Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Art Journal Manifestos

One of the exercises I had my students do in my art journaling class was to create a "manifesto" for the first page of their journals.  I remember doing something similar in two of the best online classes I have ever taken - Journal Your Christmas with Shimelle and Got Paint? with Emily Falconbridge, so I decided it would be fun.  These were the two "samples" I showed.  The first one says, "I am an artist.  I have a right to creative time.  I can express my thoughts, feelings and daily activities through images, words and color.  I am an artist."  The second one starts with the Picasso quote:  "Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working." and continues, "The is my place and my time to work artistically.  Inspiration . . . come and get me!"  I hope to share some of my students' work next week.
Have you ever done a "manifesto" page at the beginning of a project?  Did you like it or find it corny?

14 comments:

helena said...

I have done a goal or stement of intent twice in classes I attended - because I couldn't get out of it. I never do them when it is suggested in an online class. The idea (and practice) just does not gel with how I do things and so I feel as though I'm acting being someone else when I'm forced to do one.

But - if I had been shown your 2nd one as an example I would have felt good about it. I had not thought of that kind of approach to the task - I will remmeber it for next time a class I take sugests a manifesto for day one.

Jennifer Grace said...

I like both these pages a lot. I've been thinking about starting an art journal for some time, and know that when I do I want the first page to be 'I am an artist', as it's something that I like to think but not say out loud!

Sian said...

I did one for Journal Your Christmas and surprised myself by enjoying it. I'm sure any student would be encouraged to have a go after looking at these lovely ideas though. I like the second one especially.

debs14 said...

I've only ever done a manifesto when told to do one - I suspect mine was Journal your Christmas too!
I love the quote in the second page, I've never heard it before but I shall think of it next time I sit at the table with papers and photos in front of me with absolutely no idea of what new layout to try!

Cheri said...

Love these artist manifesto pages! I have done several with BPS classes - I'm not afraid of them, I think it helps establish a mindset and expectation of yourself at the outset of the class.

Amy said...

I like them and, as it is down to personal interpretation, I'm happy for them to be a statement of intent/goals/artistic ideals - whatever strikes my fancy at the time. Most often it would be an introduction or dedication to a particular project.

Anonymous said...

I love both of your pages. Is that you in the photograph in the first one? It's so perfect! Maybe if I'd seen myself as an artist as a child it wouldn't be so hard now! I've only written one manifesto--in one of the Christmas journals. It always seems a little contrived when I read it. I do often write a short introduction to a scrapbook project, but they don't fall into the "manifesto" category.

humel said...

I love your manifesto pages - I tend to feel quite self-conscious when trying to do them myself, but I was quite pleased with my JYC one xx

Lynne4444 said...

I believe your idea of an art manifesto page gives the person creating it an opportunity to truly show who they are, who they become, or who they would like to be; what they wish to impart to either make you think or not; to feel or not. Its a beginning and each page in between is the growing process. Its exciting and an adventure.

What a wonderful idea!

SarahLP said...

Wooo-hooooo!!!! We're both through!!

Good luck for the next rounds, Rinda!

Love your manifesto pages by the way - the colours and images you've used are stunning.

sharyncarlson said...

Love your manifesto pages. I've never done one before, but seeing yours I really like the idea.

Carrie said...

Love your Manifesto - and the color!

Tammy Lee Bradley said...

Love them. YOU ARE AN ARTIST! :)

Cheryl said...

Very cool Rinda! I have never done one of these but may have to add it.