Monday, January 21, 2013

FFF: What's Old is New Again (and Monthly Make)

Artists in Blogland have been sponsoring an art journaling series called "Fall Fearless and Fly." The final prompt, is all about looking at something old in a new way.  I did a couple of things with the prompt.  From a journaling perspective, I took a fresh look at where I am right now.  Truthfully, I've been feeling a little mundane lately - not nearly as amazing as I used to be. I feel like I spend far too much time attending to day-to-day appointments and running the house and not as much time doing interesting work or helping my family thrive (instead of just survive).  But, when I took a fresh look at myself, I decided that perhaps I am amazing still - just in a different way. And that's what my journaling page is all about.
I made this art journal page in a journal which is also something old being used in a new way.  This afternoon, I took a really large road atlas (each page is 11x16) and converted it into an art journal.  The "dry" art journal I've been using for my Kelly Kilmer class  measures 9x12, and I've really enjoyed working in a larger format.  I was also inspired by a ledger-turned-art journal that Dina Wakley has featured on her blog.  So I grabbed the atlas from the junk pile in the garage.  I glued 2-3 pages together to give them so more heft and gesso'd a few pages to get them ready.  I'm calling the journal my "monthly make" for January and looking forward to creating some more BIG art journal pages (the double page spread above measures 16x22).
I have really enjoyed the Fall Fearless and Fly prompts.  The only one I missed doing on time was Challenge #6 "Divided by God."  It rolled around in my mind, though, for quite a while, and I eventually created this art journal page on how I turn to prayer when I am stressed.
I created it as part of the Kelly Kilmer class, with lots and lots of paper and no paint. I hear that the sponsors of FFF will be doing something this spring, and I'm looking forward to it! 
Have you repurposed anything lately or taken anything else "old" and made it "new" again?

17 comments:

helena said...

all kinds of ideas percolating from your page - how what it takes to feel amazing changes and how we get used to amazing and how feelings of mundane creep in and how feeling amazing is as important as others seeing it too. Thank you

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

This really struck a chord with me today Rinda. I went to the funeral of a school friend last week and we were reminiscing about all the amazing things we did during those teenage years we spent together.

Karen said...

Definitely STILL amazing; no fears there, my friend! I love the large format page, the photographs you chose, and the colors.

Linda said...

I think you are still amazing Rinda! You are definately an amazing inspiration to me:)

Sian said...

It struck a chord here too! I feel like I've been spending too much time just keeping everyone else going lately.

But your life has been a lot less ordinary and I think we have all admired the amazing way you have been dealing with it all. Not ordinary at all.

Mommy2CVC said...

You are absolutely still amazing. No doubt! Just your life is in a different place right now. I love to pray the rosary! It's so calming and I try to say one daily as does my older child.

Clare Lloyd said...

a really great page. x

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love that great big format you created out of the atlas, Rinda!

I got some red cloth napkins from my mom's house last weekend that I plan to make strawberries out of for a little project that Carrie and I have planned for our trip to the UK in March.

And, if you ever need reminding that you are AMAZING, just reach out to a few of us blog friends. We'll put you back on track right away! xo

Anonymous said...

Yep, still amazing!

Melissa said...

You are definitely amazing Rinda! I love the idea of the old atlas as an art journal!

Jo Murray said...

I'm not a religious person, as you might know, but there's no denying that your blue layout is fabulous.

Ladkyis said...

I think that amazing describes you pretty accurately. Of course the view from where you are is different to the view from where we are. You see the same stresses and troubles around your life and think that nothing is amazing any more. We see you facing those stresses and troubles and making them seem mundane - now that's amazing!

Ginger said...

I don't know Rinda, I look at your art and I think, wow all these different and interesting projects you have done show how creative an individual you are. I find creating, no matter how busy I am sometime is the only thing that helps to keep me balanced. I know when I want to see some pretty AMAZING things, I can always make a jaunt over here :) Take care :)

BTW - I downloaded the app you suggested! I'm going to have a look at it tonight.

Missus Wookie said...

Lots of interesting things here and the subtle map/travel idea of the gessoed map pages inspires lots of thoughts too. Yeah, there are times we think we're surviving not thriving - but hopefully you will find ways to realize you are still amazing :)

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

What an awesome use for an old road atlas! Great looking page too!

Nathalie Kalbach said...

Love your pages...you must be amazing as your art is amazing!

Unknown said...

I agree with Nathalie! I love your take on the Fall Fearless & Fly challenge. It’s been so great having you participate. Stay tuned for more inspiring stuff coming your way at Artists in Blogland!!