On a previous blog post you graciously asked questions about me & my art. I am still going through them and putting posts together. I lumped them into categories that made sense to me so i could answer them easier. Today's post is about design. Since this seems to be a hot topic, i decided to break it up into two parts.
Do you pre-design a layout first and then put items together or go with the flow when designing your work?
The answer is yes. Most of the time i just go with the flow. I have a story to tell which is the most important part for me. Then i just start playing around starting with the background. I do sometimes sketch out designs. This is mostly when i am not working. I keep my eyes open for design inspiration too, fashion, magazines, store displays, etc. I cannot shut off my creative brain and it's always going so i've learned to keep a note pad or small journal near me at all times. I have multiples of these little journals. One on my night stand, one in my purse, one on my desk. One of these days i will compile them all into an art journal, art piece, or scrapbook page.
What advice can you give for a scrapbooker/artist who always "overthinks" her layouts too much. How does one learn to just "let go"?
"'Come to the edge,' He said. They said, 'We are afraid.' 'Come to the edge,' He said. They came. He pushed them...and they flew." Guillaume Apollinaire
It's a scary first step. Trust me i know. I am a perfectionist and overthinker. I have learn to let that go. Mostly. and it is so freeing. What's the worst thing that can happen if you say spray on a background and just don't like it? Put it aside and start over. Cut it down and use it in another piece. What if you if you stamp on a layout and it's ruined? Cover it up with piece of patterned paper. i admit i sometimes have to talk to myself. "chill out ronda. it's only a [insert a project here]. just do ronda." Freak outs happen but don't let them define you. You only live once right. Take a leap and let go. What do you have to lose versus what you have to gain?
All the of the journalists I read about like to make messes. I don't - I like straight lines. Do you have to be a messy person to art journal?
No you don't! An art journal is your place to be free. You get to define what it looks like. If you want straight lines, then do straight lines. You can play with paint, inks, and spray inks in a controlled way if you wish. If can be a strip of paper, a few doodle words, paint in lines, etc. Just do what moves you without worries or judgement.
My question is do you sit and complete these layered pages in one sitting or do you go back multiple times.
Depends on which kind of art we are talking about. Most of the time with scrapbooking, i do it all in one sitting. I go go go until it's all complete. Occasionally though i need to let it sit and brew. It's usually when i am tired or need a break. I will take my time with the mixed media/artsy pieces. I need to let the gesso, paint and/or ink layers dry so that gives me time to think. I will work on multiple mixed media pieces at once but only one scrapbook page at a time. Crazy i know but it works for me and i highly suggest you find what works for you.
How are you able to achieve the artsy journal type pages vs. the more clean style of scrapbooking?
I didn't start off artsy and my style has definitely evolved. I found when i let go of conventions and notions of what a scrapbook page should look like and listened to what i like, it clicked. I started by adding in spray inks or stamped images. I moved onto paints and gesso. I keep adding to my repertoire of techniques and try out new things. i found my style but i will keep exploring. it's part of my nature and i have embraced it fully. Guess what, you can too!
What is your number one thing you would suggest to us perfectionists that want to let go and get messy!?!
like Nike says, JUST DO IT. Do you remember finger painting as a kid and how fun it was? Why cannot it be fun right now? Why do we always have to grown up? Do something that has no end. What i mean by that is just play without it trying to be something (scrapbook page, art journal, etc). Teach yourself to be free. It isn't going to happen all at once trust me. But all it takes is one step in that direction and pretty soon you will be looking back at the big change. One day maybe trying spraying on a piece of paper. Play around with it. Cut 2 x 3 pieces of paper. Spray it up close. Spray it far away. Spray it in a stencil. Try making a puddle and splashing the piece of paper in it (monoprint). See this video about play.
