What do you do with lots and lots of
paintings and experiments? Combine them into a Mixed-Up Journal! Combing
through a big box, I chose ones I really liked and ones that needed a
make-over.
For the covers, I used Davey boards
in a 10.50" x 7.50" size to use more of the folded watercolor papers, mainly my
favorite Fabriano Artistico hot press. Bookcloth in a beautiful turquoise color
covered the bare boards and I attached part of one of my paintings for the
front. Dark brown leather strips and some teal Irish linen thread starred on
the sewn-over-tapes binding style. Endpapers are another painting.
I left a lot of room in the binding
to allow for collage and attachments. I love being able to use little bits and
pieces as well as the larger sizes of watercolor paper.
Even though the book has a lot of
painting already done, each can be altered. I know there are some not so great
pieces will get some gesso and paint, if not a great photograph or photo
transfer, fabric, leaves, mementoes, and various embellishments. And, there are
all the backsides that are blank and awaiting!
This is such a fun format and I’ve
already begun this journal, feeling so free experimenting and playing.
