Pages

Friday, November 19, 2010

Thoughts on Who We Are



These first two journal spreads were completed in Orly's class at Journalfest. When we walked into the classroom there was a packet of collage papers and a large, beautiful bird at each work station. No two birds were alike and each one was astonishingly beautiful. The class was about mapping ourselves/our lives and I loved it. I wont describe her exercises but I will say that she works very differently than I do and that it is wonderful to shake yourself out of your own rut from time to time and get a glimpse into another way of journaling.


She had us work over the edge of the page and onto the next spread. To map ourselves and to look at our lives in a new light. Since then I've been thinking a lot about the anthropology of self-study. Taking note of what attracts me, where I point my camera, where the love lies. We are so different than each other in our preferences and habits. How well do we know ourselves?


I've been dashing around for the last several days preparing for my encaustic class here in my own studio. I could never have done something like this before. Opening myself up this much, sharing everything, trusting that it would be wonderful ... no, it has taken me awhile to get to this place. I am ecstatic that we never stop growing and changing. That I can let in what after all is so good and uplifting.


Here is the little Christmas cat I sent back to Lorraine for the fund raiser. I'm stunned as usual that the year has gone so quickly and that we're looking at Thanksgiving already. Life is just gliding out from under me even as I try to savor and hold it. How sweet each moment.

I'll try to come back next week with pictures of the class and our paintings. We are going to make some awesome stuff. ;-D

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Judy! Your pages from Orly's class are STUNNING!!!! I love them!!! Amazing truly! I did an abreviated version of a similar class with Orly and I loved my pages, yours remind me of them.

I am soo envious of the folks taking your encaustic classes!!! Have fun!

jill nalette said...

oh wow judy. this is beautiful. getting to know ourselves is often a scary place, but it can bring us to a special place.
love the meow, meow christmas cat, very sweet!! you have an amazing journal, too!!
love, hugs and smiles~ jill

Janine said...

I love the way your mind works!

lyle baxter said...

judy, your journal pages are wonderful. dont you think not really knowing ourselves very well is partially due to being so busy looking after family, helping others, being friends, cooking, cleaning etc that we dont take the time to think? or are we afraid to find out whats in there?

Laura Twiford said...

Judy as always your journal pages are gorgeous but i especially like the mapping one you did in orly's class. Thanks for sharing!

Meri said...

Judy, dear Judy -- would you do a doll class in your own studio. I would be the first to sign up, since you tell me the class has been getting better and I will be glad I didn't get to take it last summer. And oh -- these journal pages are magnificent! I love looking at them, but just haven't gotten the urge to do art journaling myself. Strange......

sandy said...

Wow, I'm so impressed, Love these pages.

Seth said...

Orly's class sounds really wonderful and one that would get the artist thinking! Love your pages and the pops of vivid blue!

Ruth Armitage said...

Judy, I'm so glad you offered the class in your studio :) It is spectacular to have you all to ourselves and to see you in your own environment! I am learning so much... Thank you for sharing all of your wisdom.

Lynn Cohen said...

What was it like I wonder to fly from your own style and format to this new open wider spread? Maybe you can combine the two styles now.
It's like organized squares to wide open spaces...perhaps it takes courage to fly out into the open like that and then one needs to come home and be comfortable with the familiar and safe; and then work up the bravery to fly out again and then again. I bet you do. Look what wonders it brings you, realizations, you soar!
You are artist!

Unknown said...

Thank you for a wonderful, wonderfull day Judy! I'm in such a giddy goof ball mood after playing art all day. I can't believe I get to do it again tomorrow!
Much Love,
Jenny♥

Healing Woman said...

The bird flying over your own representation of your life was ingenious. Self examination is not easy. Your work flows as I'm sure your life has, with smooth paints and textured surfaces.

For years I gave classes in my home and after reading your post today, I'm thinking strongly of giving it a whirl again. I look forward to seeing your classroom work in encaustic wax. I have been using it for a long time but love to see new forms of wax works. Yours will be wonderful.

lynda Howells said...

l am so jealous l don't live near you so l could come and do your classour journal pages..beautiful and interesting as usualx lynda. Good luck with it.x love y

DS Borror said...

i'm surprised you feel that way about opening your doors...you are such a giver and so adapt at sharing yourself and thoughts -via your wonderfully yummy art and this lovely blog...i can say that taking a class from you is on my bucket list...
What are four walls, anyway? They are what they contain. The house protects the dreamer. Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game. It's such a surprise - from under the tuscan sun

JessiVille said...

Wow, I love your journal pages and I think your xmas cat is awesome! I understand the scary process of finding who we truly are. I'm still plodding along on my journey. Thanks for sharing!