Diana Trout's blog

Taming the Critic: Honor the Process

2012-02-24T06:01:00-05:00

I'll be working in my smash book because it is fun and I'm kinda proud of myself for buying and using one of these things. I usually would turn up my nose so this is good for me.

Think carefully about your choice of journal. Is your journal overwhelmingly beautiful? Are you afraid to make a mark that will mar its beauty? I have a composition book that is already decorated and filled with writing. At some point, I could gesso and stick a bunch of those pages together and use it for a journal.

I had a bunch of leftover scrapbook papers. I trimmed them down and bound them. They could be spiral bound or you could just use rings.

The important thing is having a place where you will fee completely free. Non-precious. Not product oriented. Did you glue down a bunch of magazine images in your book? Yes. Just do it. Just.Do.It.

Have a great weekend.

Taming the Critic (and stitch)

2012-02-23T06:01:00-05:00

I wonder if you came here today hoping for more about Taming the Critic. Did you? I don't want to move quickly through this. Let's take our time shall we? Write about it. Think about it.

Every little chip you manage to break from the wall is a victory. Draw a star in your composition book. Or cut a bunch of inperfect stars from a magazine background. Try not to care that they are wobbly and wonky.

Pull a pile of images from your magazines and glue them down to your pages. This is not "scrapbooking" or "art journaling." Don't label it. Let it be simply the place where you glue down images that spoke to you. Period.

In the meantime, this bit of cloth is speaking to me. I have just a half hour and perhaps some couching of fibers would be a good way to use it.

Taming the Critic, An Invitation

2012-02-22T06:21:00-05:00

I read your comments on the 21 Secrets Giveaway: all of them. In lieu of individual responses, I am beginning a set of posts called Taming the Critic for you. Overwhelming isn't it? How nasty that critic can be.

Firstly, let me explain how I work with my critic. Over the years, I've listened to him, shushed him, hid from him and wasted all sorts of energy on him. Until it occured to me that I may want to get to know him. And so it goes. "Stewie" and I now work hand in hand (most of the time). He's in charge of the finances and marketing 'round these parts. This is a slow and ongoing process.

Just think about this, ok? Let it rattle around in your brain and body and soul a bit. Try not to tense up to the idea of this and reject it. Maybe you could write about it. Maybe you'd like to write in a composition book or on another piece of paper that you can rip up so nobody can see it? OK? Be nice to yourself and very gentle.

Let's gather a very few supplies: a composition book, a glue stick, a pen, scissors and an old magazine. You may have tons of art supplies, but for the moment, let's put them away.

More to come.

Congratulations to 21 Secrets Winner and more so read this!

2012-02-21T06:07:00-05:00

Meet our winner, Lori Brown. Lori is an elementary school (K-8) art teacher in Memphis, TN. During her summers, she runs an art camp for kids. She wanted to win this class so she could share with her fellow teachers and students. She believes that art helps with the stress her students are under.

Yes. Music, Art, Dance. Creativity. All of the arts pull our lives back into balance. I thank you, Lori, for working so passionately to bring art-making into your student's lives.

It was super difficult for me to pick a winner. Frankly you are all winners. Reading through your comments made me realize all the more that I need to apply myself even harder to bring you as much inspiration as I can.

I just read Jane LaFazio's post over here about improving her skills as a teacher. I love that she asked the question.

I'm going to make up a few questions over the next couple of days (maybe even a survey monkey? would that be good?). I hope that you'll take the time to answer.

In the meantime, all of you folks with your critics sitting on your shoulder taunting you? Go ahead and open that blank book. Open it to any page at all and write that Emily Carr quote down: "Inspiration is intention obeyed." Scrawl it across the pages. Try not to care about your handwriting. Sign it, date it and kiss it goodnight.

As usual, I am left with this simple realization: you all rock. Thank you.

21 Secrets Online Class Giveaway

2012-02-17T06:09:00-05:00

Edit: 2/20, 11:15 (EST) Comments are closed. Winner and some other stuff will be announced tomorrow!
That's right folks. One free class to one of you, dear readers. 21 Secrets Online class opens it's doors on April 1. There are 21 Artists with 21 lessons (video and pdf). You take the lessons when and where you like. They remain up at Ning until January 1, 2013. Chatrooms for the classes will be open that entire time as well. A place to share, ask questions and get answers from the teachers and fellow students.

VERY IMPORTANT! To enter the drawing for the free class, leave a comment. You must include

Your Name
Contact Information*
Why you should win
(no essays: just a simple reason or two)
Comments close Monday night

*If you don't leave your contact information, I have no way to notify you and you are out :(
which would make us both very sad.

My lesson is called Taming the Critic. The description is below.

Scary? Not. My techniques for getting in touch with your critic are pretty amiable. He’s not going anywhere so let’s get to know him!

I’ll encourage you to move quickly, outrunning your critical left brain.

Think storms of words, lines, papers and color and a comfort in imperfect (gasp!) journal pages.

Games and prompts will help you locate that critic-free space within. That power gives you the strength to begin a communication.

Our main supplies will be will be gesso, portfolios, collage fodder and writing/drawing equipment.

GOOD LUCK! and don't forget to leave your contact information!

Painting Yellows

2012-02-16T06:21:00-05:00

It is indescribably joyful to mix colors. I painted a bunch of yellows here, some straight from the tubes and then mixing the yellows both on the palette, wet in wet and layers.

I mixed some purples to see what kinds of grays and browns I'd get. The gray at the top of this picture is a watered down black. So much richer when you mix yourself.

This was my favorite mixed gray. Warm and lively.

Photography: An Amateur Guide to F Stop

2012-02-15T06:15:00-05:00

I have a serious case of"Great Photo" envy. In particular, the photos that have blurred areas. Do you see that blurry pink button in the photo above and the (relatively) sharp cat faced button? This happens when you set a camera's F stop to about F4 and a shutter speed to accomodate the light - no flash! Don't use your flash. It stinks unless you really know what you are doing.

I am reading (studying, decoding) my camera's instruction book whilst reading The Crafter's Guide to Taking Great Photos, by Heidi Adnum. It is finally sinking in. A little. This is the first book I've ever read that seems comprehensible to me. There are tons out there that might suit you better, though.

And so it goes: a step in the right direction. I'm using a Canon Powershot A59, it is between a point and shoot and SLR. Adnum would call it an Enthusiast's Camera. I've had it for about 3 years and never really explored the Manual setting possibilities. So I'm really glad to have stumbled upon her book.

A good project whilst recovering from this danged flu. Geez, does it really take this long? I've never had flu before and next year I'll get the shot.

Art Journal Background Pages

2012-02-14T06:03:00-05:00

Instant art journal backgrounds

A quick idea for you. I took some artwork and ledger pages and a bit of very unsticky tape. You could use temporary adhesive or just careful placement. Lay it down on a color copier and make a copy (or 2). I used a cardstock weight white paper.

Nothing particularly new here, but still, I hadn't thought about it for several years. I have some pages in my new art journal that are quite thin. Gluing one of these instant background sheets to the back of the thin paper is fun.

You can make copies of ANYTHING: feathers, old journal pages, your hand, nuts and bolts, leaves, twigs, stitching. I've made copies of fabric which is quite fun. Whatever speaks to you and says "COPY ME!"

If you are copying objects, put them into a clear plastic frame first so you don't scratch the copier glass.

Still slogging along fighting this flu, so blogging may be a bit sketchy.

Embroidery: Sumptuous Color

2012-02-10T09:49:05-05:00

Words aren't always necessary ...

This just makes me happy.

You too?

Happy Friday

Smitten with Smashin' (Product Review)

2012-02-09T06:19:00-05:00

Have you heard of the line of journal products, SMASH? My purist soul is converting. This stuff is fun.

The printed papers in the journals are a good heavy weight with interesting graphic elements (think of double sided collage-y scrapbook papers). The books are nicely bound with a concealed spiral binding, paper cloth spine and heavy weight cover. I like the concealed binding feature because spiral bound books are always slipping out of place after some time and create a lot of wear and tear on the bookcovers, a pet peeve. So kudos on that, K&C.

I wound up purchasing three journals and a bunch of "stuff" for a retirement gift for a friend, my daughter's Valentine present and meself (why should they have all the fun).

This is not my usual art journaling shtick But here's the thing: this could be a really great bridge between scrapbooking and art journaling for you. If that white page scares the daylights out of you, this might be just the thing to ease yourself into art journaling. Yes, I read your emails and know you are out there wanting to take the plunge.

For these two spreads, I printed out favorites from Pinterest and a mosaic via Flickr. I went through magazines and papers looking for yellow stuff for these two page spreads. I used my markers and colored pencils to make color patches.

All in all, SMASH is a great beginner art journal. And a ton of fun, regardless of age and skill level. No need to be an arTEEST.

Buying Information: Michaels, AC Moore (use those 40% off coupons), Amazon. K&C Company's irrisistable little video. You can take a closer look at the various journal innards on YouTube by searching Green Smash folio, Red Smash Folio, etc. Here is K&C's online store.

Cool beans.