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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Playing the Summer Away



I've found my happy again. It is truly amazing how it visits us and then leaves. Maybe we need the periods of depression to trampoline us back up into the happy. Each time I get down I think, "this is the last time. I'm going to feel like this forever". And then I don't. Thank goodness for that.


One thing that doesn't show in the photos is the use of reflective and matte surfaces I like to use on the journal page. This is black embossing powder on a carved stamp. I like the contrast to the matte paper.


No matter the mood I always feel better with a good dose of color. 


These happy little vases hardly show up in the previous photo but here you see I've highlighted them with tar gel. They twinkle on the page and that makes me happy.


I shot this page last night and then wrote some more on it this morning.


July has been wonderful in the Pacific Northwest. Weeks now of sunshine and mild temperatures. Actually perfect. In the past July was my busiest month with the Bellevue fair this weekend. But now I get to have BBQ's and enjoy the summer with normal people. I'm appreciating that.


I've been looking at old photographs on Shorpy's site. When did we stop wearing big bows in our hair? This week I learned to tie a scarf on my head in several new ways. That made me smile.


I'm going to the store now to get the makings for German Potato Salad to take to a big outdoor neighborhood wing ding at our friends' place down the country road. I'll try to get you some shots; these people have a gorgeous farm. Vaya con Dios.

36 comments:

SKIZO said...

Fascinating work.
It has been delightful
to visit your gallery.
Good Creations

iHanna said...

Oh, beautiful pages all of them, and I love when you post before and after, it makes it easier to understand your process of creating. :-)

Glad you found your happiness again, hold on now!

Janine said...

YaY! This is good news for you and for all of us too! Love your journal postings! Oh and those wonderful vegetables in your garden...lucky you!

Ro Bruhn said...

Your journal pages are such happy places to visit. I love the glossy highlights.

Jill said...

Never tire of your pages Judy. Love the glossy highlights.
I guess we have to come to terms with the fact that it is as natural to be 'down' some of the time as it is 'up' and just paddle through the dips waiting to catch the next wave.

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Hi Judy, I love your pages and your gloss work. What fun! So nice to hear that you are feeling better and enjoying your summer.

David and Christine said...

All of your pages are beautiful! I love the image on your first page, where did you find?

lyle baxter said...

judy , your journal pages are great but when and where are we going to Mexico??? toni and I are ready!just say when and where! we'll be packing! a week with you would be wonderful

Kathryn Dyche said...

Have fun. Glad to hear you've found happiness again, I know how those lows can be.

Jeannine said...

When I was in high school (20 years ago) I loved wearing bows in my hair (big ones!) but nobody else really "got" it and I felt self conscious and stopped wearing them. I think it's no coincidence that I grew up and started collecting old photos with girls sporting bows in their hair.

I'm glad you found your happy. Thank you for sharing with us.

Judy Wise said...

I got the image of the girl off a site of vintage photos called Shorpy. Lots of good stuff there.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for showing close ups of your journals! That is the one thing I hate about the net ... can't really see/feel the textures of art. I am so glad you are feeling better. I seem on an upturn myself ... must be in the air. CAN'T be the weather ... NC is sweltering at the moment.

Rebecca Anthony said...

Hi Judy, I always love to look closely at your pages. I bought the book 1000 Artists Journal Pages and saw a few of your's in there. I was so proud of you and your pages and the fact that I kind of know who you are as I follow your blog. Your pages really inspire me. I am looking at every possible way to get more involved with the rt Journal world. I am a hermit and could stay in my studio for hours at a time but blogging has been incredible. I just wanted to say that I am proud to be following such a passionate Art Journal Artist with serious talent!!

Lynn Cohen said...

enjoying all the pages...sorry you were under the weather and glad you are up on top again. Hope too that you can stay put!
It sounds like you are staying quite busy...
I am itching to create on paper or with fabric again. We've been so busy making a new home out of our old one...that is creativity, but others carrying out our desires/demands with their brushes and tools.

What an experience!

Stay well!!!! ;-)

jo said...

Hiya Judy,
I'm a new visitor to your pages. Enjoy having a look around and am astounded at your family's gardening proficiency.

Today's post made a quotation float to the surface of my mind, which has always unsettled me a little, although I have also found it helpful at times:

"This is my happiness. For years I took it for my unhappiness and chased it away".

Not quite the up and down happiness you describe, but still applicable in many lives.

Either a character in an Iris Murdoch novel or from John Snow. Never found it again.

Jill K. Berry said...

I wore a big flowered bow in my hair to attend the roller derby with 20 other gals. My favorite name there was Kimmy Kimmy Bang Bang. Next time you get down, try that one.

This roller coaster is what it is. We reach out and drag eachother sometimes, that is how it works. Thank goodness we don't all slide at once!
xooox

Irene said...

You were MISSED at the Bellevue Arts Fair, I hope you know! It was so wonderful this year that we went all three days, and I STILL went around every corner, hoping I would see you, but knowing I wouldn't, because you have moved on to bigger and better things. So glad you have a blog where I can "see" you every day, if I want to. You are the best, happy or sad. We will take you any way we can get you. :-)

Marit said...

*sigh* gorgeous! breathtaking.

I actually used heat embossing this week and it had been ages.... I didn't use it in my art journal though but you show so much inspiration that I might try some on my journal pages... I'm glad you are more happy now! Yes, I know those "moodswings"... colour really helps isn't it??!!

Lisa MB said...

Jeebus, I just went to the art fair and about walked my legs off. Not to mention walking my oldest kid's legs off (the younger one gets to ride unwillingly in the stroller). You're even more amazing now that I know you hauled everything up here for that event.

Say hi to your happy for me!

Caterina Giglio said...

gorgeous pages, and so glad you have found happy again!

Sandy..... said...

I've always loved your journal pages but I especially appreciate how you share what sort of products you use~ Your pages are always an inspiration. I have to admitt though.... a close second running was the mention of potato salad~ lol.... I'm off to peel some taters :)

Brian K said...

Oh what beautiful summer pages!!! I love the idea of embossing sections and stamping! Have a wonderful summer!

Kim Mailhot said...

Oh, you can feel the mojo warming up from here, right across the country...Love love love to hear that, Beautiful Judy. You are truly the Mistress of the Journal Page, my Friend. Thanks for sharing all your shiny bits with us.
Big Summer Love to you !

Elise said...

Wow, I found you through Orly's blog and I love your pages!! What fun it is to find a new blog to follow and to inspire me! Beautiful!

Karen Cole said...

I love your happy place. You are always an inspiration.

Looking forward to skipping some stripey rocks across lake Champlain with you. See you in September......can you hum a few bars?

Jan said...

Great pages. Glad you are on an upswing and I hope it stays with you for a long long time. This is such wonderful weather right now, aren't we lucky to live in the PNW.

Thanks for sharing your techniques and products.

Tricia said...

love your beautiful pages. :) your happiness shines bright.

Meri said...

I'm so happy your health isn't slowing you down. Yum. . . potato salad.

Parabolic Muse said...

Judy, can we talk? I LOVE that embossing powder effect! I was thinking the other day how much I wanted to work with it. A few years ago I used it and it is one of the coolest things ever.

I'm glad the happy is back. You are so right about it coming and going. Today I was feeling very down and I'm so glad I came here to see your latest.

Healing Woman said...

Just found your blog and love your art and the way you think.

Dede Warren said...

Looking at your work thru the screen of my laptop, makes me want to jump onto the pages of your journal and play with that Big Bow Headed little girl! I just love your work... beyond talented, that's what you are!

oh, and I'm glad you're enjoying summer with the rest of us! Isn't it nice?

Harnett-Hargrove said...

Intriguing work. There is a resonance here, -J

somepinkflowers said...

tar gel?




what oh what is tar gel?

:-)


looks like a bit of magic
from a jar...

MUST go google

your pages make
me want
to ART

NOW!!
this very moment


Sharon Lovejoy said...

LOVE THIS! You must be thriving again.

Love,

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

kat said...

is the girl holding a cigarette? ive been trying to find that image on shorpy no luck yet!

peggy gatto said...

I adore your charming style!!!