Like many of you these days, from what I read, I’m regularly confronting a hurdle (which occasionally takes on the imaginary proportions of a very tall, very solid wall) of anxiety or sadness verging on depression or simply a what’s-the-point lethargy.
I wrote more about thatlethargy a few months ago, and wrote a bit about ways I’ve found to clamber over that hurdle. But apparently it’s a protracted and recurrent condition, and I find it worthwhile to check and/or adjust my diagnosis and prescriptions regularly. I find it useful to have some continuing projects and commitments (the Italian classes; walking with French or Italian podcasts; reading daily; strength and stretch classes). . .
but I also find that I like new projects to dig into regularly as well.
And this week, I’m going to tell you about a new project I began at the start of the year. . . and a bit about how it’s evolving and how I hope it will continue to evolve over the coming months.
Unfortunately, I have one more short story to read for Italian Book Club this evening (have you ever read Giovannino Guareschi’s Don Camillo books? Many have been translated into English; I’m struggling with a few stories in Italian and also enjoying them so much. )
so rather than write much more here, I’ll leave you with a page from my Sketch Journal and hope you come back for virtual tea and a chat later this week. . .
The painting is “mixed media” — gouache and marker on paper cut from a pile of “attractive scrap paper” — then glued into my sketchbook. . . It’s the beginning of a series — although I didn’t know that at the time — riffing on teacups and saucers. . . and tea in general, tea in my family history, tea in my personal/social life. Tea-drinking as legacy. Etc. . . . We’ll see. . .
And I also want to tell you about a charming coincidence whereby my good friend Sandy . . . but nope, that news will have to wait. Stay tuned. . .
(I can’t come up with any decent “prompt” questions this morning. Perhaps you will volunteer comments anyway?)
xo,
f
I love anything mixed media, paint, marker, text. Your journal always inspires me. Can't wait to hear what your project is.
I keep my treasured cracked or broken china to create a mosaic one day.
I like Elizabeth's idea. That mosaic could be created around the top lip of a terra cotta garden pot if there was not enough broken to create a larger piece. You have got me thinking, Elizabeth ( and wishing I had not recycled several broken cups and plates just 2 days ago)!
Mixed media is such a freeing way to create art. Learning the art of collage at age 12 from a wonderful art teacher kept me busy for the rest of my teenage years. Am going to try some more. Inspiration. Thank you, Frances.
A.in London
Am very happy to wait for your next post;). I particularly like the little color swatches, as an index of sorts to your journal sketch/painting.
I agree with the others about this love of your mixed media journalling (and about the mosaic) as well. In fact your combination of words and sketch has offered a moment of reflection and hopefully clarification on something.,
Sue B: Thanks for the encouragement. The project's modest enough, really, but it pleases me.
Elizabeth: Good idea! I've never done that, but have a few pieces made by others. So far, with the favourite broken dishes, I've tucked them in the garden where they provide homes for whichever little creatures might find them useful Or simply add a bit of whimsy and colour — and perhaps intrigue a future archaeologist 😉 Even here, where we only have containers to garden in, I've tucked bits of china at the base of a maple tree, a favourite mug now handle-less gets covered by the foliage of bulbs and then emerging herbaceous perennials each spring, but glints colour at me through the spare winter days. . .
Ali: See above, re Elizabeth's mosaic idea. Perhaps I'll retrieve my scattered pieces one day, though, and play a little pique-assiette!
Lisa: I could fill a page with colour swatches! (might have done a few times, actually)
Mardel: Thanks! Funny what can help galvanize our own ideas, isn't it?
A few years ago I covered a terracotta flowerpot with pieces of broken pottery. I still very much like the result, although it turned out very heavy indeed. I was inspired by Kaffe Fassett (again!) who has a book on making mosaics. Very inspiring.
In a way, combining different media by way of a collage is a form of mosaic, too, isn't it?