For weeks since returning from Portugal, my workshop table has been a holding cell for maps, passport, scraps, 5 or 6 glasses of half-empty water, 3 pairs of my reading glasses, screwdrivers, calculators, matches, bottles of lotion, a bra, a bag of bird seed. Then the fires and smoke and werewolves 6 and 7 year-olds arrived. Someone got tired, took naps, pushed the pause button.
At long last, after weeks of staring at the scene of the disaster, I cleaned my art desk. What a relief. Spanking white new brushes were found under the excavation site. This morning I endeavored to get them dirty. Success!
I wanted to collage and paint and scribble. You know… make a mess… in the pages of my visual journal. So this morning I did. It looks like I did it blindfolded, but I swear I didn't!
ITunes shuffle played in the background reminding me of songs I love, but haven't listened to in awhile. Music-glue-paint-paper-scissor bliss. Away I drifted in my little row boat across the choppy sea to smoother water. I imagined myself in a zocalo somewhere in the Yucatan. You'll know why I sailed off in that direction soon (!)
Today is the first day of my 3 day vacation. I have a visual journal calling my name, more brushes to dirty, a book to finish, and nothing standing in my way.
The Station Fire has been 49% contained as of today. Mt. Wilson
Observatory, the place where Edwin Hubble first discovered the
expanding universe, has been spared. The astronomical world surely breathed a heavy sigh of relief at that. I know I did.
LLLUUUVVV the Trader Joe’s bags. The one in my hometown is kinda far away, so I miss a lot of cool stuff…
been following for awhile and loving your work……I’m here not too far away in Orange County, but still smelling the smoke. So glad you are safe AND the observatory too.
I want to know how to construct the type books you work in…..I’ve been visual journaling for awhile, but want to create my own books with the papers I like, etc. Won’t you make an online class for that???
stay cool….
Tracie
yes…
it is quite a relief.
your art is divine!
You are inspiring me to get back to my art cabinet when I return to L.A. from my puppy-sitting jaunt in Ojai! Left Thursday… is the air any better?
Glad you are back at your creative projects … so fun to check your blog and see what you’re up to!
Hi Mary Ann,
I just found your blog — love what you did with the Portugal travel journal.
Where are you in L.A.? Are you from L.A.?
Have a great holiday,
Connie
Glad to know you’re ok!
I was starting to wonder, since the last post was a nearby fire, and then when the title of today’s post included “disaster”!
I’m glad you are getting to enjoy some play time.
Mary Ann, do you ever view your post pages from a far out zoom? Possibly, probably, not, ‘cuz you are busy creating and posting them. When viewed as a whole, the composition, color and balance of the whole post is always lovely. Intuitive artistry at work.
Thank you
Glad you have been resting up. Our psyche sorely needs that at times. And kudos to you for cleaning your art table! And then plunging in when you also need to touch paint and paper again on that never ending renewal of the soul. Today I determinedly sprayed into a boardbook with nothing in mind but getting some colors and pattern down…and managed to ignore my chaos until…tomorrow…maybe…and read “Over the Hill She Came” by Mary O. Sigh. Life is so full!
oh,
why does out art table become a holding pen for our lives?
I swear I have to dig down layers and layers to get at stuff. The brushes look sooo inviting.
Looks like you just let loose and had some fun!! Love the pile of scraps in the last photo!
Ahhh Mary Ann! I am living through you! I have been laid up & I do mean up on my back with urnial tracty infection(too much info???) I have NEVER known so much pain at once… Oh I long to create and play with paint…. please more, more, more!!!
Warmly, Brian
Enjoy your long weekend! 😉
I have just come in from the garage after two hours of spray painting bliss. I used the respirator, so the happiness comes from spraying in my journal. I am happy Hubble was spared too.
You deserve a break, so start filling up that visual journal so you can show us. I am now on step 2 of my class jouranl. I have painted the pages, and today I am off to the garage to spray paint some stencils on it. I am slow for sure, but am bound and determined to get it done, and show it off to the group.