No Excuses Art Journaling

No Excuses Art Journaling, Making Time for Creativity
by Gina Rossi Armfield

I often draw in my sketchbook (actually, I have more than one going at a time), but not with daily regularity. This book outlines a way for even busy people to do some creative work each and every day. She suggests using a soft covered desk calendar as your journal, then adding pages, envelopes, collages, etc. to the book as needed. She discusses art tools and materials, shows how to prepare your journal for entries, and lists monthly, weekly, and daily "assignments".  She suggests ways to "spice up" your journal and offers sources (including a website).   She also includes journal pages by guest artists.  Gina writes on page 26: "Note that this is the skeleton, if you will, a basic structure and a place to begin. You will find your own way and style, and I encourage you to do so.  Someone once told me that you need to know what the box is in order to think outside of it. So here is your 'box'".

I have an old roll of drawing paper and some brown paper bags that might make an interesting journal to start.  

Abstract

Abstract, 2014

Wool strips on linen, 2' x 3'

Recently, I was fortunate to have a rug hooking class with Michele Micarelli.  In trying to find a pattern to work on, I was inspired by her rug, Coral.  I wanted to do a more abstract pattern than I've done previously.  In searching for an idea, I found a photo by Dr. Thomas J. Deerinck on the Nikon Small World website that was colorful and complex.  I sent him an email requesting permission to use the image in a hooked rug, promising to neither sell the rug nor a pattern made from the image. He granted permission. I enlarged the basic forms of the image onto a 2' x 3' linen and dyed most of the wool.  Here is what I have completed of the rug so far.  It gets even brighter!