still doing this. playing in the travel journal! if you think about it, completing one of these in 4-6 weeks is kind of like finishing a visual journal in that space of time.
i don’t know about you, but i seem to take about a year to finish a visual journal!
the travel journal, on the other hand, is a concentrated effort. one that at times feel like it may never end.
yes. because even i, girl reporter, feel at times like throwing this gigantic book over one of the bridges on the 110 freeway and moving on to fresh new things. smooth new thoughts.
that’s the way the process works for me. it’s a marathon commitment finishing one of these, but oh how good it feels to close the covers and set it up on the shelf with the others. you, who’ve completed travel journals know how good the last chapter feels.
i found this card in a little bookstore near my apartment. i liked the little watercolor map on the front with a bit of history about the neighborhood where i hung my hat for a week.
Hello! I was wondering: what sort of watercolor brushes do you travel with? I have gotten into the habit of using a waterbrush around the house, as sometimes I am just doing something like a tiny painting of what the weather was like that day, and I don’t want to fill two cups of water etc. I know some people cut the handles on their brushes and bring them along. How do you carry your brushes to keep them from being smooshed?
Thanks!!
P.S. I never really thought about visiting Nordic countries but Sweden looks just beautiful. Also saw a program on PBS a week or so ago about train travel in Europe (I think it was called “Great Train Journeys of Europe” or s/thing) and Norway also looked spectacular. Lots of waterfalls!
Hi Sandra,
I travel with (and use at home) regular short-handled watercolor brushes available everywhere. I also like water brushes and usually carry one along.
Aha, finally found you… Yes, I am a little slow on the uptake, but I’m back on track now, hard to shake me off…. Site looks fabulous!
LOVE your new setup! This template is fantastic…Ubud? It really showcases your work. I’m a fan of wordpress and have used it in the past. Your journals are awesome! AND because of you I’ve had my first Airbnb experience up in Ojai…a great little ranch cottage…secluded, quiet, beautiful setting. Thanks for the chuckles, the art and the travel logs!!
I think the grid format is super duper groovy. Yes I do.
I’ve loved traveling with you through Wallender country and you can throw any journals my way ,I will pay the postage which would be huge though worth every penny lol….
Your new site looks amazing on my iPad!
Your journals always rock Mary Ann and all I can say is, viewing them is a pleasure from here so I can only imagine how sweet it is to be able to look back whenever you want, a ‘re-trip’ from your favorite chair or corner of Moss Cottage.
I’ve said this before, I could look through you pages and each time, find something I missed. There is always a little sweet surprise to be found. 🙂
Gulp. Mmmm, delicious!
This wonderful synthesis of your travel journal style and the sketchbook style is basically blowing my mind in the best and most glorious way! Loving, loving, LOVING it. I have a deeper pile of unfinished trip journals than I have a pile of finished ones; it takes a lot of self discipline to actually finish them when one gets into the tossing-over-the-freeway phase. That’s ok though, as noted, it’s a way to relive the trip. Wonderful!
Wow you really have done a great job on your travel journal.I have delighted in traveling with you on your journey this summer. I never miss your blogging but maybe I was snoozing…. are you not teaching this Fall? Nosy gal wants to know, if you want to share. Love your new site!!!!
So glad to know I’m not the only one who takes a long time to finish a travel journal! It’s not that I don’t want to, but once you are back home, real life takes over and it’s hard to find the time to focus on getting it done. Plus I find I tend to procrastinate about printing out photos so then there are large blank holes in the book, which is discouraging. I have several that are still works in progress. Nevertheless, it’s always nice to go back to them and re-live a wonderful adventure! Love, love, love seeing the pages of your journals, MA, thanks for sharing!