolors for me.
 
But still I explored more… inks and tags!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Then I tried journaling in a watercolor paper journal with inks and stamps. Colorful for sure.
Always using what I’d learned in other mediums.
Next I tried collage and mixed media art by adding dimensional elements.
I discovered a new love for metal objects in my work.
I loved to layer, so I ventured into journaling again with vintage photos and trims.
Vintage will always be my first genre.
 
 

Most recently I fell in love with using all kinds of found objects, glue, paints and sprays to create mixed-media collages that can be hung on the wall or sit on a shelf.
I am not one to put projects in a book to be lost from view.
 
I like to have things around me in my bookcases and looking down from the walls to display my journey in art.
 
They remind me of where I’ve been and how far I’ve come, and the many Friends in ART that I’ve made.


My first thought when I heard 'My Journey' theme was instant: art journal.
But different from all the ones made in the studio. Simpler. Less demanding. Definitely more personal.
What's inside? All sorts of things: cutouts, images, quotes, thoughts, words out of context.
In my travel bags you will also find paper tape, glue, scissors and different kinds of pens.
I also started adding interesting ephemera that are a great way to add some additional journaling surface.

I really recommend this kind of art experience - journaling on the go. Make it quick and simple and personal at the same time and you'll end up with really unique pages...

Creating away from your usual environment (in a cafe or surrounded by nature) might be an inspiring change for you and help you find brand new ways of expression.




For this month's theme I thought I would share a journal page I created that reflects how I feel/believe about my 'Creative Journey'.

I created this page using a quote that explains my feelings, a personal creative philosophy:
 "I will not trade my Authenticity for your approval."

I also used the image of an owl, as it is a perfect representation of me [solitary and nocturnal], and from a modern Western perspective, is a symbol of Wisdom.







Oh boy, this topic is a mammoth! I guess I'll save my personal journey for another time and concentrate to something that goes well with the season and our upcoming trip to London - creating on the go

Funnily enough, I don't create that much when I'm on a vacation. If I'm travelling for a workshop, I naturally create the class sample and sometimes even something extra, but if I'm on vacation with the family, I rarely have even any craft supplies with me. I guess if I'd be on the go for weeks and weeks I would need something to let the creativity flow. Then an art journal would be something to have with me.

 
What I do pack with to a vacation is an album or even a paper bag to gather the ephemera from that trip. My favorite thing nowadays is a box styled mini album, like the one I made for London and this I used when attending Finnabair's classes for the first time. The box allows me to add all the things to one place and the album catches the impressions I have the moment I have them - during the trip.

I've been reading Nathalie Kalbach's new book "Artful Adventures in Mixed Media" and what I have noticed in the book that many of the artists featured highly recommend a sketchbook or a journal for travelling. Something to gather the inspiration while on the go.
 
This little book I made could be used as such, to make notes and drawings while experiencing the new and different from the everyday life. But I need to be honest, this notebook connects to another kind of journey altogether... If you want to know more, please check my blog for the story!

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Happy Journeys (Artistic and otherwise), Everyone!
We hope you're feeling inspired and share your thoughts and Art either in the comments section below or in our super friendly Finnabair & Friends Open Studio facebook group.
We'd love to hear from you!
xxx
Finn & The Team

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